Letter: Organised march

Fiona McCade's piece, "A chance for women to noise up status quo" (Perspective, 26 May), implies that the council "ordered" organisers of the anti-violence against women march Reclaim the Night to hold their event earlier and change their route; and that we insisted that "protesters should go through the Grassmarket in silence to ensure their own safety".

This misrepresents what actually happened. The organisers have a duty of care to protesters on the march, so, as is the norm, relevant public safety officers met them to assist in their evaluation of the risks and options.

All were very much in favour of the march and wanted it to go ahead peacefully, with minimal risk and disruption.

There were aspects of the route and timing which carried some risk, but Edinburgh is used to managing marches where there is a much higher possibility of confrontation than with Reclaim the Night. There was never any possibility that the march would be banned.

There was the likelihood of noise from a drumming group, originally scheduled to be with the march, disturbing residents in the Grassmarket area. The organisers were asked take that aspect into consideration.

In the end, the organisers carried out their own risk assessment and decided it was best to start one hour earlier. As far as I am aware, the drumming group were unable to make the march for other reasons, removing the adverse noise potential.

The council has a duty to all residents and visitors, including those taking part in the march, to make sure such events are properly organised. I am pleased the event is going ahead.

(Cllr) Jenny Dawe

Leader, City of Edinburgh Council

Edinburgh