You selfish bastards .. I have a child to get to nursery .. you are denying ME MY rights as a human being you are no better than the people you are trying to blockade ...

Yes, it's so selfish to try to obstruct the worlds leaders from fucking over the majority of the world while you need to get your child to nursery. Bastards!

If you had any respect for human life you would not be behaving in the manner you do. Do you not think that the delegates and tea makers are already in the vicinity of the G8 summit. It you had half the brain cells you were born with you might have worked this out.

As if a bunch of lunatics like you lot are going to make a blind bit of difference. If you want to really help, why not convert the energy you use being assholes into something more constructive.

Take a couple of valium and have the day off and you'll feel better the day after.

I hope this doesn't stop people who are travelling up to Gleneagles for the demo tomorrow morning.

I can't believe that the movement as a whole has not learnt any lessons. We will not achieve anything by stopping a few tea-ladies from attending. As for the violence look at history as far back as you want but take a look at seatle & genoa they've infultrated the anarchist movement especially across europe to cause trouble at these events so they can bring in more legislations taking away more of our freedoms. Be seen be heard but be peaceful and throw away the labels.

I can see the head-lines now `G8 cancelled due to lack of tea` And know i haven't missed the point. I think a small minority have though and will be playing right into their hands.

I don't think petty remarks and name calling are mature or appropriate at this time. Yes, some people will be inconvenienced due to these actions, but please respect that it is for your child, and everyone that these people are attempting to divert police attention away from The more organised actions in hopes that they will make a greater impact, and in some way take us one step closer to creating another, more just world. We each have a part to play, no matter how large or small and we must not condemn those who's roles seem too simple or illogical- just because something does not make immediate sense to you does not mean you should attack it outright, that is how oppression and assholes are born. And as for the comment on 'not making a difference' ---you never know until you try, and at least we are trying. Is it better to sit back and allow the goverment and corperations to F££k you up the a$$?

I fully understand the plight of many in this world .. and I wholly support ridding debt, famine etc etc the whole lot but ... there ARE a minority of people who, for whatever reason, just make such a mess of getting their message across... eg those who cause trouble, block streets, make the mess of our beautiful city .. Edinburgh, cause ££ of damage which will have to be repaired AND that money could be better spent elsewhere. Alot of the public probably do support the intentions of the protestors but just get pissed off by the actions of the few that cause the upheaval. There are ways and means of getting noticed but there are also right and wrong ways and good and bad ways of getting more support. There are ways and means ... keep protesting yes but surely it would be better to get the support of the locals rather than get their backs up?

What wonderfully intelligent, understanding people you lot are, NOT.

Do you honestly believe anyone not required for today's proceedings at Gleneagles isn't already there. Blockade, get a grip. Do you not think the authorities can throw together people with a little more intelligence than your combination of left wing, socialist/communist students, who have combined with a bunch of Italian, German and Spanish fascists to make a total arse of your cause.

Take it you are all watching the television pictures from Stirling at the moment, and proud of what this lot are doing, having done the same in Edinburgh Monday, then blamed the police.

They are hypocritical little fuckers, most of whom spent last night stoned out of their skulls at local camp sites in Edinburgh, and you want the world to believe their way is the way forward.

Do us a favour, contact them on your vast array of mobile phones, or get one of your people on the ground using their digital cameras to take pictures (such anti-capitalists aren't you) to speak to them, and tell them all to fuck off back to the holes they crawled out of, they are not welcome.

They do nothing for the cause of the people here to protest in an acceptable manner.

I thank god the protest movement is so inept and moronic in this country. If they werent they might actually be a threat !

Well done you numpties

Sky news has reported that the blockades were successful in disrupting many of the G8 staff…. Result

As a 50 something businessman living in Edinburgh, we are not all against what you are trying to do. However you are amazingly innocent in how you protest. I was in the Maedows on Saturday and saw how the police 'managed' you, taking photographs, video, and building lists of leaders prior to this week.

On Monday, one of the anarchist leaders was walking around during the march with an A-Z of edinburgh. What hope do you have of making any real impact with that going on. At least was pretty sure he wasn't a special Branch infiltrator, he at least would have been well briefed on the geography of edinburgh beforehand.

To succeed you need to be more nimble that the police, and prepare alternatives tactics to cope with changes imposed on you. The police had half of roads kept open at all times to allow rapid deployment, and being on foot, protestors were unable to move their resources quickly enough, so you were cornered every time.

Get bmx bikes for the next city march, wherever it may be. This would allow you to move and repond, and even break police ranks as long as you dont mind a baton across your backside. You can also have your own rapid deployment teams that can move where required.

You dont have to break windows or burn buildings to get your voice heard, but just be a bit smarter then PC Plod.

So lads, if everyone's out to get the peacful protestors how come quarter of a million happily marched through the city centre - Princes Street, the lot - at the weekend without any trouble of the kind that follows our anarchic friends? Why did Faslane go so well?

Perhaps our so vocal protestors have to take a long, hard, look at themselves and their actions before coming up with this whole "they're all out to get us" excuse. Trouble is they're probably too busy blocking Crieff main street (yes, really) or trashing private cars in Stirling (yup, that too).

as i read all these comments and responses i am left wondering why it is that all those of you opposed to the opposition and attempts to express such find it necessary to be so verbally aggressive and offensive towards people you have never met, know nothing about as individuals, and who are merely following their hearts to do the little that is possible in the face of a huge machine they believe to be harming all but the powerful few of us. It seems the real violence here is locked up inside those of you who behave yourselves according to the law, those of you who do what you are supposed to, those of you who are grown up and responsible, those of you who have forgotten where your hearts are and can't hear what they tell you anymore.

and in response to specific comment from an Edinburgh Citizen, do you really think anyone can respect YOUR views when you make racist comments about those who have bothered to travel from abroad because they feel so strongly

protestors may smash up street bins and bang on police vans, but this is no comparison to the offense that you ugly, angry people are perpetrating in your narrow-minded comments to this website

Do you not think that the police read the updates on planned action from this website and have means of getting to sites of planned action before you, what with their vast numbers of emergency vehicles?

I am also confused about these blockades as they seem counter productive to me. Are these people protesting against poverty, climate change etc? Why stop international political leaders from actually discussing these issues then? Isn't it just as undemocratic to stop political debate as it is for the police to interfere with protests? I didn't vote for any of them and don't agree with the majoirty of our PMs actions to date but surely its better that these issues are at least being discussed rather than swept under the carpet. I suppose that will be considered a naive view but I feel its not as naive as the antiG8 messages, as nobody seems to be offering any alternative. Down with the G8 summit...and then what? No positive changes can happen unless the elected leaders of our countries make it happen and that is why we vote for the best of a bad bunch, whether they get into power or not, no? Is the plan to then change the entire political process of election across these countries and then sort out poverty and climate? Figure that could take a while...Perhaps these groups need to become more media savvy to get their message to the public and not just use websites like this to write badly spelt and confusing messages about stopping low wage workers from getting to gleneagles to earn a crust?

And as for Monday's shenanigans, I do believe that the police to an extent have an agenda to insight violence at these kind of protests as it undermines the protesters' message and allows for new laws to be brought in to further violate our rights, however rising to the bait is the worst action to take. What happened in Edinburgh on Monday just allowed the so called 'corporate media' to report negative stories of protest instead of focussing on the large scale and peaceful protests by MPH and Stop the War Coalition over the weekend. Violent protest nullifies the strong message of mass peaceful protest. Maybe if I knew what was to be gained from throwing rose bushes at police in the name of eradicating poverty then I might be out on the streets today too.

If everyone has the same basic belief that the cause behind these protests is to improve the environment, rid the world of the effects of poverty and to have balanced and fair international trade then what the hell is smashing up the streets doing to promote that message? Who is going to end up paying for the damage to council property? Yip, the low wage tax payers of Edinburgh. Money that could have been spent on education, recycling, hospital improvements....Who will pay for the damage to local shops and the multi-national chains? Families that buy their kids clothes from high street stores will just have to pay more for school shoes and local independent tradesmen and women will have to pay insurers... Who will profit from this? Insurance companies...its just feeding the very thing its meant to be against, isn't it? I suppose at least local timber yards (lets hope all those boarded up shops are using sustainable wood supplies folks), joiners and glazers are at least getting some overtime.

Meanwhile people are being put off joining in further protests for fear of being involved in what appears to be, in some cases, hooliganism masquerading as political protest. Local neds are 'lovin' it'.

those who were in genova at the g8 demo saw something they never will forget .
dont walk into a trap and supply the apologists with the exuses they need

To those exclaiming their confusion and criticism of direct actions of protest:

Discussing and debating with you people really does seem to be a waste of time. Putting up reams of articles on a website really does seem to be a waste of time. How many have followed the link here 'G8: why are people protesting' and how many have read any of the articles there.

I am becoming increasingly bored and frustrated by the repeated statements about how great the MPH and such 'peaceful' protests are, I am so bored of people whining for 'a clear message'.

So you all got your clear message on saturday - make poverty history. What are YOU doing about that NOW - have you stopped buying clothes from high street chains that make their gains from sweatshops, have you stopped going to the multinational supermarket every week and buying beans, coffee, tea, fruit from raped countries like Kenya, have you stopped buying produce originated from countries with oppresive regimes or who wield military might like Israel, have you started recycling all your waste, have you made sure you turn off every electrical item you are not using right now, have you changed your bank account to ensure your money is not used in armament deals,

or have you payed £1.50 for a white arm band

if you insist on keeping your eyes shut, please keep your mouths shut too

Monika,

I am sorry if my views on this subject do not meet with the ideas floating about inside your head. Yes, I support the laws of this land as laid down by Her Majesty's Government. Do I think anything that the anarchists/anti-capitalists say or do will change the way the World works once the G8 Summit is over, no.

As for the racist comments. I was using words to describe persons who we have met and spoken to in Edinburgh, from Italy, Germany and Spain, who happily referred to themselves as fascists, come here to make war. When asked make war on what, they were lost for a sensible answer.

Do I care what is happening in Africa, and many other parts of the World, yes. However rather than visit someone elses city and behave like a caveman I prefer to make payment of £40 per month to a charity based in Kenya. This money ensures that 8 local kids get help with their schooling and medical needs.

It is time for those of you who oppose police violence, but see nothing wrong in getting your own point over by means of violence, to sit down and think "Am I doing this right".

The residents of The City of Edinburgh welcomed those who came on Saturday to particpate in the MPH march, many joined them on the streets. That welcome was thrown back in our faces by those anarchists/anti-capitalists/fascists et al who took to the streets Monday, and caused havoc, with no thought for the less fortunate in our own community who will have to assist financially in the repair costs.

Today you attempted to stop people reaching Gleneagles, the place where Africa's debt repayment problems is one subject on the agenda. You want these people to discuss this problem, but you don't actually want them to be able to reach the place the discussions are taking place. Maybe you can see some logic in this, to me it just proves how stupid your motives are. And it is all blamed on the West, nothing to do with corruption on the African continent (read the input on your own website, relative to a lead early this morning where a prominent African leader admitted this is a major part of the problem).

We are not a city of angry people, the behaviour of your likes has turned us into a city of angry people at this time, as you have done to the citizens of most other cities you have wrecked.

Once you all return from whence you came our city will return to normality, I will continue to make payments to my chosen African charity, in the firm belief my way of doing things will help more than your methods.

Grow up lass, put your hand in your pocket and pull out some money to donate, instead of something to use as a weapon.

The G8 can never provide an adequate solution to African poverty. It is fundamentally and systemically set up in such a way as to promote the dominant ideology of the G8 nations – that of finance as king, debt-based economics and the free trade agenda, as is also the case with the other western dominated international institutions - ie the IMF, World Bank and WTO. It is the pushing of these ideologies that has exacerbated the poverty crisis across Africa to the critical levels it is at today. And this is not just idle speculation, the evidence is overwhelming. Take for example the fact that not one country – repeat – not a single country, that has taken a loan arranged via these institutions, and followed the imposed conditions (such as opening up domestic markets, attracting foreign investment, selling off publicly owned services, cutting public spending), has managed to move from the status of ‘developing’ to ‘developed’ country (ie debtor to creditor), as is of course the aim. Or the fact that the IMF has in effect accepted culpability for the entire Asian stock market crash due to the calamitous policies it pushed at the time. For the G8 to really provide a solution would require a dismantling of the international financial system, and the ideology on which the G8 itself is based. On a practical level of this would be economically disastrous for the rich, western economies which are in effect kept affluent and afloat with subsidy from the third world which is kept in unending poverty and effectual economic slavery to us. Not the best way to get re-elected.

Although The Make Poverty History campaign has done great things in raising awareness and focussing media attention onto the plight of Africa, it validates the existence of the G8 and so misses the root causes of the problem.

Also, does this seem democratic? – the leaders of the 8 richest countries in the world meet up to decide how to, and if they should save Africa. How very benevolent of them. Who gave them dominion over that continent to decide its fate? Maybe some African people would like to be a bit more involved in the decision?

Climate change is a similar problem – debt based, endless growth economies are a main source of the problem, which is the fundamental basis of the G8 economies, thus to provide a suitable solution they must deconstruct themselves.



But these comments are really more about the nature of the protests rather than the political issues. The fact is that these forms of protests at previous international meets, have proved effective at putting the right political issues on the agenda and in the public eye. I would not partake in the violence myself but I realise it can be an effective from of protest and also I understand the frustration which a lot of these people feel, and for many this is the only way to be heard.

But what is most important is to understand that these protests are really just a sporadic public appearance of what is a truly a mass global movement. People all around the world are involved in protesting, resisting oppression and creating alternative ways of living to the dominant ideology. Its not just a bunch of scruffy anarchists. It spans nations, creeds, class, political leanings, farmers, ecologists, scientists, analysts and even business. It is completely unprecedented and completely necessary, so sorry if it disrupts your day in Edinburgh but it’s a worthy reason.

If you can look past the violence to the reasons for the protests you may start to understand what it is that is driving people to this, and any of us would be only to happy to point you in the right direction for some information.

And incidentally, watching channel 4 news tonight it seems like many of the blockades have been effective in stopping people getting to the summit, so well done!

Wow, stop the tea makers. That really achieves a lot. What a joke you guys are, and what a lot you have to learn.

edinburgh citizen

how dare you speak to me in such a direct and singular manner laying all number of situations at my feet when you know nothing about me other than my comment referring to the verbal anger and aggression that has been directed at protestors via this website

at what point did i say i oppose police violence (but yes, of course i do) and how did you deduce from my comment that i have raised my hand to anyone

how dare you presume i have never given any money to charity and patronise me by calling me 'lass' and telling me to grow up - perhaps i am years your senior, perhaps i am an 'upstanding' citizen myself, with a job and a family

how do you know i was at gleneagles - read the date and time of my posting you fool - or do all renegades come equiped with wifi enabled laptops

it seems because i have defended europeans against racist comments, and no doubt because my name is spelt strangely, i am presumed to be a foreigner who should along with all my kin go back to where i came from

that'd be aberdeen then

how dare you

and incidently, it was my comment signed 'repeat' prior to your rude response - read that and think again about your prejudiced and self righteous presumptions about people who don't hold the same world view as you

thanks for your reply, considering you find it boring and pointless it was good of you to bother. 'discussing and debate with you people really does seem like a waste of time' - how democratic of you. you still didn't answer any of my questions. i am aware of why people are protesting, my point is this doesnt explain why people feel it necessary to resort to violence and causing damage.

you asked 'what are you doing to do now'? personally, this week i've organised an event in aid of action aid that has raised £4000 and will continue arranging charity events. I get my food from  http://www.growwild.co.uk/ and local independent traders. I used local recycling facilities. I give a percentage of my meagre monthly wage to various charities working in the UK and worldwide. it might not be a lot but at least i'm trying to do something without causing damage to people and property.

So i'm sorry but i dont feel the need to keep my mouth shut, because i do believe that these are important issues, i just dont believe that having a scuffle in the streets of a city is going to do anything to make the world a better place.

how come people appear at times like this to supposedly 'fight for peace' and block roads (good one for lowering pollution from all those traffic jams) when i dont see a single 'anarchist' or black bloc member standing as a candidate in any edinburgh elections to try to change the processes from the inside? if you think that the g8 is unfair then do something constructive to change it and i don't think anyone would be against having a bigger say in the decisions that our political leaders make.

feel free to actually answer my previous questions.