Successful Vietnam Demonstration in Edinburgh

There was a successful march in Edinburgh last Tuesday (January 31) to protest against American policy in Vietnam, 500 people participated, including sixty Trades Council delegages. The demonstration was organised by the Trades Council, the Vietnam Solidarity Campaign and the British Couneil fof Peace in Vietnam, This was the first political demonstration in Ediburgh for several years and it is even longer since the Trades Council has taken such a direct part. The march received wide press coverage, with photographs in several papers (including one in the middle of the front page of The Scotsman.) None of the papers reported the speeches made at the protest meeting at the Mound nor the contents of the resolution given to the U.S. Consolate which demanded an end to the bombing of Vietnam, Both the Daily Express and Daily Mail devoted most of their articles to a minor incident which took place when a few white South African students arrived with a placard saying: "We support U.S. policy in Vietnam." This was torn down by the demonstrators. The part played by the Vietnam Solidarity Campaign in the demonstration was generally agreed to be the most effective, Banners were carried and N.L.F. and North Vietnamese flags were flown, Placards ranging from: "Cease supporting American aggression" to "Support the N.L.F." and "Victory for the Vietcong" were also carried, An effigy of Johnson was mde by members and this was burnt by them outside Consulate. One member of the Campaign is included in the delegation of three which will meet the Consul,