Protesters march to the Lough Erne resort earlier this evening

In the 1960s jazz was at the centre of the anti-nuclear protest movement, and formed the soundtrack to many a CND protest. Times have changed, and there was hardly a blue note within earshot at the G8 protest march earlier today, which began at the back of Enniskillen library and proceeded out through the town and on to the Derrygonnelly Road towards the Lough Erne resort where the G8 meeting is taking place. The 500 or so protestors marching supported a range of causes most notably anti-fracking and anti-globalisation, with a separate protest on the river Erne in boats, and protesters also demonstrated at the Diamond in the town centre at lunchtime where jugglers and stilt walkers entertained the crowd. A range of bands united by the anti-fracking cause played on a stage erected at Head Street near the town library as buses arrived with protesters from Derry and Belfast. With local blues and boogie band Ronan McManus and the 2 Tone Blues Band headlining, the DMs, doom rockers Subordinate, the bluesy Atticus Finch, and Ivory Cutlery opening, the mellow crowd enjoying the afternoon sunshine warmed to Occam’s Blade’s rendering of conscious punk anthem ‘Alternative Ulster’ and the classic ‘Dearg Doom’ by Horslips from their 1973 concept album The Táin. The protesters will return from the police barrier at the resort’s perimeter fence later this evening.
Stephen Graham