War march is public safety risk say police

POLICE have warned they cannot guarantee public safety at an anti-war protest set to bring Edinburgh to a standstill this weekend.

Tens of thousands of demonstrators are expected to converge on Waterloo Place tomorrow before marching through the main streets of the Capital to the Meadows.

The protest against the war on Iraq coincides with the Scottish rugby team’s match against Italy at Murrayfield.

And police chiefs predict the "unauthorised" march will cause chaos in and around the city centre.

Officers say the extent of the disruption cannot be determined because the organisers have not sought official permission for the demonstration or made the required arrangements with the council.

Lothian and Borders Police’s Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Dickson, who is in charge of policing the parade, said the unpredictable nature of the protest meant officers were being forced to withdraw from other areas.

He said: "I am concerned that on Saturday we have a rugby international, in addition to the march, and this will make the city centre chaotic. I would warn motorists especially, and anyone who doesn’t need to be there, to steer clear of the area ."

And he urged parents to think carefully before taking young children to the demonstration or allowing older children to take part.

"I think it’s irresponsible and frankly dangerous to encourage teenagers to go on this march. Legitimate protest should not put people at risk of injury and it would be regrettable if genuinely-held opinions created risks for people," he said.

"We will always help protesters make their point and when we do it with the co-operation of organisers we can virtually guarantee the safety of the participants, and of the rest of the public, as well as limiting disruption to the wider community," he added. "We have had an informal meeting with the organisers and a route has been agreed. Unfortunately, I can’t be so confident about the outcome of an unauthorised protest and that is a pity from every perspective . "

Concerns have also been raised that the protesters may target businesses in an attempt to highlight their cause.

But Mike Napier, spokesman for the Edinburgh Stop the War Coalition, insisted the march would go ahead peacefully.

"It is against our interests and our beliefs to be involved with anything violent. We want to be inclusive and we are asking as many people as we can to come and get involved and bring their children and anyone else," he said.

"I have been negotiating with police and we have told them where we will be marching and how many people we expect to attend. We are aiming for a smooth and peaceful march, and we will block traffic to bring our point to the public’s attention, but we utterly deplore violence. "

Anyone wishing to stage a protest is required to put a request in writing to their local authority and the police at least seven days prior to the event .

A city council spokesman said: "We have been informed by police that a large protest march in the centre of Edinburgh is expected on Saturday, although no formal notification has been given by organisers to either the Chief Constable or the council secretary.

"Traffic restrictions will be imposed on various streets in the city centre."

It is understood the protest will assemble at Regent Road, in the vicinity of the American Consulate, at 2pm and will leave at 2.30pm. The route planned will take marchers along Waterloo Place, Princes Street, Lothian Road, and Earl Grey Street to Brougham Place, and will finish at the Meadows.

A stage will be set up at the Meadows where Scottish Socialist Party leader Tommy Sheridan and rebel MSP John McAllion will both give speeches.

Parking, waiting, loading and unloading will be banned between 9am and 7pm on various city centre streets from Tollcross and Fountainbridge on the west side to St Andrew Square and Calton Hill in the east. Further restrictions will be in place from 1pm-7pm.

Anti-war protesters caused traffic delays in the city centre during a march along Princes Street yesterday lunchtime.