Internet Diary .. Background Report 3 November 1st

Ambulance Services Appeal For Better Police Cooperation

Ambulance workers issued a press release today demanding more humane treatment of protestors.They pointed out that although there were 114 demonstrators injured during last year´s Castor transport, the ambulance teams were often prevented from reaching the wounded, and in some instances first-aid materials were deliberately destroyed. In addition to the wide use of clubs, a lot of people were badly bitten by police dogs; many suffered from gas attacks that seriously injured mucous membranes and brought on life-threatening asthma; and mounted police charged their horses into the crowds.

Marie´s Lie-In

At 10 o´clock on an icy night last March, the Castor transport was approaching, Marie, a Wendland schoolgirl aged 16, along with three young men, was part of a team that was determined to stop the train. Each team member laid down and put one arm into pipes leading under the train track. They were then locked in with chains The pipes were encased in a heavy concrete block. A team of specialists had to work for a long time (the tracks and ties had to be removed to make room for a delicate cutting operation), but finally all four were freed without injury. The transport was delayed for 17 hours!

The final chapter to this story took place yesterday. Marie appeared in court on charges of using force to disturb the public transport system. The trial date was fixed to coincide with the next transport, in order that her plight would be a fresh example for others. Marie told the judge, "After all those demonstrations, the resonance amongst the people and in politics didn´t satisfy my aspirations, I wanted to wipe the pitying smiles about us "dreamers" off their faces.To get their attention, I felt myself qualified for this non-violent but deliberately attention-getting form of protest." Then came the surprise. In a stinging rebuke to the state´s attorney, who had asked for serious punishment, the judge cancelled the case, under the condition that Marie work for 50 hours in the local hospital -- a mere "slap on the wrist". Marie came out of the courtroom smiling, to the cheers of a crowd of supporters.

Ther team´s exploit captured attention all over Germany. The news of Marie´s release was broadcast on national TV and reported in all the major newspapers.