Thousands resist the global elite at the World Economic Forum

DISSENT G8! Newsletter 3 - Winter 05

Political and economical heavyweights came together behind closed doors in Davos, Switzerland from 26-30th of January for the World Economic Forum (WEF), to give a "social label" to the capitalist globalization. Before and throughout the WEF meetings, actions, demonstrations, and counter forums were held against the summit by an anti-WEF-coalition made up of various groups from both France, Germany and Switzerland. Saturday 15th of January 2005, the first demonstration took place in Winterthur, Switzerland, were about 400 people took part. Another 400 people voiced their resistance in Chur and Adelsberg. In Aarau a creative action happened, whilst in Thun a political flashmob confused passers-by, leading to spontaneous protest. In Heiden, an attack against the UBS, a giant bank consortium, occurred while in Zurich, an anti-repression group burnt down a training camp for anti-terrorist units in protest against the WEF security preparations. In Bern, the education collective "Tour de Lorraine", educated with films, theatre and gigs throughout the week. Various protests happened during the week in Berna, Davos, Lugano and Basilea. On Saturday 22 January a day of Decentralised Creative Actions was called against the WEF summit. Around 1.500 people took part in a series of civil disobedience actions. At the same time, there was a solidarity action in Oxford. Although the demonstration in Winterthur was peaceful, despite of neo-nazi's provocating, the huge mass demonstration planned for the 22nd of January against the WEF, was prohibited by a court decision. The Anti-WEF-coordination wanted to protest against social cuts, salary dumping, privatisation, institutional racism and war. The network called for decentralised actions instead. Many restrictions were opposed on the actions, a playful street party was forbidden in Bern. The repression and some of the police violence triggered protest in parliament. 250 activists were forbidden to enter the country and even the army had 6500 soldiers on standby. In the last week more actions happened in and around Davos, including an authorized manifestation in Davos on January 29.

More info on Indymedia: http://www.indymedia.org/or/2005/01/112839.shtml

wef 2005 – wef – dissent g8! newsletter #3 – www.agp.org

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