Analyses, Impressions, Voices: a journey through Germany rebelling against G8 Hamburg, May 28th 2007, Logbook # 1

Berlin, May 29/30

Convergence centres have a very important role in the organisation of actions and the preparation of participants. This happens in all mobilisations against the summits that global powers call. Convergence centres are those structures that provide for the reception of activists that arrive from everywhere in the world, centres hand out simple basic services, which are crucial in the effectiveness of counter summits. We are referring to things such as communication and food, showers, accommodation. Information is fundamental as well. Convergence centres give out useful information (legal team, maps, times and places, plans, etc.). This is very important in situations that can become chaotic as it happens in initiatives like the ones against G8. Last but not least, convergence centres are places where people meet and connect, they make friends and they sometimes choose to stick together and do what’s right to be done…
In Germany there’s the Rostock convergence centre, which was opened inside an old school in a proletariat neighbourhood. There’s another centre in Hamburg in RoteFlora social centre. In Berlin there are three centres and they all are in Kreuzberg. One is the New Yorck 59 in Bethanien. The others are inside Kopi and Clash social centres. New Yorck 59 was squatted two years ago within the Bethanien building. It looks Marianneplatze, the square from where May 1st demonstrations always leave. May 1st is a revolutionary moment that characterises radical and autonomous politics in Berlin.
Bethanien is an exceptional place. It has a huge park, its architecture is superb and occupants managed to organise a very articulated lively situation. The ground floor hosts a multiethnic kinder garden. The first floor is dedicated to sociality. Here about 30 people actually live. Children are simply beautiful. In this building there’s a social centre for elderly citizens and rooms used by different local organisations.
During the year there always are many guests at Bethanien. You can meet activists from all over Europe, USA, Latin America, Russia and more. You can also meet people that are curious and with rage at hearts.
Kopi, on the other hand, is the temple of European political punk. Kopi is totally underground and it is very fascinating. When there are no concerts, it is cool to hang out there and drink a beer with friends. You may plan struggles under the big black banner that stands on the central window and invites to resist. Kopi is under eviction because it was sold (just as it happened to Copenhagen’ Ungdomshuset) by speculators that dream (?!) to open another boring ugly mall. Kopi is calling to action next June 12th. Kopi’s occupants ask everyone to express solidarity and resistance. June 16th there’s to be an international demonstration in Berlin against the eviction order.
Clash is set within a building that hosts many left wing associations. It is the street where every year there’s a big Carnival, which happens to occur right now. All migrants communities take part to the Carnival with their performances and exhibitions.
If you look at the metropolis from these points of view, it enlightens itself in different colours. It is like the metropolis comes out from itself to switch into many commons, collectives, groups. These are machines that take action inside and on the metropolis following subversion’s declined plans. Insurgents commons, savage groups, non-identity groups, partisans’ war machineries, street and thought gangs make up a collective net that sings its own chants and creates its own territories.
Chants we hear in these days are different: they are affective, desiring and political. Sometimes they sing the three together.
The most sung chant is anyway always the same: Smash G8!…
And believe it or not territories of resistance are already there.
Squat the world and stay free!

International Brigades, Italian Section

See also: Block G8 – Rostock 2007