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European noborder actions for Ahmed

nooneisillegal | 21.08.2002 22:00

Support actions for Ahmed, who was arrested during the Strasbourg border camp and had his trial today, were held in many cities. Here are the ones we heard of:

For financial solidarity to the legal fund of the Strasbourg noborder camp, send cheques to AAU à (il)legalteam, c/o CAE, 21ter rue voltaire, 75011 Paris or by international transfer: FR 763 000 4007 7800
0002 8113 825

Ahmed had asked for creative actions. Here are the reports...(not yet complete)

Berlin, 15.8. About 40 people held a solidarity rally for Ahmed in front of the French embassy.
They protested against his arrest and trial. The cops had a massive presence and their controls were a bit annoying, but a part from that they kept quiet. Speeches raised awareness of colonial justice and also pointed to people charged at other global protests, esp. Goeteborg.
 http://germany.indymedia.org/2002/08/27737.shtml

Strasbourg, 20.8. The Collective to Support Ahmed did an action to brighten up prison life at the Elsau jail. They launched red balloons, attached flags denounced prisons and the conditions inside. The action let Ahmed know, the day before his trial, that the police's attempt to criminalize him will not go unnoticed.

Vienna, 20.8. About 30 people demonstrated in front of the
French embassy to show solidarity with Ahmed Menguini, one day
before his trial at the court in Strasbourg. Three people tried to enter the embassy to demand the immediate release of Ahmed, but that did not work. The demonstration lasted for two hours.
more information (sorry: only in german):
 http://zone.noborder.org/x11/templ/news_det.php?itemid=20

London, 20.8. A wine-and-baguette picnic was set up at the French Institute. People in flowery dresses raised their glasses for a toast to freedom of expression which was difficult because their mouths were gagged. The real toast went to Ahmed and others who were charged during the noborder camp and other global protests.
 http://www.uk.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=39005&group=webcast
A benefit meal is arranged at the Radical Dairy social center.
http:/www.uk.indymedia.org
Athens, 21.8. A poster is circulating in the city, and a solidarity action is planned.
Barcelona, 21.8. 15 people assembled in front of the French consulate in solidarity with Ahmed.

Dijon, 21.8. Responding to the appeal of the noborder network, an assembly of 20 decorated the “cite judicaire” with banners, in solidarity with political prisoners and for free movement. A cage was set up, with a person inside being harrassed by a guardian to represent the enclosure, the isolation and the repression of which Ahmed has been a victim since his arrest. The street was temporarily blocked and imaginative leaflets were distributed.

Grenoble, 21.8. In front of the Tribunal, an assembly of 25 set up a stall informing about repression and the abolition of prisons. A banner on the fassade demanded the halt of all repression. Fake-magistrates and –police discussed the situation with the public and distributed leaflets. Participants of the noborder network enthusiastically explained their break with an injust justice, and pointed to Ahmed’s and other outstanding trials as well as the international character of the border camp.

Paris, 21.8: During an assembly in front of the Palais de Justice, les Sans-Papiers of the Cathedral of Saint-Denis expressed their support for Ahmed and all charged noborder activists.

Reims, 21.8. A demonstration took place in front of the sous-préfecture to protest against police exaggerations.

Rennes, 21.8. A leaflet, titled “to encarcerate means to rule better” was distributed at the market.

Strasbourg, 21.8. A public press conference was held at the quai in front of Tribunal de Strasbourg just before the trial to support the struggle against criminalisation of activists. The colourful assembly was masqued with pretty “cagoules” and flowers, and carried cardboard guns. A silent event accompanied by accordeon music and jugglers. Many journalists were present.
 http://event.indymedia.de/2002/08/165.shtml

The participants of the noborder camp at Strasbourg and all those who refuse the enclosure of their lives in the securitised space of Schengen or elsewhere will stay mobilised, until Ahmed is liberated and the procedures against him as well as others charged during the camp are stopped.

No-border in Exodus

nooneisillegal
- Homepage: www.no-borders.co.uk

Comments

Hide the following 2 comments

What happened in court?

22.08.2002 12:13

Good to hear quite a few solidarity actions happened, but does anyone know the outcome of the courtcase?

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outcome of trial

22.08.2002 15:45

yes it's linked to the benefit for Ahmed M. feature down the middle column.
click "trial results"

he got 8 months, 5 on probation, plus a bill of 380 and 350 Euro.
tried for "outrage" and "violence".
still under solitary confinement, decision to b taken in 10 days.
watch the newswire for more info.

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