Big business attacks writ large in city
THEY are slogans which are more at home on university discussion forums and left-wing political literature.
But a graffiti artist with an apparent grudge against big business has been painting the messages on bank and supermarket properties and advertising billboards. Shops and even bus shelters have also been daubed with often baffling tasters of home-spun philosophy.
Tesco, Scottish Gas, Next and Lloyds TSB are among the companies whose property or adverts have been targeted.
Police believe the graffiti may be the work of one individual and are monitoring the situation. Most of the slogans have been spotted in and around Leith, Easter Road and Abbeyhill. Tesco on Leith Walk has been adorned with “I just can’t believe in that red, white and blue”, in an apparent reference to the supermarket’s corporate colours.
“Made in China,” is plastered across one Easter Road bus stop and the phrase “Americans out” appears on a bill board on Leith Walk.
Child sex slaves, political parties, the police, the Church, the Army, and even music and property tycoon Tam Paton are also referred to in the graffiti.
Stewart Blaik, the chairman of Leith Central Community Council, said many residents had spoken to him about the issue. The fact the graffiti appeared to have some thought behind it made it worse, he insisted.
“I actually think it is deplorable because it clearly isn’t just youths running riot with a spray can,” he said. “No form of graffiti is acceptable and I certainly wouldn’t want it on my wall. It brings the whole place down.”
Pc Adam Dyer, part of the Youth Action Team in Leith, said: “From our point of view it’s quite hard to tell if this is the work of just one person. They seem to be quite random comments and there doesn’t seem to be a running theme yet.”
Leith Walk city councillor Angela Blacklock said: “On one hand it is quite refreshing to hear young people having an interest in politics but on the other graffiti is a crime and it should be cleared up as quickly as possible.”
From: http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/edinburgh.cfm?id=1806652007