Dancing in the Streets

The little-publicised prohibition of dancing at the Thomas Jefferson memorial in Washington DC, and the ensuing violent arrests there, illustrate the US government's legal means of controlling citizens' peaceful behaviour in public space, prompting a colleague of mine today to dismiss the protesters' behaviour as provocative and moronic - a description which seems to me more suitable to the law and the policing of the space.

The principle of police confrontation over controlling that delicate line between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour in public space is critical to civil society, although it may seem a subtle point compared to violent conflicts elsewhere in the world.

http://coilhouse.net/2011/05/thoughts-on-the-may-28th-jefferson-memorial-protestarrests/

http://youtu.be/2Dy2YSRFPb0

Music in the Streets of King's Cross:

Ivan Tantu http://www.flickr.com/photos/milkandtwosugars/5829313639/

Texas Couscous http://www.flickr.com/photos/milkandtwosugars/4398524831/

Puncture Kit http://www.flickr.com/photos/milkandtwosugars/4399287282/

Living Streets Award

I had a call today about a nomination for Marchmont Association for the Charles Maher Living Streets Award 2011 which will be announced at Living Streets' Annual Supporters' Conference in June.
I suggested that Marchmont Association has campaigned for the changes to the junction of Marchmont and Tavistock Streets, to make it better for pedestrians and cyclists (although slower for Taxis!) and has also campaigned successfully for improvements and 'boulevard' enhancements, street trees, pavements, lighting etc, on Marchmont Street, one of the last central London 'village' high streets with a mix of small independent shops.
It was apt that I had just seen the 1983 documentary about Kenneth Williams, who had lived in Marchmont Street, and which followed him around some of his haunts around King's Cross, including Cromer Street and the pub 'The Boot'. (See also KXLE) (Other awards)