arch/ive/ief (2000 - 2005)

Act 1: broad mobilization
Monday 24. June the World Bank opens its annual ABCDE Europe conference in Oslo. The counterdremonstration, under the umbrella network "Oslo 2002" has been mobilizing for months and includes a broad spectrum of groups from the radical left, mainstream labour unions and even normally apolitical development charities. The major focus of mobilization has been a large, non-violent demonstration in central Oslo planned for monday the 24th. Outside of the Oslo2002 demo, several other events have been planned - including a counter-conference and a "Reclaim the Streets" party to take place in central Oslo, immediately following the demonstrations. Activists from around the country, Sweden and Denmark are expected, and schools were rented from the Oslo municapitality to host visitors. Various creative plan for a day of "decentralized action" on the 25th.

The ABCDE is a meeting of scientists - some as ciritical of WB policy as the protesters on the streets. It's not a meeting of top leaders, or a meeting setting a political agenda, so there were no plans to stop or blockade it. The Oslo police - unlike their Swedish and Danish colleagues - has for most of the 90s been well-behaved during demonstrations. During the WTO Doha protests, for instance, they had the sense to turn up with hundreds of policemen without riot gear - both showing their readiness to enforce law an order but also their faces as human beings, defusing the tensions often caused by shields and helmets. So far, the stage was set for a large, peacefull demonstration against WB neoliberalism.

Act 2: Police paranoia and media hysteria
Activists called to prison | Borders might be closed | Corporate media raises 'riot' spectre | Police prepares for another Gothenburg

During the last month, however, the police and media have been raising the spectre of Gothenburg, preparing for possible "riots". Central Oslo is to be closed down during the demonstrations, hundreds of policemen from southern Norway have been called in to bolster the ranks .The Norwegian media has gone so far as to invent quotes attributed to well-known activists to prove that 'riots' were being planned. In the last week, the media has shown photos of hundreds of police training on street-fighting with hooded activists in an artificial city environment. Police have warned that "violent extremists from foreign countries are expected" while none of the local activists have heard the slightest hint of such groups coming. The demonstrators have blamed the media and police for increasing tensions; the police have blamed the media and said they expect peacefull demonstrations and just need to be prepared for worst-case scenarios.

Acivists with unserved prison sentences have been called in to serve their time during the meeting. According to an anonymous police source, none have actually showed up for prison. The police have also made it known that they're prepared to close the borders for "violent demonstrators". So far, some visiting activists from Denmark and Sweden have been stopped on the borders but allowed to pass.

Act 3: City breaks school contract
Hundreds of protesters without place to stay

Oslo 2002 had rented a school, Hersleb, to house protesters during the event. Just a few days ago, Oslo 2002 got the surprising news that their contract with the city had been cancelled. The police had advised that schools could be used to house "violent protesters" as in Gothenburg. While the breach of contract is clearly illegal, the City has refused to change their stance and have avoided all questions from Oslo2002 and the media.

Suddenly, hundreds of visiting activists are without a place to stay. The best replacement Oslo 2002 has been able to find so far is a plain a bit out from Oslo, no tents included, where sleeping will cost a total of NOK 550,- (aprox. EUR 80). Lawyers have said the legal case against the City is strong, and activists are encouraged to stay at hotels and send the receipts to Oslo2002. These receipts will form the basis of a lawsuit, where all expenses are expected to be reimbursed. However, many activists cannot afford notoriously expensive Oslo hotels, neither the NOK 550,- fee for Hellerudsletta.

Act 4: Rifts between activists
Non-violence vs. Non-violence | Masque prohibition

Questions of violence and tactics have also created a rift between radical and moderate protesters. The Oslo 2002 network early on agreed unanimously that their protests would be non-violent. The suggestion was also raised that all involved groups were to committ themselves to non-violence during the entire week, not just the events organised by Oslo 2002. This lead to heated debate, and some groups simply walked out of the meeting. According to some of these they had no plans for "violent demonstration", but whatever they chose to do outside of Oslo 2002 was simply none of Oslo2002's business.

Another issue that raised controversy was Oslo 2002s decision to prohibit masques and hoods in the demonstration. Activists who planned to masque themselves in solditarity with groups like the Zapatistas and the Piqueteros felt that their point of view was ignored by Oslo2002, and that Oslo2002 was de facto working for the police.

Attac and Reclaim the Streets
Attac, the international Tobin Tax organisation, has attracted a large membership and much media attention in Norway. During the Oslo2002 process the organisation has spearheaded the "moderate" faction of activists, organising demonstration guards and shouting the loudest for non-violence. However, quite a lot of activists, also in the more radical sections of the movement, are Attac members and Attac has been seen as the broad and unifying organisation where radicals, moderates and even conservatives can work together for common goals.

On June the 16th Attacs leadership declared that they recomended their members not to take part in the "Reclaim the Streets" party immediately following the main demonstration. The statement read: "Reclaim the Streets, by not applying for a permission, are encouraging unneccessary confrontation which has nothing to do with the World Bank, and which will take attention away from the important political content int the counter-demonstrations. This is sectarian and politically wrong in todays situation". On the urging of Attac, the Oslo 2002 board removed the link to "Reclaim the Streets" from Oslo2002s website. This decision was overturned the day after by a vast majority at a general assembly of the Oslo2002 network.

The police had let it be known that they would not intervene in the RtS party unless there was "trouble", and the RtS organisers had encouraged participants to bring footballs, toys and prepare for picnic. On this background, Attacs condemnation seems particularly ridiculous. Just like Attac, RtS was seen by many activists as a unifying event and the condemnation by Attacs leadership has raised anger, in some cases prompting membership cancellations. Attac Norways leader, Vegard Hole, has later regretted the use of the word "sectarian" in their description of RtS.

Act 5: What now?
The Oslo 2002 protests still look to be nonviolent and carneval-like, although they will be conducted in an atmosphere of police repressions; with police helicopters flying overhead and central Oslo subway stations closed.

The preparations, however, have left wounds within the movement. In the event of police violence, a unified response will be hard to achieve. Confidence in the police has been drastically undermined; especially by the cancellation of the school contract; and many participants - also in the moderate factions - will proabably see the police rather than the World Bank as the "enemy" par excellence.

The high level of media attention has mostly focused on questions of violence and "riots". However, in some cases the media have accepted criticism and printed articles on the world bank and the real content of the demonstrations. This may still have a happy end.

Indymedia Norway - www.indymedia.no - has opened two IMC press centres for the events. There will be daily radio broadcasts on the air and internet between 1500 and 1600 and 2400 to 0200 - C.E.T.