Don't be a G8 casualty
Jim Jepps
So you're full of piss and vinegar and
ready to give the world leaders a good spanking... but are you prepared?
There are a number of issues it's worth preparing for BEFORE you set out for
Scotland, rather than after, and, I hope this list can help prepare you for what
is to come. It's all bloody obvious but we all forget something...
The first and most important thing is that although it's
perfectly acceptable to accept a friendly helping hand now and then do not
become a burden on your fellow protesters, its not on really. This means that
the obvious things you need, need sorting now.
Do you own proper shoes / boots that will take you to where you
want to go? Do not start out up a Scottish mountain in flip flops - its silly
but people do it.
Are you fully equipped with sun cream, any hay fever medication
you might need, midge cream (very important in Scotland apparently), any asthma
medication you may need?
Do you have warm clothes for when its chilly? Do you have water
proof clothes for when it's wet? Are you ready for when Mr Sun comes out?
Do you have money / a card in case of emergencies? Do you have a
map - they're very cheap and could save you a lot of trouble.
Liquid refreshment (I do mean water) is very important, as can be
food.
Do you know where you are sleeping? And if you're sleeping in the
open do you have tent / sleeping bag - don't come running to me if you get there
hoping to wing it and the place is chocker block full and no one has room for
you and your smelly socks... at least if you do come running to me, wash those
socks first! You won't be able to buy accommodation in Edinburgh by now - but
the Stirling rural convergence centre looks like one of the best places to go,
check out dissent for more info on this.
In you are camping have you got between you flash lights, loo
rolls and everything else you'll need?
Do you know where you are going and how you are getting back?
Take the phone numbers of people you're going with in case you get split up and
let them know where you are to help avoid mishaps.
If you're going with friends stick to them - if you're not, hitch
up with people who want to do the same sort of actions as you do and stick to
them. It's important for your safety if things get hairy to be in an affinity
group and to stick to it like glue - it's far more dangerous to split off on
your own than to stay with the crowd. It might be a good idea if you are going
with a more experience crowd to have a chat to them about what to expect, and
what their plans are, a bit of forewarning can go a long way.
There are roughly three different strands to the G8 protests;
The Make Poverty History, "let's hope our leaders make the right
decision" fluffies, the G8 alternatives socialist style block who like to march,
sell papers and to sit in rooms discussing, and the anarcho, let's build a
radical bivouac Zapatas... of course these may be crude generalisations... make
sure you are in the block that suits you. It's not a good idea to tramp along
with people off to deliberately get arrested if you are petrified of the police
for example - and likewise if you think breaking down the fences is where it's
at you'll have a disappointing time if you hook up with your local churches or
NGOs.
Try to get a good idea of what you want to do and where - use our
resource page to review your options, most of the sites have useful directions
and maps.
Do not carry anything that might 'embarrass' you if searched by
the police. There are two reasons for this - one, the police may just be looking
for an excuse to detain you and, two, anything you carry could be used against
the people with you, especially if you are in a vehicle with them. Incidentally,
the police will be very vigorous checking out MOT, Tax etc. people have already
come a cropper in Scotland over things like this - make sure you have all your
documents and every thing is in order - do not give the police the excuse they
are looking for.
Are you able to carry everything your taking? If not dump the
unnecessary before leaving the house.
And what have I forgotten?
Email me now
and I'll pass it on
Oh yeah! Have fun.
June 2005
