A Review: Scheinheiligendamm--More exciting than soccer
by Mike Riemel
So here it is, the roundup of the G8 after a 3 days visit in Rostok on the days of 'the War' and later and after all the unbelievable media BS. Which is difficult, as a lot of details and experience add up to my conclusions. The fact again (like in Genua) 'agents provocateurs' from the police dressed as 'black block' were used, shows the level of scam you need to be aware of.
1, G8 07 was the biggest raid and mapping project on the left movement in Germany.
2, Greenpeace has cool boats, the police borrows them from sweden and Attac borrows nutshells.
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/news/g8-on-climate-change
http://www.attac.de/heiligendamm07/
3, DO NOT READ OR BELIEVE WHAT MEDIA WRITES! After the saturday 'riot' there were several lies that ALL media just shook out: the number of injured cops, the ONE burning car which made Rostock's city centre a war area. The riots were SMALL compared to any first of may in Berlin in the 90's, but the demonstration was big (50,000 people), colourfull and strong. Big props go out to the clown army and their look alikes and followers. The massive use of police force generated the images that kept thousands from not going to Rostock (14 water throwers, dozens of helicopters, almost 20,000 cops). This was the goal of the setup at the harbour: producing images that keep the millions away.
http://www.heiligendamm2007.de/
http://www.move-against-g8.de/
4, The spirit and the organisational abilities of the opposing forces are massive and beautiful. The camps and their barrios were populated by thousands of intelligent and enduring participants that wanted to express their free wills against the corrupt power politics and money dictatorship leading to a wasted earth. www.camping-07.de/
5, The art and musical activism contributed charming humor and sexiness to politics. The 'Silver Pearl' Spa-Hotel was a wonderful, functioning copy of the real Heiligendamm. Having slept there leaves me proud. Envy me.
http://www.art-goes-heiligendamm.net/
http://www.hedonist-international.org/
6, Indymedia and the free radio and video scene made a strong appearance in their two media centres. The most valuable infosource during the last weeks. Again! Respect!
http://www.dissentnetzwerk.org/wiki/ConvergenceCenterRostock
http://www.globale-filmfestival.org/
http://www.droppingknowledge.org/g8/
7, The blocking activities went quite well. But was it really something anyone cared other than phoenix, N-24 or some other mediaoutlets that filled their afternoons with footage? At least they made it in the media. And they made me proud and ashamed not to have walked through the green with them. http://www.block-g8.org/
8, The German protestants met at the same time in Cologne and tried to ride the wave from the distance. Kind of embarassing. They were probably too scared to join forces with the critics at the eastsea. Imagine another 100.000 arriving in the area! Their 'fish' logo with an extra fin (like a shark) stayed toothless though. Again. http://www.kirchentag.net/
9, The approach to use popmusic to attract the masses proved feasible again. Even though this must be considered as a cheap promo campaign organised by old popstars such as Bono/U2, Herbert Groenemeyer and Die Fantastischen Vier to stay in the media attention. No doubt: they saw poverty and at least they try. On a solidarity level I would say they steal protesting time. http://www.deine-stimme-gegen-armut.de/
10, The wonderful and proud Motor Ship MS Stubnitz lying in the Stadthafen (harbor) of Rostock did a great job in providing a cultural hide-out during the weeks of the movement. You better check it out as it is there to last... http://www.stubnitz.com/
So what now ? More than 120 million euros later the complete senselessness of the meeting of the mighties was proven right. They promise to start thinking about acting climate wise. They promise, they talk, they eat, they pose... in short they do nothing about it, as it would change the power balances. Japan will be the next having to deal with the problem G8. A good reason to book a flight now!
If you wish to see some authentic images of the above mentioned please join us on sunday night in the gallery www.foto-shop-berlin.de. Due to the exhibition titled 'Kontrolle' we will show roughly 300 images from Rostock and have a beer or 2. Sunday, 10.6.07, 21h, Foto-Shop, Brunnenstrasse 11, 1.floor
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