[Gipfelsoli Newsletter] May 25th 2007, Heiligendamm

[International Newsletter]

May 25th 2007, Heiligendamm

- Court over-rules ban on protests near G8 summit venue
- G8: Defend local social rights globally
- COnvergence Space in Berlin-Kreuzberg
- Christians called to support G8 rally in London
- Block G8: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- German police open anti-G8 activists' mail

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Court over-rules ban on protests near G8 summit venue

Schwerin, Germany (dpa) - A German court Friday over-ruled a police ban on
protests within 5 kilometres of a fence around next month's G8 summit in the
German beach resort of Heiligendamm.

The administration tribunal in the state capital of Schwerin only upheld a ban
on demonstrations within 200 metres of a welded-mesh steel fence temporarily
thrown up around the summit hotel.

Police had earlier told anti-globalization groups that unauthorized protest in a
zone 5 to 10 kilometres from the fence would be prevented. That ban was
criticized by German politicans.

[http://www.eux.tv/article.aspx?articleId=8718]


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G8: Defend local social rights globally

Call for participation of urban and local social movements at G8 protests Since
decades the policies of G7/G8 in favour of their own economic growth,
multinational companies and global financial markets build a main reason for
the world wide plundering of nature and labour, for the destruction of local
economies and independent developments, for the undermining of market
regulations and social standards, for the privatisation of collective resources
and public services.   The prize for this development has to be paid by all the
people who become victims of financial speculation, special economic zones,
unequal trade agreements, privatisations and large-scale development projects.
While a minority is becoming richer, the prize paid by the poorer populations
in the cities and at the countryside, in informal settlements and deprived
urban areas, by the exploding number of people who live in the slums, barrios
and favelas of the world. The prize is even paid by the global climate change,
which again affects poor dwellers in poor regions most seriously.
Besides some talks about aid for Africa and the world climate we cannot see any
change of policies of G8. Their strategies are not based on any democratic
legitimacy and they are not based on human rights and international law.

For these reasons we support the protests against the policies of G8 in Rostock
and Heiligendamm.

With a series of events in the frame of the alternative G8 summit we want to
raise awareness on the relevance of economic globalisation for local
developments and local livelihoods. We want discuss common strategies, how
local social movements can internationalise their struggles against evictions,
speculation, privatisation, for the right to housing, city, water and land.

Knut Unger, Habitat Netz

[http://www.habitants.de/en/campaigns/g807/index.php/art_00000027]


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COnvergence Space in Berlin-Kreuzberg

Hello everybody

During the COnvergence Space in Berlin-Kreuzberg, there will be a
working room with computers, a printer and maybe a scanner at the
Infopint in the Bethanien.
So its wonderfull for mediaactivist people from abroad, when they came
earlier to Berlin and want to have the possibility to make some stuff.
There are Computers, Printer, and also possibilities to plug in with a
laptop.
Youre welcome.

Where to find:
New Yorck im Bethanien, side wing, Mariannenplatz (that's a square in
Kreuzberg), Metro: 'Görlitzer Bahnhof', open from 21st of may to 1st of
june AND from 9th of june to 16th of june every day from 8am to 11pm
more Infos http://csb.nostate.net


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Christians called to support G8 rally in London

Leaders of Christian groups are calling on their members to gather in London to
support The World Can't Wait rally aimed at world leaders ahead of the G8
Summit.
The rally, to be held on 2 June, comes the weekend before the G8 leaders meet in
Germany to discuss issues including the fulfilment of the Millennium Development
Goals agreed in 2000 to alleviate global poverty and its consequences.

Events include a Micah Challenge 'Blow the Whistle' worship service at Methodist
Central Hall, led by Tim Hughes. Guests will include representatives of some of
the world's poorest nations plus Matthew Frost, CEO of Tearfund and Charles
Badenoch, CEO of World Vision.
Micah Challenge UK is a coalition of Christians, churches and organisations in
Britain united in their concern to fight global poverty. It is part of the
international Micah Challenge movement of churches and Christian agencies which
have united to call on their governments to keep the promises they made in 2000
to alleviate world poverty by 2015.

[http://www.inspiremagazine.org.uk/news.aspx?action=view&id=1285 ]


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Block G8: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why do you want to block the G8 meeting?

Neoliberal capitalist globalisation - for which the G8 stands - increases the
gap between the poor and the rich every day. The G8 claim they are combating
global destitution, whereas they and those whose interests they represent are
responsible for hunger, wars and environmental destruction.

That is why we will deny the G8 any legitimacy. We are not addressing the G8
with any demands, but say "No!". In order to express our clear "No!", we will
not simply demonstrate. Instead we will actively thwart the G8 and block the
access roads to the meeting place, which is used by numerous diplomats,
translators and supply vehicles in order to get to Heiligendamm where the G8
summit will take place.

Who can take part?

Anyone can take part in the mass blockades. Our mutual basis is an Action
Concept and a collective Call for Action. The aim of Block G8 is to be as many
people as possible in order to get effective blockades going. It is important
for us to create a situation, which will be transparent for everybody,
including those with little or even no experience in blockading. Anyone should
be able to participate in Block G8. That is why we put on open trainings in
various cities as well as at the camps during the G8 Summit.

What distinguishes Block G8 from other actions?

Over the course of the G8 Summit there will be a variety of actions and
blockades. Block G8 exists as one of these many different concepts! In contrast
to, for example, small and well-rehearsed groups of people who use other
methods, e.g. materials, to blockade, Block G8 banks on the masses. With as
many people as possible, we want to effectively blockade the access roads to
the meeting place of the G8 Summit in Heiligendamm. We want to enable as many
people as possible to participate. We are acting on the assumption that the
presence of a broad public will counteract an escalation on the part of the
police, which is why we talk openly about the blockades and have sought to
achieve public visibility about Block G8 in the run-up to the event.

The Block G8 alliance is composed of people and groups with very different
backgrounds of experience with blockades and other types of actions. During our
collective preparations we did not stop at simply recognising our different
ideas, we took things a step further: Block G8 is a completely new concept,
woven together from our manifold experiences, incorporating the advantages of
many strategies of various political traditions.

But blockades are forbidden...

To send refugees to their deaths, to deny AIDS/HIV sufferers in Africa
affordable medication by patenting it, to drive the unemployed into poverty and
to create wars is allowed. A human blockade is, just like illegal parking, a
minor administrative offence; that is, when compared to the illegitimacy of the
G8 and the policies that they are directly responsible for, completely
legitimate and necessary. It is well within the traditions of civil
disobedience that confront, from below, the formal right of those in power. The
G8 in comparison is a club of just eight influential and rich states that have
the arrogance to make decisions about how the rest of the world is to live. Why
isn't the G8 and neoliberal global capitalism forbidden? They are at the very
least illegitimate and violent, which is why we shall confront them with acts
of civil disobedience.

Which groups are involved?

You will find a list of the supporters here: www.block-g8.org

How can I participate?

The best thing to do is to team up with your friends who also want to take part
in the protests.

You should form an affinity group and look after each other. Certainly, you can
also come to Mecklenburg-Pommerania on your own, as you will have the chance to
meet and team up with other people at the action camps. To facilitate this, we
will be offering opportunities to form affinity groups during the planned
action trainings.

The G8 Summit and the blockades will happen from Wednesday, 6th June until
Friday, 8th June 2007. On Saturday, 2nd June 2007, there will be a huge
international demonstration in Rostock. The following days lots of actions,
including a counter summit will take place. More details can be found in the
"The Choreography of Resistance". From Friday, 1st June the "Protest Camp" will
open. At the camp we will be able to rest and sleep, as well as form affinity
groups and participate in action trainings. Also, the latest info will always
be available at the camps.

How can I participate in the preparations?

There are many ways to take part in the preparations. You can organise
orientation meetings and/or action training in the place where you live, and
mobilise against the G8 summit. You can distribute Block G8 flyers to your
friends and acquaintances or at public events. Furthermore, you can hang up
Block G8 posters in public spaces.

How should we behave during the actions?

It is quite likely that on our way to the blockade location, police lines or
barriers will try to stop us. We will evade them, make use of any gaps so as to
move through them or make use of other non-escalating methods. We will not let
them stop us and will not engage with any escalation strategies the police
might use. We do not want to hurt anybody. Our shield is our concept of
multiplicity, our large numbers and a deliberate attention to public visibility
(also through a media presence). At the blockade location there will be an array
of actions. People will blockade the road with sit-ins, others will stand in
chains, link arms or hold on to each other and maybe make use of protective
materials such as cushions or balloons. Some of those people will employ the
tactic of pushing against police lines to make the clearing of the blockade by
the police more difficult. All the different concepts of blockading within the
scope of Block G8 will act in solidarity with each other and not put others at
risk. That is to be achieved by binding agreements and solidarity. We will
stick together and resist together!

What legal consequences might there be as a result of my participation in the
blockades?

People who block roads by sitting or standing, or move through police lines, are
officially committing an administrative offence - like when you get a ticket for
parking your car in the wrong place.

Unfortunately, we can not foresee all contingencies or prevent the police from
constructing false accusations. For example, actively pushing against police
lines can be construed as "resisting the executive officer".

Judging from our experience, it is unlikely that mass blockades will result in
any serious legal consequences.

However, it is possible that participants of the blockade will be taken be taken
into custody. Worst case scenario is that such an arrest keeps you in
preventative custody until the end of the G8 summit (which would be Friday).
But you must always remember: it will not hit you on your own. You can bank on
the solidarity of the others taken into custody, and remind yourself of the
solidarity of all the people that are working to ensure your release!

You will get more detailed tips and information right before the actions and at
the camps.

Are you counting on police violence and how are you going to deal with this?

We have the right to resistance and this must not be denied to us.
Unfortunately, the experiences of the last years show that time and again, the
police react to protests and blockades with violence. However, with political
work in the run up to the event we will try to create a political climate that
keeps the space for actions open and thus diminishes the possibilities for
overreactions on the side of the police. In addition to this, we intend to
create the highest level of transparency as possible for all participants in
the action and give everyone the option to determine their own limits together
with an affinity group, whilst maintaining the space for people to leave the
blockade if this situation arises for them.

What is an affinity group?

An affinity group is an agreement between 6 to 15 people who trust each other
and act together during an action. This group size is given to enable everyone
enough time to talk whilst keeping the decision-making time to a minimum.
Affinity groups have two main functions:

*They enable the best possible protection for individuals during an action or a
demonstration. Within the affinity group one should take care of one another as
well as give space to articulate one's fears.

*Affinity groups are an important contribution to self-organisation. On the one
hand they enable larger groups to take action through a system of delegates
from each group. On the other hand an affinity group creates the opportunity to
not merely 'consume' an action but also to actively participate in it through
contributing one's own ideas and activities.

What's up with that fence?

First of all, it's scandalous that 13 million Euros of public money is wasted on
the construction of kilometres of fence around Heiligendamm. In addition, the
fence is a massive intrusion into the basic rights of both inhabitants and
demonstrators.

That the G8 have to hide behind high walls away from big cities, protecting
themselves from the majority of the world's population is without doubt to be
attributed to the success of the alter-globalisation movement. The fence is
thus a symbol of how much the legitimacy of the G8 has diminished. To have
spent that amount of money on the fence for a one-week summit is an obvious and
perverse waste. We therefore propose to make the best of it and put the arriving
war criminals behind their own bars. Thousand of people will contribute to this
by blockading.

Can I leave the event at any time?

We want to create a situation that is as transparent as possible for the
participants of the blockade. This also means that everybody should be able to
estimate how far s/he would like to go and, if necessary, to leave the
blockade. Most of the time this has been possible during the blockades of the
past years. However, we have often experienced that the police illegally
surround the event to inhibit people's freedom of movement. But normally, you
will have the opportunity to leave the blockade until the third demand to
disperse by the police, and to support the event through your presence and by
standing at the side of it. In any case, it is important to organise yourself
in an affinity group, so as to be able to leave the event together.

There will not be an action training in my town - can I still take part in the
blockades?

Of course you can take part in the blockades without prior participation in any
action training. The action training is only meant as a practice and to try out
different blockading techniques. It is intended both for people who plan to take
part in a blockading action for the first time, but also for experienced people.
Nonetheless, it not an explicit prerequisite for participating at the G8
blockades!

What should I bring along?

We have come to stay! This means that we are envisaging long-lasting blockings
and will have to be prepared accordingly. Once we have reached the blockading
points, we plan to stay as long as possible and will not leave voluntarily.
Thus, you should take along drinks and food for at least 24 hours. In addition,
it is advisable to take along spare clothes and a sleeping bag. If you need to
take medication, please do not forget to bring it along.

Do I have to take personal responsibility for the blockades?

No, you don't. With the Block G8-campaign we want to perform acts of civil
disobedience together. This is to show the lack of legitimacy of the Summit on
a mass level. To underline this, many people announce beforehand that they will
engage in civil disobedience during the Summit, that is to say: to blockade the
Summit. For some, this means declaring their intentions in advance, for some it
does not. If you would like to take personal responsibility for the blockade, it
is up to you. If you opt for this option, you will, however, not be alone,
because many people are doing so and thus already in advance increase the
political pressure on the G8.

Will the police stop us from reaching the streets?

The streets are long. The police will not be able to block everything for
kilometres on end, and we only have to block one single spot. In addition, the
streets run through open fields. In contrast to the situation in a town, we do
not have to stay on the streets but can go around the police barricades. If we
are more people taking part in the blockading than there are police wo/men, we
can stretch ourselves so far that gaps will eventually form somewhere.

I am not yet 18 - can I still come to the mass blockades?

Yes, you can! We are looking forward to you joining us. But you need to be aware
that the police can take you into custody - just like everybody else -, and
would then most probably inform your parents. It would therefore probably be
better if you talked with them about this in advance.

For how long do you want to continue the blockades for?

We have come to stay! Once we have reached the blockading points, we will not
leave them voluntarily. The event will be a long-lasting and effective
blockade. We will actively get in the way of the G8 and occupy and block the
roads leading to the secluded venue of the Summit, which the bulk of diplomats,
interpreters and supply vehicles have to take to reach Heiligendamm. We want to
effectively disrupt the G8 Summit and thus cut it off from its infrastructure.
Thus, the mass blockading could last for the entire duration of the summit.

I have never taken part in such an event before - is mass blockading for me?

The campaign Block G8 is meant for inexperienced people, everybody can and
should take part. During the event, we want to create a situation which is
transparent for all the people taking part in blockading and which, if
necessary, also allows for stepping and standing aside. Actions of civil
disobedience are not only politically necessary, but also interesting and can
even be fun. Participation in the mass blockades might even encourage you to
take part in further events.

We offer a wide range of information events and action trainings at various
places. There will also be action trainings at the protest camps, a good
opportunity to exchange experiences, to answer questions, to dissipate
potential fears and to prepare ourselves together.

Do you want to do defend yourselves from by police by confronting them with
"street battles" and "burning barricades"?

No. By mass actions we mean large numbers of people not masses of material. We
don't want to escalate the situation, and we will not let ourselves be provoked
by potential strategies that the police might employ to escalate the situation.
Already in the run up to the events we want to increase the political price of
police repression, during the actions we will resist them, together and in
solidarity with one another, by means of civil disobedience, to which we have
the right. We shall not escalate the situation. We wish to create a situation
in which all participants can act in solidarity with one other, watch out for
one another and respect the different limits each person may have, as well as
the different protest traditions that come together in this action. Our aims
are mass action, diversity and public visibility (facilitated also through a
media presence). Thus, by mobilising thousands of people from different social,
political and cultural backgrounds into a mass action of civil disobedience, we
want to effectively blockade the Summit and exclaim, with a huge big
exclamation mark, an unmistakable and very loud 'No' to the G8 summit.

And what exactly do you want to achieve with your blockades?

The act of blockading is different from other acts of protest such as
demonstrations, bicycle- processions, counter-summits and so forth in that we
want to protest against the G8 actively, with our bodies. This is how we
exclaim a clear and unmistakable "No" against the G8 and the neo-liberal global
capitalism that it represents. This is not about asking the G8 politely to
develop a 'better' form of policies. The G8 is an illegitimate club and should,
together with neo-liberal global capitalism, be stamped out. To make our "No"
clear, we want to block the G8 as effectively as possible by cutting it of from
its infrastructure. During the WTO conference in 1999 in Seattle, it was
possible for the first time through mass actions, as well as other forms of
blockading and direct action, to delay the opening ceremony of the conference
by numerous hours - an event that was shown all over the world, and showed the
first cracks in the project of neoliberal globalisation. And so in
Heiligendamn, we want, with as many different people and as effectively as
possible, to blockade the Summit so that these cracks, that are already
apparent in all the social struggles worldwide, are enlarged.

Can we actually get to Heiligendamm?

Because the G8 elites have erected a 13 million Euro wall around themselves,
getting to them will not be possible. But that is no tragedy, we don't need
them. In fact the best would be if they never got out from behind their wall.
Our goal is to, as effectively as possible, block the access roads that lead to
Heiligendamm and bring the thousands of diplomats, interpreters, supply-vehicles
and ministerial bureaucrats to the event. If they do not get to Heiligendamm,
then the Summit cannot happen and those heads of state that have been flown in
by helicopter will be terribly bored behind their wall.

How do I actually get to Mecklenburg-Pommerania?

For the large demonstrations on the 2nd of June there will be busses going to
Rostock/Heiligendamn from numerous cities. There will also be three chartered
trains. Information on busses and the programme of the protest week can be
found on www.heiligendamm2007.de.

Where can we sleep?

We will have access to accommodation in camps providing water, electricity,
food, toilets and showers in the vicinity of Heiligendamm, which will be open
throughout the whole week. Not all sites are known yet, since negotiations with
the authorities are ongoing. However, there will definitely be meeting points
for the mass blockades at all camps.

Whoever does not have money, does not have to pay at the self-organised camps;
the Camping Workgroup will ask those who are able to pay for a contribution of
5 € per day. Up to date information can be found at www.camping-07.org.

Where can I get further information?

Information concerning the mobilisation in all its dimensions have been found at
www.gipfelsoli.org, www.g8-2007.de and www.heiligendamm2007.de. All information
regarding the mass blockades are of course to be found at www.block-g8.org.
Questions regarding Block G8 should best be put in an email and sent to
info at block-g8.org

What else is being planned?

During the summit there will be many different events around Heiligendamm and in
Rostock. This chart provides an overview of these activities:

I would like to do something right where I live! How can go about it?

You can order information and mobilisation material from Block G8 and then
distribute it, or you can help with the organisation of an information event or
an action training. One of us will be happy to join you as a presenter or
trainer. Write to info at block-g8.org.

What will happen after the G8?

We will deal together and in solidarity with any potential legal consequences of
the blockades. We will evaluate and finalise our campaign at a subsequent
meeting, but the already accomplished broad cooperation between different
political tendencies will surely be effective for much longer than the actual
summit. Our concept of civil disobedience will also be of further value - be it
at the next Castor or at the next Nazi demonstration. One thing is obvious: The
G8 are (only) one symbol of a worldwide system that does not give a shit about
people's needs. To change this situation, we have to be active and resist in
all spheres of life - also after the G8.

What will happen when the blockades should be evicted?

The police will demand, three times, that the location/street should be vacated
before they evict. The blockade will still only remain a minor administrative
offence (like parking in the wrong place) if you remain sitting or standing in
the blockade after the third demand. This only changes if you resist a possible
eviction.

Are you opponents of globalisation?

No. In contrast to right-wing G8-opponents, we are not against globalisation as
such - we stand for a globalisation from below, for equal social, political and
cultural rights for all, for the right to free global movement, for the
responsible use of global resources, for a guarantee of public spaces and goods
and for global social justice.

Is it possible that the police will use teargas?

Unfortunately, it is possible. Teargas is uncomfortable in the eyes and lungs
(long-term damage, however, is very unlikely). If people are a bit prepared, it
is able to be dealt with. First of all, stay calm, link arms with others (this
prevents people splitting up in panic and loosing one's affinity group) and
slowly move out of the cloud of gas. You should not wear any oil-based cream,
makeup or suntan lotion, because it can lead to a bad reaction when mixed with
the teargas. In the case that you do get teargas in your eyes, you should under
no circumstances give in to the impulse to rub your eyes. Instead, you should
wash out your eyes with water. Practical, by the way, are goggles and a damp
cloth to cover your mouth.

www.block-g8.org

info at block-g8.org

Tel: ++49 (0)381 1282702


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German police open anti-G8 activists' mail

Hamburg (dpa) - Police said Friday they had opened the private mail in the
German city of Hamburg while seeking anti-globalization radicals who have
thrown petrol bombs at cars and homes.

The special branch of the Hamburg police said there had been "isolated" checks
at a mail-sorting centre.

"These were interceptions with judicial permission after letters claiming
responsibility turned up," said Detlef Kreutzer, chief of the branch.

Tension has risen before the German-hosted June 6-8 summit of the Group of Eight
(G8) nations, with critics of western policy saying the inquiry and a buffer
zone around the summit are infringing on civil rights.

There have been more than a dozen overnight attacks on cars and homes with
petrol bombs in recent months in Hamburg. Nobody has been hurt. Nobody has been
arrested. In Berlin, many cars have been set on fire.

German police have faced criticism from the media that they have not caught any
of the radicals as well as criticism from anti-globalization activists that the
hunt for a few has treated the whole movement as suspects.

Mainstream aid and environmentalist groups said this week that their rallies at
the summit would be peaceful. They criticized a ban on protests within 5
kilometres of a fence around the Heiligendamm summit venue as excessive.

There were riots May 9 after police raids on a leftist centre in Hamburg. The
arson attacks have continued to damage property. Claims of responsibility sent
to media have attacked the G8 and German industry.

The postal company, Deutsche Post, confirmed officers looked at mail from
Tuesday to Thursday at a sorting centre. Police also accompanied a postman who
was clearing city letter-boxes.

Kreutzer denied that the mail of "entire city districts" was opened.

A national newspaper, Taz, reported the intercepts were overseen by federal
police. No comment could be obtained from federal prosecutors who supervise the
police.

The news magazine Der Spiegel quoted the federal prosecutor general, Monika
Harms, defending the May 9 raids and an examination of the body odour of five
leading anarchists, saying there had been "concrete reasons."

"There are instructions circulating for arson attacks, and camps being held to
train people in blocking roads and militant protests at Heiligendamm," she
said.

Suggestions that the police intelligence work is aimed at preventing militant
demonstrations next month have unsettled senior Social Democrats in Chancellor
Angela Merkel's coalition this week.

Peter Struck, head of the Social Democrat caucus, called Friday in a TV
interview for a "sense of proportion," adding, "I sometimes think the security
authorities' concerns are exaggerated."

[http://www.eux.tv/article.aspx?articleId=8715]