The Bridge Digital newspapers Croatian edition 1990s | Page 36

Peaceful protests
The violence erupted just after 1600 BST following a peaceful march against
the poll tax which saw up to 700,000 people take to the streets in protest
at the new government levy.
A group of protesters involved in a sit-in at Whitehall, close to the Downing
Street entrance, refused to move after requests from police and stewards.
As police arrested offenders, placards and cans were thrown from the crowd
and the trouble spread to Charing Cross Road, Pall Mall, Regent Street and
Covent Garden.
David Meynell, deputy assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, in
charge of the operation, said a peaceful march had been "completely
overshadowed by the actions of about 3,000 to 3,500 people in minority
groups".
He said they "without any doubt at all" had launched "a ferocious and
sustained attack on the police".
The Home Secretary David Waddington is expected to make a statement to
the House of Commons on the rioting tomorrow.
Thatcher Resigns
Thatcher quits as prime minister
Margaret Thatcher is to stand down as prime minister after her Cabinet
refused to back her in a second round of leadership elections.
The former secretary of state for the environment threw down the gauntlet
after a string of serious disputes over Britain's involvement in the European
Union.
The prime minister said pressure from colleagues had forced her to conclude
that party unity and the prospect of victory in the next general election would
be better served if she stepped down.