Synopsis

A year-long recap of the direct action and protests for the 'No M11 Link Road' campaign. In 1994, public opinion forced the government to drop over 100 road schemes. But 250 schemes are still going ahead. There has been a campaign against these schemes since 1953. The video begins with a shot of young people scaling the Department of Transport's building to put up a banner that reads ‘M11 Link. You Must be Choking’ followed by a celebratory event outside the building by protestors marking the one-year anniversary of the movement. A young protestor recounts the year in action, marking the tree protest as a significant moment that accelerated the movement. Throughout the video, art-making becomes part of protest action as young people hang a long banner made to mimic a road outside Transport Minister John McGregor’s house, while also recycling rusty cars and other items to make art on Claremont Road in East London which is set to be destroyed for the M11. The video also bears witness to the violence protestors are met with: some are left dangling from roofs, while another person is almost sawed off a tree.