NATO summit 2009: Security zones and “no-go areas”

Wanneer de NAVO haar 60 jarig bestaan viert zal Straatsburg en Kehl veranderen in een militair fort. Ongeveer 25.000 politie agenten zullen de feestelijkheden in goede banen leiden en activisten zoveel mogelijk op afstand proberen te houden. Heel wat zones in zowel Straatsburg als Kehl worden gedurende de vieringen "security zones" en "no-go zones".

 ► there will at least be two security zones: the neighbourhood around the Palais de Musique et de Congres / Wacken and the cathedral / Palais Rohan
► The Lycee Kleber will be completely closed on 3 and 4 April 
► the markets will be closed
With these security zones, there is little space left for democratic protest.

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The complete picture of “security zones” and controlled areas is not yet clear, but it is clear that the scale of this security operation and the restriction to freedom of movement, freedom of assembly and democratic protest will be unprecedented.

What is know so far is that in Strasbourg access to the old town will only be possible with special access passes. All street markets, schools, kindergardens, historic sights and more will be closed on 4 April. In addition, public transport will be severely effected, with trams not being able to enter the security zones, and the train line from Strasbourg to Germany will suspended from Friday afternoon until Saturday morning. Strasbourg's mayor Robert Herrmann did not rule out police searches of houses in the old city, and adviced tourists not to visit Strasbourg on 4 April.

In Kehl, 700 people who live near the Passerelle, a pedestrian bridge over the Rhine which will be the site of a symbolic handshake and photo opportunity for the heads of states and governments, will be severely effected. From Friday evening until Saturday morning (when all is over) they will not be able to leave their houses without prior consent from the police, and only accompanied by police. In addition, access to the Europa bridge, the main road connection over the Rhine, will be closed for several hours, and even traffic on the Rhine will be halted.

A similar concept will be in force in Baden-Baden, where German chancellor Angela Merkel will receive the heads of states and governments on 3 April at 17.30hrs, before they dine at the Kurhaus Casino in Baden-Baden. Details for Baden-Baden are not yet known, but it is expected that in Baden-Baden too there will be no-go areas.

Lees meer: http://wri-irg.org/node/6717