Police in brutal raid on G8 protesters' press centre
GENOA, Italy, July 22 (AFP) - Italian police conducted a brutal lightning raid on the press centre of the anti-globalisation movement Genoa Social Forum early Sunday, AFP journalists reported.
The raid began shortly after midnight and ended just before 2 am (0000 GMT).
Yelling, the police smashed open the door and barged into the building on the via Cesare Battisti where there were around 50 people inside.
As people threw themselves on the ground they were kicked and clubbed by the police. Around 40 were injured in the raid, according to the Forum, a figure that was disputed by Genoa police.
Afterwards there was blood all over the place. One injured man with a huge bruise on his cheek said young policemen continued to club and kick people on the ground even when an officer shouted at them to stop.
The police were looking for film and photographs in the possession of the organizers of the anti-G8 demonstrations which degenerated into violence Friday and Saturday, resulting in one death and many wounded in clashes with security forces, the GSF said. _________________
www.indymedia.org Brutal Police Assault On Building Opposite IMC Leaves 20 Seriously Wounded
update 1:20 GMT July 22: Cell phone reports are keeping us updated with events from Genova. An hour ago, POLICE STORMED the building that hosted the IMC with tear gas and batons, and the building opposite that hosted other GSF groups. About ten people escaped from windows. The police held people and took IDs. According to the medics on the scene, there have been approximately 20 seriously injured people from police violence. Corporate media have been reporting 3 person dead, but those reports have NOT been confirmed, and medics said this was not true. The school opposite the IMC building was where the worst police violence occured. Floors are covered in blood. Police assault lasted over 45 minutes. Several people have been carried out in black bags. The people in the street where chanting en masse "fascist" and "bastardo". The wounded were carried out on strechers continuously and taken to ambulances that arrived with the police. Police sealed off street by surprise and a helicopter remained low overhead like a military operation. A temporary hospital was set up on the 1st floor of the IMC building to treat wounded. ________________________
from: http://italy.indymedia.org Police Raid GSF, IMC other groups
At half past twelve, the police raided the Media Center in Genoa which contains the Indy Media Center, Legal Support, and Medical teams. At first the police attempted to enter on the ground floor, but the doors were quickly barricaded against them.
Many activists, journalists and others outside were beaten by police. There were dozens of injuries. Before long police were in the building and entered the third floor where indymedia is located.
IMC journalists stood with hands against the walls of the halls. Police gathered all journalists, and then searched the rooms. The confiscated mini discs, a digital camera, and other materials, like gas masks and swiss army knives.
Soon after, an official of some sort (a woman) arrived and told police to leave. The police left this building and went out side where police vans and riot police were parked.
There were a number of representatives of official press in the building, and they documented much of these events. The Genoa Social Forum gathered to hold a news conference, and went out to the street to meet with more press.
>From the window, we could see riot police try to
take GSF people behind police lines, but there was
much resistance. For the next one and a half hours, police beat many
people, and there is blood visable in many places.
At the school across from this building, it is reported that police entered around the same time they came here. Activists who were staying there were lined up against the wall, and reportedly beaten. Witnesses report blood all over the halls of this building.
It is now 2:55 am, and police have left the area. People are milling about in the street and both buildings, shocked at what has happened. ************************************************* Alternative Press Review - www.altpr.org Your Guide Beyond the Mainstream PO Box 4710 - Arlington, VA 22204
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