 | This article has multiple issues. Please helpimprove it or discuss these issues on thetalk page.(Learn how and when to remove these messages) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
|
Dissent! was the name adopted by an international network of local groups, which came together to organise opposition to theG8 summit held atGleneagles Hotel,Perthshire,Scotland, in July 2005. Most groups shared ananti-capitalist orientation andanti-authoritarian organizing methods and the network declares itself to be open to anyone prepared to work within the Hallmarks ofPeoples' Global Action, an international co-ordination of radical social movements and grassroots campaigns. Dissent acted as a networking tool and created infrastructure which was used by groups with methods ofprotest ranging from anti-border city tours andstreet parties to road blockades,graffiti and confrontations with the police.[1]
The network was formed in the autumn of 2003 by a group of people who have previously been involved in radical ecological direct action, Peoples' Global Action, the anti-war movement and the global anti-capitalist movement which has emerged around meetings of those that rule over us.
In the run-up to the summit itself, groups associated with Dissent! organised actions targeting a number of the preparatory meetings which brought together ministers from the G8 countries. Among these were the Environment and Development Ministerial inDerbyshire (March 17–18) and the Justice and Interior Ministerial inSheffield (June 15–18).
The network set-up an "eco-camp" known as HoriZone in the town ofStirling to host protesters. This was organised along non-hierarchical lines conforming with the principles ofdirect democracy and broken down into largely autonomous "barrios". The camp was also run in such a way as to minimise its environmental impact;recycling, conserving water and utilisingbiodiesel in its vehicles.
The Dissent! Network inGermany was one of the networks mobilising against the33rd G8 summit inHeiligendamm, Germany, since 2005. Since that time other Dissent! Networks were started inSweden,Netherlands,Spain,Belgium andFrance.
