Park Royal Underground Station in London has been described as the worst in the city, and according to one account, possibly the worst in the world. The station's entrance, dating from the 1930s, leads directly onto a busy dual carriageway with no clear or safe way for pedestrians to cross. The surrounding area appears to have been designed predominantly for car traffic, leaving those on foot effectively stranded upon exiting the station. Although there is an underpass, its presence does little to alleviate concerns about what has been characterised as "dystopian urban planning."
This assessment was shared during an event where a small protest was held near the station. The Stop Trump Coalition organised a gathering at the Tesla showroom nearby ahead of a planned US presidential state visit to the UK. The protest, known as Tesla Takedown, involved about twenty people, including an individual in a shark costume, carrying signs that read “Honk if you hate billionaires.” Drivers approaching the showroom responded by honking their horns, including occupants of large and small vehicles, local residents of varying income levels, an Ocado delivery van, and even an ambulance with its siren engaged.
One observer, an anthropologist who spoke off the record, remarked on the transient nature of a honk but was quickly challenged when continuing the discussion. The protest itself, although small, was noted for the diverse composition of participants including US progressives, a Ukrainian woman who has lived in the UK prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and an anti-Brexit campaigner who brought an EU flag. Despite their backgrounds and the political challenges they face, those involved appeared surprisingly upbeat.
The atmosphere of the gathering suggested that the act of honking served not only as a public response to the protest’s message but also as a morale booster for those participating. One commentator described this effect by saying, “The true mechanism of a honk is that it buoys the spirit, for ages, possibly for ever.”
The report and reflections were provided by Zoe Williams, a columnist for The Guardian.
Source: Noah Wire Services