We’d never advise you to stand in the middle of moving traffic—unless, of course, you’re making an appearance with Reclaim The Streets. This London-based coalition against cars and corporate globalization is a force to be reckoned with, staging non-violent demonstrations on public streets (including highways and freeways) throughout the world. RTS argues that the road is public space, and that they have the right to use it as much as the hulking, smog-spewing cars and trucks that clog the roadways and prevent ped traffic from passing through.
The group has been railing against cars since the 1970’s (though, evidently, the powers-that-be have yet to listen). In an open
letter to the Sunday Mirror, published in 1976, the group lambastes cars and their hostile, careless drivers:
There are these large pieces of metal hurtling around at high speed in residential areas. They are such a menace to life & limb that every journey made by any other means is chiefly spent dodging these monstrous objects. They are the single biggest cause of atmospheric pollution and global warming. They are the largest market for the warmongering oil industry. Their noise is the noise of the city. These cars are so central to the organisation of this society, especially the organisation of work, that an illusion has to be maintained that nobody sees anything wrong with the ever increasing number of cars.
Protecting ourselves from them has become our responsibility as pedestrians.
RTS’s non-violent demonstrations aren’t your typical protests, with chanting mobs of people and picket signs, or silent sit-ins with peace advocates who aspire to the likes of Ghandi (not that there’s anything wrong with that). Instead, RTS’s protests are actually parties—thrown in the middle of major roadways to obstruct traffic. Angry drivers aren’t invited. Pedestrian traffic, however, is given the royal treatment. RTS’s parties are known for being lively—and run the gamut from wild, raucous raves (blaring dance music, crowd surfing) to picnics in the park ("fun for the whole family,” free food, live music).
According to the group’s
website:
Reclaim The Streets is not a send-off-the-cheque, sit-in-front-of-the-spectacle organisation. It’s a participatory disorganisation. The best way to make good things happen is to take part. Get a group together to organise a street party or whatever, wherever where you live.
On RTM’s advice, many have taken it upon themselves to take to the streets, organizing their own road parties in and around their own major cities. RTM admits that many a party takes place without their even knowing of it, as so many anti-car compatriots have stepped aboard the cause—and into the streets—of their own volition.
For newbies, RTM offers
instructions on how to stage your own reclamation, from rallying friends to avoiding scuffles with "men in blue."
With its success in the UK, Reclaim The Streets has spread its message abroad, branching out to like-minded supporters in Dublin, Auckland,
New York, and hundreds of other cities throughout the world. Protests aren’t always peaceful, however, as a recent demonstration in
Reykjavik proves.
Related posts:
- Making Streets Complete
- Ciclovia Helps Peds Take Back Baltimore Streets
- The “Petition Car”: Streets Are For People!
- Car Dealerships Push Peds Off Streets in Queens, NYC
- Lose the Traffic Lights to Improve Our Streets?