People faredodged several trains to get to the beach. However, a small holiday train was stopped by police and activists taken off it to walk for much of the way – penned in by police units. The situation at the beach was calm, peaceful and colourful, until several activists occupied a house nearby. A swift eviction was prevented by a show of solidarity of anti-G8 swimmers and the Rebel Clown Army. The Hotel’s security guards also couldn’t prevent people getting as close as to the Hotel’s walls of the future summit venue. Attempted arrests on the beach were also prevented at that time.

Only when about 180 people occupied a train leaving the beach did the police’s strategy escalate. Officers shut the coaches doors and sprayed pepperspray into the train. Children and babies were equally affected as asthma sufferers. Several people were taken from the train by riot police and one person kept in custody.

All in all, activists speak of the day as a success, despite the shocking end.