Large-scale protests began outside of the annual G8 summit in Edinburgh, Scotland on Sunday with a march of over 200,000 people under the banner "make poverty history." The large-scale permitted action was the start of a week of protests and direct actions designed to confront the G8 and make it clear that despite the rhetoric of leaders such as British Prime Minister Tony Blair, the G8 has no interest in eliminating poverty. On Monday 2,000 demonstrators blockaded an military base that is the home to four Trident nuclear submarines in order to highlight the G8's role in arms dealing. There have been numerous clashes between police and protestors over the past few days, with a black bloc being isolated and surrounded on Sunday and the same thing happening again on Monday during the day's "Carnival of Full Enjoyment" street party. Protestors using the black bloc tactic have been arrested and in many cases banned from Edinburgh during their court appearances in what was a predictable consequence from using an outdated tactic.

In the corporate media, the protests have been overshadowed by the series of Live 8 concerts designed to raise awareness of poverty in Africa and to pressure the G8 countries to provide further assistance to the world's poor. While the concerts and the accompanying "Make Poverty History" campaign have received considerable media attention, many critics of the G8 have noted that the Make Poverty History campaign has "watered down" the politics of many opposed to the G8 and that a rock concert, complete with billionaire guest such as Bill Gates, will do little to eliminate poverty.

For complete coverage of continued protests at the G8 summit, visit www.indymedia.org.uk.