Many more protesters were detained and arrested in Russia on Sunday, July 16th. In Barcelona, protesters hung the G8 in effigy. Two German bike caravan participants were deported from Russia to Estonia, while their fellow caravanistas are still being held in St. Petersburg. A People's Forum was held in Mali as a counterweight to the G8 summit. Meanwhile, the G8 issued a statement Sunday blaming Hezbollah and Hamas for the conflict in the Middle East.
7/15 Update: Russian social activists are calling upon the world to protest massive violations of basic freedoms in Russia that occurred in the leadup to the G8 meeting and on July 15th. They are also asking for support for imprisoned activists. Most demonstrations on July 15th in Russia were outlawed, effectively prevented by the police, or broken by force. Many anti-globalization, anarchist, and leftist activists that were arrested today, and some are reporting that they are being mistreated at the police stations. Read more from Russia Indymedia and on A-Infos
On July 15th, the "Group of 8" (G8) richest industrialized countries, gathered for the start of a three-day meeting in St. Petersburg, Russia to plot their continued commodification and domination of the planet. The focus of the gathering is "Energy Security." A leaked G8 "Communique on Energy Security" called for trillions of dollars in new investments in oil, gas and coal production worldwide, plus wide-scale global expansion of nuclear energy.

In response to this threat to the environment, it was announced that July 15th would be an International Day of Direct Action against Climate Change and the G8. Organizers encouraged people to target fossil fuel industries in their local areas. The day of action was announced by Rising Tide North America, a new network initiated in the US by the Earth First! Climate Caucus, with inspiration and support from the UK's Rising Tide direct action movement for climate justice and against climate change. Rising Tide North America planned to mobilize July 15th actions in local bioregions. Read more

The Davis Anti-Biotech Coalition will be distributing info about SB 1056 at 9am on Monday, July 17th outside of the USDA building in Davis. SB 1056 is the biotech-sponsored bill that prevents local communities from deciding whether or not their town, city or county will allow Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in seed crops to be grown in their voting district. More info about the gathering in Davis. Actions will also be held on or around July 15th in London, Manila, Washington, DC, and India.

Activists from Earth First! and RTNA blockaded American Electric Power's (AEP) nearly 50 year old Clinch River coal fired electric facility in Virginia on July 10th. The plant, which emits millions of pounds of pollutants yearly, threatens the health and lives of thousands of downwind residents, as well as that of the surrounding environment. Burning coal is not only a primary factor behind global climate change, but also drives the expansion of large scale strip mining. Large scale surface mining destroys forests, streams and communities as it alters the Appalachian landscape forever. Photos

Some facts about climate change: 19 of the 20 hottest years on record have occurred since 1980. Storms and hurricanes are growing more severe. Polar bears are drowning as their icy habitat breaks apart and drifts out to sea. The permafrost in the West Siberian tundra is melting and will release hundreds of millions of tons of methane from thawing peat bogs into the atmosphere. On top of already soaring carbon dioxide levels, peat bog methane will push global temperatures much higher than what was previously expected. As more greenhouse gases burned from fossil fuels are released into the atmosphere, we are everyday one step closer to what scientists refer to as "the tipping point," heading towards climate chaos.

Reclaim the Commons | Rising Tide in the UK | Read the ALTERNATIVE G8 ST Petersburg DECLARATION OF COMMON SECURITY | Climate IMC | Mountain Justice Media | Coverage from Russia Indymedia