This article originally appeared on VICE UKBy 8 AM on Friday, it had begun. Protesters from Black Lives Matter UK started to block the road leading to Heathrow airport, laying themselves across the tarmac on the M4 at the start of what became a full day of "shutdown" actions around England. "We wouldn't be here shutting down roads, shutting down transport systems, if the system worked," said protester Shanice Octavia, speaking to VICE on Friday afternoon. "It's a cry to be heard."
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By the evening, the focus had shifted towards rallies held in London, Nottingham, and Manchester where protesters socialized and strategized, banners at the ready. Photographer Chris Bethell headed to east London's Altab Ali park—a location named in memory of a Bangladeshi garment worker killed by three teens in a racist attack in 1978—to check things out.Given how recent protest movements have failed to inspire the government to reverse unpopular decisions—first on UK military intervention in the Iraq War and then on the introduction of university tuition fees—Chris asked some of those gathered whether they think disruptive protest can work in the UK today.
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Antony: It gets the message out, doesn't it? But then it's also about the people you bring into that protest. Because it's not just about shutting stuff down—it's about changing perceptions of who has the power.Bethany: It's not like they're being violent towards one another either. It's just us trying to get our voice heard. No one will listen otherwise; unfortunately that's how it is.Antony: It's like how the slogan goes: "If they don't give us justice, then we won't give them peace."
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Here are some more photos from the evening, where the peaceful rally continued, with people breaking off into groups based on their respective London neighborhoods to talk about future plans. A splinter group split off from the main rally to blockade the Aldgate East junction in east London. That direct action wasn't connected to the main congregation.Follow Chris on Twitter