earthfirst – Page 228

Saving Iceland Blockades Century Aluminum Smelter and Elkem Steel Factory

Saving Iceland, July 21st 2008
Press Release

Saving Iceland, July 21st 2008
Press Release
GRUNDARTANGI – Today 20 activists from Saving Iceland blockaded the single supply road to Century Aluminum’s smelter on Hvalfjordur and Elkem – Icelandic Alloys steel factory. They have chained themselves to each other using arm tubes to form a human blockade as well as using tripod for the first time in Icelandic history.

The action went on for three hours and nobody was arrested. “We protest the environmental and human health hazards Century’s bauxite mining and refining activities in Jamaica, their plans for a new smelter and refinery in West Congo. Both Century’s and Elkem’s expansion plans will also mean destruction of unique geothermal areas in Iceland and produce large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions,” says Miriam Rose of Saving Iceland (1).

Century in West-Congo: opencast bauxite mining
In 2007 Century Aluminum Company signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Republic of the Congo (ROC) for the exclusive right to develop an aluminium smelter, alumina refinery and a bauxite mine (2). It specifies a minimum commitment of 500 megawatts of gas-generated electrical energy. Century is surveying where to mine the bauxite and will start building the smelter as soon as possible (3).

“We believe that the Republic of the Congo has all of the ingredients necessary to sustain a profitable aluminum industry,” said Century CEO Logan W. Kruger (2).
“Kruger is right,” says Snorri Páll Jónsson Úlfhildarson of Saving Iceland. “Transparency International rated the ROC as one of the most corrupt regimes in the world. Exactly the kind of regimes aluminium corporations like to deal with…” (4)

“It’s very unlikely the poor will have any benefit from this development but they will pay the price of the environmental impact. Oil revenue in the country has never reached them, why would it be different for bauxite?” Úlfhildarson continues.
“Considering the bauxite reserves in West Congo, it is clear that Century is planning large scale open cast mining there, in the same way other corporations are attempting in Orissa and what has also happened in Jamaica, Guyana and Guinea,” says Indian aluminium expert and author Samarendra Das who will be talking on this topic at Reykjavik Academia on Wednesday (see note a.).

“All over the world, where bauxite is mined the environment is being destroyed and people’s livelihoods and health taken away from them. People in Iceland need to know where the bauxite that is refined and then smelted into aluminium comes from,” says Das.
Century in Jamaica: environmental and health hazards
Century-owned St Ann Bauxite, it’s predecessor Kaiser as well as the ALCOA, RioTinto-Alcan and Rusal (which owns 1/3 of Century), are also active in Jamaica, have been held responsible for rainforest being destroyed and toxic pollution of drinking water (5,6,7). Century want to open up a second mine and refinery in a joint venture with Chinese Minmetals. That company is associated with prison labour factories and gross human rights abuses in China and elsewhere (see note b.).

Elkem – Icelandic Alloys: pollution accidents every week
Elkem – Icelandic Alloys wants to expand its facility at Grundartangi on Hvalfjordur for producing ferrosilicon for the steel industry. It is already one of Iceland’s largest contributors to greenhouse gases and other pollutants; expansion of the smelter would lead to a significant increase in Iceland’s carbon emissions (1).
In July 2007 it was reported (8) that Elkem ‘accidentally’ released a huge cloud of pollution from their plant. Apparently the accident was due to human error. Thordur Magnusson, an Elkem spokesman, then said that this human error “recurs several times a week.” Sigurbjorn Hjaltason, chairman of Kjosarhreppur parish, said that Elkem usually produced the emissions at night throughout the year.

About Saving Iceland
Last Friday, Saving Iceland stopped work at the construction site of Century Aluminum’s planned new smelter in Helguvík. This is part of their fourth summer of direct action against heavy industry in Iceland. In July 2007 activists also blockaded the smelter and steel factory.
Saving Iceland was started by Icelandic environmentalists asking for help to protest the Icelandic wilderness, the largest remaining in Europe, from heavy industry. As well as Century, other aluminium corporations ALCOA and Rio Tinto-Alcan want to construct new smelters. This would require exploitation of all the geothermal areas in the country, as well as damming all major glacial rivers (see note c.).

This year, the fourth action camp to protect Icelandic nature has been set up near the Hellisheidi geothermal plant east of Reykjavik, which is currently being expanded to produce electricity for Century Aluminum.

More information
http://www.savingiceland.org

with a movie of the action
savingiceland at riseup.net

Notes

A.) On Wednesday July 23, 19.30 h. Saving Iceland and Futureland will hold a conference with the Indian writer, scientist and aluminium expert Samarendra Das and ‘Dreamland’ author Andri Snær Magnusson, on the influence of the aluminium industry in the third world. Also, the concept of aluminium as a ‘green’ product will be examined. It will take place at Reykjavik Academia, Hringbraut 121. Mr Das is available for interviews; please contact one of the Saving Iceland contacts above.

B.) In 2004 Minmetals attempted a takeover of Canadian mining company Noranda but were declined in 2005 due to serious concerns over human rights abuses by the Chinese company. This report details Minmetal’s association to forced labour:
Dhir, Aaron A. (2006). ’Of Takeovers, Foreign Investment and Human Rights: Unpacking the Noranda-Minmetals Conundrum’, Banking and Finance Law Review, 22, 77-104.
C.) For more details and an overview of projects in Iceland, see: http://www.savingiceland.org/sos
References
(1) Icelandic Ministry of the Environment (2006). Iceland’s fourth national communication on climate change, report to the UNFCCC. http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/natc/isl… [Accessed 20-6-08]
(2) AZ Materials News (2007). Century Aluminium to Build Aluminium Smelter in Republic of Congo. http://www.azom.com/News.asp?NewsID=7734 [Accessed 20-6-08]
(3) Afrique en Ligne (2008). Congo to build aluminium smelter in Pointe-Noire. http://www.afriquenligne.fr/news/africa-… [Accessed 20-6-08]
(4) Transparency International (2006). Corruption Perceptions Index 2006. Transparency International, Berlin.
(5) Zadie Neufville, April 6, 2001, ’Bauxite Mining Blamed for Deforestation’. See http://forests.org/archive/samerica/baux…. [Accessed 20-6-08]
(6) Mines and Communities report,’Bauxite Mine Fight Looms in Jamaica’s Cockpit Country’, 24th October 2006. http://www.minesandcommunities.org/artic…. [Accessed 20-6-08]
(7) Al Jazeera (2008). Environmental damage from mining in Jamaica, June 11, 2008 News. Available through http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJa2ftQwf…. [Accessed 20-6-08]
(8) MBL.is (2007). Reykur frá járnblendiverksmiðjunni Grundartanga. http://mbl.is/mm/frettir/innlent/2007/07… [Accessed 20-6-08]

Camp for Climate Action: mass action promo video, Heathrow conference & newspaper

CLIMATE CAMP MASS ACTION PROMO VIDEO

How to take down the fences at Kingsnorth & have fun while you’re at it! Watch it & forward to your mates.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVaUYVF-Cfk

CLIMATE CAMP MASS ACTION PROMO VIDEO

How to take down the fences at Kingsnorth & have fun while you’re at it! Watch it & forward to your mates.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVaUYVF-Cfk

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Climate Camp goes back to Heathrow
Heathrow Conference
Saturday 26th July, 12 noon – 5pm,
Harlington Baptist Church,
High St, Harlington

All Welcome

Last August thousands of people spent a week camping in a field in the village of Sipson, which would be destroyed if Heathrow expansion went ahead, to draw attention to the threat of climate change. The event transformed Heathrow expansion into a national and even international debate on how we respond to climate change.

While this year we are concentrating our efforts at Kingsnorth where energy giant E.ON the Government is proposing to build a new coal-fired power station, we have not forgotten Heathrow. So, we decided to organise a conference to discuss with local residents and environmental organisations the next steps in the campaign to stop Heathrow expansion, titled:

“What do we do if the worst comes to the worst and the Government says ‘yes’?

The conference brings together the Camp for Climate Action, local campaign groups HACAN and NoTRAG (No Third Runway Action Group), and Greenpeace to discuss a broad strategy against expansion. This is the first time that local campaign groups and international environmental organizations have teamed up with the Camp for Climate Action to stage an event. We see this cross-fertilisation of ideas and experience as essential parts of Climate Camp strategy to develop a diverse social movement against climate change and for social justice.

The conference will focus on fusing our different ideas on how to stop expansion, from political lobbying to mass direct action, so we can all support each others efforts. More than that, we hope that we can learn from each other and develop new ideas that can have broad appeal.

The day will begin at 12 noon with short introductory talks on the latest state of play, on the implications of expansion for noise, climate change and community destruction, and around ideas for effective campaigning. After lunch, the bulk of the day will involve more structured discussions around moving forward together, followed by a final plenary session.

We’ve had conformation that in addition to many climate campers and local residents, politicians and trade unionists will be attending, so it looks like being an exciting event!

The following day Camp for Climate Action will set off in ‘a climate caravan’ on their journey to Kingsnorth in Kent where this year’s camp will be held.

Directions to the Conference are:

Heathrow Conference
Harlington Baptist Church,
High St, Harlington

About 8 minutes walk from Bath Road.
Take the 90 bus from Feltham, Hatton Cross or Hayes and Harlington Station;
Or take the 140 from Heathrow or Hayes and Harlington Station
Or the H98 from Hounslow, Cranford or Hayes and Harlington Station.- all stop outside the church.

NB there is only limited parking available.

The event is free but small donations on the day towards lunch and venue hire will be welcome!

Feel free to just turn up but it would be ideal if you could let us know before if you will be coming. Email info@hacan.org.uk or call John Stewart on 020 7737 6641

—-

Climate camp newspaper [5.3MB] at http://climatecamp.org.uk/themes/ccamptheme/files/paper.pdf

Shell to Sea Update

Dear Friends,
Hope this email finds ye well. Here is a brief update on the current situation:

1. Shell activity in the area is ramping up lately and if you are thinking of visiting the area we would call on you to do it over the next few weeks as help in resisting the work that is listed below is needed. You are always more than welcome to stay at the new camp house; email us (rossportsolidaritycamp@gmail.com) or phone 0851141170 to say when you can come. Check out our new website too: www.rossportsolidaritycamp.110mb.com

2. Shell plan to start offshore pipeline laying shortly as the Soltaire (pipe laying ship) is currently off the coast of Donegal. Shell have also been visiting houses lately around Glengad where the pipeline is due to come ashore saying that there would be some digging and noise disturbance in the area shortly. However they have hit a hitch with the Erris Fishermen as this week they had a protest to object to where Shell are placing their waste outflow pipe. Pat O Donnell said “We’ve been fishing these waters for generations and we all have licences to fish them. So let the Minister for Justice and the Government protect our rights now the way they brought in the Gardaí to protect the workers on the gas refinery,”
He added that if Shell wanted to remove his crab pots from the route of the pipeline, they would have to get a court order. “And I won’t heed the court order so they’ll have to send me and other fishermen to jail”. Read a report of it here http://www.indymedia.ie/article/88366

2. Shell have begun working on their compound in Glengad by starting to put in security fences which are in order that work will be able to begin on some of the offshore work. (See pictures here http://www.corribsos.com/index.php?id=1815). Most of this work occurs on a Special Area of Conservation with some of the fencing only about 200m from where the camp was. This work is almost certainly illegal as planning permission has still not been granted for any of the onshore pipeline. But the powers that be are ignoring all attempts to highlight the situation and letting Shell operate as they wish. Two people were arrested in the last week on the site but were released without charge.

3. Shell security: There is now a new security firm operating in the area on behalf of Shell. Over the last week Shell have got some seriously bad press over the surveillance and intimation of local residents which included the filming of families and children on glengad beach (see: http://www.corribsos.com/index.php?id=1820). Now anyone who visits the area and goes for a swim in the sea just beside where the camp used to be, the chances are you will be filmed. Today Shell were put under pressure on national radio to identify the security firm but refused to do so, making it obvious that Shell have something to hide as to who the firm is (it is rumoured locally that it is the Golan group). However even these heavies need protecting as evidenced by how the gardaí escorted them off when the full security bus was stopped by locals for failing to display any tax or insurance but this infringement was as usual ignored by the gardaí.

4. Mayo County Council building a road for Shell. The local authority is building a road through the area specifically for Shell against the wishes of the local people. It shows how invidious the Shell mentality is, as now you have council employees going around bribing and threatening local residents to give permission for the council to widen the road. So far these bribes and threats have only swayed one or 2 of the landowners and the local resident are fighting the road upgrade through legal channels. (See http://www.indymedia.ie/article/88317).

There is also alot of other stuff going on, such as Shell being stopped from accessing Rossport commonage lately, loads of submissions gone into the planning applications and a European Petitions Challenge. As always we need help with everything from direct actions, to banner making, to helping out on the camp garden so please visit if you have time to spare. Also big thanks to the people in Leeds for the recent camp fundraiser.

Anyway see all the latest campaign news on http://www.shelltosea.com

Hope to see some of ye soon.

Best wishes from the Rossport Solidarity Campers x

www.rossportsolidaritycamp.110mb.com

Billboard liberation

Saw this on the way to workplace sabotage the other day! Seems like some of the animals are refusing to perform, going feral and getting tooled up to cause some trouble for the empire and it’s keepers. Cabot Circus, Ha Ha Ha!

Cheeky monkeys!!!

http://www.eco-action.org/dt/smashing.html

Cheeky monkeys!!!

http://www.eco-action.org/dt/smashing.html

Saving Iceland Camp 2008 has Begun and First Action

The 4th Saving Iceland action camp has now begun in a beautiful threatened geothermal valley beside Hellisheiðisvirkjun in the Hengill area, where it will target the expansion of the geothermal power station for the Grundartangi plant and other Southwestern heavy industry projects.

This year activists from Iceland, Australia, America, Denmark, Germany, Britain, Holland, France, Belgium and Italy amongst others have joined the campaign as information about the destruction of Iceland’s wilderness has spread. This year the campaign will focus specifically on the humanitarian effects of aluminium production, from the genocides associated with mining in India, South America, Jamaica and more, to the use of aluminium for arms manufacture and the defence industry.

A week of international Saving Iceland solidarity actions will take place from July 21st to 27th in different European countries. A specialised conference with respected Indian writer and aluminium expert Samarendra Das and Andri Snær will examine the idea of “green aluminium” and the effects of the Aluminium industry in the Third World, (July 23 at Reykjavikur Akademia).
On Sunday the 20th July Saving Iceland and members of Sól á Suðurlandi and the Icelandic Mountain Guides will team up to lead a public tour around areas of Þjórsá threatened by three planned dam projects. A coach will leave Reykjavík at 12:00 noon and return by 18:00, costing 500 kr for the whole tour. Of course, direct action can as well soon be expected.

savingiceland@riseup.net
http://www.savingiceland.org

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Saving Iceland Stops Work at Century Aluminium Construction Site

19.07.2008
HELGUVIK (ICELAND) – Early this morning 40 activists from over 10 countries occupied the construction site where Century Aluminum are preparing to build their Helguvík aluminium smelter, and chained themselves to machinery and cranes. The protest is aimed at damage to geothermal areas in southwest Iceland and Century’s environmental and human rights abuses in Jamaica and Africa.

The construction of the Century Helguvík plant depends on the expansion of geothermal energy in Hellisheiði and Reykjanes (1). Construction began in June, without a valid Environmental Impact Assessment, or a guarantee of sufficient energy (435 MW) for the smelter. (2)

’Just as with Alcoa Fjardaal, the government shows no interest in following the the legal process for these huge projects. Instead they act as if the smelter and power projects are inevitable, creating mass apathy. At the same time, Century’s human rights abuse record has largely gone unnoticed.’, says Snorri Páll Jónsson Ulfhildurson from Saving Iceland.

American corporation Century Aluminum is involved in a number of projects in Africa and the Caribbean which are contended by environmental and human rights campaigners.

In Jamaica, Century jointly owns a 4.8 million tonne bauxite mine which is causing large-scale deforestation of rainforest. (3,4,5) Century are also involved in a joint venture to open up a second mine and alumina refinery with Chinese company Minmetals, who are associated with prison labour factories and gross human rights abuses in China and elsewhere (6,7).

In February 2007 Century Aluminium signed a memorandum of understanding with the Republic of Congo for the exclusive right to develop a smelter, an alumina refinery and a bauxite mine with a minimum commitment of 500 megawatts of gas-generated electrical energy in Pointe Noire.(8)

’Congo is renowned for its horrendous human rights conditions including terrible mass rapes, unlawful killings, torture and corruption. Transparency International has also rated it one of the most corrupt regimes in the world. That’s usually exactly the kind of regimes corporations like Century prefer to deal with…’, says Saving Iceland’s Snorri. (9,10)

’The financial scams orchestrated by aluminium companies have created economic and environmental ruin in many countries, dramatically affecting the lives of thousands of their citizens. In each case, a sustained and costly PR campaign promising a new age of prosperity preceded this construction.’ Indian scientist, Aluminium expert and writer Samarendra Dasexplains.(11) Das will be giving a number of talks in Iceland in July, including a conference with Andi Snær Magnusson on the 23rd in Reykjavikur Akademian.(12)

(1) Landvernd report, Nóvember 2007, ’Athugasemdir vegna umhverfisáhrifa orkuöflunar fyrir álver í Helguvík, sbr. frummatsskýrslur Orkuveitu Reykjavíkur fyrir Bitruvirkjun og virkjun við Hverahlíð.’

(2) In the table below, the planning agency details that the 435 MW required for the smelter will come from a number of geothermal sites in Reykjanes and Hellisheiði. With Bitravirkjun on hold and Reykjanes not yet guaranteed, the energy requirements are far from filled. Landvernd states that only 60% of required energy had been found in 2007, before Bitravirkjun was suspended. (see reference 1)
For more information on the lack of proper Environmental Impact Assessment see The Ecologist, October 2007,’ Aluminium Tyrants’. Jaap Krater, Miriam Rose and Mark Anslow.

(3) Century Aluminium website. http://www.centuryca.com/st_ann.html

(4) Zadie Neufville, April 6, 2001, ’Bauxite Mining Blamed for Deforestation’. See http://forests.org/archive/samerica/baux….

(5) Mines and Communities report,’Bauxite Mine Fight Looms in Jamaica’s Cockpit Country’, 24th October 2006 at http://www.minesandcommunities.org/artic….

(6) ’Century Aluminum in Jamaica mining deal’, Monday, May 15, 2006, Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal.

(7) In 2004 Minmetals attempted a takeover of Canadian mining company Noranda but were declined in 2005 due to serious concerns over human rights abuses by the Chinese company. This report details Minmetal’s association to forced labour.

Aaron A. Dhir, ’Of Takeovers, Foreign Investment and Human Rights: Unpacking the Noranda-Minmetals Conundrum’, Banking & Finance Law Review, Vol. 22, pp. 77-104, 2006.

(8) http://sec.edgar-online.com/2007/03/01/ … tion11.asp
and http://www.afriquenligne.fr/news/africa … 83302.html

(9) Amnesty International Report 2007, http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/africa/….

(10) Transparency International (2006). Corruption Perceptions Index 2006. Transparency International, Berlin.

(11) Samarendra Das, ’Mining sacred mountains to fuel the war on terror’. June 2008. See https://savingiceland.puscii.nl/wordpres…

(12) On Wednesday July 23, 19.30 h. Saving Iceland will hold a conference with the Indian writer, scientist and aluminium expert Samarendra Das and ‘Dreamland’ author Andri Snær Magnusson, on the influence of the aluminium industry in the third world. Also, the concept of aluminium as a ‘green’ product will be examined. The evening is organised jointly with Futureland. It will take place at the Reykjavikurakademian house on Hringbraut 121.

More information and background: www.savingiceland.org

Eviction gets go ahead – Bodge House

19th July 2008
Activists fortify Bodge House against UK Coal open cast mine and the eviction squad

The group of direct activists occupying Lodge House opencast site since 18th June have declared that they are ready to resist eviction.

19th July 2008
Activists fortify Bodge House against UK Coal open cast mine and the eviction squad

The group of direct activists occupying Lodge House opencast site since 18th June have declared that they are ready to resist eviction.

UK Coal plans to mine 1 million tonnes of coal over 5 years from the site near Smalley, derbyshire.

The company failed in its first attempt to evict the activists but succeeded in obtaining an possession order at the crown court in Derby today.

The activists are fortifying Prospect Farm and have built a number of treehouses and an underground tunnel system.

Sophie from Nottingham said ‘ The decision to mine this site was taken by central government against the wishes and best interests of local people and in spite of the council refusing planning permission. Occupying the land is our last defence now that democracy has failed. We are calling for people to join us in opposing UK Coal’s greed and contempt for local opinion.’

‘Opencast mining is particularly polluting and devastates large areas of countryside. Mining more coal is not a solution to our energy problems as it is a major cause of climate change. We need to reduce energy use and adapt to more sustainable ways of living.

We need help in making finale preparations so get your asses here for the fun…

for more information contact 07503 335870

or go to www.leaveitintheground.wordpress.com
http://www.leaveitintheground.org.uk

Squatters Illegally Evicted From Abandoned Pub in Cheltenham

On July 17th at 14.00 squatters were illegally evicted from the Duke of York Inn, 315-317 London Road, Cheltenham, GL52 6YY.

The squatters had gained entry on the 15th July through an open window after being informed by local residents that the pub was accessible without causing any damage.

On July 17th at 14.00 squatters were illegally evicted from the Duke of York Inn, 315-317 London Road, Cheltenham, GL52 6YY.

The squatters had gained entry on the 15th July through an open window after being informed by local residents that the pub was accessible without causing any damage.

They spent the next two days securing the squat, cleaning filth from the pub area, repairing fixtures, furniture and fittings and repairing damage caused by vandals including cleaning graffiti from the walls. The intention of the squatters was to turn the pub into a community arts centre, providing space for local people to meet, converse and express themselves freely.

However, after assumedly being informed by the police that the pub was being occupied, local property developer James Deacon decided to send some of his workers in, armed with sledgehammers and a chainsaw. They began to forcibly gain access to the property using the aforementioned tools. Due to the noise the squatters became aware of what was happening and tried to vacate the property. Their escape was hampered by the workers then using the tools to threaten the squatters, including a 19 year old girl who was backed into a corner with the running chainsaw, despite assurances that they were leaving.

After the squatters left the property they were then followed around the local area by Mr Deacon’s workers in vans, forcing them to beg for sanctuary in the homes of local residents, eventually escaping in the car of a local “good Samaritan” who was chased by the workers in vans for four miles before finally losing their pursuers.

Mr Deacon wants to convert the property into three houses and seven new flats, adding to congestion and overcrowding in the area, a project which has raised many objection s from local residents. To register your objections you can email Cheltenham Borough council at builtenvironment@cheltenham.gov.uk .

32 SUVs disabled across Oxford

18.07.2008
Up to 32 SUV owners awoke this morning to discover that their destructive vehicles had been disabled.

Using the ‘mung bean trick’, whereby a mung bean is inserted into the valve of a tyre before the cap is screwed back on, tyres were let down in Marston, Headington, and the highly affluent area of Summertown. Messages were left under windscreen wipers warning the owners not to attempt to drive their 4x4s, and explaining why it was felt that direct action had to be taken to resist their assault on this planet.

They were informed that more than a quarter of the UK’s CO2 generation is attributable to the transport sector, and that many Sports Utility Vehicles emit up to 300% more greenhouse gases than the average car.

They were also told that driving a car is not a ‘right’, and that driving an SUV is an unacceptably selfish act in the face of what may become unstoppable climate change.

This is a simple action that anyone can do, anytime or place.

Anti-Wembley Academy occupation comes to an end

18.07.2008
The Tent City Occupation of Wembley Sports Ground was evicted this morning at 7.30am (report to follow). Hank Roberts – Brent Secretary of the NUT and ATL – had to be removed from the roof of the Community Centre on the site, where he had d-locked himself to a flagpole. Specialist baliffs had to use an angle-grinder to seperate him from the pole. Supporters gathered in front of the gate to the carpark; as he was removed from the site, he was bestowed with rapturous applause for his brave stand.

The fight to stop the Academy getting planning permission continues, even though plans to build the ‘pre-academy’ for an initial 200 primary-school pupils in portocabins on the site will now proceed. The fight to guarantee local affordable access for the local kids to the recreation ground and football pitches continues alongside this aim to stop the academy being built, whether the latter goal will be acheived or not.

Other info:

Gallery
http://www.tentcityoccupation.co.uk/gallery.html

ITV London Tonight Report:
http://www.itvlocal.com/london/news/?player=LON_News_15&void=204972

Save Our Schools 22-minute film available on Reel News issue 13
Stop them Privatising Our Schools available on Reel News issue 12
Wembley Occupation available on Reel News issue 10
http://www.reelnews.co.uk/

Some previous posts for further information:

200 School Pupils In Huts On A Construction Site:
http://jasonnparkinson.blogspot.com/2008/06/200-school-pupils-in-huts-on.html

Save the Woodhead Tunnel demo

This year we have a unique opportunity to re-open the Woodhead rail line.

Join the Save the Woodhead Tunnel Campaign in demanding the Government hold to their promises on sustainable transport and climate change and re-open this historic and important line.

http://savethewoodheadtunnel.blogspot.com/

This year we have a unique opportunity to re-open the Woodhead rail line.

Join the Save the Woodhead Tunnel Campaign in demanding the Government hold to their promises on sustainable transport and climate change and re-open this historic and important line.

http://savethewoodheadtunnel.blogspot.com/
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?f=q&hl=en&time=&date=&ttype=&ie=UTF8&cd=2&geocode=0,53.495117,-1.830297&om=1&msa=0&msid=100950118038398329239.000441a586b51a597a528&ll=53.478239,-1.897888&spn=0.122593,0.274658&z=11&source=embed
www.climatecamp.org.uk

Cycle from Hadfield, meet train station, midday

Time: Saturday 2nd August 2008, 2pm
Place: Woodhead Tunnel, Western entrance (click here for a map, or see below)

Campaigners working to ‘Save the Woodhead Tunnel’ are to hold a demonstration calling for the Government to re-open the historic Woodhead line.

Locals argue the reopened Woodhead railway line would help reduce transport greenhouse gas emissions and the demonstration is timed to coincide with the national Climate Camp to be held at Kingsnorth Power station in August.

Local activists argue the re-opened line would relieve congestion on local roads, boost the local economy and open up the area to tourists. The future of the tunnel has been in doubt since National Grid began routing cables through it earlier this year. Campaigners have received assurances from Secretary of State Ruth Kelly that the tunnel will only be preserved for rail use after 2010 IF the case is made for the route to be re-opened.

A spokesperson says:

“Here in Longdendale it’s all too obvious what’s wrong with the government’s transport policy. The A628,a road that passes through the Peak District National Park, is clogged with cars and heavy good vehicles, whilst planes from Manchester Airport spew out greenhouse gases overhead. Meanwhile one of the most modern railway tunnels in Britain stands empty.

We demand a sustainable transport policy with freight taken off the road and onto the railway and commuters taking the train rather than the plane. We want trains through the Woodhead Tunnel again!”

The demonstration will include a samba band, picnic and speakers and coincides with the Camp for Climate Action which is to be held from 3rd-11th August at the coal fired power station in Kingsnorth, Kent.

Wherever you are, please join us for the demo – we are especially keen to hear from people on the other side of the Pennines who wish to set up their own group. You are all welcome.

savethewoodheadtunnel@gmail.com