You can't take any chances with these Nato protesters..

Published on Saturday 14 November 2009 10:19

WHEN police and protesters met face-to-face during Edinburgh's G8 demonstrations four years ago, officers had to deal with running riots as they struggled to control crowds of thousands.

So it is perhaps understandable that they were taking no chances yesterday as the five-day Nato summit kicked off in the Capital – but they ended up outnumbering the marchers.

About 20 masked protesters turned up for a demonstration at the Meadows, though they still made an attempt to scuffle with 40 uniformed police.

In the end, the most serious incident was when protesters blamed police for their stereo falling to the ground, ending a deafening rock music accompaniment to the bizarre stand-off.

Residents in nearby flats did, however, attempt to revive the atmosphere by playing Jolene by Dolly Parton and Gypsys, Tramps and Thieves by Cher.

Police chiefs had been fearful that the direct action march, organised by the Anti-Militarist Network, would erupt into scenes reminiscent of the G8 rioting.

What they found were protesters pushing a shopping trolley that held a stereo blaring out music by US band Rage Against The Machine.

They began their walk towards Lothian Road and down to the EICC, where the Nato Parliamentary Assembly is taking place, at 11am, but after revealing the meeting point only minutes before on the group's website, they were joined at the western corner of the Meadows by only a few bemused dog walkers and other passers-by.

Citing powers under public order laws, officers refused to let the march get under way until the protesters removed scarves and balaclavas obscuring their faces so they could be filmed.

Scuffles broke out as the protesters tried to push their way through, starting a shoving match which lasted for 30 minutes, during which they progressed 3ft.

By 11:45am, only one protester had refused to show his face to a police camera, but after finally pulling down his balaclava, he was allowed to leave.

The protesters claimed officers had acted "illegally" by stopping a "legitimate march" and returned to the EICC for another uneventful confrontation.

A police spokesman said: "Police were alerted to an unauthorised protest. Officers attended, and engaged with the protesters, who dispersed. No arrests were made."

SNP vision for Scotland slammed as 'parochial'

SNP plans to take an independent Scotland out of Nato have been slammed as "parochial" at a major conference in the Capital.

At the annual Nato parliamentary assembly meeting in the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, the leader of the UK delegation, Bruce George, claimed the SNP vision would mean the country would no longer play a role in making the world a safer place.

Anti-war protesters are expected to stage further demonstrations at the EICC today, as the Nato meeting continues.

Stop the War Coalition Scotland will call for troops to be withdrawn from Afghanistan and for Trident nuclear missiles to be scrapped.

Organisers expect around 5,000 people to take part in the No to Nato demonstration, with the CND, Scottish Afghan Society and STW UK among the groups backing the event.

The group will march along East Market Street in Edinburgh before holding a rally in West Princes Street Gardens.

Hundreds of legislators from all 28 Nato member states have converged on Edinburgh for five days of discussions on a range of security matters.

The Nato assembly will focus on six themes before drawing up resolutions.