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Indymedia UK is a network of individuals, independent and alternative media activists and organisations, offering grassroots, non-corporate, non-commercial coverage of important social and political issues.
GENOA SOLIDARITY PROTEST         Aug 24 2001

A 20 Global Day of Action

August 20th was earmarked as the Global Day of Action, to highlight the Italian police repression and protest at the brutal treatment of those arrested and detained during the anti-G8 protests in July. A day to show the Italian government the disgust and disapproval of a global community at the brutal and unwarrented attacks on many protestors and alt. media that had gathered at Genoa. During the G8 protest, Carlo Giulliani, a young protestor was shot dead, the Global Social Fourm horrifically raided and many left on the street in critical conditions.

An estimated 250 actions took place in cities around the world including London, Dublin, Washington, New York, Rome, Genova, Zurich, Vienna and Berlin. Another day of solidarity and protest is planned for October 20.
[ G8 solidarity protest | A20 in the UK | A 20 in Germany ]

ZAPATISTA SOLIDARITY ACTION         Aug 24 2001

Re-dressing Boxfresh Zapa labels

On the 21st Aug, after a campaign of internet activity, graffiti and masked-up leafleting, protesters succeeded in getting a clothes shop to change tack on its ad campaign. Boxfresh, a Covent Garden clothes store, had been trying to fuse their brand with the Zapatista struggle in Mexico by using Zapatista images on grafitti around London, tagged with the Zapa phrase 'We are You' and the Boxfresh logo.

Space Hijackers, a group of 'anarchitect' protesters, dressed up Zapatista style and flyered customers visiting the Boxfresh store, until the company heads admitted: "You caught us with our pants down and we realise we were wrong." They agreed to donate profits from their Zapatista merchandise to the cause; to install a computer with Zapatista sites instore; to stop using the the shop logo on the Zapa ads, and to carry leaflets instore, properly explaining the Zapatista story.
[ Full story | Subvertised ads | Boxfresh response ]

GENOA UPDATE         Aug 15 2001

Latest Genoa Information

LATEST 23.08.01

20 people from the NoBorder theatre caravan released, rest expected to be released soon check noborder site for updates.

A Global Day of Action, on August 20th, one month after Genoa took place across the world with thousands participating in many countries.

On the 10th August the Netstrike electronic civil disobedience site was shut down by Italian authorities - mirrors are available.

Indymedia Italy and other groups have provided video and photo evidence of police brutality, agent provocateurs etc to both legal defence teams and human rights groups. An Indymedia video compilation is now available (long download time) and IMC UK screenings are expected soon. A comprehensive documentary film should be completed some time in October ... stay tuned!

Meanwhile as the IMF / World Bank meetings in Washington are scaled down to only two days (29th/30th September), the British press starts to 'cover' actions and demos at the Labour Party Conference in Brighton on September 30th, thought to include a blockade.




ANTI NAZI PROTEST         Aug 15 2001

ANL Protest prevented by police 12.08.01

On 11 and 12 August, a coalition of anti-nazis and local people attempted to protest peacefully against a British National Party 'festival' in rural Wales. These protesters were prevented from entering the BNP site by the Police, and informed that, under sections of the Public Order Act and Criminal Justice Act, they would not be allowed to proceed, and would be detained and searched to "prevent disorder".

The peaceful protesters were escorted by police to Gorsedd Stones in Welshpool, 11 miles from the BNP site, where there were speeches from Anti Nazi League members and Plaid Cymru assembly member, Helen Jones. Some protesters had been arrested for daubing an anti-nazi slogan on the approach road.
[ Full report ]

CANNABIS LEGALISATION PICNIC         Aug 15 2001

Smokey Bears Picnic 12.08.01

Hundreds of people gathered on Southsea Common on Sunday 12 August for the 8th Annual Portsmouth Smokey Bears Picnic. The aim of the picnic was to lobby for a change in the law relating to medical, recreational and industrial use of cannabis hemp. The day was a success with over 300 in attendance and a wedding between cannabis legalisation campaigners took place. However, later in the day a scuffle broke out due to excessive police intervention. The wedding party was broken up with the groom being led away to a police van - other demonstrators surrounded the police officers and de-arrested him.
[ Full story | Smokey Bears ]

CLIMATE CHANGE         Aug 15 2001

BAA Building Occupied 09.08.01

On 9 August, the offices of the British Airports Authority (BAA) were occupied by London Rising Tide to highlight the way the company profits from climate change. Protesters remained barricaded in until removed by BAA staff. The action is another in what is becoming a movement for radical change to avoid climate chaos. Sam Madden, of London Rising Tide, said: "Aviation is the fastest growing source of carbon dioxide emissions. 'Sustainable aviation' is more corporate greenwash from a company which profits at the expense of climate chaos."
[ Full report | Rising Tide ]

LATEST GENOA LEGAL UPDATE         Aug 8 2001

Genoa Legal Info Update

LATEST 09.08.01

Keep checking IMC Italy for latest news and daily updates including news of an irish person deported without charge and the latest on the caravan prisoners and others. Also check the GSF (Genoa Social Forum) website.

GSF has the latest information for people who want to take legal action following the events surrounding the G8 Genoa demonstrations, but it is important to act fast. Latest information is here
Human Rights Violation Issues / NGOs / UN - evidence gathering details.
Legal Documentation Gathering - testimonies for legal use.
NB For those people who were deported from Italy there is a 30 day limit on appeal against the deportation orders.

Meanwhile many people are still missing or in prison.


ASYLUM AND REFUGEE CRISIS         Aug 7 2001

Liverpool refugees on hunger strike

An estimated 50 asylum seekers have been on hunger strike since Thursday 26 July. At 11.30am on Thursday morning, asylum seekers and immigration detainees being held in Walton Prison, Liverpool refused to take their midday meal and notified outside supporters that they had begun a hunger strike against their intolerable imprisonment. There have also been protests inside Haslar and Lindholme prisons which are housing a total of more than 200 asylum seekers.
[ National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns (NCADC) | Independent's article on refugee policy 05/08/01 | Independent's article on hunger strikes 05/08/01 ]

BP PROTEST         Aug 7 2001

Protest against BP

At the Royal Opera House in London's Covent Garden, a performance of Swan Lake saw an addition to the decor as a "bye-bye planet' banner" was held aloft in a low-key protest of British Petrolumn by Reclaim the Streets. Flyers handed out to the receptive public exposed the lies behind BP's 'green' rebranding. They plan to extract more not less oil over the next 5 years and are complicit in human rights abuses in Colombia.
[ Full report | Reclaim the Streets ]

CLIMATE CHANGE         Aug 7 2001

Esso HQ blockaded

On the morning of the 24th July Esso (ExxonMobil) HQ, Leatherhead, Surrey was blockaded . Two 8m tripods were erected preventing any vehicles getting in, leaflets were distributed and staff encouraged to take the day off. This action followed on from the 11th July where there were more than a 100 actions in 15 countries against Esso. Esso is the target of world outrage because it is a lead corporate in opposition to the Kyoto Treaty and other efforts to address climate change. ExxonMobil has lobbied extensively to discredit the Treaty. Action report and comments
[ Global warming is bad Site | Stop Esso Site | Pressure Point Site ]

LATEST GENOA NEWS         Aug 1 2001

Deportation Orders Served

On the day Amnesty called for an Independent Inquiry Commission, Sky and the two other Germans still in the same hospital in Genoa have been served with deportation orders. This came the night before Sky was due to meet British Foreign Office representatives (on 1st August) and give further evidence to the Italian examining magistrate on the infamous raid on the GSF buildings (see film), this was to include a visit to the street where the raids happened.

There are still many people reported missing as international legal and human rights pressure increased this week on the Italian state (see IMC Legal/ HR Newsblast). In Italy at least 3 enquiries were underway, one investigating reports of police brutality on the streets, another into the raid on the GSF buildings, and one into the reports of beatings and torture in the prisons (see Norman Blair's personal account). GSF officials have been collecting more accounts of abuse inside detention centres and prisons including rape.

After smaller actions against Italian consulates etc around the country a larger noisy demonstration took place outside the Italian Embassy in London on Sat 28th July, several who had been beaten, arrested and beaten again in Genoa attended: text reports, and pictures. At the same time a small group of Wombles held another solidarity action on Oxford street, after which they were followed and photographed by police surveillance officers, just like those attending the larger protest. The latest news says the Italian Embassy was splattered with red paint a couple of days later.


GENOA G8 AFTERMATH         Jul 27 2001

Corporate Media Catches Up

After days of efforts by Indymedia and activists, friends and family of those beaten in Genoa, journalist and free press organisations and human rights groups the truth about the paramilitary style attack at the GSF buildings in Genoa has finally been properly reported in the corporate media. Most of the British have now been deported back to the UK, Sky remains in hospital recovering, confirmation has arrived that Joe Moffat is in prison. Thanks to everyone for their support and solidarity in the face of such brutality. There are many questions still to be answered and much work still to do. A better update of all of the news and material will be provided this weekend, for now check IMC Italy or indymedia.org.

A NOISY DEMONSTRATION was held outside the Italian Embassy this Saturday (28th July) to protest the brutality and continue the campaign.

Human rights and press freedom organisations such as Amnesty International, Committee to Protect Journalists, The International Federation of Journalists, Reporters Sans Frontieres, FAIR, Truthout.com and the International Progressive Librarians have cautioned the Italian government to not allow, support or encourage human rights abuses. A policeman has already admitted shame and guilt for what he saw and did not stop. Here in the UK the state has been forced (and embarrassed) into changing its public stance. After more large protests in Italy questions are being asked there and across the world about fascists within the Italian police forces, and the use of dirty tricks, infiltration and agent provocateurs against the protestors.


IMC REPORTER INJURED IN POLICE RAID         Jul 24 2001

Sky NOT charged /latest on Brits and Irish

IMC UK reporter Sky The British Consul Alan Reuter has informed Marcus "Sky" Covell's sister that he will NOT be charged after the Examining Magistrate saw him. Sky is still in hospital but will be moved from the secure ward soon, then assessed medically for when he'll be fit to come back to the UK. He was severely injured in Saturday's police raid on the Genoa Social Forum and the IMC, suffering two broken ribs and a punctured lung. Fifty-one people were injured in the raid, 31 were taken to hospital, and three required surgery.

We don't know yet what the investigating magistrate has decided in the cases of Dan McQuillan, Richard Moth and Nicola Docherty. The magistrate has to decide within 48 hours whether they should be charged or released.

Nicola Docherty suffered head injuries and a fractured wrist and Richard Moth was left with a cut head. Both needed hospital treatment. There is no record of Daniel MacQuillan, or Lawrence Miles in the three hospitals in Genoa. There are neither further reports on the arrest of Jo Moffatt (Irish). He was arrested around 2pm Sunday at one of the campsites as he was about to get on a bus back to Ireland.

A Genoa legal fund has been set up to help with the prisoner support work. Please contribute generously.

[ Daily Mail smear about Sky | IFJ Press Release 23.07.01 ]

LATEST FROM GENOA         Jul 21 2001

Serious Disturbance at Italian Consulate in Manchester

Solidarity demo in london Manchester, Monday:Several people got into the Italian Consulate this morning, to protest against the police violence in Genoa. Leaflets were handed out, walls graffitied, fire extinguisher sprayed into their computers, and the fire alarm was set off causing an evacuation of the whole building.
Meanwhile outside the building about 10-12 others displayed placards and banners about the deaths caused by global capital, and specifically showing the aftermath of police violence in Genoa. Hundreds of leaflets were handed out to (largely sympathetic) passers by. Read more.

London, Sunday: A demo of 200 people gathered outside the Italian embassy at 18:00 this evening, to show their solidarity with the protestors in Genoa, and respect for the dead. The crowd stood in silence with occasional chants of 'assasins' and 'death to the state' as the police tried to pen them into a small area. After an hour the whole crowd moved as one, round to the other side of the embassy, confusing the following vans. At 19:15 the police section 60 the whole group (which allows for search only) and are illegally photographing and detailing everyone. Four arrests are reported. Eyewitness account
A call is going out for a massive noise demo next saturday at 2pm again outside the Italian embassy, 14 Three Kings Yard, and another tonight at 6pm (monday)

There have also been shows of solidarity across the world in Amsterdam, Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, and 18 other German cities, Stockholm, Connecticut, Brussels, Montreal, Bologna, Manchester, Vienna, Istanbul, New York, St Lois, Toronto, Buenos Aires, Berkley, Linz, Bristol, Rome and many more.

Along with an Argentinian call for a Global boycott of Italian products

Genoa: The G8 summit has finished with the usual declarations despite its legitimacy being questioned by more than 100,000 protesters. The protests started non-violently on Thursday but kicked off into rioting on Friday; paramilitary police killed the protester Carlo Giuliani, and police brutally raided the IMC and GSM buildings on Saturday. Police and mainstream media put the blame on Black Block protesters, but there are doubts in how much the level of violence was inflamed by police agent provocateurs.

Read more: eye-witness from inside the buildings: inside IMC and inside GSF | the detailed list of articles on the raid by sf.imc | latest on Italy and Global IMC

Planned solidarity actions in London, Dublin, Manchester, Sheffield and Bristol

Fri/Sat timeline: Summer of Resistance section.

[ Raid picture 1 | Raid picture 2 | IMC Radio Genoa ]

DETENTION CENTRE PROTEST CAMP         Jul 19 2001

Campsfield: Immigration protests continue

On June 21, about 200 people including a samba band marched through Oxford, since it was impossible to approach Campsfield; demanding immigration rights and the closure of the detention center. Due to massive police presence, the planned bordercamp only lasted for a few hours. But actions continued over the weekend, and will continue at the monthly protests of the longstanding Campaign to Close Campsfield. Check out background interviews about the noborder camp and the Detention Center.

Early on Thursday, several Wombles have bypassed police lines in a dawn action. Their protest camp, designed to coincide with immigration day at Genoa, has been evicted at 4 pm; two persons were arrested.

Over 500 police were in the area around Campsfield detention centre, with two helicopters circling overhead. On Wednesday, the police had closed all the pubs in the nearby town of Kidlington, and officers were checking on public transport buses for "agitators". Police have also used disinformation to scare local people away from the camp, and have stolen the keys to one of the camp group's vehicles; legal action has already been initiated. Extra fences have been built around the detention centre, and around 80 of the immigrants have been dispersed to prisons all over the country.
[ Wombles Info | Camp Report | No Borders ]

CLIMATE TALKS IN BONN, GERMANY         Jul 16 2001

Actions continue to challenge talks

Street blockade Today Sunday, a Reclaim the Streets action turned into a road blockade as the Bonn conference stays in a gridlock to even implement the softly-softly Kyoto protocol. The final decision has been left to the G8 who have finished their conference with nothing more than lipservices to the demands of protesters in both Genoa and Bonn. On Saturday, a march and vigil was held in solidarity with the killed protester in Genoa [ 2nd report ]. On Thursday, 123 people were arrested from a RTS demo of 400 after the demo was refused entry to the United Nations conference. [ Pictures.

On Monday a train travelling from Oxford to London was the stage for a commuter rebellion against fares, in solidarity with actions at the Climate summit. They called for a 90% reduction in public transport fares to bring about a 90% cut in Greenhouse gases which is needed to halt climate change - the whole train was leafleted. Manchester's Earth First! have also been out and about spreading the 90% for 90% idea.

Between 14th & 27th July 2001, the second part of the climate summit that ended with nothing is taking place in Bonn, Germany.

engage

IMC Radio from Bonn
[ Climate IMC | Germany IMC | Summer Of Resistance ]

LIVERPOOL FIREMEN ON STRIKE         Jul 16 2001

Merseyside Firefighters dispute

Merseyside firefighters, Officers and Emergency Fire Control Operators start an eight day strike in a dispute over management attempt to break national conditions over recruitment, which will impact on safety. Hundreds of FBU members from around the country join them in solidarity.
[ Full Report ]

LONDON UNDERGROUND         Jul 13 2001

Underground particularly unhealthy

London Underground is a danger to health according to an eminent scientist based at Middlesex University. Independent research carried out by his team has showed consistently high levels of airborne particles containing Iron and silica, which could be fatal in the long term. Highlighted by the Cattle Class action in June many people think PPP will heighten the problems faced on the Underground.
[ Full story | Cattle Class Action ]


[ Stories from 01/2001 | Stories until 12/2000 ]

SUMMER OF RESISTANCE - EUROPE
Sep 11-14: Arms Trade London DisarmTrade

SUMMER OF RESISTANCE - US:
Aug 10-15:     Prison Industrial Philly
Sep 28-Oct 3: World Bank/IMF DC

ONGOING:    Mid-East Conflict


HEADLINES:

Earth First! Activist and Bombing Victim Darryl Cherney Describes Lawsuit...
A24 02:30:58

Spying on the anticapitalists
A23 20:39:28

The world's policeman cannot be above the law
A23 16:04:46

Remnants of empire
A23 15:56:16

Response From Boxfresh
A23 14:46:44

First of many Eyewitness Accounts of Genoa from Liverpool People Not Profit
A23 11:52:06

Antimilitarists digged a tunnel to freedom for a prisoner of consciousness
A23 10:30:55

FARC-EP - Scapegoats of the Empire...
A23 09:34:15

Northern League bombed
A23 09:17:22

Update #1 Online - Indymedia Video on Genoa
A23 08:15:01

Susan George on Genoa and ongoing state tactics
A23 07:33:48

Producing Meaning and Wisdom in Dialogue
A23 07:10:41

Call for a demonstration September 6 th 2001 in Bruges (Belgium)
A23 05:24:31

Left geras up for fight with Straw over US missile plan
A23 04:16:09

Update #1 Online - Indymedia Video on Genova
A23 03:19:10

Christopher Hitchens Discusses Why He Believes Henry Kissinger Should Be Tried..
A23 02:30:42

The 'Enemy Within"
A23 00:54:21

CYBERACTIVISM FOR THE FREEDOM OF SWEDISH AND URUGUAYAN YOUNGSTERS
A23 00:48:04

RUSSIA: The italian firm "Saipem" continues the wood-felling of a reserved wood
A22 16:06:36

Lies, videotape and sex rock India
A22 13:01:52

Justice after Genoa?
A22 12:46:03

irish protester tortured in genoa speaks on national radio in ireland
A22 11:50:47

Sighthill The Way Forward - Unity Against Racism & Poverty
A22 11:33:28

IMC Israel Journalist Jon Rapoport Tortured, Forced In Army, Flees to Palestine
A22 11:00:06

Los Angeles Sheriffs train Genoa Police - not the LAPD
A22 09:49:11

Darcus in Davos C4 Tonight
A22 06:15:54

Kazakhstan: Workers Suicide Sparks Mass Protests
A22 05:25:23

Benefit this Friday for 'Chilean night' of Genoa
A22 04:23:40

Work of Arabunna Peacemaker Recognised
A22 04:15:21

ITALIAN FACISTS IN LONDON , CHECK IT !
A22 04:08:42

Continue to IndyMedia's newswire >>

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