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Developing G8 Protests - G8Alternatives + Live8 - First Day of G8 Summit

update | 05.06.2005 14:30 | G8 2005 | Ecology | Globalisation | Social Struggles | London

It's all happening!

Very quick update on recent protest news re 1st day of the G8 Summit.

Amidst the frenzy around Ure and Geldof the other protests are lacking media coverage, not least the calls by groups to blockade the G8 Summit itself.

G8Alternatives @ Gleneagles / Auchterarder - Wed 6th July

On Friday 3rd July local police gave their support to a possible Rally / Protest to be held in Auchterarder (the small village next to Gleneagles where the G8 Summit will be held). However the number of people would be limited to 3,500 people, and G8Altnernatives would be responsible for trying to ensure this. Police have plans to deal with larger numbers should that occur.

G8Alternatives have invited Bob Geldof to speak at the event, but still maintain that banning the proposed march from Glenegles train station past the Hotel gates is "a recipe for disaster". They are still fighting to go ahead with the march, and are organising transport from Perth, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee.

The application by G8 Alternatives for protests and rally will go before the council's licensing committee on 9 June for final approval.

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Live8 EDINBURGH - Wed 6th July

The Live8 "Long March" million people Geldof announced bonanza for the first day of the Summit in Edinburgh (Wed July 6th) looks set to go ahead after Gordon Brown gave official encouragement. Billed as "part rally, part party" it should culminate with a concert at Murrayfield stadium in Edinburgh organised by the Hunter Foundation.

Initial plans for giant screens to televise the Wed 6th concert to be set up in both Edinburgh and other major scottish cities (Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee, Stirling and Inverness) look set to try and reduce the pressure of numbers in central Edinburgh.

Extra transport may be layed on by train companies, coach services and budget airlines. Richard Branson from Virgin may lay on special trains to Edinburgh.

Emergency accomodation has now shot to the top of the local authorities agenda and an announcement is expected soon, possibly utilising multiple locations.

More general details are expected to be announced on Tuesday 7th after a number of sceduled meetings.

update