Actions against Nato meeting, update 31/1/
- | 31.01.2002 16:18
Thousands of protesters are expected to converge on Munich on the weekend 1st -3rd February, as another "Conference on Security Policy" is held in the German city.
latest update: Thursday 31 January, 16:15
latest update: Thursday 31 January, 16:15
Thursday 31 january
All planned demonstrations and rallies against the Nato meeting were prohibited by the city council today, although on questionable legal grounds. Activist groups and NGOs are trying to challenge the prohibition legally.
Nevertehless, the actions are going ahead.
This morning, an established, legal infoshop - which was going to serve as infopoint during the days of action - was raided by police.
Generally, the run-up to the events has included wide-spread attempts of intimidation and repression by the Munich city council and the police. All infrastructure, such as sleeping places for the expected thousands of protesters, infopoints etc. was blocked or cancelled due to government pressure. The venue for a benefit gig was told it may face closure if the gig went ahead, each and every attempt to mobilise for the protests has been facing the risk of legal consequences. Known activists were "warned" in letters or by telephone calls not to take part in demonstrations. Freedom of speech, movement and assembly are heavily restricted. The local media have played the well-known role of stirring up fear of "violence" by "leftwing extremists", who allegedly want to make Munich a "second Genoa". Thereby they have tried their best to justify heavy-handed police actions, a ban on protests and a criminalisation of protesters. They have effectively turned reality upside down by accusing anti-war protesters - and not the generals and army officials meeting in Munich - of "violence".
All planned demonstrations and rallies against the Nato meeting were prohibited by the city council today, although on questionable legal grounds. Activist groups and NGOs are trying to challenge the prohibition legally.
Nevertehless, the actions are going ahead.
This morning, an established, legal infoshop - which was going to serve as infopoint during the days of action - was raided by police.
Generally, the run-up to the events has included wide-spread attempts of intimidation and repression by the Munich city council and the police. All infrastructure, such as sleeping places for the expected thousands of protesters, infopoints etc. was blocked or cancelled due to government pressure. The venue for a benefit gig was told it may face closure if the gig went ahead, each and every attempt to mobilise for the protests has been facing the risk of legal consequences. Known activists were "warned" in letters or by telephone calls not to take part in demonstrations. Freedom of speech, movement and assembly are heavily restricted. The local media have played the well-known role of stirring up fear of "violence" by "leftwing extremists", who allegedly want to make Munich a "second Genoa". Thereby they have tried their best to justify heavy-handed police actions, a ban on protests and a criminalisation of protesters. They have effectively turned reality upside down by accusing anti-war protesters - and not the generals and army officials meeting in Munich - of "violence".
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