Protestors told need insurance to march

by Brian Turner

Story link: Protestors told need insurance to march

A protest rally organized around the G8 conference in Scotland was told that it could only go forward if insurance worth £5 million is secured by G8 Alternatives, the organization conducting the march. The premium for such coverage would cost around £30,000.

G8 Alternatives said that they could not afford that much for the coverage, which was requested by councillors in Perth and Kinross, where the demonstration is to take place.

They claim that it is normal to require such coverage for any group conducting business on council property, while insisting that they support the right of peaceful protest.

However, G8 Alternatives called the requirement “democracy for sale”, while Scottish Socialist MSP Frances Curran called the demand a threat to democratic rights.