G8 Summit, Evian, France, 31st May - 3rd June 2003

Background

The G8 summit is the annual get-together of the heads of state and governmental representatives of the seven richest industrialized states on the planet (plus Russia). The meetings at the summit will pursue the neo-liberal capitalist agenda of ensuring the maximum profit for the global north at the expense of the south. They seek to regulate the affairs of the planet in a way that benefits them most, regardless of the suffering, environmental damage and inequality it causes.

While developing countries struggle under their horrendous debts to the G8 states, they are subject to interference and domination by the richest states and transnational companies; debt-forgiveness is linked to privatization of essential services such as education, public transport and healthcare. And who profits? The G8 states. Who suffers? The ordinary people of the planet.

From www.Claaacg8.org:

"We believe that between human beings, there should exist relationships other than that of the market, of domination, alienation and exploitation. Pollution, the waste of natural resources and differences in wealth are ever more catastrophic. Globalization translates into a degradation of living and work conditions and an increase in social control. The bosses, with the connivance of the States, are on the offensive with the destruction of public services, attacks on labour rights, job precariousness, flexibility, layoffs and the dismantlement of social rights (welfare, pensions etc.).

This capitalist system cannot be reformed as it inevitably leads to these effects. The break with capitalism is, in our opinion, the only possible way to prevent a human and ecological economic catastrophe."

Actions against the G8 in Evian

The G8 summit is opening on June 1st in Evian, on the southern shore of Lake Geneva (Leman). Around Evian itself there is to be a large exclusion zone of several miles. Any attempt to get to the actual venue will end up with people confronted by police in the countryside far away from it. Alternative strategies have therefore been developed to overcome the obstacles in our way.

Provisionally, the main day of action is going to be on the opening day, Sunday June 1st. Demonstrations and blockades will take place on that day. There are some very good maps with many of the blockage options surrounding the lake on the www.g8deviant.org web site.

During the several days before there will be at least two self-organised camps. The CLAAAC (libertarians and anarchists) wanted to make their own camp (VAAAG), the other groups like the Greens, student groups, anarchists, Trotskyists and individuals are making another camp. In Geneva there will also be a media-oriented convergence centre and counter-summit (both will be NGO/Social Forum style).

To confront the G8 summit is to confront the enemies of people across the planet: to strike a blow against the G8 summit is to strike a blow for all down-trodden peoples, to demand equality and freedom for all, to say "No" to a world based on their profits and not our needs. Through our actions, we can present alternatives that protect our environment, ensure our survival, and start us on the road towards a better future.

Related web sites

http://squat.net/contre-attaque
http://anti-g8.de

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