[imc-presse] [Int-press-g8] Press Release: G8 - Police continue to escalate in Rostock

[int-press-g8 at lists.nadir.org]

Contact: Media G8way International Press Group / Alex Smith +49
016092437902 / Jo Smith +49 015774630348 / g8-press-int at nadir.org

Further Police Escalations near Rostock

After Saturday’s anti G8 demonstration in Rostock, police are continuing 
with a strategy of provocation and obstruction. In the day after the 
mass demonstration, the police continued to escalate the situation in 
the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

*After demonstration police deploy water canons at protest camp.
*Police refuse treatment to activists in car accident.
*Bicycle convoy attacked.

In contrast to their assertions that they are practicing a de-escalation 
strategy, the actions of the Police over the past several weeks have 
been highlighted by intimidation and an atmosphere of escalation.

“Legitimate protests have been made impossible by the federal 
government, wanting to portray itself as a reliable partner of the G8 
nations. This attitude is reflected in the context of repression and 
encroachment that will be demonstrated in the following incidents,” 
explains Lotta Kemper from the Campinski press group, based at the 
Rostock Convergence Center.

On the evening after the Demonstration, Police deployed water cannons 
and on the camps’ entrance streets. A peaceful “reclaim the streets” 
party with 250 participants in Rostock’s Doberaner Platz was stopped by 
the police, with 75 people being held for an extended period.

Police and Hospital neglect injured G8 protestors after car crash:

At around 1 a.m. on June 3rd, a car hit a van carrying French activists 
near the Rostock west highway. The van flipped over, but the passengers 
were able to free themselves and tried to treat their injuries while in 
shock. The first car that arrived at the accident was a Police wagon 
that was returning from Rostock.

Instead of helping, the officers adapted an aggressive tone and didn’t 
provide first aid or attempt to secure the accident scene. Statements 
such as “venemous G8 protestors, you caused an accident with a nun!” 
(The car was driven by a nun that had fallen asleep at the wheel). The 
protestors were then forced towards the driving lane and threatened with 
riot sticks.

The situation finally relaxed as the fire brigades and highway police 
arrived. The driver, who was still in shock, was asked to pay 500 Euro 
in rescue costs. When he couldn’t pay it immediately, he was forced to 
sign an unintelligible paper and was forced to remove his luggage from 
the highway by himself.

Ambulances arrived and took the injured to a clinic in south Rostock. 
When they couldn’t be treated there, the injured were then transported 
to the Rostock University Clinic. After giving their personal data, the 
clinic demanded to see their insurance cards. The injured activists 
didn’t have cards with them, so they were informed a half hour later 
that they couldn’t be treated at the clinic. Their requests for 
anti-pain medicine were turned down.

The doctor on duty then told them that he didn’t believe that they were 
in a car crash and said they were actually from the demonstration in 
Rostock. At 4:30, the activists left the clinic and came to the anti-G8 
convergence center to receive treatment at a first aid station.

*Bicycle convoy attacked

On Saturday, June 2nd, at 7:30 p.m., a group of bicyclists on the way to 
the legitimate protest camp in Reddilich were attacked by police.

The bicyclists had been accompanied by 6 police wagons since their 
departure. As they were leaving Rostock on the B105, the police turned 
on their sirens. The group moved to the side of the road to let the 
police move by. As the police drove by, they attempted to grab 
bicyclists and throw them on the ground. Bicyclists were hit with riot 
sticks, while another was sprayed with pepper spray from a distance of 
less than a meter.

These events led to panic. In order to deescalate the situation and 
protect themselves, the bicyclists decided to ride to the nearest gas 
station. Supporters from Camp Reddelich came to accompany them back.

The cudgeling police disappeared, and 10 other police wagons from 
another unit followed the bicycle convoy and videotaped until it arrived 
at Camp Reddelich.

“There was no warning from the police for this baseless attack. It 
appears to have been an act of revenge for the failed police operation 
at the Saturday demonstration,” said one of the bicyclists.

* Activists taken back into custody

Emergency legal services have reported on strange police actions in the 
holding prison after the mass demonstration. A group of protestors was 
released, but then immediately taken back into custody and led to the 
police records department.

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Contact:
Alex Smith +49 16092437902
Jo Smith + 49 015774630348
g8-press-int at nadir.org
http://dissentnetzwerk.org/node/2669