Archive for May, 2007

Indymedia G8 Timeline online

Thursday, May 31st, 2007

From now on, you can find verified, up-to-date news also via the new Timeline webpage:
English
German

Help us with the Dispatch! Call us and tell us what is happening in the streets, in the camps, near the fence and in the fields. We’re
collecting information, verifying and publishing them. And please don’t be put off when dispatchers are sometimes insistent in their questions; this because we want to be really sure that understand, accurately, what’s happening.

Help us be fast and correct: call us!

The Dispatch phone numbers are:
* +49-(0)162-356 89 57 (mobile)
* +49-(0)381-77 88 006 (English, landline)
* +49-(0)381-77 88 007 (German, landline)

If the numbers don’t work, watch out the Indymedia Germany website for new announcements.

These numbers are only to be used for incoming information; for you to call and tell us your story. Please don’t call to find out what happened!

To find out about G8 protests:

* watch the Timeline webpage;
* get timeline information with your mobile phone as a wap site:
http://de.indymedia.org/wap/en and http://de.indymedia.org/wap/de;
* listen to the Radio Jetsam and the Radioforum audio streams (url’s soon on Indymedia Germany);
* watch G8 TV at http://g8-tv.org/, especially the daily news bulletin around 9pm;
* look out for indymedia print editions;
* read dispatched news via chat at irc.indymedia.org #g8-info.

Antirepression in Rostock - workshop

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007

This is for all interested international activists that are already in Rostock:

Tomorrow, Thursday evening (30th May) there will be a workshop on police plannings, control points, demonstration bans etc. It will be explained which weapons police is using, what are their AND YOUR rights. Also it will be told how to cope with being arrested or traumatized. There will be also lawyer attendence for asking more detailed questions.

The workshop starts at 9 pm in the Convergence Center.

“Autonomy and DIY” or how to get started - Your Action Training Camp Guide

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007

The Mission Statement of your Action Holiday

In order to show that we can overcome our dependency on the systems we are living in, we want to give a little impression that it can work if we all work hard enough for it.
In our times we are to much used to have everything provided and ready to use. what for us means basic necessities, for a 3rd world country means luxury !!
We KNOW autonomy and self-determination works and our aim is to proof it and to give the message that this can be expanded, which for us is a important step to understand - not only for us but for people who are scared about a change and the deprivation of this luxury.
Still many people haven’t understood that Do It Yourself, finding alternatives on our own and starting to be self-dependent will be needful in the future !!
In your Holiday you can help us in this common aim and you find a lot of opportunities to exchange knowledge, tips and tricks and try with your fellow vacationists the new found skills in the training camp !

There are many things to do that we will describe you below, yet there are also many things to bring to support the infrastructure of a camp you will first of all have to build on your own with us.

So if may have thought that this will be a picnic with full-time service you booked the wrong holiday :P

Arriving/Get involved/Be Free4…:
Arriving in your camp you will, hopefully from the beginning, but surely Sunday, find a InfoPoint.
This InfoPoint is meant to be THE Point you have to go for any matter, questions and ideas !
Thats also is the point were you first say hello - briefly !
We would be really Happy about a donation if you wish to, but we do not ask a entry fee ! It’s Free !!

Then in case you brought something for the collective that can be useful, drop it there and be sure that you marked it with your name, so that after, eventually, you can have it back :)

We will have lists for different services for what we need volunteers. This is starting from helping to dig our own toilets and ending at helping in the kitchen. In between all what you can imagine a Action-Training-Camp must provide !!

We want to remind you a thing that we pay attention to: The Camp is a community in a Temporary Autonomous Zone but we are still in a way depending - on each others !
We need to be in Trust and Solidarity to each others if we want to succeed and therefor we ask you - for only this time that you want to help - to really appear and do so !

Rome wasn’t build in a day, neither will be our Camp !
But it surely will be more fun :)

At this point we do fully trust and believe in each one of you to know the score !

Building a Camp:

what do we need first: right, that must be the toilets. It would be rather uncomfortable if people started to use possible tent-space as toilet, because it’s a undeniable must, but not always clear where it makes no sense to wee/crap. As Dixie Toilets are rather unfit, at least after 8 hours of using them, the fact people are going to shit wild will be a actual matter of fact.
We will be building organic toilets on our own: digging holes, mounting wood, bend privacy camouflage.
Depending on the amount of people helping, this can be done in few hours. You have the opportunity to subscribe to a list of volunteers which will take care about the toilets, to see if they need to be filled back with earth and digging some more..etc etc etc…yes, we are quite sure it will be a Problem to fill this list ;)
The next thing we will want to have is something to eat and drink.
There will be a kitchen to use and we hope there will be a lot of people willing to help !
The Situation with the water is unclear, clear is there will be but we don’t know yet how it will be. If pipes or tanks or in the worst case canisters.
Sure is that in any case we need people who are able to use tools, work with wood or construct things. Mostly this in case of rain we need to construct places to be, but as well for actions and activities we will want to have “room”.

Well, you see and can imagine that there are plenty of things to do, as well the Soundsystems and Artists are happy if they get a helping hand to mount their stuff.

Then for the way you install yourself you are pretty free to do as you wish like, respecting your neighbor :)

You will have the chance to learn many things that are necessary in a independent community of people, you will learn how to screw and to cut wood, how to sew and how to dig, how to motivate others to do so…

Here a list of things that will be useful and if you have a opportunity to bring them - do it !!

To construct:

Wood, as much as possible in any form
Tools
Screw
Thick Plastic foil
Foulards
Carpets
Strings
Ropes
Tape
Gardening Tools
Current Plugs

To live:

Tables
chairs
seats
pillows
candles/lights
bulbs
trash bags

Specials - To hire from you:

pc’s
telephones
cars+drivers
bikes
rollers
rucksacks

Always good to have and you may not think of and we forgot to mention before:

toilet paper

(Whilst on the subject of toilet paper, for hygienic and efficiency reasons, we ask you not to defecate inside the camps but to restrain yourself till the next actions !
There you will be able to empty your bowels in a plastic bag (that you will have taken with you before) in order to use this as a bacteriological deterrent against….. well, its up to you :)
Result is guaranteed !! )
…..
let’s keep it minimalistic :)

What is AbSoLuTe Necessary :

bring a good vibe and respect !!!

respect et bon delir’
respect and good rave

Maps galore…

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007

As most of you don’t have the opportunity to buy close-up maps of the region beforehand, you might print yourself these ones until you have the opportunity to buy a good one in Germany. The best and more useful would be a bike map, a real close-up of the region that you will need for your outcamp action trainings and to play the cat and mouse game. It’s extremely important if you want to have a chance to win the game, that you know the region.

Talking is over:
www.gipfelsoli.org/rcms_repos/images/22/talking_is_over.jpeg

North Of Mecklenburg:
www.gipfelsoli.org/rcms_repos/images/22/uebersicht_mv_nord.jpeg

Bad Doberan and surroundings:
www.gipfelsoli.org/rcms_repos/images/22/
map_doberan_surroundings_1600px.jpeg

Wismar - Bad Doberan - Rostock - Road Map:
www.gipfelsoli.org/rcms_repos/images/22/
Heiligendamm_Rostock_Wismar.jpeg

Kuehlungsborn - Bad Doberan - Rostock - Road Map:
www.gipfelsoli.org/rcms_repos/images/22/Doberan_Rostock.jpeg

Police Headquarters:
www.gipfelsoli.org/rcms_repos/images/22/
Maps_Police_Update_070411.jpeg

Fence inner and outer circle:
www.gipfelsoli.org/rcms_repos/images/22/
Maps_Fence_Update_070114.jpeg

Police Map:
www.gipfelsoli.org/rcms_repos/images/22/zaun_hybrid.jpeg

Again inner and outer circle:
www.gipfelsoli.org/rcms_repos/images/22/allgemeinverfuegung.jpeg

Courts:
www.gipfelsoli.org/rcms_repos/images/22/karte_ordentl_gerichte.gif

Delegates, refugee camps…:
www.gipfelsoli.org/rcms_repos/images/22/
Maps_Action_Update_070114.jpeg

More Maps: www.gipfelsoli.org/Home/Heiligendamm_2007/Karten

Filling the Gap - AG Transport Protest Takes Off

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007

Taking care of an extremely essential part of the protests infrastructure a transnational transport working group was founded in Warsaw. The AG wants to organize transports of all kinds of camp-, protest- and convergence center materials before the summit as well as during the summit itself:
To bring materials, water & food to the activists and to bring the activists themselves from convergence centers and train stations to the relevant regions as well as immidiatelly to the actions.

To achieve these goals the Transport AG is looking for 20 to 30 drivers owning absolutely legal drivers licences, at best also for driving bigger trucks.
Additionally there is the need for more people to help out sometimes, as well as for some mechanics willing to offer their skills. Another possibility to join the group is to help organizing and coordinating transports.

The Transport AG moreover is calling for vehicles of all kind: buses, trucks, cars…
If you know sympathetic bus companies willing to give us smaller or bigger buses for a cheaper tariff or even for free - or if you can think of other ways to contribute to the concept, please do it. Maybe you could also lend your car to others or to the Transport Group sometimes.

e-mail-list: transportprotest(at)lists.riseup.
WIKI: wiki.dissentnetwork.org
contact: transportprotest(at)riseup.net

What you need to bring…

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007

Dear Vacationist,

Of course on an action holiday you can’t pretend to have everything served like an all inclusive standard holiday. We can’t supply you with luxury, in fact to be fair, we can’t supply you with much but we guess you knew this before, didnt you?
But we thought this will increase the sensation of a real adventure and even though we may not have showers, we hope we do so at least from Monday up, it’s not so bad cause we will stink in community!!
Also we will be stinking so much until the blockades start that we have a high chance not to be touched by police officers. Let’s try that!!

We believe that most of you know or can imagine what to bring, but to help you in your planing and to be sure not to forget something; here a list with basics you would need to bring:

These things are a MUST:

  • Valid Passport/ID card and Health Assurance card (if you have)
  • Driving Licence (if you have)
  • Tent, sleeping pad and sleeping bag
  • Good shoes/outdoor shoes
  • Clothes to change yourself
  • Weatherproof clothes
  • Washbag
  • Medicine you need
  • Combat ration
  • Rucksack

These things would be good to have:

  • Camping stove
  • Dinnerware ( plate, cutlery, cup )
  • Towel
  • Earplug - if it is to loud in the night
  • Plastic bags - to protect something or someone from rain and for many other things
  • Current tap
  • Adapterplug for stranger plugs
  • electric torch
  • Walkie Talkie - PMR-Funk UHF-Frequency 446,000–446,100 MHz
  • Normal Radio
  • CB Funke
  • Kompass
  • Maps (closups or bicycle maps Mecklenburg Vorpommern)
  • Pen and writing pad
  • Repair kid for bikes

And this stuff would be really wicked you could bring it:

  • Binocular
  • Covers
  • First Aid Kit
  • Sewing Kit
  • Candles and Marmalade cans
  • Extinguisher
  • Water canister
  • Tool Kit
  • Gardening Tools
  • Bucket
  • Big tents / Solar sail / Pavillons
  • Extra Sleeping bags, sleeping pads and tents
  • Generatoren
  • Car / Bus / Van

Red Aid

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007

The police have announced that they will prevent all blockades and obstructions of the G8 summit. The federal government will repeal the system of open borders as specified in the Schengen Convention and conduct controls all along German borders. As it is possible that activists may be denied entry, we should prepare ourselves for obstructions by the police and find out about alternate travel possibilities.

Anyway: no one should be intimidated by the announcements of the police or be scared off from participating in the protests in Heiligendamm. Everybody should find out about his/her rights vis-á-vis the police beforehand.

You can find legal information about dealing with police excesses, in case of detention or other harassments here:

Red Aid Antirepression Guide: “Was tun wenn’s brennt” (”What to do in case of fire”)

G8: When the going gets rough (Supplement to the Red Aid Antirepression Guide)

Also check out the Legal Update here.

Bordercrossing from the Netherlands

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007

Many people want to resist the G8-summit in Heiligendamm. The authorities will not hesitate to combat this resistance with repression. This can already start the moment that you try to enter Germany. Our weapon against this consists of solidarity, good information and communal action!

If you meet any control or check at the border, or other incidents, please warn fellow activists via telephone number

(+31) 06-49702887

Information about the situation on the border will be given on a special website: www.linksehulp.nl

Also we have support points at some border crossings (especially Nijmegen and Groningen). In case you get into trouble or are being sent back, you can go there to get help and more information. In Nijmegen the adress is: Van Broeckhuysenstr 46. The information about other places we will give if needed via phone.

In case you get into juridical problems during or after the G8-summit in the Netherlands, then do not hesitate to contact info(at)linksehulp.nl for assistance.

Media training - how to give good interviews

Monday, May 28th, 2007

Below info on how to give a good interview to the mainstream press. We will also be holding media trainings at the camps. Look out for info.

Media Training - How to give good interviews

The interview is the method by which the journalist tries to get what they want and also the means by which you must put your message across.

What we’re up against:

  • Triviality: every media outlet shares the same principal aim: to expand it’s share of the market, it tries to do this by grabbing hold of people’s
    attention; this is why they concentrate more on events rather than issues
  • Bias: Media is about pandering to the aims of the proprietors – there is no point talking to the boulevard press for example – but there are news outlets that we can use to our advantage. It is helpful to remember that newspapers are allowed to and are expected to be partisan, but that publicly funded broadcast outlets have a legal obligation to be “balanced and fair” – this gives us a little bit more scope to play with
  • Play the game – give the interviewer what they want and get your message across
  • Don’t hate your opponent, even if it’s sometimes hard!

To achieve this it’s important to have a clear understanding of what the story is:

  • Remember that the reporter is usually as keen for you to do well in the interview as you are
  • Be informed – this is an information war and the best warriors are the ones with the best information
  • Think about who your target audience is
  • It’s the answers that count, not the questions. You must know beforehand already what you want to say and how you want to say it
  • What will be the general line of questioning? Don’t ask for a list of questions, you won’t be given one anyway!
  • What is your general message?
  • Prepare by thinking out a few phrases that contain your message in a punchy attention grabbing language. Don’t worry about simplifying what you have to say. Simpler messages are better remembered by the audience or the reader
  • Make a note of no more than five questions that you think are mostly likely tocome up and plan your answers to them. Talk them through with a friend. See if they understand your key points, your language and your examples (without further explanation)
  • Deliver your message concisely and close to the start of the interview
  • Think of your hardest hitting line and use versions of it at the top of a couple of your answers
  • The brevity of the interview may surprise you. Make sure you make your main point in your first answer
  • Try to keep each phrase to twenty seconds or less. In a recorded interview that’s being edited for a news package a sound bite can be anything between 8 to 25 seconds
  • Speak clearly and concisely, don’t ramble. Avoid jargon. Bring sentences to a clear swift end, without too many sub-clauses
  • Think of a brief phrase for your closing remark – one which summarises your position on the subject in a memorable way

Your appearance and body language are important:

  • Act as though the camera and microphone are live from the moment they are framed on you.
  • If you’re angered or confused by the question, don’t let it show in your facial expression. Appear calm and considered
  • Don’t put your hands in your pockets or play with jewellery/your hands
  • Be aware of your body language and what it’s saying. Folded arms will give the impression that you’re closed and wary
  • Remember your posture – relax your face
  • During the interview look directly at the interviewer – try to ignore the camera
  • Your expression should fit what you’re saying. Relax your face but don’t smile constantly if the message is a serious one, but smiling with your eyes engages the viewer in what you’re saying and projects warmth
  • Don’t use any written notes
  • Project and overemphasise your voice

The stitch up situation:

  • If you haven’t got an answer, be honest and say so. Don’t be dragged into talking about something you don’t know about. But always avoid the phrase ‘no comment’ because it’s invariably interpreted as your having something to hide
  • Use phrases to reassert yourself in the interview like, “ I don’t have the correct information to answer that one fairly, but what I can tell you is….”;
    or, in a more political context, be more assertive: “What this is really about is…”
  • Turn hostile questions to good account: deal with the interviewer’s question quickly, then turn to what you want to say. A good way of handling tricky questions is to agree with part of the question, then show it’s not the full story, or you can undermine the factual content of the question, in other words, don’t let the interviewer push you into a corner; always bring your answer back to your point
  • Never agree to speak to a journalist “off the record” – it doesn’t exist!
  • Always assume that microphones are live and that a journalist has a notebook when you are talking to them – be especially aware of telephone conversations

Remember that you have the power! You get to decide what you say and you get to determine how the interview goes!

Contacts:
Campinski press group:
Lotta Kemper • Carl Kemper
+49 (0)179 / 376 48 12
+49 (0)174 / 896 58 24
Web: press.dissentnetwork.org
g8-presse(at)nadir.org

Gipfelsoli Infogroup:
www.gipfelsoli.org

Media G8way International Press group:
+49 16092437902 (Alex Smith)
+49 1577 – 4630348 (Jo Smith)
g8-press-int(at)nadir.org
dissentnetzwerk.org

Useful resources

Sunday, May 27th, 2007

Here’s a summary of useful resources related to the Block G8 mass blockades of the G8 Summit in Heiligendamm from Block-G8.org.

The Call to Action is here:
Call to Action

A detailed explanation of the Action Concept is here:
Action Concept

A list of the co-organisers is here:
Co-organisers
(and you can sign up from there too, if your groups wants!)

A list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) is online here:
FAQs

And a list of things to pack and bring with you is here:
Stuff to Bring

Info Stands will be at the camps in Rostock, Reddelich and Wichmannsdorf, as well as at the Counter-Conference, providing all the most up-to-date information on the Block G8 planning.


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