UK G8 2005 Feature Archive
Faslane Blockaded - All Gates Closed Down
04-07-2005 08:35
Faslane, a Royal Navy submarine base on the Clyde, is the largest and deadliest military base in Scotland and home port for all four British Trident nuclear armed submarines. Nuclear weapons are the ultimate expression of militarism - only about 60 miles (90 km) away from Gleneagles.
Among those blockading Faslane is a broad spectrum of protestors, from Parliamentarians and Church leaders to anti-capitalists involved with the Dissent! network.
Updates :
12.55pm : All gates remain blockaded - people in high spirits. Clowns army has a presence there as well as many other groups. 10.30am : All gates remain blockaded
09.30am : Faslane is fully blocked - all entrance gates are blockaded with people locking-on. Numbers estimated at up to 2000. One person scaled the perimiter fence gaining entry to the base, and has been arrested.
09.00am : See Early report
[ Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 ] [ Video ]
See full time line
[Faslane G8 Blockade | Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament | Trident Ploughshares | Antimilitarism and the G8 Feature</8> | full time line | Maps: area, base]
G8 Sunday 3rd July
03-07-2005 13:30
The Make Borders History tour of Glasgow. The make border tour-ists split up in 6 groups of 50 to 100 people to explore the border regime as it manifests itself in the Scottish city. The tour guides were from: no one is illegal, noborder network, noborder manchester group, brides without border, and someone from the glasgow committee to welcome refugees [see Report | Pictures 1 | Pictures 2 | Borders at the G8 Feature] [Audio and more pics]| related video of Dallas court reporting Centre
In Edinburgh a Stop the War march led by Heidi Guiliani (mother of Carlo, murdered by the cops in Genoa) and Rose Gentle took place ending with a 'naming the dead' ceremony on Calton Hill [see report and pics]
Sunday also saw Edinburgh as the focus of many G8 counter-conference events [see Corporate Dream ... Global Nightmare | Dissent! Programme (running through til thurs 7th) | G8Alternatives Events + pics]
See Red Pepper G8 Blog for reports of today's main events.
Also check out the latest G8 Audio uploads at Radio.Indymedia, and G8 Video uploads at Video.Indymedia
G8 Reports - 2 July
02-07-2005 15:49
For full collected reports see IMC G8 Newsblast
At least 200,000 demonstrators from very different backgrounds, ranging from religous organisations to samba bands and the Infernal Noise Brigade to the Clown Brigade, joined today's Make Poverty History march in Edinburgh. The organisers had called for people to wear white clothes. The march was set up with staggered starting times, but because of the number of people and small funnelled start gate many were unable to join the actual march. Report
Photos: [ 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 ]
Video: [ Interviews
Audio: [ interviews | speeches ]
Before the start of the official march, residents of Craigmillar, the most deprived area of Edinburgh, joined with anti-G8 protestors camping on a park in their estate. They marched through the estate to show their opposition to poverty here and abroad.
An anti-capitalist block broke away from the main march and was cordoned off by riot cops. People are being released in small groups, others appear to be held and photographed under a Section 60 order (which police later confirmed was applied to whole city centre). There are two possible arrests. [ timeline | report]
Photos: [ 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 ]
Other events happened during or after the official march (and we're not talking about Live 8). Faeries moved about the march, as did detatchments of the Clown Army (Photos: 1 | 2). Break Dancers gathered in Bristo Square in an attempt to 'Break Poverty' (photos). Capitalists marched in support of the G8 [1]. An impromptu street party (photos) on one of the roads closed for the march, with samba and music from the Infernal Noise Brigade, lasted until midnight. At that point, police moved the party to the nearby Meadows in order to re-open the road, resulting in one arrest.
G8 Mobilisation Reports - Friday 1st July
01-07-2005 20:25
The Clown army, had a press conference today morning, displaying some ridicilus tactics and reading a (not so) silly statement (report | photos | video). Police payed a visit to the Dissent! Info point, but left quickly. Finally the GR organised train arrived in Edinburgh without any problem, and the Dissent! train arrived just before ten pm. There was a small amount of hassle from the police at King's Cross [video/audio]. Photos: [ 1 | 2 | 3 ]
Preparations for the Make Poverty History march are also under way: the anti-capitalist block meeting point has been anounced, and some happy chalking actions is to be expected.
More spaces are now open: In Edinburgh the Dissent! Infospace, featuring talks and workshops, and the Independant Media Centre, as well as the rural eco-village convergence campsite in Stirling. An Edinburgh Council spokesman agreed to remove CCTV at the official G8 camp site [photos] after 150 people set up a camping site at Pilrig Park (report). On the other hand a theatre play called Black Sun Over Genoa [pic] has opened in Edinburgh and will be playing for three nights before it moves to Glasgow. This is a production that looks at the events that took place during the mobilisations against the G8 Summit 2001 in Genoa, Italy.
Indymedia Bristol Server Seized
30-06-2005 10:08
On Monday, June 27th, Indymedia Bristol's server was seized by the police. An Indymedia volunteer was arrested during the raid on suspicion of incitement to criminal damage. He is now on bail. See Indymedia Bristol Statement (28th June 05)
Bristol Indymedia say: "We are outraged at the actions of the police. They have completely disabled the entire Bristol Indymedia news service. By their actions they have undermined the principle of open publishing and free access to the media, thereby removing people's opportunity to read and report their own news. This situation has serious implications for anyone providing a news service on the Internet. We do not intend to let this stop us from continuing the project."
Full Feature | IMC Bristol statements [1 | 2] | Imc Bristol Solidarity Page | Autistici Server Surveillance | Mainstream Media Coverage
G8 Summit Quicklinks
29-06-2005 23:00
Media Indymedia Scotland | Indymedia G8 Reports Section | IMC G8 Features Archive | G8 Bloggers | radio stream | Indymedia Centre in Edinburgh + Reporting numbersWhy Are People Protesting? [1 | 2] | Planned Protests + Events | Groups and Websites | Dissent! Network | G8Alternatives | Make Poverty History
Practicalities G8 Accommodation in Edinburgh and Glasgow + InfoPoints [Update and Pics] | Rural Eco-Village Campsite Update [2 | 3] | G8 Legal Support + Advice | G8 Medical Support | Activist Trauma Support
IMC Bristol Server Seizure Solidarity page
Climate Chaos And The G8
28-06-2005 20:45
The leaders of the world's 8 richest countries will soon gather in Scotland, hoping to carry on carving up the planet. We forecast a high tide of greenwash during the summit, as Tony 'Hot Air' Blair claims to be making climate change a top priority. It's up to us to unmask the G8 Climate Criminals and expose the hypocrisy of their agenda.
Reports of G8 Protest Activities so far
28-06-2005 20:37
On Tuesday, 28th of June, the Red Pepper magazine publishes "Inside the Murky World of Make Poverty History". An in depth summarising analysis about Climate Change has also been published.
The Greek Union report their solidarity and participation of a delegation at the G8 protests in Scotland, whileas the School Students also call for participation in G8 protests [Subvert].
The accomodation situation is Edinburgh is less than satisfying for protesters due to the Edinburgh Council policy, and the Dissent! Edinburgh Accomodation group has put out a statement, describing their difficulties in finding a self-run collective convergence centre and an accomodation meeting is called for Thursday, 30th of June, 6pm at Teviot Student’s Union, University of Edinburgh, Bristo Square, to discuss the issue.
On Monday, 27th of June, the Theatre of Dissent hit the Streets of Edinburgh and the Headquarters of the Royal Bank of Scotland was occupied for about half an hour in an anti-poverty action.
Reports with pictures about the fenced off Jack Kane Centre [ 1 | 2] and the fence around Gleneagles sparked off discussion about possible state repression.
A summary of all activities and events so far reported on Indymedia Scotland features, newswire and on the Indymedia UK G8 subsection in relation to the G8 summit in Gleneagles, Scotland is listed below.
Indymedia Bristol Server Seized by Police
28-06-2005 08:56
On Monday, June 27th, Indymedia Bristol's server was seized by the police. An Indymedia volunteer was arrested during the raid on suspicion of incitement to criminal damage. He is now on bail. See Indymedia Bristol Statement (28th June 05):
"We are outraged at the actions of the police. They have completely disabled the entire Bristol Indymedia news service. By their actions they have undermined the principle of open publishing and free access to the media, thereby removing people's opportunity to read and report their own news. This situation has serious implications for anyone providing a news service on the Internet. We do not intend to let this stop us from continuing the project."
IMC Bristol statements [1 | 2] | Imc Bristol Solidarity Page | Full Feature | donate to imc uk | Autistici Server Surveillance | Mainstream Media Coverage
Borders at the G8
27-06-2005 09:06
G8 countries spearhead the world system of borders; a system which renders many people illegal and which leaves all of us divided. Restrictions on our movement, restrictions on our right to work, restrictions on our right to receive medical treatment or legal aid or any other social benefit are all standard. What's more these restrictions are largely based on the arbitrary notion of nationality and on its ugly twin: race.
[Groups opposing borders and/or campaigning on immigration issues: No Border Network | No one is Illegal | Make Borders History | Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers | National Coalition of Anti-Deporation Campaigns]
[Opposing borders at the G8: Make Borders History tour (July 3, Glasgow)]
Glasgow Convergence Space Opens
23-06-2005 11:18
The Convergence Centre in Glasgow has opened from Tuesday, 21st of June onwards, to facilitate meeting space, accomodation and projects in Dissent! to the forthcoming G8 summit.
It is situated in 30 Dora Street, Dalmarnock, Glasgow, G40 4DP, Scotland. The telephone number for this place is (0044)/ (0)141-551-0401 .
On Yer Bike
22-06-2005 10:40
On Friday 24th June at 6pm outside Manchester Central Library cyclists shall meet for one of the most spectacular critical masses Manchester has seen. They will be joined by cyclists from all over the world who are cycling from Brighton to Edinburgh to join a week of protests against the g8 summit early in July.
Groups in Manchester have been busily preparing for the summit. Affordable travel from Manchester is being organised by Dosummat, the local contact group for the Dissent network. Dissent have secured a large rural convergence space where camping will be available and Manchester groups mobilising against the G8 will set up a marquee and kitchen.
A Manchester based group of 'Pro-capitalist' jokers are threatening to march in support of G8, whilst the Laboratory of Insurrectionary Imagination has appeared in Hulme Park as part of its UK tour.
G8 Ministerial meetings have already taken place in Derby and Sheffield [Reports: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 ] and been the scene of some lively protest and at times fairly over the top policing.
Links: Video | G8 Critical Mass | Mobilising against the G8 | Dosummat @ the g8 | Dissent | G8: Why Are People Protesting? | G8 Summit 2005 - Mobilisations Links and Resources
Dissent! G8 infoshop opens in Edinburgh
20-06-2005 21:59
The G8 public Infoshop opened today to satisfy local curiousity and welcome autonomous groups and individual anti-G8 protesters.
The Infoshop is located 10 Albert Place, Leith Walk, in Edinburgh, EH7 5HN. It is about 10 minutes away from the bus and train station.
From now on, the access point will be opened 24 hours a day, the infoshop is also contactable under telephone number (0044)/(0)131-5611356 .
Collective meetings are held at 6 pm daily to update newcomers and to facilitate the running of the Infoshop.
[ Dissent! | Recent update about Practicalities | Protest Activities Overview | Mobilisation Links ]
Glasgow Cre8 Summit - Reclaiming Community
20-06-2005 11:06
Cre8 Garden Pictures | Audio Interview (mp3) | Film: Cre8 Summit Day 1 (.mov 3mins): Direct Download | Press Coverage
Also see: Jam74.org | Corporate Watch on M74 | Road Block | Road Alert
June 17th Anti-G8 Protests
17-06-2005 12:42
The third day of the Ministerial G8 meeting in Sheffield started with a banner drop and what was hopefully a rude awakening for the delgates at the Marriott Hotel in Nether Edge from a Rebel Alliance of RoRS and a squad from the Clown Army.
During the day the Counter Conference was running at the convergence centre and there was a Guantanamo Bay protest action in the City Centre. The day ended with a Insurgents' Party with the Trollyd and Riddimition sound systems and the 2012 Show.
June 16th Anti-G8 Protests
16-06-2005 14:51
An eventful second day to the G8 Ministerial meeting in Sheffield.
Thursday's main events included:
An all-day Counter Conference at the convergence space, which also hosts the Indymedia Centre, court appearances for people arrested on Wednesday, a protest outside the Cathedral, the Make Poverty History Rice Meal, with an attendant sit-down protest and an ensuing penning in of protestors in and around West Street. More details are in the "Read more..." section of the article and from the links below.
Photos & reports: 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18
June 15th Anti-G8 Protests
15-06-2005 13:32
So the G8 Justice and Interior Ministers came to a three-day meeting at Nether Edge's Marriott Hotel.
Their unwelcome started early with a banner drop near Park Square roundabout and the revelation that the police consider the whole shennanigans as "Operation Octagon". The Convergence Space, with Indymedia Centre kicked off with an "Insurgent's Breakfast", mass leafleting took place in the city centre and Meadowhall and an late afternoon Critical Mass.
Focus then moved to an assembly of people on Devonshire Green protesting for the right to protest, the assembled set off into town to be meet the Critical Mass. After having their way blocked by police at Barker's Pool and at the entrance of Surrey Street by the Town Hall they congregated for a while. A number-limited Stop the War protest took place outside the Lyceum. Unfortunately the folks who walked down Fargate and tried to turn onto Arundel Gate had their way blocked by cops and eventually riot cops. There were two arrests around this time.
More details are in the "Read more..." section of the article and from the links below.
Reports: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | Video: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
Sheffield G8 Protests
15-06-2005 09:24
Thanks to David Blunkett the G8 Justice and Home Affairs ministers met in Sheffield on the 15th to 17th June 2005. Protests started on the 11th June with a critical mass, demonstration and the Peace in the Park festival.
Protests during the ministers meeting got away with far more than in Derby though there were in several arrests. There is a summury of each days actions, Wednesday 15th June, Thursday 16th June and Friday 17th June. The final day ended with a massive post-protest Insurgents' Party at the Convergence Space, with the Trollyd and Riddimition sound systems and the 2012 Show.
June 17th — Reports: 1 | Photos: 1 | 2 | 3
June 16th — Photos & reports: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Videos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
June 15th — Reports: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Video: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Action against the G8 kicked off on 11th June in Sheffield
13-06-2005 18:48
In advance of the G8 Justice and Interior Ministers arriving for their summit in Sheffield, protests against their presence started with a Critical Mass at 8:30am (report and video). People started to gather on Devonshire Green at 10:30am for the demonstration called by the Sheffield Stop the War Coalition. Several hundred people then marched through the centre of town on the way to Peace in the Park at the General Cemetery. Lots of information on the G8 was distributed to shoppers in town.
With the fine weather holding out, the 3rd annual Peace in the Park festival was packed. This year it was a benefit for Sheffield Archer Project, a charity providing support for the homeless, and the Intermediate Technology Development Group, an international charity working on practical ways to end poverty for people in need all over the world. Stalls included No Sweat, No2ID and others. Along with an open mic tent and a bands stage there were also tunes from Riddemtion.
The finale of the evening was a performance by the Laboratory of Insurrectionary Imagination which included an appearance from the Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army . A gig from the 2012 show was arranged at the last minute at The Cricketers and this made a nice end of the day for the few who made it.
Further actions against the G8 have been planned for the next few days, expect a heavy police presence...
G8 Summit Update: 6th June
07-06-2005 11:56
Evolving Protest Plans
As well as the planned Blockades of the G8 Summit on Wed 6th July, there are now more demonstrations being announced and negotiated. G8Alternatives continues with its plans for a mass demonstration meeting at Gleneagles train station to march past Gleneagles Hotel on the first day of the Summit, despite the initial announcement of security cordons and road closures ruling this route out. Authorities have proposed a rally in Auchterarder village as an alternative but have said this would be limited to 3,500 people - more announcements are expected following a meeting on June 9th. The "Long Walk To Justice", announced at the start of June by Bob Geldof [2 | 3] will potentially see hundreds of thousands of people arriving in Edinburgh for events billed as "part rally, part party" and with a pop concert scheduled for Murrayfield stadium. Meanwhile the Stop the War Coalition has applied and now gained support for two protests in Edinburgh on Sun 3rd and Mon 4th July, despite both Scottish media and the police initialy briefing against the proposed demonstrations.
Accomodation Crisis
Over the past months various groups have been trying to secure mass accomodation for the tens of thousands of people who are expected to participate in the protests. With the lastest moves from Bob Geldof encouraging hundreds of thousands more people to converge on Edinburgh for the start of the Summit, what was already an accommodation crisis has now become a full blown emergency planning issue. Some groups have been trying to find a site to set up a Convergence campsite eco-village to house people, and despite initial set backs are confident a site will be found. Other groups have been in discussions with authorities for larger sites, and while no agreement has yet been reached an announcement is expected soon. Whatever the outcomes it's clear people will come anyway, with many groups encouraging people to bring tents.
See also:
