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Genoa: pretty accurate Independent newspaper report

in genoa | 18.07.2001 23:39

Pretty accurate description of events here in genoa - though info on groups involved is not quite right.

Genoa ringed by steel as G8 tension mounts
By Frances Kennedy in Genoa
19 July 2001

With helicopters thundering overhead in a glowering grey sky, Genoa lived its first full day of pre-summit siege with its nerves raw.

Police blew up a suspect vehicle, dealt with countless bomb alerts, and discovered an arsenal of weapons in the house of a local criminal near the venue of the G8 summit. The mayor of Genoa, Giuseppe Pericu, received a letter containing two bullets.

Police carried out searches under the eyes of media "witnesses" at the anti-globalisation encampment, at the Carlini stadium on the outskirts of the city, but found nothing.

However when they raided the house of a petty criminal with drug convictions, they discovered explosive devices, arms and ammunition. Police said there was no link with anti-globalisation protesters, but the find raised tensions and fears as isolated acts of violence spread beyond Genoa.

Two parcel bombs were sent to companies in Milan and Treviso, and a work agency was firebombed in Milan. One package exploded in the hands of a secretary who is being treated in hospital, the other burst into flames in the postroom of the clothing giant Benetton.

Trains carrying protesters began arriving overnight from Rome and Bologna in time for the first mass event of the counter-summit – today's Migrants March. Many complained they were being constantly stopped and searched.

A 7km ring of concrete and steel, with 240 strictly guarded entry and exit points, has been erected around the "red zone" of the city where the summit is being being held, and residents were beginning to lose patience with the security. "This is our city, they are making us feel like criminals," said one woman.

At the checkpoints, residents and journalists are asked for ID and bags are put through x-ray machines. Inside the ring, the area is all but deserted, with steel shutters covering shop-fronts and bars.

The protest groups
Tute Bianche: White overalls, their demo uniform, is a symbol of the invisible victims of the globalised economy. Those from southern Italy's "Rebel South" are particularly radical, high unemployment and lack of development making them empathise strongly with the have-nots.

Anti-Fascist Action:

Rooted in Nazi Germany now adopting a radical, at times violent, stance against neo-liberalism and capitalist institutions. Members identified by secret services as responsible for triggering violence in Prague. Italian and Spanish versions expected to be the movers at Genoa.

Anarchists: Strongish following in Britain, Italy and Greece. Active local presence in Genoa where they rioted against a biotechnology forum in May last year. Have not signed the Genoa Social Forum document pledging non-violence.

Drop the Debt: British-based group that has put debt relief firmly on the agenda. Strong following in Italy where debt relief espoused strongly by Roman Catholic groups.

Wombles: (White Overalls Movement Building Libertarian through Effective Struggle) British imitators of Tute Blanche are linking up with 1,500 anarchists in Bologna.

in genoa

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AP artilce

18.07.2001 23:42

July 18, 2001

Genoa Deserted Ahead of Summit
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

GENOA, Italy (AP) -- Streets were deserted, cafes were empty, stores were closed, many with wooden planks nailed over their windows.

As the gates of a steel and concrete barrier, which seal off its medieval center, were shut Wednesday, Genoa -- usually a busy port city -- looked more and more like a ghost town before the start of a summit of the leaders of the world's industrial powers.

Few Genoese walked in the city's center, made up of dozens of cobblestone alleys. No private cars were allowed inside the ``red zone,'' the restricted area around the old harbor and the Palazzo Ducale, the main venue for the Group of Eight summit starting Friday. Residents, journalists and delegates need passes to get in.

Instead, hundreds of policemen were deployed across the city, patrolling the gates and driving their vehicles up and down the empty streets. By the time the heads of the G8 countries arrive, there will be 20,000 police -- the biggest security operation in Genoa since the 1985 visit of Pope John Paul II.

``We had no customers this morning. Our clients come from outside the red zone but nobody can reach here,'' said Paolo Rossi as he closed his shoe shop for lunch.

The four McDonald's restaurants in town were also closed, their windows protected with wooden planks. The fast-food giant has become the target of anti-globalization protesters at international gatherings.

Confesercenti, the national association for small business, estimated that only 25 percent of the stores inside the red zone would stay open during the summit. Many decided to close after a letter bomb exploded in Genoa on Monday, injuring a policeman.

Since then, police have checked out dozens of suspicious objects in Genoa, all false alarms. On Wednesday, they intercepted an envelope with two bullets and a photo of a leading protester that had been addressed to Genoa's mayor, the Italian news agency ANSA said.

A red zone resident, Carlo Canepa, was arrested after police found knives, machetes pistols, and drugs in his apartment, ANSA said.

A parcel bomb went off Wednesday in the Milan offices of a television station owned by Premier Silvio Berlusconi, slightly injuring the secretary who opened it. Another device exploded at the office of clothing giant Benetton in Treviso, near Venice, but no one was injured.

It wasn't clear, however, if the incidents were related to anti-globalization demonstrations that are planned for the G8 summit.

Anti-globalization protesters, meanwhile, started pouring in on Wednesday.

The first special train, carrying an estimated 700 to 800 people from Rome, arrived in Genoa's empty Brignole station, where scores of policemen were waiting on the platform.

Some of the demonstrators carried makeshift shields made of plastic and cardboard, others had padded cardboard armor to cushion against blows. They were all heading to a stadium where hundreds of others are camping out and then toward a tent near the waterfront.

``I've come to understand if these three days can change my life,'' said Marco Occhipinti, a 26 year-old Sicilian.

The government kept one Genoa train station open as part of an agreement with anti-globalization activists. The Genoa Social Forum, which is organizing protests, said it expected up to 30,000 people on Thursday, arriving aboard some 25 special trains.

Italy has denied access to nearly 700 people coming from other countries. Three British citizens were questioned for six hours at Genoa airport Wednesday and sent back to Britain, according to one of the anti-globalization groups.

0


PRETTY TYPICAL BIG MEDIA

19.07.2001 06:44

This article is typical of what the corporate media in
Canada is writting on the G8, Genoa, protest. That is ;
focus on police and violence and extremist groups.
Nothing on the real issues of 'globalization', or even a
mention of why the protest is taking place.
Media here also gives the impression that all protestors
are anarchists,marxists, and young people prone to violence.
My own experience of protestors is that they are mostly
pro democracy, anti-free trade, anti-corporate cartels,
and are a mix of all ages. The majority seem to be
thinking type people, peacefull ,and often very well
informed. I find protestors in general an interesting and
enjoyable group of people to be with.
Certainly corporate media is working overtime attempting
to frighten people from attending, and presenting the
idea that protestors are a bunch of crazies. Nothing
could be further from the truth.
I would be comfortable taking kids and my grandmother to
any of these anti-globalization protests. There is
something of interest for all, in the various peacefull
activities.

john the carpenter
mail e-mail: nasmithjohn@hotmail,com


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