5,000 WTO protesters in Geneva yesterday

As no doubt reported by the French media, yesterday’s demonstration, called by two Swiss coalitions and supported by various international organisations, amongst which Attac France and its European counterparts, did not reach its destination − the headquarters of the WTO. Geneva police preferred to put an end to it prematurely due to (material) acts of violence carried out by two groups at the head of the cortège.

And yet, everything was perfect: several thousand protesters (probably near 5,000, a success for the organisers), a beautiful late-autumn sun, very radical banners and messages, many representatives of the Global South, farmers, and trade-unions from all over the world. But after shop windows and windscreens were smashed, and some cars set alight, several groups quickly left the demonstration and the police stopped the march. Peasant organisations then negotiated the approval of an alternative route and we resumed our march. However, the incidents continued, teargas was fired and the demonstrators were dispersed once and for all.

Nothing too serious, in the end − property damage essentially, aimed at major banks and food companies based in town. Confrontations between policemen and a handful of hardliners were quite spectacular but not really overwhelming. Of course, the demonstration was broken off, but a very strong collective message was passed and there was no questioning of the legitimacy of the various groups who had come together to protest against the norms governing their communities and lives − free trade, competition and market.

Quite to the contrary: the Swiss movements and their numerous international allies approach the WTO Ministerial Conference, which will be taking place in the next three days, with an extremely varied programme, new action and mobilisation prospects and a lot of room for collective debates and expression. Releasing the pressure on the WTO is out of question.

This morning, the debates are continuing − with representatives of the various movements from Switzerland, Europe and the Global South. Alexandre, the co-secretary of Attac Switzerland, who was sitting next to me, declared he is satisfied with the demonstration and the large crowds present on this Sunday morning.

The only blot on the copybook: three South-Korean comrades from the Korean Peasant Alliance and the Korean Alliance of Progressive Movements were refused entry at Geneva airport and sent back to Seoul by the federal authorities on the basis of their involvement in past protest actions which were judged too radical. Yet in 2009 the Geneva community voted the expansion of the headquarters of the WTO. One of the arguments put forward to support this decision insisted on how important it is for the WTO to remain in a democratic country as it guarantees adequate dialogue conditions and the respect of the international civil society’s right to express itself peacefully.

Pascal Lamy offered to meet the movements present in Geneva sometime during the Ministerial Conference. Judging that the conditions for democratic dialogue are not fulfilled, these have finally declined his invitation. The announcement should be made in the course of the morning.

Translation from french : Fiona Scuiller, Coorditrad

Photo flickr Ronniehall