BTW, the security is not for the protesters
Security stepped up at Scottish Parliament ahead of climate protests
Security is being stepped up at the Scottish Parliament as the Extinction Rebellion (XR) protest group begins a new programme of climate change demonstrations.
Police told staff at the parliament building in Holyrood there were plans to “disrupt access to legislatures across the UK†on Tuesday next week.
Beginning on Friday, a “regional rebellion†over four days will see protests staged in cities around the country – including London, Manchester, Bristol, Cardiff and Leeds – ahead of larger demonstrations on Tuesday.
Protests this weekend are expected to include roadblocks, marches, sit-ins, bike rides and picnics, with campaigners emphasising their ethos of “non-violent direct actionâ€.
Non violent usually means broken windows, paint and fake blood splashed all around, interfering with the lawful movements of other citizens, and harassment.
A spokesman for the Scottish Parliament told the PA news agency: “We were informed by Police Scotland of plans to disrupt access to legislatures across the UK on Tuesday September 1.
“Therefore Police Scotland will have an increased presence around the Parliament building in the lead-up to Tuesday.â€
Bunch of nutters
Dr Chris Newman, a GP and founder of Doctors for XR, told reporters on Thursday they were aware of the health risks of public gatherings and had cancelled previous protest plans.
He said: “Everyone in XR that I’ve spoken to is extremely mindful of the risks and we’re all concerned about health risks. That’s why we’re here, because climate change is a health issue as much as anything.
“So everyone will be pushing very hard for all XR participants to be obeying Government rules with social distancing, with them avoiding protests if they’re unwell, or if they have to isolate.â€
You can bet there will be zero social distancing.
