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Police attack - demonstrators S60'd

Rage | 02.07.2005 14:22 | G8 2005

Following a anti-authoritarian bloc presence at Make Poverty History finishing point, the bloc tried to leave the park but were blocked and attacked by police.

A bloc of maybe 1000 persons tried to move out of the park and leave, but lines of police appeared blocking the surrounding streets and cutting off exits. When members of the bloc attempted to exit the area by the few accessible routes still left, Police moved fast to block every possible escape routes. Attempts to break police lines in order to leave were largely unsuccessful, being met with increasing force, first hand to hand then batton charges. Barricades were put up, but not enough to stop the police as they got incredibly aggressive, lashing out with batons. The bloc was forced into small streets around Meadow Lane, where police lines charged in at every turn effectively creating a cordon. Some of us escaped, but around 1000 are now trapped. Cops in full riot gear replaced normal wear and drove demonstraters further into the street. Eventually some riot cops pulled back to create second cordons, which have now been replaced with mobile steel fences which double as a cage.Those in the second cordon, which was mainly Make Poverty History protesters, but also some of us and members of the public were made to leave the second cordon area via a small pathway. The majority of the bloc is still stuck, we believe with S60 in force. Thats all we know for now, please update this story as you get a chance.

In solidarity with those on the streets.

Love and Rage.

Rage

Comments

Hide the following 5 comments

Seems to have fizzled out now...

02.07.2005 16:16

Just talked with a Street Medic who was on his way back to his tent to go have a kip. He said that things have quietened down now, and most people have dissipated into the city centre. The people arrested earlier in the day are reportedly to be released soon. Not sure what charges if any are to be brought.

imc'er


clarification please

02.07.2005 18:06

edinburgh convergence communications group, aka the tev/ziot place, recently informed us that there were no arrests today. the posting by imc'er above contradicts that. could someone please clarify.....
cheeers

nobody in particular


S60 confirmed throughout City Centre

02.07.2005 19:01

Around 5pm PC Skidmore from Edinburgh Police HQ confirmed to Indymedia that an S60 order was now in force throughout Edinburgh City Centre and the Meadows, allowing the arrest of those whose were concealing their identities.

Caroline Sinclair
mail e-mail: carosinclair@yahoo.co.uk


1000? 100 more like ...

03.07.2005 10:11

No where near 1000 ... 100 if you're lucky, with less than 100 penned in on Buccleuch Place.

jon


1000!?! Poor arithmetic.. or bad reporting!

18.07.2005 15:49

Hah, I was there.. about 20 black clad anarchist types, another 25-ish clowns, a marching band, and 10-15 photographers and journalists. The police were actually asking people to move outside of their cordon, not trapping them in. Please report actual facts next time.

c.