The first of the G7 meetings leading up to the G8 Summit took place in London over February 4th/5th in the form of the G7 Financial Ministerial. The Financial G7 brings together the central bank governors and finance ministers of the seven richest countries in the world. Activists from Dissent! were there to greet them.
The Financial G7 met for a fancy dinner at Lancaster House, but had their meal ruined by the commotion of samba drumming and shouting from people on the outside. Make Poverty History campaigners protested from the confines of a fenced-off pen, whilst Rhythms of Resistance blocked the exit, and along with 20 - 30 other activists, made sure their presence was felt. Noisy support from a pizza delivery driver topped the demo off! There was heavy policing, with FIT team harassment continuing from beginning to end. Activists who refused to enter the pen were followed and verbally harassed, whilst others were stopped and searched.
Despite the short notice of the event (and thanks in no small part to the drummers) the finance ministers and bankers didn't get to enjoy their dinner in peace. Yet this was only the first of the G7 Ministerials, which mark the countdown to the G8 Summit in July, and as the Summit gets closer our resistance to these meetings must get stronger - lets shut them down!
dissent g8! newsletter #3 – newsletter – resist g8 2005 – www.agp.org