G8 Protestors Victorious In Training World Eye On Corrupt Policies

Brunswick,GA – They overcame heat, toxic soil, lines of riot police, and even a preemptive state of emergency, but by the end of Thursday, groups opposing the G8 Summit in Georgia claimed victory in turning the world’s eye from the meeting on lavish Sea Island to harsh reality faced by some of the other six billion world residents.

Using creative props and actions, activists marched against the costs of the Iraq war, performed environmental remediation for toxic soil created by Brunswick factories, cleaned and repaired run-down homes, and shared stories of visits with real Palestinian families and their struggle to overcome a US backed Israeli occupation of Palestinian land.

Approximately 400 people representing over 35 different groups participated throughout the week long activities that also included a Fair World Fair celebration, educational forum and panels at The Other Economic Summit (TOES), and a march against racism to empower community residents in the small southern Georgia town.

“Despite the unjustified military occupation of South Georgia, this week’s G8 Summit protests and alternative activities were a great success, delivering messages of peaceful and human-based solutions to the challenges of war, environmental degradation, and hatred,” said Lisa Fithian, National Co-Chair of United for Peace and Justice, an umbrella group for 800 peace and justice organizations.

G8 activists focused extensively on the challenges faced by local Brunswick residents including living with four Federal superfund sites and 20 state toxic waste sites. One group of spiritual activists offered bioremediation tips at Goodyear Elementary School, constructed on ground so toxic the school is built without windows. Local organizers Harry and Zack Lyde, led a march against the racism that has crippled the Brunswick community and stolen land from the Gullah Geechie people.

“This week, we had Fix Shit Up, the Fair World Fair, TOES, and the marches – all of it was positive,” said Harry Lyde, a veteran and Treasurer of the Georgia Green Party. “This week people began to learn and a get a spark that people of good will continue what we started.”

Robert Randall, member of the G8 Hospitality Committee and Brunswick resident offered, “This week has been a positive foundation that we can continue to build in the local community, working to increase local engagement in the global issues that continue to effect us.”

The success of the G8 protest and alternative events was shadowed by a law enforcement and military presence considered to be the most intense in United States history. To control protests, a preemptive state of emergency was announced by the Governor just days before the events, federalizing national guard troops and creating an ever-present security state.

Local residents were told they would risk arrest if they participated in G8 protest events, and organizers were constantly videotaped and followed. At the gate of Sea Island and entrance to the G8 Summit, fifteen anarchists were arrested by National Guard and other police riot troops for sitting down in a street following a police escorted walk of ten miles in 100 degree temperatures.

“This was a huge success, declared Carol Bass, Education Coordinator for The Georgia Peace and Justice Coalition. “Having anyone in the streets to oppose G8 policies after facing this kind of government oppression is a victory. It was fun and creative resistance.”

A wide variety of groups participated in alternative G8 events and protests including faith groups, anarchist collectives, local community organizations, peace and justice coalitions, national and international non-governmental organizations, as well as local residents and visitors.

Harry Lyde added, “ The most important thing of all things is, we are never defiled, never defeated, and always united.”

The broad mobilization, called the G8 Justice Coalition, is an informal group of local, state and national organizations working to provide alternatives to the official G8 Summit. Visit http://www.nog8.org for more information. ###