| |
|
We saw a number of cops with no numbers.
While trying to get to Gleneagles on the Dundee/Perth buses we were the first to be stopped at the Broxden roundabout. Where we were told the same lies as were told to the Edinburgh buses (that there were gangs of Anarchists roaming Auchterarder having violent confrontations with police, that G8alternatives had called off the march etc), seeing as we were being detained without any real reason, it was discussed if we were going to walk, block the road or stay put. Upon hearing this police reinforcements were called, consisting of dog handlers from a number of Scottish constabularies plus officers from the Met. It was the met officers who were not wearing numbers. All the Tayside constabulary officers were wearing there number, We couldn't see the dog handlers but the dogs remained in their vans. Riot police were standing by a few hundred yards up the A9.
At the actual march, most police officers were wearing their numbers but there were a significant number who weren't. As far as I could tell it was a mix of officers who weren't wearing any or who had them covered.
The behaviour of the police through out the day was mixed. By and large, the individual officers were in good moods with a banter being exchanged on both sides. However, senior officers trying their hardest to stop the march taking place was appauling and the detention of the 40 or so buses at Broxburn roundabout was illegal and completely out of order.
The trouble at Gleneagles itself appeared to be orchestrated by the police. While approching the fence, the tail-end of the march was harrassed by low flying helicopters including atleast one army chinoock. The police were also charging into the march as it turned the corner after the flimsy fence had been breached. Even at that point the march contained children. It was at this point that the G8alternatives stewards informed us as to what the situation was and it was decided that we should turn around and go back to the park. Leaving about 200 protestors stuck between the riot squad and a police line.
While waiting for news on when our buses were returning and where they were the police lined up in a military fashion and marched out into the road. A number of these officers appeared to have no numbers. They also misinformed a large number of us as to where our buses were parked. And many trecked to the opposite end of Auchterarder to where their bus was.
By and large, they day was a success, with around 6,000 people making it to the march. Despite the efforts of the police. Even then I would say the majority of police were friendly and seemed to be enjoying things for the right reasons but there were many who were the exact opposite.
It was a shame not to be able to get as close as we were allowed to Gleneagles, especially seeing as the fence breach was not as serious as it was made out.
Personally, this was not the end and it was not a victory for the powers-that-be and I'm glad that this G8 wasn't anywhere like previous summits in Evian or Genoa, certainly it seems that if the police had taken a far less confrontational stance then events would have passed off a lot more peacefully and we would have been able to try to pass a message on to the true terrorists, war-mongers and criminals inside Fort Gleneagles. |
|
|
