Summary and Chronology of ERRI/EmergencyNet News Reports Concerning Anti-Capitalist/Anti-Globalization Protest and Civil Disturbances
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21:00CDT/22:00EDT - 28 Sep 2002
Police Arrest Anti-Globalization Protestors on Explosives Charges
WASHINGTON, DC - Although the exact components of the devices have not
yet been identified by authorities, D. C. police have reportedly arrested four
demonstrators on Saturday when they were allegedly found carrying
improvised explosive devices (IED's) just a few blocks from the International Monetary Fund
building. The arrest occurred at about 19:00EDT on
Saturday, September 28, 2002. Officers arrested the so-far unidentified men as they left an alley near the IMF and
World Bank headquarters in Washington and found "coffee cans" that police
said were rigged with some sort of explosive materials. "(It
was) some sort of a coffee can device," Kelly McCurry, a spokeswoman for
the Washington D.C. Metropolitan police told the Reuters News service. She
said the four men were initially charged with a misdemeanor possession of an
explosive device...
Mass Arrests At Anti-IMF Demo In Washington
WASHINGTON: Police arrested about 600 people at anti-globaliZation demonstrations against meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. There were scuffles and small-scale violence as protesters took to the streets, chaining themselves together and setting fire to tires, in the first of an expected three days of protests. Among the tactics aimed at disrupting the capital's morning rush hour, demonstrators made hoax calls to the emergency services, staged sit-ins and cycled en masse through the city.
Other oddball protesters danced through the streets with mud and leaves smeared on their faces and clothes. However, many commuters heeded advice to avoid driving into the downtown area and, with a few exceptions, traffic flow was unhindered. And finance ministers met without interruption, though surrounded by barricades of police.
A massive police presence has been deployed and the area around the World Bank building has been cordoned off with iron crowd-control barriers. A total of 3,200 police, including 1,700 brought in from other forces, some as far away as Chicago, have been deployed. Between 200 and 300 protesters were arrested near the White House after they staged a drumming protest against a possible attack on Iraq.
Demonstrators Expected to Protest Homeland Security
Measures In Washington, DC
September 27-29, 2002
In their own words...
"Our
resistance must be visible and confrontational to the powers that we
oppose. The last two mass demonstrations in Washington DC have been almost
completely void of direct action. We cannot allow the state to dictate our
protests against them or simply use our legitimate resistance as a P.R.
building tool. The state allows a place for "protest as usual" within
"business as usual" and we must move outside the box, do the unexpected
and truly challenge the system... -- Statement by the
ANTI-CAPITALIST CONVERGENCE, Washington, DC
20 May 2002
Police Get Ready For Violent Anti-U.S. Protests In Germany
GERMANY: Police in the German capital of Berlin said on Tuesday they were sending for reinforcements because of fears of violent demonstrations by left-wing militants throughout the city over a visit by POTUS this week. A police spokesman said 10,000 officers -- a post-war record for a state guest -- would be on duty. It is feared an estimated 2-3,000 left-wing extremists living in Berlin might use anti-globalization and anti-POTUS protests to spark violence.
The police spokesman said: "We have indications from a variety of sources
that violent left-wing extremists will attempt disruptions either from
within the rallies or at locations out of the city center. The police are
ready. We will be on red alert. There will be massive areas closed off ...
so that there will be no danger to the state's visitor." The U.S.
President's trip to Berlin will open a six-day tour of Germany, Russia,
France and Italy. Many of the 200 planned demonstrations are in protest at a
possible U.S. attack on Iraq, and Washington's trade, environmental and
Middle East policies. Per usual, ERRI crisis experts will be monitoring
events in Germany and will bring you timely reports as events warrant...
(After action report: at least 30 people received minor
injuries and 40 were arrested in limited protests in Berlin)
INSTANT UPDATE - 17:00CDT/18:00EDT - 20 Apr 2002
Demonstrations Apparently Over For Day, Appear to Be Peaceful
Washington, DC (EmergencyNet News) -- Washington Metropolitan Police Chief Charles Ramsey said that demonstrations today in the District were peaceful and that no arrests had occurred. "There are just large numbers of people who want to have their voices heard and that's what America is all about, so it's good for all of us," Chief Ramsey told the Reuters news service. "As long as it's like this, God bless them," Ramsey added.
Washington Gets Ready For Protests
WASHINGTON: Amid chants by the protestors that "God is Great" in Arabic and calls to "Globalize the Intifada," police in the nation's capital have barricaded streets and are guarding buildings where a series of protests are planned for the start of a meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators want to organize a mass rally against Israel's military action on the West Bank, to rival a demonstration in favor of Israel last week. Thousands of demonstrators are also expected to condemn the scope of the US-led "war on terror."
Since violence erupted on the streets of Seattle during the hosting of a
World Trade Organization meeting in November 1999, law enforcement agencies
have concentrated on how to keep protests under control. The Washington
Metropolitan Police have set up metal barricades around the offices of the
IMF and the World Bank. Officers with riot gear have been standing guard on
street corners in the business area, just a few blocks from the White House.
Late on Friday, police made their first arrests during a mass bicycle ride.
Forty cyclists reportedly ignored red lights and rode the wrong way down a
one-way street.
World Bank: http://www.worldbank.org
International Monetary Fund: http://www.imf.org
19 Apr 2002
WASHINGTON DC: Emergency Response & Research Institute (ERRI)
analysts and EmergencyNet News correspondents are closely monitoring events
surrounding planned demonstrations against the World Bank, International
Monetary Fund, the situation in the Middle-East, and involving the long-term
guerilla war in Colombia. The events are scheduled to start tomorrow (Apr
20) in several cities. They are expected to continue through the 22nd of
April, when the Israeli Prime Minister is expected to visit DC. We will
bring you additional details if/when circumstances warrant...
02 Feb 2002
Good News at the WEF??
By C. L. Staten
NEW YORK CITY -- EmergencyNet News sometimes receive e-mails wondering why we never post any "good news" or asking why there are no cartoons or other entertainment features on this website. The answer to those questions is clearly stated above in the title of our news page..."No Nonsense News and Analysis."
That said, however, it would appear that we do have some good news coming from New York City today. The demonstrations surrounding the 32nd World Economic Forum (WEF) appear, so far, to be calm and peaceful. Will wonders ever cease? This would appear to be the first time in recent memory that the anti-capitalist protests haven't disintegrated into a disgusting display of rioting, arson, and vandalism.
The actions of the demonstrators in NYC, also represent in our view, what
the founding fathers meant when they included the "right to assemble" and
"engage in dissent" in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. If the
protesters against the WEF can manage to maintain this non-violent approach
to disagreement, everyone should congratulate them. Let's hope that this
sort of non-violent protest sets a clear example for future
anti-capitalist/anti-globalist events. Oh, and let's not forget to
compliment the planning, preparedness, and tolerance of the NYPD officers
charged with keeping the peace during these protests...
28 Jan 2002
U.S. NATIONAL NEWS:
Security Tightened For Economic Forum Meeting In New York
By Paul Anderson, ERRI Analyst
NEW YORK CITY: Hoping to keep anti-globalization protesters from disrupting a meeting and avoiding an outbreak of violence in the tense, post-9/11 atmosphere, New York will have its guard up to protect this week's annual meeting of the World Economic Forum. Three thousand influential people are flocking to the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel for the five-day meeting starting on Thursday. The forum had previously always met in Davos, Switzerland.
Demonstrations at recent international business gatherings from Seattle to Genoa, Italy, to Quebec City, to Washington have turned violent, and New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly dispatched officers to visit those cities to collect intelligence as he mobilized forces to prepare for the forum. A confident Kelly said the NYPD would be well prepared. Kelly said: "You could say we practice every day. New York City is home to over 600 demonstrations a year."
The operation to handle this get-together, however, will be special. Kelly says thousands of police would be used in his security scheme, "Operation Decorum at the Forum," which also incorporates the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, New York's Office of Emergency Management crisis team, U.S. State Department Diplomatic Security agents and hundreds of private security people. Police recently completed two weeks of tactical drills in which they practiced maneuvers, including how to push back protesters using nightsticks, how to stop protesters from disrupting a motorcade and how to remove demonstrators who form human chains.
One ERRI analyst, very familiar with the anti-capitalist/anti-globalist
movement, said this morning in an editorial meeting that he was sure it
would be a welcome change if all of the demonstrators actually kept to their
word of engaging in completely non-violent protest. EmergencyNet News will
be monitoring events in NYC this weekend and will bring you updates as
circumstances warrant...
27 Sep 2001 - 10:00CDT
ANTI-CAPITALIST/ANTI-GLOBALIST ISSUES
Anti-Capitalist/Anti-Globalist; Now "Anti-War"
WASHINGTON, DC (EmergencyNet News) -- Emergency Response & Research Institute (ERRI) analysts continue to monitor possible protest actions that are scheduled to take place this weekend in Washington, D.C.. According to a variety of press releases, mailing lists and webpage organizing actions, several organizations had planned to carry out massive demonstrations against a World Bank/International Monetary Fund meeting that was to have taken place in DC on 27-30 Sep 2001. As the result of the terrorist attacks that took place on 11 Sep 2001, the WB/IMF decided to cancel their meetings.
But, undaunted by the fact that their target of their protest had been eliminated, the protest groups have vowed to continue their protest efforts anyway. In fact, according to their most recent rhetoric, it appears that they are now "morphing" into an a "peace/antiwar movement." Of course, regardless of their stated or alleged motivation, they say that they intend to continue to protest the U.S. government, including a call by them to surround the White House and protest against U.S. retaliation against those who attacked NYC and Washington. The first "anti-war" protests sponsored by the International Action Center and other associated organizations are now reportedly scheduled to take place in Lafayette Park, across from the White House, this weekend.
Thankfully, law enforcement sources in the capital tell EmergencyNet News
that the number of protestors should be greatly reduced -- from an
anticipated 100,000 to protest the WB/IMF meeting -- down to 6-8,000 to
protest America's involvement in a war on terrorism. Or, at least, that is
the number allowed by the park permit that the protestors obtained. Some
analysts suggest, however, that there may also be a number of
pro-retaliation protestors, who are likely to show up to counter the
newly-minted "anti-war" protestors. Numerous police agencies will undoubtedly be on hand
to keep the peace and ensure that vandalism and other damage doesn't occur. EmergencyNet News continues to monitor events concerning these protests and
will provide additional details as circumstances warrant.
01 Sep 2001
MEXICO:
Explosion at Mexico City Car Showroom; Targeted U.S. Businesses
MEXICO CITY, MX -- A improvised explosive device (IED) exploded at a showroom of U.S. automaker General Motors Corp. on Saturday. A second device planted at a nearby McDonalds' restaurant smoldered but did not detonate, authorities said. No injuries were reported in either incident.
The bomb exploded at a Chevrolet showroom, operated by General Motors, near Mexico City's airport, shattering windows and collapsing part of a ceiling, Mexico City Attorney General Bernardo Batiz told reporters. The second device was found at an outlet of U.S. fast food chain McDonalds Corp. in front of the Chevrolet showroom. The device gave off smoke and a foul odor, Batiz said.
The explosion came as world trade officials were gathered in Mexico City in a bid to resolve disagreements that could block the launch of new world trade talks later this year. The blast also occurred just hours before President Vicente Fox was scheduled to give his first state of the union address. Batiz said police were beefing up patrols near Congress, where Fox was scheduled to give his address, and at restaurants, banks and businesses, which could be potential targets for guerrilla groups.
Police said no one had claimed responsibility for the attacks, but radio reports said a guerrilla group calling itself the "Group of Guerrilla Combatants of Jose Martia Morelos y Pavo" was responsible. The group has never appeared publicly in Mexico, and is unfamiliar to counter-terrorism analysts.
Saturday's explosion follows a string of other small bomb blasts at branches of Banamex, a Mexican bank recently acquired in a privatization move by U.S. financial giant Citigroup for $12.5 billion. The Citibank bombs have caused property damage, but no injuries. They are believed to be the work of a little-known guerrilla group called the "Revolutionary Armed Forces of the People," or FARP. Batiz told the Reuters news service that Saturday's bomb at the Chevrolet showroom was made of black powder and was "more powerful" than the devices detonated at the Banamex branches.
ERRI ANALYSIS
These Mexico City incidents (see above) are exactly what we were talking about when we earlier said that we feared an increase in terrorist attacks in Latin America in the run-up (and or concurrent) to the anti-capitalist/anti-globalist protests in Washington, DC at the end of the September. Although relatively insignificant in damage, we believe that these two incidents are significant in intent and indicative of an impending escalation, in the view of ERRI analysts.
Additionally, given the U.S. targets, it would be hypothesis that these two incidents are actually "anti-capitalist terrorist attacks" and associated with a possible larger and developing conspiracy in the Americas. Our current assessment would suggest that there will be "more events to come" in this still evolving alliance of Latin American leftist "revolutionaries" and the anti-capitalist/anti-globalist movement.
ERRI is further examining intent, tactics and patterns concerning this
entire situation and will provide additional updates as more information
becomes available...
28 August 2001
ITALY:
INTERNATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT & ANTI-CAPITALISM/ANTI-GLOBALISM
Genoa's Police Chief Urges Broader Review of G8 Violence
ROME -- Genoa's former police chief Francesco Colucci, who was sacked after riots marred the G8 summit, told a parliamentary fact-finding committee on Tuesday that it should look into the root causes of the violence instead of seeking to lay blame, the Agence France-Presse reported.
While saying that he accepted responsibility for police behavior during the rioting, Colucci said inquests into the violence should take a broader approach than finger-pointing. "We should not just be looking at responsibilities...we must also understand why we were unable to stop excessive violence by demonstrators and 'reprehensible behavior' by security forces," Colucci added.
One protester died and hundreds were injured when anti-globalization demonstrations turned violent during the July 20-22 Group of Eight (G8) summit of world leaders in Genoa. The violence threw doubt over whether a ministerial meeting in Naples of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) next month and a summit of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome in November should go ahead as planned.
Colucci is one of three senior police officials who were dismissed after the G-8 violence tarnished Italy's image as a host country for international meetings. Colucci criticized an interior ministry investigation of responsibilities that led to his dismissal as "hasty and not very professional," but said he accepted it.
Police in Genoa were not facing "a situation of public order, but an urban guerrilla movement", Colucci told the committee. He admitted that there were some "inadequacies" in preparing for the event and that police were not sufficiently prepared to cope with the tens of thousands of angry protesters.
He also criticized the Genoa Social Forum (GSF) -- an umbrella movement
of anti-globalization groups whose headquarters were targeted by a
middle-of-the-night police raid -- for failing to cooperate with the police
and isolate violent demonstrators. Colucci said the GSF protected radicals
with a strongly-held "code of silence." "They did not denounce anybody, they
did not give any useful hints and in some cases they hindered the police,"
Colucci charged.
24 July 2001
ITALY/GREECE/ENGLAND:
Threats/Demonstrations at Embassies
Threats have been received by a number of Italian Diplomatic and Consular missions following the G-8 summit held last weekend in Genoa by anarchist extremists.
Three explosive devices went off overnight in the Greek capital, Athens, destroying an Italian diplomat's car and damaging four other vehicles parked outside two Italian car dealers' shops. Police said the attacks were carried out in the city's northern suburbs, using makeshift arson devices.
Nobody admitted responsibility for the blasts, which police said could be linked to anti-globalization protests at the G8 summit in the Italian city of Genoa. About 150 Greek activists were turned back by the Italian authorities, and one Greek demonstrator was reported to have been arrested in Genoa. Correspondents say anarchists carry out dozens of arson attacks in Athens every year, targeting government offices and diplomatic missions.
Earlier today (Sunday night), in London, anti-globalization protesters
organized a "sit-in" in front of the Italian and the Canadian (host to the
next G-8) embassies. Some vandalism of embassies was also carried out by
alleged anti-G8 protestors.
02 July 2001
AUSTRIA:
Police And Protesters Clash At Economic Summit
As they attempted to march on a regional economic summit in Salzburg on Sunday, several hundred anti-globalization demonstrators clashed with police. At least five demonstrators were arrested and four police officers were injured by stone-throwing protesters at the height of the protest. After a tense five-hour stand-off, in which Salzburg police used tactics similar to those used by London police in recent Mayday protests, protesters finally filed calmly through two columns of riot police into the city square, where they were allowed to go in small groups.
Officers with police dogs and armed with tear gas watched them carefully. Interior Ministry spokesman Robert Sturm said that police negotiated an end to the demonstration and most of the protestors were accompanied to the railway station, where a special train was to take them to Vienna.
Participants at the European economic summit faced multiple checkpoints
to reach the downtown congress center where the three-day meeting, organized
by the World Economic Forum (WEF), was being held. Police estimated that
about 700 protesters gathered at the summit on Sunday, while protest groups
estimated the crowd at 2,000. At least some protests, of so far undetermined
size, are scheduled to continue today.
01 July 2001
AUSTRIA:
Salzburg Authorities Get Ready For Violent Protests
As a gathering of top European business and political leaders is set to begin, security has been tightened in the city of Salzburg as police brace for potentially violent demonstrations. Barricades have been put up around the city's old town, ahead of the start of the three-day European Economic summit organized by the World Economic Forum (WEF). Wanting to avoid the kind of violence that marred last month's European Union summit in Sweden, Austria has imposed emergency border controls and is bringing in police reinforcements.
Anti-globalization activists have made the Geneva-based WEF one of their top targets. Some 5,000 demonstrators are expected to attend a demonstration on Sunday. Police believe that some are planning to disrupt the summit.
Local media reports estimate that an additional 5,000 police have been
sent in from around the country. Austria, which normally allows
passport-free travel to citizens of any EU country participating in the
Schengen agreement, temporarily reintroduced controls last week as a way of
filtering out potential troublemakers.
28 June 2001
BRAZIL:
Energy March Turns Violent
Street confrontations broke out on Wednesday in the Brazilian capital, Brasilia, during a march to protest against corruption and energy rationing. Police said some 30,000 people took part in the march but that the trouble was started by a small group of thugs and anarchists who started to throw bottles and stones at police lines. In response, police fired teargas, even nearby the podium in front of the Congress from which speeches were being made. Police also used a water cannon, and mounted police charged the protesters. At least eight people were reported injured.
ERRI's Clark Staten, in a e-mail discussion of this event, said,
"Increasingly, we believe we will see civil disturbances erupt over
shortages and high costs of energy and natural resources, to include
water..our current assessment would suggest that this is an emerging
megatrend...and we don't use the word 'megatrend' lightly."
Austria - DoS Public Announcement
June 26, 2001
[Anticapitalist/Antiglobalist Protests Advisory]
American citizens are advised to exercise caution if traveling to Salzburg, Austria during the July 1-3 meeting of the World Economic Forum. There are numerous reports that large numbers of organized demonstrators may attempt to disrupt the meetings. Approximately 2,000 participants, including over a dozen heads of state, are expected to attend.
Local officials are taking extreme security precautions and will mount a significant police and security presence. The area at the new Congress Center in Salzburg will be cordoned off to traffic, as will several major squares in the city. Access to the old town area may be affected. Border crossing controls into Austria from Germany and Italy will be operational during this period and individuals and vehicles may be subject to search. These precautions will begin on June 25 and will be in effect until the conclusion of the meetings on July 3. Americans in the Salzburg area during this time should maintain a low profile and avoid any and all demonstrations.
For further general information on travel to Austria, please consult the
Department of State's latest Consular Information Sheet for Austria at
http://travel.state.gov. The Embassy
also maintains a web site, at
http://www.usembassy-vienna.at with security updates and other
information helpful to American citizens. This Public Announcement expires
on August 1, 2001.
25 June 2001
SPAIN:
Barcelona Rally Broken Up By Police
After a crowd of thousands of anti-globalization demonstrators turned violent on the streets of Barcelona in northeastern Spain, police fired rubber bullets and tear gas to quell the rioters. The demonstration began peacefully but turned violent when a group of protesters began smashing shop windows, including many belonging to internationally- known companies. In response, police twice charged the crowd, which had gathered in the city's main square, forcing them to disperse. Some officers, dressed as demonstrators, reportedly made targeted arrests of vandals.
The march had been timed to coincide with a meeting of the World Bank, which was cancelled last month over fears of violent demonstrations. Despite the cancellation, internet sites urged people to gather in Barcelona anyway as a show of strength for their movement. Some estimates put the number of people attending the rally at least 20,000. Observers said that the police appeared well-prepared to cope with the violence.
06/19/2001 13:01CDT
From EmergencyNet News Mid-Day Intelligence Summary
RUSSIA:
Russian Security Chief Concerned About Threat Against G-8 Summit
The Russian president's chief bodyguard said on Tuesday that master
terrorist Usama Bin Laden might want to use an upcoming July G-8 summit in Italy to
attack POTUS and other world leaders. Yevgeny Murov, whose official title
is head of the Russian Federal Bodyguard Service, was quoted by Itar-Tass
news agency as saying: "Bin Laden is threatening the American president,
but we know what international terrorism is today and therefore all the
bodyguard units concerned are preparing for this..."
16 June 2001
SWEDEN:
Police Brace For More Violence In Gothenburg
As the European Union summit entered its final day, police in Gothenburg are preparing for more violent demonstrations by anti-capitalist protesters. Three demonstrators were shot and wounded, one critically, by police during disturbances on Friday. Up to 25,000 anti-capitalist and anti-EU protesters are expected to march on Saturday as EU leaders continue their work in a conference center surrounded by steel fencing and riot police.
Friday's violence appeared to get out of hand when a police officer used live ammunition against the demonstrators. Officials said live rounds were used because rubber-coated bullets and tear gas were not available, and that the officer opened fire in self-defense. Swedish Justice Minister Thomas Bodstrom, said: "This is not the problem what kind of weapon was used by the police. The problem is there are 400 or 500 people who are here just to start fighting."
Anti-globalization, anti-EU and anti-US demonstrators have been fighting pitched battles with heavily outnumbered police for two days. Between 500 and 600 people have been arrested and more than 50 of those have been charged. On Friday, shops were looted and buildings damaged. The protesters, many wearing facemasks, threw fireworks and stones at police, who fought back with clubs.
Others were seen shattering shop windows, including a McDonald's restaurant and a bank, and burning cafe furniture along streets littered with debris. Some mounted policemen were thrown off their horses. Twelve police officers were injured in the street battles, which raged for several hours.
Demonstrators tried repeatedly to get close to the conference hall where
the 15 EU leaders are meeting. A planned dinner for the leaders had to be
relocated for security reasons and four delegations attending the summit
were also asked to change hotels after police said they could no longer
guarantee their safety.
SWEDEN:
17:00CDT - 15 June 2001
Riots Continue to Rage Overnight in Sweden; At Least Two Shot
GOTHEBURG, Sweden (EmergencyNet News) -- Violent disturbances continued to rage long into Friday night in Gotheburg, with a late report suggesting that at least two people had been shot in the latest skirmish between police and extreme "black-bloc" leftists and anarchists. Some confusion continues at this hour whether two or three people were shot as rioters reportedly surrounded and threatened a police officer. Swedish EMS and hospital sources say that at least thirty-five people have been injured in two days of disturbances. More than 500 people have also been arrested so far, police say. EmergencyNet News continues to monitor events in Europe and will provide additional updates as circumstances warrant...
*****
09:00CDT - 15 June 2001
EU Summit Victim Of Bomb Scare
As EU leaders met in Gothenburg for a two-day summit, police closed off a shopping district in the city after locating what appeared to be a bomb. A police bomb squad was said to be on the scene and taking every precaution, but authorities were unable to provide any details on the suspect object and the number of people evacuated. Swedish news agency TT quoted police as saying that two girls had found the suspect device. The presence of an actual explosive device was not immediately confirmed by Swedish authorities.
In related news that has just come in, police in Gothenburg made several arrests on Friday when protesters got out of control, throwing rocks and bottles at riot police and smashing downtown shop windows in some of the worst violence ever to haunt an EU summit.
A
large number of professional rioters -- some carrying red anarchist flags --
clashed with riot police on the Kungsportsavenyn, a stylish boulevard less
than a half mile from the summit venue. Bonfires fueled by stolen wicker
cafe chairs burned, as protesters -- many wearing black face masks -- were
seen shattering shop windows all along the street. ERRI crisis analysts said
that extreme leftists and anarchists seem intent on violently disrupting any
government or business meeting, where they can gain additional attention for
their self-perceived grievances.
12:00CDT - 14 June 2001
Police Skirmish With So-Called "Black-Bloc" Activists in Sweden
GOTHEBURG, Sweden (EmergencyNet
News) -- Various reports are coming in to Emergencynet News concerning
demonstrations taking place in the normally placid Swedish city of
Gotheburg. According to eyewitnesses, a collection
of anti-globalization, anti-European Union and environmental groups have
converged on the city. Police have reported that at least 9,000 protesters
are present and authorities believe that they have come from several
countries to participate in the protests. Late reports from the scene say
that the protestors are lobbing rocks, bottles, and other debris at
police.
14 June 2001
SWEDEN:
Serious Security Precautions In Place As POTUS Arrives In Gothenburg
As POTUS arrived on Thursday for a summit with EU leaders, police implemented a number of a security measures to keep protesters away from the U.S. President. Police surrounded and sealed off a school in the center of the southern port city of Gothenburg where hundreds of "activists" were staying. Police believed many of those inside were planning "illegal protests" at the summit.
Police in riot gear spread out across Gothenburg, some manning double steel barricades sealing off a two-block area around the conference center. Between 10,000 and 25,000 "activists" from dozens of anti- European Union, anti-U.S. and other anti-globalization groups were expected to arrive in the town, outnumbering police by as much as 25 to one. Metal cargo containers were hoisted into place to seal off key intersections.
Several groups had threatened to "storm" the opening of an EU summit on
Friday which follows the EU-U.S. meeting, by pushing through cordons or
climbing in. Normally peaceful and law-abiding Sweden has had no serious
riots for almost a decade.
13 June 2001
SWEDEN:
Five Arrested For Preparing Attack On Upcoming EU Summit
Police arrested five people on Tuesday suspected of preparing an attack during the EU summit in the Swedish town of Gothenburg later this week. The five were arrested at 0400 hours local time following a raid at an apartment in Gothenburg. Materials were confiscated from the apartment but police would not elaborate.
A two-day summit wrapping up Sweden's six-month presidency of the European Union is to start on Friday in the western Swedish town, with leaders from the 15 member states visiting the town. POTUS is also scheduled to visit Gothenburg on Thursday for a one-day US-EU summit. Tens of thousands of demonstrators plan to take to the streets of Gothenburg during the summit.
A wide coalition of groups, most of them who see the EU as undemocratic
and part of the threat of globaliZation, are expected to march in the center
of the town. A demonstration is also planned for Thursday, when the US
President meets EU leaders during his visit. Police had said they did not
expect violence from protesters during the summit, but that they were
prepared for it should it happen.
25 Apr 2001
UNITED KINGDOM:
Warning Given For Possible May Day Violence
Metropolitan Police chief Sir John Stevens and the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, are warning people to stay away from May Day demonstrations in London amid fears that up to a 1000 anarchists are planning serious violence. A total of 5,000 extra police officers from the Met, City of London and British Transport Police forces will be on duty while all leave has been cancelled. Stevens said the officers would help prevent "a hard core of about 1,000 individuals" causing "crime and disorder under the guise of lawful protest."
Latest intelligence indicates that a crowd of between 6,000-10,000 will converge on London for the protests. Letters were delivered to five people on Monday, who are believed to be organizers of the 1 May protests, with more letters to be sent out later this week. Mayor Livingstone warned people not to be duped by claims that the demonstrations were to draw attention to issues such animal rights, environment issues or third world debt.
The mayor said: "The entire political approach of the organizers of May Day Monopoly has nothing to do with the massive and successful demonstrations against apartheid or nuclear weapons which London has witnessed in the past." Oxford Street is expected to be the focus of violence, he warned.
ERRI analysts have also learned that a possibility exists that so-called "hactivists" from communist China and elsewhere will also undertake a campaign of denial of service, virus, or other cyber-attacks concurrent with the May Day protests in London. And, as if all of this weren't bad enough...dissidents have also said that they intend to flood emergency services in England with false emergency calls for bomb threats and other significant emergencies. ERRI analysts are monitoring these protests closely and will provide additional details as circumstances warrant...Click here to review a previous EmergencyNet News report on May Day 2K protests in England
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