Edinburgh protesters mock ‘ridiculous’ attempt to paint over political graffiti along the Union Canal

Graffiti on hoardings by the Union Canal that criticised the police was painted over by contractors last month.

Graffiti has appeared on hoardings by the Union Canal mocking attempts to cover over messages criticising the police.

On June 23, contractors painted over graffiti along the canal which expressed support for Black Lives Matter and which criticised the police, in the midst of nationwide protests over institutional racism in Scotland.

But this morning images emerged of new graffiti sprayed on top of the previously covered ones.

Graffiti has appeared on hoardings by the Union Canal mocking attempts to cover over messages criticising the police.

“Paint over me again pig,” one message read. “Pig” is commonly considered to be a derogatory term for a police officer.

“Make fascists afraid again!” said another message sprayed on the hoardings.

One local resident told the Evening News that attempts to cover up the graffiti were “ridiculous.”

“They covered the BLM, 'Make the Rich Pay for Covid', anti-police graffiti but nothing else,” he said.

“I thought it was a little bit ridiculous that they only painted over political messages, the hoarding around the building site is covered with graffiti.

“That's a deliberate statement by whoever made that decision.”

A quote from Malcolm X has also appeared on wooden hoardings opposite Boroughmuir High School in Viewforth.

“Don’t confuse the reaction of the oppressed for the violence of the oppressor,” it reads.

The resident said it was “silly and counterproductive” to try and cover over the political graffiti “unless they're going to keep painting over them.”

A Message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

Joy Yates

Editorial Director