Seven more protestors were arrested today, Wednesday 27th January, in the third day of resistance against the eviction of Mainshill Solidarity Camp.
As the tactics of the National Eviction Team grew increasingly aggressive and cavalier, spirits on site remained strong. Climbers attempted to evict the stand of sycamores but were met with determined resistance and succeeded in only removing one protestor. Branches have been stripped from the remaining trees and treehouses destroyed. The coal activists have been left without bedding or tarps for the night.
Bulldozers destroyed trees within 50metres of a hidden treetop camp as the locked-on protestors screamed and whistled to try and reveal themselves and stop work. The discovery of this further site has delayed the end of the eviction and raises doubts about the competency of the NET. A search helicopter had made several passes over the area but seemingly failed to find anything, despite hovering over their exact location for several minutes. As the bulldozers neared the treehouses, support folk outside site begged the NET to stop the work to secure the area and ensure the safety of those locked-on. Their whistles could clearly be heard from the front of site but the NET were stubborn in their refusal to accept the possible presence of another occupation. Work was finally stopped metres from the treehouses. The climbing team expect to start trying to clear the area, known as ‘Ewok Village’ tomorrow.
A treehouse, the net, and a skyraft were cleared of occupants. Tunnel teams continue to work through the night to clear the underground defences.
The 26 people held and charged over the last two days have all been released on bail, and are charged with either breach of the peace or section 68(1) of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.
In solidarity with the Mainshill Solidarity Camp, Ravenstruther coal rail terminal was shut down for up to five hours this morning as a protestor locked on to a digger.
It is still easy to get onto site so come down and support the Mainshill crew from the inside or do some support work from the outside.
For info about the campaign see www.mainshill.noflag.org.uk