[Bilstonglen] Evening News Dalkeith Article

[Positive Vibrations]

Good Evening News Article Today, Friday 20 January 2006
First one to really stress our call for support

http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh.cfm?id=99742006

Bypass protesters call for back-up
JANE BRADLEY

PROTESTERS camping in trees in an attempt to stop a bypass being built 
through Dalkeith Park have made a call to arms for reinforcements to 
join them in their tree-top camp.

Supporters of the campaign to block the £30 million A68 bypass are to 
be shipped from the city centre on a shuttle bus to the site at the 
park's Sandyriggs Wood.

  Buses were scheduled to leave the Forest Cafe on Bristo Place for 
Dalkeith regularly from noon today to take people to join the protest.

They are being urged to climb up into the trees to join campaigners 
still living in the camp - despite attempts by police and a specialist 
eviction team from Wales to force them out.

Those who are unable to climb up into the trees were being urged to 
lend their support on the ground from a special "safe" viewing area.

The call came as eviction teams prepared for a fifth day of attempting 
to remove the demonstrators from their network of tunnels and trees.

And protesters hidden in the tunnels on the site have claimed they have 
enough supplies to last another week.

One protester called for support from local people on a website.

He said: "Now is the time to join us. We urge everyone who cares about 
the destruction of this beautiful park - and the destruction of this 
beautiful planet - to do whatever they can.

"The Scottish Executive aren't listening to reason, so we need to take 
direct action. If you can, join us in the trees, or show your 
solidarity on the ground."

A police spokesman would not say whether efforts would be taken to stop 
the buses.

"We are aware of a bus taking supporters to the protestors' site in 
Dalkeith."

A spokesman for the protesters said: "The three people who have been in 
tunnels at the middle site since Monday still remain and have enough 
food and supplies to carry them though at least another week 
underground.

"Spirits remain high that they can seriously delay attempts to fell 
trees on middle site."

Experts from the National Eviction Team were drafted in from Swansea on 
Monday to help remove the protesters, who set up camp in the area in 
November.

An estimated 20 protesters made makeshift homes in trees, using ropes 
and netting, while others dug tunnels, hoping to prevent the felling of 
trees to make way for the bypass.

The majority of the protesters are believed to be from in and around 
Edinburgh, including Dalkeith, Leith and Penicuik.

On Tuesday, officials were pelted with Christmas puddings, beans and 
custards when they attempted to evict the protesters.

No protesters were evicted from the site yesterday.
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