Anarchist protests erupt across Edinburgh for G8

[beau2ifulday]

I appreciate the frustration of protesters, but I had hoped that things would not have become violent. To be honest, i'm actually very surprised given how peaceful things have generally been up until now. It's a real shame that this small group have taken it upon themselves to cause havoc.
Watching the news now, the police who are dealing with the riots look like the kind they get in to deal with football hooligans. The crowds look considerably bigger than this article reports, too.


from yahoo.co.uk:

Anarchist protests erupt across Edinburgh for G8

EDINBURGH (Reuters) - Anarchist protests erupted on Monday in Scotland's capital, sparking scuffles between riot police and demonstrators two days before leaders of the world's richest nations hold a summit nearby.

Several people were detained, at least two police were injured in clashes and several people fainted in the crush.

The demonstrations began peacefully as protesters, banging drums and shaking bells, marched and danced into waiting police containment cordons in Edinburgh's financial centre.

The demonstrations were part of an array of protests that began on Saturday with a 200,000-strong march through the city calling for an end to poverty in the developing world, especially Africa.

Leaders of the Group of Eight industrialised nations meet amid tight security from Wednesday to Friday at the nearby Gleneagles Hotel, tasked with tackling African poverty and devising a strategy against global warming.

On Monday, black-clad and masked members of the Black Bloc, an anarchist group based in Germany and Scandinavia that has been prominent in protests at past G8 summits, mingled with other demonstrators dressed as fairies and clowns.

Trouble began when about 30 anarchists, among about 200 protesters trapped between lines of police, pushed and scuffled with police officers.

Mindful of the violence that erupted at previous G8 summits in Genoa, Italy, in 2001 and Evian, France, in 2003, Scottish police have been taking no chances.

Around the city, mounted riot police and convoys of police vans with sirens wailing and lights flashing sought to damp down anarchist street carnival demonstrations.

In one incident, 14 mounted riot police and 15 vanloads of others arrived to protect the Standard Life insurance company building to find just three demonstrators there.

Tourists appeared to be enjoying the spectacle. "This is entertaining and at least it is cheaper than paying to go and visit the castle," said Ricky from Hong Kong, referring to Edinburgh's most famous monument.

 

[dandy]

Tourists appeared to be enjoying the spectacle. "This is entertaining and at least it is cheaper than paying to go and visit the castle," said Ricky from Hong Kong, referring to Edinburgh's most famous monument.

people can be such idiots.

this isn't going to advance the cause one bit. all it takes is a small group of hoodlems to ruin everything.

 

[verte76]

Idiots. This is making all of the marchers look bad. I wish the anarchists would just stay home. I believe in freedom of speech but certainly not any kind of freedom to riot.

 

[VertigoGal]

Way to tarnish the otherwise peaceful and civilized protests.

 

[Moonlit_Angel]

Yeah. So not cool . Come on, people, we've got a potentially good situation going here, don't freakin' ruin it!

Angela

 

[Jamila]

Praying for peace in Edinburgh this week.

 

[U2NZ]

Hmmmm I think people are sick of slow and quiet marches and protests. Bush and all are most likely having a giggle if seeing any of the images, so I think people are wanting to take it a step up. I don't support violent marches, but I can see whu SOME people would want to go hard in protesting.

 

[A_Wanderer]

Ah the blackshirted anti-capitalist anarchists - what a paradox they are. They oppose capitalism and globalisation to such a degree that they stand alongside staunch statists to curb corporate power. They are the best representation of the desperate and incoherent leftists of this day and age.

 

[shart1780]

If anarchists hate the governmant so much why don't they go live in the wilderness where we won't bother them and they won't bother us (moreso the latter).

 

[nbcrusader]

Anarchy has eliminated poverty how many times???

 

[Axver]

Anarchy has eliminated poverty how many times???

Seems to me it does the direct opposite.

 

[VertigoGal]

Anarchy has eliminated poverty how many times???

are u saying somalians r poor??!!!!!1

 

[A_Wanderer]

I actually think that a state of true anarchy, without government, did a lot better at keeping the peace and feeding Africa in the context of agrarian and tribal societies. The state of governance on the continent is a shackle to economic growth and prosperity. Add to this crippling debt servicing, trade barriers, lack of infrastructure, corruption, nepotism and civil strife it's no wonder the place is in such a mess.

The problem is that these people are not philosophical anarchists; they do not really extoll the virtues of individuality unshackled by government, they are certainly not anarcho-capitalists. They are anti-capitalist or usually more anti-corporate and anti-globalist. They almost seem like nihilists but violent ones at that.

Either way I do not think that the anarchists, anti-globalisation groups or communists were giving the same message as the Live8 set. Elimination of trade barriers and encouragement of good democratic governance are classical liberal principles, would lead to more globalisation as well.

 

[MrsSpringsteen]

Bob Geldof called them losers and they are

 

[financeguy]

Some of you people have short memories, or are ignorant of history.

Dissent, including violent dissent (although describing these protests as 'violent' is over the top), has been a powerful force for change in history.

So a few coppers got eggs thrown at them, big fucking deal.

I am aware that standards have slipped a little in Washington in recent years following the Bushco takeover of the American government but in parts of Europe we still have this old-fashioned idea that dissent is tolerated.

 

[Moonlit_Angel]

Some of you people have short memories, or are ignorant of history.

Dissent, including violent dissent (although describing these protests as 'violent' is over the top), has been a powerful force for change in history.

So a few coppers got eggs thrown at them, big fucking deal.

I am aware that standards have slipped a little in Washington in recent years following the Bushco takeover of the American government but in parts of Europe we still have this old-fashioned idea that dissent is tolerated.

I have no problem whatsoever with dissent. Believe me, I quite value the ability to protest, and would be uber pissed if anybody tried to take that right away from me.

It's just that protests that involve people clashing and having things thrown at others and pushing people and all that to the point where some get injurec and things along that line don't really help the problem, it only seems to make things worse, it makes people unable to take the protesters seriously.

Protest all you want, I won't stand in your way (hell, depending on the cause, I'll join you), just try to avoid getting physically aggresive. That's all.

Angela

 

[nbcrusader]

Some of you people have short memories, or are ignorant of history.

Dissent, including violent dissent (although describing these protests as 'violent' is over the top), has been a powerful force for change in history.

So a few coppers got eggs thrown at them, big fucking deal.

I am aware that standards have slipped a little in Washington in recent years following the Bushco takeover of the American government but in parts of Europe we still have this old-fashioned idea that dissent is tolerated.

If I bitch-slapped you in the name of dissent, would you accept that as a historically important event?

My guess is that it is easy to accept this violence when you are not affected by it.

 

[U2@NYC]

Some of you people have short memories, or are ignorant of history.

Dissent, including violent dissent (although describing these protests as 'violent' is over the top), has been a powerful force for change in history.

So a few coppers got eggs thrown at them, big fucking deal.

I am aware that standards have slipped a little in Washington in recent years following the Bushco takeover of the American government but in parts of Europe we still have this old-fashioned idea that dissent is tolerated.

The problem with dissent is that it starts ramping up and it is then very hard to put a limit on it.

I will give you the Argentine example, which is very close to me, and involves people destroying public buildings, entering embassies, shutting down casinos and asking hotels to finance the 'dissenters' movements.

These people got to the extreme of calling themselves 'picketeers', and now all they do is mess up Buenos Aires' traffic, preventing 'real' workers from getting to work on time. These picketeers do not even have a job and all they do is wander the streets protesting for absolutely anything.

Here's a couple of pictures of them (their outfit was designed by a famous Argentine clothes designer, which they sell it at their 'shops'):

1) Their own private 'security'

2) Destroying Buenos Aires' congress house

They are a true embarassment to Argentine society. Due to this, I am a firm believer in peaceful dissent and in controlling it strictly.

You know how it begins. You do not know how it ends.

 

[trevster2k]

The media is at fault too. They say small groups of protestors break off to confront the police. Well, why not focus on the majority who are marching in peace? Oh yeah, it's not newsworthy unless there are ridiculously huge numbers of people. And the message gets lost or written off as being supported by a bunch of psychos.

I do agree with the authorities keeping the protesters away from the leaders. All it would take is one nutjob ( I'm sure there are a tiny number out there amongst the protesters) to physically harm a leader and that would be the end of protests, marchs, every form of public dissent in the future. But I don't agree with some of the violence inflicted by police on people who are merely standing or sitting.

 

[nbcrusader]

These groups seem to have plenty of money to travel the globe to G8 meeting sites and organize their protests. Perhaps this money could be better directed.

 

[cardosino]

Some of you people have short memories, or are ignorant of history.

Dissent, including violent dissent (although describing these protests as 'violent' is over the top), has been a powerful force for change in history.

So a few coppers got eggs thrown at them, big fucking deal.

I am aware that standards have slipped a little in Washington in recent years following the Bushco takeover of the American government but in parts of Europe we still have this old-fashioned idea that dissent is tolerated.

The Irish guy condoning violence, now THERE'S a surprise.........

 

[BVS]

The Irish guy condoning violence, now THERE'S a surprise.........

That's just completely uncalled for, what an asshole remark.

 

[A_Wanderer]

You rarely get respect by throwing water bombs of urine at police and vandalising property.

Let them march and be violent; but when they break the law they have to face the concequences.

 

[Maeve]

I also, understand the frustration of the protesters. I feel it too. Everytime, nothing is being done to help the world's poorest. But, I wouldn't go about smashing a working class folk's car windows, damaging property or their business. Violence is not the answer. And didn't Bob Geldolfm, plus Bono, ask all protest to be more supportive of the G 8 Summit? Not to allianate, the leaders who are attending....

And before someone jumps on my back. I am also disappointed from what I have read in the press. It seems, at least to me, not much is going to change. We will just have to work harder. Especially, when it comes time to vote!

 

[Jamila]

agreed, BonoVoxSupastar.

Still, there is NOTHING TO BE GAINED FOR AFRICA by wanton violence at the G8 meeting.

The real losers of this violence is the thousands of more Africans who will lose their lives from extreme poverty due to the wanton violence of those who probably have never known poverty in their lives. (the protesters)

LOVE AND PEACE....

 

[cardosino]

That's just completely uncalled for, what an asshole remark.

Better an asshole remark, than an asshole remark which is also wrong, you know, like, um, let's see...

"So a few coppers got eggs thrown at them, big fucking deal."

 

[BVS]

Better an asshole remark, than an asshole remark which is also wrong, you know, like, um, let's see...

"So a few coppers got eggs thrown at them, big fucking deal."

So stereotyping all Irish as being violent isn't wrong? Wow I'd love to grow up in your household...

 

[financeguy]

The Irish guy condoning violence, now THERE'S a surprise.........

I've said on here numerous times that I am opposed to the Provos, maybe you missed that.

I think it's pretty clear to most on here that this guy is just a troll, along with being an anti-Irish bigot (surprising that someone like that is a U2 fan, but anyway) or at least that most of his contributions to FYM are in the category of trollish posts.

Not even worth responding to this crap.

 

[nbcrusader]

Don't claim to be such a victim considering some of the posts/threads you've added here.

 

[financeguy]

Don't claim to be such a victim considering some of the posts/threads you've added here.

What posts or threads?

When have I insulted an entire race on here?

Please enlighten me.