arch/ive/ief (2000 - 2005)

4 errant drummers fron UK Rhythms of Resistance samba band arrived in Brussels last night to add our musical accompaniment to the planned actions from Dec 14th until 16th. Having found ourselves a nice big squat to crash in (albeit replete with numerous Globalise Resistors), we set out this morning to explore a bit more of Brussels and check out the Trade Union demo organised for today.

There are reportedly about 80,000 participants from all over north and southern Europe (incl a unemployed workers union!) and a load of sound systems playing dodgy euro pop and soft rock. Despite our sadly depleted numbers (due to some of ROR Amsterdam being deported yesterday and having their instruments impounded after an anti-biotech lobbying action yesterday morning), we managed to find a elderly Belgian trumpeter and 2 harmonica players with whom to bash out some toonz.

Leaving due to extreme cold and lack of diversity on demo (tho the odd black blocker spotted from afar), we are planning to link up with new arrivals later from ROR Ghent, Amsterdam (who are returning after their untimely deportation) and Nijmegen. The plan being to play at the big anti-EU summit/anti-war demo tomorrow afternoon and again on Sat at the planned anti-capitalist street party + anarchist demo + another anti-war demo. Guess with the amount of things happening, we're looking forward to some support from the Belgian beer + waffle industry!

Some other news is that the Brussels police have been very heavy handed with demonstrators, deporting people responsible for actions without even charging them first and impounding all possessions (sleeping bags, drums etc). It has been said that people have been deported from here to Sweden, Holland and Algeria.

If anyone is hoping to come play at any of these events or wants to meet up, we will be staying at the squatted university building near to Ettebeek train station, bus nos 95/96 from the old train station in Placez de Luxembourg.