Support for G20 arrestees: a vital part of our social justice & environmental work

In November last year approximately three thousand people participated in actions to express their dissent against the G20 and promote their visions for an ecologically sustainable and socially just future. Many of those participating in the protests have been involved in local campaigns concerning a range of issues -  climate change, justice for Indigenous peoples, workers’ rights, forests, queer politics, gender issues, and much more. They saw the G20 meeting as an opportunity to challenge some of the root causes of the problems that they campaign against daily.

As you are no doubt aware, the police have charged over thirty protesters, and are continuing to make arrests. They are taking extraordinary measures such as publicly depicting the faces of protesters they are interested in questioning, and laying very serious charges such as riot and affray (charges that could result in lengthy jail terms).

The actions that took place around G20 reflected the widely varying approaches of those present towards globalisation, the state and social change. Most people will have their own views about the strategies and tactics used at the G20 mobilisations -  but whatever these are, it is vital that we all give strong, ongoing support for the people who are now facing police harassment and charges.

The criminalisation of protest activity has major consequences for all social justice and environmental campaigns. The state is using the G20 protests as an opportunity to create a climate of fear about direct action and public protest. This is a crucial time to stand up for our right to protest. We need to defend and endorse direct action as a legitimate part of our social justice and environmental campaigns.

The Ongoing G20 Arrestee Solidarity Network has been established to support the G20 arrestees, and to encourage people to question and challenge the increasing criminalisation of protest. As more arrests are possible, and as the court cases for those arrested are likely to take many months, we are in this for the long haul. We need your support, and your solidarity to ensure that the spaces for all of us to protest do not continue to shrink.

This is what you can do.

1.      While some G20 arrestees will be eligible for legal aid or are receiving pro bono support from a legal firm, some will need to pay for their own legal costs. Some potentially face fines of several thousand dollars. Please consider making a donation to help cover these costs and fines please call the solidarity line on 0408 307 722 or email afterg20@gmail. com

2.      The publishing of the faces of 28 people by the Victorian Police in The Age and through the Crimestoppers website was a major invasion of privacy and potentially limits these people’s right to a fair trial. You can submit a letter of complaint to the Press Council online at http://www.presscou ncil.org. au/pcsite/ complaints/ compform. html (see the Statement of Principles and Code of Privacy Standards at http://www.presscou ncil.org. au/pcsite/ complaints/ priv_stand. html)

3.      Do not give any information to the police about the G20 protests or protesters if you are asked.  Use your right to silence and contact a lawyer if you have any concerns.

4.      Actively challenge the idea that it’s okay to dob in G20 protesters.

5.      Contact the G20 arrestee solidarity support number 0408 307 722 if you have any questions or need any support in relation to the G20 arrests.

6.      If there are ways in which you or your organisation can offer support to those arrested (e.g. by helping to organise a fundraising gig), contact the Ongoing G20 Arrestee Solidarity Network on 0408 307 722 or email afterg20@gmail. com

In solidarity,
Ongoing G20 Arrestee Solidarity Network