Protesters’ sabotage warning to Underbelly
● Community group may take action against Edinburgh events
A community network has warned it may engage in “civic sabotage” to rail against commercial events in the city such as Edinburgh’s Hogmanay.
Mike Small, co-founder of Citizen, a community group which opposes “unwelcome development”, privatisation and over-tourism in the city, said a campaign of sabotage had been discussed by the group.
This could include organised crowds making a coordinated attempt to breach certain security barriers under public access and right of way laws while they are closed for events.
It may also feature protesters filming events on smartphones to be broadcast on buildings elsewhere in the city, so crowds can watch the show without having bought a ticket.
Mr Small wrote in a New Year blog post that it feels “like a dam has burst” as hundreds of new members have signed up in the wake of criticism over Christmas and Hogmanay events organised by Underbelly. The group has been “overwhelmed” by the influx of support as it launched its 2020 manifesto to “re-imagine the city” as a place of social justice and equality over consumption and profit, Mr Small said.
The ten-point Manifesto for the City aims to promote community-led development in the face of “unwelcome” development, privatisation and over-tourism.
It includes protecting public spaces, and promoting green transport such as walking and cycling. The manifesto pledges to promote fair rents and increased public housing over holiday lets and second homes.
“Hogmanay is a time for New Year’s resolutions, ours is let’s reclaim our city from hidden networks and businesses carving up Edinburgh for profit,” wrote Mike Small.
He told followers: “We have been overwhelmed by the numbers of people registering with Citizen after the latest Underbelly debacle.
“It feels like a dam has burst.” Underbelly co-founder and director Ed Bartlem said last week that the Hogmanay event brings “huge economic benefit” to the city.
It came after founders of the New Year Loony Dook condemned the commercialisation of the event after Underbelly charged people £12 a head to jump into the Forth.
Pete Jackson and David Garthley, who were among 12 people who took part in the original event in South Queensferry, described the privatisation of the worldfamous New Year’s Day tradition as a “damned disgrace”.