earthfirst – Page 239

Citex Squat Amsterdam Illegally Evicted

27.05.2008
The Citex squat in Amsterdam has recently been illegally evicted.

On friday night, there was a birthday party. The police claim that there was a noise complaint from a neighbour, and asked for the identity papers of a person in the squat. They have no legal right to ask for this since the space was not public space but a residence . Afterwards, they tried to arrest this person. The person was de-arrested and took inside by the squatters. From this point on, the police escalated the situation, leading to the eviction of the entire block of 4 houses and the citex social spaces. 51 people were arrested and roughly treated. Currently , there are a few people still inside prison, but most people have been released. On Sunday, there was a demonstration that first passed by the heavily guarded (with dogs) citex-block, where it was made clear that we were not happy. Later, windows of the mayor’s house (Job Cohen) and of city hall were smashed. The previous night, the windows of the housing company were also smashed. Because this was an unexpected eviction (citex is still in legal processes and the court results are due on thursday), all people’s belongings were still inside. On Monday, the people could luckily get their stuff back through a moving company who took it out. The people were not allowed inside, and there was security, dogs and police all over the area. Riot police and undercover police (civilian clothed arrest teams) arrived many times for no clear reason except to provoke.
For more updates and stories look on www. indymedia. nl.
Most stories are in dutch for now, english versions will come soon.
An english personal account of someone http://leightoncookie. blogspot. com/ and a polish account http://www. indymedia. nl/nl/2008/05/52573. shtml are available.

Keep yourself updated, the struggle continues!!
You can’t evict ideas, squatting continues!!!

Bike Lanes on Bloor – 1,200 take to their bikes in Toronto

On Sunday May 25th 2008 more than one thousand cyclists of all ages joined in Toronto’s biggest ever pedal-powered parade, ringing their bells all the way from High Park to Queen’s Park.

The sunny Sunday ride was in support of making Toronto a leader in bike safety by adding more bike lanes — especially on Bloor Street. To see a video of the ride, see www.bellsonbloor.ca

Asheville Rising Tide builds green power plant in Duke CEO’s front yard (USA)

May 25, 2008 – Charlotte, NC

May 25, 2008 – Charlotte, NC
Today, activists with Asheville Rising Tide broke ground on a new 800 Mw clean energy power plant in Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers front yard. The power plant will tap into a previously unexplored energy source known as hot air which has been found in large concentrations at Roger’s residence, 330 Eastover Rd, Charlotte, NC. “The hot air emitting from Jim Rogers mouth has been around for quite some time, but the last couple of years has seen an exponential growth of this untapped energy source as Rogers parades around the country calling for greenhouse gas reductions while building the dirty Cliffside coal plant. This was simply an opportunity we couldn’t pass up,” said Jill Rockingham, chief engineer for the project.

Asheville Rising Tide believes that the construction of the power plant is a win-win situation for the economy and the environment. “We are taking a very dangerous and volatile gas and turning it into a source for clean, carbon free electricity. The great thing about tapping into Roger’s hot air is that it is a truly renewable resource. At this point there appears to be an endless supply,” said, Rockingham. “Why build another dirty, expensive coal plant, when there are millions of BTU’s of clean, cheap, energy seeping out of their CEO’s mouth every day,” said Jake Tillerman, Asheville Rising Tide’s investment relations manager.

The plant has come under fire from some environmental groups over concern of a little studied element known as BS, a byproduct of burning hot air. The hot air at the Roger’s residence has an unusually high concentration of BS and environmentalist are concerned over potential health effects to nearby residents. “We are currently looking into ways in which to capture and sequester the BS but the technology just isn’t available at this moment,” said Rockingham. “We assure the environmental community that this is the last plant we build that does not have the capability of sequestering Roger’s BS. Besides, we painted the plant green. That seems to be all that corporations like Duke have to do to call a project sustainable.”

Mexico: campesinos occupy Chihuahua gold mine

On May 24, campesinos from Ejido Huizopa, Madera municipality, in the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua, launched a protest occupation of the Minera Dolores company’s giant open-pit gold mine, which they say has been illegally established on their lands. The decision to launch the blockade was taken after two ejido leaders, Enrique Torres González and José Armando González, were arrested by Federal Preventative Police, later released without charge. The local company director Carlos García Droguett said the occupation places at risk a $200 million investment in the zone. (Excelsiór, May 29) Minera Dolores is owned by the Minefinders Corporation of Vancouver. (GeoMex.com)

A statement from Ejido Huizopa says Minera Dolores used “tricks” to gain title to the land from “corrupt leaders” of the ejido—but nonetheless received a permit from the Mexican environmental secretariat, SEMARNAT. The statement says another of their leaders, Salvador Gaitan, was the target of an assassination attempt earlier this year. Gaitian, a director of the ejido, is a veteran of the 1960s guerilla insurgency in Chihuahua led by Arturo Gámiz. (Received via e-mail, May 30)

See our last posts on Mexico, Chihuahua and the mineral cartel in Latin America.

—

Minera Dolores blockade lifted

From CNN Money, June 9. Note repeated and gratuitous use of the word “illegal” to refer to the blockade—contrasting lack of any mention of campesino claims that the mine itself is illegal.

Minefinders Corporation Ltd. (the “Company”) (TSX: MFL)(AMEX: MFN) reports initial production estimates for its Dolores gold and silver mine in Chihuahua, Mexico, where the first gold and silver pour is now scheduled for mid July, 2008.

Management expects gold production from Dolores will be approximately 40,000 ounces in 2008, 128,000 ounces in 2009 and 129,000 ounces in 2010. Silver production is expected to be 1.0 million ounces in 2008, 3.0 million ounces in 2009, and 4.0 million ounces in 2010… Mining at Dolores is approaching a sustained rate of approximately 100,000 tonnes per day with over 7 million tonnes of ore and waste material mined at Dolores to date…

In late May an illegal blockade was established on an access road to the Dolores Mine site. The majority of the individuals involved are believed to be from outside of the region and include only a small fringe group from within the local 221-member Ejido community.

While Minefinders was on target to achieve the first gold and silver pour from Dolores in late June 2008, for safety reasons the Company decided to suspend construction activities and operations until Mexican authorities safely removed the illegal blockade. On June 5, in response to meetings held with government officials, the blockaders re-opened the road and mining and processing operations have recommenced. The Company is continuing discussions with the state and federal governments and with the individuals responsible for the blockade to come to a definitive long-term resolution. As a result of the temporary suspension of operations due to the illegal blockade, the first gold and silver pour is now expected in mid-July.

“Despite the delay of the first gold and silver pour due to the illegal blockade, the commissioning at Dolores is progressing well with construction and operating costs consistent with those reported in the Company’s February 14, 2008, economic forecast and reserve update,” said Mark Bailey, Minefinders’ President and CEO. “We remain fully funded to complete development and commissioning of the Dolores Mine and continue the Dolores mill preliminary feasibility study and 2008 exploration programs at Dolores and elsewhere.”

CNN also seems not to know that “Ejido community” is redundant and does not tell the reader the name of the community, as “ejido” means agricultural community. The name of the ejido in question is Huizopa.

Bite Back Magazine #13 – Out Now!

Issue no. 13 features essays by Lauren Gazolla and Peter Young, a review of over 10 years of worldwide fur farm raids, a look back at 2007, news, prisoner letters, action reports from around the world and much more! 36 pages.

Bite Back #13 was published in May 2008. Get your copy today!

—
Bite Back is a 36 page magazine, full of direct action reports, prisoner news, stories and photos.

Single copy: $2 ($5 outside of North America)

We accept check or money order (made out to “Bite Back”), or well-concealed cash (equivalent amount in Canadian dollars, Euros or Pounds is O.K.). Please mail to the address above. Please contact us if you would like to use a credit card.

ORDERING A BACK ISSUE

Back issues are $4 each. We currently have back issues numbers 12, 9, 8, and 7 available. Please send a letter describing which issue(s) you would like and the necessary funds.

BE A DISTRIBUTOR FOR BITE BACK MAGAZINE!

Literally every day the brave women and men of the Animal Liberation Front are out liberating, smashing, painting and burning their way across the world for no other reason than to bring us closer to animal liberation!

The least we can do is support their actions.

Do so by distributing Bite Back Magazine in your area! Let local activists know about actions, prisoners they can write to, read heartwarming and inspiring interviews and stories, and most importantly show support for the ALF.

$15 gets you 15 copies of the latest issue ($25 outside of North America). Put them on your tables, in local stores and distros, or just give them out to friends.

Bite Back Magazine
e-mail: info@directaction.info
Homepage: http://directaction.info

ALF Foie gras actions (2007 – 2008)

There are places that will not listen to reason, continue to support an industry illegal in the UK, and cause massive suffering to geese and ducks, and for a ‘delicacy’.

It is clear that there are places that have no limits to what they will place on the menu.

There are places that will not listen to reason, continue to support an industry illegal in the UK, and cause massive suffering to geese and ducks, and for a ‘delicacy’.

It is clear that there are places that have no limits to what they will place on the menu.
They will not listen to protesters and campaigners, now they are having to deal with the Animal Liberation Front, as they are realising to their increasing cost.

What follows is a list of some of the actions reported to Biteback magazine. What is certain is that there’ll be more where these came from.

“Last week a group of activists paid a visit to Wood Hall Hotel in
Linton, near York because they continue to supply their sick
customers with foie gras. Unable to resist we left them a calling
card on the long driveway to their country retreat, informing them
that we are watching them and will be back as long as they continue
to sell foie gras. As it was in foot high red paint all along the
road guests and staff alike could not miss the warning.

Wood Hall, this was just a reminder that we know you are selling
foie gras, and to demand you stop. Next time we will not be so
gentle.”
http://www.directaction.info/news_may16c_08.htm

“In the early hours of the 2nd May, in anger at Bistro Number 5’s continued sale of foie gras, Animal Liberation Front volunteers d-locked their front entrance, costing them hours of lost revenue for the following day.
It’s high time they re-evaluated whether profiting from animal abuse really is good business!”
http://www.directaction.info/news_may15c_08.htm

“Clifton Meats is a supplier of any number of animals that have been through the slaughterhouse and the intensive farming industry.

On a recent night in Leeds the gate was left unlocked, we walked in and slashed the tyres on the van that was parked up, and spraypainted anti foie gras and ‘meat is murder’ slogans on the sides.

Two locks on the premises were also superguled.

The next time we visit Leeds we’ll be cruising the streets of the city and surrounding areas looking for more of your Clifton vans.

Dump foie gras!

Animal Liberation Front”
http://www.directaction.info/news_may14c_08.htm

“Winteringham Fields produces 6,000 dishes of foie gras a year for their salivating customers. This sick obsession with the abuse of ducks and geese is fuelled by people like McGurran who insist that giving people the freedom to abuse is the right way to go about business.

Well, as of today, your diners will be realising the liability that serving up such a heinous dish can prove.
I suspect the owner of the nice car in the drive won’t be going anywhere for a while, until they get four new tires, and when they do get rolling they’ll be able to show off the new paint job.

‘Foie gras hell hole’ was also daubed over the restaurant windows.

When your customers are deciding to visit perhaps they’ll consider that just one day, it could well be their vehicles getting the treatment. But, as we all know, that is NOTHING compared to the sheer hell that restaurants like Winteringham fields choose to inflict on ducks and geese.

Until the geese and ducks are free from the gavage sheds, we will take action,

Foie Gras Retribution Squad”
http://www.directaction.info/news_may10c_08.htm

“In the early hours of Sunday morning, ALF activists arrived at Midsummer House. This disgusting restaurant, situated on Chesterton Road, Cambridge, continues to support the cruel foie gras industry by selling pate de foie gras.

By profitting from the torture of ducks and geese for an unnecessary and unhealthy ‘delicacy’, Midsummer House became a target for the ALF.

Slogans like ‘Stop Selling Foie Gras’ and ‘Ban Foie Gras’ were among those spray-painted on to the walls and windows of the building. Activists glued the locks and applied paint-stripper to door and window frames and varnished wood. Glass-etching fluid was also employed to damage the windows.

We hope this action will discourage Midsummer House from selling foie gras. Anyone who chooses several hours of scrubbing over a few minutes of altering a menu and calling a supplier really does need their head checking.

Until all are free, Keep on fighting.
Cambridge ALF”
http://www.directaction.info/news_feb19b_08.htm

“French Living restaurant, Nottinghamshire. “French living’s most loyal customers (who eat there every single day) are also disgusted with the restraunts choice of putting foie gras on the menu.”
http://www.directaction.info/news_feb11b_08.htm

“A flying visit to Direct Fruit Supplies (DFS) in Leeds led to gate locks and shutters being superglued shut. Spray painted messages were left for all to see.

DFS is a supplier of foie gras to the catering industry, and thanks to their website we have a list of their customers (some who sell this cruel product) and they will be contacted and given details of actions conducted by the Animal Liberation Front that have occurred in defence of ducks and geese that suffer this appalling fate, that is just in case the violent images of ducks being brutalised is not enough for them to think deeply about the companies they support.”
http://www.directaction.info/news_dec22_07.htm

“L’enclume support the foie gras trade by supplying this appalling product to their customers.
A simple message was spray painted and the windows had glass etching cream liberally applied.

There is no longer a need to explain any action against a supporter of this trade. It is a trade that is clearly unequivocally barbaric.

Expect to be a target.

ALF”
http://www.directaction.info/news_nov29b_07.htm

“In a series of five raids, foie gras sellers in the North of Yorkshire were blitzed…

In the early hours of a recent morning, ALF activists visited the specialist importers and distributors of the sick ‘delicacy’ foie gras. The two cars in the driveway were paintstrippered, and then new spray paint was applied and all the tyres slashed.

To support and promote such appalling acts of violence and terrorism against animals, will always provoke a response from people who want to see an end to this disgusting trade.

www.thefatgoose.co.uk

Along with the grotesquely force fed fatgoose, with the ‘naturally’ diseased liver, the family butchers C & G Starkey received a well overdue visit. This establishment brags about how it can supply all manner of exotic meats to liven up any dinner table. There is nothing like dishing up suffering and abuse to bring joy to a table. On the menu at C & G’s is foie gras and wild boar flesh, along with whatever your heart could possibly desire in the exploitation of animals. This place received a re-decoration and the locks and shutters and doors had superglue applied. They deserved more, much more.

www.gourmetbritain.com

Onto the Fig and Fennel in Wetherby, and this delicatessen, sitting in the middle of town, might have thought it would be free from retribution over its support for the sick foie gras trade. But no, spray paint was applied and again locks were glued. The profits from your delicacy of despair are being wiped out.

The Devonshire Arms at Bolton Abbey received a visit, car tyres were slashed and the hotel signs painted. I don’t think your customers will appreciate your support for foie gras. Either that, or they rejoice in the abuse of animals. I don’t think they were rejoicing on the morning we paid a visit.

www.thedevonshirearms.co.uk

The Rudding Park complex home of the Clocktower restaurant also took a hit. The heavy presence of security cameras protecting this hotel situated just outside Harrogate, left only one option… the golf course. Activists hit the golf course with garden forks and proceeded to dig up the greens. And such nice greens they WERE too. Spray paint was also applied to the putting surface, and then the signs outside were given a fresh paint job.

These actions were dedicated to the end of industrialised farming, we’ll be there, as you continue down the route of self destruction, every step of the way.

ALF”
http://www.directaction.info/news_sep28_07.htm

“A visit to Leeds in the early hours of this morning led to customers of Haleys Hotel getting a taste of what is to come when supporting places that sell foie gras.

The cars of three vehicles, including a 4×4 had the tyres slashed, and an uncompromising message was sprayed over the back of another.

No matter what business you visit that sells foie gras, if you are a customer of that business then expect your (alleged) property to be shown contempt.

There is no place in the UK or anywhere for the support of this utterly abhorrent trade.

‘Our’ government supports the import of foie gras due to fear of breaching the sickening liberal trade laws they signed up to, government has been shown yet again to fail us and animals. Now is the time to move against this trade, to rid the UK of foie gras and bring it to an end.

Check out the undercover footage and take action!

Animal Liberation Front’
http://www.directaction.info/news_july12_07.htm

“The Hare and Hounds Inn support the sick foie gras trade by supplying foie gras to their customers, they received numerous spray painted messages on their walls and windows.

Make the choice!

ALF’
http://www.directaction.info/news_july09_07.htm

“A restaurant in the North West of England recently became a target for the Animal Liberation Front. The restaurant was spraypainted and had it’s locks glued, which then became irrelevant as the windows were put through…

The reasons for hitting the foie gras industry are well known, if you choose to take part in foie gras, then choose to partake in the consequences.

ALF”
http://www.directaction.info/news_may09b_07.htm

Many of the places that received a visit have stopped selling foie gras. There can be no excuse for the extreme treatment of sentient beings. They need to be held to account for their actions.

Untilallarefree

Activists arrested for robbery of a chicken from sun valley have case dropped

Two activists that where arrested in connection with the theft of a live chicken from the Sun Valley Foods slaughterhouse in Hereford were today told the police would be taking no further action against them.

One of the activists was arrested whilst leaving the site whilst the other, who was acussed of actually removing the chicken, voluntarily attended the police station at a mutual date.

The Sun Valley site in Hereford is one of the largest poultry abattoirs in the UK and the cost of the chicken to them is under 50p however this did not stop the company from kicking up a fuss but due to poor CCTV evidence and failed identification by witnesses, West Mercia Constabulary have decided there is insufficient effidence to prosecute. Sun Valley are responsible for supplying chicken to McDonalds and many other major supermarket chains; including the Co-Op Group who pride themselves ona high ethical and animal welfare policies.

Western Animal Rights Network
e-mail: info@animalliberation.co.uk
Homepage: http://www.animalliberaton.co.uk

Direct Action Greece: 17th – 22nd May

Appelate Court’s expansion works sabotaged with fire (ATHENS)
Attack against the municipal police of Ilioupoli (ATHENS)
Bank firebombed (LOANNINA)
University rectors elections sabotaged (ATHENS-PIRAEUS)
Surveillance cameras destroyed during squaters solidarity march (ATHENS)

Appelate Court’s expansion works sabotaged with fire (Athens, 22/5/2008)
This is a translation of a claim sent to directactiongr@yahoo.gr:

“In the dawn of Thursday, MAy 22, we invaded the construction site of the appelate court on Loukareos street and moved into burning up three machinery-vehicles, sabotaging the construction of the new court buildings. With this invasion we dismantled the prestige of the enemy, striking in one of the most formidable occupied spots of the city. Our action is wilful, to set the justice itself on fire. Its nature, its ideology, its institutions.

It isn’t just the arrogance and vengefulness of the judges, the desolation and anger in the faces of the accused, the agony to find the money, the fear of facing prison. They are all part of this, that’s for sure. Justice lies in the core of democracy. It defends with a decisive violence, directly all interests of this world. It has conscience of its role, its meaning today. It is clothed with all the democratic alibis. The rules of courts, the high-court’s opinions, the laws, do not simply safeguard the regime. They are unceasing attacks with the aim to control and manage, to subordinate every moment of our lives. The 10.000 prisoners [note: the number of the greek state’s prisoners], the cameras that got legalized, the strikers summoned, the asylum broken, indicate them. These are not mistakes, we don’t talk about a few judges that don’t do their job well. We talk of the modern martial courts that safeguard the dominant order. We speak of judges that distribute 50 years in prison, every day, and then watch watch Lazopoulos on their TVs [note: a greek populist comedian commenting on the system’s faults]. And all of these, under the wrapper of independance and unselfishness. In order to shut up the questions, to blur critics, to enforce as truth, inside everyone’s conscience this truth that is revealed in the threats and guilty silences.

That’s because justice, apart from a mechanism of subordonation, is a tool to rearrange the social relations. Discipline, a sense of fairness, fear, are fundamental principles of integration of prohibitions on the totality of the social body. The civilization of lawfull and outlaw, of fair and injust, of good and evil, is a civilization that mutilates social relations. Is a civilization of dependency from a vengeful justice system. Its values end up to systematize justice to a machinery of individuals supervising each other. Insecurity, snitching and fear for the other, constitute behaviours of the perfection of the modern pattern of social organization. This system is n’t applied only inside the court houses but also in every expression of our everyday life.

The new courthouse halls, the new high-sevurity prisons, the prohibitions that proliferate, pave the way for the future offensives. Against the administration of justice, we take vengeance on this world of authorities untill its total overthrow.

Comando “Christos Tsoutsouvis”

PS. Our every hit is a beat of our heart. And our heart beats fiercely close to the hearts of our captive comrades. This action is dedicated to Giorgos Voutsis-Vogiatzis, imprisoned for robbing the ETE bank in Gizi.

Few notes: There is an older action claimed for “Comando Christos Tsoutsouvis” in Thessaloniki, 2007: “On Tuesday 15 May, 22 years after the assassination of the armed guerrilla Christos Tsoutsouvis by cops, and at 4:30 in the morning, the RairRoad station local organization of New Democracy (right-wing ruling party), was tipped with a small token of our rage (1 petrol can and 3 home gas canisters were enough to nudge them reface their offices), on the last repressive operations against the rebels of the whole country’s prisons.”
Christos Tsoutsouvis was an urban guerrilla, member of ELA (People’s Revolutionary Struggle) and Antistate Fight. He was murdered on 15 May 1985 by undercover policemen in Gizi, Athens after a shootout, succeeding though to execute three of them.

Attack against the municipal police of Ilioupoli (Athens, 22/5/2008)
From the mass-media:

“Mess and panic were caused Thursday night, when a group of around 20 persons attacked the city hall of Ilioupoli. The masked-up group suprised the policemen, throwing red paints and broke with stones the glass windows of the city hall. Then, they destroyed with batons, sticks and knifes the personal car of Ilioupoli’s mayor and two patrol cars of the municipal police. According to information, the attack of these young people was a form of protest and of support to two detained anarchists. The activists left on foot, towards the central square of Ilioupoli, throwing behind them communiques against the municipal authority. The police forces realised a manhunt to find and arrest any”…

Following is a translation of a communique sent to directactiongr@yahoo.gr

“We selected to attack on the 22th of May, against the municipal police and the city hall of Ilioupoli, as a signal of solidarity to the detained anarchists M. Tsourapas and Chr. Kontorevithakis, accused for attempting to burn up a car of the municipal police in P. Faliro, and facing a jury on July, 11.

The municipal police is another repressive mechanism in duty bound to keep the normal flow of consumption and hunting the so-called black market and the street-salesmen, safeguarding the profits of luxurius shops, while it constitutes yet one institution of policing in the mitropolis, against everyday petit-delinquent behaviours. The perceptions that contributed to its formation will be always a target for us, and so will be their carriers. This specific attack against the city hall of Ilioupolis is not blind at all, since this municipality through the former municipal counsellor Athanasios Kouretsis invested in the pilot project “The neighborhood’s municipal policeman” in the footsteps of the failed police project “The neighborhood’s policeman”. This ex-cop that participated in Ilioupolis’ city counsil wanted simply to contribute in the strenghening of the citizen’s sense of security, as his proposal suggests. We will always stand opposed and choose the offensive way against the dogma of “Security, law and order” based on a total system of institutions and perceptions that eternalize the modern reality. Their effort to sharpen repression and control over our dignities and our lives, will now meet with the climax of our attacks.

FREEDOM FOR THE DETAINED ANARCHISTS
MARIOS TSOURAPAS AND CHRISSOSTOMOS KONTOREVITHAKIS”

Bank firebombed (Ioannina, 22/5/2008)
This is a translation of the claim posted on http://athens.indymedia.org

“Today during the dawn, 22/5/08, we attacked a subsidiary of Piraeus bank on Dodonis street, close to the technical college. We hurled 4 molotov cocktails at the bank’s ATM, the camera, and the main entrance. This attack was undertaken despite the constat patrols of the cops, who even passed by a few minuted before the attack. Material damages were realised against the ATM and the entrance, breaking a piece of the glass-window. This attack was clearly symbolic, so a total destruction of the bank was not an issue. We oppose every form of policing and authority and we trust in violent actions to overthrow the state. Solidarity to the actions that preceded and to those that will follow.

COMRADES FROM THE STREETS OF EVERYDAY STRUGGLE.”

University rectors elections sabotaged (Athens-Piraeus, 22/5/2008)

Students invaded halls where the rectors elections were held according to the new “frame”-law concerning universities, in the technical institutes of Athens and Piraeus, destroying voting papers, taking away ballot boxes, breaking them or throwing them to garbage. Students of DAP-NDFK (ruling party right-wing student youth) that were present, tried to guard the elections process but were repelled.

In the same time, over 35 faculties are occupied by student assemblies, against the new “frame”-law application.

Surveillance cameras destroyed during squaters solidarity march (Athens, 20/5/2008)
Photos of the march: http://athens.indymedia.org/front.php3?lang=el&article_id=868546

Surveillance cameras were broken, during the march in solidarity to the Villa Amalias squat. The march was organised on the occasion of an arson attack against the squat two days earlier, and hundreds of people demonstrated in central Athens.

Fencing bars around the polytechnic school dismantled (Athens, 17/5/2008)

Photos: http://athens.indymedia.org/

According to a report from athens.indymedia.org:

“After 12 in the morning, people from the polytechnic school self-managed infoshop leftists, students and others, gathered around Zografou gate and destroyed all the extra fencing bars placed by the dead to prevent people from entering the university late at night and during weekends. An other door was also taken, so people wan’t bother to jump over fences to enter the university when it closes. Later on, some threw the bars at the door of the dean hall and at the dean’s office.

While this action took place, three undercover policemen gathered outside the gates, but left when they became noticed. A riot police brigade was set outside the nearby police station of Zografou, and a person was taking photos of the people gathered from a nearby building, but left when people approached the building.”

Arsonists hit a bank (Thessaloniki, 17/5/2008)
Responsibility claim at http://athens.indymedia.org/

“Early in the morning of Saturday, we attacked the national bank at Triandria. This action is symbolic, a sign of solidarity to the anarchist V. Botzatzis and our three fugitive comrades. No captivity can stop the war with the Existent. Our rage will set their peaceful nights on fire..”

Towards climate action in Copenhagen 2009

First international planning meeting

We invite you to join the 1st 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).

First international planning meeting

We stand at a crossroads in history. The facts are undeniable. Global climate change, caused by human activities, is happening. We all know that, world over, we’re facing a manifold and deepening crisis: of the climate, energy, food, livelihoods, and of political and human rights. Scientific, environmental, social and civil society movements from all over the world are calling for action against climate change.

Massive consumption of fossil fuel is one of the major causes of global warming, a problem that threatens the lives of hundreds of millions of people around the world. Instead of leading the way, governments are prioritizing economic growth and corporate interests while ignoring the speeding train of climate change hurtling towards the abyss. The corporate exploitation of the planet’s resources cannot be allowed to continue any longer. We have precious little time to react to this threat. We need action NOW to stop climate change, and if the so-called ‘leaders’ won’t lead the way, we must.

On the 30th November 2009, world leaders will come to Copenhagen for the UN Climate Conference (COP15). This will be the most important summit on climate change ever to have taken place, and it will determine how the countries of the world are going to respond to the climate threat. The decisions taken there will define the future for all the people of the world. The previous meetings give no indication that this meeting will produce anything more than empty rhetoric and a green washed blueprint for business-as-usual.

There is an alternative to the current course and it’s not some far-off dream. If we put reason before profit, we can live amazing lives without destroying our planet. But this will not happen by itself. We have to take direct action, both against the root causes of climate change and to help create a new, just and joyous world in the shell of the old. And so, we call on all responsible people of the planet to take direct action against the root causes of climate change during the COP15 summit in Copenhagen 2009.

The exact plans for our mobilization are not yet finalized. We have time to collectively decide what our best course of action may be. We encourage everyone to start mobilizing in your own countries. It is time to take the power back from the leaders not responsible enough to hold it. The power is in our hands!

Practical information

The meeting is free for everyone, accommodation and food will be provided by local activists. Note also that the meeting will be held the weekend prior to the European Social Forum (ESF) in Malmö, September 17-21. People are welcome to stay in Copenhagen in the intermediate days.

Please announce your arrival to sept08@klimax2009.org. We’re happy to respond to any questions you might have. You can also subscribe to the international mobilization mailing list.

Please circulate, translate and distribute this call widely.

Climate Network 09, klimax2009.org

Camps for Climate Action round the world…

2008 will see camps spring up around the world, inspired by the Camps for Climate Action that have taken place in the UK, first near Drax, then Heathrow.

UK: near Kingsnorth coal-fired power station and proposed site for new generation – Climate Caravan to the camp from Heathrow, 26th July-3rd August, Camp for Climate Action 3rd-11th August 2008 – www.climatecamp.org.uk

2008 will see camps spring up around the world, inspired by the Camps for Climate Action that have taken place in the UK, first near Drax, then Heathrow.

Germany: Klimacamp, Hamburg, near a variety of climate criminals – 15th-28th August –
www.klimacamp08.net

Australia: Camp for Climate Action, Newcastle coal port, north of Sydney – 10th-15th July – www.climatecamp.org.au

USA: West Coast Convergence for Climate Action, near Eugene, Oregon (28th July-4th August); South East Convergence for Climate Action, Louisa County, Virginia (5th-11th August); Northeast Climate Confluence, Epworth (27th July-3rd August) – www.climateconvergence.org

New Zealand: www.climatecamp.org.nz