[mgj-discuss] Fwd: Block G8 Campaign Looking for Support

[Orin Langelle]

>Envelope-to: langelle at globaljusticeecology.org
>Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2007 08:08:21 -0700
>Subject: Block G8 Campaign Looking for Support
>From: Beth Burrows <beb at igc.org>
>X-ELNK-Trace: 
>4b97150216cc9cd6aebdf679a68b637919a26451eb12d617834882943031868f350badd9bab72f9c350badd9bab72f9c350badd9bab72f9c350badd9bab72f9c
>X-Originating-IP: 4.243.61.225
>
>To global civil society: groups, networks, 
>institutions, individuals, organisations and 
>initiatives of the left,
>
>As you may well already be aware, the G8 (Group 
>of Eight most powerful nations) will be meeting 
>from 6-8 June, 2007, in Heiligendamm on 
>Germany's Baltic Sea. As in previous years, 
>protest and resistance is planned! We would like 
>to invite you to get involved.
>
>The G8 is an institution without democratic or 
>political legitimacy. It promotes the unjust 
>world trade policies that ensure over 800 
>million people are chronically malnourished. 
>They stand for liberalisation, privatisation and 
>tougher immigration laws. The G8 states are the 
>primary producers of CO2 emissions, responsible 
>for catastrophic climate change. They are the 
>world's largest exporters of weapons and are in 
>favour of a renaissance of nuclear energy.
>
>Against the G8 and the neoliberal form of 
>capitalism for which they stand, we - the Block 
>G8 network - are planning to blockade their 
>summit as an act of civil disobedience. We are 
>trade unionists, members of attac, environmental 
>organizations, socialist youth groups, 
>counter-globalisation activists, Green Party 
>Youth members, groups and networks from the 
>radical-left, internationalist organisations, 
>the anti-nuclear (CASTOR) movement, autonomous 
>anti-fascist groups, Christian organizations and 
>non-violent action groups.
>
>Our plan is to organise mass, open and 
>transparent blockades of the G8 summit in which 
>everyone can participate, and which aim to cut 
>the Summit off from the infrastructure on which 
>it relies. Our aim is to articulate a clear 
>'No!' to the G8. To do so, we need your support. 
>There are many forms that this can take.
>
>HOW TO GET INVOLVED
>*Sign the declaration of support, lending your 
>name to the Campaign by either filling out and 
>returning the form below, or by emailing the 
>same information to info at block-g8.org. We will 
>publicise your support for our Campaign on our 
>website. Please ask others to sign up too!
>
>*Help publicise the Campaign. Mention the 
>Campaign in any publications or websites you are 
>involved with, or at events you organise. 
>Distribute posters, leaflets, stickers, badges 
>and t-shirts publicising the Campaign (all 
>available from our office address above). Link 
>your website to ours. Web-banners are available 
>from www.block-g8.org. Organise Info events or 
>action trainings near you. We are happy to help 
>out!
>
>*Make a Donation to the Campaign. Every small 
>donation helps us cover our enormous costs which 
>include printing publicity materials, renting 
>office space, covering phone bills and 
>organising Info Tours. Our account details are 
>at the bottom of this letter. Donations can also 
>be made via a PayPal button on our website.
>
>*Get more directly involved in the Campaign. You 
>can find out about the Block G8 network group 
>closest to you by emailing: info at block-g8.org
>
>*And last but not least: Come to Heiligendamm in 
>June and help us shut the Summit down.
>
>We are enclosing, with this letter, a copy of 
>the call for mass blockades of the G8 Summit. If 
>you have any further questions, queries or 
>concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch 
>with us at the above address.
>
>
>Yours in solidarity,
>
>for the Block G8 Network
>
>Pedram Shayar
>(Attac Germany)
>
>Hanna Poddig
>(X-tausendmal quer, Anti-Nuclear-Movement)
>
>Christoph Kleine
>(Interventionistist Left)
>
>---------------------------------------------------------------
>I/my 
>group/network/institution/organisation/initiative 
>support the Block G8 network's call for 
>blockades of the G8 Summit at Heiliegendamm, 
>Germany in June 2007.
>
>Name of individual/group, etc.:_______________________________________
>
>Brief description:__________________________________________________
>
>Location (town, city, country):_____________________________________
>
>Website:__________________________________________________________
>
>Contact Info. (will not be published!):__________________________________
>
>_________________________________________________________________
>
>ACCOUNT FOR DONATIONS // Account Name: Block G8 
>// Account No.: 400 870 0801 // Sort Code (BLZ): 
>430 609 67 // Bank Name: GLS Gemeinschaftsbank 
>// IBAN: DE38 4306 0967 4008 7008 01
>
>
>
>CONTACT DETAILS: Block G8 Campaign // 
>Nernstweg32 // 22765 Hamburg // Germamy // 
>info at block-g8.org // www.block-g8.org
>
>
>
>THE 'BLOCK G8' CAMPAIGN CONCEPT FOR A MASS 
>BLOCKADE OF THE G8 SUMMIT IN HEILIGENDAMM
>On June 6 2007, we want to - and will - 
>massively and effectively blockade the opening 
>of the G8 Summit, the meeting of the heads of 
>government of the world's 8 most powerful 
>states, in Heiligendamm, near Rostock in Germany.
>
>With blockades of civil disobedience in which 
>thousands of people from different political, 
>social and cultural backgrounds can participate, 
>we will express a unmistakable 'NO!' against the 
>G8. A radical 'NO!' which cannot be ignored. A 
>public, offensive and practical expression of 
>the lack of legitimacy of the G8 and their 
>policies of neoliberal, globalised capitalism; 
>of wars; of social and racist exclusion; and of 
>environmental destruction. We will actively 
>disrupt the G8, occupying and blockading the 
>streets required by the diplomats, translators 
>and supply vehicles to reach Heiligendamm. We 
>want to practically and effectively stop the 
>Summit and cut it off from its infrastructure.
>
>The central expression of our blockade will be 
>to show that thousands of highly diverse people 
>have decided, together, to personally - and with 
>their bodies - blockade the Summit. Many will 
>announce their participation in the blockade 
>publicly, showing their names and faces. 
>Regardless of how and where we arrive at the 
>camps and on the streets around Heiligendamm, we 
>have a common project: One mass blockade with 
>diverse cultural articulations. Those not 
>organised in groups - and without blockading 
>experience - will also be able to participate 
>and receive the solidarity of others. There will 
>be no limits to our creativity. We see the 
>connection between the functionality and 
>political articulation of the mass blockade as 
>important. The 'Überflüssigen' ( i.e. 'The 
>Superfluous' - a direct action group who have 
>been visible in many of the social protests in 
>Germany over the past few years) with their red 
>sweatshirts and white face-masks have already 
>announced their intended presence, rebel clowns 
>will also be there, as will samba drummers. 
>Colourful does not mean black, but black belongs 
>to colourful.
>
>We come from the environmental and anti-nuclear 
>movement; the counter-globalisation networks and 
>the radical left; from non-violent action groups 
>and antifascist milieu; from political party and 
>trade union youth organisations and church 
>groups. We want to bring our diverse blockading 
>experience at anti-nuclear waste (CASTOR) 
>transports, anti-war actions, nazi 
>demonstrations and previous summit protests 
>together in Heiligendamm - as a powerful and 
>determined mass action with
>thousands of people and the methods of civil disobedience.
>
>Our objective is to blockade. Therefore, we will 
>overcome the police's barriers; pushing them out 
>of the way, going around them, or cannily 
>flowing through them. We will not allow 
>ourselves to be stopped, distracted, or to get 
>embroiled in the police's possible strategy of 
>escalation. Our objective is to reach our 
>blockading destinations. Our protection is our 
>concept of diversity, mass participation and 
>desired
>(media and other) publicity. We need sleeping 
>bags and everything required for 24 hours on the 
>blockades. There are lots of people who will 
>simply sit down and blockade the street with 
>their bodies. In addition, there are people who 
>will remain standing, linking arms in chains and 
>using foam and balloons to protect their bodies. 
>Some will push back against those attempting an 
>eviction, to make it more difficult for them. 
>All these different blockade forms will show 
>solidarity with each other and will not endanger 
>one another. We will remain together and hold 
>our common position. Through the means of civil 
>disobedience, we will resist by showing 
>solidarity. We do not want to injure anyone. We 
>will effectively and enduringly blockade the 
>Summit.
>
>GET INVOLVED WITH 'BLOCK G8'
>
>Register in your media and/or in a 'Declaration 
>of Intent' that you support the 'Block G8' 
>campaign. Produce publicity for 'Block G8', 
>organise events and collect supporters.
>
>Build blockade groups locally and prepare for 
>the Summit. Be creative and organise action 
>trainings. The better prepared, the more 
>effective the blockade.
>
>If you are not sure if you will find the time to 
>take part in the blockades of the G8 Summit, 
>declare your solidarity with the actions of the 
>'Block G8' campaign and support us with a 
>donation.
>
>The 'Block G8' campaign is one of many concepts 
>for blockading the G8 which we support in their 
>different action forms in different locations 
>around Heiligendamm. We will, therefore, share 
>responsibility for co-ordinating the overall 
>choreography of blockading activities.
>
>www.block-g8.org
>info at block-g8.org
>
>+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
>THE CALL>>>>>>>>>>
>
>BLOCK G8
>MOVE. BLOCK. STAY.
>At the beginning of June 2007, the heads of 
>state and government of the eight largest 
>economic powers will come together for the G8 
>Summit in Heiligendamm near Rostock. As an act 
>of civil disobedience, we will blockade this 
>Summit. Our reason: The politics of the G8 stand 
>for neoliberal, globalised capitalism, which 
>dramatically increases the gap between the rich 
>and poor worldwide. With the 'Block G8' 
>campaign, we say 'No!' and reject the legitimacy 
>of the G8! Different initiatives and movements 
>are calling for resistance to the Summit. People 
>from around the globe will articulate their 
>protest through a diverse range of actions. The 
>'Block G8' campaign is one part of this. Take 
>part in the protest actions and take a stand 
>against the politics of the G8!
>
>RESISTANCE AGAINST THE G8 - FOR A GLOBALISATION FROM BELOW
>In June 2007, the voice of the powerful will not 
>be the only one to be heard: Tens of thousands 
>of people from around the globe will gather to 
>demonstrate against the G8 and to take action 
>together. Almost every milieu of the 
>globalisation-critical movement have been called 
>upon to protest. The other world will make its 
>voice loud and clear and stand up for a 
>globalisation from below: for equal rights; for 
>political and cultural rights for all 
>human-beings; for the right to global freedom of 
>movement; for the responsible use of natural 
>resources worldwide; for the guaranteeing of 
>public spaces and goods; and for global social 
>justice.
>
>MASS AND LASTING BLOCKADES - WE'VE COME, AND WE'RE HERE TO STAY!
>The 'Block G8' campaign are organising blockades 
>as an action of civil disobedience in which 
>thousands of people from different political, 
>social and cultural backgrounds can take part. 
>Together, through these actions, we articulate a 
>clear 'No!' towards the G8. In doing so, 
>however, we will not only demonstrate; we will 
>actively block the G8 and the access roads to 
>the conference centre over which the staff of 
>diplomats, translators and service providers 
>need to pass in order to get to Heiligendamm. We 
>will not leave these access roads voluntarily, 
>because our action is not intended to remain 
>symbolic. We want to actually and effectively 
>block the G8 Summit and cut it off from its 
>infrastructure: We've come, and we're here to 
>stay!
>
>During the actions, we want to create a 
>situation which is transparent for all the 
>blockaders and in which the participants in the 
>action show solidarity by taking care and 
>supporting each other. Everybody needs to take 
>responsibility for the success of powerful and 
>decided blockades and mutually respect the 
>borders and the protest cultures of all the 
>participants. Potential police brutality, for 
>example during the eviction of a blockade, has 
>to be resisted, together, by showing solidarity 
>and using the methods of civil disobedience.
>
>TOGETHER AGAINST THE G8 SUMMIT
>Behind the concept of the mass blockades there 
>are groups, organisations and individuals 
>belonging to: the environmental and anti-nuclear 
>movement; the globalisation-critical networks 
>and the radical left; from non-violent action 
>and autonomous antifascist groups; from the 
>youth-wing of political parties and trade 
>unions, as well as church groups. We bring 
>diverse blockade experiences with us: from the 
>anti-nuclear waste (CASTOR) transports in the 
>Wendland (in North Germany), from the successful 
>blockades of neo-nazi marches in Berlin, Kiel 
>and Leipzig, from the 'Resist' campaign against 
>the Iraq war, and from the protests against 
>previous G8 summits.
>
>The 'Block G8' campaign understands itself as a 
>part of a broad societal resistance against the 
>G8. The mass blockades, therefore, will fit in 
>with the other actions and demonstrations and be 
>agreed upon with other groups and initiatives. 
>Our actions build on the summit protests of 
>previous years. In 1999 at the protests against 
>the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Seattle it 
>was possible, for the first time, through mass 
>blockades and other actions, to delay the 
>conference's opening ceremony for hours - an 
>event which resonated throughout the world and 
>marked the arrival of the globalisation-critical 
>movement. With the actions in Seattle, the first 
>cracks in the project of neoliberal 
>globalisation were shown. Let's enlarge these 
>cracks together in
>Heiligendamm!
>
>EVERYONE CAN TAKE PART! THERE ARE DIFFERENT POSSIBILITIES:
>Declare your participation in the 'Block G8' 
>campaign. Already, ahead of the Summit, we want 
>to generate pressure against the G8 through 
>thousands of declarations of intent. We want 
>thousands of people to declare, as far as 
>possible, that they will take part in the 
>blockades in June 2007.
>
>State your solidarity. If you already know that 
>you cannot go to Heiligendamm, express your 
>solidarity with the blockaders by signing this 
>declaration of solidarity. Form local groups and 
>prepare, together, for blockades in 
>Heiligendamm. The success of the blockades 
>depend, amongst other things, on well-prepared 
>groups and individuals. We offer trainings for 
>action groups. Get in touch. Organise events 
>near you. We will happily come and explain about 
>the G8, to report on the idea behind
>the 'Block G8' campaign, to give an impression 
>of the state of preparations and the possibility 
>for taking part in actions.
>
>MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT: WWW.BLOCK-G8.ORG
>
>THE G8 SUMMITS ARE A SYMBOL. They serve those in 
>government as a demonstration of their power. 
>Their news reports: There is no alternative to 
>the new world order. With our action, we want to 
>clearly reject the apparent lack of alternatives.
>
>AT THE G8 SUMMIT, POLITICS ARE CONCRETELY MADE 
>AND COORDINATED; a politics in which the 
>interests of big business and financial 
>investors are central. Around the globe, the 
>dramatic division between the rich and the poor 
>is worsened; accompanied by the widespread 
>dismantling of social and democratic rights. 
>When the G8 talk about debt relief and aid 
>programmes for the poor, they remain silent 
>about the fact that hunger, poverty and 
>indebtedness are the result of neoliberal, 
>globalised capitalism. The politics of the G8 
>lead to the unabated destruction of the basic 
>requirements for human life, secures the access 
>of a few states to the majority of resources, 
>and is ultimately imposed through wars.
>
>THE G8 IS AN INSTITUTION WITHOUT LEGITIMACY.
>It is a Club of the governments of only eight 
>states which arrogates to make decisions that 
>affect the lived realities of people around the 
>world. It is not about different policies being 
>formulated at the G8 summits; far more it is 
>about calling into question and rejecting the 
>legitimacy of the G8 and its politics in general.
>
>SUPPORT US WITH A DONATION
>Preparing and seeing through blockades costs a 
>lot of money: The printing of this flyer and 
>other materials, action trainings, office costs, 
>infrastructure during the actions and much more 
>- Whether 5, 10, 25, 50 Euros or (gladly) more - 
>every donation helps us to say, together with 
>you, 'No!' to the G8.
>
>ACCOUNT FOR DONATIONS
>Account Name: Block G8
>Account No.: 400 870 0801
>Sort Code (BLZ): 430 609 67
>Bank Name: GLS Gemeinschaftsbank
>
>IBAN: DE38 4306 0967 4008 7008 01
>
>
>THE 'BLOCK G8' CAMPAIGN ARE:
>*X-tausendmal quer [Anti-nuclear civil disobedience network]
>*IG Metal (Trade Union) Youth Dessau
>*AVANTI - Project for an undogmatic left
>*BUKO - Federal Coordination for Internationalism
>*Antifascist Left Berlin
>*BASTA! Left Youth Lübeck
>*BUNDjugend [Youth Federation for the Protection of Nature and the
>Environment]
>*AKU Wiesbaden [Environmental Working Group Wiesbaden]
>*Fantômas magazine editors
>*IG Metal (Trade Union) Youth Halle
>*Antifa-KOK Düsseldorf and Area
>*Münster Institute for Theology and Politics
>*Green Party Youth Federal Steering Committee
>*Radical Left Nürnberg
>*Interventionist Left
>*IG Metal (Trade Union) Youth Berlin
>*['solid] - the socialist youth
>*Antifascist Left International Göttingen
>*Workshop for Non-violent Action Baden
>*Activists from attac
>*Junge Linke.PDS Sachsen [Left Party.PDS (Youth) Sachsen]
>*Pax Christi - Commission for Global Economy, Ecology and Social Justice
>*Kairos Europa
>*FelS (Für eine linke Strömung) Berlin [FelS (For a leftwing Current) Berlin]
>*Organisierte Linke Karlsruhe [Organised Left Karlsruhe]
>*Vereinte Linke Laustiz [United Left Lausitz]
>*Anti-G8 Plattform München [Anti-G8 Platform Munich]
>*AK Interntationalismus München
>*Freitagskafe München
>*solid.org - Organisierung linker Basisgruppen [solid.org - Organisation of
>leftwing grassroots groups]
>*Gipfelsoli Infogruppe [Summit Solidarity Info Group]
>*Sozialistische Jugend - die Falken LV Berlin [Socialist Youth - the Falken
>Berlin]
>*IG BAU - Ortsverband Hamburg-Nord [Industrial Trade Union for
>Construction, Agriculture and Environment - Hamburg North, Local Union]
>*Widerstandsgruppe Worms-Wonnengau (WWW) [Resistance Group
>Worms-Wonnengau (WWW)]
>*['solid] Nidersachsen
>*Autonome Jugendantifa Nürnberg (AJA) [Autonomous Youth Antifa Nürnberg
>(AJA)]
>*IG Metall (Trade Union) Youth Erfurt
>*Antifa-Soest
>*Social Forum Saar
>*Pax Christi Trier
>*Ecumenical Network Rhein-Mosel-Saar
>*Free4alternatives
>*six hills berlin
>*IG Metall (Trade Union) Youth Wolfsburg
>*resist! - Zentralplattform für Halls kritische 
>Jugend [resist! - Central Platform for Halls 
>Critical Youth]
>*XminusY Solidarity Fund (Netherlands)
>*R.I.P.-G8 (Resistance et Information sur Paris contre le G8)
>*Information Guerrilla
>*Antifa Freiberg
>*G-Kommune
>*SCALP Lyon
>*Autonome Gipfelblockade
>*A SEED Europe
>*HEMEN ETA MUNDUAN
>
>*The Left - Network of Univeristy Groups
>
>*AK-Plakat Frankfurt am Main
>
>*Dissent!Netherlands
>
>*The Free Association
>
>*The CommonPlace Social Centre, Leeds
>
>*MSB Spartakus, Duesseldorf
>
>*Turbulence: Ideas for movement
>
>*Notes from Nowhere
>
>*Attac Campus Leipzig
>
>*Antifascist Action Lueneburg/Uezen
>
>*Klassenlos
>
>*Open Civil Disobedience (OzU)
>
>*Zytoplassma
>
>*Hedonist International
>
>*Nuernberg Social Forum
>
>*JAPS Jena
>
>*Network for Political and Social Rights, Greece
>
>*Heidelberg Peace Council
>
>*Rythems of Resistance Samba Band, Cologne
>
>*Rotenburg/Wuemme Attac Group
>
>*societyfortheblind
>
>*London No Borders
>
>*MayDay007 perparatory group, Vienna
>
>*Revolte
>
>*Attac Campus Bochum
>
>*red[in]action
>
>*Vrij Media Collectief
>
>*International Opponents of Military Service
>
>*mayday 2007 berlin coalition
>
>*Rote Front Köln