Almost all pleaded not guilty to charges such as Breach of the appearing at Chambers St sherrif court the following afternoon.
that night, but everyone else was locked up for over 24 hours, prisoners, by delivering books, papers etc.. One was released lateSeveral of us went to St Leonards police station to support the resumption of "business as usual".
It took around 45 - 50 minutes before police violence allowed the down the tripod percher. He put up a spirited resistance to the end.The Fire Brigade were diverted from potential emergencies to bring eventually hurled them into a police van with some violence.
Around a dozen people linked arms and lay on the road. PoliceThe police response was to wade in and start nicking people.
around a dozen different languages, we elected to leave at 1.30pm. intriguing debate, in which each contribution was translated into on the road and a mass meeting discussed our next step. After an response must be determined collectively. A giant circle was formed an ultimatum : leave by 12.30. Demonstrators insisted that ourBut meantime the police were bringing in reinforcements and issued performed as the carnival continued for nearly 2 hours.
on the highway. A bewildering array of international folk dances were and chairs magically appeared and an impromptu street cafe sproutedNow the forces of darkness could only look on helplessly as tables block their path.
into the liberated area, defying an attempt by mounted police to mile or so from The Mound to the Grassmarket and successfully made itThe main group, now escorted by alarmed polis, marched the half was suspended in a net - soon stopped the traffic.
scaffolding poles - from the top of which an intrepid demonstrator Commandeered crowd control barriers and an enormous tripod of off part of the Grassmarket, in central Edinburgh's Old Town.At 10.30am, unnoticed by plod, a dozen strong advance group sealed Lothian.
a large international contingent from the Ecotopia camp in West advertised meeting place at The Mound, off Princes St.. Prominent wasRTS Edinburgh started with demonstrators gathering at the actions in Liverpool last September, and in London in April.
been made between RTS and the Liverpool dockers struggle, with joint destruction caused by cars and roads. Recently important links have and friendly space for people, in resistance to the deaths and encouraging people to take control of the streets and create a safe Britain since May 1995. The direct action movement is aboutThis was at least the 27th Reclaim the Streets (RTS) action in bargain.
admonished, others had charges dropped as result of this plea 1st and 2nd September. Trial result: 5 pleaded guilty and were overnight, and one locked up for 4 nights. The trials were on the on King Car, the blue meanies arrested 18 people. 17 were heldBut then the police moved in. Determined to clear the road for tinkle of tea on china replaced the roar of the traffic.
giant tripod. For 2 hours the sounds of music and dancing and theDemonstrators blockaded the road with crowd control barriers and a Scotland's first Reclaim the Streets action.
200 people took over Edinburgh's Grassmarket on 11 August 1997 in
July 31st 2004
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part of the
available at/via ACE infoshop in person. Urban Space (ej17). or VideoStreets were occupied on Sat June 17th 2000, see Reshape RTS start time. If you want to know more about what happen email us.
than if RTS had gone ahead. No charges resulted from 5 arrests 2 hours before the event. An organiser felt they had a less stressfull day in the cells rather left the police feeling they did the right thing in arresting organisers before including over 100 police on duty. Well, RTS is about empowerment and it certainly instead of a Street Party. So no RTS action occurred. Everyone one seemed happy Hill, people seemed happy to leave streets to the cars and have a Hill PartyAnother RTS event was attempted on May 1st 1998. The meeting point was Calton
Written by one participant.
is currently just beginning?" (Do or Die mag no.6, p.9) control lead society into the social and ecological catastrophe that effectively challenge and dissolve this power, before those in occur. The question is : can we come together as a movement that will basis of profit for business, social and ecological exploitation will....This power is capital. As long as economies run on the resources.....
is attacking the planet with over-production and consumption of through union legislation and casualisation, is the same power thatAs Reclaim the Streets say "The power that attacks those who work,
campaign, but part of the struggle to Reclaim the World for humanity. activity illustrates, Reclaim the Streets is not a single issueAnd let's not forget - as the recent joint RTS - Liverpool Dockers to prevent the police regaining control of the liberated zone.
by being better prepared in various ways, such as being better able notice - by involving more local people, groups and communities and success and lessons of this action - which was organised at short Edinburgh and Scotland. Future activity will hopefully build on theThis first Reclaim the Streets should inspire more such actions in