Make Poverty History March In Edinburgh contd By Sarah Golightley

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After around an hour of waiting the police motion us through to the streets of Edinburgh, waving our rainbow PEACE flags and our Drop The Debt Not Bombs posters as we walked along the beautiful city of Edinburgh chanting Make history! Make poverty history! The numbers seemed to be continually increasing, around every corner more and more people were joining in, lending their voices to the cause. At 3 o'clock there was a minute of silence for us all to reflect upon all of those in the world who are suffering from absolute poverty. Although we are proud to have gathered in such numbers for such a triumphant cause, the protest was not a celebration.

We were here to do what we could to convince the G8 leaders to put an end to 30,000 children dying from poverty everyday.

The crowd was impressive in its ability to suddenly switch into an introspective moment and everyone observed the silence as far as my hearing range could stretch. After the minute a wave of shouting, whistle blowing, and drumming swept over the crowd gradually making its way around the city. To march full circle around the city took us three hours, and as we returned to the rally point at The Meadows, police officers were applauding us. This is a site foreign to most protestors, the likes of who are often used to police officers standing stern, weapon at hand in attempt to intimidate the masses.

And this is what sets apart this protest from many others of the past few years; this is not anti-something or other protest. It is a positive one. We are FOR fairer trade, debt relief and more and better aid. Although it must be said if you were eager for any anti-Blair and anti-Bush sentiment there was plenty to go around.

Once we arrived, after a brief rest on the grass listening to more music and speeches we regained some strength and wondered around the various stalls. To walk more than five feet without being bombarded by various pressure groups and handed half a dozen leaflets all of which are trying to convert you to their cause would've been called an accomplishment. But if you're up for some political debating, look no further, there are plenty of eager mouths just waiting win you over. If you're a little bit softer and go down the shopping route, there were tents selling badges, books, shirts and even Make Poverty History knickers.

If you're a little bit too cheap for shopping, don't worry they're giving out free stuff too! Whether you're looking for some stickers, wristbands, impermanent tattoos or Make AIDS History condoms, it's all here.

Finally, time began to run out and soon we were due back at the bus so we just barely had enough time left to pop into a coffee house for a bite to eat and some seriously horrendous milkshakes. We scurry back onto the slightly overheated bus and after an exchange of stories with our fellow passengers within no time we're asleep all the way through our scenic route of Scottish and North England countryside to return at 12.30 in Hull City Centre.

I staggered back to my house and turned on the tube to catch the last of the Live8 performances in Philadelphia before dozing off again having experienced one of those few moments in your life that express a sense of democracy, a sense of people power, of hope and love, and maybe if we stand tall enough a sense of change and a sense of justice.

Photographs courtesy and Copyright © Sarah Golightley 2005

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