LIBERATE GEORGIA, U.S.A. !!! HELP THE G8 PROTESTERS!!
Oliver C. | 28.05.2004 06:06 | G8 2005 | Globalisation | Social Struggles | World
Police given the go-ahead to stop all demonstrations.
Police in Brunswick (Georgia, USA) have been given the authorization to stop protests during the upcoming G8 Summit in nearby Sea Island.
The city's mayor has signed a new law which, in case of a State of Emergency called by the Governor, gives law enforcement the green light to put a halt to any protest or gathering without having to cite a specific motive.
This law was passed shortly after the declaration of State of Emergency from May 24th trogh June 20th 2004, had been signed by Governor of Georgia Sonny Perdue.
The mayor of Brunswick claims he did not know that the State of Emergency had just been declared at the time the law was being passed and it will remain effective.
The city of Brunswick is only 10 miles away from the privately owned island where the eight leaders will be meeting during the days of the 8th, 9th and 10th of June. Brunswick, as well as the city of Savannah which is housing most of the press, had been long known to be the designated areas for the main protest activities. The negotiations between protest organizers, local residents and city/state/federal authorities began as far as last year and yet produced very few permits. The status and validity of such previously issued permits is, given the current conditions, now uncertain.
Those interested and determined to stand up for their civil rights and right to protest and gather, will be welcomed by the highest levels of security. This is due to recently emerged, vague Intelligence regarding the alleged threat of an imminent terrorist attack on U.S. soil this summer.
The Georgia National Guard, FBI, CIA, Homeland Security as well as other law enforcement special units are expected to be deployed in large numbers throughout six counties in the coastal area. Surface-to-air missile batteries, armored vehicles, fighter jets, Coast Guard vessels and surveillance helicopters will be utilized to protect the area surrounding the summit from potential attacks of various nature.
WHAT YOU CAN DO :
Mass response is required! Let's make these officials listen to what ALL of the world has to say!
1) Stand up for our civil rights and let Gov. Perdue know what you think about the situation in Georgia.
Let him know that this State of Emergency is a clear effort to suppress the Constitutional rights of those opposed to U.S. government policies and the G8.
And request that he:
a- Reverse his executive order calling for the State of Emergency
b- Immediately grant all permits for protests and public assemblies during the G8 Summit.
c- Deploy Congressional Observer Teams to monitor the spending of federal funds used for security during the G-8 meeting, and to monitor law enforcement agencies for any violation of protesters' constitutional rights.
Govenor Sonny Perdue
Email: georgia.governor@gov.state.ga.us
203 State Capitol
Atlanta, GA 30334
(404) 656-1776
Fax: 404-651-7714
2) Contact these Congressional representatives and ask them to :
a- Launch an immediate Congressional Investigation into why a State of Emergency was declared when no pre-existing conditions are present for such a declaration,
b- To send independent Congressional observer teams to monitor civil liberties violations in Coastal Georgia including monitoring of human rights abuses from use of force and for those arrested and/or detained in detention
facilities.
Hon. John Conyers (D-MI)
Ranking Member, House Judiciary Committee
Email: John.Conyers@mail.house.gov
2142 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5126, Fax: (202) 225-0072
Hon. John Lewis (D-GA)
Email: john.lewis@mail.house.gov
343 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-3801, Fax: 202-225-0351
3) Post this article on yor local IMC and any similar independent media outlet.
4) Forward (and translate if possible) this article AS WIDELY AS POSSIBLE before June 5th.
5) Mobilize to Brunswick, Georgia: MARCH FOR PEACE & JUSTICE at the G8
Summit in GA, June 8-10.
For more info and updates on the events visit these links :
http://www.unitedforpeace.org
http://www.saveourcivilliberties.org
http://www.thebrunswicknews.com
http://atlanta.indymedia.org
http://www.g8carnival.org
Oliver C.
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