[WSF-Discuss] Heavy Riots and arrests at European Social Forum in Malmö, Sweden

[CACIM]

*Heavy Riots and arrests at European Social Forum in Malmö, Sweden *

author: Nessuno @ http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2008/09/379772.shtml


 As the full European Social Forum got underway for proper, Swedish police,
backed by foriegn police made 16 pre-emptive arrests at Malmo central train
station in the mid-afternoon.




[image: reclaim the
streets]<http://portland.indymedia.org/media/images/2008/09/379773.jpg>[image:
http://portland.indymedia.org/icon/2008/09/379774.jpg]<http://portland.indymedia.org/media/images/2008/09/379774.jpg>[image:
http://portland.indymedia.org/icon/2008/09/379775.jpg]<http://portland.indymedia.org/media/images/2008/09/379775.jpg>



A policewoman said that the protesters were mistaken for being Antifa
members. One protester was charged with carrying an 'illegal weapon' but
this turned out to be a leather sewing needle. He has been bailed to return.


At 6pm all were released but whilst walking towards the swedish reclaim the
streets party in central Malmo were intercepted again and several were
re-arrested after attempting to run. At least 2 possibly 8 are in custody as
of tonight.

There has been several autonmous demonstrations today in Malmo. The first
was a group of cyclists against AIM weapons factory in south Malmo in the
morning. AIM make gunsights for fighter aircraft and helicopters.

During the afternoon, over 2000 protesters assembled in South Eastern Malmo
to demonstrate against E.ON over plans to build power stations in sweden and
also in support and solidarity with the UK climate camp Kingsnorth which
happened in early august. The event was very peaceful, colourful and with no
arrests.

At 8pm tonight in Malmo there was the largest reclaim the streets party in
the centre. until 10pm it was peaceful with the cops just waiting and
watching. As news of the arrests filtered through, the windows of a bank
were stoved in and broken. Riot police then issued warnings to disperse and
most did. However 100-150 protesters decided to stay and confront the
police. A tense standoff then ensued with swedish riot police for a while
with bottles being thrown.

Latest news as a few minutes ago (midnight) is that there have been several
more arrests and large scale property damage in Central Malmo near the City
Hall.

Tomorrow, there will be the main ESF official demonstration with what is
expected to be at least 18-20,000 people demonstrating.
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