City warned of protest chaos

ACTIVISTS are planning to storm Melbourne office buildings as part of guerilla-style protests in the lead-up to the G20 finance ministers meeting at the weekend.

ACTIVISTS are planning to storm Melbourne office buildings as part of guerilla-style protests in the lead-up to the G20 finance ministers meeting at the weekend.

The protests are expected to be the biggest anti-globalisation demonstrations since chaos erupted in the city during the 2000 World Economic Forum. And they threaten to disrupt the state election campaign just a week from polling day.

Superintendent Mick Williams said yesterday police believed the protesters had plans to occupy the foyers of city buildings on Friday, and some might attempt to gain access to other areas.

He urged large companies to consider increasing security.

The biggest demonstration during the weekend G20 meetings, which will be attended by World Bank chief Paul Wolfowitz and British Chancellor Gordon Brown, is expected to take place on Saturday.

A "carnival-style" demonstration will wind its way from the city's State Library to the Grand Hyatt Hotel, where G20 meetings will be in progress.

StopG20 spokesman Marcus Greville said he was confident the demonstrations would be peaceful. "We want the politics of what we are out there protesting about to be heard," he said.

"After 20 years at least of this neo-liberal globalisation, that's plenty of history to demonstrate it has created a lot more poverty for the world's poor."

A safety bulletin sent out by the protest organisers this week warns demonstrators against carrying drugs.

"If you are carrying illegal drugs or anything the cops might see as a weapon, get rid of it now," the bulletin says. "Carrying these can put you and the people around you at greater risk of state violence."

The bulletin urges protesters to remove piercings and tie back their hair: "They make it easier for the cops to grab or harm you."

And if the police look ready to "weigh in", meditation is recommended. "Breathe slowly and deeply," the bulletin advises. "Sink your breath down through your belly to your feet. Grounding like this before the cops weigh in will help you to stay upright."

However, in a website message yesterday, the "Arterial Bloc" promised to "confront the G20 meeting directly".

The group tells supporters to carry white overalls and bright bandanas to cover their faces if necessary, and to "be prepared for radical disobedience".

Superintendent Williams said large numbers of police, including mounted officers, would be ready to mobilise if necessary.

No road closures were planned, but tow-away zones were in force from midnight last night on Collins Street, between Swanston and Exhibition streets, and on Russell Street between Little Collins and Flinders streets. The parking restrictions are a security measure against car-bombs.