G8: A row of boring rich men in Scotland

With just over two weeks to go before the Group of Eight (G8) Summit begins in Scotland, final preparations are underway. The G8 (comprising France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Russia) meet annually to formalize policy on international issues.

Climate change, immigration, trade justice, economic development in Africa, Middle East reform, and nuclear non-proliferation are amongst the items on the agenda for this year's Summit, which will be held from the 6 to 8th of July at the Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland; the UK Indymedia site will be facilitating independent coverage of the actions and events.

While the G8 prepares to meet behind police lines at Gleneagles, counter-mobilisations and demonstrations are being organized around the world. In Sheffield, there were demonstrations at the G8 Justice and Home Affairs ministers meeting earlier this week, whilst in Glasgow, the Cre8 (counter) Summit has already begun. Demonstrations are being organised by three broad coalitions with links across Europe and the world: Dissent, G8-Alternatives, and Make Poverty History. Overseas, in the United States, Anarchist Action is organizing a West Coast Anti-Capitalist Mobilization Against the G8. However, most events are concentrated in Scotland during the first 8 days of July, including people setting up an Eco-village convergence and camping centre, and blockades of the G8 summit on the first day. These events are mostly linked to ongoing campaigns around issues like anti-militarism and the arms trade, poverty and debt, the market and corporate free trade, environment and climate change, and immigration and borders.

Source: Indymedia