makepovertyhistory

Bear in mind that we only had the wee camera with us.  Fuzzy Nigel, Liz and Jill.  Al in his buggy.  On the way we saw two weddings -  all weddings in town today accorded a police escort, to ensure that their big day was not spoiled.

From The Times Online 030705

"Trumpets and whistles competed with the sound of African drums as the noisy march made its way through the city centre. Bystanders waved rainbow flags of peace while socialists with red flags chanted “murder, war, poverty, hate, we say shut down G8”.

Happily for the police, most protesters were colour-coded according to how much trouble they might cause. The overwhelming majority in white were no bother. The revolutionaries in red made a lot of noise and had to be watched.

However, it was the anarchists in black that most attracted the attention of police officers, talking quietly into their radios. There was a palpable chill when 250 members of Ya Basta!, the Italian anarchist organisation, materialised wearing hoods and scarves.

There was a minor scuffle when 60 of them broke free from the main group of demonstrators and began hurling bottles and chunks of masonry at police.

They were eventually corralled into a side street near Edinburgh University where they were contained for around an hour. The anarchists were the people denounced by Bob Geldof last week as the anti- everything brigade, whom, he said, “make a noise, break things and achieve nothing”. " 

"Comedian and actor Eddie Izzard, who introduced acts on stage, said: “This is the centre of the universe. There are other things going on today, apparently, but this is where it is really happening.”"

Protestors looking towards stage and screen

Balloons

From BBC Online 030705

Organisers' reaction

Referring to the Edinburgh turnout, a spokesman said: "Make Poverty History are absolutely delighted with this, to see so many people come to show that they really care."

Lothian and Borders Police said they arrested just one person at the event in connection with drug-related offences.

Assistant Chief Constable Ian Dickinson, who led the policing operation, said: "I want to pay tribute to the crowd of 225,000 who came and cooperated with the police to make this a successful and memorable occasion.

"I also want to pay tribute to the organisers of the march who have achieved their objectives through meticulous planning and cooperation."

Edinburgh City Council said the success of the march had exceeded their expectations. A spokesman described the crowd as "extremely good-natured". 

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