Protests outside Swiss Consulate

This morning at 10:00am, there was a demonstration outside the Swiss consulate in Portland Tower, central Manchester. They were protesting against the heavy handed tactics and brutality used by Swiss police forces at the G8 summit held last weekend in Evian.

In one incident, Martin Shaw, a British man, suffered serious injuries including a broken pelvis, two fractured vertebrae, a ruptured spleen, and two shattered ankles. Martin was one of two activists suspended from a single rope, which stretched across the carriageway in order to block traffic. Despite clear warnings not to, the police cut the rope.

Guy Smallman, of London, suffered a serious leg wound when a stun grenade exploded at his feet. He was hospitalised and required an emergency muscle graft.

Martin Shaw and Guy Smallman are currently in hospital in Switzerland. They are facing massive hospital bills due to their injuries. The protestors were demanding that all medical costs are fully covered by the Swiss government and that Martin Shaw and Guy Smallman are fully compensated.

The protestors were also demanding that the Swiss government condemns the actions of the security forces on this occasion, issues a full apology and recognises that the democratic right to protest against unaccountable global institutions is being denied by serious police repression.