[imc-presse] [Fwd: Press Release (eng): Police repression continues in Germany]

[Anna]

-------- Original-Nachricht --------
Betreff: 	Press Release (eng): Police repression continues in Germany
Datum: 	Tue, 29 May 2007 10:37:14 +0200
Von: 	Media G8way <g8-press-int at nadir.org>
An: 	g8-press-int at nadir.org



Media contact: Alex Smith +49 16092437902 / Jo Smith + 49 015774630348 /
Media G8way International Press Group / g8-press-int at nadir.org

May 28, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Police repression in Germany continues to escalate before G8 Summit.

Hamburg, Germany -- Days before G8 Summit, massive police presence at
demonstration in Hamburg as European and Asian Finance Ministers meet at
AESM Conference. Aggressive police use Pepper spray, kicks and punches.
Resistance is large and resolute.

Despite escalating police violence, 6,000 ? 8,000 people were in good
spirits as they demonstrated against the ASEM conference in Hamburg. The
demonstration was part of the beginning of the G8 protests.

Police repeatedly and arbitrarily used pepper spray, also attacking with
kicks and punches against the then peaceful crowd. A correspondent of
the free radio station ?Kombinat Hamburg? was punched in the face. One
affected demonstrator was attacked and later told that it was because he
took a photo of a police officer. Later, an arrested woman was
hospitalized after being hit in the stomach by a police officer.

The police were clearly nervous after delaying and surrounding the
beginning of the demonstration. Aggression was provoked by individual
police troops, while Snatch squads and other units tried to penetrate
the demonstration. This was prevented by many demonstrators who
defensively linked arms.

Due to continuous provocation by police, and an altered route which led
primarily through empty streets, the organizers decided to end the
demonstration early and disperse at Roedingsmarkt, outside the city
center of Hamburg.

As participants attempted to disperse, a large part of the demonstration
was surrounded by riot police backed by multiple water cannons and
police tanks. According to Indymedia.de, 86 people have been arrested as
of 23:08 and others are being stopped and required by police to provide
identification.

Tensions are high as the German government has come under harsh
criticism by citizens over the past few weeks for repressive measures
like taking scent samples from activists so they can be tracked by dogs
during the G8 summit.

?The police tried to stop the protest by putting conditions on the
march, changing its route and using arbitrary measures?, some
participants of the demonstration explain. ?This didn?t work, resistance
against the G8 is large and resolute!?

Police aggression began last night in Hamburg during a ?Reclaim the
Streets Party? when 65 people were arrested. Many were given orders to
stay away from parts of the city until June 11.

###

Media G8way does not claim responsibility for the content of the
statements it
distributes on behalf of the groups or individuals who use its service.
Media
G8way is an international press service for individuals, groups,
networks and
(dis)organisations who understand themselves to be part of an independent
radical left movement against the G8.

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





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