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Evian G8

May 2003: Evian G8 Summit.

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Swiss Police Acquitted in Aubonne Bridge Trial

18-02-2006 13:21

Martin and Gesine outside Nyon's court with a clear message.

On the 13th, 14th, 15th of February 2006 a court case against two Swiss police officers took place in Nyon, Switzerland. Michael Deiss and Claude Poget were charged with causing bodily harm through negligence. They were in court after nearly killing climbers Martin Shaw and Gesine Wenzel during the protests against the G8 in Evian. On Friday 17 February the verdict of this private prosecution came through with an acquittal of the two policemen [Read verdict press release by Martin and Gesine]. Following this verdict, the activists announced that they will appeal against this whitewash of police violence.

In June 2003, an affinity group blockaded the Aubonne Bridge with a climbing action in order to stop a G8 delegation from reaching the summit in Evian. The police cut the climbing rope. As a result both activists were seriously injured, specially Martin Shaw who spent one month in hospital and sustained irreversible injuries. See video and a Photo strory of the event.

Other recent newswire reports: Report of day 3 of the trial | Statement by the Aubonne Support Group on the court proceedings | Activists walk out of court after verdict | Activists appeal against whitewash of police violence.

More information: Aubonne Bridge Campaign | IMC-UK Evian G8 page | PigBrother Live Show

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Having the G8 in Town Justifies Lethal Police Actions

16-11-2004 19:15

Your Cops are your Responsibility!

The judge investigating the Aubonne Bridge case has concluded that any mistakes made by the police on the bridge were "understandable" because of the stress of the G8 summit taking place nearby, and that the activists shouldn't have put themselves in such a dangerous situation. The report states that it was the activists' fault that the police cut the rope from which two climbers were suspended, whilst blockading a delegation on their way to the G8 summit in Evian in May 2003. Despite being warned by activists on the blockade that there were people hanging from it, a policeman took a knife and cut the rope causing a 20 meter fall of Martin Shaw. Fortunately he survived, but was left with very severe injuries to his back, pelvis and foot. Gesine Wenzel on the other end of the rope was saved at the last moment as activists grabbed the other end of the rope. The judge's declaration, which took 18 months to produce, seems to have been written to give "carte blanche to the police to do whatever they want without fear for any legal consequences", the activist's Swiss lawyer said. [Report]

In response to the judge's decission, the climbers of the Aubonne Bridge Action entered the Chateau in Lausanne on Friday 12th November - the seat of the government of Vaud (Switzerland) - with a banner saying "Your cops are your responsibility!". The two activists, together with supporters and the press, asked the Conseil d'Etat to accept responsibility for the actions of their police force. [Report and Pic]

Martin Shaw and Gesine Wenzel still maintain their demands:
* Charges to be brought against both the policeman who cut the rope and his senior officer.
* Compensation for injuries and loss of earnings

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Martin Shaw in Leeds: "Resisting Repression, Maintaining our right to Protest"

03-02-2004 00:00

here's the poster

Martin Shaw is the activist who narrowly escaped death when the Swiss police cut the rope he was hanging from, in an attempt to blockade delegates attending the G8 summit in Evian, eight months ago. He will be in Leeds and talk at the next Leeds EF! monthly meeting, on February 4, 19:00 at the Adelphi Pub. A video will also be projected. All welcome!

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Love and Destroy! G8 Protests In Evian, 2003

05-12-2003 14:27

No G8 in Evian The protests against the G8 Summit in Evian were strong, clear and powerful. Conferences, actions, debates and blockades took place in the entire Lac Leman area, starting from May 28 and ending on June 3rd. People converged in several alternative protest villages and took the streets in many creative and determined ways. They illustrated concerns, dissent, anger and hope, whereas the states' displayed desperate efforts to silence them by massive police forces.

Check the Imc Uk Major Reports page - it includes a full feature for every day, complete with audio/txt/pic/video links from many imc and other alternative websites, as well as background information.

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Sheffield Indymedia Radio On Air (Webcast too)

15-07-2003 09:18

Sheffield Indymedia Radio presented its second show on Tuesday 15th July between 7pm and 8pm BST.

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Martin Shaw leaves hospital after one month

06-07-2003 10:44

Aubonne Bridge- Gesine
Martin Shaw, who has been injured during a non violent direct action at the Anti-G8 Protests in Lausanne, near Evian, has been released from hospital.
In a press conference, new video material was presented, which demonstrated the neglicence of the police at the scene.



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Fallout From Recent Protests - Solidarity Update

01-07-2003 18:40

warsaw - women on waves
A noborder demo in Warsaw on June 30 ended with 16 arrests. A website with templates for appeals to authorities and more info is prepared. The demo ended a noborder conference and an International Anarchist Meeting preceding the Krynki bordercamp which starts on June 2nd.
A Financial Call for people arrested and injured during the Evian G8 Protests was sent out.
The Uk supporters for people held in prison following the EU summit in Thessaloniki are sending regular updates [Update #2 | Update #3].

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State of Emergency Imposed In Peru

31-05-2003 23:00

The anti G8 protests at Lac Leman are part of larger, world wide disagreement with governments' politics. In Peru, the "Rio-Group" (a Latin American equivalent of the G8) met last week. A wave of protests against the neoliberal politics of the Peruvian government has now developed into a mass insurrection. The President has declared a state of emergency. Reports: [Friday | update from Saturday | update from Sunday 1st of June

A Ya Basta! delegation from Italy is en route to Baghdad / Palestine, to coincide with the G8. [report][summary of saturday][summary of sunday]reports from monday[1][2][3][4]

XML UK Evian G8 Feature Archive

Image Having the G8 in town justifies lethal police actions
09-11-2004 16:22

Video g8 03 music video.
21-02-2004 01:46

Image RESISTING REPRESSION - talk & video
23-01-2004 12:24 | 1 comment

Generic media New Video & speaking tour by Martin Shaw, climber injured by swiss police
19-01-2004 12:59 | 2 comments

Text Protest Cultures
09-01-2004 22:23

Text UK Anti-G8 Gathering - Feb 7th-8th
05-01-2004 09:05 | 1 comment

Image G8 2004: The war in Savannah
16-12-2003 17:59 | 2 comments

Generic media Offline - issue 14
07-08-2003 13:15

Text Evaluation of the G8-Evian mobilization and a debate to be had on violence
01-08-2003 08:02 | 3 comments

Text Discussion document on Evian
30-07-2003 14:43

Text The 2005 G8 Summit will be held in Britain.
22-07-2003 12:04 | 5 comments

Text Sheffield Indymedia Radio tonight 7pm-8pm UTC+1
22-07-2003 10:59

Text Evian G8 Solidarity Financial Call & Legal Support Update
07-07-2003 19:12

Image The Hospitality of Swiss Police
07-07-2003 14:20 | 2 comments

Video G8 - Video Interview, New Partnership for African Development
03-07-2003 11:20 | 1 comment

Text Martin Shaw leaves hospital after one month
03-07-2003 07:47

Text Statement of Martin Shaw on leaving hospital
03-07-2003 07:28 | 5 comments

Text Protests against the policing of the G8 summit continue
28-06-2003 08:58

Text Geneva violence: Questions for Ambassador
27-06-2003 14:19

Image Geneva G8: At least 5 journalists wounded by police!
26-06-2003 03:47

Image G8: At least 6 gravely wounded by concussion grenades!
23-06-2003 20:55 | 1 comment

Image Sheffield Samba at G8 blockade
23-06-2003 19:59

Text SWISS EMBASSY IN LONDON VISITED THIS MORNING TO PROTEST POLICE BRUTALITY
23-06-2003 14:09 | 2 comments

Text Funding needed for legal action against the repression of the G8!!!
23-06-2003 13:44

Text HANGING PROTESTER ON SWIS CONSULATE DESCEND
20-06-2003 17:59

Image Pictures of Geneva, anti-g8, 1.6.2003
20-06-2003 14:32

Image pics of Lausanne demo 31.5.
20-06-2003 11:26

Text Pictures and report from Geneva protest (Oxford GR)
20-06-2003 10:52

Text thanks for your action
18-06-2003 22:46

Text another world is possible
18-06-2003 22:04

Text Swiss consulate in Barcelona occupied!!!!!
18-06-2003 13:17

Text trollyd soundsystem against the g8
18-06-2003 11:47 | 2 comments

Image Lausanne PinkNSilver photo report
09-06-2003 22:28

Text G8 Lausanne blockade photos
09-06-2003 09:11 | 1 comment

Image Swiss Consulate Occupied in Manchester
06-06-2003 17:50 | 2 comments

Text Anti-G8 Protests - Timeline of Events - Monday 02/06
06-06-2003 14:19

Text Swiss Embassy Call for Protest of the season
05-06-2003 19:22 | 4 comments

Audio audio from inside pink&silver block lausanne 01/06
04-06-2003 17:39 | 2 comments

Text link to more sunday photos
04-06-2003 12:34

Image more pix of lausanne
04-06-2003 11:29 | 1 comment

Text With love from a Black Block activist...
03-06-2003 22:44 | 12 comments

Text video of today's action
03-06-2003 21:52

Text Swiss Police Spooked by Ghost Rioters
03-06-2003 18:47

Text account of 1st June with pink n silver (and police)
03-06-2003 12:39 | 1 comment

Text Lausanne Solidarity Declaration
03-06-2003 11:36 | 7 comments

Text Report from Lausanne
03-06-2003 08:11

Text Ripples of Dissent Roll Across Geneva
03-06-2003 00:08 | 2 comments

Text pirates ahoy update
02-06-2003 20:15 | 4 comments

Text G8 Evian: WOMBLES havin' large on the streets!
02-06-2003 19:44 | 8 comments

Image pink block + others at lausanne g8 sun 1st june
02-06-2003 14:38 | 9 comments

Text Demo against water privatization planned in Geneva this afternoon
02-06-2003 12:12 | 5 comments

Text IMC UK Reporter seriously injured in Geneva
02-06-2003 10:23 | 15 comments

Text medic's account of police abuse in lausanne
02-06-2003 00:04 | 2 comments

Text Links to pics of g8 1st june
01-06-2003 23:44 | 3 comments

Text Report from the G8 Annemasse/Evian Route Actions
01-06-2003 20:45 | 2 comments

Video g8 stuff
01-06-2003 18:56

Text 17.50 Update Bourdonette / Evian
01-06-2003 16:35

Text Demonstrators Penned / Mass Arrests in Lausanne
01-06-2003 15:36 | 3 comments

Text What We're Doing in Annemasse
31-05-2003 15:55 | 1 comment

Text But is it possible? : Blockading the g8
31-05-2003 10:35 | 1 comment

Text Anti-G8 demo in Lausanne
29-05-2003 18:37 | 1 comment

Text Intergalactic g8 protest camp grows
29-05-2003 15:08 | 1 comment

Text Geneva boarded up ahead of g8 protests
28-05-2003 19:46 | 2 comments

Text AQUA BLOC LAUSANNE
28-05-2003 18:38

Text Lausanne Anti-G8
28-05-2003 17:12 | 2 comments

Text G8 in Evian/ Issues, Links, Demos
28-05-2003 14:36 | 5 comments

Text Anti-G8 Protest in Laussane
26-05-2003 19:39

Text Demostration in Lausanne
23-05-2003 09:59 | 2 comments

Text G8 - The trouble begins....
22-05-2003 12:03 | 3 comments

Text Blockades in Lausanne
21-05-2003 12:48 | 6 comments

Text %% P i n k and S i l v e r in EVIAN %%
17-05-2003 14:54 | 1 comment

Text PINK AND SILVER FOR EVIAN!
16-05-2003 16:46

Text Anti-g8 village in lausanne
14-05-2003 16:25

XML UK Evian G8 Newswire Archive