Summary of the happenings in Munich - Friday

Friday the protests against the NATO security conference began with actions of the pink-and-silver group in the inner city of Munich, where the first few activists were arrested. Subsequently the first rally on Marienplatz at 5 p.m.. Approximately 2000 - 3000 activists were present. The welcome-celebration of the city of Munich and the participants of the security conference, the cause for the rally, was relocated from the city hall to the hotel "Bayerischer Hof" rapidly.

As the rally ended the majority of those present hit the road to take part in an "elation demonstration" pro war and capitalism through the inner city. With slogans like "war is cool", "everybody's talking about war, we make it" the war propaganda was taken for a ride.

Subsequently to the rally on Marienplatz there were first provocations by the police: the last speaker of the rally, Tobias Pflüger was arrested as the rally ended, cause he called on the German soldiers in Kuwait to desert if it comes to a war of aggression which is against all humen rights. In the late evening he was released again.

But that's not it: Round about 11 p.m. the police stormed the overcrowded convergence center in Troepfelbad with a few hundered and especially with the notorious USK (special task force) from Bavaria. There they expected persons who were supposed to plan felonies. But the police didn't have more than those nebulous speculations for a reason for this incredible action.

Police checked the personal dates of everybody in the convergence center. Those who whouldn't leave the convergence centre voluntarily were forced outside violently. 22 persons were arrested. Some of them to avert danger, others because of resistance. Those are still in prison (Saturday 1 p.m.).

While mayor Ude is mobilizing for a demonstration against a war in Iraq (like this he tries to receive the peace movement) it seems like fundamental critisism on NATO and war is undesired and is answered with criminalization in advance.