[Imc] IMC NEWS BLAST | WORLD SOCIAL FORUM -- WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM | 01-FEB-2001

Sun Feb 4 01:41:07 UTC 2001

I periodically send these to the list so that our local IMCers have a
chance to sign up.  This is an online news service by www.indymedia.org
and it tends to be great.  Some of these are good examples of short news
peices like those we have been producing for Monday nights.
- danielle

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 02 Feb 2001 06:48:42 +0100
From: imc-news-admin at indymedia.org
Reply-To: imc-news-request at indymedia.org
To: imc-news at indymedia.org
Subject: IMC NEWS BLAST | WORLD SOCIAL FORUM -- WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM |
    01-FEB-2001

IMC NEWS BLAST | Thursday, February 1, 2001 | http://www.indymedia.org

A compilation of photos, video, and audio and text reports from the Independent
Media Center's coverage of the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brasil, and
the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.  Released Thursday, February 1,
2001. Check the Indymedia newswire -- http://www.indymedia.org - for upcoming
translations of this News Blast.

OVERVIEW

 From January 25 to 30, the first World Social Forum convened in Porto Alegre,
Brazil. The World Social Forum (WSF) brought together grassroots activists,
international NGOs and social movements in the global struggle against
neo-liberalism and corporate domination.  Planned to coincide with, and provide
an active contrast to, the World Economic Forum (WEF), which attracted the
richest and most powerful corporations to the Davos, Switzerland, during the
same period, to discuss strategies to further increase their profits, the World
Social Forum sought to create a place in which those involved in the struggle
against globalization could gather to initiate and/or expand dialogues about
developing viable alternatives to neo-liberalism. Nearly 10,000 individuals
representing social-change organizations from all over the world converged in
Porto Alegre for the Forum, and throughout the week they attended workshops and
plenaries about creating viable global economic and social structures.  Was the
summit a groundbreaking convergence of forward-thinking activists or a move to
simply "put a human face" on globalization?

The World Economic Forum, which held its own annual meeting from January 25 to
30 in Davos, Switzerland, barricaded itself against hundreds of
anti-globalization protestors. Founded in 1971 by Swiss-based German
entrepreneur Dr. Klaus Schwab, the WEF has grown to become one of the world's
most important conventions of "global leaders" such as corporate executive
officers and heads of state. The WEF allows multinational corporations
unprecedented access to the government decision-makers who influence their
industries, and it grants governments an unparalleled opportunity to coordinate
their operations with global business. Swiss police vowed not to allow
protestors to disrupt the meetings, as activists in Melbourne, Australia
certainly did to the September 11th, 2000, WEF meetings there.  Did Swiss
police succeed in keeping the focus on global capitalism and away from those
fighting against it?

This Indymedia News Blast will present some highlights of the multimedia,
multilingual coverage of the WSF and WEF that appeared on the Indymedia sites
from January 25 to 30, 2001.  Keep your browser pointed at the Indymedia sites,
especially IMC-Brasil (http://brasil.indymedia.org) and IMC-Switzerland
(http://switzerland.indymedia.org) for continuing coverage.

**** BACKGROUND comparing the WSF and WEF: ****

MANIFESTO OF THE WORLD SOCIAL FORUM
By the World Social Forum collective (21-DEC-2000)

The WSF's Manifesto declares that the WSF has formed to strengthen alliances
between NGOs, unions and social movements in the effort to develop sustainable
alternatives to globalization.  It also suggests that the WSF wants people to
have greater participation in the IMF, World Bank and WTO, feeding criticisms
that WSF planners intend to reform those institutions, rather than fight them.
"The World Social Forum will be a new international arena for the creation and
exchange of social and economic projects that promote human rights, social
justice and sustainable development."
http://www.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=15202 (English)

DAVOS  PORTO ALEGRE: TWO WORLDS CLASH
by Patrick Le Hyaric, directeur de l'Humanité (27-JAN-2001)

For the first time in its existence, the World Economic Forum in Davos sees
itself up against a World Social Forum, meeting in Porto Alegre in the south
of Brazil. "In the cold fog of Davos, multi-billionnaires, self-proclaimed
world directors, are going to discourse in plush rooms, sheltered from
inquisitive eyes, on ways to restart the profit race."
http://www.cmaq.net/viewarticle.ch2?articleid=373 (French)

WHEN DAVOS MEETS PORTO ALEGRE
by Walden Bello (01-FEB-2001)

The author, Executive Director of the Bangkok-based Focus on the Global South,
contrasts the history-making World Economic Forum in Porto Alegre, a
forward-thinking, world-changing event, with the World Economic Forum in Davos,
a corporate conference that could only take place behind a wall of overly
brutal  Swiss police.
http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=21404

**** THE WORLD SOCIAL FORUM ****

--- BACKGROUND: "The Promise of Porto Alegre" ---

THE PROMISE OF PORTO ALEGRE
By Ignacio Ramonet (22-JAN-2001)

The author explains the WSF as the beginning of a new kind of global
democracy.  "The new century is starting in Porto Alegre....At the start of
this new century, the dreamers gathered in Porto Alegre will remind us that
globalisation extends to more than just the economy. The protection of the
environment, the crisis of social inequality and human rights are also matters
of global concern. And the time has come for the world's citizens to take them
in hand."
http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=19466 (English)
http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=94 (Portuguese)
http://belgium.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1763 (French)

WHY THE WORLD SOCIAL FORUM?
By Noam Chomsky (20-JAN-2001)

Chomsky answers the question in the title of his essay: "The World Social Forum
offers opportunities of unparalleled importance to bring together popular
forces from many and varied constituencies from the richer and poor countries
alike, to develop constructive alternatives that will defend the overwhelming
majority of the world's population from the attack on fundamental human rights,
and to move on to break down illegitimate power concentrations and extend the
domains of justice and freedom."
http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=85 (Portuguese)
http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=101 (English)
http://belgium.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1312 (French)

THE WORLD SOCIAL FORUM: THE NECESSARY ARTICULATION OF THE PEOPLE
by Stedile João Pedro (16-JAN-2000)

The author, an economist and member of the Brazilian movement of landless
peoples, the MST, sees in the WSF a step toward creating "mechanisms of
articulation" among the people of the world. "The World Social Forum will take
place in Porto Alegre over the next few days, from January 25 to 30, in
opposition to the Capital Forum being held,
as it is every year, in Davos, Switzerland. In the continuation of a long
march, we come upon the need for creating linking mechanisms among the
peoples of the whole world."
http://www.cmaq.net/viewarticle.ch2?articleid=314 (French)

SIX DAYS TO SHOW THAT ANOTHER WORLD IS POSSIBLE
by Benito Perez (25-JAN-2001)

The "Davos of the South" opens Thursday in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Thousands of
delegates from social movements opposing neoliberalism are attemptng to
coordinate their struggle for another kind of society, a society that has yet
to be invented. Ten thousand delegates representing a thousand
organizations, 40 workshops... The first World Social Forum (WSF), which
will be held between the 25 and 30 of January at Port Alegre, awakens the
greatest expectations among those who defend the idea that "another world is
possible." It is a slogan that summarizes the dual ambitions of the
promoters of the Forum: to strengthen resistance in the face of "neoliberal
globalization" and to develop alternatives.
http://www.cmaq.net/viewarticle.ch2?articleid=357 (French)

For more information on the World Social Forum, visit the World Social Forum's
web site at "http://www.forumsocialmundial.org.br"

--- THE FORUM ITSELF: An overview and some statements from the Forum ---

OVERVIEW OF THE WORLD SOCIAL FORUM
By Thiago Oppermann (28-JAN-2001)

An extensive overview of the WSF: the coming-together of international social
movements and NGOs, the criticism by those who oppose it, the relationship of
the WSF to the city of Porto Alegre, the demonstrations by WSF participants
against genetically modified crops and McDonalds and response of the Brazilian
media.
http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=176 (English)

[Italian summary of first day at the WSF, by Altremappe:
http://italia.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=715 (Italian)

Italian summary of WSF, January 29, by Altremappe:
http://italia.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=770 (Italian)]

YES, THE DREAM IS POSSIBLE
by Mugny Patrice (29-JAN-2001)

In the context of the World Social Forum, the author explores those fighting
poverty in Brazil.  "The metal door opens. Small, two-storey houses line both
sides of the street. Behind these houses there are other, similar streets.
Living here are families who, weekend after weekend, have built their
dwellings. All around Sao Pualo there are collectives such as this one. Those
people fought to obtain the land, legally or illegally. Then, they found small
loans. Then, they built. At the bottom of the street, behind another iron
gate,  along a brook, extends a favela. The contrast is striking. There is an
intense feeling of a juxtaposition of hope and despair. And yet...."
http://www.cmaq.net/viewarticle.ch2?articleid=384 (French)

AUTHOR AND ANTI-CAPITALIST EDUARDO GALLEANO SPEAKS
By Maxxx E. (27-JAN-2001)

Galleano's poetic speech against the "McDonaldization" of the world blasts the
hypocrisy of nations that call for peace but make war.
http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=164 (Portuguese)

Against Bush's Policy: Legalizing Abortion is Possible
Posted by gcr (29-JAN-2001)

Several organizations of women represented at the WSF come together to denounce
U.S. President George Bush's stance on abortion.  "In the first day of his
government, George Bush signed a documents imposing a ban on funds to
international organizations that offer abortions. This gesture does not affect
North-American women, but those in countries that depend on this financing.
Within these, it affects the poorer women. It cuts off their access to
education, health and family planning services."
http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=184 (English)

WTO CAN’T HIDE FROM VIA CAMPESINA
By M.McNee (29-JAN-2001)

"Representatives from Via Campesina, a transnational coalition of peasant
movements from over 80 countries, promised during a press conference today at
the World Social Forum in Porto  Alegre, that the WTO, IMF, and World Bank will
not be able to hide from their protests. Movement
leaders from Brazil, Chile, Honduras, Indonesia and the European Union promised
that, even in the middle of a desert in Quatar, there activists will be there
protesting."
http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=186

REALITIES AND PROBLEMS OF THREE ABORIGINAL GROUPS
By Ana P.S. Rodrigues (29-JAN-2001)

Representatives from groups of indigenous peoples in Mexico, Ecuador and Brazil
nations convene to explain their current situations and to express their
support for upcoming actions like a Zapatista march at the end of February.
http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=195 (Portuguese)

--- ACTIONS: Participants in the World Social Forum engage in several acts of
protest and civil disobedience ---

LIVING THE ALTERNATIVES
By Ana Nogueira (26-JAN-2001)

"Waving flags of all colors and stripes and chanting 'another world is
possible,' over 15,000 people marched through a main street in Porto Alegre,
Brazil yesterday at the close of the first day of the World Social Forum.
Thousands of people representing hundreds of organizations from around the
world are gathered here this week. Their purpose: to create that other world."
http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=142

OCCUPATION OF MONSANTO AG-INDUSTRY COMPLEX IN NAO-ME-TOQUE
by Patricia Comunello (translated by Malc), (26-JAN-2001)

"The occupation of a Monsanto agribusiness complex in the state of Rio Grande
do Sul, Brazil begins a new year of activism targeting genetic modification of
seeds and the corporate domination of agriculture, according to Joao Pedro
Stedile, one of the leaders of Brazil's Landless Rural Workers Movement (MST)."

http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=127

JOSE BOVE HELPS TO DESTROY MONSTANTO TRANSGENICS IN NAO-ME-TOQUE
By Débora Lerrer, Circuíto Porto Alegre (27-JAN-2001)

"A caravan of peasant leaders from around the world, lead by French farmer José
Bové, joined Brazilian rural activists in Nao-Me-Toque, Brazil on Friday and
helped to destroy a crop of transgenic soy planted at the Monsanto research
center occupied on Thursday evening."
http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=152
(Bove ordered by Brazilian Federal Police to leave the country, by dacontra,
29-JAN-2001, http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=194)
10:04am Fri Jan 26 '01

A WSF PROTEST AGAINST THE TORTURE OF BRAZILIAN PRISONERS
by Toya (27-JAN-2001)

During a January 26 press conference of the Governor of the RIO DE JANEIRO
Garotinho, participants in the World Social Forum protested the torture of
prisoners politicians by the Committee Against the Arrest and the Persecution
Politics in Brazil.
http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=158 (Portuguese)

ACTION AGAINST MCDONALDS IN BRAZIL AS PART OF WSF
By Maria Eva Blotta (29-JAN-2001)

Activists marching in Porto Alegre in support of the WSF approach McDonald's
food and, defying police who were protecting the "junk food" restaraunt,
offered to exchange the McDonald's food that people were eating for natural
food grown in an ecologically sound manner.
http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=188 (Spanish)

--- CRITICISMS: Several organizations criticize the WSF for elitism, reformism,
authoritarianism and lack of participatory process ---

MANIFEST OF ANTI-CAPITALIST YOUTH AGAINST THE WORLD SOCIAL FORUM
Posted by gcr (29-JAN-2001)

Anti-Capitalist youth from the Youth Camp in Porto Alegre accuse the WSF of
being a reformist effort that only seeks to reform capitalism, not to eliminate
it.  "We say: The World Social Forum is a ruse of those who wish to detour the
anti-capitalist fight towards the policy of collaboration of classes and
elections, continuing to apply the misery of capitalism."
http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=190 (English)
[Anti-Capitalist Youth Demonstrate in WSF Mail Hall, by Maxxx E., 29-JAN-2001,
http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=193 (Portuguese)]

DIRECTIONS AND MISDIRECTIONS OF WORLD SOCIAL FORUM
By Helio Gama (26-JAN-2001)

The author accuses both the WEF and the WSF of a similar type of elitism - the
WEF being a function of corporate leaders who want to impose their blueprint on
the world, the WSF being a meeting of sociologists and political scientists who
want to remake the world to conform with their vision.
http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=126 (English)
(Also, Gama's: "Take care! The 'feudalistic socialists' are coming",
26-JAN-2001, http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=125, English)

OTHER CRITICISMS OF THE WSF:
-- Criticism of WSF by "Federacao Anarquista Gaucha"
http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=71 (Portuguese)
-- Criticism of WSF by the publisher of "The Organizer"
http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=90 (Portuguese)
-- Criticism of the WSF by Collective Acrático Proposal
http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=72 (Portuguese)
-- Comunidade Piracema
http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=84 (Portuguese)
-- Coletive Contra a Corrente
http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=83 (Portuguese)
-- WSF: Authoritarian Left or Anarchist Left?
http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=62 (English)

--- PHOTOS of the WSF ---

PHOTOS BY RABBLE:

-- Anti-USA Banner:
http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=172

-- Banner Announcing March Against "Wall of Death" (US/Mexican Border) in 2003
http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=171

-- World Social Forum "Mosaic of Resistance"
http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=169

-- "World Heart" at WSF, Symbol of Global Unity
http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=168

-- Police Protect American Brazilian Cultural Center as Activists Pelt it With
Rotten Fruit
http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=141

-- Activists Throwing Rotten Fruit at the American Cultural Center (I)
http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=140

-- Activists Throwing Rotten Fruit at the American Cultural Center (II)
http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=139

-- Counter ALCA/FTAA Banner
http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=138

-- Burning McDonald's Bag
http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=137

-- Anarchist Symbol Scrawled on Van in Porto Alegre
http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=136

-- Flags at a Rally in Porto Alegre
http://brasil.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=133

Keep checking the IMC-Brasil (http://brasil.indymedia.org) web site for updates
on the meetings during the WSF, including audio recordings of, and reports
about, many of the sessions.

**** THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM ****

--- BACKGROUND: The World Economic Forum's Vision for a New World: Global
Capital and More of It ---

DR. SCHWAB AND HIS WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM
Posted by IMC-Belgium (20-DEC-2000)

A good history of the World Economic Forum and overview of its view of the new
world order.
http://belgium.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1649 (French)
(Background in Italian: http://www.ecn.org/agp/davos01/inumano.html,
http://www.ecn.org/agp/davos01/dottklaus.htm)

BACKGROUND ON THE WEF (BY ANTI-WEF COALITION)
By: coordination anti-OMC (22-DEC-2000)

The anti-WEF coalition's background of the WEF, explaining why the coalition
opposes the "total community, a total partnership between the leaders economic,
political, university and media," that the WEF hopes to create.
http://belgium.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1670 (French)

PLATFORM OF ACTION AGAINST THE WEF
By coordination of anti-OMC (22-DEC-2000)

The anti-OMC coalition's platform explaining why it deplores the goals of the
WEF and declaring that it does not want dialogue but instead intends to
confront the WEF
http://belgium.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1669 (French)

MINUTES FROM THE 1st INTERNATIONAL PLANNING MEETING AGAINST THE WEF
By shut it down (15-NOV-2000)

Minutes from the October 14 and 15, 2000, meeting of about eighty anti-WEF
activists to plan opposition against the WEF meetings in Davos.  The minutes
include a declaration against the WEF and a discussion of possible tactics
activists plan to use while trying to shut down the meetings.
http://www.belgium.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1130 (English)

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
-- Coalition Against Davos (WOW -- Wipe Out WEF)
http://www.under.ch/davos/index.htm (French)
http://www.ecn.org/agp/ (Italian)
http://www.reitschule.ch/reitschule/anti-wto/index.shtml (German)

-- The "Other Davos" Web Site:
http://www.otherdavos.net (multilingual)

-- Public Eye on Davos
http://www.davos2001.ch/ (English)

---"NOT ANOTHER MELBOURNE...!"---

Police and WEF officials desperately did not want the Davos meetings to be
anything like the September 11, 2000 meetings of the World Economic Forum
Asia-Pacific Summit in Melbourne, Australia.  Demonstrators there disrupted the
meetings in order to state their opposition to the global economic order that
the delegates are promoting for the region.  Activists stopped the delegates
from entering by surrounding the "Crown Casino" conference center  and
blockading streets.  While facing down police without badges, demonstrators
provided the delegates to the WEF meeting with quite a surprise

Vandana Shiva Reads the Activists’ Explanation of Protests to WEF Delegates:
http://www.melbourne.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1607&group=webcast

Activists Surround the Conference Center:
http://www.melbourne.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1483&group=webcast

Demonstrators Blockade Streets:
http://www.melbourne.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=2232.

Melbourne Police Without Badges:
http://www.melbourne.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=2311

Photo Montage of Anti-WEF activists:
http://www.melbourne.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1736

Activists Bare All to Protest WEF:
http://www.melbourne.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=2105

IMC-Melbourne (http://melbourne.indymedia.org) provided audio:
(http://clients.loudeye.com/imc/melbourne/saro.ram,
http://clients.loudeye.com/imc/melbourne/marion.ram) and video
(http://clients.loudeye.com/imc/melbourne/vidclip.ram) coverage of the
happenings.

For more information, order the IMC-Melbourne's video: Melbourne Rising:
http://www.melbourne.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=4560

-- INDEPENDENT MEDIA COVER THE WEF: During the Davos protests, independent
reporters provided multimedia coverage --

TEXT AND PHOTOS:
During the days of Davos the IMC-Switzerland
(http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1148&group=webcast)
provided up to the minute updates of the protests against the WEF and the
police reaction to them

AUDIO:
During the WEF actions the alternative Swiss radio station Radio LoRa provided
excellent audio coverage of the events, primarily in German but occasionally in
English.  Reports available on the web site include excerpts from "The Other
Davos" and "Public Eye on Davos" meetings, statements from police press
conferences about their handling of the WEF demonstrations and consistent
up-to-the-minute updates on those demonstrations.
http://www.lora.ch/events/davos/index.htm

VIDEO:

During both the WEF and WSF, MadMundo TV provided some coverage of the events,
inviting a wide array of participants, from business leaders to in-the-streets
activists, to comment on the unfolding events.
http://www.madmundo.tv

--- THE ACTIONS: Activists Challenge Corporate Power ---

SUMMARY OF THE PROTESTS THAT TOOK PLACE DURING THE WEF-SUMMIT
by Anti-WTO-Coordination (29-JAN-2001)
http://www.switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1268 (German)

--- BEFORE JANUARY 25: Swiss police vow to keep WEF meetings running smoothly
even in the face of mass protest ---

SWISS POLICE PREPARE FOR THE WEF
Posted by Fred (03-JAN-2001)

A statement by Swiss officials about the importance of the WEF to Switzerland
and the likely disturbances that protests will create.
http://www.belgium.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1770 (French)

WEF-PROTESTS IN DAVOS AND RESTRUCTURING OF THE SWISS POLICE
By lup (07-JAN-2001)

The author questions the resolve of the Swiss police to maintain free-speech
rights considering the importance to the Swiss government that the WEF run
"smoothly."
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=16&group=webcast
(English)

U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT WARNS U.S. CITIZENS AGAINST BEING IN DAVOS DURING THE WEF
By vp (22-JAN-2001)
http://www.switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=105&group=webcast
(English)

BUS TURNED AWAY AT SWISS BORDER ON TUESDAY, JAN 23
by IMC France (24-JAN-2001)

"A group of French people going to Switzerland to protest the World Economic
Forum meeting in Davos has been stopped and turned away for no legal reason by
the Swiss Mobile Customs Services."  The article indicates that as early as
January 23 Swiss police were checking names of demonstrators through a database
and prohibiting those who had been arrested in Prague, protesting the World
Bank and IMF this past September, from entering the country.
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=161&group=webcast
(English)

--- JANUARY 25: Tensions mount as activists start to demonstrate; many refused
at Swiss border ---

THEOLOGICAL MOVEMENT STREET THEATER SHOVED BY POLICE
By IMC-Davos (25-JAN-2001)

"Members of the Theological Movement Street Theater Group were shoved around by
the police in Davos today. The actors were also searched and detained for one
hour before being released."
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=299&group=webcast
(English)

MCDONALDS SECURITY GUARD PEPPER-SPRAYED AFTER SCUFFLE IN ZURICH
By Bill Vaughn (25-JAN-2001)

A group of about twenty people calling themselves anti-WEF activists converged
on a plaza in central Zurich and began spray-painting commercial buildings. A
McDonnalds security guard, who came out and physically attacked the
spray-painters, was pepper-sprayed in the face after pinning down one man.
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=288&group=webcast
(English)

ACTIVISTS OPPOSED TO WEF BLOCK SWISS MOTORWAY IN “OPERATION ESCARGOT”
by Collectif "Luge des classes" (26-JAN-2001)

A statement from the activists who blocked a Swiss highway on January 25,
2001.  "This action's goal was to concretely disturb the progress of the Forum
by impeding the arrival of the delegates, some of whom were in fact blocked in
the ensuing traffic jam."
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=495&group=webcast
[Activists from Highway slowdown released, by Bill Vaughn, 26-JAN-2001,
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=260&group=webcast]

“THE LONG HISTORY OF THE INDYMEDIA VAN”
By Indymedia (25-JAN-2001)

An account of the ordeal of the Indymedia van, stopped at the border on the way
to Davos.
http://italia.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=710 (Italian)
[Also: Police Stop Indymedia Van at Border, by Bill Vaughn, 25-JAN-2001,
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=203&group=webcast
(English)]
[Photo of police checking Indymedia ID passes, 28-JAN-2001
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1150&group=webcast]

--- JANUARY 26: Swiss Police Stop More Activists at the Border, Actions Begin
Around Switzerland ---

PROTESTERS PREVENTED FROM ENTERING SWITZERLAND HAVE ACTIONS IN GENEVA (FRENCH
BORDER) AND CHIASSO (ITALIAN BORDER)
by Bill Vaughn (26-JAN-2001)
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=513&group=webcast
(English)

ON THE BORDERS OF FREEDOM: “WHITE OVERALLS” BETWEEN ITALY AND SWITZERLAND
by ya basta (26-JAN-2001)

"The Global Action Bus with members of the Milan "white overalls" (Ya Basta)
organization on board left Piazzale Loreto, Milan, on January 26 at 3.30 p.m
and reached the Swiss frontier at 5.30 p.m. from the centre of Como."
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=452&group=webcast
(English)
[Photo of "White Overalls"
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/local/images/tutteb.gif]

PUBLIC EYE SPEAKERS TURNED AWAY
by Bill Vaughn (26-JAN-2001)

"Adam Ma'anit of Corporate Europe Observatory was supposed to speak today at
the Public Eye on Davos Conference but could not because the police in
Landquart grabbed him, took him off the train and sent him back to Basel."
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=374&group=webcast
(English)

INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS TURNED AWAY FROM DAVOS
by Bill Vaughn (26-JAN-2001)
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=366&group=webcast
(English)

SEVENTEEN FOREIGN NATIONALS STOPPED BY POLICE
by Bill Vaughn (26-JAN-2001)

"This afternoon 17 foreign nationals in a caravan, mostly from the UK,
including a Channel 4 TV crew, were stopped on the way to Davos by police. They
are currently in police custody at a nearby police station and are all being
finger printed, photographed, and interrogated."
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=319&group=webcast

AUSTRIAN BUS TURNED BACK
by Infoshop Grauzone, Innsbruck/Austria

A bus with 38 anti-WEF activists from Austria was turned back at the
Swiss border. According to the Swiss authorities their presence in
Switzerland would endanger the "inner order and security" of the
country.
http://www.switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1011 (German)

ITALIANS STOPPED AT BORDER
By SGAMATI (26-JAN-2001)
http://italia.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=729 (Italian)

FIVE HUNDRED PEOPOLE GETTING TO DAVOS DESPITE POLICE REPRESSION
By Bill Vaughn (26-JAN-2001
"According to the latest information at 12:30pm, at least 500 protesters
attempting to defy a ban on protests, have travelled by train to Lanquart,
about 40 km from Davos, at which authorities previously decided Davos-bound
trains would be terminated. Additionally, dozens of buses and other vehicles
full of protesters are also advancing towards Davos."
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=551&group=webcast
(English)
[Photo of anti-WEF train arriving, by Andy Dockett, posted 31-JAN-2001,
http://davos.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1506]

ACTIVISTS ATTACK A DEPARTMENT STORE
by Skunks Against capitalism (26-JAN-2001)

"In Zurich today a group of activists opposed to the World Economic Forum in
Davos attacked a department store, a symbol of capitalism."
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=496&group=webcast
(English)

ANTI-WEF ACTIVISTS OCCUPY GENEVA WTO HEADQUARTERS
by Bill Vaughn (26-JAN-2001)

"Statement of the 200 activists: We are pissed off at the WTO, so we pissed on
the WTO . . . ."
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=519&group=webcast

--- JANUARY 27: Tensions between police and activists explode into violence ---

REPORT ABOUT DEMONSTRATION IN LANDQUART AND ZURICH
By ac anti-wef at juso.org (27-JAN-2001)

Saturday's anti-WEF activities in Switzerland repeatedly saw heavy
police attacks using teargas, water-cannons and rubber pellets
against peaceful demonstrations. These unprovoked attacks finally
sparked a riot in the streets of Zurich. An eye-witness report about
the events in Landquart and Zurich.
http://www.switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1181 (English)

DEMONSTRATION IN DAVOS
By anti-wef at juso.org (27-JAN-2001)

An eyewitness reports about the demonstration in Davos itself, which
remained peaceful despite of constant police provocations.
http://www.switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1210 (English)

REPORT ON THE JAN 27 DAVOS PROTEST
by Doc Rosen (27-JAN-2001)

Another eyewitness report about the protest and harsh security
measures in Davos on January 27th.
http://www.switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1247 (English)

REPORTS OF VIOLENCE
By Inter (27-JAN-2001)

Ten arrests and several injuries are reported at the demonstration at Sihlquai
(near main train station) in Zurich, along with several burning cars and other
incidents. The soundtruck has been seized by the police and 6 people
maintaining it have been arrested. Two German girls are in the hospital with
eye injuries which appear to have been caused by rubber bullets fired by the
police.
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=928&group=webcast
(English)

SEVERAL PEOPLE INJURED AFTER POLICE ATTACK IN ZURICH
by Indymedia (27-JAN-2001)

Several people were injured during the violent police attack on a
peaceful demonstration in Zurich on the 27th. A day later Indymedia
published an (incomplete) list of injuries.
http://www.switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1286 (English)

PHOTOS OF JANUARY 27 DEMONSTRATIONS
by vp

-- "Wipe out WEF"
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1156&group=webcast
-- Anti-WEF, Anti-police Graffiti
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1159&group=webcast
-- A Snowy Demonstration in Davos
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1152&group=webcast
-- Police Attack Demonstrators With Water Cannon
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1138&group=webcast

PHOTOS OF JANUARY 27 DEMONSTRATIONS
by IMC Davos

-- Snowy Davos Demonstration:
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=739&group=webcast,
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=665&group=webcast,
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=626&group=webcast
-- "Wipe Out WEF"
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1097&group=webcast

“OUR RESISTANCE IS AS GLOBAL AS YOUR OPPRESSION”
Photo by Alcid (posted 28-JAN-2001)
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1110&group=webcast

PHOTO OF FIRES IN ZURICH
posted by Swingkid (27-JAN-2001)
http://www.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=20462

ITALIAN SUMMARY OF J27 PROTESTS
By Indymedia (28-JAN-2001)
http://italia.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=756 (Italian)

DID POLICE BEAT VANDANA SHIVA?
By Bill Vaughn (27-JAN-2001)

Noted anti-globalization author Vandana Shiva faces rough Swiss police in
Davos.
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=648&group=webcast
[Photo of Vandana Shiva in Davos, By Rote Fabrik,
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1100&group=webcast)

GAS ON THE ROAD TO LANDQUART, 27 JANUARY
Photo by cybershakacrew (posted 29-JAN-2001)
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1347&group=webcast

SCREEN SHOTS FROM TV OF SWISS POLICE, 27 JANUARY
by webmaster at you-know-what.ch (posted 28-JAN-2001)
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1158&group=webcast

PHOTO OF POLICE IN DAVOS, 27 JANUARY
Photo by vp (posted 28-JAN-2001)
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1160&group=webcast

PHOTO OF WATER CANNON IN DAVOS, 27 JANUARY
by vp (posted 28-JAN-2001)
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1155&group=webcast

PHOTOS OF SWISS POLICE IN LANDQUART, 27 JANUARY
By Loris (posted 30-JAN-2001)
http://italia.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=784
http://italia.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=783

--- JANUARY 28 and after ---

NGOS AND MANSTREAM PRESS CRITICIZE POLICE VIOLENCE
By Bill Vaughn (28-JAN-2001)
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1113&group=webcast
(English)

PUBLIC EYE ON DAVOS DECLARES THEIR FORUM A SUCCESS
http://davos.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1425
[Photos of "Public Eye" forum by IMC:
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=655&group=webcast,
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=654&group=webcast]

REPRESSION AND “WHITE TORTURE” AGAINST ARRESTEES
By IMC Zurich (30-JAN-2001)

Several released arrestees have reported severe repression and "white
torutre" carried out by the police against them while they were
imprisoned.
http://www.switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1397 (English)

--- SOLIDARITY: Individuals and organizations from around the world show
support for WEF demonstrators ---

PROTO OF ANTI-WEF PROTEST IN BARCELONA
By barcelona.indymedia (28-JAN-2001)

ACTIVISTS BLOCKING TRAFFIC IN BARCELONA
http://www.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=20739

ANTI-WEF PROTEST IN POLAND, 28 JANUARY
By IMC Zurich / nadir / Osteuropa-Ag (posted 30-JAN-2001)
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1479&group=webcast
(Polish)

OCCUPATION OF SWISS EMBASSY IN LYON IN SOLIDARITY WITH THOSE ARRESTED IN
SWITZERLAND, 29 JANUARY
By collectif anti-repression (posted 29-JAN-2001)
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1440&group=webcast
(French)

SOLIDARITY ACTION IN MADRID, 27 JANUARY
by Radikal Stencil (posted 28-JAN-2001)

"5-7000 anti-capitalists take to the downtown streets of Madrid in solidarity
with Davos protestors, and against the fascist new immigration laws in Spain."
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=1022&group=webcast
(English)

ACTION IN FRONT OF SWISS EMBASSY IN ROME BY ITALIAN ACTIVISTS, 29 JANUARY
By Candid (30-JAN-2001)

On January 29 there was a protest in front of the Swiss Embassy in Rome asking
for liberation of the two Italians who at that point were still detained in a
Swiss jail http://italia.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=794 (Italian):
Video: http://clients.loudeye.com/imc/italy/ambasciata.rmvwxk50.ram (Italian)

SOLIDARITY FROM AMARC
posted by AMARC Africa (26-JAN-2001)

Solidarity message from the Second Pan-African Conference on Community Radio
organized by AMARC, the world organization of community radio
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=409&group=webcast
(English)

SOLIDARITY STATEMENTS FROM WORLD SOCIAL FORUM SPEAKERS POSTED BY JOSE G. AND
NOEMI

-- Short Audio Solidarity Message from Indian Anti-Globalization Activists at
WSF
http://clients.loudeye.com/imc/switzerland/fsmdalvos7.ram

-- Solidarity Statement from Samir Amin
http://clients.loudeye.com/imc/switzerland/fsmdalvos4.ram

-- MST Supports Davos protests
http://clients.loudeye.com/imc/switzerland/fsmdalvos.rmicqabg.ram

-- Solidarity Message from Hebe de la Bonfini
http://clients.loudeye.com/imc/switzerland/fsmdalvos2.ram

-- Solidarity Message From Eduardo Galleano
http://clients.loudeye.com/imc/switzerland/fsmdalvos3.ram

Keep checking the IMC-Switzerland (http://switzerland.indymedia.org) web site
for updates on those arrested during the Davos protests and for overviews of
the effect of the protests on the WEF initiatives, and watch IMC-Italy
(http://italia.indymedia.org) over the days to come as they post their
extensive
video coverage of the demonstrations.

Thank you to the News Blast team:
A.Narres anarres at gmx.net from the IMC translation team, c.arlo
carlo2k1 at netscape.net from IMC-Italy, Diane feralsage at sprint.ca from the
IMC-print team, s|a|m sam at media.com.au from IMC-Melbourne, Jay jay at tao.ca from
IMC-Philadelphia.  Do you want to help with the next News Blast?  Contact Jay
at jay at tao.ca.
---------------------------------------------------------------

INDEPENDENT MEDIA CENTER
http://www.indymedia.org
The IMC is a decentralized network of independent media
makers, organizers, and activists working to increase
democracy and social justice by reporting events and
producing information as acts of autonomy, resistance,
and liberation from corporate control.

The IMC was established to cover the WTO protests in Seattle
last November. Hundreds of media activists have since setup
independent media centers in London, Canada, Mexico City, Prague,
Belgium, France, and Italy, with more to come.
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