RTS Success!

FINLAND: On the 9th of August, this time in Tampere, the largest town after Helsinki, 1200 people blocked a major street near the railway station and the party kicked on from 12 to 6 pm after which we had a break before the all-night RTS-continuation party at the beach just a mile from the town centre. The Police had said earlier that week that “because the Helsinki-RTS (17.5.1997) had been ‘so peaceful’ there would be no police intervention required” [they didn’t know why to arrest us]. This time the media was there and we got our message through though the local paper wrote next morning that “the RTS-party had not troubled the traffic” [“Your resistance is futile - submit!”]. Are they trying to challenge us - should we perhaps block the whole town centre next time?

You Can Contact RTS-Finland at: jp56048@uta.fi [or] oras@freenet.hut.fi

BRISTOL: Over 1000 people turned up in Bristol on the 21st June to block the start of the M32, jamming up the entire Bristol city centre. After the party, that went very well indeed, police moved in to make 22 arrests and call it a riot, however only 4 of these cases are now being followed. Pictures and witnesses of arrests are needed, especially at the illegal raid of the squat the night before. Unfortunately Desert Storm, (veteran sound system), had their rig impounded after the event, it is still unclear if they will get it back. Contact Bristol EF!

EDINBURGH: There was a slight clash of the drama culture and ecoculture as a theatre group were involved using the street party as publicity for their play: we want press, yes we'll move Mr. Policeman vs this is a protest - we'll resist the police. However there was a broad range of activists from around Europe, many of whom got nicked and were not being released until a few days later. A large police presence failed to deter the main group from its destination, an empowering feeling. The Scottish police had a totally harsh, non negotiable approach, however activists asked for a consensus decision on moving away, and so a large talking circle was formed where all decisions had to be translated into 12 languages, annoying the police intensely.