G8 Meeting, police Repression and the demonstrations
From June 6th to 8th the “representatives” of eight of the most powerful states from the global north are planning to meet in Heiligendamm near Rostock in Germany. Without any legitimacy to decide about global politics they will coordinate their decisions and therefore stand for the continuation of the state the world which for the majority means hunger, misery, war, and exlusion. Despite police repression and political propaganda, the summit will face one of the biggest mobilisations ever to shut down the G8.
On Monday28 May At least 5,000 people gathered on the streets of Hamburg, Germany to protest against the 7th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). There was a massive police presence (almost outnumbered protesters!) and the march was surrounded by thick riot police lines. The procession was repeatedly stopped and provoked by cops, while snatch squads and other units tried to penetrate the mass. Water cannons, pepper spray, kicks and punches were used repeatedly. So the organisers eventually decided to call the demonstration off and participants then dispersed in small groups. A large part of the demonstration, however, was ‘kettled’ by police while others were ‘hunted down’ as they headed back to the Rota Flora social centre. At least 86 people were arrested, some still detained.
