6pm Monday July 4 - Roundup

What's in a name? Despite the unassuming title, the Carnival for Full Enjoyment turned into the most violent demonstration so far in G8 week.


Riot police deploy on Edinburgh's streets

The atmosphere got tenser as the black-clad anarchist protesters continued to lunge at the police. Police horses were shifted and the riot horses brought in as lines of officers forced everyone, agitator, journalist or just spectator into the Princes Rd gardens. The doors were locked and none of us could get out until police had been given the go-ahead by control.

This meant innocent bystanders like women walking their children in the gardens were trapped too. Finally we were let out after an hour but some were keen to confront and goad the police even more.


Riot police deploy on Edinburgh's streets

Part of the grass and gardens were completely destroyed. People had uprooted flowers and threw dirt and rocks at the police after they held a man down. Two wire rubbish bins were thrown at the officers, one of which narrowly missed my head. To their credit, the police stayed calm and cool though and got the crowd under control.


Riot police deploy on Edinburgh's streets

After getting out of the park, I find the nearest internet cafe to send my pictures. It also happens to be the same cafe Guardian Unlimited has hired for members of the public to blog their thoughts on the G8 week. After sending the first batch through, however, I am told it is not a place for fellow hacks and told to leave. Blogging the bloggers? Not exactly, but I sent a few pics through and at least I got to finish my nachos.

The groups Dissent and the Wombles have urged protesters to cause a stir today and businesses in the main financial district have been advised to take close down. It was a marked difference to the Faslane blockade on the other coast of the country this morning where there were four arrests.

There was a religious communion at the front gates and the day was said to be a success. Rebecca Johnson, who worked with Hans Blix and advises the WMD commission for nuclear weapons told me: "Nuclear weapons are an anachronism left over from the Cold War. We are wasting money that should be spent on combating poverty and climate change."

The figure £48 a second is bandied around a lot speaking to the protesters. That is the amount the UK spends every day in arms. Two protests today, two very different atmospheres. Lothians and Borders police will be joined by officers from England and Wales for the rest of the week.

They may just need them.

More G8 coverage
- Does the G8 Summit matter? The Bloggers' view
- Africa's tragedy - a benefit circus? by John Pilger
- No more tea and sympathy: George Monbiot interview
- G8 Picture Gallery
- Jon Snow's African Diary
- Congo's Tin Soldiers: Jonathan Miller's exclusive report
- Photo Gallery: Jonathan Miller in Congo