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Block G8!
28.05.2007 - 12:52:27
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THE ‘BLOCK G8’ CAMPAIGN CONCEPT FOR A MASS BLOCKADE OF THE G8 SUMMIT IN HEILIGENDAMM
On June 6 2007, we want to - and will - massively and effectively blockade the opening of the G8 Summit, the meeting of the heads of government of the world’s 8 most powerful states, in Heiligendamm, near Rostock in Germany.
With blockades of civil disobedience in which thousands of people from different political, social and cultural backgrounds can participate, we will express an unmistakable ‘NO!’ against the G8. A radical ‘NO!’ which cannot be ignored. A public, offensive and practical expression of the lack of legitimacy of the G8 and their policies of neoliberal, globalised capitalism; of wars; of social and racist exclusion; and of environmental destruction. We will actively disrupt the G8, occupying and blockading the streets required by the diplomats, translators and supply vehicles to reach Heiligendamm. We want to practically and effectively stop the Summit and cut it off from its infrastructure.
The central expression of our blockade will be to show that thousands of highly diverse people have decided, together, to personally – and with their bodies – blockade the Summit. Many will announce their participation in the blockade publicly, showing their names and faces. Regardless of how and where we arrive at the camps and on the streets around Heiligendamm, we have a common project: One mass blockade with diverse cultural articulations. Those not organised in groups – and without blockading experience – will also be able to participate and receive the solidarity of others. There will be no limits to our creativity. We see the connection between the functionality and political articulation of the mass blockade as important. The ‘Überflüssigen’ (i.e. ‘The Superfluous’ – a direct action group who have been visible in many of the social protests in Germany over the past few
years) with their red sweatshirts and white face-masks have already announced their intended presence, rebel clowns will also be there, as will samba drummers. Colourful does not mean black, but black belongs to colourful.
We come from the environmental and anti-nuclear movement; the counter-globalisation networks and the radical left; from non-violent action groups and antifascist milieu; from political party and trade union youth organisations and church groups. We want to bring our diverse blockading experience at anti-nuclear waste (CASTOR) transports, anti-war actions, anti-nazi demonstrations and previous summit protests together in Heiligendamm – as a powerful and determined mass action with thousands of people and the methods of civil disobedience.
Our objective is to blockade. Therefore, we will overcome the police’s barriers; pushing them out of the way, going around them, or cannily flowing through them. We will not allow ourselves to be stopped, distracted, or to get embroiled in the police’s possible strategy of escalation. Our objective is to reach our blockading destinations. Our protection is our concept of diversity, mass participation and desired (media and other) publicity. We need sleeping bags and everything required for 24 hours on the blockades. There are lots of people who will simply sit down and blockade the street with their bodies. In addition, there are people who will remain standing, linking arms in chains and using foam and balloons to protect their bodies. Some will push back against those attempting an eviction, to make it more difficult for them. All these different blockade forms will show solidarity with each other and will not endanger one another. We will remain together and hold our common position. Through the means of civil disobedience, we will resist by showing solidarity. We do not want to injure anyone. We will effectively and enduringly blockade the Summit.
GET INVOLVED WITH ‘BLOCK G8’
Register in your media and/or in a ‘Declaration of Intent’ that you support the ‘Block G8’ campaign. Produce publicity for ‘Block G8’, organise events and collect supporters.
Build blockade groups locally and prepare for the Summit. Be creative and organise action trainings. The better prepared, the more effective the blockade.
If you are not sure if you will find the time to take part in the blockades of the G8 Summit, declare your solidarity with the actions of the ‘Block G8’ campaign and support us with a donation.
The ‘Block G8’ campaign is one of many concepts for blockading the G8 which we support in their different action forms in different locations around Heiligendamm. We will, therefore, share responsibility for co-ordinating the overall choreography of blockading activities.
CONTACT
Block G8 Campaign
Nernstweg 32
22765 Hamburg
Germany
www.block-g8.org
info@block-g8.org
DONATIONS
Account Name: Block G8
Account No.: 400 870 0801
Sort Code (BLZ): 430 609 67
Bank Name: GLS Gemeinschaftsbank
IBAN: DE38 4306 0967 4008 7008 01
http://www.block-g8.org/
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