The anti-G7 hold their counter-summit on the Franco-Spanish border

It will probably not Genoa 2001, but the anti-G7 have the intention to be heard, while will be held in Biarritz, August 24 to 26, the official summit bringing together the first seven world economic powers.

As early as 19 August, the anti-G7 took up residence in Urrugne, a neighboring town of Hendaye. Then at Irun Spanish side and Hendaye French side, conferences and workshops will be held from August 21 to 23 on the occasion of the "summit of alternatives", where 12 000 people are expected.

August 24, the first day of the summit, the "anti-G7" provide for a large demonstration in Hendaye. And the next day, they intend to conduct actions of "occupation of public squares" around Biarritz, inaccessible city because transformed into entrenched camp with an "exceptional mobilization" of the police, according to the authorities.

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These anti-G7 platforms include two platforms: G7 Ez (No to G7, Basque language), located on both sides of the border, and Alternatives G7, which brings together national and international organizations.

"Some of these organizations have a foothold in the official summit, because we have to keep in touch with these governments to push forward proposals, even if it's at the comma, and another in the counter-summit because they are aware that today's alternatives will come from citizens, "explains Sébastien Bailleul, General Delegate of the Center for Research and Information for Development (Crid).

It includes organizations such as the CCFD-Terre Solidaire, the Crid or Oxfam or Attac, structures that have "a collective culture of citizen mobilizations" according to Sébastien Bailleul. "We are very involved in the counter-summits, the world social forums, according to three axes of reflection: migration, climate justice and, more recently, the criminalization of protest movements and repression (police)", explains the general delegate of the Crid.

Denounce the "gap" between speeches and acts

The guiding theme of the G7 chaired by France will be the fight against inequalities. For its part, the organizers of the summit of the alternatives will underline the responsibility of the G7 countries, according to them, in the increase of these inequalities.

"Emmanuel Macron, presiding over this G7, is a champion of the fight against inequality.But the months that have passed in France, tax decisions in particular, show that between the speech and acts, he There is a gap, "said Cécile Duflot, Executive Director of Oxfam France and former boss of Europe Ecology-The Greens, Monday, August 19, on France Inter.

@ CecileDuflot, CEO of @ oxfamfrance: "In terms of worsening inequalities, the G7 countries are among the champions" # le69inter pic.twitter.com/jZPQNXf8qr

The highlighting of the dichotomy between the speeches and the concrete decisions taken by the leaders will also concern the environmental question. "We will denounce the inaction of governments in terms of climate, including that of Emmanuel Macron, who claims to be champion of the climate but who is only the champion of the discourse on the climate", assures Barthélémy Camedescasse, association Bizi! .

This local group affiliated with ANV-Cop21 has been talked about this year by collecting portraits of Emmanuel Macron in the town halls of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. He will also benefit from this "summit of alternatives" to train nonviolent action.

Does this mean that the opposition between protesters and the police will be without incident? The presence around the "counter-top" agitators from libertarian movements and mode of violent action type "Black Bloc", which are often at the rendezvous of major international summits, is envisaged by the authorities. "We are planning an ideological battle, violence is not included in our program, said Danielle Mesplé, Solidaires union.But if it comes from outside groups, what power do we have, who can control it?

With AFP