INPEG call for solidarity statement
On September, 26 there were massive protest in Prague against the conference
of the IMF and the World bank. Around twelve thousand people demanded these
two institutions to shut down. It was a success - their meeting was seriously
disrupted and the protestors arguments were raised. There were also clashes
with the police force, which was present in massive numbers. Tens of
protesters were arrested during the protest but many more have been arrested
since.
Throughout the following night massive police retaliation took place. Anyone
"suspected" of belonging to the protesters side were chased down, often
beaten and arrested. The official number of the arrested the morning after
S26 was 422 people. As on September, 27 the protests continued to some
extent, the police had a lot of time to search for those who looked like
activists. There are records that the police were occasionally assisted by
Czech nazis, both while chasing protesters and at the same time at the police
stations to which the arrested were moved.
Today on Thursday, 28 the massive arrests are continuing. A non-violent
demonstration in front of the Ministry of Interior against the police
brutality and in solidarity with the arrested took place. Another 30 people
were dragged away. The official police sources say up till now 892 activist
have been arrested, majority of them having already been released. The
reports of those released are absolutely horrifying. They are being denied
access to phone, they are beaten from time to time, at least at one police
station the Nazis have been allowed to access to cells...
It is hard to get a clear picture of the situation in Prague. Because of the
police brutality some activist are so scared that after they are released
they try to get out of the country as soon as possible. It doesn´t allow us
to record their evidence.
The media are hysterical indeed supporting the police 100% and actually
whipping up the repression. As the repressions have been aimed against Czech
activists as well, it´s hard to organize solidarity with the jailed here as
all the attempts to organize in the streets result only into more instant
arrests. At the same time we have no chance to push our arguments through the
official media.
That´s why we appeal to international solidarity, as immediate and strong as
possible.
The situation here is critical. The arrested demand your solidarity. We beg
you to send faxes and E-mails protesting against the treatment of those
arrested. Keep in mind that huge majority of the arrested are arrested only
because of their political conviction. The repression is based on the
collective guilt - the police must stop their brutality and release them
immediately.
If possible try to organize a protest in front of Embassies of Czech
republic. The sooner the better. If there´s no Ambassy in your town there
might be a Czech cultural center.
We thank you very much on behalf of the arrested activists.
Initiative against economic globalisation, the organizational platform of
S26.
PS. The Presidential office fax number is
: 00 420 2 24310851,
while the Chech Republic Minister of Interior fax number is
: 00 420 2 61433560
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