earthfirst – Page 221

Common Ground Community Garden Celebrates Success with Party on 6 September!

After a year and half of green-fingered, community-spirited direct-action, we – the organisers of Common Ground Community Garden – are celebrating success … and we invite all our friends,

After a year and half of green-fingered, community-spirited direct-action, we – the organisers of Common Ground Community Garden – are celebrating success … and we invite all our friends, neighbours and supporters to join in the fun!

Since opening the garden in May 2007, we have resisted being criminalised while fighting for green, community-managed space in our neighbourhood. Since turning a council owned derelict plot into a beautiful community garden, we and our neighbours have ignored injunctions, protested eviction attempts and even faced arrest. But finally, we have not only definitely won new sites for at least one community garden, but Common Ground itself has been granted a legal license! Success*!

Reading Grassroots Action (RGA)** who run the garden, have been working with Katesgrove Residents Association (KRA) and have managed to agree the license for Common Ground with Reading Borough Council (RBC), which sees the garden being insured by KRA and re-opened to the public until the council demolish the existing buildings***. We have also visited three sites in Katesgrove which could be used for one or more long-term gardens. We have chosen our preferred sites and hope to agree terms as soon as possible****.

To celebrate this success, we will be holding one more community event at Common Ground Community Garden on Saturday 6th September – and this time we have the full consent of the council! The event, running from 2-9pm, will feature fun for all the family such as games including a raffle, face-painting, fresh food and drink and a live graffiti exhibition produced by local artists. In addition, we will have diverse acoustic music from acts including Londons ‘Babar Luck’ and ‘The King Blues’ as well as other local acts. And of course, visitors will be able to find out more about what else we are up to and get involved in the new community garden in Katesgrove.

We would really love to welcome everybody to the garden one last time and thank everyone who has supported the project, so we hope to see you there!

But thats not all… Supporters of Common Ground are organising an all-night after party at a nearby venue! There will be a room for band (punk, ska etc) and a room for DJ’s (hiphop, drum n bass, dubstep, techno etc) and confirmed acts include Broken Note and the Bath Dub Soundsystem. See you there!

Thanks,
‘Common Ground’, part of ’Reading Grassroots Action’.

NOTES FOR THE EDITOR:

* Whilst we are celebrating, we want to thank everyone who has supported us for making this project a serious of successes from day one. Common Ground has always been about bringing people together, mobilising people into taking action to improve our community without waiting for those in power to do it for us (we reckon you might wait for ever otherwise!). It has been about a small piece of land taken back under community control and used to benefit the neighbourhood, in contrast to the usual situation where resources are used solely to make profits and benefit bosses and shareholders. In this way, Common Ground was a success every time people joined us to ignore injunctions, each time we saw off eviction days, each time people took the initiative to work in their garden. It has been a success as it was respected by young people, as it was enjoyed by local workers and families and as diverse peoples – from squatters and anarchists to residents of all backgrounds – had conversations we wouldn’t otherwise have had. So, thank you!

** Reading Grassroots Action (RGA) aims to help increase the collective power of ordinary people like ourselves, improving our living and working conditions and creating new democratic institutions which act as examples of the world we want to see. We are guided by our hope of one day living in a society of genuine freedom and equality, with all resources commonly owned and democratically organised by everyone for everyone. Several people involved in Common Ground were already RGA members and in April 2008 the groups became one and the same, with RGA looking forwards to helping create a long-term community garden in Katesgrove and moving on to tackle other campaigns in Reading. If interested in joining or supporting RGA, people are encouraged to email us at rgacollective(AT)hotmail.co.uk.

*** The buildings from Crown Street round to the beginning of Silver Street have unfortunately been left by RBC to fall into a state of disrepair over the last few years. We would prefer them to be renovated, as we believe they could be brought back to life as good-looking and useful buildings. However, RBC wish to demolish them as soon as possible, as they hope to sell yet more publicly owned land to a private property developer.

**** RBC have offered three potential sites which could be used for green, community space in Katesgrove. Of these, the site on the corner of Southampton Street and the one on the corner of Elgar Road are our favourites. Over the next few months, RGA and KRA will work to agree terms with RBC in order to gain access one or both of these sites. We appeal to the local community, and to anybody who supports this project to get in touch, and any help with work or donations would be very welcome!

rgacollective@hotmail.co.uk
http://www.rgacollective.org.uk

Support Portuguese anti-GM activists.

All over Europe, citizens engage into civil disobedience and direct action in resistance against cultivation of genetically modified crops. Only in Portugal, people that have applied this strategy are officially labeled as terrorists. Please help pulling the Portuguese activists out of their isolated position and express your solidarity by signing the petition!

SIGN PETITION

SIGN PETITION
———————
http://gopetition.com/online/21252.html

ON WEBSITE
——————–
http://solimove.liveinfo.nl/
On our website you find articles examining closer the action of Movimento Verde Eufemia and the results it produced. We also elaborate on the question of civil disobedience and terrorism, and provide information about the shape of resistance against GM in Europe. We invite everyone, both portuguese citizens and members of the international community to participate in our discussion. Our website has portuguese and english translation.

CONTACT US
——————–
solimove@googlemail.com
If you have ideas for support or have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

BACKGROUND
———————–
One year ago, the Portuguese Movimento Verde Eufemia (MVE) went into an action of civil disobedience. In a symbolic but determined act they destroyed less than 1 hectare of the first field of genetically modified corn in the region of the Algarve, previously declared GMO Free Zone by local authorities.

In the days following the action, the wide media attention MVE received instigated a large polemic, resonating into layers of the general public, the environmental movement itself, academics and even the government. Never did any environmental action achieve so much attention in the recent history of Portugal.

The initial media highlights were not so much on the subject of the action, the presence of GMO in Portugal, but rather on the spectacular nature and the illegal aspect of it. However in a second phase attention shifted as well to the debate on GMO, and its dangers. For that reason alone, the action of MVE was considered by many people with environmental concerns as a great success.

Because of that success, the current Portuguese government responsible for a policy in favour of GMO has responded strongly in an attempt to isolate the activists of MVE and other environmental organizations struggling against GMO, through a strategy of criminalization. This strategy came to the point of even labeling the action as a terrorist act (Europol EU Terrorism Situation and Trend Report 2008). Some people that have been brought in relation to the case by the police are therefore facing the risk of being prosecuted within this context of terrorism. In general, it became harder to act against GMO in Portugal. Individuals or organizations who attempt, run a high risk of being under suspicion and surveillance by authorities.

One year later, the opportunity of the anniversary of this controversial but influential action is used to launch SoliMoVE, Grupo de Solidariedad com o Movimento Verde Eufemia. The objectives of Solimove are:

* To show all actors involved in the debate that the action of MVE is not an isolated case in the Portuguese historical context, and certainly not in the current international context, where these types of actions are common, particularly against the cultivation of GMOs.
* To build understanding of the term civil disobedience, its value as an active and engaged form of civil society participation, and its necessity in safeguarding the people and the environment from the threat of genetic contamination.
* To provide an international platform for any individual or organization, wishing to express its moral support towards MVE and its action.
* To defend the freedom of expression of all citizens against GMOs.

solimove@googlemail.com
http://solimove.liveinfo.nl/

Today’s news from Glengad, Erris, Co. Mayo

August 31, 2008
A lunchtime Garda visit to Solidarity Camp & evening blockade of Shell compound

Today’s main news events from the epicentre of resistance against Shell – a visit about lunchtime from the Garda brass (plus lackeys inc. roving video operator), later a practice run for the Shell to Sea flotilla, followed by a blockade of Shell’s Glengad compound in the evening.

Today at about 1pm a delegation of Gardai called to the Rossport Solidarity Camp, ostensibly about informing campers of section 8.1 of the Public Order Act. While annoyed by their presence on the camp, the Gardai were prevented from snooping around the marquees, though the use of a video camera by Gda. Burke (old foe) to follow young children around roused righteous ire in their parents. Once they delivered their utterly pointless message they were escorted off the site to the road and their waiting squad car and van.

In the late afternoon, S2S Flotilla exercises were held off the Glengad compound and the marine protest/action squadron used the fine weather today to sharpen their nautical skills. Exercises lasted an hour, followed by a quick shower and off to the next S2S activity.

At 6:45 pm local residents and Rossport Solidarity Campers mounted a blockade of the gates of the Shell Glengad compound. This caught the Gardai off balance, and they deployed only in sparse numbers, very slowly, and remained firmly ensconced in their vehicles. After an hour of blockading, locals and campers returned to the Solidarity Camp for tonight’s party on the foreshore (a celebration of our mutual capacity for resistance to the corporate juggernaut and a bit of R&R too!).

Still no sign of the Solitaire. The clock is well-burnt now – she remains in Killybegs harbour but she’s still a looming threat that must be met.

The need for people to come here and help in the struggle to save Erris and stop the Great Gas Robbery remains urgent. Come to Glengad if you can!

http://www.corribsos.com

BIA vans trashed

On the night of Friday 29th August the regional headquarters of the Borders and Immigration Agency in Portishead were the target for a response to the routine violence of forced removal, detention and deportation.We made life more difficult for the thugs in uniform by putting their vehicles out of operation with a volatile mix of paint stripper on bodywork, glass etching fluid on windows, locks glued, tires burst, lights spraypainted, mirrors and wipers removed, as well as some good old fashioned mechanical sabotage on all 7 vehicles in the car park. If a job’s worth doing it’s worth doing well. “Racist thugs work here” was the message painted on the building.
We stand against the state’s steadily creeping fascism of racist immigration policies designed to tighten the grip of capital over all of our lives, of trialling surveillance and control technologies such as ID cards and biometric passports first on foreigners before imposing them on everyone, of the creation of a sub class whose repression justified by media hysteria and the powers that be. In solidarity, for a response to every abuse and for fighting back in the social war.

Urgent Update – Navy arrive to protect Shell – Beach on lockdown illegaly

August 29, 2008
Urgent callout for support

In the past two hours a mass of State and Shell security has assembled in Broadhaven bay including a heavily armed navy vessel.

This is to protect the first attempt at laying the offshore section of pipe.

August 29, 2008
Urgent callout for support

In the past two hours a mass of State and Shell security has assembled in Broadhaven bay including a heavily armed navy vessel.

This is to protect the first attempt at laying the offshore section of pipe.

The Gardai sealed a section of beach beside the camp illegally for an hour before retreating and now rearriving.

The bay is awash with security vessels, gardai water units and also a large Navy vessel, possibly “The Orla” which is armed with a canon and smaller guns.

This is the largest recent attempt at crushing any resistance to the Shell project.
There is also a heavy Garda presence on land with protesters being intimidated,filmed and harassed.

Solidarity needed!

—

Today’s activity off Glengad marks yet another escalation of the state’s response to protests against the destruction of Erris and the Great Gas Robbery. The arrival in the bay of the LE Orla about 12 pm today with her 39 crew onboard may be intended to show the Irish people that the state will tolerate no protest or action by anybody, not least Ireland’s citizens, against Shell’s plans.

The involvement of the Naval Service in the ‘policing’ of Broadhaven Bay for Shell is a first for Ireland’s navy – the first time one of their ships has been called upon by the Gardai as ‘back-up’ for a police operation against protests.

According to a Defence Forces spokesman, the LE Orla (which was formerly a British naval gunship patrolling Hong Kong) ‘was requested by Gardaí as back-up at Broadhaven Bay, Co Mayo. It is there as an aid to the civil power. It was requested to assist Gardai and provide them with a platform at sea.’

When asked if an Irish naval ship had been involved in a similar operation before, he replied: ‘Not to my immediate knowledge.’

He added: “The Naval Service has been in discussions with the Gardai about this operation. Any operation we undertake will be with the Gardai. We will not be involved in any operation independently of the Gardai.’

Shell subcontractor activity in the bay has increased today, especially with the deployment of the winching barge today to somewhere near its operating position when the Solitaire comes. News this morning is that the Solitaire has left Killybegs harbour and is somewhere on the high seas between there and Broadhaven Bay. Its arrival there is expected tomorrow at the latest. Locals and Solidarity Camp residents are on high alert, and if people can come over the next 24 hours to help people in the effort to stop Shell on the beach and in the bay they will meet with a very big welcome indeed!

Defence Forces spokesman quotes via www.breakingnews.ie

—–

So heres the latest after a long and tense day here in the wild west from today.

The police presence was increased this morning in the area,both on land and water,that was the indication that something was about to happen

At around midday the dredger platform was towed in.

People then started to assemble from the various points in the area and about 40 cops then went onto the beach and said noone was allowed to go there as it was a\ “restricted area”.
The legality of this move was challenged in front of the TG4 camera and after half an hour the cops fucked off.and loitered thereafter for a few hours

The winch vessel was then towed across the bay

Just as they were about to go in the winch vessel turned around and headed back to the pier at Ballinglass – seemingly just a practice run who knows.

All this time there were about 5-7 security and Garda water unit boats patrolling the bay as well as the L.E Orla ,a Navy battleship with a big fuck off cannon on the front as well as smaller weaponry.

This is a full scale state and corporate assault on the bay,make no mistake.
The Solitaire,the main pipe-laying ship which Shell only have for a limited period etc is still in Killybegs,but is rumoured by both TG4 and RTE to be leaving Saturday morning.
Several Erris fishermen are still at sea standing guard over their lobster pots which Shell must remove to commence work.

They are facing extreme intimidation.

Hope some of ye can make it down or maybe do an action where ye are.

Solidarity.

Shell to Sea visit Shell’s boats & picket begins again in Rossport & UK actions call-out

29.8.2008

29.8.2008
Yesterday, with work in Broadhaven Bay still delayed, a small Shell to Sea marine team paid a visit to the current Shell water nerve-centre based at Ballyglass pier. Currently moored off Ballyglass is a barge containing winching cable, the recently returned Vlaanderen VII which ran aground at Glengad two weeks ago and also the Zenne which is the backhoe dredger that last Friday dropped tonnes of debris within feet of protestors. Also around the area were a number of other smaller Shell boats.

The Shell to Sea paddlers were made up of members of the Shamrock squadron (the J. Connolly, J. Larkin, M. Collins) & Emerald squadron (the Grainne) along with 2 members of the international flotilla (the Guy Fawkes of Yorkshire squadron and the Robin Hood of Nottingham squadron).

The paddlers had made their way about the 1km out to the boats before the Shell safety and security boats reacted.
After about an hour paddling around the area the Shell to Sea team headed into Ballyglass Pier to greet the Garda boat which was just launching from the RNLI slipway. The gardaí politely refused the request of a race from the J. Connolly (Shamrock squadron) after which the team then made their way to the public slipway where they were met by shore support.

Meanwhile marine training continued for the activists preparing for the Solitaire and associated boats.

——–

Shell to Sea protesters stepped up their campaign against Shell’s offshore pipe-laying operations by mounting a picket at the Shell compound, Glengad, Erris Co Mayo, Ireland.

A daily picket was maintained at the Bellanaboy refinery site from the summer of 2005 till recently. This is the first time since 2005 that a picket has been staged at the Shell ‘Security Zone’ in Glengad. The picket started at 7am and lasted till 9am, during which time Shell security, who were ready to leave after their overnight shift, remained on site for the duration. Shell workers arriving for work at the site remained outside. The picket was stood down voluntarily at 9am and the workers left and entered the compound consequently.

The original Bellanaboy picket was effectively broken by the unlawful and violent behaviour of An Garda Síochána which began on October 3rd, 2006 and continued through 2007. The Bellanaboy picket diminished significantly during that whole period and into 2008, understandably, because of a sustained assault by the State against its own citizens, resulting in much physical, emotional and psychological injury to the community and its supporters.

Today’s picket saw the return of many on the receiving end of that attack and it has to be said that the women of Erris, many of whom have been brutalised by An Garda Síochána in the past, were the first to return to the camp and the refreshed picket.

Meanwhile, a Shell to Sea marine team took to the water from Inver pier to pay a visit to some Shell & Garda boats moored off Ballyglass pier on the opposite side of that stretch of water. Apologies, no pics in this report yet of that little expedition. Maybe later.

No sign of the Solitaire yet, probably due to the following factors:

1) Bad weather.

2) The Chief Pat O’Donnell’s successful defence of his pots from Shell thieves aboard the Highland Navigator. Pat’s gear remains in the path of the Solitaire and perhaps only the ruling of a judge can resolve that dispute, unless the Solitaire steams through regardless.

3) Stiff and growing resistance.

——

Urgent Call For Actions Against Shell & Allseas

NOW IS THE TIME- Support Shell to Sea, Ireland. ANY DAY NOW the biggest pipe laying ship in the world, the Solitaire, is due to arrive. The ship is owned by ALLSEAS. Shell are attempting to illegally construct the offshore section of the high pressure raw gas pipeline. Our community are determined to resist Shell here in Mayo, Ireland…but we need your help!

Actions are ongoing and will intensify with the arrival of the Solitaire. There is a role for everyone, regardless of age, experience, availability and skill. The areas you can help with are endless and particularly in the fields of camp support, water based skills, legal, cooking, medical, media and of course direct action.

The atmosphere is resurgent in the area, with a fresh burst of confidence evident among both locals, national and international Shell to Sea activists. This is a golden opportunity to reinvigorate the fight against this project in a meaningful and effective way.

Shell can only hold onto the rented Solitaire for a limited period of time and all efforts to hinder its progress will seriously damage Shell’s plans. ANY disruption provides us with a real opportunity to delay the project significantly.

The choppy waters of Broadhaven Bay will hopefully aid us in our actions but we need you too!

Come to Erris!
Contact: email rossportsolidaritycamp@gmail.com & phone 0851141170

Or take action at home

http://www.allseas.com/uk
Allseas UK Limited
Address: Knyvett House The Causeway
City: Staines, Middlesex
Postcode: TW18 3BA
Telephone: +44 1784 898038
Fax: +44 1784 898030

Irish Embassy and Shell HQ London
Shell garages across the country.

SMASH SHELL
rossportsolidaritycamp@gmail.com
http://www.indymedia.ie/mayo,
http://www.shelltosea.com
http://www.rossportsolidaritycamp110mb.com

ELF vandalises Seminis Office in Melbourne, Australia

The Melbourne office of Seminis, a company which sells GM fruit and vegetable seeds, and is owned by Monsanto, was vandalised on the morning of the 27th of August by the ELF.
The ELF covered the building in slogans declaring Seminis as ‘scum’ and Earth rapists.

Devonport submarine base blockaded by Trident Ploughshares, one arrest

Around thirteen activists from anti-nuclear direct action group Trident Ploughshares took the police by surprise when they blockaded Devonport naval dockyard, near the centre of Plymouth, in the early hours of Friday, 22 August, 2008. One man was arrested. The Royal Navy base is used to refit nuclear submarines, including the Trident nuclear missile-carrying Vanguard fleet based at Faslane, Scotland.

The blockaders, mainly from the local Tamarian affinity group and the London-based Muriel Lesters, obstructed the main access road into the site at Camel’s Head. Dockyard workers arriving in vehicles were prevented from entering for half an hour, from around 7.30am on the last working day before the Bank Holiday weekend. The activists used two long metal ladders, a lock-on tube with a chain attached, bicycle chains, a wheelchair and their bodies to completely block the incoming carriageway.

Police eventually arrived and had to divert traffic for a further hour, until the police cutting team finally arrived. At this point, the blockaders and their supporters agreed to leave, given that most workers had already entered the base. They were able to keep all their banners, ladders and other blockading equipment.

After releasing himself from an arm lock-on tube (which had been passed through one ladder and also chained to the central crash barrier), Daniel Viesnik, 33, from London got up and then lay down again on the red line marking the limit of the Ministry of Defence property. He was subsequently joined by Irene Willis. After ignoring police requests to move, Mr Viesnik was arrested and carried away to a van. He was taken to Charles Cross police station and held for around three hours before being charged with obstruction of the highway and released. He was bailed to appear before Plymouth Magistrates’ on 5th September.

On Saturday morning, the group tied anti-Trident banners to prominent bridges and roundabouts on roads going into Plymouth. Later, in the city centre, they dressed themselves in white ‘radiation suits’ and some of them attracted the attention of passers-by with a ‘die-in’, their ‘corpses’ sprinkled with ‘nuclear fallout’ ash. Others leafleted shoppers and engaged interested locals and soldiers from the nearby Territorial Army centre in dialogue about the nuclear menace on their doorstep and proposals to turn the site into a nuclear submarine graveyard.

One of the blockaders said, “Plans to replace or upgrade the Trident system contravene our international treaty obligations, which is hypocritical and illegal. We would like to see the British government lead by example in pushing for global abolition of nuclear weapons and stop wasting billions of pounds of public money on these instruments of mass murder. Local workers should be retrained to use their skills for more peaceful purposes.”

Friday’s blockade was the top story reported on local BBC TV news and was also covered by local ITV news, local radio and the Plymouth Herald newspaper.

Trident Ploughshares is committed to disarming the UK Trident nuclear weapons system in a non-violent, open, peaceful and fully accountable manner.
The group is organising a Big Blockade at Aldermaston, Berkshire – Britain’s nuclear bomb factory – supported by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), on Monday, 27 October, meeting on 26 October. Check the Trident Ploughshares website for further details and to request a briefing pack. Arrestable blockaders and non-arrestable supporters are needed. There will be a weekend of non-violent direct action training in preparation for this action on 20-21 September in London. Newcomers are warmly invited to attend (it is also possible to attend the training just for one day).

Mainstream media coverage of Devonport blockade:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7576964.stm (video)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/7576219.stm
http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/Nuclear-protest-dockyard/article-283835-detail/article.html

—-

Non-violence training workshop 20-21 September

There will be a weekend workshop of Trident Ploughshares nonviolence
training, focussing on preparation for the October 27 Aldermaston Big Blockade at Walthamstow Friend’s Meeting House, 1a Jewel Road, off Hoe Street, Walthamstow, London E17 4QU on Saturday and Sunday 20th and 21st September.

The full weekend is primarily for people thinking of becoming members of Trident Ploughshares and making an ongoing commitment. People just wishing to prepare for the blockade are welcome to attend for the full weekend, but may also choose to attend on the Saturday only.

There is no charge for the workshop, but participants are asked to contribute towards expenses if they are able to.

Contact Alison to register and for more details:
E-mail: alison.crane [at] ntlworld.com
Tel: 01785 611 768 or 0845 4588 362 or 07886 972 319

Repression of Ecotopia camp & 30 arrested at die-in in Turkey

Urgent call for solidarity, please forward wýdely

Shocking repression in Turkey!

Urgent call for solidarity, please forward wýdely

Shocking repression in Turkey!

Greens, environmentalists, peace and nature supporters, and NGO’s from all over the World gathered on the 9th of August to join the 20th international Ecotopia gathering being held at Sarikum nature reserve in Sinop, Turkey. Ecotopia gatherings promote sustainable ways of living, harmony with nature, and discuss social justice issues. This year, Ecotopia has supported local anti-nuclear groups, raised consciousness of nuclear issues and promoted alternative energy sources. However, for the last week, local police have been exerting supression on the camp by making regular visits, and following and intimidating participants outside of the camp.

On Wednesday 20th August, 6 internationals and 5 Turkish people were placed under custody while staging a peaceful vigil outside the Atomic Energy Agency (TAEK) in Sinop. Police have also shown supression towards locals of Gerze town who approached the Ecotopia camp to request solidarity against the Thermal Coal Plant planned for construction in their town. Today, the 22nd August, approximately 10 armed officers, ordered by the governor of Sinop, raided the Ecotopia camp to threaten forceful eviction if the sýte was not emptied within 3 hours. In summary, 2 days before our legal permit for he site ends, it has been forcefully demanded that we shut down activities immediately.

In Turkey, where democracy is regressing, the authorities do not tolerate the advocacy of their people to lýve a safe, sustainable and healthy life. In addition, authorities in the Turkish state and Sinop (where it it planned to build one nuclear technology centre and 3 Thermal Coal plants) are dýsturbed by the increasing local attention on these projects, and are reluctant to allow people’s awareness and knowledge to grow independently. As participants representing more than 30 countries, we are asking for your solidarity, and request you to send the following text to the Turkish authorities using the contact information given below.

For a nuclear-free world and a more democratic Turkey, let’s block the phones and faxes of the Turkish authorities!

Ecotopia 2008 participants

EYFA (European Youth For Action)

SINYAD (Sinop Nükleersiz Kent ve Yaþam Derneði)

———————-

To whom it may concern,

We have been informed that the Ecotopia meeting being held at Sarikum nature reserve in Sinop, which was announced and received approval of its permit many months ago, is now undergoing a period of intense police suppression. This event is legitimate and legal, and we are demanding that the pressure is released. We will keep ourselves informed on how this situation develops and will follow up on this request if necessary.

Name/organization:

Country:

Signature:

————————
CONTACTS:

Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Ýçiþleri Bakanlýðý (Ministry of Internal Affairs)
Telefon: +90 (312 )425 72 14
Fax: + 90 (312) 418 12 60
e-mail: basin@icisleri.gov.tr

Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Sinop Valiliði ( Governership of Sinop)
Tel : 0(368) 261 15 00 –
Fax: 0368 261 15 02 – 261 55 05 –
e-mail: valilik@sinop.gov.tr, webmaster@sinop.gov.tr

———————————————

LÜTFEN ÇEVRENÝZE DAÐITINIZ…

Acil Dayanýþma Çaðrýsý – 22 Aðustos 2008, Sinop

Dünyanýn dört bir yanýndan yeþiller, çevreciler, doða ve barýþ yanlýlarý ve çeþitli örgütler olarak bu yýl 20.’si yapýlan “Uluslararasý Ekotopya Buluþma”mýzý gerçekleþtirmek üzere 9 Aðustos’ta Sinop Sarýkum’da toplandýk. Bu yýl Ekotopya’nýn amacý yerel anti-nükleer guruplarla dayanýþma saðlamak, yenilenebilir enerji kaynaklarý ve sosyal adalet konularý üzerinde bilinç arttýrmaktý. Bu etkinlik doðayla uyumlu ve sürdürebilir bir yaþam hayalimizi kýsacasý ‘ekotopyamýzý’ kamp deneyimimizde somutlaþtýrdýðýmýz, ekolojik bir yaþamýn mümkün olduðunu gördüðümüz, gösterdiðimiz, her katýlanýn evine bambaþka biri olarak döndüðü, her sene tekrarlanan 15 günlük ortak düþümüz, ütopyamýzdý. Ancak özellikle son bir haftadýr aralýksýz devam eden polis ve jandarma baskýsý bu düþü bir kabusa çevirdi.

Önce, Sinop’taki Türkiye Atom Enerjisi Kurumu (TAEK) önünde 20 Agustos Çarþamba günü nükleer enerjiyle ilgili olarak haklý bilgilendirmek amacýyla yaptýðýmýz barýþçýl bir eylem sýrasýnda 6 yabancý uyruklu, 5 TC vatandaþý, 11 arkadaþýmýz gözaltýna alýndý. Ardýndan bizlere destek olmak için gelen ve yaþadýklarý bölgede kurulmasý düþünülen termik santrale karþý seslerini daha fazla duyurabilmek için bizlerden destek bekleyen Gerze halký sadece bizimle görüþtüðü için jandarmanýn baskýlarýna maruz kaldý. Son olarak da bugün bölge jandarmasýndan gelen yaklaþýk on kiþilik grup, hemen kamp alanýný terk etmemiz gerektiðini, aksi halde zor kullanarak kampý daðýtacaklarýný söylediler. Özetle iznimizin bitmesine iki gün kala etkinliðimiz tehditlerle engellenmeye çalýþýlmaktadýr.

Demokrasinin giderek gerilediði Türkiye’de, bugün otoritelerin artýk yaþamýn savunulmasýna dahi tahammülü kalmamýþtýr. Yine görülmektedir ki üç termik ve bir nükleer teknoloji merkezi kurulmasý planlanan Sinop’ta etkili güçler ve TC devleti Sinop halkýnýn uyanýþýndan ve festivalimize giderek artan ilgisinden rahatsýz olmaktadýr. Türkiye Cumhuriyeti hiçbir biçimde örgütlü ve bilinçli bir toplum istememekte, giderek bir polis devletine dönüþmektedir. Yaklaþýk 30 ülkeden Ekotopya’nýn katýlýmcýsý bireyler olarak bizler, bu baskýlarýn giderek artmasýndan endiþe duyuyoruz.

Sizleri de aþaðýdaki hazýr metni kurumunuz ya da kendiniz adýna, iletiþim bilgilerini verdiðimiz Türk kurumlarýna göndererek bizimle dayanýþmaya çaðýrýyoruz.

Dünyamýzýn geleceði ve daha özgür bir Türkiye için bakanlýðýn ve Sinop valiliðinin fakslarýný kilitleyelim!

Ekotopya 2008 Katýlýmcýlarý

EYFA (European Youth For Action)

SÝNYAD (Sinop Nükleersiz Kent ve Yaþam Derneði)

Sayýn Yetkili;

Aylar öncesinden Türk otoritelerine ve Sinop Halkýna duyurulan “Ekotopya Buluþmasýnýn” Jandarma baskýsýyla engellenmek istendiðini haber almýþ bulunmaktayýz. Bütünüyle yasal ve meþru olan etkinlik üzerindeki baskýlarýn ortadan kalkmasýný talep ediyoruz. Aksi halde ulusal ve uluslararasý kamuoyu olarak olayýn takipçisi olacaðýmýzý bildirmek isteriz.

Ýsim / Kurum :

Ülke:

Ýmza:

ÝLETÝÞÝM BÝLGÝLERÝ:

Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Ýçiþleri Bakanlýðý:
Telefon: +90 (312 )425 72 14
Faks: + 90 (312) 418 12 60
E-posta: basin@icisleri.gov.tr

Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Sinop Valiliði
Tel : 0(368) 261 15 00 –
Faks: 0368 261 15 02 – 261 55 05 –
e-posta: valilik@sinop.gov.tr , webmaster@sinop.gov.tr

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30 arrested at die-in during environmental gathering Ecotopia in Turkey

Sinop (Turkey), 23rd of August. This afternoon, Turkish police arrested 30 foreigners from at least 18 countries and 3 Turkish citizens who took part in a peaceful “die-in” action in front of the Sinop province Governor`s residence in Sinop.

On request of the German Embassy the Sinop Police Headquarters claimed that nobody was taken under custody.

The protests are directed against the plans to build a Nuclear Technology Centre in the Sinop region. Participants are members of environmentalist movements worldwide. They want to draw attention to the fact that nuclear energy is dangerous, polluting and expensive. Instead of investing in nuclear technology, Turkey should use its great potential for solar and wind power, as well as increasing energy efficiency.

“The Turkish state seems to be very afraid of their citizens learning how dangerous nuclear power is. That is why authorities do not tolerate any protest, especially when foreigners are involved. We are seriously concerned about the denial of freedom of speech in Turkey.”, says Niklas Hartmann from Germany.

The action took place while the camp is under threat of eviction.

—

24.8.2008
22:54h.
The 32 arrested people are sitting at the police station still. There is no official statement of arrest or custody. When embassies asked for information on arrestants police actually denied to have taken people into custody(…).
The group has been split into smaller groups and taken to hospital for the compulsory check on torture and is now back at the station. They have been refused access to their lawyer, a certified translator and to contact their embassy and even access to food and water.
Rumours have it that our lawyer was told by the police that people didn’t want to see him.

People have been asked to sign papers in Turkish without translation. Before the promised release they will have to see a prosecutor, even though they are not formally arrested.

23.20h: first group of 6 people got released, probably because they signed the papers. We’ll deal with it now.

To be continued…

01:25h.
Everybody followed by undercover police all the time. Several people picked from the street that had nothing to do with the action! Finally, nobody has seen the prosecuter, but everybody out now. Police wanted to deport us from town back to camp site before everybody was released. Situation was really threatening. People now staying with trade unions. More tomorrow.

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[press release] Police threatens Ecotopia camp in Turkey with eviction

23.8.2008
In the moment, the participants of the 20th Ecotopia international environmentalist gathering at Sarikum nature reserve, Sinop, on the Turkish Black Sea coast, are awaiting and preparing for forceful eviction of their camp site by the Jandarma (Turkish Police), which are already present with undercover agents and several cars. The 70 participants from over 30 countries will peacefully resist this unjustified raid. The offical reason for the announced eviction was the announcement of the intention to take part in the weekly permitted press conference of the local anti-nuclear initiative SÝNYAD (Sinop Nükleersiz Kent ve Yaþam Derneði).

Approximately 10 armed officers, ordered by the governor of Sinop, had already raided the camp on Friday to threaten forceful eviction if the site was not emptied within 3 hours. Later, this deadline was postponed to the next morning. Two days before, six participants of the camp together with local activists were arrested during an action in front of the office of the Turkish Nuclear Energy Agency (TAEK) in Sinop. After only ten minutes of spreading flyers and holding a banner, they were physically aggressed by undercover police without any prior warning. They were held in a police station for several hours and fined for not obeying police orders. Police have also shown supression towards locals of Gerze town who approached the Ecotopia gathering to request solidarity against the Thermal Coal Plant planned for construction in their town.

“We are shocked by the behaviour of the police and local authorities who did not allow any peaceful protest to happen. They have also been constantly threatening participants of the camp and denying them, as well as locals, the right to publically express their opinion. Now they have cancelled the camp just because we announced that we would like to take part in an officially permitted anti-nuclear protest. This is not what we consider to be freedom of speech! ”, says Lenka Kukurova, representative of European Youth for Action (EYFA), the network that supports the Ecotopia gatherings.

The protests are directed against the plans to build a Nuclear Technology Centre in the Sinop region. The 20th international Ecotopia gathering is taking place in Turkey this year, to support local movements to keep Turkey free of nuclear power. Participants of the camp are members of environmentalist movements worldwide. They want to draw attention to the fact that nuclear energy is dangerous, polluting and expensive. Instead of investing in nuclear technology, Turkey should use its great potential for solar and wind power, as well as increasing energy efficiency.

For background info:
http://ecotopiagathering.org
http://www.eyfa.org

CLIMATE ACTION NEWS SHEET 82, AUGUST 2008

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UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIONS:
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1) CLIMATE ACTION CAMP & NO BORDER CAMP, HAMBURG, GERMANY, 15-24.8.08
2) SHELL TO SEA WEEK OF ACTION, 17-23.08.08
3) EARTH FIRST! SUMMER GATHERING, NORFOLK, 27.8-1.9.08
4) BRISTOL ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR, BRISTOL, 13.09.08
5) TOWARDS CLIMATE ACTION IN COPENHANGEN 2009, DENMARK, 13-14.09.08
6) CLIMATE CAMP WHAT NEXT MEETING, MANCHESTER, 26-28.09.08
7) NATIONAL MEETING TO RESIST NEW COAL, MANCHESTER, 11-12.10.08
8) FOSSIL FOOLS DAY 2009, 01.04.09

—————-
RECENT HAPPENINGS:
—————-

1) CAMP FOR CLIMATE ACTION, KINGSNORTH, KENT, 3-11.08.08
2) DERBYSHIRE COAL MINE EVICTED, 14.08.08
3) US CLIMATE CAMPS, JULY/AUGUST
4) SAVING ICELAND CAMP, JULY/AUGUST
5) AIRPORT OCCUPATION, GERMANY, ONGOING
6) STICKING IT TO THE PM, LONDON, 22.07.08
7) 32 4x4s DISARMED, OXFORD, 18.07.08
8) NEW RISING TIDE LEAFLET
9) NEW REPORT: CASHING IN ON COAL

————————-
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIONS:
————————-
1) CLIMATE ACTION CAMP & NO BORDER CAMP, HAMBURG, GERMANY, 15-24.8.08
‘These camps are going to take place in or near Hamburg. It’s two different camps, but probably on the same camp site and doing together at least two mass actions like blockades: on 22nd August at the deportation airport of Hamburg and on 23rd at the harbour or at the new coal power plant. http://klimacamp08.org

2) SHELL TO SEA WEEK OF ACTION, 17-23.08.08
The Solitaire (the biggest pipe laying ship in the world) is set to begin illegally constructing the offshore section of the pipeline. It is believed that the Solitaire is on a pretty tight schedule & booked up for the next 2 years, so ANY disruption provides us with a real opportunity to delay the project significantly. Members of the ‘Great Rebel Raft Regatta’ recently deployed at the E.ON coal fired power station at Kingsnorth in
Kent, England, have made their way from Climate Camp UK to Erris, in order to assist Shell to Sea campaigners in their opposition to this pipeline construction at Glengad.

3) EARTH FIRST! SUMMER GATHERING, NORFOLK, 27.8-1.9.08
5 days of workshops, networking and planning actions in a beautiful field in Norfolk. The gathering is also a practical example of low-impact eco-living and non-hierarchical organising. www.earthfirstgathering.org.uk

4) BRISTOL ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR, BRISTOL, 13.09.08
St Werburghs Centre, 10am to 5pm, free entry. With a workshop by Bristol Rising Tide: Why direct action? Social change not climate change? www.bristolanarchistbookfair.org

5) TOWARDS CLIMATE ACTION IN COPENHANGEN 2009, DENMARK 13-14.09.08
Join the first international planning meeting in Copenhagen from the 13-14th of September 2008. The meeting aims at preparing a large mobilisation for direct action against the root causes of climate change in Copenhagen and throughout the world during the UN Climate Conference (30 Nov-11 Dec 2009). More info:
http://klimax2009.org/?p=33&langswitch_lang=en Tell them you’re coming:
sept08@klimax2009.org

6) CLIMATE CAMP WHAT NEXT MEETING, MANCHESTER 26-28.09.08
All are invited to the first Post-Climate Camp National Gathering. The gathering will offer a chance to reflect on where we are at, decide where we go from here, and provide info as to how to get involved in the ongoing direct action campaign to stop Kingsnorth.
Questions? Email process@climatecamp.org.uk

7) NATIONAL MEETING TO RESIST NEW COAL, MANCHESTER, 11-12.10.08
A meeting to bring together groups and communities resisting coal in the UK – from open cast and deep coal mines, to power stations and coal imports. Share information, plan for action, and build a strong network of resistance. www.leaveitintheground.org.uk

8) FOSSIL FOOLS DAY 2009, 01.04.2009
Four continents, 150 actions, and an April Fool’s Day with a fantastically subversive (and radically necessary) twist – we’re definitely doing that again! So Fossil Fools Day 2009 is a go – start picking your fossil fuel target now! Info and resources will be posted on the website soon, and look out for leaflets to distribute in December.

—————-
RECENT HAPPENINGS:
—————-

1) CAMP FOR CLIMATE ACTION, KINGSNORTH, KENT, 3-11.08.08
From the Heathrow Conference to the Caravan, from the workshops to beautiful camp life, from the GRRR pirates to the fence breachers to the bail breakers, and the flurry of affinity group actions before, during and after the camp, the 2008 Camp for Climate Action was a roaring success. We outsmarted 26 police forces to run the biggest climate camp ever. We covered the river in boats, filled the streets with people, covered the power station gates with banners and hit at least eight other targets with autonomous actions. We flooded the national, local and independent media with our stories and messages. E.ON and the Government threw everything they could at us, and they still couldn’t hold us back. Actions, in no particular order, included: an office invasion of mining company BHP Bilton, taking over an incinerator site in Newhaven, a blockade of Cargill over its rainforest destruction and land-grabbing, a pro-vegan roof occupation and banner drop at Smithfield Meat Market, a protest at US air base Mildenhall to highlight military CO2 emissions, a banner drop from an electricity pylon, a naked protest at DBERR, the world’s smallest protesters climbing E.ON’s smokestack (at Legoland), actions at Royal Bank of Scotland (not once but twice – students do a die-in and Rising Tiders bust out the superglue), a demo at Longannet power station in Fife, a multi-pronged attack on Gatwick by Plane Stupid, the shutting down of the South’s biggest biofuel storage facility, and in
a single day of mayhem in the City, the Climate Caravan targeted RBS and the PR firms for Shell, BAA & E.ON.
www.climatecamp.org.uk
Photo slide show: http://blip.tv/file/1167973
Video: http://www.undercurrents.org/visionon/

2) DERBYSHIRE COAL MINE EVICTED, 14.08.08
The squat in Derbyshire, a protest on the site of a proposed new open-cast coal mine, came to end with the eviction of the remaining two protesters, who had resolutely resisted attempts to clear the site by furiously digging for victory. Come to the national Leave it in the Ground meeting in October to help with the next steps. www.leaveitintheground.org.uk

3) US CLIMATE CAMPS, JULY/AUGUST
All three US Climate Camps have now wound down, with action highlights including the Southeast Climate Convergence occupying a nuclear facility in Virginia, the Billionaires for Coal striking Bank of America 4 times in 3 days and a protest at NW Natural Gas following the West Coast Convergence. And check out http://www.uncampement.net/?q=en/node/775 for
the ongoing (8-24 August) camp in Quebec, Canada.

4) SAVING ICELAND CAMP, JULY/AUGUST
Saving Iceland’s fourth action camp is now over but the fight goes on. The three-week camp was at Hellisheiði, where Reykjavík Energy is expanding their geothermal power plant, first of all to supply energy to aluminium smelters. Actions included: work on the Century Aluminum’s existing smelter as well as a steel factory were blockaded, holding up a shift
change for several hours. A Reykjavik Energy geothermal drill site at Hellisheidi, being built for Century, was completely shut down for a day as activists locked to machines, climbed the drill and occupied the power control room. The national power company Landsvirkjun had it’s office invaded, and it’s CEO Fridrik Sophusson had his home visited. Saving Iceland nailed an eviction notice to his door. www.savingiceland.org

5) AIRPORT OCCUPATION, GERMANY, ONGOING
In Germany climate activists have been squatting a woodland since the beginning of June to stop the construction of yet another new runway for the already massive Frankfurt airport. The camp continues to grow with over 30 people living on site and has the support of the community. Demos and actions are being organised together with local residents’ groups
against airport expansion. Amazing treehouses, walkways and funky ground shelters have been constructed to make life pleasant in the woods and to resist eviction as long as possible. People are welcome to join in. www.waldbesetzung.blogsport.de

6) STICKING IT TO THE PM, LONDON, 22.07.08
On 22nd July a Plane Stupid campaigner superglued himself to Prime Minister Gordon Brown in 10 Downing Street. He’d been invited to receive an award for protesting, so promptly decided to carry on in that vain! Whilst asking Gordon about refusing to meet West London
residents opposed to the construction of a third runway at Heathrow, the intrepid protester put his superglue covered hand onto Brown’s polyester suit. When Brown went to turn away he found he was stuck and for once had no option but to listen. www.planestupid.com

7) 32 4x4s DISARMED, OXFORD, 18.07.08
32 SUV owners woke up in Oxford on 18th July to discover that their environmentally destructive vehicles had been disabled using the ‘mung bean trick’ to let down their tires.

8) NEW RISING TIDE LEAFLET
At long last, Rising Tide has a new leaflet – who we are, what we do and why we do it, wrapped up in an inspiring photo collage package. Sneak a peak at , or email info@risingtide.org.uk to get a bunch posted to you for distribution in your local area.

9) NEW REPORT: CASHING IN ON COAL
High street banks are making millions by providing the financial fuel that drives the expansion of coal extraction and combustion. This report examines the role in the last two years of the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), HSBC and Barclays in providing and arranging the financial means to the coal industry to extract and burn vast quantities of coal. The report reveals that RBS has helped lend more money to the coal industry, in more deals, than any other major UK bank. www.carbonweb.org

—————–
Rising Tide UK,
c/o 62 Fieldgate Street,
London E1 1ES
www.risingtide.org.uk
www.artnotoil.org.uk
www.fossilfoolsday.org
Tel: 07708 794665

See also the Camp for Climate Action (www.climatecamp.org.uk), Network for Climate Action (www.networkforclimateaction.org.uk) and Climate Indymedia (www.climateimc.org)

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Please send anything you’d like included in this news sheet to:
newssheet@risingtide.org.uk

To view previous editions of the Rising Tide News Sheet, visit the News Sheet Archive at http://risingtide.org.uk/newssheet

This News Sheet was brought to you by Rising Tide, a grassroots network of groups and individuals committed to taking action and building a movement against climate change.

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Phone: +44 (0)845 458 8923 / +44 (0)7708 794665
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