| Speaking at a Press conference near the protest venue in Auchterarder today, protest leaders said police were “relaxed” about policing the event.
Among those coming are Rose Gentle, whose son was killed in Iraq, Bianca Jagger, ex-wife of Rolling Stone Mick and long-time anti-capitalist campaigner, and a group of politicians including George Galloway MP.
During negotiations with Perth and Kinross Council and Tayside Police, protest organisers G8 Alternatives talked of 5000 marchers. But it now appears certain far more will actually join the two-mile march near the Gleneagles Hotel.
The group’s Jill John said today, “There are no restrictions on the number of people coming to Gleneagles. We have plenty of space and we welcome anybody who wishes to participate in the protest.”
She said the aim was to ensure the world leaders in the Gleneagles Hotel heard the messages — make poverty history, stop the war in Iraq, and deal with climate change.
Scottish Socialist Party MSP Frances Curran added, “I’m proud that Scotland is going to show the world that we can peacefully protest against the G8.
“It really is over to Scotland now, for all those who want their voices to be heard on poverty and stopping the war in Iraq and on climate justice. We are calling on the whole of Scotland to come and take part.”
Andy Burgin, of the UK Stop the War Coalition, said, “This demonstration will be as important as the demonstration in Edinburgh on Saturday.
“It will be the closest that people will come to the leaders of the G8.
“Those leaders will be able to hear people protesting when they come here tomorrow.”
He called for the “hundreds of billions” spent on war to be spent on fighting poverty. |
