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The G20 in London: April 1st in Photos

Nigel Parry/Flickr Photographers | 02.04.2009 17:29 | G20 London Summit | Globalisation | Repression | Social Struggles

The April 2009 G20 in London was the scene of the first large-scale event—expected to be faced by considerable protest—since the last Fall's 2008 RNC, held in St. Paul, Minnesota. Looking at the eerie parallels between both events, one sees a pattern of globalization—not only of protest—but of preemptive police tactics and handling of protesters










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The April 2009 G20 in London was the scene of the first large-scale event—expected to be faced by considerable protest—since the last Fall's 2008 RNC, held in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Looking at the eerie parallels between both events, one sees a pattern of globalization—not only of protest—but of preemptive police tactics and handling of protesters.

  2008 RNC in St. Paul2009 G20 in LondonName of conference centerXcel CenterExcel CentreProtest "Welcoming Committee"?"RNC Welcoming Committee""G20 Meltdown Welcoming Committee"Preemptive raids & arrests?YesYesActivists charged...?With "furtherance of terrorism" under Minnesota's PATRIOT ActUnder the UK Terrorism Prevention ActConvergence Center?YesYesConvergence Center raided?YesYesPre-conference media frenzy about anarchists?YesHell YesAmount spent on securityBegins at $50 millionBegins at $29 millionLots of police?3,50010,000 Number of bank windows smashed?1Probably 10-20Number of protesters in clashesCouple of groups of 100-200 4,000Expecting continued meltdown?YesHell Yes

Confronting police states is one thing, but realizing that we may be confronting a globalizing police presence, is another. It speaks of a world that needs to change but prefers to dig in its heels and prepare for battle.

Finding creative ways to avoid lives being swept away by the snowballing financial chaos all around us, would be a better use of all of our increasingly limited public funds than excessive policing.

The first day in photos shows a diverse and largely mainstream protester cross-section, a large police presence, and initial images from the inevitable flash points.

Nigel Parry
RNC '08 Report






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(Roo Reynolds/Roo Reynolds' G20 set on Flickr)







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Nigel Parry/Flickr Photographers
- e-mail: flyingmonkeyairlines@gmail.com
- Homepage: http://rnc08report.org