Huge Rally In Hyde Park

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30108, 17 April 1963, Page 15

Huge Rally In Hyde Park

(N.Z.P A.-Reuter—Copyright)

LONDON, April 16. Last night a vast crowd of 70,000 massed in Hyde Park to demonstrate against nuclear weapons. The number of marchers had swelled steadily since more than 9000 left Aldermaston on Good Friday, and the huge crowd in Hyde Park compared with 40.000 last year. The chairman of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (Canon Collins) was attacked by the extreme Right-wing League of Empire Loyalists. An 81b bag of flour was tipped over him when he arrived in Hyde Park. Later, eggs were thrown at him and ->ne smashed at his feet.

The rally itself was orderly. It ended with a onem.nute silence followed bv a wail of sirens CND claimed its members had been “orderly” throughout yesterday’s march, and blamed the more militant Cot nittee of 100 for incidents with police

During the week-end the Committee of 100 had threa tened to break away from the Hyde Park rally to stage s more emphatic protest in Whitehall

Police clashed with militant groups among the 25.000 Aldermaston marchers as they reached centra) London at the end of the four-day trek

There were 72 arrests in skirmishes between Hyde Park and Trafalgar square, reported the “Daily Telegraph.” One of the 72 arrested a youth, aged 19. was later charged with possessing dangerous drugs on the march. In the general confusion, one policeman had his foot run over by a bus.

More than 3000 police were stationed along the route into central 1-ondon. said the “Daily Telegraph.” Clashes with police in Hyde Park. Victoria, and Whitehall created big gaps in the marching column, which took more than two and a half hours to pass any given point The incidents largely involved marchers with the Federation of London Anarchists and several Scottish and Irish anti-nuclear contingents. said the newspaper Some marchers tried to force past police cordons at Buckingham Palace and Ad-

miralty House, the official London residence of the Prime Minister (Mr Macmillan).

Several police and demonstrators were injured. Police helmets rolled in the gutter and banners were trampled. Frightened women screamed as mounted police pressed the crowds back.

At busy Hyde Park corner demonstrators linked arms 15 abreast, bringing traffic to a halt.

Mounted police were pelted with apples and sticks as the mile-long column wound its way towards Hyde Park. As militant demonstrators fought with the police, march officials ran up and down ranks shouting: “Keep calm, keep calm ” Earlier police had swooped on demonstrators passing out thousands of freshlyprinted versions of the sensational “Spies for Peace” pamphlet Several people distributing ■he documents were arrested Some had been shouting: "Get your official secrets here.’’

The "Daily Sketch" said that when the marchers moved on Admiralty House the great oaken gates were locked for the first time in memory

The marchers burst into song “I've Got a Secret, a Lovely Official Secret” sung to the tune of “I Love a Lassie" Then they chanted: "Macmillan Out. Out. Out" Police said last night most of those arrested during the march had been released on bail Many are expected to appear before London Courts today