[AlanG]

From courier. If no one has ever read between the lines about media reporting of these events note the copy of the polices word as the lead for the story then a chunk at end from the other witnesses: participants and observers and try to figure out why the courier went with the line they did

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Police and activists clash as G8 protest turns ugly

By Steve Bargeton and Stefan Morkis

THE G8 protest turned ugly yesterday as hundreds of anarchists fought running battles with riot police in the centre of Edinburgh.

Police arrested 90 people following the clashes. Twenty-one people, including four police officers, were injured, fortunately none seriously.

Around 500 anti-capitalists massed in the west end of the city near the financial centre for what was billed as The Carnival for Full Enjoyment.

The violence was roundly condemned by ministers and the police.

The protest started peacefully with demonstrators, some in colourful dress and others in black with their faces masked, dancing to samba bands and whistles watched by police some wearing English “bobbies” helmets.

But within a short time the police were dealing with skirmishes and scuffles. Missiles were thrown and weapons were recovered as businesses were forced to shut, roads were sealed off and office workers were advised not to venture out for their own safety.

Shoppers and tourists were caught up in the chaos as police corralled pockets of protesters in and around Princes Street.

It is believed that several anarchist groups took part in yesterday’s demonstration, including the Black Bloc who tried unsuccessfully to disrupt the Make Poverty History march at the weekend, the Wombles, Dissent and the Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army.

For several days police have voiced concern about yesterday’s event due to the fact that none of the organisers had contacted them to discuss their plans.

And yesterday, as their fears were confirmed, they condemned the violence and disorder as “unacceptable.”

“We have always been prepared to talk to them to help them stage peaceful protest but it is clear that was never on their agenda,” said Lothian and Borders assistant chief constable Ian Dickinson.

“They have been determined to challenge the community and the police service for their own selfish agenda to inflict disruption and significant disorder.”

Tom Halpin, assistant chief constable, said, “Their agenda was not lawful protest, this was about bringing disruption.

“We have been experiencing spontaneous outbreaks of disorder around the Princes Street area of the city.

“Police action to minimise the danger this is causing and to ensure the safety of the public has been, and continues to be, robust and proportionate.”

Mr Halpin added, “We have always said that we wanted to assist those who wished to make peaceful protests, but in our view it’s clear this was never on this group’s agenda.

“This was not about protest, this was unacceptable and irresponsible behaviour. We are facing a hard-core of determined activists, supported by hangers-on.

“Large numbers have been facing up to the police, they are clearly organised and co-ordinated.

“We have recovered maps, radios, mobile telephones and weapons, including stones and staves and other missiles which have been thrown at police officers.

“There is evidence of weapons being brought into the city centre by protesters, despite their apparent outward display of good humour.

“I’m satisfied that some key ring-leaders are already under arrest. We will continue to police robustly and maintain law and order until the situation is resolved.

“Our police officers have behaved in a measured and professional way, despite extreme provocation and indeed violence.”

Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson described yesterday’s events as “sad and disappointing” and warned that those bent on violence would not find the authorities “a soft touch.”

“We are clearly concerned that central areas of Edinburgh are facing significant disruption today,” she said.

“However, it is sad and disappointing that a hard core of protesters are more interested in protest for protest’s sake—and not in joining the rest of the country in focusing on the real issues of poverty and climate change.

“The actions and behaviour of those involved today shows just how out of touch they are with the mood of the nation, so clearly expressed during Saturday’s Make Poverty History march.

“The overwhelming priority of the police is to maintain public safety and public order. They are clearly focused on that, are well resourced, and have our full support.

“We have made clear for many months that those who come to Scotland to take part in peaceful protest will experience policing that is fair, professional and tolerant. However those who step out of line will find out that our police are not a soft touch and will deal effectively and efficiently with the law-breaking few.”

However, a Dundee-based MSP criticised the police for their handling of yesterday’s disturbances after she unwittingly became caught up in the demonstrations.

Green Party co-convener Shiona Baird had returned to the capital after taking part in the anti-nuclear protest at Faslane but found herself swept up in the clashes between protesters and police.

She and her Green party colleague, Mark Ballard MSP, were caught up in disturbances in Hanover Street together with Mr Ballard’s wife Heather Stacey and Green Party member Mark Sydenham shortly before 6 pm.

The MSPs claimed yesterday that police were letting people wander into areas where there were disturbances, but then refusing to let anyone out and that their actions were inflaming the situation.

Ms Baird and her companions had walked down Rose Street, past shoppers and tourists, before finding themselves caught up in the Hanover Street disturbance and surrounded by police on three sides.

She said she found herself pushed up against a shop window in Princes Street by riot police with shields. “I was astonished that we almost stumbled into this disturbance—and even more shocked to discover that police would not let us leave the volatile areas,” said Ms Baird last night.

“Faslane was a textbook peaceful protest and to come across this in Edinburgh was very disappointing.”

Mr Ballard, who has been trained as an impartial legal observer for large-scale protests, said, “All four of us were pushed into the middle of the demonstration.”

Mr Ballard added, “Police officers were letting people, including innocent bystanders but also groups of young people drinking alcohol, into the areas where there were disturbances, but they were not letting anyone out.

“We thought that the safest route would be through Princes Street Gardens, but once in there we found ourselves trapped between two lines of police.”

The MSP added that the police seemed confused about what they were supposed to do once they had hemmed the demonstrators in.

“We moved into Princes Street where we pushed up and down the street…

“Police were rushing into the crowd and antagonising them. It was the most surreal and bizarre policing I have ever seen.

“Police seemed to be inflaming the situation by letting innocent bystanders wander into the areas of trouble, then not letting them exit,” he added.

Ms Baird and Mr Ballard have now called for both protesters and police to remain calm during the G8 summit later this week.

“The most important thing now is for police and protesters to remember what it is that we are all here for—to show the power of the right to democratic protest, not to abuse that right or threaten the well-being of others,” said Ms Baird.

“The more peaceful the protest, the more powerful the message, and that is what we all need to focus on now.”

Mr Ballard added, “It has sadly marked a departure from the good-natured and calm atmosphere of Saturday’s march, and I urge police and protesters to work to restore that calm ahead of Wednesday.

“The G8 leaders can all too easily dismiss violent actions—they cannot turn an ear to peaceful protest by those who are passionate about the issues at stake.”

Some local people, who found their paths around the centre of Edinburgh blocked also criticised the police tactics.

Teacher Gordon Cargill (49), from Shandon, Edinburgh, said, “It all seems to be fairly fragmented and without wanting to pre-judge anything, it seems to me a complete overreaction, as far as policing is concerned.

“It’s hard to judge because you don’t know the overall picture but I haven’t seen any violent action taken by the protesters.”

His wife Heather (52), also a teacher, said, “We saw 40 or 50 teenagers with their faces painted coming up Lothian Road.

“Suddenly there was this massive response and they cornered them with dogs.

“We don’t know the big picture but from what we see, it’s a massive overreaction. They looked like young people protesting peacefully.”

Most of the protesters in Canning Street refused to speak to the media.

But a member of the Rhythms Of Resistance samba band and dancers, who gave her name as Sarah, insisted the protesters were speaking for a larger group of people than the G8 leaders.

The 23-year-old, from Berlin, who has been staying at an eco-village in Stirling since last week, said most of the demonstrators were anti-capitalists and described herself as an anarchist.

“In capitalism the poorest will always be poor and will always be ignored, that’s the way the system works and it’s great that so many people recognise that change must happen,” she said.

“You can’t change the world by wearing a white wristband.

“I think it’s necessary to directly oppose the hierarchical structures of capitalist society which are represented by the shopping centres or by the police not wanting us having our carnival in this city centre, which should belong to everyone.”

Jay Kaye, an activist with anti-G8 group Dissent, who claimed he was acting as an observer, said, “The demonstration here has been peaceful, there have been no laws broken, yet the police have turned on people, including the media.

“I think it’s an insult to democracy in Scotland and Britain to not allow people to peacefully protest.”