G8 Summit: Protests in a Military Zone

Surrounded by concrete, razor-wire and heavily-policed protests, leaders of the world's largest industrial states celebrated their yearly power-fest on a secluded island off the Georgia coast. On the other side of the Atlantic, activists launched their own actions of dissent - with an eye on next year's summit in the UK.

They had to deal with heat, toxic soil, lines of riot police, and even a preemptive state of emergency. But by the end of Thursday, groups opposing the G8 Summit in Georgia claimed victory in turning the world’s eye from the meeting on lavish Sea Island to harsh reality faced by some of the other six billion world residents.

Using creative props and actions, activists marched against the costs of the Iraq war, performed environmental remediation for toxic soil created by Brunswick factories, cleaned and repaired run-down homes, and shared stories of visits with Palestinian families and their struggle to overcome Israeli occupation. Approximately 400 people representing over 35 different groups participated throughout the week long activities that also included a Fair World Fair celebration, an educational forum and panels at The Other Economic Summit (TOES), and a march against racism to empower community residents in the small southern Georgia town.

The success of the G8 protest and alternative events was shadowed by a law enforcement and military presence considered to be the most intense in United States history. To control protests, a preemptive state of emergency was announced by the Governor just days before the events, federalizing national guard troops and creating an ever-present security state. Over 10,000 federal, state and local officers were deployed on Sea Island, the secluded resort chosen as the summit venue, and in the nearby cities of Brunswick and Savannah. Coastguard boats with mounted machine guns were patrolling the Savannah River and a long stretch of double metal-mesh fences protected the only road that leads to the island, where federal agents stood guard. The security operation included concrete barriers, metal fencing, and checkpoints around key buildings. Local residents were told they would risk arrest if they participated in G8 protest events, and organizers were constantly videotaped and followed. At the gate of Sea Island and entrance to the G8 Summit, fifteen anarchists were arrested by National Guard and other police riot troops for sitting down in a street following a police escorted walk of ten miles in 100 degree temperatures.

The Ball Passes Court
Meanwhile, it has been reported that a team of senior Scottish police officers had flown out to the G8 summit in the US to study the massive security operation before next summer's meeting in Gleneagles, a resort in Perthshire. Chief superintendent Brian Powrie, the Tayside Police officer in charge of provisional planning for next year's event, led the delegation to Sea Island, and police in Scotland have predicted that up to 9,000 officers may be required to secure the area around the Gleneagles Hotel and nearby cities. Tayside and Lothian and Borders police forces have already informed staff that it will not be possible to book holidays during the two-week period in 2005.

Across the the UK, activists took action in solidarity with the G8 protesters across the pond, effectively launching the ongoing preparations for next year's summit. In Cardiff, a section of the main shopping street was reclaimed by protesters for the afternoon. Large banners were draped everywhere, hundreds of bean-burgers were cooked and given out to the public, street-theatre and music were performed, and stalls handing out anti-G8 and anti-occupation flyers were set up. In Nottingham, a “critical mass” bike ride around the city was followed, the next day, by a blockade of the oil terminal at Colwick. In Worthing, a new autonomous social centre named “23Topia” was opened in an abandoned nightclub, offering a reading room, creative space, free tea and coffee and a kids' area. Norwich and Ipswich anarchists staged protests as well as an “anti-G8 rebel football” match, while in Cambridge there was a protest followed by a well-attended public forum organised by the newly-formed Cambridge Action Network.

These and other groups are organising as part of the Dissent! network, which links anti-authoritarians around the country. Dissent! is planning a series of awareness raising events through the year and has been calling for both local and international participation. Many people and groups are now focussing on planning protests and direct action campaigns against the G8, with the next national gathering of the network planned for July 3 in Bradford.

For more details and how to get involved see http://www.dissent.org.uk
Discussion forum at http://enrager.net/features/g8/index.php
People's Golfing Association http://www.tao.ca/~wrench/dist/g8/pga.html