1. Camps / Convergence Centres
There are two camps announced/set up at the moment – Reddelich and one at the fishing port near Bad Doberan.
The camp at Reddelich is about 5km from the fence, and can hold about 3-5000 people. It will be open from 1 June. It is a mixed camp – mixed ‘us’ and NGOs, including Attac. Will use the spokes system to make day to day decisions. Big decisions will be made in an assembly.
The other camp will hold up to 6,000 people. It is also mixed. It is in an industrial area and is perhaps easier to contain by the police.
Also convergence centres in Hamburg, Berlin and Rostock from 25th May onwards.
2.Events
2nd June – Rostock demo – the alliance of radical groups and NGOs. 100,000-150,000 people are expected. There is also an anti-fascist demo about 60km from Rostock, where fascists are mobilising for their anti-G8 demo.(police will also be trying to stop the fascists).
4th June – Day of Action on Migration for the Freedom of Movement - Demonstration and Conference
5th June – actions at the Rostock-Laage airfield, about 15km out of Rostock. Blockades of this airport will merge into blockade of the G8 since delegates will be using this airport to fly in.
6th June – go to the fence star-demo. Groups will start in 4/5 different places, come together at the fence and then spread out along the fence making security difficult. OR actions at another major city in the area. Decision will be made on the 6th June.
Interesting rumour going around that they have already moved the beginning of the G8 meeting forward by the day, shortening the length of the meeting by a day, because of logistical/security problems.
Early success!
3.Transport
a) around Heiligendamm…
Basically – don’t rely on provision there and distances are quite far between action sites – make your own plans. Some bikes are being delivered but not many.
b) Getting there from Britain
www.seat61.com will have train options e.g. £80-90 return to Hamburg.
Hamburg to Reddlich costs €29.
Gullivers – bus service – London – Hamburg €29.
Coaches with Eurolines cost £70/80 London-Hamburg return
Globalise Resistance are putting on coaches – c. £80
www.dutchflyer.co.uk – Howich-Holland, and then a train from Holland to the border (where there will be G8 buses) all for £25.
Recommended to get an open-ended return since you might not know when you can get back!
Might be cheaper to hire transport on the Continent – this would also mean you’d have means of transport there.
4.Border crossing/German police
There is no logistical way for the police to close the German borders. They may do stop and searches on the motorways but not on the borders.
Police are more likely to give an order to leave a particular area, and they don’t need much ground – just ’suspicion’ that you might cause trouble (a bit like Section 14 in the UK). Violating this is a minor offence but it is a way to get arrested.
German police can stop and search anywhere in Germany and it is law to carry ID at all times.
German and UK police are not very well networked, because Britain isn’t part of Schengen therefore they don’t have access to the police databases – they would need to get special systems or agreements.
It’s illegal to mask up or wear protective gear in Germany.
Police use water guns, batons and pepper spray (more common than tear gas).
They can detain you for 24 hours on suspicion that you might do something. But they have to bring you to a judge within that 24 hours who will decide whether to continue to detain you.
Worth looking at www.pigbrother.org for more info
two types of German police – local council police and federal (i.e. Nationwide police) who have heavy equipment
The military are forbidden from carrying out police work e.g. Crowd control. But they can help with logistical support.
5.Coordination/communication between camps
There will be daily meetings.
And infopoint system – in both camps, Rostock train station and Bad Doberan
will be a walkie-talkie relay thing – PMR (personal media radio). These can be bought cheaply in shops like Dixons, recommended to bring an earphone. It was also commented that these ‘are a waste of time’.
Worth bringing a portable radio if nothing else.
London Indymedia – will have an information space in London – come in the evening to hear what’s going on, watch footage, plan actions. London No Borders is also putting on an event on the 8th June at
Ramparts.
Next meeting - 7pm Ramparts, Thursday 17th May