Business as usual

     In the run-up to the G8 summit a lot was announced, demanded and said. Famous people such as Bono from the Irish rock band  U2 sallied out to raise people’s awareness about the problems and conditions in Third World countries, especially in Africa. Organisations such as Attac, Interventionistische Linke, or Greenpeace stated that they would try anything to carry the demands on the G8 summit to Heiligendamm.     

     100,000 demonstrators from all around the world were expected and the whole city of Rostock prepared itself for excesses and riots like the ones that took place in Genua in 2001. But what really happend remained far behind the expectations. Camps which where supposed to accomodate 15,000 recorded only 60 people, during the biggest demonstration only 30,000 to 50,000 people were counted and feared struggles between the police and militant protesters were less severe than they had been expected. Regrettably, riots started after the demonstration on Saturday. Radical leftists of the so called ‘Black Block’ started to throw stones, bottles and other projectiles at the police and burned down one car.     

     But all this happened near the harbour in a particular area and not all over downtown as it was stated in the news. The media used the pictures of these excesses to make up a scenario which should make the viewers/listeners believe that Rostock was in a state of emergency. And sure it was but not as much as the media wanted it to be. Therefore they showed the same pictures over and over again and came up with stories. However, there was nothing reported about the peaceful and creative demonstrators who represented the vast majority. Even during the following day the media tried to report as much about riots as possible and so again the amicable activities such as the “Alternativgipfel”, the “J8″ or information events paled into insignificance.    

     Fortunately, Rostock was spared further riots and violent excesses throughout the remaining time of the G8 summit. Protestors were even able to succeed when they reached the fence around the venue. All things considered it has been business as usual during a G8 summit and the peaceful activities and demonstrations outweighted the violent struggles.  

written by J.M.S., 10.06.2007