Shot Swedish Activist In Critical Condition

Activist Shot By Swedish Police Is In Critical Condition

New York City Direct Action Network

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Contact: Eric Laursen (212) 629-7615 (917) 806-6452 (cell)

ACTIVIST SHOT BY SWEDISH POLICE IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION; VIGIL AND PRESS CONFERENCE CALLED FOR THURSDAY IN NYC

June 25, 2001 - Hannes Westerberg was one of tens of thousands of activists who gathered on the Swedish island of Goteborg on June 14-16 to protest the Summit of the European Union. Today the 19-year-old activist is lying in critical condition in a Swedish hospital, having been shot by police who took repression against mass protests to new heights by using live ammunition to "control" crowds who had come to Goteborg for the EU protests.

Two other activists were critically injured as well, but Westberg remains in hospital this week. He has been fighting for his life, having lost an enormous amount of blood, and required two surgeries over the weekend.

The New York City Direct Action Network is calling for a vigil and press conference to be held this Thursday, June 28th, from 12pm-2pm at the Swedish Consulate, 885 Second Avenue at 47th Street. We will be protesting the increasingly deadly escalation of violence against mass protest actions by authorities in both Europe and the US. Press are invited to come to obtain the latest information about Westberg's condition and to hear statements from family and friends.

Westberg's father, Gunnar Westberg, is chair of Swedish Doctors Against Nuclear Weapons (SLMK), which had extended an invitation to President George W. Bush - a speaker at the Goteborg EU summit - to meet with them over nuclear-related issues. His sister, Lisa, an artist and community activist in New York City, has been with her brother since getting word that he was shot.

NYC-DAN is one of more than a dozen autonomous direct action networks in the United States and Canada. We are taking the struggle for justice and direct democracy to the streets by organizing and supporting direct actions against corporate and governmental oppressors. As part of the rising movement to combat corporate globalization and bring about a more truly democratic society, we have worked together with unions, activist groups and people of all backgrounds on key actions including the recent protests against the Summit of the Americas in Quebec City.

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For a calendar of current, weekly, monthly, and other scheduled events, go to: http://cdan/nyc and select " calendar"

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