Put the Kettle Off
Regarding other NATO protests in Edinburgh, have had some updates from someone studying the post-Tomlinson policing effort. After ploughshares activists were arrested for non-violent direct action there was a clampdown. The city was under a section 60 all weekend anyway. Activists, many of them elderly, protesting at a speech of the NATO secretary-general at Edinburgh University were kettled. One anonymous poster on Indymedia Scotland complained of being "dragged and thrown over barriers and down steps".
Hugo Gorringe of Edinburgh University who studied the 2005 G8 protests in Edinburgh reported:
"The protestors asked repeatedly what law they were being held under and were told variously that they were being detained to ‘prevent a breach of the peace’ and that ‘their association with the activists arrested that morning’ made them suspicious. One of the key recommendations of the G20 reports was that ‘there needs to be an exit strategy for those contained’ and that there needs to be good communication and consideration of facilities like food, water, shelter, toilet facilities and medical aid (HMIC 2009: 44). In this instance the legal provisions offered by the catch-all breach of the peace legislation were used to detain a group of some 15 people (hardly a public order problem) for two and half hours."
They were then released, but police followed them to the Elephant House Cafe and instructed staff to make sure the exits were sealed! In case they were trying to pull a quick getaway you understand.
:: | 9:13 PM |Save This Page | |
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:: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 ::
Homework Robot
Liked this add for the Positive About Science campaign stenciled or otherwise stuck on somehow to the pavements outside my local school. There were two variants I spotted. The idea seems to be to get kids interested in a science career. Pay attention kids.
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:: Saturday, November 14, 2009 ::
Troops Out Demo
The NATO summit being held in Edinburgh has attracted a number of protests. The low turnout at some seems to be a direct result of the cloak and dagger tactics of the organisers. One friend reports an attempt to attend a demo on Friday, he was told to await a text, and also given a number where a message would be left giving details of the protest. He waited in a cafe, but half an hour before the advertised start time for the demo no text had arrived. He called the number, there was a message...informing him to wait for another message. Eventually he called home and got his partner to check the web where he finally found the details had been posted. Twenty protesters were at the rally point.
The demo organised by the Stop the War coalition, the Scottish Afghan Society and Scottish CND was rather better trailed, and attended although mostly by East Coasters with Glaswegians concentrating on their successful opposition to the unpleasant 'SDL'. The demonstration marched through Edinburgh calling for the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.NATO Summit demo, Edinburgh 14.11.2009 from Alister Black on Vimeo.
Labels: antiwar, demonstration, edinburgh, nato, politics
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:: Sunday, November 08, 2009 ::
No Easy Way Down
Live, Edinburgh Cabaret Voltaire, Saturday 7th November.
Mark Eitzel's return to Edinburgh saw him on absolutely phenomenal form. I think he really is better than he has ever been vocally.
Support came from Franz Nicolay of the Hold Steady whose highly theatrical turn with guitar and accordian went down well.
Eitzel began with 'I left my heart in San Francisco' moving into a series of songs about his home city including 'Mission Rock Resort', a song that once inspired me to take an ill-advised tour of SF's less salubrious neighbourhoods. Comic and self-deprecating Eitzel has the spirit of Jacques Brel and an immense talent, though he probably would never accept that.
Ending with vintage tune 'Nightwatchman' he left the audience roaring for more.Labels: livemusic, markeitzel
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:: Thursday, November 05, 2009 ::
Remember, remember.
Was looking for this graphic all night. Found it at the Forbidden Planet blog.Labels: alanmoore, comics, guyfawkes
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:: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 ::
The Unthanks
Saw the Unthanks live at Edinburgh Voodoo Rooms, 26th October 2009. They are the fine folkies previously known as Rachel Unthank and the Winterset whom I reviewed here. There were a lot more of them on stage than last time I saw them. Around ten musicians struggled to fit on the stage. Amplification was hardly necessary in the intimate setting of the Voodoo Rooms. However the delicacy of the songs shone through. I can highly recommend their album Here's the Tender Coming.
Also loved the support act, Jonny Kearney and Lucy Farrell.
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:: Friday, October 30, 2009 ::
We're No' Payin'
This weekend if you are in Edinburgh and have a spare couple of hours you should get down to the wonderful Out of the Blue in Leith. For this weekend is the annual Edinburgh Independent Radical Book Fair. There are some great speakers, tons of books, posters, papers and zines to buy and a fantastic exhibition to view.
I went down on Wednesday night to check out the opening of the exhibition which celebrates twenty years since the movement against the poll tax. The exhibition looks at how street level community organising harnessed mass rage against the tax. Banners, leaflets and badges only tell some of the story. Check out the pictures of the mass blockades of streets in working class communities to block sheriff officers trying to carry out poindings (the valuation of goods prior to a warrant sale.) There was also a meeting with speakers recalling how the Anti Poll-Tax Unions got organised. Had a chuckle when an old comrade slapped a Militant - Pay No Poll Tax sticker on me that he found in his house.
Mass non-payment and mobilisation of communities ensured the end of the tax and the end of Mrs Thatcher. Twenty years on with mass unemployment, the prospect of huge cuts in public spending and fascism on the rise, we could do with some inspiration.
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