The short film of the G20 protest in the City of London on April 1, 2009, Hugs and Thugs, created by da100thmonkey from the Peace Not War collective, shows the violence and brutality of the state’s frontline police, and captures live music at the scene, with a folk strummer singing a reworked version of the Clash’s defiant anthem London Calling, backed by clips of the song “Peace Not War”, the music and words of GM Baby, which appeared on the PNW 2 album and lyrically expresses the sense of community, defiance of tyrannical rule and faith in the overcoming of that tyranny through peaceful actions, that symbolises the essence of the Peace Not War collective.

The film does not flinch from recording how police kettled peaceful protesters and refused them their democratic right to move as free citizens in a supposedly free city. It shows how, in the midst of this orchestrated confrontation, the ingenuity of the human spirit, with its natural inclination to friendship and inclusivity, can do more to blur the lines between police and public and do more to break down these artificial barriers, than any amount of bottles and sticks and insults hurled against the well-protected riot squad. A head-to-head battle suits no one but the few who profit from keeping all humanity divided.

Music art and humour break though that divide and allow the humanity in all of us to flourish. It is why Peace Not War represents more than just outstanding music and art. It represents a hope; peace can be a way of life and not just a vague ideology. Creative and courageous acts in moments of crisis can dissolve barriers, political and religious, that keep us apart, and is the only hope of reaching the achievable objective that all right thinking people wish for.

To live, as GM Baby’s lyrics say, “In harmony not fear”.

So watch and be inspired to be the change you wish to see

Peace