The police showed regular interest in the hall and seemed a little shocked when the satellite kit was unloaded - "what's this, it looks like communications equipment?!" they also threatened to use section 44 of the terrorism act on that occasion, and later did use it against people seting up the access point.
There were some quite sublime moments, such as the time when GR began dismantling their big orange cardboard tank to carry it outside the hall and load it into a van... the forward intelligence team (FIT) officers began reporting furiously into their radio and taking notes, and before you could say 'threat to national security', two riot vans were on the scene, a police helicopter hovered above the hall and a senior police officer visited in person to check on the situation - excessive policing - nah!
It was a great learning experience, made all the more exciting by the participation of imc'istas from local collectives around the country, as well as those abroad who ensured reports filtered to other indymedias around the world. The next time something big like this comes along we'll be even better prepared, and can set up a much bigger fully functioning media centre.
Well done everyone!
Do Indymedia!
Comments
Hide the following 4 comments
great work imc
13.09.2003 19:36
radged
thanks for the bed!!
15.09.2003 13:23
such a close location was excellent so we could get up early and harass the delegates. people that buy arms get up early, the bastards!
oxymoron: peaceful terrorist
sleeping space was not down to indy...
17.09.2003 09:06
indymedia just had the use of the side room where the computers were set up for the access point. the access point facilities were open roughly 8am ish to 8pm ish during the day - there was also a photo desk operation at the front door during those hours, but the use of the hall for accomodation was down to other groups organisation, and not indy.
clarification
You Rock!!
19.09.2003 19:48
Alice