Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

Mass Protests and Repression at G-20 Summit

The G-20 Summit began today, although police repression of protests began yesterday.

Left Voice

July 7, 2017
Facebook Twitter Share

The anti-G-20 march entitled “Welcome to Hell” was organized by various anti-capitalist groups, leftists and social movements across Europe. They began on Thursday and have continued today, the first day of the G-20 meeting of major world leaders.

In the past, G-20 summits around the world have been met with protests against capitalism, climate policies and globalisation. This G-20, held in Hamburg, Germany, takes on special meaning as protesters also speak out against Donald Trump, who is attending his first G-20 summit.

In preparation for the meeting, Hamburg has turned into a militarized city with unprecedented mechanisms for repression. There are 20,000 police, 30 helicopters, 185 dogs, 70 horses, water cannons, armored cars etc. On Friday, the police called on reinforcements, asking for even more police. The whole thing will cost at least 130 million euros (148 million dollars) of taxpayer money – and probably a lot more.

use_this_one_g20.jpg

Thursday

The police used water cannons and tear gas to repress the march against the G20, which formally begins on Friday.

A huge contingent of riot police stopped the march a little after it began on Thursday. Their only excuse was that some of the protesters were wearing hoodies and masks to hide their identities.

g_20_6.jpg

Friday

On Friday the protests resumed, with roadblocks across the city; thousands marched and trash cans and cars were set on fire. These protests forced Melania Trump to remain in her residence due to safety concerns. Trump, Putin, Merkel, May and other world leaders arrived early and have already begun the G-20 talks.

g_20_7-2.jpg

45 people have been arrested and 159 police have been injured.

Protesters organized sit ins, blocking roads across the city. One of the popular chants: “Capitalism Kills, Let’s Kill Capitalism.”

g_20_3.jpg

Once again, police used water cannons against sit ins. Protesters in many areas of the city have begun throwing rocks and bottles at the cops.

The battle in the streets will continue tomorrow, the second and last day of the G20 summit. It is expected to be the largest demonstration of the weekend, which the police are gearing up to repress. Regardless of whether those who took the streets in Hamburg are able to shut down the G-20 talks, these mobilizations demonstrate that there are tens of thousands who are willing to fight against the attacks organized by the capitalists and their governments.

Facebook Twitter Share

Left Voice

Militant journalism, revolutionary politics.

Europe

The French Union Bureaucracy Walks Back Demand for Complete Withdrawal of Pension Reform

After calling to put the pension reform “on hold,” the Inter-Union has requested “mediation,” even though the French government has rejected outright the proposal, showing that compromise is impossible. This proposition symbolizes the Inter-Union’s strategy of defeat. We urgently need to organize the rank and file to broaden our demands and generalize the strike.

Damien Bernard

March 30, 2023
A group of protesters, in the front of whom are a line of protesters wearing red vests. In the front right corner, a white sign reds "vive la retraite," with a skeleton wearing a red hat in the middle of the sign on a black background with a text bubble on its left that reads, "oiv a bosse, c'est pas pour en crever!"

“French March”: The Right to Revolutionary Optimism

Evoking memories of '68, the students enter the fight against Macron. In our chaotic world, the future can only be built in the streets.

Eduardo Castilla

March 26, 2023

On Monday, Germany Will Experience a “Mega-Strike”

On March 27, German railway workers and public sector employees will shut down the whole country. All trains are being canceled. Airports, freeways, hospitals, and daycare centers will all be affected.

Nathaniel Flakin

March 25, 2023

France: On the Frontlines of the War Against Austerity

The French masses have raised the banner of class struggle in what is becoming the first major battle against austerity after the pandemic. Working people across the world should pay attention.

James Dennis Hoff

March 25, 2023

MOST RECENT

At Least 39 Migrants Die in Fire at Detention Center in Mexico. The State Is Responsible.

The events of March 27 marked one of the darkest chapters in the Mexican State’s anti-immigrant policy, a policy that is increasingly subordinated to the interests of U.S. imperialism.

“Lesser Evil” Biden Wants More Border Patrol Than MAGA Republicans

Over the weekend, Biden bragged about his support for even more resources than “MAGA Republicans.” to “secure the border” on Twitter. This is “lesser evilism” in action.

Molly Rosenzweig

March 28, 2023
Customers clear shelves of water Sunday at Fresh Grocer in West Philadelphia.

A Chemical Plant Just Poisoned Philadelphia’s Water: A First-Hand Account of the Crisis

A company dumped thousands of gallons of poisonous chemicals into Philadelphia’s drinking water. This is an on-the-ground account by a Philadelphia worker and socialist.

Jason Koslowski

March 27, 2023

Joe Biden Is Deporting Russians Who Escaped Putin’s Draft — Let Them All In!

The United States is deporting Russians who sought asylum following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This is a heinous attack against war resisters and shows that the proxy war in Ukraine is about capitalist rivalry first and foremost.

Sam Carliner

March 26, 2023