Thunder, lightning and rain as 'Mannie' protest fails to materialise
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A WOMAN who made it known on Facebook that a protest against the Duke of Sutherland's statue was to take place last Friday, has posted that the event did not happen because she was locked out of her social media page.
Katie Laird had advertised that the demonstration would take place in Golspie from 4pm to 8pm but, despite more than 1000 people indicating an interest, no protestors turned up.
Ms Laird posted at 10.20pm on the day: "I have just been released from FB jail, which I was in for the last week, not able to log into my own account. Very handy when you try to organise and event that can make a history (sic)."
She added: "I just tried to point a finger at and highlight one of the local issues, that created two camps. Mannie has to go vs Mannie has to stay. (The statue is known locally as The Mannie).
She thanked visitors to her site, many of whom had left posts voicing strong opinions on the statue, and said: "I feel overwhelmed and will answer you all in due course."
Two police officers were in attendance at the Duke's statue on the top of Ben Bhraggie at the time the protest was advertised as starting and more officers were in the village itself. Also at the top were a dog walker, runner and two media representatives.
One of those present said: "Bang on 4pm, there was a peal of thunder and a flash of lightning followed by an absolute deluge.
"It sent shivers down the back of my spine - it was as if the Duke of Sutherland himself was making his displeasure known from down through the centuries!"
The statue is again in the public eye as a result of the Black Lives Matter campaign.
Facebook plan for Duke of Sutherland statue protest
