arch/ive/ief (2000 - 2005)

After having been woken up very early by those well organised and over-enthusiastic Globalise Resistors who were more keen than us to get out in the freezing breeze and icy streets; we made our way down to the convergence centre at Tourn et Taxis.

There we met other RoR bands to make up the carnival bloc. Leaving around 11am we found the front of the march, but lined up and started playing in a side-street until some of the demo had passed. We followed the lengthy circular route which went from and back to the convergence centre, a compromise route between the Brussels city council and the D14 collective. In truth it was from the middle of nowhere to the back of beyond, through deserted residential streets. Compared to yesterday's Union demo, today had far greater diversity, students, GR members, left parties and general malcontents, with a large but extremely fluffy Black Block (aka New Kids on the Black Block)they seemed reluctant to smash the windows of the few banks they eventually did; . around 30 000 is a reasonable guestimate.

We fared pretty well under the circumstances, tring to work out common rhythms, ways of playing them and languages eventually led to three tunes that we could play reasonably well. Which kept people happy and dancing in the extreme cold, but sunny afternoon.

Moving back to the Convergence Centre peacefully (more or less) we listened to music before attempting to disperse. Unfortunately cops had blocked the roads away from the converge centre and seached everyone who wanted to leave the area. This was around 3.30 pm.

At around 4pm we were told that the cops moved closer to the centre and refused to allow anyone to leave the area. This led to a stand off with people throwing rocks etc with cop water cannon retaliation.

NO more news on this front but the cops are apparently hovering aroung the IMC from where we are writing...