2006 G8 Summit in St.Petersburg
Press Release: Global Day of Action Against G8 and Repression
Press Release
15/07/06
G8 2006 Info and Press Group
Global Day of Action Against the G8, Solidarity Shown with Protesters in St. Petersberg Worldwide
(For immediate release)
On Thursday 13 and Friday 14 July, 2006, people took to the streets worldwide to show solidarity with those facing repression in St. Petersberg in the run up to this year's G8 summit and to say that "another world is possible!"
In Stralsund, on Germany's Baltic coast, 1,500 protesters took to the streets on Thursday afternoon against President Bush and Chancellor Merkel's pre-G8 meeting in the town. Demanding an end to the war in Iraq, that war plans against Iran are dropped, and expressing a clear opposition to the G8, demonstrators were prevented from entering the town centre by 15,000 police, especially drafted into the region for the President's visit.
On Friday, 70 took part in a spontaneously organised demonstration outside the Rusian consulate in Berlin. Anti-capitalist and anti-fascist groups are planning a larger demonstration tomorrow (Sunday 16 July), beginning at Eberswalder Strasse U-Bahnhof at 2pm. (See: http://www.kapitalismus-abschalten.de.vu/)
In Gothenberg, Sweden, the Anarcho-Syndicalist Youth Federation held a demonstration in front of the Russian General Consulate, and "sticker bombed" the building. (See: http://goteborg.suf.cc/)
In London, protesters occupied the Russian Chamber of Commerce, hanging a banner from the window demanding an end to repression and distributing anti-capitalist flyers explaining their reasons for opposing the G8. The demonstrators were violently evicted and two were arrested. (See: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/07/345106.html - includes pictures)
In Hamburg, 300 people took part in an anti-G8 Reclaim the Streets party, taking to the streets of Hamburg with soundsystems to show their support for protesters in Russia. Between 50 and 70 people were detained. (See: http://de.indymedia.org/2006/07/152248.shtml - pictures included)
In Cologne, a demonstration was held in front of the Russian consulate, again in solidarity with protesters in Russia. They attempted to highlight cooperation between Russia's far right and the police forces. They expressed support with Russian antifascists. (See: http://de.indymedia.org/2006/07/152246.shtml - pictures included)
Other actions included, a rally in Frankfurt (see: http://de.indymedia.org/2006/07/152238.shtml), the symbolic (spoof) privatisation of a pavement in Lueneburg (see: http://de.indymedia.org/2006/07/152223.shtml), a protest in front of the Russian embassy in Salzburg (see: http://de.indymedia.org/2006/07/152229.shtml), and a film showing and info-event in Oldenburg.
Further actions were expected to take place in Washington DC, Manchester and Manila.
Adam Jones of the "G8 2006 Info and Press Group" in Berlin explained, "Hopefully the protests over the last few days show that whereever the G8 meet there will be resistance, both at the meeting itself and worldwide. Our thoughts and solidarity are with those arrested for fighting for a better world - in St. Petersberg, London, Hamburg and elsewhere. We demand their immediate release."
For more information, contact:
"G8 2006 Info and Press Group"
Email: g8-info
riseup.net
Telephone: 0049 (0)162 350 8948 (English speaking)
Website: http://presse.gipfelsoli.org