Feedback from Reading 25/04/07

The second UK wide anti-G8 mobilisation meeting was held in Reading on Sunday March 25th. Here is some feedback...

Feedback:

Warsaw meeting. Minutes from this meeting are on their way.

- 3 Convergence centres proposed, one in Hamburg, one in Rostock, one in Berlin. None sorted as of yet, having the same problems as were had in Scotland.

- Camp sites planned, but no set places yet. More likely to be squatted.

- Two strategies for the blockades were being discussed at this meeting. Strategy a) blockading the G8 itself. Strategy b) blockading capitalism, maybe in another city? Communication would be vital. There'll be meetings at 8.00 in communication centre's, then the communication centres will talk to each other and coordinate mass movement. (although there are not enough people doing this currently)

- The mobilisation in Germany expects people to turn up organised already. There is a need to still focus on certain elements of the logistics (i.e. transport), as it may be needed to move tens of thousands of people quickly. There is a further meeting in April (13th-15th) in Rostock. Unfortunately no-one was able to go as a delegate from the British Isle's (Addition: Though some people are going from UK I think?)

- Lots of actions have been planned, start on the 25th May with the Finance Ministers meeting. However, there is some fear, especially in Germany, as being identified as one of the 'organisers', especially around setting up blockading groups. List of events on the 'News From the Fields and Beyond' newsletter.

- There are innovative ideas surrounding the blockades coming from a group in Amsterdam. Simon to get their ideas onto the website, especially their 'barricade in a bag' instruction booklet made from bamboo and other skipped stuff.

London meeting (No Borders). About 10 people there:

- Enthusiasm for organising from London.

- Desire to coordinate between groups. No Borders are going to Germany, Rising Tide have an action planned for the 15th (not sure which month was meant, and where it was. Pretty sure it's going to be in London), Indy will be providing "live feed things", but need translators.

- Researching and collating all the callouts (will use the S.E. G8 lists to send this)

There'll be another meeting after the Rostock meeting.

London:

- RTF party on 31st March fundraising for prisoner support. There'll be a G8 infoshop during the day, which they need help with. Talk to Brian.

Working Groups:

Blockades:

- 2 general thoughts about blockades. A) Independent affinity group based blockades, and B) mass walk out/blockade (leaving early like in Scotland). Both will probably end up happening.

- We're not here to organise blockades, rather, our role is to act as an infopoint to facilitate groups who are organising blockades.

- Simon has a few documents that will get posted onto the website when it's running.

- Got a map with possible locations for protests. Simon to get more (maybe put a link on the website?

- Blockade list wasn't working properly (or may be working just no-one was using it.) Simon to look into (Addition: I believe a new one has now been set up? A link was posted on resistg82005 list a few days ago) Trauma:

- Offering support before, during and after protests. Running "well-being areas" which were at the Climate Camp and at the G8 in Scotland. There is also an email and phone number providing contact when "well-being areas" aren't being ran. They'll be at the G8 this year, and will also be at the Earth First! Gathering.

Transport:

- Two issues to be discussed. A) Travelling to Germany (go as a group or in small groups?), and B) Travelling within Germany.

- There is someone trying to sort info out about B, but he's based in the UK. Will know more after Rostock meeting. Communications:

- Not much organised. Need to wait for Rostock meeting.

Publicity:

- Everyone who wanted publicity after the first meeting got what they wanted.

Website and funding:

- No info and we don't know how to contact the key holders of these two things, although a simple website has been setup. It's a simple blog and to sign up for it you need to go to the website, fill in the registration form, get a password, and then you'll be able to post on the blog. This is now up and running.

- Money for the stickers. Agreed that M should take the money for the first run of stickers.

Afternoon sessions:

- We need to encourage others to go. Ideas for this included: Try to put the G8 in context for local groups to help them understand how 'their' issue is affected by the G8.

- Flooding the local press closer to the time.

- We need to try to get those not involved, involved.

- Also need to let those who are 'already in the know' what's been done already in preparation.

- Could put structures in place to include students, as it's right at the end of their exam period, but they may still want to come (need stuff they can plug into)

- Info tour or regional speakers? The man from Brighton to contact German man who did a talk at the Cowley Club about coming back to the UK for a proper tour. Info to be posted on the Dissent! mailing list. Tour to be possibly organised through the Social Centres Network.

Next meeting: 6-10 pm in London, being sorted for a Tuesday or Wednesday, somewhere between the middle and the end of April (but not the last weekend).

Move fast, strike harder...

Homepage: http://dissent-archive.ucrony.net/dissentnetwork/node/49

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/04/367023.html