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Story Links:
G8 My Hamster | Evian For A Riot? | Crap Arrest | Genetically Mobilised | Autonomista Tour! | 4th July, Party for Independence from the USA | New SchNEWS Annual | Information and Entertainment | S.W.A.B. Squad | SchNEWS in brief | DU Unto Others... | Childs Play | Macedraconian | Inside SchNEWS | ...and finally...

G8 MY HAMSTER

“For us, the only division worth talking about is that between the people of the world and the masters of death and exploitation. The only ‘ring-leaders’ that need to be exposed, isolated, and removed from their position of menace to society are George Bush, Vladimir Putin, Tony Blair, Silvio Berlusconi… Our determination to disrupt their yearly feasts of power is matched only by our contempt for that other handful of losers in suits who, instead of fighting for the starving millions of the global South, came to Evian in order to kiss the hands of the torturers.” - Lausanne Solidarity Declaration.

Evian famous for its bottled water was instead busy last week bottling bullshit, as the leaders of the G8 summit meet to squabble over the spoils of war. Yet another conference for the new rulers of the world to be wined and dined, protected by thousands of armed police from the bottled-up emotions of the people they supposedly represent.

The US/UK invasion of Iraq has revealed big divisions between the main power blocks, all of them desperate to maintain their flagging economies by enforcing control over other parts of the world. The main reason for the invasion was that the US needed to secure military control of Middle East oil to prevent other power blocks getting their hands on it. It’s no surprise that Russia and France, countries that traded most with Saddam’s Iraq, were the countries that opposed the US invasion.
Despite the spin doctors telling us that the G8 wanted to help the poor there was no discussion of affordable drugs for an African continent held to ransom by money-crazed multinationals. The massive subsidies to western agriculture that seriously harm Majority World farmers were still in place by the end. George W. wanted to talk about terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction (except his own) so that’s what they talked about.

Bush’s obsession with other people’s terrorism distracts his own population from the falling dollar as the US economy nosedives. While growing numbers of people in the US suffer, Bush and his gang are building up their military might as their chosen way of maintaining dominance. Even though some European leaders like to portray the US as brutal and Europe as civilised, the truth is that the world economy is shaping up much like it has always done – rival capitalists ready to wage to war for their own interests, carving up the world’s resources. And the G8 is the dinner table.

EVIAN FOR A RIOT?

The anti-G8 protests kicked-off on Friday with a march of 4,000 winding its way round Geneva’s international institutions. It started at the headquarters of the World Trade Organisation where protesters pulled the gates off and threw bangers into the courtyard. Tear gas was fired outside the headquarters of the International Organisation of Migration responsible for forceful deportations in a world where the free movement of money (but not people) is a religion. Meanwhile in the French suburb of Geneva, the French Socialist party decided to hold a counter conference about globalisation – which the local French told SchNEWS was like Neo-Labour trying to tell you they were against the corporate takeover of hospitals. The conference got surrounded, barricaded and attacked by a mixture of locals and protesters throwing stones inside while undercover cops inside threw tear gas out.

Sunday was the day of the main blockades and demonstrations, with about 100,000 people taking part across three towns in two countries. There were three camps, the idea being to stop the roads that led to the conference. In Geneva three bridges were occupied by one camp. Later on, the city saw the smashing of bank windows and other corporate symbols. The streets of Geneva became a graffiti artists’ dream with slogans in all languages adorning the boarded up shops. In Lausanne the pink and silver marched out first, decorating the police with glitter and stars, followed by the Black Bloc who were somewhat less polite. The locals cheered them on as they headed for the red zone, which contained the hotels of the ever-so precious delegates. Meanwhile on Lake Geneva delegates were crossing by ferry, as the roads to Evian were not safe to open. A crew of new age pirates on rafts and pedal boats tried to cross the lake to sink the summit and would have made it if it wasn’t not for those pesky police. Then, of course, the protesters had to pay the price for delaying the summit for hours. In Lausanne, police with tanks, guns and gas had herded demonstrators back to their council-provided, out-of-town campsite by mid-morning where hundreds of them were illegally detained and held.

The police were as brutal and arbitrary as protesters have come to expect. A British protester, Martin Shaw, was seriously injured during an action blocking a road to the summit. While hanging from a bridge on a rope stretched across the highway police turned up and cut the rope. He fell 20 metres and suffered injuries to his back and legs. On Monday a march with yet more extremists - this time calling for water to be available for everyone, were surrounded by riot police who began escalating the situation dramatically. One protester described it as: “being put in a kettle and boiled”. Surrounded on all sides the police shot rubber bullets into the crowd. Thousands of German ‘police’ in unmarked, military uniforms joined in, stopping, searching and shouting instructions in German at locals along the lakefront. French speaking Geneva, in not-so-neutral Switzerland, didn’t take kindly to this German military invasion. By the evening thousands of locals were chanting, “police off our streets”, only to be met with water cannons, tear gas and plastic bullets. Local youth were soon masked up and took to the streets. Dozens were injured in clashes with the police.

One of the main local organisers said “We have to question their actions. They are using indiscriminate force against peaceful protesters and attempting to criminalise the whole movement.”

In the much-attacked global justice movement, local forums and alliances of creative, committed groups rooted in communities are working together, supporting each other and forming the basis of a growing movement against capitalism. It’s a movement that celebrates diversity, taking strength from the rich variety of people involved. Inevitably politicians, the media and some monolithic sects try to dictate how to protest and fragment people by condemning anyone involved in property damage or self-defence. But as one protester put it: “One illusion that needs to be dispelled right now is the ritual separation between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ protesters, manufactured yet again by the corporate media. All the blockade actions had the clear objective of obstructing the arrival of G8 delegates. Whether this is done through a sit-in, a street party or symbolic assaults on corporate property we have (a) common goal.”

For more on the protests: www.indymedia.org/g8/

Crap Arrest of the Week

For being into Heavy Metal!
14 ‘devil worshippers’ in Morocco received jail sentences ranging from three months to one year for ‘undermining the Muslim faith’ and ’possessing objects contrary to good morals’. Nine of the men, belonged to local heavy metal bands and the rest were fans. Among the objects exhibited in court to show they were in league with the devil was a black T-shirt with heavy metal symbols on it. This prompted the judge to comment that ‘normal people go to concerts in a suit and tie’.

Genetically Mobilised

Have your say over whether the government should allow the commercial planting of genetically modified crops in UK, you can register your opinions via the website www.gmpublicdebate.org, or phone 020 7261 8528 for a paper form. It is worth putting in yer tuppence worth, even if the government will be more likely to listen to their multi-million pound big business chums who want to monopolise the food chain.

There are a series of public consultaion meetings in June: 7 Holiday Inn, Taunton (2pm). ** 9 Kings Hall, Belfast (2pm). ** 9 Shire Hall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, (1.30pm) ** 11 Quality Hotel, Glasgow (6pm). * *13 Pavilions, Harrogate, (Yorkshire Showground, 2pm). ** 17 Awelon Hall, Ruthin, Denbighshire (7.30pm). ** 18 Church House, Llanfair Town Hall, Denbighshire (7.30pm).

Interesting to see there are no meetings in areas where most GM crops will be grown! More information about the flawed and biased governement “consultation” : www.genewatch.org/Debate/Debate.htm

Autonomista Tour!

Over the last year an incredible wave of social protest and action has engulfed Argentina. In the midst of a severe economic crisis people are improving their own lives without bosses and politicians: over 200 factories are under workers control, over 300 cooperatives have been formed by unemployed people, countless neighbourhood associations formed and many other autonomous popular initiatives. Two women from the Piquetera (Unemployed Worker Movement) along with a full length puppet show are touring the UK about these inspiring grassroots organisations for global economic justice and social change. www.autonomista.org

June: 16 Brighton 6pm, Cowley Club, 12 London Road. 18 Guildford 19 London 7pm, London Action Resource Centre, 62 Fieldgate St. 21 Durham Durham University part of the North East Social Forum www.dur.ac.uk/durham.socialforum/NESF 23 Manchester TBC 25 Hebden Bridge 7.30pm The Trades Club. July: 1 Glasgow 7:30pm, Alexander Thompson Hotel, 320 Argyle St. 2 Edinburgh 7.30pm Forest art space/café, Westport. 3 Edinburgh 7.30pm, CWU, 15 Brunswick Street. 5 Lancaster 8.30 pm, Lancaster Gregson Centre, Moor Lane 7 Bradford 7pm, 1in12 Club, 21-23 Albion St. Leeds (8) Liverpool (9) Cardiff (11) and Belfast & Dublin.

For more details, venues and times see www.londonarc.org or ring 020 7377 9088

4th July, Party for Independence from the USA

You are cordially invited to the Gatecrasher’s Ball, Menwith Hill Spy Base, North York Moors. Put on a party mask and wear your best tuxedo or ball gown. Bring food, a bottle of bubbly, party poppers, ladders, etc.

For your entertainment there will be sound systems, samba, bands and speakers including comedian Mark Thomas.

Menwith is America’s leading spy base outside the US and played a crucial role in both Gulf wars. It is also central to plans for the “Star Wars” National Missile Defence programme.

Transport from Brighton - tickets from Community Base, Queens Road and Cowley Club, London Road.
More information: 01943 466405 www.caab.org.uk

Information and Entertainment

Keep up to date with what’s happening with our Party and Protest guide on the web. www.schnews.org.uk/pap/guide.htm and submit your events. And here’s some more useful resources...

• Festival Eye. £3.50 (postal order/cheque to Festival Eye) plus an A4 addressed envelope from BCM 2002, London, WC1N 3XX. www.festivaleye.com
• Guilfin’s Something For the Weekend – a weekly info-burst, keeping you up to date with the latest festival, party, gigs dates, and all the upcoming campaigns. www.guilfin.net
• Free parties: check out www.partyvibe.com/freeparties.htm
• www.protest.net reports actions around the world
• Animal Rights Calendar - www.veggies.org.uk/calendar, or in ARCNEWS, 0845 458 0146
• Indymedia for latest reports of protest and news you won’t see on TV. www.uk.indymedia.org

S.W.A.B. Squad

Summer’s here and despite the best efforts of the authorities free parties are still happening up and down the country. While people were dishing out a fortune during the last Bank Holiday to go to Homelands to see “superstars DJ’s... the internationalist elite” a few thousand were partying for free at an ‘illegal rave’ in Leominster, Herefordshire.

Avon and Somerset cops however are promising there’ll be no free fun for those unable to afford a ticket for Glastonbury: “Local police are working to identify likely sites for illegal raves. The police have particular powers to deal with these events and will use them in accordance with the Human Rights Law.” The enlightened Smeatharpe Parish Magazine has also promised that steps have been taken to prevent a repeat of last years festival , when several thousand “unwashed drug-addicts and criminals” partied on the old airfield near Honiton, Devon. Infact if ever there was a perfect site to put on a free party it is here. Miles from the nearest village, lots of space and hard standing – the last time SchNEWS went there, half the village told the cops to get lost and then turned up to enjoy the festie themselves!

Corporate cocksuckers like the Mean Kiddie Fiddler have been busy over the years moving in on the dance scene (and now Glastonbury) – which is great if you like overpriced water, being spied on by cops, big fences and dumb shit bouncers. Infact SchNEWS can’t wait for their “Tribal Gathering” anniversary bash in a ready made dirty warehouse in Manchester for £30 to relive the old aciieeed house days.

Meanwhile people going to this years V festivals can look forward to having to provide swab samples from their hands to see if they’ve taken drugs. A small, sensitive detector will pick up microscopic traces of drugs in four seconds and flash green, amber or red to show whether or not they’re a drug crazed maniac. It’s voluntary but anyone refusing to take part will no doubt be searched.

Free festie info: www.guilfin.net/extra/freeparties.php3

Read why Mean Fiddler are such tossers www.urban75.com/Rave/raverant.html

SchNEWS in brief

• Evolving Minds - new Undercurrents video offering a radical perspective on alternatives to the mental health system, exploring shamanism, nutrition, psychotherapy, meditation and protests against mental health legislation. Available from Organic Shamanic, Brighton (£6.50) and Undercurrents 01865 203661 (£8 including UK p&p) www.undercurrents.org
• Don’t Back Down! detailed manual of how to take direct action and avoid the consequences. Published by the Revolution Now Press & Distro of 808, 14th Street, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7N 0P8 Donations.
• Congrats to Squall, the online broadsheet of radical journalism, on reaching their 10th birthday. Here’s to ten more. www.squall.co.uk
• If you want a giggle then SchNEWS recommends you get yerself the latest copy of ‘Now That’s What I Call Marxist.’ Send an SAE to SchNEWS Towers or check out www.worldsocialism.org/spgb
• ‘Fanning the Flames’ is the new guide from Campaign Against Arms Trade - giving the low down on the UK’s weapons sales to conflict zones around the world. For copies call 020 7281 0297 www.caat.org.uk
• SchWOOPS! Last week we reported that President Mobutu of Congo was assassinated in 1996. He was in fact overthrown when Rwandan and Ugandan forces (with US support) invaded the country in October of that year, forcing him to flee.

DU Unto Others...

Last Thursday was the second International Day of Action Against Depleted Uranium (DU). Actions included die-ins at test sites and people in chemical suits in town centres handing out leaflets. Some people were nicked in Tuscon, USA, for warning people about the health effects of DU ammo at an army recruiting centre.

In London protestors were warned by cops that they could be nicked for displaying a poster of a deformed new born baby because they were obscene images! Er, exactly. Dropping DU bombs is obscene, but then we don’t want to upset the commuters do we?

DU is quite simply a nuclear weapon and already troops have started reporting symptoms of Gulf War syndrome. According to Dr Chris Busby, a nuclear physicist and Gulf war veterans’ representative, this is probably caused by the massive amounts of depleted uranium weaponry used in the recent war on Iraq (see SchNEWS 406). While the neurological effects of Gulf War syndrome are most likely caused by vaccinations and anti-gas pills. Genetic effects such as chromosomal, immune system damage and cancer are caused by radiation. Dr Busby said “The Government is turning a blind eye to the problem... If they acknowledge that depleted uranium munitions cause horrendous problems for civilians and for their own troops, they’ll have to withdraw those weapons from service.”

Campaign Against Depleted Uranium. 0161 273 8293 www.cadu.org.uk

* In Afghanistan high levels of uranium have been found in the urine of Afghan civilians, 400 to 2000% above normal levels. Civilians in Kabul have reported pains in joints, back/kidney pain, muscle weakness, memory problems and confusion and disorientation. Many of these symptoms are found in Gulf War and Balkans veterans and civilians. Those exposed to the bombing report symptoms of flu-type illnesses, bleeding, runny noses and blood-stained mucous. The report by the Uranium Medical Research Centre says that it has not detected depleted uranium, but that the military may have used other sources of uranium (still toxic and radioactive) thanks to their new cave busting bombs. Of the contamination the report says “These levels of uranium internal contamination are considered medically significant. They point to a potential public health disaster for Afghanistan if corroborated by on-going studies of a wider population and bombsites.” So much for liberation.

Read the report at www.umrc.net/AfghanistanOEF.asp

Childs Play

With confirmation that US and British military forces in Iraq used cluster bombs in built-up areas, the extent of the continuing danger to civilians of death or injury from unexploded bombs and bomblets is coming to light. Children are particularly threatened as they scavenge for firewood or for metal components of shells to sell.

There are reckoned to be up to 10,000 unexploded bombs and mines littering Iraq, and with the onset of the hot season the situation is made even more dangerous, as the heat alone can cause them to explode. Paul Hannon, editor of the Landmine Monitor Report explains “…they are designed to destroy heavy armour…When they explode near people, they can injure or kill anyone in a 150m area. One cluster bomb contains between 200 and 300 tiny bomblets, and they often do not all immediately explode… Most people do not recognise the danger of them.”

Two weeks ago, six Iraqi children were killed and another ten injured trying to dismantle an unexploded bomb. Christian Aid emergency officer Dominic Nutt says: “This is happening every day, it doesn’t always get reported officially.” www.landmineaction.org

Macedraconian

For the past two weeks seven hundred Kosovo Romani, Ashkaelia and Egyptian refugees have been stuck on the Macedonian border, huddling together on a bare plateau, without tents, blankets or fuel while Macedonian border officials stop them from entering Greece. This is in violation of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights, which states: “Everyone shall be free to leave any country, including his own.”

The refugees arrived at the Macedonian town of Medzitlija, near the Greek border, after their camp in Skopje was closed by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). The camp had provided them with ‘surrogate protection’ since their escape from ethnic cleansing in Kosovo in 1999, which claimed 80,000 Roma victims. The UNHCR, gradually withdrew basic services including schooling, medical provision and food aid, then closed the camp at the end of March. They advised the refugees to seek alternative settled accommodation, or else their temporary status would not be renewed and their presence in Macedonia would be considered illegal.

Doctors are warning that, denied proper shelter, food, water and medical care, deaths could occur at any time among the refugees, which include 270 children and ten pregnant women. The Macedonian Helsinki Committee has urged Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovki to wave a visa agreement and give priority to the right of the refugees to leave the country. However, despite appeals, the border remains closed.

To email your objections to Macedonian Foreign Minister Ilinka Mitreva go to: www.romanetwork.org/protest2.htm

More information at: www.lafn.org/~romanokongreso and www.oneworld.net

* Refugee Week runs from 16-22 June. For details of actions see www.ncadc.org.uk

Inside SchNEWS

There are lots of trials coming up for people nicked during anti- war protests and they would love your support.

On June 20th a British court will have to decide for the first time whether the Iraq war was legal. This is because various people who were nicked at Fairford airbase, will argue that they had a “lawful excuse” for commiting criminal damage at the airbase where bombers were bring loaded up to drop bombs on the people of Iraq.

* The trial of over 20 people charged with highway obstruction at a mass blockade of Britain’s military HQ at Northwood takes place on 17th June at Hemel Hempstead Magistrates Court. Support welcome, phone 020 7937 0561.

* Four people from Pitstop Ploughshares who disarmed a US warplane, at Shannon airport in Ireland are in court on the 24th June. www.ploughsharesireland.org

* Danish grandmother Ulla Roder is on trial later this month after disarming a Tornado jet. She is currently on remand after breaking into RAF Leuchars in Fife and smashing up the jet, causing over £1 million worth of damage www.free-ulla.org

...and finally...

Forget terrorism, poverty, disease and capitalism, according to the King of Swaziland the cause of all the world’s troubles is women wearing trousers. In a state radio sermon the absolute monarch complained that human rights were an “abomination before God” and that “The Bible says curse be unto a woman who wears pants, and those who wear their husband’s clothes. That is why the world is in such a state today.”

For Your Eyes Only Disclaimer
SchNEWS warns all conspiracy theorists SchNEWS is produced by intelligent rogues not rogue Intelligence. Honest. (More secret messages next week, M.)

SchNEWS Annuals

SchNEWS Round issues 51 - 100 - SOLD OUT
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SchNEWS Survival Guide issues 151 - 200 and a whole lot more £4.00 inc. postage
The SchQUALL book at only £7 + £1.50 p&p. (US Postage £4.00 for individual books, £13 for all four).
SchNEWS and SQUALL’s YEARBOOK 2001. 300 pages of adventures from the direct action frontline. £7 + £1.50 p&p. You can order the book from a bookshop or your library, quote the ISBN 09529748 4 3.

In the UK you can get 2, 3, 4 & 5 for £20 inc. postage.

SchNEWS Of The World issues 301 - 350. 300 more pages of adventures from the direct action frontline. £7 + £1.50 p&p. You can order the book from a bookshop or your library, quote the ISBN 09529748 6X
If you can help distribute the new book by taking a few boxes from Brighton or East London round the country, call the office and ask for John, Thanks.

In addition to 50 issues of SchNEWS, each book contains articles, photos, cartoons, subverts, a “yellow pages” list of contacts, comedy etc.

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