[g8-sheffield] DRAFT account Carnival Full Enjoyment - feedback please! (Mike)
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Fri Jul 15 13:57:41 BST 2005
Today's Topics:
1. DRAFT account Carnival Full Enjoyment - feedback please! (Mike)
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Message: 1
Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2005 12:09:04 +0100
From: "Mike" <mike77 at macunlimited.net>
Subject: [Resistg8-wgaw] DRAFT account Carnival Full Enjoyment -
feedback please!
To: <edinburghclaimantsinternal at lists.riseup.net>
Cc: reshape at lists.riseup.net, edinburgh-chiapas
<edinchiapas at yahoo.co.uk>, Edinburgh IWW <edinburghiww at yahoo.co.uk>,
resistg8-wgaw at lists.aktivix.org, ACEcollLIST
<ace-collective at lists.mutualaid.org>
Message-ID: <000601c5892d$c1b3d910$5bb82f50 at liz>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
NOTES
Here is a draft for an account of the carnival for full enjoyment, by
the carnival for full enjoyment.
It still needs quite a lot of work, but unless there are objections I
would propose publishing it more or less in this form, as an account of
the carnival by the carnival. So if there is something you are not
happy about please say asap. I propose we aim to put this out by
tomorrow Saturday early evening.
IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS OR ANY FACTS/ PERSONAL ACCOUNTS TO ADD
PLEASE SEND THEM IN, TO ME AND TO THE WGAW LIST. TO BE HONEST THERE
HASN'T BEEN MUCH FEEDBACK SO FAR, AND THE MORE INPUT THERE IS THE BETTER
IT WILL BE. EVEN IF YOU ONLY HAVE A WEE BIT OF INFO ON ONE PARTICULAR
PART OF THE DAY, IT IS WELL WORTH SENDING IT IN.
ALSO PLEASE SAY IF YOU THINK IT IS BASICALLY OK TO GO OUT IN THIS FORM,
AS AN ACCOUNT OF THE CARNIVAL BY THE CARNIVAL, OR IF THERE IS
SOMETHINg(S) YOU FEEL DEFINITELY NEEDS CHANGED.
I know it would be better if we took longer, but on many of the
websites, such as dissent and indy Scotland, we can update it, and the
longer we leave publishing it the fewer people are going to see it, as
the G8 recedes into history and people stop checking the sites.
As you can see the article is a mixture of personal accounts and a third
person report. I have included quotes from the evening news and from
people we may not necessarily agree with (eg SSP and someone with a more
pacifist viewpoint), it is arguable we should not do that, however I
felt that these quotes backed up our account of the day, and I think it
is useful to show that our version of events is not only held by
"anarchists".
I think there may be an imbalance in the amount of space given to
different aspects and parts of the day, any views on that, and
suggestions for amendments, v welcome.
There are some sections not yet written, details at end, if anyone can
do any of them that would be great, please let me know so we do not
duplicate work.
Also there are points in the narrative where we are lacking info,
INDICATED BY CAPITALS, if you have info please send it in.
If you would like to write a paragraph with a quote on your feelings/
thoughts about the day, then that would be great, I thought we could put
in various of these as kinda "call-outs" interspersed throughout the text.
Also, I thought that it would be good to include some quotes from the
leaflet, flyer and press releases, interspersed throughout the text in
the same way, that would help get the message across of what the day was
about, if someone could sort that out, by extracting maybe 4-7 quotes,
it would be great.
There may well be something important I have just missed out entirely,
if you think that then please do write a draft of such a section, or
suggest it be written.
If anyone has time it may be worth checking out indy uk etc for more
reports, i have looked at much of it but not all by any means.
Cheers mike
---------------------------
Carnival takes over Edinburgh city centre
* http://www.nodeal.org.uk
* http://www.edinburghclaimants.org
The Carnival for Full Enjoyment took over the streets of central
Edinburgh on 4th July. Despite a level of police violence rarely seen at
demonstrations in Scotland Princes Street - the capitals main street -
was occupied and closed for the whole afternoon and till late in the
evening. A significant number of locals were involved along with
internationals.
"Despite heavy-handed police action, the day was an impressive show of
what people can do to take back the streets."
The aim of the day was to encourage resistance to wage slavery, benefits
slavery, debt slavery and army slavery (links to each section leaflet)
ADD BIT MORE ABOUT AIMS OF DAY
BUSINESSES SHUT DOWN
A victory was gained from the start as many businesses shut for the
whole day, hopefully winning their workers a paid holiday, something
much needed as UK workers toil for some of the longest hours in Europe.
More businesses closed in the course of the day, including many shops
and pubs, such as Boots, Next, Gap and Ann Summers, as the police
advised every business in the city centre to close their doors.
The A4E offices in Rutland Square - where unemployed people are forced
to undergo compulsory courses - closed for the whole week, but are
reportedly still forcing their slaves to do that week later. HM Love
sheriff officers on Heriot Row - debt collectors - were closed on the
day, after stating earlier that they did not close for the local holiday.
Many posh shops in Multrees Walk by the St Andrews Square bus station
announced in advance they would close for the day, due to the carnival.
The chief executive of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce said the G8 had
had a "devastating" impact on retailers. "It was worse than we had
expected", he said. (Ed Eve news 8.7.05)
I am pretty sure i read a report that most if not all city centre
branches of the royal bank of scotland closed, but not got that to hand.
ANY INFO ON THIS ????
ANY MORE INFO ON PLACES SHUT ON DAY??? EG THE ARMY RECRUITMENT OFFICE?
POLIS TAKE EARLY LEAD
The day started badly with police trapping people and penning them in
Canning Street, a side street near the west end. About 200 protesters
were corralled outside Exchange Tower, where police in a line three deep
blocked both entrance and exit. A three-hour standoff ensued. The Pink
and Silver Samba Band played and kept the crowd's spirits up, while
other protesters, wearing fluorescent wigs and brightly coloured
clothing, danced and whistled wildly in front of the police.
Efforts were made to breach the police line but were unsuccessful.
Before they were allowed to go on their way, every person was forced to
give their name and address into a video camera before being searched.
The police were adamant that anyone refusing to remove their masks would
be arrested immediately.
The protesters finally left the police with a rendition of Gloria
Gaynor's I Will Survive.
The Evening News reported that Martin Currie, the financial fund
managers firm, had three bricks thrown through the windows of its
Canning Street offices.
---------------------------
" I am here today because I am against oppression, hierarchy and money."
CARNIVALISTAS FIGHT BACK - POLIS ON DEFENSIVE
Despite the early set-back at the West End, around 1pm other people
managed to come together at the west end of Princes Street, sweep past a
weak police line and march together eastwards half way along Princes Street.
Here they almost met the Infernal Noise Brigade contingent, who had
defied police corralling and made it westwards along the main street of
Edinburgh?s capital, only to be once more surrounded by police.
NEED MORE DETAILS ON THE INFERNAL GROUP'S ACTIVITY
Due to police corralling tactics, it didn't prove possible to unite the
two groups, after some time the Infernal contingent having to once more
head off eastwards. Shortly after this the group which had driven east
from the west end made a big push to get through the police lines. This
almost succeeded, but as both demonstrators and police tumbled to the
ground, the police line just held.
Some time after these demonstrators changed direction, heading
unhindered back west up Princes Street, a FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT banner to
the fore with chants such as NO BORDERS NO NATIONS STOP THE
DEPORTATIONS. Turning south into Charlotte Square a stand off with
police, including mounted police, ensued.
The Evening News reports that "Around 1:35pm in Charlotte Square, the
cry went up from a squad of English police officers: "Batons up. Prepare
to charge." The police then broke into a short jog before shouting in
unison: "CHARGE!" The protesters pulled back. As the police line was
bolstered by mounted officers, behind whom stood a third line of police
in riot gear,.. one young woman in a clown's costume went along the line
of riot police kissing each officer's shield."
However it was a giant cardboard cat that proved a secret weapon for the
Carnival. One protester, kitted out with the costume, moved closer to
the mounted police, causing the horses to grow jittery and difficult to
control.
After some time the majority of demonstrators in this area re-grouped,
several hundred strong, and headed east away from Charlotte Square along
George Street and then south into Princes Street. The police presence at
this point was weak and the demonstrators had control of the streets,
right in the centre of Princes Street. Two magic carpets were prominent
- these are like a banner, but actual carpets with handles attachted,
carried by 3-4 people and excellent for either pushing through police
lines or for defensive use to block a police attack. They were adorned
with the slogans ???????????????????? HAS ANYONE GOT THIS INFO? This was
perhaps around 3pm.
"This to me was the most inspiring period of the day. Totally unhindered
by police we took over the whole width of Princes Street. Two magic
carpets and the Freedom of Movement banner moved in unison down the
street. Chants of "Whose Streets? Our Streets!" and "Whose World? Our
World!" rang out, along with anti capitalist slogans in Italian.
As we burst into a run, heading east, a group of police in front of us
turned and ran like rabbits. Actually they were in no danger, the
running was a playful expression of our joy in taking over the city centre.
Now however things turned nasty as police drew their batons and started
attacking demonstrators. At this point I took a nasty blow to the hand
from a police baton. Luckily for me two street medics were on hand and
did an excellent job in treating me. Others were worse injured, as riot
police were deployed and the iron fist was used."
ANOTHER EYE WITNESS ACCOUNT
"I spent the day at the carnival, and it started out nicely. Like our
man says, the walk along George Street and Princes Street was
phenomenal, it looked like thousands of people (corporate media reports
say about 1000 - but with no cars around it looked like many more)
reclaiming the streets in a massive version of our annual local
edinburgh reclaim the streets demo. It was great, really beautiful. Even
the Black Bloc guys and the people who'd clearly come prepared for
something other than nonviolent protest were all smiles.
But when the police decided to stop us, they didn't hesitate to be
brutal. We were walking peacefully, at this point there was no violence
or stone throwing of any kind, when the mounted police charged us. At
the east end of princes street, directly outside Jenners, They charged
at least three times, with batons unleashed on the final one, and while
this had been happening they boxed us all in with lines of riot police.
Trapped and panicked by the brutal tactics, things did escalate. I've
been on many protests across scotland, and this was by far the most
provocative and violent policing I have ever witnessed. "
Nevertheless demonstrators held the ground in Princes street and danced
as a small sound system on a trolley blasted away. The appearance of
the sound system was a triumph of perseverance as police had attempted
to stop it joining the demo. Later as late afternoon went into evening,
police moved in, attacking demonstrators on Princes street and the
neighbouring gardens.
At one point police attempted to arrest a single individual and chased
him into Princes Street Gardens, which was packed with spectators and
protesters, many of whom went to try and save the man, pelting the
police with flowers and earth. Park benches were used to try and halt
the police attacks, and some buckets etc were hurled at the police.
Some locals were upset at the use of the benches, which are dedicated to
deceased loved ones, but it is almost certain that those utilising the
benches had no idea of this fact, and were merely using whatever came to
hand to defend themselves.
A few hundred Edinburgh residents en route home found themselves trapped
outside BHS in Princes Street by the police cordons. One pregnant woman,
with a seven-year-old child, pleaded with police - initially in vain -
to be let past. Green MSP Mark Ballard criticised the police for
effectively imprisoning passers-by.
The Evening News reported that "Further lines of riot police charged
across the square at the bottom of the Mound, which caused more
terrifying scenes. There was shouting and screaming and widespread
confusion before things momentarily settled down."
The Evening News quoted a passer-by as saying "I've been here since
one o'clock and it's been absolutely terrifying. I think the police have
been very heavy-handed by instigating most of it, because they're moving
into the crowds, charging, hitting people on the heads with batons and
their plastic shields. This has caused mayhem and caused the crowds to
disrupt into angry scenes. I saw a police van drive into two protesters
which knocked them to the ground."
A Carnival participant wrote in Indymedia about this part of the day :
"Eventually, through charges with lines of riot police they trapped us
inside Princes Street Gardens East. I managed to get out the other side
before the stormtroopers had secured it, but many of my friends and
comrades were trapped inside. The police were very hostile and
threatening, barking at people to move arbitrarily from place to place,
on what appeared to me to be filthy fascist power-tripping.
"People were let out one at a time, with many being photographed and
almost all having to provide names and addresses. It took around two
hours for my friends to be released, after which we went to Bristo
square where the (amazing, brilliant and fantastic) Clandestine
Insurgent Rebel Clown Army and many others were having a party.
"This was a celebration, a creative and positive thing, and it was very
much the kind of action I like to see. Music, dancing, drumming,
singing, making new friends, and all in solidarity against the brutal
exploitation of the capitalist system and the (fresh in our minds)
brutal tactics of the police."
SNOOPER HQ FLYPOSTED
As battle raged on princes Street, a contingent of demonstrators
converged on the Social Security head office at Lady Lawson Street, home
of top Scottish snooper boss Joan Kirk - official title Principal
Manager Scotland, Counter Fraud Investigation Services. As the Infernal
Noise Brigade blasted out rhythms of resistance, demonstrators pasted
the building with posters, including ones proclaiming WE STOP THE
SHERIFF (link to sheriff officer leaflet). Two of the main themes of the
Carnival were resistance to benefits slavery and to debt slavery.
INSERT SNOOPER PHONE NUMBER???
ROSE STREET ROCKS
A mini riot erupted in Rose street, at the St Andrews Square end, in the
early evening, around 6.30pm. One eye witness reported that local youth
and black bloc united against the common enemy the polis. The police,
who had assaulted people, were met by hails of missiles
Another observer reports that demonstrators took advantage of Rose
Street's cobbles : "Some more angry protestors ..... started to dig
individual bricks out of the street to use as weapons. This technique
spread, leading to wide-spread pelting of the police with bricks..."
Bread pallets were also hurled and shopping trolleys were pushed into
police lines. One witness reports around 200 demonstrators involved at
this point.
Another eye witness described the events thus :
"The Rose street "mini-riot" was an awe inspiring sight, Youths,
Anarchists, left-wingers, punks, anti-capitalists, clowns, hippies,
homeless people and even your average joe on the street united as one
mass, differences aside, to fight against our enemy: The thugs of the
ruling class."
A bit later, around 8-9pm, and not far away, on South St David St, off
St Andrews Square, more clashes broke out between crowds of mainly
locals and the police. The Evening News/ Scotsman web site reports :
"Several hundred onlookers gathered at the junction with South St David
Street while chants of "scum, scum, scum" were hurled at the police.
Later, some of the crowd began hurling stones and cobbles at the
advancing police line. ..... a large number were locals."
REBEL PIPER INSPIRES REVOLT..
An eye witness writes on Indymedia Eire, of events later in the day
around the east end of Princes Street:
"This was 8pm.....I cycled up and it was hard to find out what was
happening. There seemed to be no 'centre' of activity, and there were
certainly no 'activists' left at this point. I cycled around a long way
to get to the other side of the police line, where 4 or 5 people were
being detained with plastic handcuffs in front of a boarded up mobile
phone shop. They were definitely not pink, black, clown, or any other
block. Just ordinary folk. An onlooker said they were being arrested for
refusing to move on when ordered by a Police officer, but I cannot
confirm that.
They were put into vans, with a chorus of boos and hisses from the crowd,
chanting to let them go. Next thing a glass bottle hit the line, racking
up the tension. The cops were getting nervous, and the crowd were
telling them to fuck off (because most of the riot cops were English
rather than local Police, it seemed). The cops jumped into the crowd and
snatched a teenage girl, provoking more anger and the occasional missile
from the crowd. A bagpiper blowing out traditional tunes seemed to be
stirring the Scots into a bit of an anti-establishment fervour. It
seemed as if this crowd had mostly just turned up after they saw what
was happening on the news, and joined in the activities themselves.
What happened next was bizarre and unprecedented. A group of about a dozen
riot cops were left in a laneway while the others had been taken away in
vans. Possibly they were just waiting around for an empty van to come
and pick them up. Several people saw them down the lane isolated, and
the next thing they were being stoned and bottled by people steaming up
the laneway. Bottles were fired at them from close range, a dumpster was
pushed straight at the line of shields, and a traffic cone and a bin
were thrown at them when they charged their way back to the junction of
the street.
Four or five of the Clown Army showed up at this point, trying to stop
people throwing stuff at the cops, and making faces and generally being
silly right in front of the Police. One female clown was nearly hit in
the head with the big traffic cone, and their attempts to calm the
situation didnt really work at all, so they left fairly quickly.
Within a minute a huge amount of Police vans arrived into the area with
sirens squealing, pouring out more padded riot units. This sent the
crowd scattering. They also brought out the dog unit, forcing people
away from the laneway, threatening to use the dogs on people that did
not back off.
Eventually the Police got all their Officers back into vans, and retreated
out of the area rapidly. The crowd cheered and was chanting Anti-G8
slogans as well as "Whose streets? Our streets!" ..."
Other reports corroborate these events, the described laneway being
apparently off Rose Street, and put the time of the police pull-out at
9.35pm.
An Indymedia Scotland report quotes a local Scottish Socialist Party
activist as saying around this time "It's been mental and the riot
police have been here and really been squaring up to young people who
mostly live in Edinburgh who are really outraged that the riot police
are used in Edinburgh. It's never
happened before and it must never happen again. They're our streets! The
attitude of the police has been disgraceful. They're our streets!?"
An Australian guy standing nearby stated, "We did throw some bottles but
only after watching our girl friends get bashed and our brothers get
crumbled and that's understandable. You wouldn't throw bottles after
your brother and your girl friend had both got crumbled? Fuck that!"
NEEDS A CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH I THINK
Sections to be inserted in boxes..
Section on arrests and remands in custody to be inserted.
Plus contacts for prisoner support
To get the message of the Carnival across thousands of leaflets (link),
flyers (link) and hundreds of posters were distributed, especially
around Edinburgh and at the huge Make Poverty History demo. 200 copies
of a special leaflet (link)COULD SOMEONE SEND THE ELECTRONIC VERSION OF
THIS published by the local Industrial Workers of the World (link) were
distributed to workers at Standard Life, on Lothian Road Edinburgh. The
media reporting was, as expected, overwhelmingly hostile, though Radio
Scotland broadcast a statement from the Carnival and - astonishingly -
the Daily Mail reproduced a significant amount of a Carnival press
release (link to press release).
Section on street medics - positive message on what they do - plus
police repression of street medics to be inserted
Section on legal observers - what they do , their importance
Section on continuing activity - THE CARNIVAL CONTINUES ????
MAKE EVERYDAY A CARNIVAL OF RESISTANCE???
With contacts - and some description of activity - note that will be
having a follow-up meeting(s)?
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