From Rostock

We are at the convergence center in Rostock, surrounded by a scene much like St. Mary’s, but also different. It is late, and finally having a chance to sit down and clear my mind I will write this update as it comes to me — I hope it makes sense.

We arrived at the convergence center yesterday evening, tired after hefting our packs and getting lost in the small port city of Rostock here on the Baltic coast and close to Heiligendamm. This city was part of the old east germany and once you leave the downtown area, as we did on the tram, the evidence is all around you in the monolithic soviet style apartment buildings and wide avenues. This region, I am told, has never fully recovered from the socialist GDR government, or subsequent integration into the capitalist economy. Needless to say the area is very beautiful — wide expansive farmland meets the white sandy Baltic coast.

The Convergence Center, like the camps we will soon visit, has come out of nearly a year of sustained effort and organizing through the various networks that have been preparing against the G8. The first major event was last year, when roughly 1500 people camped out near Heiligendamm last august for 9 days of planning and networking. Two months ago, this property was finally obtained through negotiations with the city of Rostock, a collaboration between the reformist European NGO called ATTAC and the Dissent Network, a decentralized network of more radical European activists, formed during the G8 summit that took place in Scotland in 2005.

A lot of work has gone into the convergence center already. Trucks arrive daily with food and supplies, and there is a constant hammering and pounding as improvements are made. The technologicaly gifted are running everywhere, networking the building and setting up internet stations, and like New Orleans they are working with cheap or donated equipment. The Independent Media Center has occupied a wing of the building, setting up their principle command center for the G8 summit. Already we have seen groups of activists arriving from various countries. Some from Russia spent 8 days on the train to get here, others fly in from the US, Israel, and even Japan. They either stay here or move on to one of the camps, depending on what their work is. Many languages are already spoken, but that will also grow as most of the European groups have yet to arrive.

So it is that we seem to be suddenly in the middle of something very big. I spoke with one woman from the US today who had been away from home for the last year. “Is this event even registering in the states?” she asked. I wondered the same thing. For Europe it is a very major event — not just a protest. The G8 events are a chance for many groups and individuals from different countries to network and show their collective strength. There is a lot of energy being put towards blockading the summit. If this is successful, it will be counted as a major victory and an indication of how well a wide variety of grassroots groups are able to work together despite differences in focus and political affiliation.

We just sat in on a training by Block G8, one of the largest networks that has been is preparing mass non-violent civil disobedience during the conference days, with the specific goal of blocking all roads leading in and out of Heiligendamm. They have been successful in gathering support broad support, and have already been training large numbers of people, most of whom have no previous experience with these kind of direct actions, sometimes even on TV(link).

Some of the activists have been staying at the Convergence Center for two months now, preparing the place for larger numbers. There are rumors about well organized neo-Nazis in the area, and previously, with only four or five of people staying here confrontations with the local extremists became common — there were many threats of violence. Now that our numbers are much larger, there is little need to worry, but we are urged to use caution when in the neighborhood. There has also been some trouble with the police, so like in New Orleans, the school has to provide it’s our own security.

The kitchen is making very good food for the time being, all vegan, and mostly made with organic and local produce. They are also sending food to the nearest camp, also here in Rostock. There are whole walls of toilet paper in the bathroom, a room full of art and banner supplies, a medical station, a lounge, and even a bar, serving beer at night. Presumably, this is one way that the place maintains some meager operating costs. Food is on donation, and there is no expense to live here, but please, we are told, pay for your evening beer.

In most ways this convergence center is so much like St. Mary’s, the old school where we lived in New Orleans, that Nick and I have felt “right at home.” There is the same kind of do-it-yourself attitude, and cooperative spirit. Nobody is in charge, and it is kept that way. Things get done out of sense of urgency or collective need — plug in where you fit in. It has a similar post-apocolyptic feeling, but is also very hopefull.

There is a wide variety of activities going on, workshops and meetings and other things. Decisions are made by consensus at daily morning meeting. An object is passed around the circle, so everyone gets a chance to speak. Today welders are in the parking lot, building bicycle trailers out of shopping carts. Also like St. Mary’s, there is a working group here focused on sexual assault awareness and prevention. They have been preparing for nearly a year, and seem to have a network of 40 or 50 advocates dispersed between the camps and the convergence centers in Berlin and Hamburg, ready to deal with any situation that may arise.

Nick and i have been plugged in full time with a collective that is working to facilitate better coverage with the international media. The idea is to provide a gateway through which information can be released to the international press by the smaller and more grassroots groups who will not have representation through the larger NGOs and networks. We have set ourselves up as contacts for the international press and will be stationing people here at the convergence center and at each camp, where we can put reporters in touch with people who are willing to do interviews. One of the largest tasks is the translation of press releases, first from German to English, and then into as many languages as possible. It is a lot of work so far, but we are getting more organized each day. If you are reading this and happen to be multilingual, let me know, we could use your help.

Today some folks arrived from the nearby Rostock camp, seeking help with their infrastructure, as they seem the least prepared so far and running short staffed. I am too tied up with media work here at the school, but Nick has already been down there this morning to help them set up a media and internet station. In general there is just a lot to do, and with most people yet arrive, those here are working around the clock as it gets closer to the big week.

Tonight the dogs are dreaming in the lounge, presumably chasing large police vans and running long lengths of fence. The humans sleep less regularly, preparing for something big, a large gathering of their species. I put my writing book away, and move off myself, finally ready for sleep.

NOTE: Because of confidentiality and the security culture among the resistance here, photos will be scarce.  At the convergence center, photos and video have been banned, and likewise in the camps. If we can find a way to work around this we will, but in the meantime, “words only!”

– Logan