Nostalgia: Taking it to the streets

Published on Saturday 28 June 2008 11:03

Over the years, the city has seen more than its fair share of demonstrations and marches.

IT has been a week of protests. Parents set to protest at the City Chambers against school catering cutbacks; motorcyclists from the Fife Bikers motorcycle club protesting today over the rising cost of fuel.

Then there are the protests following the decision of Dutch builders of upmarket flats to move the social housing element of its scheme to Leith.

While these recent protests may well have garnered column inches and publicity, the Capital has had its fair share of demonstrations throughout the years.

Founded in 1958, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament's logo swiftly became an icon of the times. In 1961 it could be seen on banners in Princes Street as protesters marched on their way from London to Holy Loch, where submarines carrying the controversial nuclear-armed Polaris missiles were based.

In 1965, it was students who took to the streets to march to the US Consulate in Regent Terrace in a stance against the Vietnam War. Hundreds of them marched along the streets with banners, stopping traffic and turning the heads of passers-by.

Pastor Jack Glass made his point during the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland when he stood tall and defiant alongside a poignant coffin, draped in the Union flag with an army helmet on top. He, and many others, staged their protest against the Catholic Observer in May, 1973.

The women of Edinburgh were also not afraid of confrontation. They protested against rising prices in Princes Street back in 1970, and two years later they descended on Leith Docks on behalf of Soviet Jews, when a Russian cruise ship berthed there. In 1992 they were on the streets again, this time protesting against a proposed Marks and Spencer store.

Local children got in on the act during a protest to St Andrew's House in 1968, while students came out in force to show their opposition to the government's student loan scheme in 1989.

Also in 1989, thousands took to Princes Street to demonstrate against Australian brewers Elders IXL's planned merger with Scottish and Newcastle Breweries, waving banners and placards.