Resistance has been flaring up against George W. Bush's visit to Europe. Tens of thousands of people are protesting against the US government's appalling human rights record, their "war on terror" and their disregard for international agreements. Moreover they are protesting against Bush as one of the most prominent representatives of neoliberal capitalism, which is tied to big business and is spread around the globe by violent means.

In the German capital Berlin, protests started with a 70,000-strong peaceful demonstration on Tuesday May 21st. On Wednesday, tens of thousands of people took part in a variety of demonstrations and actions, with loud and colourful crowds moving all over downtown Berlin. The festive atmosphere became more tense in the evening as police attacked parts of the crowd at 'Schlossplatz' square. Thousands of people were violently driven away from the 'red zone' with water cannons and baton-charges. There were many injuries and a number of arrests. Angry protesters put up barricades and smashed a few shop windows.

On Thursday several thousand people took part in a colourful Reclaim The Streets party and a funny demonstration of cowboys and cowgirls. Both crowds were repeatedly attacked by police using heavy-handed tactics to arrest anyone they could get.

Demonstrations against Bush's visit and against the German government's participation in the 'war on terror' also took place in more than 50 other German towns and cities.

In response to dissent on the streets, Berlin saw the biggest deployment of police since World War II. Both the city council and the federal government made clear that where the comfort of a US president is concerned, the people’s civil rights come second. A 'red zone' was declared around the goverment area. The mainstream media had predicted large-scale rioting by protesters during weeks of misinformation in the run-up to the events, and had thereby justified both the enormous police presence and violent police tactics.

Indymedia Germany once again countered media misinformation with detailed breaking news of the actions as they happened, and with live web radio.

Find detailed accounts of events as well as lots of pictures and videos on Indymedia Germany
Feature "Bush visit overshadows peaceful demonstrations" (in german)
Feature "Bush in Berlin" (in german, background of the protests)
Report from Tuesday demonstration
Pictures Wednesday afternoon 1
Pictures Wednesday afternoon 2
Pictures Wednesday afternoon/evening
Pictures Wednesday evening 1
Pictures Wednesday evening 2
Pictures RTS (Thursday) 1
Pictures RTS (Thursday) 2
Pictures Cowboys and Cowgirls (Thursday)