Orange men good: hi-vis dissent on a Newcastle bridge
What began as documentation of the “Rebels on Roundabouts” became a study of persuasion and the hidden structure of grassroots political economy
I calculated that I could just about afford the return train fare to Newcastle yesterday and still pay my rent while staying within my overdraft limit, so I decided to photograph one of the “Rebels on Roundabouts” events. People opposed to a bio-medical digital tyranny taking over society stand at the roadside with placards, hand out newspapers and flyers, and motorists who support the cause hoot their horns in solidarity. It is a different category of protest from a march or a rally outside a public building. I enjoy capturing these events as a record of contemporary history.
As an aside, American readers may not fully appreciate the role roundabouts play in British society; they are something of an idiomatic, localised driving skill. They are less common in the United States and, where they do exist, are often at low-volume junctions such as housing complexes, or governed by more rigid priority rules. For drivers accustomed to four-way stops — which do not exist at all over here — the expectation is of halting rather than flowing. By contrast, British roundabouts are a choreography of timing, often with eccentric layouts, unspoken limits on hesitation, an expectation of commitment, and a quiet disapproval of aggression.
Newcastle is a mix of splendid old buildings…
…and modernist dystopia.
The protest was on an approach road to the iconic Tyne Bridge, which is undergoing repairs.
Plenty of signage for passersby.
A smorgasbord of issues — often entangled in complex ways.
Newspapers being handed out to cars stopped at the lights. Once one car takes a paper, those behind have a propensity to follow.
Friends who have been doing this together for years.
Many takers, and little to no abuse being shouted about “anti-vaxxers” in 2026. Telling those inside “you’re a warrior” — it is a spiritual war.
Why do people do this? Because they have lost loved ones.
Not “right-wing conspiracy theorists” — just ordinary people concerned about the wellbeing of society and their fellow man.
Joy at having 20 takers of a newspaper in a row — the first time ever in years of doing this. Seems like the masses are twigging something is wrong.
I noticed it was a lot of men “on the job” in commercial vehicles who are most willing to engage.
The real audience for the message are the “orange men” in high visibility work clothing who are the “doers” in society that generate true wealth, rather than play financial or legal games to move it around.
While students may be apathetic these days, too concerned with how to repay their loans, the older generation are still politically engaged and active.
Freedom isn’t free, I am sorry to say.
The corruption problems are tragically all too real.
Most people have no idea. I had a coffee beforehand at a “green” charity shop. The server was into Extinction Rebellion and climate change. I didn’t argue.
One participant popped below the bridge to relieve himself in a bush out of sight of the public — and a loudspeaker told him off! Surveillance everywhere. He confessed to me he had a urological cancer. What a weird world we have built.
But we can each do something about it.
Especially when the problems are parochial.
Thanks for joining me on our trip to Newcastle.
Homeless on the streets — and a van with more “orange men” stopped to talk as I photographed it. That is the real story. It isn’t about the protestors.
It is about the people who keep society running, and keeping them running too.
Orange men good. Take care of them.
One of the participants pointed me at this music video — enjoy! 🙏