Climate change strike pupils banned from marching down Princes Street

School pupils who take part in a climate change strike in Edinburgh next week won't be allowed to march down Princes Street - and could even face arrest if they do.

The latest in a series of global protests is due to take place on Friday September 20, with many students likely to skip classes.

But Edinburgh Council’s licensing sub-committee has now banned youngsters from setting foot on the major thoroughfare.

They're planning to congregate in the Meadows, before leading a procession through town to the Scottish Parliament.

Sandy Boyd, 15, representing the protesters, said: "They have declared a climate emergency and they are not acting on it – they are going back on their decision.

"I really hope history judges them for it.”

Green Councillor Susan Rae said: "We seem to be in an unprecedented situation where they have actually banned them from going onto Princes Street. We have allowed orange marches but we have actually banned children from setting foot onto Princes Street.

“The council has pledged to support climate change as a priority – this is not a good way to do that.

“I’m extremely disappointed and actually quite alarmed the council is treating schoolchildren like criminals.

"If the police come for the schoolchildren, they will have to go through me first.”

A council reports says closing Princes Street disrupt tram services – costing the authority around £15,000 in damages.

It adds rail services could also be disrupted if a procession passes that way.

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