archives of global protests2006 G8 Summit in St.Petersburg - Reports & Photos
July 15: activists in St.Petersburg try to protest, police resorts to blockades, arrests and beatings
based on ru.indymedia reports | 15 Jul 2006 | int.ru.indymedia.org
As of 3pm July 15 several protest actions were held in St.Petersburg against the G8 summit that opened today – a Communist demonstration was held, which ended with a permitted rally on Pionerskaya square, a march of the Vanguard of Red Youth (AKM) was brutally dispersed by the riot police and all participants arrested, a rally held by the participants of the Russian Social Forum at the Kirov stadium, which was blocked by the police and prevented from holding a march outside of the stadium.
On the morning of July 15 the summit of the G8 (temporary occupation government of planet Earth) opened in St.Petersburg. Various activists are trying to organize protests against the summit.
A Communist march 250 people strong, consisting of members of Communist party of the Russian Federation (KPRF) and Stalinist youth organizations, was held on Ligovsky avenue this morning and ended with a rally of 200 people on Pionerskaya square. Activists of Vanguard of Red Youth (AKM) were beaten by riot police while crossing the Nevsky avenue, city's central street, and about 20 people were detained (they were part of the Communist march). According to some reports on of the arrested activists was beaten unconscious, but this is not yet confirmed.
At about the same time it was announced that the Russian Social Forum, which was held on Kirov stadium, was officially closed and its participants tried to hold a rally outside of the stadium. But they were blocked by riot police and told to stay at the stadium, because supposedly the city authorities permitted the rally only at the stadium, not outside. Russian Social Forum planned a march from Kirov stadium through Petrograd district of the city weeks before the date, but the city authorities refused to grant permission for that.
As a result of that about 150 shouted slogans against G8, capitalism and police repression, while being de facto locked at the stadium. Several activists made a chain of solidarity outside of the stadium and shouted slogans against police repression, but none of them was arrested. Formal complaint about violation of constitutional right for freedom of assembly will also be sent to the procurators office. No arrests are reported at the Social Forum as of now, but the area is still heavily controlled by the police.
There are unconfirmed reports that a 20 people strong anarchist demo was held at St.Petersburg, and all its participants were arrested. Legal team is currently trying to find out information about them.
Legal team reports that on July 15 30 people were arrested throughout the city.
Local press reports that some activists burned car tires in Kronstadt and the sea embankment of Vasilievsky Island, greeting the "sea cruise" of the G8 leaders. Some buildings in St.Petersburg are also reported to be spray-painted over the last couple of days.