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| Thousands protest in Belfast against G8 summit | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| There was a major security presence for an anti-G8 protest in Belfast. | |
| The rally against G8 policies was organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ahead of the summit in County Fermanagh. | |
| Leaders from some of the world's most powerful countries will gather at Lough Erne on Monday for the two-day summit. | |
| The ICTU said one billion people were living in "extreme poverty" around the world, due to Western capitalism and the policies of the G8 leaders. | |
| Addressing the protesters, ICTU chairperson Pamela Dooley said: "There is an obligation on the trade union movement and civil society to stand together to demand a different and better way." | |
| 'Corrupt capitalist system' | |
| Ms Dooley said the G8 leaders did not have consent "to force their damaging policies on the rest of us". | |
| She added that unemployment had risen to "unprecedented levels" on the island of Ireland. | |
| She told the crowd that in the Irish Republic "prosperity for working people is over" while in Northern Ireland "almost one third of the population is classed as economically inactive". | |
| "We know that we are facing the consequences of a corrupt capitalist system bereft of moral standards, Ms Dooley said. | |
| "It is a system which puts profit before people and always will. It is a system for the few and not for the many." | |
| She added that the ICTU had "credible alternative proposals which can create a fair and just world. | |
| The march left the city's Custom House square at about 12:30 BST and headed towards Belfast City Hall. | The march left the city's Custom House square at about 12:30 BST and headed towards Belfast City Hall. |
| Hundreds of police officers flanked the route, scores of PSNI vehicles were also parked up and police helicopters circled overhead. | Hundreds of police officers flanked the route, scores of PSNI vehicles were also parked up and police helicopters circled overhead. |
| A weekly loyalist protest against a restriction on flying the union flag at Belfast City Hall has also been taking place at that location. | |
| Some loyalist flag protesters jeered as anti-G8 rally speeches got under way. | Some loyalist flag protesters jeered as anti-G8 rally speeches got under way. |
| In addition to the march, a number of concerts are also due to take place in Belfast and Fermanagh later on Saturday. | |
| Video messages | Video messages |
| A concert in Belfast's Botanic Gardens aims to send a message to world leaders about ending world hunger. | |
| The Big IF concert is expected to attract up to 10,000 people and is due to take place between 13:00 and 17:00 BST. | The Big IF concert is expected to attract up to 10,000 people and is due to take place between 13:00 and 17:00 BST. |
| It has been organised by a number of charities including Oxfam, Trocaire and Christian Aid and will feature high-profile speakers and video messages from celebrities. | It has been organised by a number of charities including Oxfam, Trocaire and Christian Aid and will feature high-profile speakers and video messages from celebrities. |
| The artists include Two Door Cinema Club, Duke Special, Bronagh Gallagher, Prodijig, Flash Harry, and the Ulster Orchestra. | The artists include Two Door Cinema Club, Duke Special, Bronagh Gallagher, Prodijig, Flash Harry, and the Ulster Orchestra. |
| Event director Dan Schofield said: "We are looking forward to a fantastic, fun, family event, albeit one that has a very serious underlying message. | Event director Dan Schofield said: "We are looking forward to a fantastic, fun, family event, albeit one that has a very serious underlying message. |
| "People want the opportunity to make their voices heard in a positive and dignified way so that the leaders attending the G8 summit will be in no doubt that justice for the world's poor has to be top of the agenda in Fermanagh." | "People want the opportunity to make their voices heard in a positive and dignified way so that the leaders attending the G8 summit will be in no doubt that justice for the world's poor has to be top of the agenda in Fermanagh." |
| Tim Magowan from the IF Coalition said: "Imagine if Northern Ireland became known as a place of agreement; a place where decisions were made which began the process of ending world hunger." | Tim Magowan from the IF Coalition said: "Imagine if Northern Ireland became known as a place of agreement; a place where decisions were made which began the process of ending world hunger." |
| Meanwhile, in Enniskillen there will be three free concerts in advance of the G8 summit. | Meanwhile, in Enniskillen there will be three free concerts in advance of the G8 summit. |
| International opera singer Ruby Philogene will head up the Songs for Saturday celebration. | International opera singer Ruby Philogene will head up the Songs for Saturday celebration. |
| Ruby has devised a special G8 song recital of eight songs, one song from each of the eight countries involved in the summit at St Macartin's Cathedral at 15:00 BST. | Ruby has devised a special G8 song recital of eight songs, one song from each of the eight countries involved in the summit at St Macartin's Cathedral at 15:00 BST. |
| Fermanagh District Council has also organised a family fun day in each electoral ward as compensation for the G8 disruption. | Fermanagh District Council has also organised a family fun day in each electoral ward as compensation for the G8 disruption. |