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Edinburgh Climate Change Demonstration

AnarchoBabe | 04.12.2005 12:27 | Ecology | World

December, the 3rd was propagated as the International Day against Climate Change .
Worldwide, demonstrations and protests have been announced to coincide with the meeting of the World Leaders in Montreal.
In Edinburgh about 200 protesters stood up against rain, cold and Xmas shopping to protest against the environmental-hostile, carbondioxide-blasting politics of the Scottish Executive via increased road-building schemes, such as the M74 extension, the Dalkeith Bypass and A701 Alignment, airport extensions and others.

[Road Schemes in Scotland | Climate Change Indymedia | Indymedia UK Ecology topic]

A-capella group "Protest in Harmony" entertained the gathering proteste
A-capella group "Protest in Harmony" entertained the gathering proteste

antinuclear and other environmentally friendly songs
antinuclear and other environmentally friendly songs

Start of demo was at East Market Street, under the Bridges, cause of rain
Start of demo was at East Market Street, under the Bridges, cause of rain

Scottish Green party from various areas
Scottish Green party from various areas

Friends of the Earth were present too. Kid plays with flag.
Friends of the Earth were present too. Kid plays with flag.

more banners get prepared - near receycling bins!
more banners get prepared - near receycling bins!

Kyoto in Montreal: Capitalism Rulez!
Kyoto in Montreal: Capitalism Rulez!

serious reason for protesting: future of Kyoto Protocoll discussed in Montreal
serious reason for protesting: future of Kyoto Protocoll discussed in Montreal

politicians in preferance of short term economic gain ...
politicians in preferance of short term economic gain ...

start of the demonstration
start of the demonstration

leading up via Waverly to Princes Street, up the Mound,
leading up via Waverly to Princes Street, up the Mound,

and down the Royal Mile = High Street to the Scottish Parliament
and down the Royal Mile = High Street to the Scottish Parliament





passing Holyrood Palace visitor centre, GR block
passing Holyrood Palace visitor centre, GR block

arrival at Scottish Parliament
arrival at Scottish Parliament


concert by Protest in Harmony and Samba Band
concert by Protest in Harmony and Samba Band




After the demonstration, the little samba band (most likely Globalise Resistance trained) played a bit of noise, the "Protest in Harmony" sang some nice songs and some speakers talked to the audience.
Speakers included Mark Ballard, Green Party Scotland MSP, Lothians; Duncan McLaren, Friends of the Earth Scotland; Mark Lazarowicz, Labour Party, Leith and North Edinburgh; a student representatice and somebody from the "Campaign against Climate Change".

After the protesters successfully lobbied the empty parliament and cheered to the speeches, the demonstration dissolved.

Whileas Friends of the Earth focussed on the message, that "Nuclear Power is not the answer to Climate Change", the Edinburgh Stop the War Coalition advertised their lobby of the Scottish Parliament from midday onwards and the rally in Glasgow from 7pm onwards on Thursday 8th of December and the Green Party gave out leaflets to join their membership, pointing out the international inaction on climate change.

Other usual nutters included a 9/11 conspiracy theoriest and a "bringing any more children in this world is a crime" believer.

A round-up of the speeches with audio and more extended critical reviews of the leaflets will follow shortly, as I wanna go and have breakfast now.

AnarchoBabe

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climatecamp.org.uk

05.12.2005 13:36

Get involved in the camp for climate action, for next summer, in the North of England. First public meeting about it is mid-January. Come along and get involved, or if you can't make it, email 'em. Full details of camp and meeting and fliers to download at climatecamp.org.uk

reposter
- Homepage: http://climatecamp.org.uk