Asia-Pacific

from email, updated 17 February 2009: "South Korea, a major Asian economic power and the fourth largest in the region, has recently signed a major bilateral accord with the US and is currently negotiating a similar deal with Canada. Social movements in Korea have vigorously opposed the country's succession into the WTO since the mid-1990s and have actively mobilized in opposition to the more recent bilateral trade initiatives..." more

from cryptogon, 9 January 2009: "China faces surging protests and riots in 2009 as rising unemployment stokes discontent, a state-run magazine said in a blunt warning of the hazards to Communist Party control from a sharp economic downturn. The unusually stark report in this week’s Outlook (Liaowang) Magazine, issued by the official Xinhua news agency, said faltering growth could spark anger among millions of migrant workers and university graduates left jobless..." more

posted 12 November 2008: "In this month’s Underreported Struggles: 400,000 Guatemalans Reject Development Model, Philippines Indigenous People Unite for the Land, Riot Police Target Algonquin Blockade, Chagos Islanders Denied the Right of Return, and 17 other stories that you probably haven’t heard about..." more

from corporate media, by email, 8 September 2008: A major defence expo due to start in Adelaide on Remembrance Day has been cancelled amid fears of violence by radical protest groups. Organisers of the Asia-Pacific Defence and Security Exhibition made the decision after talks with the State Government and police over planned protest action against the three-day event. more

from email, via libcom, 14 August 2008: In November 2006, people took to the streets of Melbourne to confront the G20, a meeting of the world's most powerful finance ministers whose policies perpetrate suffering and violence in countless communities around the world every day. Since that protest, Victorian and Federal police have carried out a vast operation of surveillance and arrests, raiding houses at dawn and slapping protestors with ludicrous charges and repressive bail conditions. This is a campaign of intimidation and part of an attempt to criminalise protest. The legal process for those charged after the G20 protests moves slowly on. There have been a few developments this month. more

from email, 10 August 2008: There are many things to say; we cannot express all that is in our hearts in this letter. But for now we can say one thing: thank you for coming to Japan and working hard with us while staying there. The fact that you came means a lot to us. The event has developed a totally new dimension that announces the burgeoning of a planetary movement -- despite difficulties, shortcomings, and failures ­ thanks to your coming and fighting with us as part of one and the same event of the anti-G8 protest 2008. more

from GiIn, 23 April 2008: Within their security divisions, each prefectural level police department and the Tokyo police maintain Kidotai, special riot units. These units were formed after riots at the Imperial Palace in 1952, to respond quickly and effectively to large public disturbances. They are also used in crowd control during festival periods, at times of natural disaster, and to reinforce regular police when necessary. Full-time riot police can also be augmented by regular police trained in riot duties. Currently, there are 10,000 in the whole riot force. more

from email, 15 April 2008: TEN protesters have been convicted but spared jail time for their part in the violent G20 riots, for behaviour described as "defiant" and "aggressive". Magistrate Sarah Dawes today told the court they had shown a callous disregard for the wellbeing of police. Melbourne Magistrates Court heard police were outnumbered and attacked by demonstrators trying to get to delegates at the Group of 20 nations summit at Melbourne's Grand Hyatt Hotel in November, 2006. more

from emial, posted 27 March 2008: Giving in to mounting political pressure from prominent human rights activists on the island of Sakhalin, in Moscow, Berlin, New York and Tokyo, the Russian Foreign ministry has finally ended the combined Russian-Japanese deportation arrest of the left anti-G8 activist Martin Krämer on 23rd of March at 2:00 GMT. more

from email, 27 March 2008: In November 2006, people took to the streets of Melbourne to confront the G20, a meeting of the world’s most powerful finance ministers whose policies perpetrate suffering and violence in countless communities around the world every day. Since that protest, Victorian and Federal police have carried out a vast operation of surveillance and arrests, raiding houses at dawn and slapping protestors with ludicrous charges and repressive bail conditions.  more

from imc-uk, 27 March 2008: The final confirmed route for the London leg of the torch relay is as below. Protests are expected all along the route. 2000 cops will be 'policing' the route all day. more

from japan-imc, 19 March 2008: An overview of the relationship between leftists and NGOs. Since the beginning of this year, NGOs, Leftists, trade unions, green political parties etc. have organized several events and networks concerning the G8 meeting. The position of these networks and organizations range widely from those opposing the G8 (mainly the Leftists) to those offering opinions and alternative ways of the G8 (mainly NGOs). more

from email, 21 February 2008: Resisting Free Trade, Militarism and Fighting for Real Solutions to Climate Change +++ We will begin preparations to challenge the G8 Summit beginning March. We invite all of you to come to Japan and join in our international preparatory meeting from March 7-11, 2008, Tokyo. more

from imc-scotland, 21 February 2008: An interview done over e-mail by Indymedia Scotland gives more information about the state of the Japanese G8 mobilization. Another more in-depth audio interview will be done after at the actual presentation itself and posted on Indymedia Scotland +++ EDINBURGH: Monday February 25th @ Forest Cafe. 2 Bristo Place, Edinburgh. 7pm more