To Civil Society
To Media

THE WHITE OVERALLS ARE NOT GIVING UP.

We, the white overalls, are going to participate the GBG 2001 demonstration on saturday 16th June.

We came to Gothenburg to discuss borders, that are built up against immigrants, the poor, minorities and all other suppressed groups. We came to make those borders visible and to defy them. We wanted to open up the EU Summit for all those groups of people, who now don't have a say to decisions made about their lives.

We were going to do active civil disobedience in a non-violent confrontative action. Our aim was to open the police lines using only our protected bodies and shields - we didn't have any weapons. Our plans were openly announced.

On Thursday 14th of June the police sieged and intruded our temporary home (Hvitfeldtska school) at the moment Bush arrived to Gothenburg. They didn't give any explanation and refused to negotiate. The police came with full riot gear, dogs, horses, helicopters and huge containers. Later we, together with other sieged groups, tried to leave the area. After 8 attempts to break through, the police attacked us in a openly brutal way with horses in the front. Even the spontaneous support demonstration was attacked in a similar way. More than 200 people were arrested. There was no violence toward police and no provocations before the police attacked. During the attack we were forced to stop our action, while other groups had no alternative but to defend themselves by throwing stones.

From that moment on, the city of Gothenburg has been militarized and turned into a war zone. There has been illegitimate arrests, beatings, throwing stones and shooting towards people. These actions can not be considered as "keeping the public order". This is the oppressive reality of neoliberal regime.

The police said that there were bombs and weapons in our homes and that a police car was attacked there. These claims are not true and the police have not been able to show any evidence.

Thus we accuse the police of rioting, acts of terrorism and violations of basic human rights such as the freedoms of expression and assembly. The police must be made accountable for these crimes.

The police attacked because Power is afraid of us, the rebel communities - people who won't submit to the neoliberal command.

However, we are not giving up. Saturday 16th June we will participate in the GBG 2001 demonstration dressed in white overalls. We will not however wear any protection or perform any confrontative actions. Instead we will symbolise the way we are being forced to silence.

From warzone of Gothenburg 16.6.2001

The white overalls
www.valkohaalarit.org