Anti-G8 demo in Lausanne
Matt S | 29.05.2003 18:37 | Evian G8 | Oxford
There was the first major anti-G8 mobilisation in Lausanne today. Several thousand people took part in the legal march, including a pink-silver contingent from the c'village and a newly arrived contingent of Black Bloc.
There was the first major anti-G8 mobilisation in Lausanne today. Several thousand people took part in the legal march, including a pink-silver contingent from the c'village and a newly arrived contingent of Black Bloc.
The legal march was organised by the anti-G8 mobilisation, but it featured a wide variety of different groups. Several, such as the pink-silver and black blocs, will probably grow and take part in the blockade of Lausanne on Sunday June 1st.
While most of the marchers assembled directly in the startpoint at Lausanne, the pink-silver bloc from the c'village chose to walk into the town from their encampment. Led by an improvised but loud and enthusiastic samba band, the bloc quickly ran into the newly arrived black bloc and friends, who were marching into town from the Bourdonette camp (the official camp provided by the authorities, only a few 100 metres away from the c'village). The two united, and took to the highway for the half hour walk to the assembly point.
As soon as they arrived the heavens opened and a thunderstorm began, but everyone perservered and started up the steep hills of Lausanne. The black bloc reacted somewhat to a line of riot cops protecting the main shopping district, and it is possible (no info as yet) that there was some small property destruction. However, mostly the demo was a peaceful preparation for the blockades and legal march on Sunday.
On reaching the square the pink-silver contingent reformed (scattered by the thunderstorm!) and took the stairs of the museum, performing for the crowds below. On seeing street theatre performers dressed as the leaders of the G8, they congaed into the crowd and surrounded the evildoers...converting them with the power of samba. Tony Blair dancing was something to see!
The atmosphere in Lausanne is still peaceful, with a huge amount of space for different political groupings to contribute their input. A call has gone out for an 'Aqua' bloc (pacifist NVDA) to join the pink/silver and black blocs on Sunday..the plans are still developing, in sporadic co-ordination with Geneva and Annemasse.
DOWN WITH THE G8!
The legal march was organised by the anti-G8 mobilisation, but it featured a wide variety of different groups. Several, such as the pink-silver and black blocs, will probably grow and take part in the blockade of Lausanne on Sunday June 1st.
While most of the marchers assembled directly in the startpoint at Lausanne, the pink-silver bloc from the c'village chose to walk into the town from their encampment. Led by an improvised but loud and enthusiastic samba band, the bloc quickly ran into the newly arrived black bloc and friends, who were marching into town from the Bourdonette camp (the official camp provided by the authorities, only a few 100 metres away from the c'village). The two united, and took to the highway for the half hour walk to the assembly point.
As soon as they arrived the heavens opened and a thunderstorm began, but everyone perservered and started up the steep hills of Lausanne. The black bloc reacted somewhat to a line of riot cops protecting the main shopping district, and it is possible (no info as yet) that there was some small property destruction. However, mostly the demo was a peaceful preparation for the blockades and legal march on Sunday.
On reaching the square the pink-silver contingent reformed (scattered by the thunderstorm!) and took the stairs of the museum, performing for the crowds below. On seeing street theatre performers dressed as the leaders of the G8, they congaed into the crowd and surrounded the evildoers...converting them with the power of samba. Tony Blair dancing was something to see!
The atmosphere in Lausanne is still peaceful, with a huge amount of space for different political groupings to contribute their input. A call has gone out for an 'Aqua' bloc (pacifist NVDA) to join the pink/silver and black blocs on Sunday..the plans are still developing, in sporadic co-ordination with Geneva and Annemasse.
DOWN WITH THE G8!
Matt S
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spanish version / version en castellano
30.05.2003 00:54
spanish version / version en castellano
La manifestación legal fue organizada por la movilización contra el G8, pero participó una gran variedad de distintos grupos. Muchos, como el pink&silver y el black bloc, probablemente crezcan y participen en el bloqueo a Lausanne este domingo, 1° de junio.
Mientras la mayoría de los manifestantes se congregaron directamente en el punto de inicio en Lausanne, el bloque pink&silver de la c´village eligió caminar hacia el pueblo desde su campamento. Guiados por una improvisada pero entusiasta banda de samba, el contingente se encontró rápidamente con los recién llegados del black bloc y amigos, quienes estaban marchando hacia el pueblo desde el campamento de Bourdonette (el campamento oficial proporcionado por las autoridades a solo 100 metros del c´village). Los dos bloques juntos se dirigieron hacia la autopista en una media hora de caminata hasta el punto de reunión.
Ni bien llegaron el cielo se abrió iniciando una tormenta eléctrica, pero todos perseveraron y comenzaron la subida a las empinadas lomas de Lausanne. El black bloc reaccionó ante una formación de policías anti-disturbios que protegían el principal centro comercial, y es posible (nada de información por ahora) el que haya ocurrido algunos pequeños hechos de destrucción de propiedad. Aunque, principalmente la marcha fue una preparación pacífica para los bloqueos y marcha legal del domingo.
Al llegar a la plaza el grupo pink@silver se reorganizó (desparramados por la tormenta eléctrica!) y tomó las escaleras del museo, actuando para las masas debajo.Viendo los artistas del teatro callejero vestidos como los líderes del G8, they congaed into the crowd and surrounded the evildoers...convirtiendolos con el poder del samba. Tony Blair bailando fue algo para ver!
La atmósfera en Lausanne se mantiene pacífica, con una enorme cantidad de espacio para que diferentes grupos políticos contribuyan con su ímpetu. Se ha hecho una llamada a un bloque "Agua" (de acción directa no violenta) para unirse al bloque rosa y el bloque negro el domingo.. los planes todavía se están desarrollando, en esporádica coordinación con Geneva y Annemasse
ABAJO EL G8!
Libertino y Sorgin
Homepage:
http://uruguay.indymedia.org/news/2003/05/14487.php