earthfirst – Page 112

Thomson protesters strip to reveal the Naked Truth about biofuels

6.10.2011

3 protesters disrupted the launch of Birmingham airport’s first biofuel powered flight by stripping to reveal slogans opposed to the controversial new departure.

6.10.2011

3 protesters disrupted the launch of Birmingham airport’s first biofuel powered flight by stripping to reveal slogans opposed to the controversial new departure.

The Plane Stupid protesters mingled with passengers before calmly removing their clothes. Dressed in nothing but red body paint that declared ‘biofuels aren’t green’ they called on Thomson to reconsider their plans.

Thomson claim that biofuels offer a greener future for aviation, but respected environmental and social justice organisations from Friends of the Earth to The World Development Movement and Christian Aid believe that they will make the problems of global warming worse.

Today’s launch follows a delay of some months, after Thomson found they couldn’t source enough used cooking oil. Even for one short haul flight a week from one airport.

Protester Jo Turner said-
“It’s not surprising that Thomson have struggled to find enough recycled oils for their stunt. Demand for recycled road transport biofuels already far outstrips supply. Sadly, anyone with basic maths can see that used veg oils will never be a viable solution. They’re just a way of softening up the market to make way for the real nasties like palm oil and jatropha. Biofuels are a devil in disguise – a massively inefficient way of making fuel that destroys the very ecosystems we need to control runaway climate change.”

Protester Chris Cooper added-
“Thompson seem to be acknowledging that we can’t continue business as usual in the face of the current climate emergency. It’s a shame their solution is to make matters worse. Vast tracts of rainforest, ecosystems vital to halting climate change, are currently being trashed to make way for biofuel plantations.

Land that grows food is being stolen from some of the world’s poorest people so that it can start feeding planes. It’s a disaster.”

All three have been arrested and are awaiting charges.
Contact Emily Simon 07864643650 for interviews and more information.

Notes to editors:

1. The aviation industry talks about ‘novel’ biofuels which won’t compete with food and forests. While major concerns remain around these processes, including their use of synthetic biology, none are widely available. Palm oil appears to be the only realistic choice for commercial aviation biofuels over the next few years, it’s widely recognised for it’s destructive impact.

2. Currently palm oil plantations for a variety of uses cover 12 million hectares of land. The aviation industry claims that biofuels represent ‘zero carbon growth’. Biofuel watch calculate that by 2030 aviation would need 45 Million hectares of land to meet their growth goals. For more information see www.biofuelwatch.org.

3.On 1st July 2011 commercial airlines got permission to use 50% biofuels made from specially refined vegtable oils as well as other plant oils and animal fat in their engines.

4. Plane Stupid is a grass roots group that uses direct action to oppose airport expansion.

London September critical mass – pics and short report

sept 30 critical mass. police allow motorist to leave the scene of an assault and refuse to take details despite witnesses. did you witness the assault?

the balmy indian summer weather ensured a good turn-out for the critical mass bike ride last friday evening, and hundreds of cyclists enjoyed a joyous ride round london despite the occasional psychopathic motorist and a couple of crazy cops. the critical mass bicycle ride, now in in its 17th year, takes place on the last friday of each month throughout the year.

the critical mass bicycle ride, now in in its 17th year, takes place on the last friday of each month throughout the year. cyclists meet from about 6pm on the south bank under waterloo bridge near the national film theatre, and normally set off on a ride by about 7.

the ride has no official organisers, and the route is never agreed in advance, relying instead on a ‘critical mass’ of front runners persuading the rest of the crowd to follow in any particular direction.

on friday, the convoy of four or five hundred cyclists (also including an increasing contingent of skateboarders) headed north over the bridge, and unusually took the underpass into kingsway before heading west and on to oxford street.

as the main purpose of the mass is to celebrate human propulsion over carbon, reclaim the streets, and show that cyclists have as many rights as drivers, it is sometimes a little contentious when the route includes oxford street so early in the evening, as it mostly disrupts public transport rather than general traffic (which isn’t allowed onto oxford street until later in the evening). however, the mass kept up the pace and only stopped briefly at oxford circus before heading to marble arch and down park lane.

by this time, cyclists had spread out a little and so it was harder to take all four lanes of the road. so despite the neon sign at the start of park lane warning motorists ‘delays possible’, some of them were frustrated to find cyclists in their path (even though they were quite likely to get held up again at a traffic jam at the south end of the highway), and among these motorists there was a police car, whose driver recklessly kept changing lanes without signalling, and deliberately cut across cyclists forcing them to veer to the left, and seriously risking injury.

further down park lane, there had been some sort of altercation, and a woman claimed she had been assaulted and pushed over by a motorist. the police car had stopped and the officers got out, but instead of investigating the assault, one of them was making comments loudly that “you cyclists are pests”. the young woman, along with witnesses to the assault, kept telling the police that she wanted to make a complaint and press charges, but the cops just ignored her, returning to their vehicle and winding their windows up. they also for a while refused to give any of their own details until several cyclists surrounding the car kept asking for their badge numbers, with which they eventually complied. they however refused to take any details of the alleged incident. the young woman is considering an official police complaint. if anyone witnessed the assault or took pics/video, please contact me and i’ll put you in touch. i only have the clip of the police ignoring her requests.

sometimes after an incident like this, the mass gets stretched out or split, but this time, the front runners were cycling round and round the duke of wellington arch at hyde park corner, so everyone reconvened and hundreds of bicycles once again rode together east along piccadilly, completely trapping a red diplomatic police car at one point, and on into piccadilly circus, trafalgar square (where a couple of cyclists jumped into the fountains to cool off), and down whitehall to parliament square. there, one rider briefly hitched a lift on the back of a lorry before we all headed up to buckingham palace, back to hyde park corner and then down to sloane square.

two hours in, and although numbers were beginning to lessen, when i left the ride there were still at least a hundred riders heading west down the king’s road.

the next ride will be 28th october.

http://www.criticalmasslondon.org.uk/main.html
More pictures and videos at http://london.indymedia.org/articles/10323

Check out if there’s a Critical Mass in your town – or start one

Spanish farmers sab GM maize

5.10.11

The following is a communique cross posted from Afilado Nuestras Vidas:

Translation by Lilac

5.10.11

The following is a communique cross posted from Afilado Nuestras Vidas:

Translation by Lilac

During the second week of August 2011 an unknown number of people have destroyed part of an experimental field of GM maize seeds owned by Pioneer. The area located between the towns of Valdivia and Zurbaran had been requested by the company to be opened to the following GMO maize varieties: 1057, 59122 maize, NK603. This field is one of the three requested this year by Monsanto and Pioneer companies to experiment with transgenic corn.

This action is a small response to the imposition of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) by biotechnology companies and the state. Since GM began to be experimented, approved and marketed heavily, its creators and promoters have stated that GM would be able to end hunger or to safeguard human health and the possibility of a cleaner and more efficient agriculture. Nothing is further from the truth.

These GMOs are imposed in a context of: large corporations fighting for monopoly control of seeds and chemicals, monocultures, genetic pollution, the disappearance of small and medium farmers, liquidation of local economies, the disappearance of indigenous varieties, large distribution networks, waste and water pollution, the expulsion of rural communities.

These GMOs are not compatible with other forms of production and social organization based on the recovery of traditional agriculture that meet the needs of the people, not markets, and do not overflow the boundaries of ecosystems, coupled with the will to escape the illusory link between happiness and consumption.

Models are clearly needed in a hungry and warming world due to the submission to the market and totalitarian states. Therefore these GMOs do not come to fulfill the benefits, but represent another twist to the agro-industrial model, which will, among other things, completely expropriate the people’s their ability to feed themselves. For the final decision of the approval and marketing of GMOs, the state created the National Biosafety Committee (NBC).

Inside there are seven representative NBC scientists, many of them linked to the biotech industry and pro-GM lobby. This body is for the industry, not biosecurity, as evidenced by the growing number of genetic contamination in wheat and corn crops. In whole regions of the state, genetic contamination in crops such as the above named is inevitable.

Outside our borders, these GMOs have been responsible for all types of disasters such as famine, deforestation, poisoning, allergies and other illnesses due to consumption as well as a myriad of constraints to rural communities and farmers by biotech companies, not to mention real massacres caused by the manufacture and use of chemicals needed for this agro-industrial model, of which GM is its ultimate expression. To say GM is not saying “no!” to the evils and injustices that we have cited; “no!” to imposing: “no!” to the artificiality of life; “no!” to the madness of progress.

The take action against GMOs is a legitimate struggle of all people, symptoms of common sense and the need for profound social change, the result of being aware of the danger to the Earth (and everything that gets penalized) in the hands of capitalism. Those who sow and reap transgenic promotes resistance.

Farmers (campesin@s*) in Extremadura in the struggle.
Extremadura, September 2011
Individual farmers (campesin@s) in Extremadurs

*Translator’s note: Campesin@ is an untranslatable word in Spanish, which usually connotes small, community based, sustainable and subsistence farmers, although it can also be used in reference to field workers under a giant corporation like Chiquita or Dole.

Update: Work starts to cut down Irton’s beech tree

Breaking News 11pm, Tuesday 4th:
CONTRACTORS have started work to cut down Irton’s beech tree.
Vicki “Beechnut” Welsh spent four nights in the tree but came down at 10.10am today to applause from villagers, who have now accepted defeat in their battle to save the tree.

4 October 2011
A PROTESTER who is the latest to sit in the branches of a threatened tree in Irton yesterday demanded answers to four questions – one of which was aimed squarely at the Prime Minister – before she leaves her leafy home.

The 17-year-old Bridlington girl, who is known only as Beech Nut, had been there since Friday and is the fifth treetop protester since the start of the sit-in two weeks ago today.

She said that a special appeal had also been set up. She said: “I am here to launch the Irton Tree Foundation and would like to appeal for any help with our cause.”

Beech Nut said she wanted to dispel any misconceptions that the protest had cost council taxpayers £250,000 – because their protest began after the decision to fell the tree had been taken.

She added that, while they did not roost in the tree, bats used it as a primary feeding site. She said: “I’d like to see the results of a reputable bat survey.”

Beech Nut said that the villagers had been treated with disrespect and deserved answers. She asked: “Has the evidence been seen by a high court judge?”

And in a question directed at Prime Minister David Cameron she asked about the validity of tree preservation orders – the beech tree was the subject of an order but it was overruled by a judge. She said: “It’s not just about this tree, in this village, it’s about all trees in England.”

A North Yorkshire County Council representative read out a statement on Friday which said that anyone preventing the tree felling, which is likely to take place by the end of this week, could face a prison sentence.

Tree supporters have taken separate legal advice to challenge the court decision and are waiting to hear the results.

Irton resident David Parker said that they would continue the protest until the first “chainsaw touched the trunk”. He added: “We’ve been told that some time this week the tree will definitely be felled but no official person has come here so far.”

He said that they would continue to look into every legal avenue that they possibly could. He said: “We are quite within our rights to do so. We have a right to object peacefully against something we disagree with. We will act within the law.”

The tree has been the subject of a long-running legal battle between villagers, two local authorities and a nearby homeowner, who successfully applied to a judge to have the beech cut down.

People who would like to donate to the Irton Tree Foundation can do so through any branch of HSBC by using the sort code 40-40-22 and account number 91752707.

Hinkley Point blockaders declare victory over EDF Energy

3/10/2011
For about nine hours, we blockaded the nuclear power station with up to 400 people. This was the biggest anti nuclear power action in Britain for quite some years. It marked the beginning of a new anti nuclear power movement in this country, and you all made this possible.
This time, the blockade was tolerated by EDF and the police. Only one person was arrested when walking on the public footpath along the fence.
He was stopped and searched by police, and arrested for possession of a craft knife. Luckily, he was later released from Taunton police station without charge.

Those of you who came to the camp after the action are aware of a police incident: a mobile CCTV vehicle of Avon & Somerset police drove onto the camp site, filming all the time. After a while it was possible to persuade them to leave the site.
Stop New Nuclear sees this as a provocation, and we made it very clear that this incident destroyed a lot of the trust between the police and the campaign that had been built in the run-up to the blockade.
The police Silver Command has since sent an ‘apology email’ that says they’ve deleted the material.

The camp, demonstration, and blockade of Hinkley Point was not a one-off, nor was it the end – it should be the beginning of a powerful and creative anti nuclear power movement in Britain, that will stop the plans for eight new nuclear power stations in its tracks. To make this happen, we need you!
We are therefore organising a Stop New Nuclear gathering in Bristol in November (unfortunately, we have not been able to set the date yet), to discuss and plan the next campaigns and actions against nuclear new build in Britain. Please get involved – we need to grow as a movement, and this means we need more people organising our actions. Please check back for updates and register for the Stop New Nuclear gathering at http://stopnewnuclear.org.uk/gathering2011. More information will be available soon.

If you have any ideas for action, please share them in our ideas forum at http://stopnewnuclear.org.uk/ideasforum.

News from Hinkley Point
The Environment Agency has extended the deadline for objections to EDF’s environmental permit application until 15 December. This means we now have much more time to collect hundreds or even thousands of objections. Please download the objection sheet from http://stopnewnuclear.org.uk/objections-discharges, print it, sign it, and send it of to: PSC, PO Box 4404, Sheffield, S9 4WF

Press release:

Anti-nuclear protesters have declared the mass blockade at Hinkley Point today as a victory over EDF Energy. The nine-hour blockade in Somerset attracted supporters from all over the UK. Several came from as far afield as Ireland, Germany and Belgium.

Stop New Nuclear spokesperson, Andreas Speck, said the blockade has put the government and EDF on the back foot. ‘Following the interest this blockade has attracted, both regionally and nationally, the government and EDF can no longer claim that the we need nuclear energy to keep the lights on.’

He continued: ‘Germany has committed to a nuclear-free future without buying nuclear power from France or building new coal-fired power stations. The German government is looking at a decentralised energy model with a mix of renewables and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) to bridge the gap left by withdrawal from nuclear. If Germany can do it, why can’t we?’

Angie Zelter, who hit the headlines in 1996 when she and other activists attacked a Hawk jet destined to suppress protests in East Timor (and was subsequently cleared of criminal damage by a jury), blasted EDF’s claims that Hinkley Point is sustainable.

She added: ‘Over its lifetime, Hinkley will consume more energy than it produces – if you take into account the energy used to extract uranium and the power needed to store radioactive waste for hundreds of years. It doesn’t add up.’

Zelter said the risk of flooding is an increasing worry. ‘Locals are well aware of the constant danger of flooding around Hinkley,’ she continued. ‘We have information from workers there that several years ago, floodwater breached the plant’s retaining walls.’

She added that this was a particular concern now that EDF wants to build two new mega reactors at Hinkley. ‘Radioactive waste from the proposed new ERP reactors will be so toxic that it will have to be stored on the site for over 100 years. With the growth in extreme weather conditions there is no guarantee that this waste can be stored safely.’

And Zelter blasted the government for claiming that nuclear is the only solution to combating climate change. ‘If the government can spend billion renewing Trident missiles and fighting Gaddafi in Libya, why can’t they find the money to build truly sustainable energy systems that would create a great many more jobs than the nuclear sector can?’

The mass blockade was described by Stop New Nuclear organiser, Andreas Speck, as a, ‘celebration of dissent’ with pro-nuclear supporters being entertained by a Welsh choir and popular festival band, Seize The Day.

A man arrested on a footpath close to the blockade was later released without charge.

—

Reports, pictures and video.
More photos
Camp photos
Bridgwater demonstration
Blockade of Hinkley Point
Some photos and some more
CND uploaded photos here
We are slowly uploading videos

Call from France to all UK anti-nuclear Activists

Update: One thing is that the dates have changed and the camp will be on from 22nd of November to 24th of November

INVITATION FOR A BIG CAMP AND MASS ACTION AGAINST THE NUCLEAR TRANSPORT CASTOR IN VALOGNES (FRANCE) ON THE 24TH AND 25TH OF NOVEMBER 2011, JUST ACROSS THE CHANNEL The french and the english government have this common feature of being mad about nuclear power. Whereas Germany, Switzerland and Italy are stepping out of the nuclear energy, France and Great-Britain are doing as if Fukushima never happened. If we refuse to let Fukushima become, like Tchernobyl before, an accident without consequence, it is time to take action, NOW. Please, spread this call to all your friends, comrades, networks in the UK. It will be a massive thing!! If anyone could print this and give it out at the hinkley protest, that would be wonderful. INVITATION FOR A BIG CAMP AND MASS ACTION AGAINST THE NUCLEAR TRANSPORT CASTOR IN VALOGNES (FRANCE) ON THE 22ND AND 24TH OF NOVEMBER 2011, JUST ACROSS THE CHANNEL The french and the english government have this common feature of being mad about nuclear power. Whereas Germany, Switzerland and Italy are stepping out of the nuclear energy, France and Great-Britain are doing as if Fukushima never happened. If we refuse to let Fukushima become, like Tchernobyl before, an accident without consequence, it is time to take action, NOW. More than ever, it is obvious that it is only on an international level that we can think the struggle against nuclear power, because it is on this level that the contradiction between the states that step out of it and those who don't becomes explosive. As our aim – to free ourselves of those who destroy our lives and everything alive for the last money left to make – can in no way be achieved by them, as all the governments can do is greenwash their tools of destruction, we should use this moment to make it clear that we still envision a future. For it is not only the question of energy that we are determined to take back in our own hands but our lives. That is why we invite all british comrades to join our initiative right on the other side of the Channel, in Valognes (near Cherbourg) on the 24th and 25th of november 2011. On these dates starts the CASTOR transport of highly radioactive refutes that goes from La Hague to Gorleben (Germany). This year for the first time, in coordination with the German comrades, there will be a camp and mass action in order to block this transport at its very starting point, in Valognes, just like the Germans do it in Gorleben. LET'S MEET THERE AND DISTURB LIKE NEVER BEFORE THE QUIET ROUTINE OF THIS DEADLY INDUSTRY! SOLIDARITY WITH THE BLOCKADE OF THE HINCKLEY POWERPLANT! valognesstopcastor@riseup.net

Mc-hammer time

In the early hours of Tuesday morning (27/09/11) McDonalds drive thru in Bedminster was visited and thoroughly smashed, with all it’s windows attacked.

Fuck Mcdonalds and the death culture they perpetuate and symbolise globally, which means:

In the early hours of Tuesday morning (27/09/11) McDonalds drive thru in Bedminster was visited and thoroughly smashed, with all it’s windows attacked.

Fuck Mcdonalds and the death culture they perpetuate and symbolise globally, which means:

abuse and mass slaughter for millions of animals caged all their miserable lives, poisonous food, sickness and cancer for humans, mind numbing drudgery and workplace control and discipline for workers treated like slaves, destruction for the environment and of course massive profit for capitalists.

If you thought smashing up Mcdonalds had gone out of anticapitalist fashion, think again. We don’t forget or forgive.

For earth, animal and human liberation.

ALF / ELF

3rd October: Manchester occupied!

Yesterday saw the occupation of Albert Square in Manchester outside the town hall. Throughout the afternoon and evening several open mic assembly sessions were held with people speaking about various issues with the common themes being resistance to cuts, community organising, direct democracy, and occupations. There was also a sound system pumping out tunes and some dancing in the rain.

The persistent rain proved to be a discouraging factor and after several hours the size of the crowd pretty much matched the size of the tarps strung across lamposts to provide some cover (earlier the police had tried to prevent people rigging up the shelters).

Later in the evening people heckled guests attending tory party fringe meetings at the town hall and the police went around grabbing beers off a few people.

Around 9pm a group of 20-30 people with a sound system on their way to the occupation from the squatted convergence centre were hassled by the cops and there were a few arrests.

http://www.occupymanchester.org

3rd October: Blockaders begin mass protest outside Hinkley Point Nuclear Power Station

More than 200 people have successfully sealed off the main entrance to Hinkley Point nuclear power station in Somerset.

Convoys of protesters began to arrive at the main gate shortly before 7am. The entrance is just yards away from where EDF Energy is making a bid to build two new mega-reactors.

http://stopnewnuclear.org.uk

More than 200 people have successfully sealed off the main entrance to Hinkley Point nuclear power station in Somerset.

Convoys of protesters began to arrive at the main gate shortly before 7am. The entrance is just yards away from where EDF Energy is making a bid to build two new mega-reactors.

http://stopnewnuclear.org.uk

The blockade was launched with the arrival of a theatrical troupe who enacted a nuclear disaster scenario similar to Fukushima. Approximately 70% of protesters are from the South West. Others have come from as far afield as Belgium and Germany.

Well-known festival band, Seize the Day, provided a musical backdrop to the event. Andreas Speck, spokesperson for the Stop New Nuclear alliance said: ‘This is the start of a new movement. We intend this day to be a celebration of resistance against the government and EDF Energy’s plans to spearhead the construction of eight new nuclear power plants around the UK.’

He continued: ‘This is blockade shows that people who understand the true dangers of nuclear power are prepared to use civil disobedience to get their voice heard. The government has hoodwinked the public into believing that we need nuclear power to keep the lights on. But this is totally untrue.’

To show their support for the victims of the Fukushima disaster, protesters will launch 206 helium balloons – to represent the number of days since the partial meltdown at the Japanese power station. The journey of balloons will be tracked to show which areas of the West Country will be worst affected should a major disaster happen at Hinkley Point.

‘We need to bring home to people that nuclear power stations can fail for many reasons – usually because of human error,’ said Nikki Clark from South West Against Nuclear. ‘The explosion at a waste processing plant in France a few weeks ago is a clear reminder that nobody is safe from the dangers of nuclear energy.’

Protesters are urging ministers to look to Germany where the government has pledged to phase out nuclear power within ten years. ‘The German government has just published a blueprint for a sustainable, nuclear-free future,’ said Camilla Berens from campaign group, Kick Nuclear. The key focus is energy reduction and a bridging technology called combined heat and power (CHP). The burning question is, if Germany can do it, why can’t we?’

For more information on the ground, contact Camilla Berens on: 07811-451417. Photographs will be release at the Stop New Nuclear website later today.

Dale Farm: injunction remains for now

LATEST: Monday 3 October: Basildon Council concedes that full clearance of Dale Farm as originally proposed would be illegal. Council ordered to pay one third of Dale Farm’s legal costs. Awaiting outcome of applications for judicial reviews, due Tuesday.

The legality of the eviction notices served by Basildon Council on Dale Farm residents was challenged by the Travellers in the High Court on Friday. Once the arguments had been heard, including an application by Basildon Council for the scaffolding at the entrance to the site to be removed, the Judge Mr Justice Edwards-Stuart said that there would not be a ruling before Monday 26 September (now extended to Tuesday 4 October). Late in the day it was reported that the injunction to restrain bailiffs from starting any clearance or eviction of the site would stand in its current form until at least 4pm Monday. A later report indicated that the judge may further extend the injunction into the middle of next week or beyond if necessary. In the meantime, applications are being prepared for judicial review of the eviction, which could lead to further delay of a final decision. Basildon Council has already set aside £18 million to evict the Dale Farm residents. However, with the current stalemate reported to be costing the council over £1 million per day, the total cost is likely to have increased by some £8 million by Monday and will continue to rise during any further delay. With a bit of luck they’ll run out of money before the eviction is allowed to go ahead.

Supporters are needed both at the High Court now and at Dale Farm now and for the duration. Contact savedalefarm@gmail.com for more information or see Save Dale Farm.