Greenham-Genoa: A tale of two fences.
Greenham women are every were. | 10.08.2001 15:49
Secret government meetings without public debate, oppositional tactics to deal with them, the debate about (state) violence: many links can be discovered between the present struggle of the global movement and the women of Greenham Common, where a memorial will be unveiled on August 27.
Greenham-Genoa: A tale of two fences.
Twenty years ago, on a march from Cardiff to Greenham Common, mothers with young children living in Wales demanded a public debate about the secret decision to deploy Nuclear-armed, US-owned ground based Cruise missiles at RAF Greenham Common. Two years later they tore down the nine mile fence around RAF Greenham Common.
In 2001 the fences stood firm in Genoa. At Gatt, almost all the negotiations about the World Trade Agreement could be carried out with minimum media examination and public debate. The recent global movement shines a light on these hidden debates. In Genoa, the G8 were still debating in secrecy and beyond democratic control, but governments had to go at extreme lengths to control the social movements demanding access to the debate. Medieval looking robocops equipped with advanced technology kept the public outside the razor wire fences.
In 1981, women set up camp outside the gates of Greenham Commen, stayed for 20 years in all weathers, and with a relentless campaign of direct action, civil disobedience and boundless creativity won the argument: "Take those toys away from the boys!". Like the Suffragettes before them and the present social movements after them, their process was accompanied by agonising debates about direct action, state violence and non violence.
In Genoa, the violent raid at the dead of night by black clad Carabinieri gave a clear impression as to who is on the violent side. The severe injuries suffered by reporters and participants should provide a wake up call to all citizens of the European Union. Berlusconi, Bush and Blair were united in their condemnation of "anti democratic protesters". The only response they could find to justify the G8 citadel was to vilify all protesters, violent and non violent, as "middle class white northern males", who had nothing to say for the people of the third world.
On August 27th, 11am, on the grass outside the City Hall in Cardiff, a memorial will be unveiled to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first march of the women of Greenham Common, where nuclear armed US cruise missiles where to be based. Events include a photograph and poster exhibition, a display of banners, a video of the fence around the RAF base coming down for the last time.
Everyone welcome. Let's celebrate our victory, share our history, our tactics and practices, and plan for struggles to come. "Justice for all not only the rich!"
http://www.wfloe.fsnet.co.uk/
In 2001 the fences stood firm in Genoa. At Gatt, almost all the negotiations about the World Trade Agreement could be carried out with minimum media examination and public debate. The recent global movement shines a light on these hidden debates. In Genoa, the G8 were still debating in secrecy and beyond democratic control, but governments had to go at extreme lengths to control the social movements demanding access to the debate. Medieval looking robocops equipped with advanced technology kept the public outside the razor wire fences.
In 1981, women set up camp outside the gates of Greenham Commen, stayed for 20 years in all weathers, and with a relentless campaign of direct action, civil disobedience and boundless creativity won the argument: "Take those toys away from the boys!". Like the Suffragettes before them and the present social movements after them, their process was accompanied by agonising debates about direct action, state violence and non violence.
In Genoa, the violent raid at the dead of night by black clad Carabinieri gave a clear impression as to who is on the violent side. The severe injuries suffered by reporters and participants should provide a wake up call to all citizens of the European Union. Berlusconi, Bush and Blair were united in their condemnation of "anti democratic protesters". The only response they could find to justify the G8 citadel was to vilify all protesters, violent and non violent, as "middle class white northern males", who had nothing to say for the people of the third world.
On August 27th, 11am, on the grass outside the City Hall in Cardiff, a memorial will be unveiled to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first march of the women of Greenham Common, where nuclear armed US cruise missiles where to be based. Events include a photograph and poster exhibition, a display of banners, a video of the fence around the RAF base coming down for the last time.
Everyone welcome. Let's celebrate our victory, share our history, our tactics and practices, and plan for struggles to come. "Justice for all not only the rich!"
http://www.wfloe.fsnet.co.uk/
Greenham women are every were.
e-mail:
greenhamsculpture@hotmail.com
Homepage:
www.wfloe.fsnet.co.uk