Thousands Blockade G8

08/06/2007

"The global social justice movement is alive and kicking and giving hell to the assembled criminals of the G8. In an atmosphere reminiscent of the our S11 demonstration ten thousand peaceful protestors have used non-violent civil disobedience to blockade the G8 in Germany." said Davey.

UK IMC story | News Ticker | Germany IMC (en)
Information Resources: Listen Live! - 4 radio streams | G8 TV - daily video stream | Flashradio - daily podcast (en) | Dropping Knowledge
Melbourne Solidarity Event: Speakout Report

Thousands Protest Against G8 in Germany

04/06/2007

from Indymedia.org and IMC Germany (en)
From June 6th to 8th the "representatives" of eight of the most powerful states from the global north are planning to meet in Heiligendamm near Rostock in Germany. Without any legitimacy to decide about global politics they will coordinate their decisions and therefore stand for the continuation of the state the world which for the majority means hunger, misery, war, and exlusion.

Despite police repression and political propaganda, the summit will face one of the biggest mobilisations ever to shut down the G8.

The "hot phase" of the protest started at the ASEM summit in Hamburg last weekend ( 1 | 2 ), with a Critical Mass and a massive demonstration ( Reports 1 | 2 | 3 | Timeline | Pictures 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 (nl) | 5 (indybay) | 6 ). Reports speak of up to 100 arrests but most people are released again allready. Another demonstration is now announced for tuesday night and a "moving assembly" under the slogan Beat Capitalism for wednesday afternoon.

Protestors march in Rostock

Tens of thousands of anti-G8 protesters, with several thousands on the Black Bloc alone, took part in the international demonstration in Rostock on 2 June, 2007. With colourful banners and puppets, protesters of different backgrounds tried to draw attention to the bigger problem of capitalism and the 'empire'. Police were very aggressive and provocative, using batons, water cannons and tear gas, not only against the 'bad protestors' but 'normal' ones as well. Violent confrontations were taking place while, on stage, the concert and speeches were trying to continue. Over 100 people were arrested and many injured on both sides.

Reports: [en] 1 | 2 | 3 | [de] 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | [it] 1 | 2 | 3
Pics: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14
Video: 1 | 2 | 3 Audio: [de] 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | [en] 1

Information Resources: Indymedia Germany will report bilingual: IMC Germany (en) | IMC Germany (de) | G8 TV - daily video stream from the G8 | flashradio - daily podcast (en) | IMC UK Topic G8 2007

Websites: dissentnetwork | Dissent! UK | Interventionist Left | all for all | antig8.tk | Gipfelsoli | people global action | heiligendamm2007.de | Alternative Summit | Camps

MIM articles: Anti-What? | Prelude to the G8: Tearing it up in Hamburg | Women in Protest
Melbourne Solidarity Event: Scum Bag Tour, Friday June 8

Court Support for Sydney G20 Arrestees

20/03/2007

Protesters gathered outside the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning to support five people arrested in Sydney last week on charges relating to the G20 protests last year. The crowd called for their charges to be dropped and for the right to protest to be defended. [Full Story]

[Repression as State Strategy]

Payout to S11 Protestors a Rebuke to Police Violence

06/03/2007

Rather than face civil court proceedings the Bracks State Government has settled out of court with protestors injured by police violence during the S11 blockade of the World Economic Forum at Crown Casino in September 2000. Law Firm Slater and Gordon, acting for the claimants, will pocket nearly $600,000 in legal costs, with about $100,000 to be divided up between 42 people. "A settlement of this sort was always on the cards, and serves the interests of both parties... of lawyers" said one blogger who was at the blockade.

"I guess it is along way for Steve Bracks from offering the police who bashed us a day off with full pay and a Bar-B-Q! So a symbolic recognition, a small victory to go with all our glorious defeats." said Ciaron O'Reilly, one person who was attacked and injured by the police at the S11 blockade.

Ciaron O'Reilly on S11 | Dr Bernard Barrett's Report | Pt'chang Legal Observer Report (PDF) | Ombudsman's Report (PDF) Activist Rights

G20 Corporate Media Smears

22/01/2007

As Police continue to make arrests in the follow up to the G20 protests, corporate media outlets have published photos of 28 ‘people of interest’ in a step raising questions about privacy, defamation and the role of the media in intimidation of protestors. [Full Story]

[G20 Media Release | G20 Corporate Media Coverage]

G20 Arrests Continue

12/01/2007

The past few days have seen further arrests in the wake of November’s G20 protests in Melbourne. Police have used surveillance, home searches, confiscation of personal items and the retrieval of information from computer hard drives to identify suspects. Those arrested face charges included riot, affray, criminal damage, incitement and endangering others while being placed under strict bail conditions. [Read More]

[Teenager arrested | Campaign Info | Activist Rights ]

Activists Pressure BHP over Roxby Mine

3/12/2006

Activists attending BHP Billiton's Annual General Meeting in Brisbane last week questioned the social responsibility of BHP for allowing the Olympic Dam uranium mine to operate outside the law through the Roxby Downs (Indenture Ratification) Act . "While they operate outside the law and with no accountability to environmental and social concerns, the community has no assurance of culpability for accidents. These exemptions represent a racist and environmentally irresponsible outcome for the community." said Ms Stewart addressing the AGM. [Read More] [Audio]

The Roxby Downs (Indenture Ratification) Act 1982 grants legal immunity from the Freedom of Information Act 1991, the Environment Protection Act 1993, the Natural Resources Act 2004 (including the Water Resources Act 1997) and the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988, among others.

FOE Brisbane | FOE Adelaide Clean Futures Collective | Roxby Indenture Discussion Paper (Doc)

G20 protests: State and Violence Against Women

1/12/2006

State-sponsored violence against women occurs frequently in Australia, without question. This was only emphasised by the recent police violence against women at the G20 protests in Melbourne. [Read more]
Measuring violence against women

Protest Tactics at G20 and Beyond

26/11/2006

The protests and confrontations at the G20 meeting in Melbourne have generated thoughtful discussions on protest tactics, in particular "Diversity of Tactics" and 'In the Wake....After the G20'.

A first communique from two uncitizens of Arterial Bloc has demystified the blocs origins (see callout (Sydney) ), with others replying with 'Disarming Blochead Arguments' or asking Were Groups Like Arterial Bloc Excessive in Their Tactics?. Others have put forward that G20 protests were 'an exercise in impotence' or simply 'Futile'. More considered is a discussion of 'g20 and autonomous 'war' zones'.

Various groups and individuals have contributed including the Socialist Party, ISO, a Stop G20 speaker, Stop the War Coalition, and a Solidarity 'Statement on the G20 Demonstrations'. There is a thoughtful article on A Space Outside - An Outside (In) Perspective which demystifies one of the pre-protest organisational focal points. There is even an ultra left critique of the Stop G20 organisation. Personal accounts include from Takver, Adam Maynard, anarchist broardcaster Joe Toscano and a satirical song for the thin blue line.

Stop G20 | Activist Trauma and Support | S11 Protest | 2007 Sydney APEC callout

Police Abduction and Terrorism hits the Streets

22/11/2006

"A man was abducted and tortured in the belief that he could be related with the G-20 protests. In the end, he was not the person police was looking for. Even if he had been, torture and abduction were prohibited a long time ago as a human right abuse." said Eleonor Palacio in a statement on the abduction of her partner Drasko Boljevic on Sunday 16th Nov. 2006 from Swanston Street.

"State terrorism exists in Australia. We can say that this was a ‘bad mistake’ or that this ‘mistake’ can happen to any of us any day. This task force operation replicates torturing tactics used in the 70s in Argentina or in war time in Croatia," she said.

"Three other people were snatched by undercovers at Melbourne University" on Sunday according to an Indymedia report.

Police Powers and your Rights | Activist Trauma and Support Starhawk: Organizing in the Face of Increased Repression

G20 included Business, Excluded Civil Society

21/11/2006

The G20 meeting is over. Although the G20 claimed it was a private meeting, and therefore Non Government Organisations could not attend, they were quite willing to meet "in a working lunch with global business leaders to discuss ways to strengthen energy and minerals markets.", while excluding Civil Society organisations. [Read more...]

Andrew Hewett from Make Poverty History labelled the meeting as a missed opportunity: “There’s no cheer for the world’s poor from this meeting. The leaders of the G-20 have forsaken a critical opportunity to strike a decisive blow against poverty and failed to continue the momentum of last year’s G8."

The G20 did nothing to ameliorate global poverty and debt reduction as expected, but continued with its neo-liberal agenda.

[ Make Poverty History - Australia ]

G20 Protests Come To An End

21/11/2006

Multiple protest actions took place against the G20 summit over the past weekend in Melbourne. As delegates were arriving on Friday, businesses which profit from war or environmental destruction were targeted for disruption. Saturday saw a peaceful march and rally followed by street confrontations between protestors and police. At the same time, the Make Poverty History Forum (Photos) in Alexandra Gardens also attracted crowds, while on Saturday evening about 100 police violently attacked a festive gathering of G20 protestors.

Police repression increased on Sunday with undercover officers snatching suspected protesters off the street with a contrast being made between the APEC meeting in Hanoi,Vietnam and the G20 protests in Melbourne. Unsurprisingly, Federal Treasurer, Peter Costello snubbed Christian activists who had held a vigil over the weekend. On Sunday afternoon Police attacked a peaceful group of anti-G20 protestors at the Melbourne Museum causing severe injuries.

The Melbourne Indymedia Van played an important role in reporting the protests by allowing many people to post news and perspectives directly from the street.

More Photos from the Protests: Josie | Mark Cunningham 1, 2, 3, 4 | breakdown | Cop funnies | Cop scaries | Biffo | h m m | Thelonius | Collage of G20 pics | flickr photos

Video: Police Baton Practice for G20 | Everything is Under Control! G20 | Quicktime Report | Barriers to Change | Police Attack G20 Party Outside Parliament | Police Brutality at Melbourne Museum

Police Attack Protestors Causing Severe Injuries

19/11/2006

Police attacked a peaceful group of anti-G20 protestors at the Melbourne Museum on Sunday evening causing severe injuries. The protestors, who had gathered on information that G20 delegates were attending an event at the Museum, were reportedly given no prior warning before the assault which involved fists, boots and batons. Footage clearly shows police brutally beating defenseless people lying on the ground.

“We were singing and dancing at the front of the Melbourne Museum, as a non-violent way of publicly raising our concerns about the G20”, said one of the demonstrators. “Without warning we were baton-charged by heaps of cops. It was frightening, especially when a couple of busloads of riot police turned up afterwards.” [Photos and Full Report]

The Brutality On Sunday At Melbourne Museum: From The Beginning

[Video Report | Corporate Media Version]

Payback: 100 Police attack G20 Festive Gathering

18/11/2006

Late Saturday evening about 100 Police violently attacked a festive gathering outside Parliament House injuring several G20 protesters. An ambulance was called to attend several people, while about 3 were arrested. There was a high level of aggression with police actively chasing and beating people. [More] [Quicktime Video 2.5MB]

Police Attack G20 Party Outside Parliament

Street Confrontations at G20 Protest

18/11/2006

Protestors were on the offensive again today against the G20 meeting with some of the most confrontational actions of recent times in Australia.

The day started at 3.45am when the police moved the christian embassy for the poor and the environment out of sight of the Hyatt Hotel and the visibility of the G20 ministers and bureaucrats. Reverend Simon Moyle said "Pushed from place to place, refused representation and ignored, it reveals the bullying nature of the state's tactics against even peaceful protest."

A rally at the State Library drew thousands of people. After speeches the crowd marched to the barricades on Russell street. The crowd was festive, loud, and raucus, wanting to be heard (vox pop video) by those meeting in the Hyatt Hotel. After sometime many people left this location for other barricades around the Hotel.

Read an indymedia on the ground report, after which Police launched a running attack down Collins St with baton wielding and attacks on many people. Police then organised to move on protestors from Exhibition St, quoting that they are facing an "insurrection" with a police riot truck suffering damage. (Barriers to change video)

By 8pm a few hundred people were still at the barricades in Russell Street enjoying a strong party vibe with music.

Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Videos: Engagemedia.org

Sunday Events: Virtual sit-in | Jail Solidarity | Innoculation Day
G20 Alternative and Creating Community forum | Celebration

Businesses Targeted by G20 Protests

17/11/2006

Decentralised protests targeting businesses involved with war profiteering or environmental destruction marked the first day of the G20 meeting. The Friday morning started with two actions against warmongers and profiteers: Tenix and the army recruitment office. Offices of the ANZ Bank were also closed down.

In the early afternoon one hundred activists occupied Oricas Head Office in Melbourne in protest at the supply of 6,000 tons of cyanide a year to Barrick Gold in the contentious Lake Cowal Gold Project in Western NSW.

Other protest activities around the city included the Radical Cheerleaders spreading the word that the G20 is coming to town, a protest march by Falun Dafa, "anarchic cops" and clowns, and a christian vigil as a Third World and Environment Embassy, outside the barricades near the Hyatt Hotel. An overnight Meditation and prayer vigil is being held at Birrarung Marr park.

Visions of creative dissent | Calendar | ACTU statement on G20
Saturday Events: Virtual sit-in | Meditation/Prayer Vigil | Make Poverty History Festival | Carnival Beyond Capitalism

First protests against G20

15/11/2006

First protests against the G20 have included Guerilla gardening near the floral clock opposite the National Art Gallery, and a vigil of the Sedition Charter group who stood defiant outside Hyatt Hotel when approached by the police to move on or be charged with 'breach of the peace'. A Christian collective will set up camp at 7:30 am on Friday November 17th, outside the barricades that surround the G20 meetings at the Grand Hyatt hotel, demanding tickets on behalf of those excluded from the meetings.

www.seditioncharter.org | Wikipedia: Guerilla gardening | Stop G20

Anyone Can Be a Journalist at G20

14/11/2006

Independent Media activists are making it easier for activists to publish their reports, photos, videos and audio interviews. To encourage grassroots reporting at G20 protests, an Indymedia mobile media van will enable people to report from the front lines. Slightly further away, a media space has been established at RMIT on Swanston Street. [Read more...]

On November 11 EngageMedia: Online Video for Social Justice, launched its site.

There is a final independent media meeting for coverage of the G20 this Thursday 16th November at 6pm in the Media Space at RMIT.

Resources:
* Radio: 3CR (855am) - Web Streaming
* Video: Engagemedia.org
* Audio: Callout for audio reports
* Text and Photos: Publish on Melbourne Indymedia

Activists Converge for G20 Meeting

13/11/2006

Melbourne will see workshops, fundraisers and conferences this week as activists converge against the G20 meeting taking place this coming weekend. The G20 meeting of finance ministers and heads of the World Bank and IMF will take place at the Grand Hyatt and will further implement neo-liberal economic policies designed to enrich the already wealthy while impoverishing the many and continuing to destroy our ecosystems. Included in the events are the A Space Outside conference, the Make Poverty History forum as well as training events to prepare for the weekends activities. For full details see Stop G20 Calendar

[A Space Outside | Make Poverty History Forum | G20]

Protests to Target U2's Bono at G20 Meeting

22/10/2006

Rocksinger Bono is being targeted by activists as part of the protests around the G20 meeting in Melbourne in November. Bono has refused to answer questions about his involvement (as a board member) of the 'Pandemic' software company that is a subcontractor for the US Army and CIA funded Institute for Creative Technologies. [Read More]

The company develops training simulations for US troops, and a commercial game, "Mercenaries 2: World in Flames" that describes an invasion of Venezuela to "... overthrow an oil hungry Dictator", viewed by many as a classic psy-ops production against popularly elected President Hugo Chavez. [Bono's Creed of Greed (mp3) by Nimbin Radio]

The protests are part of an international campaign initiated by the US Venezuelan Solidarity Network, calling for U2's Bono, who has appealed to the world on many occasions for peace and poverty reduction, to apply those same values to block the manufacture and distribution of the Pandemic videogame which promotes the invasion and destruction of Venezuela.

Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network | StopG20.org

Singapore Bans NGO Delegates from IMF/World Bank Meeting

13/09/2006

"Civil society groups worldwide have reacted angrily to the Singaporean government’s ban on up to 20 delegates who plan to attend Bank/Fund annual meetings there next week." said a statement from Friends of the Earth International. NGOs have also condemned Singapore for applying pressure on the administration of neighbouring Batam, Indonesia, where a major civil society conference will be held. Following an international outcry, Indonesian officials confirmed the conference in Batam can go ahead. [Read More]

"Singapore is showing its dark side. One that does not respect civil rights, one that treats people like children," said Walden Bello, executive director of the Focus on the Global South, and one of the individuals banned by Singapore from attending along with his organisation, as Space for Dissent Narrows on Eve of Bank/IMF Meet.

Call for Global Actions Against IMF/World Bank | Activists to mount global protests versus IMF-WB

Target: WTO | Focus on the Global South | Jubilee South | Mobilization for Global Justice

Protestors to Quarantine The G-20 Meeting

06/09/2006

The Melbourne G-20 meeting on November 18-19 will see the finance ministers and central bank governors of 19 of the largest economies in the world, the European Union and the leaders of the IMF and World Bank converge in Melbourne. StopG20 is planning a major mobilisation involving a series of convergences. [Full Story]

This will be the most significant gathering in Melbourne of people responsible for pushing corporate-led globalisation, neoliberalism and capitalism since the World Economic Forum in 2000. [G-20 Background]

StopG20.org | Make Poverty History | Melbourne Social Forum | FOE: the Tyranny of Free Trade