As to be expected, with an international gathering of this size, just hours before the opening ceremonies London was dealing with protesters.
Taxi Drivers Protest Traffic Sanctions Imposed During the Games….
Cab drivers argue the traffic lanes — which are restricted to Olympic officials and athletes — should also be available to taxis.
Taxi drivers gathered at Hyde Park corner as part of a demonstration against Olympic traffic lanes, while protestors held a “die-in” against major sponsor Dow Chemicals outside the Olympic Park in Stratford.
Despite the protest, thousands turned out to see the torch make it’s final journey through London. Preparations were also in place for a special opening night concert in Hyde Park featuring bands Snow Patrol and Duran Duran.
Demonstrators show up in protest of major Olympic sponsor, Dow Chemicals.
Members of the Bhopal Medical Appeal held a ‘die-in’ in protest against the company it claims has responsibility for the fatal 1984 gas leak in India.
Dow Chemicals is a major sponsor of the Olympics, with the multimillion-pound deal including a fabric wrap around the stadium in east London.
However, the deal has caused controversy with campaigners arguing Dow holds responsibility for the disaster in Bhopal, which killed an estimated 15,000 — a claim which it denies.
These protests symbolize peoples’ concerns about large scale environmental and human rights abuses.”
Dow Chemicals told CNN it remained “fully committed to our partnership with the IOC and to contributing to a successful, positive London 2012 Games” and questioned whether the protest should go ahead.
“The use of the Olympic Games to protest has become an unfortunate part of what should be a global celebration. We believe in freedom of speech and encourage debate on this important issue,” said a Dow spokesman in a statement.
“However, we regret the misinformed and misdirected allegations and actions of some, which are not constructive to the resolution of the issue or consistent with the spirit of the Olympic Games.”
