Arrests after fresh climate protests close city roads
Members of Extinction Rebellion Scotland brought last night’s rush hour in Edinburgh’s West End to a standstill, tying themselves together and blocking a major road.
The blockade was the climax of a day that saw hundreds of police redeployed as officers played a game of cat-and-mouse with protestors across the city.
Six protesters lay in the middle of Lothian Road while police quickly broke up similar action on North Bridge and George IV Bridge.
Reaction to the protest over emissions targets was mixed as some came out of their places of work in support while others vented their frustrations over the disruption. Silvia Gatti, 23, said:
“I have a lot of guilt because I have to work, so I am coming along today to try to show my support. I feel we should embrace the protestors.”
But Peter Cruikshank, 22, from Bruntsfield said: “It’s a total nightmare. There’s so much hypocrisy as they’re handing out leaflets and keeping traffic waiting, which just makes it even worse.
“We thought it was a more serious incident with all of the police here.”
Protestors from Extinction Rebellion Scotland set up camp in the grounds of the Scottish Parliament, with MSPS discussing the Climate Change Bill yesterday.
The group say their “Holyrood Rebel Camp” was their “biggest-ever gathering” and would remain on the site until Thursday.
Activists want the Scottish Government to do more in response to what they call a “climate crisis and ecological breakdown.”
The massive police presence included vans of riot cops on standby, mounted officers drafted in and the force helicopter deployed as activists splintered into mobile “direct action” units.
The Scotsman was told by a police source that everything from murder investigations, major drug operations and witness protection have been hampered as officers were reassigned to the protests.
There were unconfirmed reports of at least six arrests as police tried to prevent any further roads being blocked.
Bystander Tom Quinn, 25, from Haymarket, said: “I really draw a positive from this. It does cause a bit of bother, but it is for a good cause.
“I just came down for a Nando’s, but I can see why they picked Lothian Road as it will cause the most disruption.”
Pasquale Chifreltia, manager of Frizzante on Lothian Road, said: “I’m not against the protest at all. So long as they are civil and peaceful, they can protest against what they want.”
Innis and Gunn Brewery Taproom manager Joe Marshall, 25, said: “No one could cross past either side of the venue, so it obviously impacted customers and bookings. I support the cause, but that road is one of the main roads used by emergency services.”
Joe Cameron, 24, is camping for the next two nights outside Holyrood. He said: “It’s a massive worry the threat of ecological disaster. The scientific community says that we are in danger and every CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions graph tells a worrying story.”
Chief Superintendent Matt Richards said: “As soon as we became aware of the intention to impact upon the city’s road network, we took swift action and are continuing to deal with the situation on Lothian Road. A small number of arrests have taken place.”
Lothian Buses said there were “long delays throughout the city” after activists targeted Lothian Road.