G20: Fears of Protest, Heightened Security
April 1st, 2009 at 11:39 am - by Tom Prout
The G20 summit due to be held in London on April 2nd is set to be the cause of “unprecedented” protests, staged by a variety of organizations. The British police have responded by increasing security in the city exponentially, in hopes that the summit may proceed unhindered.
The groups who are reported to be planning mass protests include several environmentalist collectives, anti-war campaigns, and unemployment advocates. Several such groups are: Camp For Climate Action, Campaign Against Clime Change, People and Planet, Stop The War Coalition, and Youth Fight For Jobs. The motives and method of each of the protests vary greatly, and each group will advocate for their cause independently; though the opportunity for media attention afforded protesters by the summit will create a city-wide display of outrage.
The G20 Meltdown, a newly formed group in response to the summit, plans to stage a faux-carnival through the streets of London, beginning at the Bank of England. Though the collective of street performers, elaborately dressed demonstrators, and live musicians is planning a peaceful protest, police in the area are concerned that violent elements may emerge over time.
Groups of climate change demonstrators have planned a 24-hour “flashcamp” involving the convergence of thousands of supporters outside the European Climate Exchange on Bishopsgate in Liverpool Street. Alternative locations have been earmarked in case of police opposition to the act. People and Planet, a student-led group campaigning to end world poverty, defend human rights and protect the environment are rumoured to have a specific target in mind — the Royal Bank of Scotland, whose offices are primarily located in the same area, Bishopsgate.
Several other parades, rallies, and demonstrations will take place over the course of today and tomorrow, including a city-wide march of anti-war protesters beginning at 2pm and continuing until well into the evening. Police fear that the several thousand demonstrators could effectively halt the city for two days, at a time when world leaders are set to convene to find a solution to the present financial crisis. The financial sector of London, commonly referred to as ‘The City’, is the likely target of demonstrations which police fear could become violent. Probably targets include merchant and high street banks, auditors, law firms, energy firms, financial associations, arms traders and commerce groups.
According to The Metropolitan Police, a preliminary 3,000 officers will be stationed throughout the district, with an equal number held in reserve should the protests become violent and warrant it. Several riot vans, equipped with specially trained teams and an arsenal of 50,000 volt stun guns, will be available should the officers need them; this will be the first time that such measures have been used in riots in the U.K.
The umbrella operation, called the G20 Meltdown, encompasses almost 80 protest groups for the purpose of disrupting the summit — several known anarchists are expected to infiltrate the groups in an attempt to storm key financial institutions, and it is feared that the Royal Bank of Scotland will place highly on the list of priority targets. Due to these suspicions, major firms are being urged to practice business inconspicuously for the duration of the demonstrations, with some being asked to keep their staff indoors.
The cost of the security initiative, Operation Glencoe, exceeds £7 million and will be remotely commanded from a base in south London through a complex network of surveillance cameras and video links. In addition to managing the protests, security forces in London will also be under pressure to protect the world leaders and finance ministers from each of the G20 countries, in addition to over 40 separate delegations in attendance on Thursday.
The G20 summit hopes to address initiatives which may see a resolution to the financial crisis formulated, including increased representation of emerging economies and a proposed doubling of IMF lending capacity to $500 billion.
