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Group of hub anarchists converges on g8 summit { June 9 2004 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)
http://news.bostonherald.com/national/view.bg?articleid=31169http://news.bostonherald.com/national/view.bg?articleid=31169
Group of Hub anarchists converges on G8 Summit
By Dave Wedge
Wednesday, June 9, 2004
BRUNSWICK, Ga. - A small contingent of Boston-based anarchists marched with about 200 others against the G8 Summit here yesterday and vowed peaceful protest at the Hub's Democratic National Convention.
``We will not fight with the police,'' said ``Sharpie,'' a Great Barrington resident and member of the Boston-based Black Tea Society underground activist group. ``It's stupid. We don't have any guns. Why would we fight with them?''
Authorities reported no incidents during the anti-war march through Brunswick, just a few miles from the exclusive Sea Island resort, where President Bush [related, bio] met yesterday with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. The leaders of Canada, Germany, Russia, Italy, Britain and Germany later reached Sea Island for the economic summit, which has been marred by violence in the past.
Towering police barricades and heavily armed officers have sealed off the island, while waterways and airspace are restricted. In Savannah, the city has been turned into a virtual ghost town as many residents left, fearing massive civil unrest that has yet to materialize.
``People have been scared off,'' said Al Booth, an ex-Marine who was among a small number of tourists dotting Savannah's normally bustling River Street.
In Brunswick, protesters locked arms, many with their faces covered by bandannas, shouting anti-Bush chants.
Durham, N.C., high school senior Elijah Vick said he is angry the summit is closed to media while the world's superpowers shape the future for smaller nations.
``I disagree with just eight powerful countries making decisions for other countries. I think everyone should have a say,'' said Vick, a member of the group Hip Hop Against the Racist War.
Most of the protesters interviewed said they were planning to go to the Republican National Convention in New York in August while some said they may attend the DNC. ``Sharpie'' said he thinks the Georgia law enforcement build-up was ``overkill'' and hopes Boston takes a lesson.
Boston police Deputy Superintendent Robert O'Toole spent the day monitoring the police handling of the protests in Brunswick and Savannah and gathering intelligence on what type of protesters Boston might see for the DNC. He hoped Boston also will seem overprepared.
``I'm hoping in August (people) are saying it was overkill. That's my hope,'' O'Toole said.
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