On Sunday 9 th May, Boaters from all over London and the River Lee gathered on Walthamstow Marshes to protest against CRT’s proposed ‘Water Safety Zones’ and to plan the next stage of action against them. An estimated 200 people joined across the five hour protest picnic, including many passers-by and local people who expressed sympathy with our cause.

A round circle discussion in the afternoon brought new faces and new ideas to the campaign. NBTA members left with renewed optimism that CRT will not be allowed to curb our livelihoods by imposing mooring restrictions within the zones.

And that wasn’t the only outcome. The day following the protest picnic, CRT announced that they are postponing the implementation of the so-called Water Safety Zones while they speak to stakeholders. NBTA’s collective action is forcing them to listen to us.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

After powerful demonstrations of collective boater resistance at both of the proposed “safety” zones, the Canal and River Trust (CRT) has agreed to open a formal consultation on the Water Safety Zones, with the participation of representatives from NBTA London and other stakeholders.

While a consultation is a step in the right direction, we believe it can only be successful if CRT provides the data supporting the existence of a safety issue. Thus far, this data has not been forthcoming. NBTA London shall participate in the consultation process, but questions the possible success of a consultation which continues to be based on an unproved claim.

We believe that the Safety Zones as currently framed should be scrapped, and any measures coming out of the consultation should be non-harmful to the lives and wellbeing of liveaboard boaters without home moorings, developed with the input of our community.

Our next protest is on Sunday 13 June

https://nbtalondon.wordpress.com/2021/05/15/hackney-flotilla-protest/

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Note to media: press release here

PROTEST EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES LINED UP FOR FLOTILLA ON SUNDAY 13 JUNE!

The flotilla protest is taking shape! We have music and other creative acts lined up for the day in celebration of boater culture and all of the ways in which boaters make London a richer and more diverse place.

JOIN US, BOATERS AND TOWPATH WALKERS!

DAYTIME

• Boat flotilla convoy with live acts onboard (brass band, buskers, soundsystems), moving from Walthamstow Marshes to Hackney Wick and back
• March on the towpath alongside the flotilla
• Multiple NBTA stalls on the towpath with cakes for sale and passionate discussion for free

LATE AFTERNOON/EVENING

Afternoon gathering at Walthamstow Marshes:

• NBTA talk
• Live music (Village Butty roof stage):
  • Gator Dogs Brass Band (7-piece New-Orleans style)
  • Dub Righters (pop reggae)
  • Chewy She (trash-electro-disco)
  • Traditional folk band
  • Family-friendly punk band
  • Soundsystem boats
• Boater circus show
• Children’s activities

________________________________________________________

On Sunday 13 June 2021, boaters and canal wanderers alike will gather at Walthamstow Marshes to protest the CRT’s introduction of new mooring restrictions on the lower Lee and Broxbourne.

Boaters will move their boats to the Marshes and travel en masse to Hackney Wick, simultaneously celebrating boat culture and raising a fist to those who want to destroy it.

Towpath users can chat to boaters stationed on the towpath to find out more about the restrictions and our campaign to resist them.

When: Sunday 13 June, 11am for 12pm set-off

Where: Walthamstow Marshes, opposite Anchor and Hope

See facebook event here: Hackney Flotilla Protest | Facebook

See press release here

OTHER WAYS TO HELP

INFORMATION