[g8-sheffield] even we get it wrong urgent please read and act..

[worldwarfree at riseup.net]

More on the G8 in Sheffield in June. This article by the Yorkshire Post has some
interesting info....

Sheffield chaos fears in G8 summit clampdown

 http://www.yorkshiretoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=55&ArticleID=978551

Paul Whitehouse

The city centre of Sheffield could be plunged into chaos by watertight security
arrangements planned for the three-day G8 summit of the world's richest nations
between May 15 and 17. Police have so far refused to go into detail about the
effect of their arrangements to safeguard Ministers while in Sheffield.

However, it has emerged that a section of the city centre will be effectively
closed down while one high-profile meeting takes place.

The Lyceum Theatre has cancelled an evening show following discussions with
police and Sheffield Council and it is understood several roads in the area,
including Surrey Street and Norfolk Street, will be sealed off. The scale of
the security arrangements became apparent when Lyceum officials told Woodseats
Musical Group that the premises would not be available for one evening of its
six-night run planned for May. The semi-professional group has sunk £52,000
into the production and says the decision could potentially cost it £18,000 in
lost ticket sales.

That could leave the group struggling to break even. Spokesman Alan Brailey
said: "They have said they are closing the theatre because an event for the G8
will be held nearby.

"We asked why they were closing and they said they were not prepared to take the
risk. "Our costs remain the same, however. The scenery is costing £5,000 and the
costumes £6,000 but we don't get a sixth of that back because we are losing a
show."

The group is now checking whether they have any right to compensation because of
problems caused by the G8. It is expected the Home Office will meet the cost of
the security operation for the summit, though they were still in discussions
with South Yorkshire Police.

Other traffic restrictions in the area are also expected, the authorities having
to guard against both the threat from terrorism and from protesters.

People planning protests are already using the Internet to exchange information.
Officially, police will not comment even to confirm which areas of Sheffield
will be used for G8 meetings. It is likely, though, that other meetings will
take place in the city centre and that similar restrictions will be imposed.

All leave for South Yorkshire officers has been cancelled for the period foreign
dignitaries will be in Sheffield, confirming the force will be working to its
maximum capacity.

The summit was arranged while Brightside MP David Blunkett was serving as Home
Secretary and the decision to host the event in Sheffield was regarded as a
major coup for the city. The G8 countries are the world's most influential
powers and are: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain, the United
States and Russia.

Sheffield will host a meeting of home affairs and justice ministers, the
international equivalents of Britain's Home Secretary, making the event an
obvious target for terrorists. One role of G8 countries is to work together to
try to minimise the threat from terrorism by introducing tighter security.

A South Yorkshire force spokesman said: "We are working to ensure all the
gatherings of home affairs and justice ministers pass off smoothly and with the
best possible security and safety, as would be the objective with any large-
scale event.

"In terms of the detail of how we will achieve that, I am not at liberty to say.
"Given the fact that senior ministers will be in Sheffield on those dates, then
clearly we have a duty and an obligation to safeguard their ability to take
part in the Government-organised discussions that will be taking place," he
said.


23 March 2005

from here http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/sheffield/2005/04/308895.html

mozaz..

ps read in full..