Pupils protested outside Edinburgh Castle

Hundreds took to the streets of Edinburgh and Glasgow last week in a series of demonstrations against military conflict.

Their actions divided politicians and led to suggestions from some sections of the media that the children were being compelled to take part by irresponsible adults.

However, the youngsters themselves rejected these claims and said they had only played truant in order to participate in politics.

'Make voices heard'

One Edinburgh pupil said: "Some of the newspapers and the media are portraying that we have been organised by adults to do this, and it is not.

"We have organised it ourselves. It is something we wanted to do.

"We wanted to make our voices heard."

Thousands of children took part in protests in Edinburgh on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

That is a beautiful new angle to the civil disobedience protest tactic Colin Fox Scottish Socialist Party

Demonstrations were also held in Glasgow and other parts of Scotland, while thousands of pupils played truant to take to the streets of English cities.

The youngsters were led by some more seasoned campaigners during last week's demonstrations in Edinburgh.

However, Colin Fox of the Scottish Socialist Party denied that the youngsters had been manipulated or encouraged to break the law.

"This is entirely spontaneous. This is in the charge of the kids themselves," he said.

"We gave it some leadership and direction, but it is on their terms.

Further protests

"They want to keep moving and want to sit down when they like. They want to protest. That is a beautiful new angle to the civil disobedience protest tactic."

The pupils are planning further protests later this week in the Scottish capital.

One said: "We spent hours on Friday afternoon sitting down as a group and thinking what can we do to make our voices heard.

Protesters gathered in Glasgow's George Square

"The media haven't asked us about that and they haven't wanted to tell people about that. They have just jumped to conclusions."

The pupils' action was supported by Scottish Socialist Party Leader Tommy Sheridan, who told youngsters in Edinburgh that they should be "proud" of their actions.

However, Scottish Tory Leader David McLetchie said pupils "should not be encouraged to skive off".

In the Scottish Parliament, First Minister Jack McConnell said pupils had a right to protest.

"But I do not believe it is right for elected politicians to encourage young people to leave school," he added.