Author: earthfirst

Action to re-occupy the ZAD

A reoccupation action is being planned in case of an eviction at the ZAD, near Notre-Dame-des-Landes in France: To re-plant and rebuild against the construction of the airport: Vinci get out! Not here, not Khimki, not anywhere! Meet on the 4th Saturday after the first eviction with your pitchforks, tools, beams and camping gear. Although we don't know when the troops will be sent in, we are launching this call-out now to be able to create a massive rapid reaction.

A reoccupation action is being planned in case of an eviction at Notre-Dame-des-Landes in France: To re-plant and rebuild against the construction of the airport: Vinci get out! Not here, not Khimki*, not anywhere!

This is a joint call out from occupants of the ZAD and the network Reclaim the Fields to meet on the 4th Saturday after the first eviction, near Notre-Dame-des-Landes.

To give an idea of some of the things that have happened:

On 7 May 2011, we were a thousand people on an action, pitchforks in hand, to clear and put to use an abandoned plot of agricultural land. This was to create a space to grow food to feed the struggle against the airport – and it's been thriving since the action! We'll be back to strive to protect this farm and other occupied places on the ZAD (Zone d'Amenagement Differé), or in other words, Zone About to be Destroyed).

On 24 June, Vinci started eviction procedures against eight squats, including Les Planchettes, our collective space of organising and hospitality.

On 10 July, during a gathering a few thousand people made a human banner saying "Vinci d égage!" (Vinci get out!)

On 23 August, the president of the region Pays de la Loire, Jacques Auxiette, asked the local authorities to clean out the radical occupiers of the ZAD. It was an unambiguous brutal call for repression, but this will not prevent us from resisting, re-occupying and re-growing.

To follow up on May 7, occupiers from the ZAD and Reclaim the Fields, a network of young activist peasants, are inviting you to be a part of a huge demonstration to re-occupy in case of an eviction, and urge all groups and collectives to support this action. If the police force does arrive to clean us out, we want to be back by the thousands to give shape to the cry "Vinci get out!" and to continue to occupy the zone and to stop construction works in their tracks.

For forty years, decision makers and construction managers have been pushing a new airport next to Nantes, at Notre-Dame-des-Landes, to make their dreams of massive economic expansion and a metropolis. The ZAD: it's 2000 hectares of cultivated and inhabited land that they want to annihilate under concrete. The resistance against this project is at the crossroads of many challenges on which to unite, to address issues of common strategies and thinking.

Through this struggle we are fighting industrial society and agriculture, its economic development policies, its climate change and its control of the land, the megalopolis and the normalisation of ways of life, the privatisation of the commons, the myth of endless growth and the illusion of democratic participation …

The decision-makers are constantly trying to sell their project and to give the impression that going backwards is unthinkable at this stage. So after forty years struggling, the preliminary construction work of the airport and its highway have started: drilling for soil analysis, environmental assessments, archaeological excavations and clearing works… all prerequisites for pouring concrete all over the area.

But its opponents are far from giving up and the actions intensify: blocking drillings, disturbing the environmental assessment work of Biotope*, distributing newspapers, occupying offices, construction sites, opening up Vinci's tollways, and much more..

In addition, for more than two and a half years, instead of the ZAD gradually emptying to the rhythm of blackmail and destruction, life and activity has been flourishing.

Many of the houses left abandoned were refurbished and occupied, new houses were constructed on the ground and in the trees, collectives occupied land to make vegetable gardens. Meeting spaces, guest accomodation, a bakery and a library were opened for one and all. There are more than a hundred people permanently occupying the ZAD, supported by many others, local and elsewhere, who meet and organise. The occupations are part of a movement that has many different forms. Among other things, they have a allowed rapid reactions to the first steps taken by Vinci towards construction work.

In June 2011, Vinci began eviction procedures in order to have the legal means to remove the occupiers of the ZAD who have "no right or title". Now they want to stop the growth of the movement and make a clean sweep to start the work: as well as evicting the occupiers, they are thinking about the tenants, owners and farmers. At the same time, those names who are pro-airport do everything they can: running a campaign to isolate the occupiers, attempting to divide the movement and break up solidarity, reinforce the daily police presence and repression of collective action.

Despite this context, we're keeping the memory of past victories in France against megalomanic projects, from nuclear to military, like at Carnet, Plogoff or Larzac, and we know that this airport can still be stopped. We look to the other side of the Alps, where opposition to the construction of the Lyon-Turin high-speed train line across a valley, where tens of thousands of people prevent work. We are preparing the same here: any attempt to concrete the place will cost them dearly.

This call for action signifies that evictions do not mean in any way the end of the struggle; it allows us to launch collective attacks after the potential evictions as well. It affirms that they cannot militarise or sterilise this place at all times and that whatever their efforts they won't stop us reoccupying it. It shows the common will to keep the occupations going to prevent the airport project. This event will allow, as necessary, the reconstruction of collective spaces for organising, housing, or again for growing food.

Although we don't know when the troops will be sent in, we are launching this call-out now to be able to create a massive rapid reaction. We propose to meet again on the fourth Saturday after the first eviction – bring your pitchforks, tools and beams – to reclaim the land and rebuild together.

In addition to this call for reoccupation, other initiatives are clearly welcome: solidarity actions wherever you are, presence at eviction time to hinder the police … And until then, efforts continue to prevent the airport, and life on the ZAD as well!

Practical Info:

– Check regularly  http://zad.nadir.org, especially in case of an eviction. The date and exact meeting location will be specified at the time.

– It will be possible to arrive on the eve of the event, for the final preparations and bringing everyone up to speed. Come prepared to camp.

– We invite you to stay here after the action to protect the re-occupied spaces and continue the construction.

*Extra explanation:
Vinci is the biggest construction company in the world and is responsible for building the airport at Notre-Dame-des-Landes. It is also engaged in building prisons, highways, nuclear power stations, detention centers for illegal immigrants, exploiting the uranium mines in Niger and destroying the forest of Khimki near Moscow.
Biotope: An entity responsible for ensuring, through environmental expert on the flora and fauna, the ecological sustainability of the airport … the new frontiers of green capitalism!

A call-out from occupiers on the ZAD and Reclaim the Fields

 reclaimthezad@riseup.net

zad@riseup.net
zad.nadir.org

Aussies occupy drill rig to protest coal mining

6.02.12

6.02.12

One Australian activist has been released pending summons for ‘interfering with a motor vehicle’ today after stopping drilling in Bacchus Marsh. Paul Connor locked himself  to the top of Mantle Mining’s 8.5 metre-tall drill rig while hanging a banner that read ‘No New Coal Bacchus Marsh’. Another campaigner, local mother Natasha Mills, also locked herself to the drill rig at ground level, surrounded by a support crew of 15 other Quit Coal activists who occupied the drill site to stage a ‘picnic’, which featured produce from local farms.

‘We are eating locally grown food to illustrate what is at stake here’ said Mills, who is currently 7 and a half months pregnant with her second child. ‘This project will destroy prime agricultural land, all for the sake of a quick buck and the burning of brown coal, one of the most environmentally harmful practices possible.

‘Mantle’s project has so little support here among locals in Bacchus Marsh that our Mayor, our State MP and our Federal MP have all come out against it’ she continued. ‘It’s just wrong, and we’re not going to let it happen.’

The Quit Coal action drew a barrage of media attention, with every major television station in attendance. For a sample of the media attention, click on ‘dirty fight’ on the Ten News website here.

After 4 and a half hours chained to the top of the drill rig, Connor was cut free by Police from the Search & Rescue squad with an angle-grinder. ’We need Victorians to join this fight alongside us till we win it’ he said. ‘We can’t ignore the urgent warnings from climate scientists that we need to move away from coal, and blindly seek to dig it up and sell it off overseas. We have a responsibility to the world not to allow brown coal exports to begin, for the first time ever, here in Victoria.’

Because the site was on public land and they had not broken any laws, the remaining Quit Coal activists occupying the site were not arrested. They chose to comply with a police request and ended the protest peacefully, mindful that the police could otherwise physically remove them following the move on order.

Mantle also issued a statement saying that while they support the right to peaceful protest, our action will not affect their future operations.

Quit Coal will see about that.

Videos and more at http://quitcoal.org.au/blog/

Indigenous groups shut down Interamerican highway to protest Panama mining laws

An indigenous Ngobe protester was killed by a gunshot wound to the chest during confrontations with the police this morning, 5th February, in San Félix, Panama. It has been confirmed that three more people have been hurt with local residents insisting many more are injured. In flat contradiction, the Security Minister Jose Mulino has stated that his officers are not carrying guns. In retaliation to the death, Ngobe protestors have set light to a police station in San Félix.

Since 30th January, demonstrators have been positioned at various points along the international Interamerican highway using branches, pieces of wood, metal and rocks to block the road. They are protesting against the government's decision to remove a law that would provide environmental protection to their lands. The police continue to deny that there has been any violence, although on Thursday 2nd January there were reports of up to 7 people injured in attacks involving tear gas.

Early 2011 saw similar actions by thousands of Ngobe who protested the government's amendment of the national mining law 415, which would have allowed for the commission of mines and other projects in the region. In March 2011, after talks between government officials and Ngobe leaders, it was agreed that article 5, which will protect the entire Comarca from exploration and exploitation, would be written into the mining law 415.

Although the government has begun the exploration of other mines in Panama, the semi-autonomous Comarca holds an extremely considerable amount of mineral wealth. Not only is it home to Cerro Colorado – the second largest copper deposit in the world – but it hold several small but significant sites already under exploration by foreign mining companies.

Corriente Resources Inc. have reportedly been working in the area since 2009 with the assistance of the consultancy firm, Kokopelli, owned by Canadian Don Clarke. Kokopelli's role is, according to its own website, "to work directly with industry to build sustainable, respectful and responsible relationships with Indigenous communities."

Don Clarke was also Vice President of sustainable development for Ecuacorriente, a subsidiary of Corriente Resources Inc, a company which was allegedly at the centre of human rights abuses and social conflicts in Ecuador.

In early January, Hector Lopez, leader of the Association for the Rights and Social Development of the Ngäbe-Bugle People, stated at the National Assembly that he opposed article 5 as it would affect development in the region, and in his opinion, violate law 10, a founding law of the Comarca. Lopez is strongly in favor of mining in the region and believes the Ngobe should receive 50% of mining profits.

However, Celio Guerra, president of the traditional Ngabe Bugle Council also stated in January that "the people who protested last year in San Felix spoke loud and clear. We don't want mining in the Comarca."

As protests continue to swell on the highway, there are growing concerns over Panama's freedom of press. On 20th January, a Canadian journalist and fixer, Rosie Simms, was denied entry into the country. She had been working on behalf of the Canadian broadcaster CBS who were covering a story about Canadian mining companies in Latin America.

Many believe that this is symptomatic of a wider issue relating to freedom of press. A recent report by Reporters Without Borders revealed that Panama has dropped 58 places on the freedom of press index since 2010.

As the protests continue, other parts of the country have joined in solidarity. In Donoso district, Colón province, a group of Ngobe and campesinos have blocked a road to the Petaquilla mining project. In Bocas del Toro province, Banana plantation workers have announced that they will strike in 73 hours unless the government honors its agreements. Truckers, stuck in San Felix, have also pledged to strike. In the capital, many people have taken to streets in support of the Ngobe.

After five days of protests there is major disruption throughout Panama. Market sellers in the capital have reported losses of up to $10,000. In Bocas del Toro, Banana Companies have estimated a loss of $270,000 due to road closures. According to the Chamber of Commerce the economy could face a total loss of over 10 million dollars.

Meanwhile, the Costa Rican government has expressed concern that 270 of its citizens remain stuck in Panama due to the road closures. Pressure has been increasing for all sides to enter into talks.

UN representatives in Panama have urged both Ngobe leaders and the government to begin 'a peaceful dialogue' and 'to avoid violence.' Although President Martinelli has said the situation is 'reaching a limit,' he has refused to reach out to the Ngobe. He also continues to undermine the legitimacy of the protests by accusing opposition parties of 'manipulating' them.

In a continual distortion of the facts, the government has been using misleading rhetoric such as 'kidnapped' and 'hostages' when referring to travelers delayed on the highway.

Yesterday morning, 4th February, mobile phone coverage was suspended along a large stretch of the highway where the protesters are concentrated. Later in the afternoon, six teachers were arrested in the city of Santiago whilst protesting in solidarity.

The situation is extremely charged and tension is mounting across the country. As violence continues to unfold in San Félix, journalists and human rights organizations are being denied access to the area. The government continues to spread disinformation and there have been no attempts so far to reach out to the Ngobe and begin peaceful talks.

India police arrest dozens of villagers for protesting against new toxic dump

4th Feb 2012

A total of 47 indigenous people were arrested and another 5 needed hospital treatment after hundreds of Indian police and Vedanta security guards confronted a peaceful demonstration two weeks ago in the state of Orissa, India.

On January 21, a group of villagers came together to protest against a new toxic mine waste dump that threatens to disrupt their way of life.

4th Feb 2012

A total of 47 indigenous people were arrested and another 5 needed hospital treatment after hundreds of Indian police and Vedanta security guards confronted a peaceful demonstration two weeks ago in the state of Orissa, India.

On January 21, a group of villagers came together to protest against a new toxic mine waste dump that threatens to disrupt their way of life.

Despite the peaceful nature of the protesters, as seen in the following video by Amnesty International, the 47 villagers were subsequently charged with "attempted murder" and "rioting".

Amnesty International is calling for the obviously-false charges to be dropped. They're also urging the government to release the protesters; and to properly take their needs and rights into account before letting the company proceed with the new waste dump.

Just prior to the arrests, Amnesty alleged that the Uk-based mining giant hasn't done anything to clean up existing pollution at the site of its Lanjigarh aluminum refinery beside Niyamgiri mountain in Orissa.

Similarly, "The Indian authorities have remained silent on the issues of cleaning up the refinery and monitoring the health of local communities. They must act on this now," said Amnesty International's India researcher Ramesh Gopalakrishnan.

"The red mud pond, which collects toxic waste by-products from the refinery, covers an area of approximately 38 hectares. The pond is full to the brim and suffered serious leaks during last year’s monsoons," explains Amnesty.

Two weeks ago, the High Court of Orissa rejected the company's plan to expand the Lanjigarh refinery after finding that the project is in violation of India's environmental laws.

The welcomed decision is the latest in a long line of legal setbacks for the company.

Cascadia Forest Defense blockades the Governor’s Mansion in Oregon

On February 3 Cascadia Forest Defenders (CFD) blockaded the entrance to the Oregon Governor’s Mansion with a mound of christmas trees. Activists held banners, reading “Rally at the State Land Board Meeting Feb. 14” and “KITZHABER LIES, FOREST DIE!” One person was arrested.

On October 11th 2011, Governor John Kitzhaber approved a plan to almost double logging in the Elliott State Forest. Voters, expecting a green Governor, are outraged at the hypocrisy of his actions. “The old Elliott State Forest management plan already allowed an appalling amount of clearcutting,” says Erin Grady, a member of CFD, “The State Land Board made a 60 year commitment to this plan in 1995. And only sixteen years later, they just threw the whole plan in the trash!” If logging in the Elliott continues at the current rate, this forest will be gone within our lifetime.

In the past year, there has been widespread disappointment regarding Kitzhaber’s decisions towards the Elliott. Forest activist Echo Lively says, “If anyone was unsure about it before, we can now be sure that Kitzhaber is in the pocket of industry in Oregon.” Another forest advocate comments, “The only thing green about Kitzhaber is the money.” Kitzhaber has made many mistakes managing environmental issues in Oregon, but there is still time to save this crucial rainforest of the Pacific Northwest.

CFD invites any and all who are enraged with Kitzhaber and other members of the State Land Board to attend a rally at their next meeting on February 14th at 10:00am. It will be held outside the Department of State Lands located in Salem at 775 Summer St. NE. Come tell Kitzhaber that we won’t let our forests be destroyed without a fight.

–Cascadia Forest Defenders

Call from the Wilderness Forest of Dean Wilderness Centre

Statement from the Wilderness Centre : On the day of Gloucestershire County Council meeting that will determine the councils next course of action.

Statement from the Wilderness Centre : On the day of Gloucestershire County Council meeting that will determine the councils next course of action.

Two activists jedi'd their way into the meeting, and handing out our "statement of intent" (link below) to the officious types sat around with members of the police, various council officers and advisors in Shire Hall, Gloucester, before being asking to leave -all was very polite, civil and in good humour.

We await their decision, which will dictate our next move.

Call from the Wilderness

Here in the wilderness we are trying to find our way home. How did we come to dwell here in the wilderness? For over 40 years the wilderness has been a pioneering environmental education centre. Then last year Gloucestershire county council decided that it was no longer in the public interest to sustain the centre. Better value for the taxpayer to sell it to the highest bidder? We disagree. We believe that education is the greatest source of wealth in our communities. Surely the exploitation of our environment can only be driven by ignorance. Education is our greatest tool in the struggle against exploitation.
The council seem to think otherwise. The county council, or in their words “the powers that be” think we are homeless. Travellers, squatters they tell us to… move on. They want us out of here. We don’t belong here. They tell us we have no right to be here. They’ve set their wolves to prowl around the grounds locking things down. They want our names and previous addresses. They don’t trust us. They are concerned about health and safety. The public are a liability. We tried to talk about responsibility. We tried to assure them that we fully comprehend the implications of a compost toilet. But they are doubtful.

Exactly who is bewildered?

We came here on the first full moon of the year with the intention of creating an environmental education centre to disclose a process of learning the skills and techniques required to move towards a home founded upon the principles of economic self-sufficiency and ecological sustainability.
To be a force of resolution we need people to join us. Decisive people who understand the consequences of there actions. Committed, hard working people. We need people with a respect for food. We need gardeners and growers who can cultivate the ideas that have been sown in our soil by the differing schools of permaculture and bio-dynamics. Who know how let these ideas grow organically. We need people with the determination to dig. Reflective people who look for their reflection in others. People who can practice the hospitality of the guest. People who do not wait for others to make necessary changes.
Here in the wilderness we make ourselves at home. You are welcome.

Statement of Intent : protectthewilderness.org.uk/protect.html
Website (still in progress) protectthewilderness.org.uk

———————————————————–
Protect The Wilderness

Winter Warm-up round-up – Fuel Poverty Action protests

Friday update: an exciting start to the Fuel Poverty Action Weekend of Winter Warm-ups…Hundreds of people across the country came out of their cold homes to get warm at the buildings of institutions that have a hand in creating fuel poverty, to challenge the Big Six’s monopoly and the government’s complicity.  London – Leeds – Swindon – Manchester:

Friday update: an exciting start to the Fuel Poverty Action Weekend of Winter Warm-ups…Hundreds of people across the country came out of their cold homes to get warm at the buildings of institutions that have a hand in creating fuel poverty, to challenge the Big Six’s monopoly and the government’s complicity.  London – Leeds – Swindon – Manchester: read more

Saturday update: Cambridge

Monday update: six activists have barricaded themselves into meeting rooms on two floors of British Gas offices in Staines, Middlesex, as part of the ‘Winter Warm-Up’ weekend called by the campaign group Fuel Poverty Action. British Gas is being targeted as one of the Big Six energy companies making profits out of rising energy bills.  Read more. 

Update – faced with a threatening police presence, the occupiers of the British Gas offices have now decided to leave on their own terms.

Malaysia: Temiar Blockade and Indigenous Rights

29.1.12

Eight Temiar indigenous people (also known as Orang Asli) in Malaysia were arrested by the police for attempting to set up a blockade and prevent loggers from entering their village in Gua Musang, Kelantan.

29.1.12

Eight Temiar indigenous people (also known as Orang Asli) in Malaysia were arrested by the police for attempting to set up a blockade and prevent loggers from entering their village in Gua Musang, Kelantan.

The villagers are against the agricultural project of the local government which would require the cutting down of forest trees in their ancestral land. The blockade, their second attempt at doing so, was made after attempts to negotiate with the state government have failed.

The police also refused to negotiate who removed the barricades and arrested the community residents and their lawyer, Siti Kasim. They were released later that night.

More info and here

police solidarity blockade of shell petrol station

27.1.12

27.1.12

in many years of independent reporting, i've often seen situations where police have caused larger disruption than a handfull of protestors, closing roads, sometimes closing down businesses, and sometimes massively amplifying the power of the protestors alone (not that that's their intention). however, this evening was, i think, the first time that they so completely did the job of the activists for them, that the campaigners could sit in a nice warm pub and toast the met, instead of standing around in the cold themselves.

the protest this evening was called by the climate-conscious shell-bashing 'london rising tide' group, in co-ordination with the legendary activist samba band 'rhythms of resistance'.

each january, the band commemorate the life of activist, val jones, a woman who helped put the rossport county mayo struggles on the political map, and who, as a designer, produced many brilliant huge banners for the movement. she was sadly struck down with motor neurone disease and passed away two years ago. in memory of val, the commemoration takes the form of a shell garage blockade each year.

so, tonight, the call-out was for a blockade at the shell station in old street, the scene of previous blockades. around twenty people turned up to the meeting point, armed with drums, banners, and leaflets. well, actually someone forgot the leaflets, but as it turned out they weren't needed.

the usual time-line for these events is that the activists turn up at the garage, the band plays on the forecourt, the large banners are used to close the entrance to the site, and leaflets are handed out to staff, to motorists, and to passers-by. the staff then close the shop and call the police, who turn up after about half an hour. the police warn people that they might be committing aggravated trespass, and then they forcefully facilitate the continuation of the action on the pavement, so that the garage opens for business once more.

however, tonight, something was very different. even before the demo began, the garage went dark, bollards blocking its entrance, and small groups of police lurked on street corners nearby.

so the activists were confused. what to do? was there any point attempting a blockade of a garage that was already closed for business? previous estimates from blockades show that garages lose several thousands of pounds of business when they close, and this is of course part of the point of the protests. also, someone had forgotten the leaflets, so although there was a suggestion of moving to a different target, there was the concern the protest wouldn't be so effective without this element.

every now and then, someone went out to check the site, and the garage remained totally closed for business, all lights off, staff locked in their shop, and nonchalant street-corner policing. so, another drink, a bit of food, plans afoot for future actions, and as the cold wind built up, and the wet drizzle came down, the occasional check that the police were continuing to carry out the activists' mission.

an hour passed, another one, a third. wow, this was better than any previous small-scale blockade. there was fond reminiscing of the upper street blockade a few years ago, val and the band present, on a saturday. this had closed the upper street shell garage for five or six hours, and ended with loads of TSG arriving , a couple of arrests, and a lot of details taken. but it was a much larger scale event with lots of prior planning. tonight was always meant to be a small, token, and commemorative action.

after three hours, the police scaled down and appeared to leave, but the garage stayed closed for a futher two hours, until finally near 11pm it opened for business once more.

this has to have been the most successful blockade without a single activist present. maybe they should contact the guiness book of records. we have the photos, the eye-witness reports.

various theories emerged as to why this happened tonight, but none of us really know, so in the meantime, the met should be heartened that a glass or two was raised to them for their sterling work this evening in costing shell five hours-worth of business at a normally very busy london garage, and thanks to them that a couple of dozen activists stayed warm, safe and conspiratorial. 

all involved hope that the met join in with even more solidarity for the big blockade on the 8th february (occupyoil).