COVERAGE FROM GOTHENBURG
Why Göteborg

During the first six months of 2001, Sweden acted as chairman of the European Union. The period culminates in a summit in Göteborg, Sweden's second biggest city, during June 14th-16th. Thousands of politicians, bureaucrats, lobbyists journalists and photographers from all over Europe are attending the meeting, as is George W. Bush, the newly elected president of the USA.

As a response to this, actions and seminars are planned, for the three days, by many groups on a wide range of issues. On June 15th before midday, people will try to get into the EU summit by various means. Through their actions, activists want to symbolize how we, the people, are being excluded from the areas where the important decisions, affecting us all, are taken. They express a widespread feeling that our so called representatives at the EU summit don't bring forward our opinions about Fortress Europe, all the motorways being built, the emerging police superstate, the growing power of transnational corporations, the militarisation of the EU and so on.

What is happening in Göteborg

The first day of protests saw pre-emptive strikes by police, who blocked and later attacked the activist convergence centre and arrested hundreds of people. Most were still detained in buses and police cells by thursday night. (Read statement by Finnish White Overalls). Actions focused on the presence of US president G Bush, and ranged from a the mooning at the terminal of Nils Eriksson airport to a concentration against death penalty. Police repeatedly charged protestors and arrested those who tried to escape the encirclements. Meanwhile, the Swedish borders were virtually closed, as whole busloads of people were arrested upon entering Swedish territory.

On Friday large groups of protesters tried to reach the conference centre and clashed with police, resulting in large-scale confrontations and property damage in Gothenburg's major shopping area. At a Reclaim the City party in the evening, police fired 15 shots at demonstrators after they had attacked the protest and were pushed back by protesters. Despite mainstream media claims of police self-defence, the video evidence shows that at least some of the shots were targeted shots aimed at particular protesters from a distance, in a situation where there was no immediate threat to police officers. 3 protesters were seriously injured, one of them is still in critical condition.
See detailed video of shot person.

On Saturday, 25 000 people joined the demonstration "For Another Europe", one of the biggest radical demonstrations in Swedish history. Read a report from the Wombles about the three-day protests.

On Sunday early morning the police repression continued against the protesters still on the streets. Armed police forced people to lay down on the ground for one hour or more.

On Monday a very tense calm returned to the streets of Göteborg. An unconfirmed number of protesters are still detained by the Swedish police. Fear grows about the health of the protester shot by the Swedish police. His condition is still critical after having undergone a second operation. Meanwhile a blackout of oficial information about his real condition continues.

LATEST: A global call went out for immediate solidarity protests outside Swedish embassies after the unexpected ferocity and violence of the police in Göteborg. Actions took place in many places in Europe, for example Germany, Holland and Spain.
A protest outside the Swedish embassy in London also took place. See photo and report.



TIMELINE OF EVENTS
Sunday Jun 17 2001

-Around 05.00 Sunday the police let people out from one of the buses and pushed them togheter into a corner. The commanding police officers left the area and riot police started to intimidate and provoke them. Despite the long time they were provoked the people stayed calm and they were then released. Here's another description of the storming.

-03.05 a.m. Sunday This is a story from one of the many young people being held on the ground outside the Schillerska School. Read the report.

-01:15 Masked police carrying semi-automatic rifles with laser sights, forced 200 to 300 unarmed people, including a breast feeding mother, to lay down outside the Shillerska School (convergence centre) for one hour or more. Read report.



Saturday Jun 16 2001

-21:50 Some of the surrounded protesters are allowed to leave the square as more demonstrators arrive in solidarity, others are arrested.

-19:30 Participants of a peaceful demonstration in solidarity with those injured and arrested by police are surrounded by riot cops at Järntorget square. Picture

-13:55 IMC Sweden confirms with hospital that the protestor rumoured to have died is STILL ALIVE. CNN who previously had announced his death have retracted their statement. Meanwhile, over 25,000 people are marching through the streets of Göteborg - police have been blocking off streets again with shipping containers.

-13:45 German CNN reports that the demonstrator who was gunned down by a swedish police officer yesterday, died at the hospital. Indymedia Sweden is looking for confirmation about this from hospital and police in GBG.

-12:15 Despite heavy rain 25 000 people have joined the demonstration "For Another Europe". This is one of the biggest radical demonstrations in Swedish history. The atmosphere is good, the police have very low profile. The demonstration has just picked a new route and is heading for the congress centre.

-09:00 Convergence and accomodation space still open. Much debate about police tactics.

Video Update: IMC Sweden video of police action at Street Party and shooting. Police have today confirmed 3 people were shot, one is in critical condition. IMC sweden video compilation of protests.



Friday June 15 2001

Thousands are back out protesting on the streets today. Reports of clashes with police have been coming in since early morning after the non-violent network climbed over fences to reach the congress centre just before 9am and arrests reached over 450.

-4:25 Many reports of calm gatherings and dancing. Police now surrounding sleeping accomodation.

-23:50 Video footage of SHOTS fired - film clip from swedish tv, TV4 (www.tv4.se). They report two protestors shot by police.

-23:00: Reports that 15 shots were fired after a small group of police were surrounded after they entered the street party crowd. Rumours continue to circulate of 3 gunshot injuries, many reports have come into IMC sweden reporting the shots were fired by the police. Other reports say that one policeman may have been shot during this process. Latest reports say police have retreated, abandoning vehicles.

Long MP3 audio reports of this evening's street party and earlier events here.

-21:59 Hospital reports 27 people with injuries, nine police. Hospital spokesperson confirms two people admitted with shot wounds, police unavailable for comment.

-21:51 Unconfirmed reports coming in to IMC Sweden of people being shot at the Street Party - two demonstrators reportedly suffering gunshot wounds in the leg and stomach - updates to follow as soon as available. Police sealing off a shopping mall due to suspected bomb.

-20:00 Street party protest is starting - "Reclaim the City!"

-19:45 The Dinner of the European Councils cancelled due to protests. Police cannot guarentee safety of delegate hotel accomodation after escalating clashes. Reports of police retreating outnumbered and extensive property damage.

-18:00 Large Labour Solidarity Protest March underway.

-14:50 More mass arrests. Around 100 people who had been trapped by police on a bridge for more than an hour have been arrested and taken away. They had not been part of earlier clashes. About 25 escaped arrest by jumping into boats or swimming.

-13:00 After serious clashes there seems to be a general calm on the streets.

-11:30 Parts of the conference centre have been blockaded - burning barricades errected and clashes with mounted police widespread after police moved to try and block in the anti-capitalist march.



Thursday Jun 14 2001

Thousands converge in Sweden's second largest city to protest at the European Union summit. Migration, corporate Europe and militarisation are among the many issues raised by protesters. Special attention was given to the presence of US president George Bush, who was received with a mass moonie for his stance on the environment and death penaly. Police reacted early in the morning surrounding the protesters' sleeping and meeting space. Violent charges on peaceful citizens and arrests followed throughout the day.

-23:00 Hundreds arrested and kept by police

-19.13 Reports still coming in of people being arrested outside of the convergence space - no confirmation on numbers.

-18.04 IMC Sweden reports Police are repeatedly attacking withdrawing protestors outside the convergence center. All this the day before the main protests start!

-17.00 Police have been searching people who leave the center, some have tried to break through the police and there have been reported clashes. Police have brought in large containers (?) which are thought to be used for those arrested.

-14.45 Radio Reports Police are to Search Everyone Over Next 8 Hours

-14.16 Riot Police Surround Convergence Center Area

See some images of thursdays events:
-Pics 1
-Pics 2
-Read a Finish Ya Basta! statement on the day's protests.
-Read a first hand accounton the day's events.

- IMC Video from Convergence 4.48 mins
- Engage! Tactical Media is producing a live radio show to cover the three days of summit, the counter summits, and the protests. You can contribute the netcast by phone at +46 31 743 99 09
-Latest reports and timeline of events from Sweden Independent Media Center.
-Video Library



More Info:

-J15 Page. General info, accomodation and legal, links, etc.
-Gothenburg Action Coalition

Some of the groups organising activities:

-Non-violence Network of Göteborg
-Globalization from Below in Stockholm
-Ya Basta! in Finland
-The Central Organization of Sweden's Workers (Sveriges Arbetares Centralorganisation)