London: Protest against G8 Evian Police Brutality, 23 june 2003
allsorts | 23.06.2003 17:31
As part of an international day of action against Swiss Embassies and Consulates around the world, a small (but perfectly formed) group of mixed pink and silver and black paid a visit to the Swiss Embassy in London this morning, Monday 23rd June 2003. We went there to voice our outrage at the political repression and police brutality during the recent G8 meeting in Evian.
ACTION
Two of the group managed to push past the already alerted but unsure security guards and through two doors to get into the main reception area where they made themselves comfortable and demanded to see the consul general.
He duly came down and for the next half an hour we complained and discussed and presented our demands and asked questions some more and disagreed a lot, and eventually handed over our letter.
After reading it carefully the Consul General Mr Ulrich Huhn promised to fax it over to the big Swiss bosses today and to write a response (at some point god knows when). We then called Martin at Hospital in Switzerland and put him on the phone to the Mr Huhn to chat. All very Swiss and British and civilised I guess but we were glad to have been able to have personalised it for him even if only a little.
Meanwhile, outside the building, the more colourful elements of the protest were talking to, and leafleting, both staff and passers by. They were also sending numerous messages on colourful placards to all [see photos to be added later] including Martin and Guy, and all in Barcelona (for their amazing solidarity actions there in the past weeks), the Argentinean Autonomistas and the Zapatistas and the Palestinians, as well as questioning Swiss neutrality etc.
Our banner read: "We demand the right to protest: without police brutality"
Once we finished at the embassy we went down to the Swiss Centre in Leicester Square that houses the Swiss Tourism Office. Once inside we spent time leafleting and chatting to staff, warning would be tourists there about the safety of Switzerland and checking out their offices and desks a little as well. After asking them to send their complaints about our unexpected and unwelcome visit to the Swiss Government and letting them know to expect regular visits until our demands are met - we left with more ideas as to how to be more effective next time.
CONTACTS
Read a copy of the letter presented to the Swiss Federal Government, and the Cantonal Seats of Vaud and Geneva.
More info and to arrange comment or interviews from Martin Shaw, call 00 41 (0) 787413116, or email
groupe.aubonne@lobbyist.com
More info and comment from independent journalist Guy Smallman, contact 0044 (0) 2077357055
Exclusive and unexclusive pictures and video available. These include pictures from Aubonne Bridge climbing action, Guy Smallman's shooting, and pictures of their injuries... contact groupe.aubonne@lobbyist.com or call 0041 (0) 787413116
Two of the group managed to push past the already alerted but unsure security guards and through two doors to get into the main reception area where they made themselves comfortable and demanded to see the consul general.
He duly came down and for the next half an hour we complained and discussed and presented our demands and asked questions some more and disagreed a lot, and eventually handed over our letter.
After reading it carefully the Consul General Mr Ulrich Huhn promised to fax it over to the big Swiss bosses today and to write a response (at some point god knows when). We then called Martin at Hospital in Switzerland and put him on the phone to the Mr Huhn to chat. All very Swiss and British and civilised I guess but we were glad to have been able to have personalised it for him even if only a little.
Meanwhile, outside the building, the more colourful elements of the protest were talking to, and leafleting, both staff and passers by. They were also sending numerous messages on colourful placards to all [see photos to be added later] including Martin and Guy, and all in Barcelona (for their amazing solidarity actions there in the past weeks), the Argentinean Autonomistas and the Zapatistas and the Palestinians, as well as questioning Swiss neutrality etc.
Our banner read: "We demand the right to protest: without police brutality"
Once we finished at the embassy we went down to the Swiss Centre in Leicester Square that houses the Swiss Tourism Office. Once inside we spent time leafleting and chatting to staff, warning would be tourists there about the safety of Switzerland and checking out their offices and desks a little as well. After asking them to send their complaints about our unexpected and unwelcome visit to the Swiss Government and letting them know to expect regular visits until our demands are met - we left with more ideas as to how to be more effective next time.
CONTACTS
Read a copy of the letter presented to the Swiss Federal Government, and the Cantonal Seats of Vaud and Geneva.
More info and to arrange comment or interviews from Martin Shaw, call 00 41 (0) 787413116, or email
groupe.aubonne@lobbyist.com More info and comment from independent journalist Guy Smallman, contact 0044 (0) 2077357055
Exclusive and unexclusive pictures and video available. These include pictures from Aubonne Bridge climbing action, Guy Smallman's shooting, and pictures of their injuries... contact
groupe.aubonne@lobbyist.com or call 0041 (0) 787413116
allsorts