earthfirst – Page 198

The Greening of Peter Mandelson & Hoon ‘hooned’ – arrrested update

6th March

6th March
Green custard was this morning thrown in the face of the Labour governments Business Secretary, Peter Mandelson by Plane Stupid activist Leila Deen. The former Northern Ireland Secretary was accosted moments after stepping out of his limo to attend a so-called ‘low-carbon’ summit in London. In full view of the assembled TV cameras he got a face full of custard and hurried inside. Leila then explained to the cameras that the action had been over Mandelsons unelected and undemocratic role in granting permission for Heathrows third runway on behalf of the business community.

Mandleson referred to the incident as an ‘adolescent protest’. He joked, “I suppose in a democracy people are entitled to have their say but I would rather people said it to my face rather than throw it. I am prepared to take my fair share of the green revolution on my shoulders but I am less keen on having it in my face.”

When interviewed later on the BBC Leila Deen described the move as a “last resort” after the democratic process failed. She said that Mandelson was an unelected politician and he was siding with the “interests of business” rather than the “interests of the people and the planet” in backing the new runway.

She justified the “direct action” as the best way of bringing about change, claiming she and others were excluded from the democratic process. “When democracy is failing you have to resort to any means necessary as long as it is peaceful and does not harm other human beings,” she said.

She continued, “Peter Mandelson is the same person who effectively bullied Ed Miliband and other members of the cabinet to accept a third runway that nobody wants, a third runway that no one was consulted on and no one is able to say no to. It’s not right that someone like Peter Mandelson can stand up and talk about being green.”

Leila Deen, 29, said:

“That such a clearly corrupt human being is still in government, despite being unelected, is an affront to democracy and a threat to any hope we have of stopping the impact that climate change is already beginning to have on our lives. We have a tiny window left to stop climate change. I want to tell my children that I did not stand back and applaud as Mandelson ruined our last chance.”

—-

March 5th 2009

Hoon ‘hooned’ in silly stunt

Geoff Hoon woke up yesterday and went out to give a speech to the Royal Society about the many solutions to aviation and climate change. The solution, of course, is to let everyone fly as much as they like, because technology would save us. Technology and the Emissions Trading Scheme, which, as he reminded his audience, is a real and effective cap on aviation emissions in Europe…

HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!

The Secretary of State was cut off in mid-flow, as a loud honking noise blared out across the room. Up popped a young woman who apologised for making a racket. She’d rather foolishly forgotten to turn off her lie detector horn, which had picked up on Hoon’s rather blatant fibbing. It wouldn’t happen again, she promised.

Of course it did; other people in the audience had brought their lie detectors and these kept sounding as Hoon tried to give his speech. If only, he thought to himself, I’d remembered to tell the truth, instead of a bunch of nonsense that sounded good when Flying Matters told it to me. Maybe these silly stunts have a purpose after all…

—-

Update: Leila Deen, Custard Queen, Arrested

8th March
London activist Leila Deen was arrested Saturday for throwing green custard over government minister Peter Mandelson on Friday to protest at his undemocratic involvement in the decision to Heathrow airport. She received a text message and phone call from the police to inform her she was to be arrested for common assault. After being interviewed she was released without charge, and bailed to return on the 9th of April.

Lelia had managed to avoid security outside the Royal Society on Friday morning where Mandleson he was due to attend a co-called ‘low-carbon’ summit in London. After Leila threw the custard over him, Mandleson rushed inside the building dripping with green goo. About five minutes later he returned to face the media with some hastily prepared damage control ‘wit’.

There is conflicting information on whether Mandelson had made a complaint or whether the police were obliged to investigate the incident without a formal complaint being made. Lelia said that the police had been told that they had to take action although Mandelson had apparently not made a formal complaint but some of the mainstream media reports suggested that Mandelson had now mad a complaint. Mandelson was also reported as saying he was surprised that his attacker “could just saunter off without being apprehended”.

Bank climate rush at RBS

5th March 2009
About 100 people gathered outside RBS this lunch time.

Environmental “Climate Rush” activists gather outside RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland) to protest the pension pay out to Sir Fred Goodwin, former RBS Chief Executive, of 16 Million GBP.

The second event organised by Climate Rush in less than a week, around a hundred people gathered outside the RBS head offices near Liverpool Street Station, although a large percentage of those were press or others with cameras. The police were there to in great numbers guarding every door to the vast RBS building and plenty more in reserve in vans hidden away in the back street just in case. An uncomfortable mix of Met and City cops, they needn’t have worried as the hastily organised ‘rush’ had attracted only a small crew and the action turned into more of a picnic than an full frontal assault on the bank.

Despite being a climate rush event it did attract the local Whitechapel Anarchist, the Government of the Dead and Class War’s Ian Bone. So-called ‘FIT’ were there too to take some snaps and make voice inaccurate observations about people personal lives. Crowds of city workers took photos with their mobiles from vantage points on the opposite side of the road and RBS employees watched from the balconies inside their glass fortress.

Speeches where made (amplified over the tandem towed trailer sound system) and highlighted the how this bank which is now mostly owned by the tax payer continues to supply funding to industries complicit in climate crimes. Much was made of a certain wankers retirement pay-off and a cap was handed round to top up his pension should he choose to forgo his undeserved wind fall (the £8.27 collected was later given to a homeless person who seemed more in need). Also raised during the speeches was the mobilisations being planned around the G20 in April.

Many passers by enquired what was going on, at least one joined in. There were no arrests, no rush. Lots of cameras, little to shoot. Some food, some tea, little anger but a bit of dancing.

History Repeated – Skyr Thrown on Greenwashing PR Managers

March 5 2009
Yesterday three black dressed individuals, masked with aluminium foil, threw green Skyr (traditional Icelandic dairy product) on representatives of Icelandic energy companies during a greenwash presentation in the University of Iceland. In June 2005 Saving Iceland threw Skyr on representatives of Alcoa and Bechtel during an international aluminium conference in Reykjavík.

Gaia – the student association of Master students in Environment and Natural Resources, had organized a “Green Week” in the university. Among activities was this particular presentation by e.g. Landsvirkjun (Iceland’s national energy company), O.R. (Reykjavík Energy) and Geysir Green Energy; all companies who are involved in the development of the aluminium industry in Iceland.

GreenwashNobody has claimed responsibility for the action and no press release has been sent to the media. But the historical reference is clear and one does not need a lot of imagination to get in mind what the message of this action was.

RÚV, Iceland’s national TV station stated in its evening news that Öskra!, a newly formed movement of revolutionaly students, had claimed responsibility for the action. A little later Öskra! sent out a press release saying:

Yesterday green skyr (traditional Icelandic food which has been used over the years in direct actions – showing disrespect and disapproval) was thrown on the image managers of the energy companies that took part in the green-washing days in the university.

Öskra! – The revolutionary students movement, is not responsible for the skyr throwing action, and does not know who did it, but understands and supports it completely.

“Green Energy” is one of the capitalists false solutions to the environmental destruction which threatens all life on earth. If the energy companies want to call them self green, they can just be green.

GreenwashThe Skyr throwers got away and no one was arrested but according to Iceland Review, a “university staff member caught hold of one of the activists, but lost his grip as a spectator disrupted him. Police are investigating the case.”

Like Öskra!, Saving Iceland announces a complete support with this great action!

Shell due to restart work in Ireland soon

Shell will attempt to lay the offshore pipe this Spring and preparation work both on land and at sea is due to start in the next few weeks. We are determined to stop this preparation work and so people are needed from mid-March – May.
We expect Shell to begin putting up security fences and building the compound very soon, possibly in the next few weeks…

The Rossport Solidarity Camp always welcomes committed & motivated people to get more involved in the campaign, whatever your experience or skills.
Come over & help out with actions, support, housekeeping, equipment maintenance, PR, office work, media work, gardening etc

Please consider doing one of the following:
•Come visit Mayo:
You would be more than welcome to stay at the camp. Find directions here: http://www.rossportsolidaritycamp.110mb.com/directions.html
There are jobs for everyone to do from making banners, doing actions or starting this year’s garden. There really was a good vibe at the camp last autumn and we’re hoping for more of the same this time round. Contact the camp if you’re coming or if you have any questions.

•Take action at Home
There’s a load than can be done from wherever you are. See http://www.rossportsolidaritycamp.110mb.com/support.html for some suggestions.
solidarity actions, info stalls, showing the campaign films, donate to the campaign, think of ideas for actions, put on a fundraiser…
If you are interested in helping to do research work about the new onshore pipeline application please email us.

Winter update
During the winter many court cases have been proceeding against those who object locally, for a variety of charges, from traffic offences, public order breaches to Garda assaults. It goes without saying that no Gardai have been prosecuted for their vicious assaults to date. While some fines and suspended sentences have been handed down, and Gardai have perjured themselves on the stand and the judges have lapped it up, no one has been found guilty of Garda assault to date (some cases had to be appealed to secure this). There are still many Shell to Sea cases before the courts, from local people refusing to bend to the corrupt will of Shell and the state. They need help to continue resisting!

Shell have recently put in planning applications for the onshore section of the pipeline which can be seen here www.corribgaspipeline.com

The economic situation has utterly changed and most people in the country are seriously questioning corporate power and government subservience to that power. Recently even the Gardaí took to the streets to oppose government policy (and no one threw them off the road!!!).
We are in a lot more favourable times to try to get our message and points across than this time last year.
We can win but we need your support!

For travel directions, leaflets, more info about the campaign pls check out:
http://www.rossportsolidaritycamp.110mb.com

UK: Traps destroyed, shooting pens trashed, birds set free

“under the pink skies of a setting sun and across the rolling hills of the countryside activists found a large shooting estate; two squirrel traps and a fox trap were destroyed. a lone bird trapped inside a cage was carefully taken from her prison and set free. 4 shooting enclosures were destroyed; netting cut, wires cut, wood snapped, battery supplies cut off, posts torn from the ground. enclosures used for shooters to hide their cowardly faces and shoot animals were destroyed.

until all are free!”

reported anonymously to http://directaction.info

Arizona, US: Vivisector and mining executive visted at home

“Tucson Vivisector Katalin Gothard and Rosemont mining scumbag Kathy Arnold get a special home visit from Tucson H.A.A.N.D! (Hooligans Attack At Night Duh!) agents of change. Solidarity dedication with those four recently arrested

Beneath a security blanket of darkness during the early morning hours of Friday, February 20, Tucson H.A.A.N.D. (Hooligans Attack At Night Duh!) visited the homes of University of Arizona Vivisector Katalin M. Gothard and Rosemont Copper (RC) Director of Environmental & Regulatory Affairs Kathy Arnold.

We chose Kathy Arnold because of all her work she does with RC as their Director of Environmental & Regulatory Affairs. RC is attempting to mine in the beautiful Santa Rita Mountains for copper. We say no mine thank you!
Mining in the Santa Ritas would threaten numerous species, plants and sensitive wild areas. Mining for copper to build solar panels is a false solution and unacceptable. The Santa Ritas are part of the Sky Island Region a Biological Hotspot home to 404 bird species, 117 reptile species, 26 amphibian species, thousands of plant species. A number of these species are endemic to this region. The Santa Ritas should never be home to a mine.

Dear Kathy destroying the land of wild animals and plants for more ingredients of a larger Infrastructure nightmare is no way to live. You should know that our environment is no place for you to hold your twisted affairs! We slashed your tire so that maybe you will think of the Mountain Lions and Black Bears that live where you want to build a mine. We bet the etching cream on the window of your house will leave a lasting impression of our visit. Maybe the cost of replacing it will make you think twice about the lasting irreplaceable costs your companies proposed mine would inflict on the Santa Ritas.

Katalin Gothard is an assistant Professor (Vivisector) within the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine Life Sciences in North Room 327 of the University of Arizona Tucson, her Phone # is (520) 626-1448. Her Email is kgothard@email.arizona.edu.
Her home addy is [removed by Indybay]. Her home # is [removed by Indybay].
Katalin makes a living by performing research on rhesus monkeys. Her research procedures involve screwing metal plates into the monkey’s skulls and affixing magnetic search coils to their eyes. After these medical procedures are performed she then trains the monkeys to tolerate head immobilization and to fixate on objects presented on a computer monitor.
What the fuck type of demented mind could do such a thing? Apparently, Katalin Gothard and her cohorts.

To the sound of Coyotes howling in the mountains we lifted the utility cover to your water in front of your house, turned the water off and the poured in cement to make sure it stayed off for a damn long time! We bet it’s a little harder to wash the blood off your hands and scrub away all those thoughts of torturing monkeys all day long huh Katalin. If you insist on working, get a real job!

Kathy, stay the fuck away from our mountains you sick fuck! Katalin, Leave the monkeys alone (your a sick fuck too)!

We dedicate this action to our four CA comrades in the fight against vivisection that were arrested the same day.

Y’all fools can keep trying to stop us by throwing us in jail. Cause you can’t lock up Revolutionary Solidarity for the land and Animals, duh!”

http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/02/21/18572574.php

Final update: Climate Camp in London’s Square Mile, April 1 2009.

Final update at bottom of story – Because nature doesn’t do bailouts.

April 1 in the evening… the sun has gone down, the sky is clear and stars are on view… instead of going home we get firewood from our backpacks, make tea and coffee on rocket stoves and then, just as the hunger pangs start, jacket potatoes!

Yes, we are actually going to camp in the city…

The G20 meeting is coming up fast, as are our plans to shut down carbon markets and be camping in London’s Square Mile as the 20 heads of state arrive. Below we’ve included more information and the latest update.

You can check out http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/g20 as we get closer to Financial and Fossil Fools Day — April 1st.

In the meantime, we all need to get the word out. Basically the success of the Camp in the City is a game of getting as many people as possible to the City on April 1.

**The callout can be forwarded to your friends and email lists- it is here: http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/g20

**Invite your friends to the facebook event:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=49600653225

**Forward this update to your mates, any relevant lists you are on, and post it on websites.

**Hold a local group meeting to discuss the G20

**Download the postcard version for photocopying and get it out:
http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/files/G20PostcardB_4onA4.pdf

**Stickers and colour postcards are available — email g20 at climatecamp.org.uk to get them.

Below you’ll find:

1) THE CLIMATE CAMP IN 2009
2) PRACTICAL INFORMATION
3) INFORMATION FOR NEIGHBOURHOODS AND AUTONOMOUS GROUPS
4) CALL OUT FOR WORKSHOPS
5) CALL FOR LEGAL OBSERVERS
6) FOOD AT THE G20 CAMP, MESSAGE FROM THE FOOD GROUP
7) DETAILS OF NEXT MEETING — NOTTINGAM MARCH 7/8

This information is also available at http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/g20-practicalities.

1) THE CLIMATE CAMP IN 2009

The Climate Camp new year national gathering made huge progress, conceiving a strategic decision to focus on the failed economic system, and developing four ambitious and exciting projects stemming from this. If you weren’t at the gathering, or haven’t yet had a chance to look over the decisions made, check them out: http://climatecamp.org.uk/?q=node/501

The most urgent project going ahead is “Climate Camp hits the City”, a one day and night camp in the square mile of London taking place on April 1st, the eve of the G20. Climate Camp has never organised an action at such a fast pace, and so everyone is encouraged to get networking locally across the UK to make Climate Camp first event of 2009 an enormous success! To find out more about the details of the G20, go to http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/g20

2) PRACTICAL INFORMATION

CONVERGE. There will be a convergence centre from Saturday the 28th April, so you can go to the ‘Put People First’ march by the big NGO’s and Unions, and stay in London until the Wednesday 1st April, and camping in the City.
There will be plenty of work to do over those last days! See www.climatecamp.org.uk nearer the time for the exact location.

ARRIVE. Come for the day, or if possible come for the day and night! The adventure will begin at noon, April 1st, European Climate Exchange, Hasilwood House, 62 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AW. More details nearer the time. For some background on carbon markets, and why we’re shutting down the exchange, visit http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/g20-why

LOOK AFTER EVERYONE. Although we hope to provide some food, and shelter for those who want to sleep, please try to arrive as self-sufficient as possible — when you are camping in the heart of the financial district, there are no guarantees that we’ll be able to have much infrastructure!
Bring water, warm clothes, a pop-up tent if you’ve got one, sleeping bag, and if you can, some blankets and tarp. Carrying your own food to share and water will also put less strain on our kitchen, and please arrive well fed.

TRANSFORM. We also want to transform the financial district, both symbolically and visually into a physical manifestation of our desired worlds. Doing that is up to all of us. We want our space to look beautiful. So come with your own plans, costumes, theater, entertainment and spectacle. Wind turbines, mobile cinemas, action plans — whatever you think you can pull off.

Let’s imagine another world or two or three….

3) INFORMATION FOR NEIGHBOURHOODS AND AUTONOMOUS GROUPS

If you are part of a Climate Camp neighbourhood, or would like to be part of one, contact your local group: http://climatecamp.org.uk/node/40.

If you are in a local group, give the Process Group (process@climatecamp.org.uk) your details for the Climate Camp website.

With an exciting process up and running again, people are hopefully looking to get involved. However, our Local Group page is out of date.

Therefore, if you are a local Climate Camp group (whether or not you were a neighbourhood at the Camp ’08), give us some text about the basic details (when and where you meet, contact details, a bit about yourselves) and we’ll get it on the website. We can also arrange for your local group to have an @climatecamp.org.uk email address.

If groups arrive sorted, that will put less strain on everyone. Think about how you would like to transform our space, and come with the materials you need to do so. We are also urging all groups to have back up plans and actions. There is no Planet B, but everyone should have a Plan B…

4) WORKSHOPS AT CLIMATE CAMP PART 1

The camp is looking for workshops for the day. We would love to hear from you if you can offer a workshop, especially (but not limited to) workshops on carbon trading, market solutions to climate change, and the economic crisis. We are also really keen to hear from you if you can offer music, street theatre or anything else which will make the day inspiring and educational!

Please let us know if you would be able to offer a workshop. Contact: at g20workshops at riseup.net

5) LEGAL OBSERVERS FOR CLIMATE CAMP PART 1

Want to be a trained legal observer? If so we really want lots of legal observation for the G20 camp on the 1st April. There will be a training event on 31st March. Remember we need people for both the 1st and 2nd of April. Email: legal at climatecamp.org.uk.

6) FOOD AT THE G20 CAMP, MESSAGE FROM THE FOOD GROUP

First. Bring plenty of fresh WATER; Bring Food; Bring a bog roll!; Bring bin liners to take away rubbish; bring a bowl, cup and fork.

Second. Do NOT bring propane bottles or sharp knives.

Third. If you can bring a Rocket Stove – it would be wonderful – it’s proper camping and visually cool.

Fourth. There is a food and kitchens group who will work hard in collaboration with local groups to pre-prepare SUPPLEMENTARY vegan food throughout the 24 hours of action — some in the location and in other places. This could include a light dinner on the 1st April and possibly hot breakfast on April 2nd. Donations of £2-3 per head will be requested to fund this provision.

Fifth. Join the food group and help to make and distribute food. Email tummyfiller at riseup.net

7) NEXT MEETING — NOTTINGAM MARCH 7/8

The next national Camp for Climate Action gathering is going to be in Nottingham, from the 7th to 8th of March. The Venue is the wonderful Sumac Centre, details of which can be found on their website at:
http://www.veggies.org.uk/sumac/welcome.html

The Gathering will run from 10.30am on the Saturday till 5pm on the Sunday, so get booking your trains and coaches. We’ll not only be discussion the G20, but also, other climate camp projects.

——

Update (25th March):

The G20 Swoop & crucial information for the Climate Camp in the City of London!

April 1st is only a week away! Below is the crucial information you will need for camping in the square mile during the G20.

Please forward this to your friends, any groups you are a part of, and post it on websites. Check out http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/g20 for updates. Once again, our list goes to 11.

(1) THE SWOOP & OVER-POLICING
(2) TEXT ALERTS & COMMUNICATION
(3) THE MAP
(4) INFOPOINTS & BRIEFINGS
(5) SLEEPING SPACE
(6) THINGS TO BRING
(7) AUTONOMOUS ACTIONS & MEDIA
(8) LEGAL
(9) WORKSHOPS & CEILIDH
(10) PUT PEOPLE FIRST MARCH
(11) IT’S A NUMBERS GAME

(1) THE SWOOP & OVER-POLICING

To be successful, we must all arrive at the Climate Exchange at the same time. We must swoop in from different directions, using different means to arrive within a minute or two of each other. Its a good idea to meet up with your friends early, and somewhere within easy reach of the Climate Exchange. Then, at the appropriate moment, leave quickly, to arrive at exactly 12:30. You may even want to practice beforehand.

Be aware that in light of current over-policing tactics, if you miss the swoop, you may be unable to join the camp. In places where our numbers are too low, the police may attempt to stop and search individuals, and confiscate items to prevent us from setting up the camp safely. We can avoid this by moving confidently and together. The police may also attempt to surround people to prevent us from moving (sometimes called a “kettle”). Nearby tube stations, particularly Liverpool Station, as well as the Bank (where the G20-meltdown protest is occurring at noon), are possible locations where the police may try to kettle people. If you see a kettle forming and don’t want to be stuck for the day in one, move and help others move out of it before it closes.

You are likely to have greater freedom of movement if you’ve planned your swoop and know the area. Because things may change on the day, please take copies of our map with grid reference points, and have a person in your group subscribed to the text alerts.

(2) TEXT ALERTS & COMMUNICATION

Things may change on the day, perhaps significantly. There is a text message news service which will be available in advance and during the G20 Leaders meeting. We strongly recommend that people subscribe to it. It is possible, even likely, that the place that we finally set up camp will not be the Climate Exchange.

http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/g20/text-updates

We also use Twitter http://twitter.co /ClimateCamp but please note that twitter does not reach mobile phone numbers and is now a web-service, so on the day this will only be useful for those with web-enabled phones or those with friends at home ready to call.

You may want to also exchange phone numbers with your friends and people in other groups so that our communication network is as decentralised as possible.

(3) THE MAP

A map of the city, with grid reference points will be released at http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/g20/map in the coming days. Please print copies for you and your friends. It will be used on the day when the text alert gives the location of the camp, or any other information throughout the day.

Various carbon off-set companies, carbon trading firms, greenwashing firms, and other climate-criminals will also be highlighted on the map. If the police prevent us from safely setting up the camp, groups are especially encouraged to do an action at one of these locations, or any other location they have researched. It can also aid communication between you and your mates. Losing your friends in a crowd really sucks!

(4) INFOPOINTS & BRIEFINGS

From Thursday March 26th until Thursday April 2nd rampARTS will be a G20 infopoint, open to drop by from 2-10 pm. The Camp for Climate Action will have information there during this period.

On Saturday March 28th at 5 pm, and on Sunday March 29th at 2 pm, the camp will be serving tea and cake for those who want to meet up and share information, or make some banners and props.

On Tuesday March 31st at 7 pm, there will be a briefing at rampART, with a particular focus on new people who need information about the April 1st camp.

rampART is located at 15 -17 Rampart Street, London E1 2LA (near Whitechapel, off Commercial Rd). rampart[at]mutualaid.org, 07050 618445
http://therampart.wordpress.com/location-contact/

(5) SLEEPING SPACE

If you are coming from out of town, places are available to stay! Please contact us early so that we can reserve you a place. Email iwanttocrashinasquatfortheg20@hushmail.com to let them know how many people will be staying, and the dates you need.

(6) THINGS TO BRING

If you’re staying for the full 24 hours, please check out http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/g20/what-to-bring for what to bring.

(7) AUTONOMOUS ACTIONS AND MEDIA

Are you planning an autonomous action and would you like to try and get media there as soon as it happens? You can chat to the climate camp media crew about it beforehand who can point the media your way, or can help you get your press release out. You don’t have to give them the details beforehand, but do get in touch with press@climatecamp.org.uk or call 07040 900905 to arrange something.

(8) LEGAL

Our legal team have prepared a handy crib sheet of information about your legal rights and what to do if something goes wrong. These will be handed out on the day, but there’s no guarantee you’ll get one before encountering the police, so we advise you to print a copy to bring along.
Check it out at http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/g20/legal

(9) WORKSHOPS & CEILIDH

Workshops and music are on! Workshops will include: Trading our way into trouble, the Fossil Fuel Economy, A history of Direct Action, Techno fixes, Transition to a low carbon economy, the latest climate science from Copenhagen, Mobilising for Copenhagen, Debt and Climate Change, Carbon Trading and Copenhagen, Sustainable Activism, Samba, Poetry vs Climate Change … and more!

Check out http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/g20/events for the latest schedule

We also need more musicians to play at the ceilidh. More musicians and sound systems are welcome!

(10) PUT PEOPLE FIRST MARCH AND LEAFLETING

A Camp for Climate Action block for the Put People First March on Saturday the 28th of March will be meeting at 11 am outside Charing Cross National Rail Station, on the strand. We need help handing out leaflets during the march. 07534 598733 for more info.

(11) IT’S A NUMBERS GAME

The only way we can win this is through a mass mobilisation of people. With a week to go we can still get people to join us for the camp. Talk to your friends and bring them along; change your status and profile picture on social networks, and invite your contacts to our facebook event http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=49600653225 . On the day, make sure you let the people back home know how the camp is going, and how they can disseminate our message. If each of us brings someone along, we double our numbers and our strength.

——

Final update (31st March):

Hi campers, not long to go before we join each to set up camp in the city on April 1st! This is the final update, please read it carefully and forward it to all your friends who are coming…

WHAT TO BRING:

We hope many of us will be staying overnight, please bring a popup tent, food, 4 litres of water, warm clothes, hand cleaning gel (for hygiene, we might not get water) and whatever you might need for 24 hours of rebel camping adventure. (a full list is here http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/g20/what-to-bring)

HOW TO DO IT:

1) SYNCHRONIZE YOUR WATCHES: It is important that we swoop at exactly the same time, and those arriving too late or too early might not make it in. You can use the speaking clock or this: http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com

2) PLUG IN: Sign up to text messages here: http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/g20/text-updates You will only get text messages if there is a change of plan.

3) PREPARE: Print out the map from http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/g20/map and if you still need somewhere to sleep the night before check http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/g20/sleepspace Remember that there may be limited toilet facilities so don’t arrive with bursting bowels !!!

3) SWOOP DOWN: Arrive at 62 Bishop’s Gate, the European Climate Exchange at 12:30 on the dot. Swoop swiftly and stealthily from a location of your choice. It might be good to avoid Bank and Liverpool Street stations where other protest groups are meeting at 11.00am as you may be unable to leave due to police Kettles (when police surround a crowd). Avoid kettles at all costs and if when you get to the Climate Exchange the police invite you into a protest pen, say “no thanks, we’ll camp elsewhere”, keep moving and wait for text messages.

4) SPREAD INSPIRATION: You can use your phone to send reports, pictures, audio etc from the streets to Indymedia. Its very easy – see http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/03/425262.html for numbers and details.

If you are covering the action using twitter, please include the hashtags #g20cc or both #g20 and #protest so we can pull tweets into one single feed of the event.

5) AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST – ENJOY: The next few days will be extraordinary days for extraordinary times…

Plane Stupid Scotland shuts Aberdeen airport – updated

protest ended update – see below main article ::: 3rd March – Nine young protesters from the climate action group Plane Stupid Scotland have this morning shut down Aberdeen airport by setting up a golf course on the taxiway. They have surrounded themselves with fortified security fencing whilst another group are occupying the roof of the terminal building and have unfurled a banner reading, “Nae Trump Games with Climate Change”.

The peaceful protest began at 02.15am this morning whilst the runway was closed. Plane Stupid aims to prevent the scheduled reopening of the runway at 5am. The group intends to maintain its blockade for as long as possible to prevent the release of thousands of tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.

Photos available for download and media on our Flickr site: www.flickr.com/photos/planestupid. All photos licensed under Creative Commons.

The activists entered the runway by cutting the fence and scaled the roof climbing ladders. Dressed as Donald Trump, sporting wigs and golfing attire, with crazy golf clubs and balls, the group are ‘putting’ on the tarmac. The banner on the fencing erected by the group reads “Plane Stupid Scotland Golf Open 2009”.

Donald Trump is supporting the expansion of Aberdeen airport where his super-rich friends will arrive to play golf on his controversial golf course. BAA Aberdeen said they welcome Donald Trump’s Golf Course. Like Alex Salmond, Trump wants to bulldoze over democratic opposition to environmentally damaging projects like airport expansion. Both Trump and BAA’s plans face fierce local opposition.

One of the activists on the taxiway, Jonny Agnew, 22, from Edinburgh, said:

“We have been failed by the generation of Donald Trump and Alex Salmond. Despite a catalogue of scientific reports warning them that they can’t keep on with aviation growth – even if that hinders their ability to jet in for a weekend of golf – they continue with disregard for all of us, who will end up dealing with the impacts of the climate crisis.”

He added:

“The reality is that our generation’s future is vanishing so that people like Donald Trump and his super-rich friends can jet into Aberdeen for a round of golf. The expansion of this airport just cannot go ahead.”

Another, 24 year old Tilly Gifford, a social worker from Glasgow, said:

“Alex Salmond wants to let the Spanish shareholders of BAA, Donald Trump and his super-rich American friends concrete over Scotland and its efforts to stop runaway climate change.”

She added:

“Arctic ice is melting, the sea is already rising and experts warn the world’s rainforests could collapse. Our generation is already starting to feel these impacts as the warming kicks in so it’s obvious that it’s going to need to be us that urgently puts the brakes on expanding unnecessary airports.”

The campaigners chose to close Aberdeen after the Scottish government gave its backing to the expansion of capacity at the airport by 1.5 million passengers by 2015. Aviation is Britain’s fastest growing source of emissions, already amounting to at least 13% of the UK’s climate emissions.

With plans in the Scottish government’s ‘National Planning Framework’ for growth at Scottish airports including Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen – as well as Heathrow and Stansted – experts from the Tyndall Centre for climate research say aviation policy alone will scupper any chance the UK has of hitting its climate targets.

25 year old Dan Glass, a community worker from Glasgow, said:

“We’re here to say it cannot happen, and our generation won’t let it happen. The scientists tell us we’ve got seven years to make emissions peak then drop, and if we fail, the people on this runway and their entire generation, and our children, willl live with the consequences. That’s why we’re doing this.”

For more information/interviews:

Dan on 07507085963
Katie on 07786381674

For photos – www.flickr.com/photos/planestupid

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Seven members of the campaign group Plane Stupid were detained at about 0820 GMT after releasing themselves.

Two other protesters, who remained on the roof of the main terminal building, were detained later.

The protest began at about 0300 GMT. There were no flights to or from the airport until after 0900 GMT.

BBC video
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At 09.30am Plane Stupid Scotland’s protest at Aberdeen airport has come to a close after six hours. The eleven people, including local residents that this morning breached the airport fence have now been arrested.

The protesters were told by police to dismantle their peaceful protest because the taxiway they were secured to was needed by an emergency helicopter. A baby apparently required urgent treatment, and any other approach would cause delays. Obviously the safety of the public was of paramount concern to the activists and so they duly removed themselves.

Plane Stupid has subsequently spoken to both the Accident and Emergency unit of Aberdeen hospital, and its press department. They were unaware of any transfers requested by air this morning. Not only that, but spokesperson Lesley Middleton said:

“We have our own helipad which we use in emergencies. Of course you can’t anticipate what may happen, but in all my years of working here I can’t think of a time when we’ve used Aberdeen airport. The only circumstances I can imagine where we’d need to get access to the area would be if there was an accident at the airport.”

The protesters are now looking into the conduct of the police and are considering making a complaint.

Plane Stupid Scotland has, during the last week of National Planning Framework consultation, effectively shed light on the illogical expansion plans. At a time of economic recession and looming climate crisis Scotland has the opportunity to be at the forefront of a secure and sustainable future and to take a strong position to tackle climate change. They also linked the plans for airport expansion with the current development’s of Donald Trump’s Golf Course in Aberdeenshire.

Katie Morrison, from the group Plane Stupid Scotland said:

“It is unnecessary to expand Aberdeen airport as 58% of flights are domestic and could be replaced with high speed rail link. We ask that the government stop playing around with big business and start winning the race against runaway climate change. Trump’s golf course and our governments planned expansion will concrete over Scottish democracy.”

The activists were in high spirits as they removed themselves from the airport but general feeling was of annoyance at the underhanded tactics used by the police which lured the protesters in and took advantage of their caring nature.

The activists are currently being held in custody in Inverurie and are being charged with breach of the peace. It is likely that they will be appearing in court tomorrow morning, all support is welcome and will be greatly appreciated.

We will inform you of any updates as they happen. Good work Plane Stupid Scotland, time to celebrate another successful action.

ELF Mexico Torch More Earth Destroying Machine

“Urban expansion is one of the biggest ecological problems, with roads being built over fertile land comes loads of consequences such as pollution, warming of the ground with excessive heat, massive felling of trees, etc. The expansion of civilization and its unnecessary technology leaves the world in the hands of the powerful who control the repressive state apparatus ready to stop any kind of resistance that is put in front of them to halt their run of destruction.

It is for this reason that on the night of February 22 we of the ELF decided to go out at night in Mexico State and set fire to a machine that destroys the earth and a truck owned by the dominators.

We say it once again, there will be no mercy until the abolition of all that oppresses us.

F.L.T/E.L.F”

received anonymously from Bite Back: http://www.directaction.info

Anti-Coal Protesters Blockade Washington Power Station (U$A)

2nd March 2009
Thousands of demonstrators braved icy winds and snow to march on the US capitol’s coal-fired power plant on Monday to demand a more sane approach to energy policy. Organized by Capitol Climate Action thousand blockade the five main gates to the Capitol Power Plant in south-east Washington, not far from Capitol Hill.

The blockade lasted nearly four hours, forming what organizers called the largest display of civil disobedience on the climate crisis in U.S. history. Police were out in force, but no one was arrested.

The 99-year-old coal fired power station is responsible for an estimated one-third of the legislative branch’s greenhouse gas emissions. It is no longer even used to generate electricity but instead acts as a glorified boiler providing steam for heating and chilled water for cooling buildings for the legislative buildings of the Capitol Complex.

Environmental and climate celebrities led the protest action, including NASA climatologist Dr. James Hansen, who released a video on You Tube in February urging people to join him March 2 at the demonstration to send a message to Congress and the President that, “We want them to take the actions that are needed to preserve climate for young people and future generations and all life on the planet.”

“What has become clear from the science is that we cannot burn all of the fossil fuels without creating a very different planet,” Hansen said. “The only practical way to solve the problem is to phase out the biggest source of carbon and that is coal.”

Congressional Democrats have already moved to convert the Capitol Power Plant to cleaner-burning natural gas. On Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Leader Harry Reid released a letter asking the Capitol Architect to switch the Capitol Power Plant from coal to 100 percent natural gas by the end of 2009.

“The switch to natural gas will allow the CPP to dramatically reduce carbon and criteria pollutant emissions, eliminating more than 95 percent of sulphur oxides and at least 50 percent of carbon monoxide,” wrote Pelosi and Reid in their letter to Acting Architect of the Capitol Stephen Ayers.

“We strongly encourage you to move forward aggressively with us on a comprehensive set of policies for the entire Capitol complex and the entire Legislative Branch to quickly reduce emissions and petroleum consumption through energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean alternative fuels,” they wrote.

“While the costs associated with purchasing additional natural gas will certainly be higher, the investment will far outweigh its cost,” wrote Pelosi and Reid. “The conversion will also reduce the cost of storing and transporting coal as well as the costs associated with cleaning up the fly ash and waste.”

“Eliminating coal from the fuel mixture should also assist the City of Washington, D.C., in meeting and complying with national air quality standards, and demonstrate that Congress can be a good and conscientious neighbour by mitigating health concerns for residents and workers around Capitol Hill,” the leaders wrote.

“We’ve been fighting to clean up the Capitol for years – it’s an important symbol for the whole nation,” said Friends of the Earth President Brent Blackwelder on Thursday.

Last week, Blackwelder and representatives of Earthjustice and the Sierra Club sent letters to Reid and Pelosi asking that they stop using coal at the Capitol power plant.

“Dirty coal plants all over the country continue to release heat-trapping gases and pollute the air we breathe, so there remains much work to be done, but today’s announcement is a signal of a major change in direction,” Blackwelder said.

“People in D.C. have been fighting against the plant for years, it is very dirty and located in a poor neighbourhood. They haven’t had much success until now,” said Adrian Wilson, a San Francisco-based environmental organizer with the Capitol Climate Action coalition. “The fact that three days before the action, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid wrote letter for plant to be switched from coal to natural gas shows the power of direct action to make change quickly.”

Bruce Nilles, director of the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign, said, “Stopping the use of coal at the Capitol Power Plant will help local residents breathe easier, but the positive impacts will stretch far beyond the District. Bold measures are needed right now to reduce global warming emissions and we look forward to continuing to work with Congress and the new administration to send a clear signal to cities and states across the country that after eight long years, America is serious about clean energy and green jobs.”

The Capitol Power Plant demonstration was part of a larger movement in the nation’s capital on the weekend that lasted through this evening – Power Shift 2009. Some 12,000 college and high school students travelled to DC for the second Power Shift conference, a meeting of students confronting climate change, and business-as-usual attitudes in Washington.

Energy Action, a coalition of 50 environmental groups, organized the Power Shift weekend conference and lobby day. For three days, students attended seminars on the histories of coal power, direct action and uranium mining, media and leadership training sessions, grassroots organizing and anti-oppression workshops.

For video, links to lots of photos and more, http://www.capitolclimateaction.org/