Meadows set for animal rights demo

AN animal rights group has been given the go-ahead to march through the Meadows.

Ethical Voice for Animals, based in Manor Place, expects around 30 participants to do the half-mile circuit around the Meadows on October 2.

The group's issues include the Green Fork campaign, which promotes veganism as "the only viable diet for anyone who claims to care about animals", a bid to make Edinburgh a fur-free city by rejecting animal fur in sporrans and a protest against animal testing.

A spokeswoman said: "Our activities over the years have focused on raising awareness of the issues through a wide variety of educational activities - stalls, protests, school talks, vigils, discussion groups and compassionate living fayres.

"We ran 30 events last year alone and printed over 25,000 leaflets.

"Most importantly, we believe our work is to bring all kinds of people who care about animal rights together and to provide common ground across Scotland to campaign for animal rights."

The walk will start at 12 noon on the Meadows side of Melville Drive, opposite Argyll Place.