Glasgow City Chambers

[EMDEE]

The last time I ventured into the Square, wasn't between the lions, rather between the breast of a beautiful woman.
However that's another story.

Was that George Square or Blythswood Square?

[Govangirl]

[ionnsaigh]

Naw naw , this bird hings aboot George Square, she has several names ? Take a look I'm sure you will see her.
It's the Truth, I tell.

[Govangirl]

Is it the bird that never flew . . .


but did a runner when you tried to nuzzle its breast?

[ionnsaigh]

Perhaps another look at the City Chambers girl - or would that be New York ?

[EMDEE]

Are you at Liberty to give any of her other names?

[Govangirl]

Aha, now I see. Very good.

[ionnsaigh]

Well done MD, Truth was on my right, my comrades to the left. I draped a red Flag over her shoulders and cried " Wake up Glasgow "

[ionnsaigh]

April 1st 1989. The day the The Community Charge ( Poll Tax ) was implemented in Scotland.
5-30 A.M. All Fools Day.
The days the day, butterflies tinged with excitement, have another coffee before you wake her.
The plan: Six of us Anti Poll Tax Union ( Scotland ) members, would enter the main debating chamber, by a small door that led to the viewing gallery. We would disrupt the council proceedings, by shouting and throwing hundreds of leaflets condemning the Labour councils meek acceptance of this tax. Simultaneously Five of us would climb the scaffold situated on George Street, then make our way over the roof to the front of the building. Another Dozen or so, would hand out the leaflets in the Square.
More to follow, if anyone is interested.

[EMDEE]

Simultaneously Five of us would climb the scaffold situated on George Street

Probably if Maggie had her way you would have been hanging from the scaffold.

[ionnsaigh]

Probably if Maggie had her way you would have been hanging from the scaffold.

Funny you should say that, I thought that myself as I climbed up into the unknown. I could have used the secret tunnel that runs from the chambers to the Royal Infirmary.

[Govangirl]

So how did it end Ionns? Were you forcibly removed?

[ionnsaigh]

So how did it end Ionns?

End end, I'm surprised at you - end indeed. Not the departures, nor the destination, rather the journey itself.

[ionnsaigh]

About 20 of us gathered at the Phoenix press office on Hill Street, before setting off. Of the five who would climb the scaffold one was my brother, who had made a huge Pay No Poll Tax banner. One guy was from the Edinburgh APTU, the son of a Church of Scotland minister , who apparently used a red flag during his sermons. The other notable figure in our wee gang, was a convicted bank robber, the son of a police inspector.

[ionnsaigh]

Bill the inspectors son, turned up at the office dressed, as if he was about to climb the north face of the Eiger. I found the rope slightly alarming, although it's fair to say, that I was more than bemused at the sight of the Action Man apparition, that stood before me. He appeared to take control of our little band, at that point in time he was the only member of the Workers Party involved in the rooftop protest, and since the APTU was started by them, I thought fair enough. When we got to the Chambers he decided to go first, one of our group said that he was afraid of heights, I decided to follow him up, hopefully giving him reassurance on the way. So I was last to ascend, three quarters of the way up, the group made an abrupt halt, apparently Bill had encountered two workers on their way down. By the time I got to the coal face, they where demanding that we should descend immediately. He was pleading with them " this is a political protest " however they where having none of it. He was losing it, before I stepped in and had a quiet word in there ear.
We eventually reached the side of the roof and had to scale the remaining three or four feet, then make or way diagonally over a number of different roofs ( some glass ) to reach the facade. Have a look at the roof on Google Earth you can see two glass roofs. Anyway we eventually reached our goal and placed our banners over the front, there was a great front page picture in the following mornings Scotsman. Bill had decided that he would count to three and shout in unison, pay no poll tax. This was a complete and utter disaster, it sounded false and ineffective, that is when I decided to take over my own actions. The protest lasted about two hours, when we decided to give ourselves up.
I was the first to turn myself in to the waiting army of police, who immediately escorted me to the waiting police van , some great TV shots of Fiona shouting at the police as they led me away. As we arrived at the police station the officer in charge said that we had to line up eldest first. Bill made his way to the front of the queue saying that's me, his face dropped when it turned out that I was the elder. We spent seven hours locked up in police cells at Stewart Street, before being set free. So by a quirk of fate, I became the first person to be incarcerated for opposing the tax. Incidentally the police ignored my request for medical help during our visit, Asthma medication and doctor denied.