[g8-sheffield] G8 protest statement - alterations from Jillian

[@mp]

Hi Jillian,

Since you've asked... the original as redrafted seems ok to me,
particularly the "Ironically" emphasis, but perhaps you could even
improve it with some of these lines from the motion (which i heartily
endorse)



      the G8 visit will put Sheffield on the map as a place which
welcomes undemocratic and repressive tendencies at the highest level;

       the security measures being put in place for the G8 visit
(secrecy, exclusion zones, issuing of passes) are themselves an
indication of this style of government; and

  the lack of consultation preceding the decision to host the G8 visit;

  the right of organisations such as Make Poverty History, Sheffield Stop
the War Coalition and Sheffield Dissent Network to peacefully
demonstrate their views;


Jillian Creasy wrote:
> Here is John’s version, and a suggested redraft from me. It’s
> slightly shorter, sacrifices the nicety of Russia’s position and
> removes references  to the iniquities of the G8 … I can see that
> detailing their wrongs explains our WISH to protest, but that is not
> relevant to our RIGHT  to protest. Indeed, emphasising their supposed
> interest in democracy and human rights makes the denial of those
> things to facilitate their visit even more ironic. How do we decide
> what we send out? Jillian
> 
> 
> *_G8 summit: Sheffield people denounce suppression of the right to
> protest. _*John’s version:
> 
> On June 16-17, the interior ministers of the world's seven richest
> nations (along with the decorative presence of Russia) will gather in
> Sheffield to discuss how to step up the assault on human and
> democratic rights which their governments are conducting under the
> banner of the 'war against terrorism'.
> 
> 
> 
> The right of Sheffield people to protest against the G8 presence is
> being flagrantly denied by the police. They have informed us that no
> gatherings of protestors of any size will be permitted in the town
> centre. Any attempt to do so will be met with force and arrests.
> 
> Sheffield Against the G8 representatives proposed a route and a time
> for a demonstration which would have marched us away from the town
> centre before the arrival of the G8 ministers. Stop the War Coalition
> proposed a static picket near to the venue where they will be
> assembled. Both of these protests have been flatly prohibited. Under
> the pretext of 'security' the police are attempting to marginalise
> our protests by forcing us to the fringes of our city.
> 
> 
> 
> *Jillian’s suggested alterations: On June 15-17, the Justice and Home
> affairs ministers of the G8 (the world’s richest nations) will gather
> in Sheffield to discuss issues relating to human and democratic
> rights. While some see this as an honour for the city, many people
> disagree with their policies and with the decision to host them
> here.*
> 
> * *
> 
> *Ironically, to facilitate this visit, the police have invoked
> special measures to prevent protests taking place. They have informed
> us that no marches or gatherings of any size will be allowed in the
> city centre on those days. Any attempt to do so will be met with
> force and arrests.*
> 
> **
> 
> *Sheffield Against G8 proposed a march on the afternoon of the 15^th
>  June. Stop the War Coalition proposed a static picket on the
> evening of 16^th June. Both these protests have been flatly
> prohibited. Under the pretext of “security” the police are attempting
> to marginalize our protests and forcing us to the fringes of our
> city. *
> 
> *We, the undersigned, believe that this attempt to ban peaceful and
> orderly protests in our city centre is an outrageous and unacceptable
> infringement of our democratic right to protest. We call on all
> citizens, organisations and elected representatives of Sheffield to
> unite behind the call for these repressive decisions to be reversed.
> 
> *
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________ g8-sheffield mailing
> list g8-sheffield at lists.aktivix.org 
> http://lists.aktivix.org/mailman/listinfo/g8-sheffield