earthfirst – Page 262

Prosecution collapses in Superglue Penny trial

During the Camp for Climate Action at Heathrow last year, large numbers of police invaded the site, only to be peacefully resisted by the Campers, and ejected from the site with impressive restraint. The pretext for this attack by the police was so that the Forward Intelligence Team could “do a headcount” (in spite of the face that local police officers were already patrolling the site, and were presumably perfectly capable of fulfilling this task). It is far more likely that the real reason behind the police action was their desire to provoke a riot, and thus have an excuse to destroy the camp and bang heads. After the incursion the Territorial Support Group (riot police) were ordered to kit themselves out in full gear, to prepare for a second assault on the camp.

This would have come to pass if it had not been for the swift response of an activist who superglued her hands to the gates in order to deny them access.
As a result of this action Penny Eastwood was charged with obstructing the police in the course of their duty, and she entered a plea of innocent on the grounds that the police were not acting in accordance with their duty.

After months of delay, the trial took place at Uxbridge on 8th and 9th January, at which the prosecution case collapsed. The district judge presiding rightly spotted that the police’s case was a load of rubbish, because they produced no evidence that they were prevented from carrying out a lawful duty.

This case proves (if any proof were needed), that the police are ever happy to employ violence in pursuit of their political aims. It also shows that the Met are spectacularly stupid. I suppose we should take some comfort that there are still judges in Britain who think that the provoking of riots is outside a police officer’s normal course of duty.

Penny said “I was trying to de-escalate the situation after aggressively over the top policing had created tension. There were riot police crouching behind the hedgerow. It was very scary, particularly as there were children on site”.

“I am a climate activist because I am a mother and I want to ensure that my children have a half-way decent future – that’s why I see it as my duty to oppose acts of environmental lunacy, like airport expansion. I thought that the riot police were trying to shut down the climate camp, and I didn’t think that that was right or fair. The trial has been hanging over me for several months, and it is a huge relief that my action has been vindicated by the judge.”

CLIMATE ACTION NEWS SHEET 75, JANUARY 2008

CONTENTS:

———————————————-
UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS:
———————————————-
1) FOSSIL FOOLS DAY – NATIONAL, 1.4.08
2) LONDON RISING TIDE BENEFIT – LONDON, 11.1.08

CONTENTS:

———————————————-
UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS:
———————————————-
1) FOSSIL FOOLS DAY – NATIONAL, 1.4.08
2) LONDON RISING TIDE BENEFIT – LONDON, 11.1.08
3) NEWQUAY AIRPORT EXPANSION, PUBLIC DEBATE – CORNWALL, 12.1.08
4) RADICAL ACTION VS. CLIMATE CHAOS, NATIONAL MEET – NOTTINGHAM, 12.1.08
5) CLIMATE CAMP NATIONAL GATHERING – LEEDS, 26-27.1.08
6) BIOFUELWATCH WEEK OF ACTION – NATIONAL, 26.1.08 – 1.2.08
7) MANCHESTER CLIMATE FORUM – 1.3.08
8) DAY OF ACTION VS. GLOBAL AGRIBUSINESS – INTERNATIONAL, 26.1.08
9) LOW-IMPACT SMALLHOLDING – BUCKS, 11-13.1.08
———————————————-
RECENT HAPPENINGS:
———————————————-
1) NEWQUAY AIRPORT ROOFTOP OCCUPATION – 15.12.07
2) SANTAS AGAINST EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION – NORWICH & LONDON, 15.12.07
3) BRISTOL RISING TIDE TAKES ACTION VS. SHELL GREENWASH – DECEMBER 2007
4) SHELL TO SEA SCALE GOVERNMENT OFFICE – IRELAND, 19.12.07
5) NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE MARCH AND ACTIONS – 8.12.07
6) DUTCH COAL ACTION – 8.12.07
7) FLIGHT CENTRES SHUT FOR BUSINESS – MANCHESTER, 7.12.07
8) CHEADLE-HIGH-STREET AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE – DECEMBER 2007
9) SUBVERTISEMENTS IN LONDON AND MANCHESTER – DECEMBER 2007
10) WOMEN’S BLOCKADE OF DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT – 7.12.07
11) THE TIDE IS RISING! – 7.12.07
12) CLIMATE ACTIVISTS STOP WORK AT COAL MINE – SOUTH WALES, 5.12.07
13) INTERNATIONAL RT HOAX TARGETS BIG CARBON – 3.12.07
14) HOMELESS POLAR BEARS IN COURT – BRISTOL, 14.11.07
15) KEEP OIL UNDERGROUND – DECEMBER 2007
16) SIZEWELL NUCLEAR CLIMATE ACTION – 1.12.07
17) MANIAC MOTORIST MARS MASS – GLASGOW, NOVEMBER 2007
18) VIVA’S ‘HOT!’ CAMPAIGN – DECEMBER 2007
19) WHAT BETTER TIME? – DECEMBER 2007
20) BATH BOMB, ISSUE 5 – DECEMBER 2007
21) PACIFIC CURRENTS – DECEMBER 2007
22) A HOUSE OF CARDS – DECEMBER 2007
23) SOUTH WEST AIR ACTION – DECEMBER 2007
24) RISING TIDE LEAMINGTON SPA – DECEMBER 2007
25) RISING TIDE ON YOU TUBE

———————————————-
UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS:
———————————————-
1) FOSSIL FOOLS DAY – NATIONAL, 1.4.08
Just three months to go – are you out practising your routines? rehearsing your songs? building your props yet? I should get out more over Christmas…
However, it will soon be time to hatch your mischievous scheme, so get your friends round and start plotting!
http://www.fossilfoolsday.org/

2) LONDON RISING TIDE BENEFIT – LONDON, 11.1.08
In support of London Rising Tide, AMP is organising a night of live music at The Others, Manor Road, Stoke Newington. Entrance £5.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=38074566

3) NEWQUAY AIRPORT EXPANSION, PUBLIC DEBATE – CORNWALL, 12.1.08
Organised by Rising Tide with speakers from Groundswell and Plane Stupid.
7pm St. Mawgan Community Hall, Nr. Newquay, Cornwall. For more info. email; kernow@risingtide.org.uk

4) RADICAL ACTION VS. CLIMATE CHAOS, NATIONAL MEET – NOTTINGHAM, 12.1.08
11am – 6pm at The Sumac Centre, 245 Gladstone Street, Forest Fields, Nottingham.
This meeting came out of the last Climate Camp gathering in November. It is focussed on growing our movement – how can we encourage more groups to form and more actions/campaigns to happen? What things do we want to do to help build a vibrant network of regional action groups doing actions locally and nationally?
For instruction on how to get there: http://www.veggies.org.uk/sumac/map.html
Also, 11 people are going to trial in Nottingham on Monday 14th for ‘shutting down’ the local coal power station, If anyone wants to stay to support them that would be great!

5) CLIMATE CAMP NATIONAL GATHERING – LEEDS, 26-27.1.08
The Climate Camp on its own didn’t stop climate change – but it’s part of a growing social movement that can! Come and take the next steps forward at the upcoming UK-wide meeting on Jan 26-27 in Leeds. Everyone is welcome, whether you came to the camp, or were simply inspired by it.
http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/nextmeeting.php

6) BIOFUELWATCH WEEK OF ACTION – NATIONAL, 26.1.08 – 1.2.08
Biofuelwatch are calling for a national week of local action on agrofuels between 26th January and 1st February 2008. We will shortly update our website to provide more background information about the UK agrofuel industry and policies, as well as a draft leaflet and other resources. If you would like to get involved or find out more, please email us at info[at]biofuelwatch.org.uk.
http://biofuelwatch.org.uk/

7) MANCHESTER CLIMATE FORUM – 1.3.08
Manchester Climate Forum “Climate Change: it’s time to prepare”
9.15am at the Methodist Hall, Oldham St, Central Manchester
http://www.manchesterclimateforum.org.uk/index.html

8) DAY OF ACTION VS. GLOBAL AGRIBUSINESS – INTERNATIONAL, 26.1.08
On January 26 self-organized groups from all around the world will take creative action in their community. This will manifest in many ways, from nonviolent direct action, civil disobedience, street theatre, convergences, teach-ins and other activities and events. Grassroots movements around the world are making their voices heard and saying “Another World is Possible”. In coordination with the World Social Forum.
http://www.risingtidenorthamerica.org/wordpress/category/front-page/

9) LOW-IMPACT SMALLHOLDING – BUCKS, 11-13.1.08
Next course by the Low-Impact Living Initiative;
http://www.lowimpact.org/courseoutlinelowimpactsmallholding.htm

———————————————-
RECENT HAPPENINGS:
———————————————-
1) NEWQUAY AIRPORT ROOFTOP OCCUPATION – 15.12.07
For the recently formed Kernow and Plymouth Rising Tide groups, this action marked an escalation in their fight against climate change and for environmental justice. However the planned rooftop protest at Newquay airport was given an unlikely boost when builders at the airport left a ladder propped up!
http://risingtide.org.uk/node/248
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/7146159.stm

2) SANTAS AGAINST EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION – NORWICH AND LONDON, 15.12.07
Subversive Singing Santas Spread Seasonal Sanity in London and Norwich On one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Rising Tide activists in both London and Norwich dressed up as Santas Against Excessive Consumption and hit the high streets to sing a different tune to the usual buy, buy,
buy madness of the holiday season.
http://risingtide.org.uk/node/247

3) BRISTOL RISING TIDE TAKES ACTION VS. SHELL GREENWASH – DECEMBER 2007
A series of actions is being taken against the organisers of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award and Bristol Museum, in protest at the sponsorship of the event by Shell. A grumpy polar bear visited the offices of BBC Wildlife magazine, then activists disrupted Bristol Museum’s posh reception to kick off the exhibition with a Yes Men-style intervention. And on the opening morning, dozens of humans, polar bears, a snow leopard and a tiger gathered (complete with the Shell’s Wild Lie counter-exhibition) in front of the museum. They handed out leaflets and created quite a spectacle. Protests are expected to continue through Jan. 13th.
http://risingtide.org.uk/bristol

4) SHELL TO SEA SCALE GOVERNMENT OFFICE – IRELAND, 19.12.07
A special prayer and carol service was held on 16th December at Bellanaboy, County Mayo, marking the end of another year of community struggle against Shell’s proposed raw gas pipeline and inland refinery.
On the 19th, a small group of Shell to Sea activists scaled the heights of the Department of Natural Resources to place a banner reading PROTECT IRISH NATURAL RESOURCES on the balcony outside Eamon Ryan’s office.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17942
http://www.corribsos.com/

5) NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE MARCH AND ACTIONS – 8.12.07
Over 10,000 climate campaigners took to the streets to take part in marches in London and Glasgow over the weekend, despite pouring rain. Protesters braved the weather in one the biggest demonstrations calling for climate justice the UK has ever seen.
http://www.campaigncc.org/
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/12/387497.html
Environmental activists from direct action group Plane Stupid shut down travel agents and airline offices along the route of the Climate March in London.
http://www.planestupid.com/
Meanwhile, in Manchester airline billboards advertising cheap flights to European cities were subverted.

6) DUTCH COAL ACTION – 8.12.07
A collective of twenty Dutch EarthFirst! activists blocked the coal conveyor- belt to a plant owned by the German energy giant E.on on the Maasvlakte near Rotterdam.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17893

7) FLIGHT CENTRES SHUT FOR BUSINESS – MANCHESTER, 7.12.07
All Flight Centre branches in Manchester city centre were super-glued shut in time for Saturday trading and to coincide with the climate march in London. They were pasted with notices saying: “Closed – we want your kids to have a planet” The UK’s only Hummer dealership, Bauer Millett, was also D-locked shut.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17887

8) CHEADLE-HIGH-STREET AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE – DECEMBER 2007
Activists from Cheadle-High-Street Against Climate Change held a “A planet is not just for Xmas” campaign for a sustainable Xmas.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17917

9) SUBVERTISEMENTS IN LONDON AND MANCHESTER – DECEMBER 2007
Two adverts promoting DVD’s by Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson now have large stickers stuck on declaring “This causes climate change”. Also, FlyBe appears to have spotted the errors of their ways and cancelled their short-haul summer routes. Bravo FlyBe!
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17937

10) WOMEN’S BLOCKADE OF DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT – 7.12.07
Women climate activists blockaded the Department for Transport preventing staff from getting to work and carrying out their policies which are catapulting us towards dangerous run-away climate change. This action comes in response to the Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly confirming the government’s intentions to build a third runway and a sixth terminal at Heathrow and coincides with the opening of their first “consultation”.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17883

11) THE TIDE IS RISING! – 7.12.07
A banner with this warning/statement was dropped to welcome all those entering the city of Manchester on the Princess parkway.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17886

12) CLIMATE ACTIVISTS STOP WORK AT COAL MINE – SOUTH WALES, 5.12.07
More than thirty climate activists, including members of the Rising Tide network, joined with local residents from Merthyr Tydfil in stopping excavation work for a full day on Britain’s biggest ever open-cast coal mine at Ffos-y-fran in South Wales. Activists evaded police and security before taking over the 1,000 acre site on a hilltop near Cardiff. Dressed as clowns and polar bears, they chained themselves to bulldozers and other heavy machinery to prevent work on the mine.
http://risingtide.org.uk/node/242

13) INTERNATIONAL RT HOAX TARGETS BIG CARBON – 3.12.07
Climate activists with the international Rising Tide network embarrassed the U.S. Climate Action Partnership (USCAP), a lobby group composed of 33 prominent businesses and organizations, by distributing a spoof press release declaring that the consortium’s members had committed to a 90
percent reduction in their greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In addition, the spoof release called for an immediate moratorium on the construction of all new coal-fired power plants.
http://risingtide.org.uk/node/240
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2007/dec/03/oil.bp

14) HOMELESS POLAR BEARS IN COURT – BRISTOL, 14.11.07
Four homeless polar bears appeared before Bristol Magistrates Court on 14th November. They were arrested after blockading the Royal Bank of Scotland corporate offices on Avon St. during the Rising Tide national day of action. After pleading guilty to charges of “wilfully obstructing the public highway with a non motor vehicle” (i.e. a suit case) they were given a conditional discharge and went on to picket the RBS branch on Baldwin Street!
http://risingtide.org.uk/node/243

15) KEEP OIL UNDERGROUND – DECEMBER 2007
The only way to fight climate change. A new report by OilWatch.
http://www.oilwatch.org/doc/documentos/Keep_oil_underground.pdf
http://www.oilwatch.org/

16) SIZEWELL NUCLEAR CLIMATE ACTION – 1.12.07
What else would you do at this time in the morning at a nuclear power station, other than lay on the road, lock yourselves together, unfurl your banner reading “nuclear power is not the answer to climate chaos” and wait 15 minutes for the security to notice you.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17868

17) MANIAC MOTORIST MARS MASS – GLASGOW, NOVEMBER 2007
Unburdened with festive spirit, a middle-aged woman leant out of her car and pulled a cyclist off his bike.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17889

18) VIVA’S ‘HOT!’ CAMPAIGN – DECEMBER 2007
“Livestock’s contribution to environmental problems is on a massive scale. The impact is so significant that it needs to be addressed with urgency.” United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation 2006
find out more at
http://www.viva.org.uk/campaigns/hot/index.php

19) WHAT BETTER TIME? – DECEMBER 2007
A free news sheet from the Scottish Climate Activist Network.
http://whatbettertime.livejournal.com/

20) BATH BOMB, ISSUE 5 – DECEMBER 2007
Christmas edition of the monthly Bathonian rabblerousiness.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17905

21) PACIFIC CURRENTS – DECEMBER 2007
For updates on the work of Pacific Environment, a non-profit organisation that protects the Pacific Rim’s wild places and wildlife, see;
http://www.pacificenvironment.org/article.php?id=2658

22) A HOUSE OF CARDS – DECEMBER 2007
From fantasy finance to global crash.
Your guide to understanding the crisis that is sweeping through the global financial system and what it means for ordinary people.
Endorsed by Kevin Smith of Carbon Trade Watch and filmmaker Ken Loach.
http://www.aworldtowin.net/about/HouseOfCards.html

23) SOUTH WEST AIR ACTION – DECEMBER 2007
A new website.
http://www.swairaction.org.uk/

24) RISING TIDE LEAMINGTON SPA is born – DECEMBER 2007
The group had its first meeting on 3rd January and is now swinging into action. If you live in the area and want to find out more or get involved contact becqke@riseup.net

25) RISING TIDE ON YOU TUBE
Rising Tide action footage has been springing up all over youtube – check out http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=RisingTideNetwork for some RT films, some of the latest actions and links to other’s videos of RT actions.

———-

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.

For more information…
email: info@risingtide.org.uk
Phone: +44 (0)845 458 8923 / +44 (0)7708 794665
Address: 62 Fieldgate St, London, E1 1ES
Web site: http://risingtide.org.uk

PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO A FRIEND AND INVITE THEM TO JOIN THE LIST

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END

last tree in Bonn square Oxford occupied, eviction expected at dawn, friday – update

4.01.2008

The last tree left in Bonn square is being occupied in attempt to save it – please get support down there

4.01.2008

The last tree left in Bonn square is being occupied in attempt to save it – please get support down there

apparently the tree is over 100 years old, and there is a preservation order on the memorial to the tirah campaign in afghanistan, but not on the trees which are old and significant also.

If anyone can get media or support down there urgently please

The youtube version for online viewing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5kGNDlOyN0

Full rez for screening
http://blip.tv/file/get/Undercurrents-OxfordTree616.mp4

You can get more videos like this from http://visionontv.net
—

eviction now expected Mon am

Text messages from the Bonn Square tree protest say that eviction is expected tomorrow morning, around 8 or 9am.

If you are free, please go along and support 🙂

—

10.01.2008

Today ten protesters turned up to resist the removal of beautiful, mature London Plains trees behind the Westgate Shopping Centre in Oxford city centre.

These trees, along with sheltered housing, and – I was told by a group of young people – the Oxford and Cherwell Valley College students’ pub are being cleared to make way for a gargantuan cathedral to capitalism plus multi-storey car park. As one student sarcastically put it, “Yeah, ‘coz what we really need are more shops”.

Most people spent all day observing the goings-on of council employees and tree ‘surgeons’ and managed – albeit temporarily – to remove one guy rope from one of the trees along the west side of the Westgate car park.

However, this did not deter the Leisure and Parks people from beginning to remove the trees on the north side.

Once they started on the trees, emotions – which were already high – reached fever pitch. Councillor Deborah Glass Woodin was arrested for aggravated trespass (even though she didn’t quite manage to get into the fenced off area) and then held for 5 hours at St Aldates Cop Shop.

One other protester is spending tonight in the trees, braving the gale force winds; I feel slightly guilty for being inside on my laptop writing this report. If you can get down to the site to join him and others please do.

Bruce and friends (not the cops, mind) are on the corner of Norfolk Street, near Castle Street; around the back of the Westgate Centre near the multi-storey carpark. Map here:
http://openstreetmap.com/?mlat=51.75055&mlon=-1.2615&zoom=16

Video on YouTube ( http://youtube.com/watch?v=uXdLcAffXnE).

I counted the rings of the one of the first-felled trees, which you can see in the picture. It was nearly thirty years old; as old as I am.

—

10th: just heard that Bruce, who has been up one of the trees behind the Westgate shopping centre in Oxford, has finally come down. He spent over 24 hours up the tree – braving the freezing gales and lashing rain from last night and today.

He was joined this morning by a fellow protestor; pics from today’s protest to follow soon.

And worryingly, one of the photographers from the BNP protest in November was on site too. This time he said he was from ITN rather than local news.

Westgate protest continues; court on Monday
9.01.2008

Tree-sitters in Bonn Square (Oxford) opposing the massive expansion of the nearby Westgate shopping centre were served with a court summons today for an eviction hearing on Monday. More action is sorely needed.

Since last Thursday one of the large trees in Bonn Square has been occupied in an attempt to save it from the chainsaws. It is one of around 40 trees, including many large mature ones, in the Westgate area marked for destruction as part of the grotesque expansion of Oxford’s plastic consumerland.

More background on the Westgate scheme is here, amongst other places:
http://matthewsellwood.blogspot.com/2006/10/westgate.html

There have been several eviction rumours in the meantime, but the clearest clue came today when the protesters were served with court papers. Since the hearing is on Monday, any eviction before then would be illegal, and seems unlikely, particularly since the council can easily continue cutting down the other -unoccupied- trees in the meantime. In fact, work has already started on felling the other trees in the area.

If you want to help, or find out more, pop down to Bonn Square. They have a petition which they are asking people to sign and are collecting donations to cover basic costs. If you’re feeling particularly inspired, you could even organise a bunch of people you know to go and disrupt the tree cutting which is taking place right now. Or target the sterile shopping centres, corporate scumbags and corrupt local politicians that are pushing the scheme!

The Westgate Partnership are currently chainsawing trees to make way for the Westgate expansion (this is slightly different from the Bonn Square project, which is linked to the West End ‘regeneration’ but not part of the Westgate expansion per se). This is despite the fact that a public enquiry is still going on over the demolition of Abbey Place housing – a clear indication of what the developers think of the legal process….

—
9.01.2008

10am – trees being cut down in Paradise Square.

We’ve had a message that trees are being cut down now to make way for the new bloated Westgate shopping centre/temple to Mamon. If you can, get down there as soon as possible.

At the moment tree surgeons are at Paradise square, but probably won’t be for long. Maybe follow the sound of the chainsaws if they’re not there anymore.

—

Woman arrested at Tas forestry protest

January 8, 2008

A 23-year-old woman involved in a forestry protest in Tasmania’s south has been plucked by a crane from her forest perch, arrested and charged.

A Tasmanian police search and rescue squad arrived at the protest site in a remote forest in the state’s south about 10am (AEDT) Tuesday to break up a four-day activist vigil.

January 8, 2008

A 23-year-old woman involved in a forestry protest in Tasmania’s south has been plucked by a crane from her forest perch, arrested and charged.

A Tasmanian police search and rescue squad arrived at the protest site in a remote forest in the state’s south about 10am (AEDT) Tuesday to break up a four-day activist vigil.

The woman was sitting atop a 10-metre tall tree trunk which had been concreted into the middle of a major access road.

She has been charged with trespassing, obstructing police, and disobeying directions, Inspector Mark Mewis of Kingston Police said.

She will be bailed to appear in court at a later date.

Two protesters remain sitting in trees at the Weld Valley site, which activists say is under threat from logging.

Police continue to negotiate with the protesters while cables which had connected the tree-borne activists to the road below have been removed.

Huon Valley Environment Centre activists say about 1,000 hectares of untouched “wilderness” could be logged, with plans by Forestry Tasmania to build a bridge across the Weld River to access the area for the first time.

Spokeswoman Jenny Weber said Forestry Tasmania had indicated it planned to start building the bridge before Christmas, and although work has yet to start, it could begin any day.

About a dozen people were at the protest when it got underway on Saturday.

Six people left on Monday after a Forestry Tasmania helicopter hovered over the area and another woman left on Tuesday morning.

The conservation group says the North Weld wilderness includes some of the best examples of ancient forests in Tasmania.

Forestry Tasmania said vast areas of the Weld were already protected.

It said 88 per cent of the valley was protected, with only 12 per cent of the area, in forests outside these zones, available for logging.

It said the designated forestry area would be logged for special timbers to be used for crafts and design, an important industry for the state.

Forestry Tasmania spokesman David Tuck said the protesters had been told repeatedly to leave.

“They have been told for four days to clear out,” he told AAP.

Mr Tuck said protesters wore balaclavas and hurled insults at Forestry Tasmania workers.

The activists were trespassing and had vandalised gates, he said.

“The incredible irony is that they’ve cut down trees in order to construct a tree-sit and put the forest in danger by having a campfire in peak bushfire season,” he said.

http://news.smh.com.au/woman-arrested-at-tas-forestry-protest/20080108-1ksf.html

=====
JAN 9 2007 – Tasmania Police have confirmed that three anti-forestry protesters were arrested in the Weld Valley, south of Hobart, yesterday.

Police and emergency workers used a crane to forcibly remove a 23 year old woman from a blockade yesterday afternoon.
She has been charged with trespass, causing injury to property, obstructing police and disobeying police directions.

A 29 year old woman and a 26 year old man were arrested last night and charged with trespass.

All three are from Lucaston, in Tasmania’s south. They will appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court in February.

source abc

Squatters Needed!

A new Social Centre in Wiltshire requires volounteers. Accommodation is of course free.

Happy Januyear!

So we’re looking at setting up a social centre in wiltshire, busy town so we should be good but i think some added support for the first few days would be greatly appreciated. Do you know anyone who might be interested? We’ll be decorating, celebrating, gardening, having a film night, foraging and cooking etc! fun times for all. If you can help please email yarrow@mail.com.

A new Social Centre in Wiltshire requires volounteers. Accommodation is of course free.

Happy Januyear!

Thanks!

Surrey Union Foxhunt – Caught Bloody Red Handed

Not 30 miles from the politicians in Westminster; the Surrey Union hunt chased a terrified fox along the A29 and around Ockley village green before ripping it apart on the cricket pitch. This was the reality in England on Saturday January 5th 2008 (3 years after hunting was banned)

What does it say about the law when the most piss-poor hunt in the country can hunt with impunity under the noses of the police and manage to kill a fox in full view of horrified villagers and motorists. Using the same hounds, continuing to hunt where they know they’ll find foxes, chasing them or putting them to ground, continuing to dig with terriers, they then expect you to believe this was an accident.

Anyone with any sense knows what is going on; it just needs you to do something about it. It’s not trendy or easy, but you can make a real difference – Join us and stop the killing NOW! http://hsa.enviroweb.org/features/joinleaf.html

HSA News Release 14th January 2008

Remember that hunting ban?

The Surrey Union foxhunt managed to kill yet again in public last Saturday 5th January. For the second year running they allowed their hounds to pursue and kill a fox in open view.

Last year it was after trespassing on a golf course at Newdigate.. This time it was in Ockley, Surrey. The hounds chased a fox into the middle of the village and caught and disembowelled it in the centre of the cricket pitch. The police eventually turned up after a 999 call and took a statement from a bystander who witnessed the horrific scenes as the animal was ripped apart by a full pack of hounds.

This happens almost every day the length and breadth of the country, but usually safely away from public scrutiny.

Hunt Saboteurs have to witness such scenes week in and week out, nearly three years after the Hunting Act came into force. Not surprisingly, foxhunts in England feel they are above the law. The Surrey police present in three vehicles on Saturday were miles away from the hounds when the fox was killed. The hunt packed up straight away, leaving the carcass in the village.

Based on the previous treatment of numerous submissions of video evidence, the police investigation will lack the gravitas and scrutiny it deserves.

Lee Moon, spokesman for the Hunt Saboteurs Association said: “Foxes are hunted and killed as if the ban never came into effect. By laying a trail through fox habitat, or having an owl in a box, the hunts can kill with impunity.

We have tried to let the law work, but with the police not interested, and a paltry number of cases brought to court, it has to be the time for a return to direct intervention; to no longer put up with the cosy relationship the hunts seem to have with the local constabularies; to make sure the wildlife of this country is safe from the barbarous practices of the past.

Animals are protected from hunts by law, but if the law won’t help them then hunt sabs will have to.”

All press enquiries 07779 580 544

http://hsa.enviroweb.org/hsa.shtml

Actions against the motorway through Tara, Ireland – reports and upcoming

This morning, monday 6th jan ’08 at 7 am, 11 of us split up into two groups. We went to the Ardsallagh Compound (site entrance 2.10) and Roestown (site entrance 2.1 ) . All the machinery was parked at these two sites for the past two weeks over Christmas.

Ardsallagh ; four of us went on site into the compund and blocked a lowloader in the gate, preventing any more machinery being brought off to other sites. They then headed across country towards the River Boyne at site no. 2.9 . While two held the gate, two followed them across the field ,stopping them before they reached the next stretch.Construction workers at the gate , trying to intimidate the protesters assaulted one man , dragging him to the ground and pulling out of the way allowing the lowloader past. In the mean time, off route down the road two of us were waiting to be picked up (help with transport needed), when we saw a digger coming towards us along the hedge line. The driver proceeded to drive up to us nearly kocking us over. when we stood our ground in front of the machine, he got out and verbally and physically asaulted us. The gaurds then arrived treatening arrest on anyone who stayed under the Miscellaneous Act2004 section 19c but were helpful and co operative when told about the assaults , taking the digger drivers name.

Roestown: As today was the first day of construction since before Christmas, we needed to blockade the machinery from entering the valley again. From the N3 we could see the machinery moving towards Trevet from the Roestown compound. We arrived there just as the first digger was approaching. There were 5 of us. We all went into the site and approached the digger. The driver complied with health and safety regulations and stopped his machine immediately. We made a blockade in front of the machine with traffic cones, poles and safety notices. Mark Cleary and his comrades entered the site, along with security. They filmed us and removed the blockade. One protestor was standing on the blockade, Mark Cleary pushed him off. A jeep coming from the Roestown direction passed us by, the digger driver had switched back on his machine. Another protestor on bail conditions stayed at the site entrance with banners on the public road, playing his tin whistle. Mark Cleary and this protestor had a cameral duel! The Gardai arrived and asked us to leave the site, quoting the Housing and Misc Act 2004, section C. We were told we would be arrested if we were seen again today on a M3 site. The Gardai followed us to the Ardsallagh compound. We held a banner protest there on the side of the road. The same Gardai were very interested in the Tara issue, and asked us questions about archaeology and Lismullen. Nobody was arrested.

Ogoni Day remembered as Shell fail to honour promise to halt gas flaring

Today is January 4th 2008.

On this day in 1993, 300,000 people in Nigeria marked the United Nations Year of Indigenous Peoples by protesting against Shell’s activities and the environmental destruction of Ogoniland in the Niger Delta.

2008 was supposed to be the deadline for the ending of gas flaring by Shell in Nigeria, but the company now says that this deadline will not be met.

Letting the company have a taste of its own medicine

Today is January 4th 2008.

2008 was supposed to be the deadline for the ending of gas flaring by Shell in Nigeria, but the company now says that this deadline will not be met.

Letting the company have a taste of its own medicine

At just before 8.30 this morning, as staff were arriving for work at Royal Dutch Shell’s Irish headquarters in Dublin, they were treated to a taste of what life is like for those who have to live and work near Shell installations in other parts of the world.

Short version of video (45 seconds) here: http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=u4uZDvA5WY4

Long version (2 minute) here: http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=597hkm9MuTo

More information on Shell in Nigeria here: http://www.foeeurope.org/press/2007/May3_DU_Flaring.htm

Gas Flaring is simply the releasing of excess gas and liquids associated with oil and gas production pipelines and refineries into the atmosphere. The main purpose of gas flaring is to protect pipelines and infrastructure from over-pressuring

The released gases are burned off, releasing any by-products into the air. These include nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and volatile organic compounds like xylene and hydrogen sulfide. Carcinogens such as benzapyrene are also released. People exposed to these substances can suffer from a variety of respiratory problems, which have been reported amongst many children in the Niger Delta but have but have never been systemically investigated. These chemicals can also aggravate asthma, cause breathing difficulties and pain, as well as chronic bronchitis.

Benzene, which is known to be emitted from gas flares in undocumented quantities, is acknowledged as being a causative agent for leukemia.

Gas flaring of course, also contributes to global warming and climate change.

Together with oil spills, gas flaring is seen as a major cause of environmental degradation. In Nigeria, the practice is supposed to be illegal, but there is no sign of the Nigerian government being able to enforce this law. Here in Ireland we know all about how Shell can manipulate the world of politics and the legal process to suit the needs of the company’s shareholders.

In Nigeria in 1995 however, it appears that Shell’s PR people slowly realised that their part in the hanging of Ken Saro Wiwa and eight other activists was a public relations disaster, and in the aftermath the company made various concessions to its critics, in a vain attempt to undue some of the damage it felt had been done to its brand. One of the promises made was the announcement of an end to gas flaring.

Shell of course, is not well known for living up to its promises, and so flaring is still going on today. In the year 2000, Shell formally announced that it would stop gas flaring by 2008. Interestingly, since 2000, gas flaring in the Niger Delta has actually increased (according to the 2005 Shell Sustainability Report).

In November 2005, the Federal High Court of Nigeria stated that Shell and other oil companies
should end gas flaring in the Niger Delta. In a case brought against Shell, the court ruled that the damaging and wasteful practice of flaring could not lawfully continue and must stop. Shell appealed against the decision.

At the demonstration on January 4th 1993, an Ogoni elder said:
“We have woken up to find our lands devastated by agents of death called oil companies. Our atmosphere has been totally polluted, our lands degraded, our waters contaminated, our trees poisoned, so much so that our flora and fauna have virtually disappeared”.

January 4th became known as Ogoni Day.

For more information see:

www.remembersarowiwa.com

greenwash guerillas hit shell hq

4.01.2008
at lunchtime yesterday, a small band of greenwash guerillas entered the lobby of the london shell hq to highlight the massive amount of toxic greenwash emanating from the building. once ejected they continued their work outside, warning the public of the dangers of greenwash

full greenwash film in mp4 format – video/mp4 8.2M
full greenwash film in wmv format – video/x-ms-wmv 8.8M

shell security got into quite a tizz over the four protestors and rather too many police arrived. the police (once the government security zone map was shown to them) “facilitated lawful protest” as long as it didn’t go too near the poisonous shell building. this may have been for the safety of the public or for other reasons.

the guerillas’ theatrics attracted quite a lot of public interest and loads of leaflets were handed out

greenwash guerillas are associated with rising tide and you can find out more about what they do and when, by getting in touch via their website at www.risingtide.org.uk

the vid is posted in quicktime mp4 and wmv formats and is 6’30”
quicktime can be viewed on any computer (any platform) with vlc player available for free download from videolan

London Rising Tide activists ‘die’ in the Tate Britain (4 January 2008)

Activists ‘die’ in the Tate Britain

Activists from London Rising Tide staged a ‘die-in’ in the BP sponsored Tate Britain this afternoon. Bob Jones from LRT said “we’re here to demand that the Tate cut it’s ties with BP, an art gallery is no place for an environmental hazard such as an oil company”. “BP are here to Greenwash their image and distract from the ecological devastation they’re causing around the world”. The protesters handed out lots of leaflets and urged patrons to demand the end of Oil Companies sponsorship of Art Galleries.

Activists ‘die’ in the Tate Britain

The ‘corpses’ were dressed in t-shirts dispalying the logos such as ‘art not oil’, ‘bp – fossil fools’ and ‘bp out of the tate’. Their epitaphs was fitting for the location. Once dead the staff on site took the precaution of shouting to everybody to leave which only attracted more people, and over 200 flyers were given out inside the building.

Several members of the public were very supportive and even told the staff to stop trying to move us ; “these people are making more of a statement than most of the art in this room” was something i heard being said.

After asking the TATE for a representative to discuss the policy of accepting money from social criminals, but they refused as all directors were ‘still on holiday’. A shame….and i bet they flew too!

All in all, a good day with excellent public response.
we will be back.

20080104_RT_GG_Tate_Invasion – video/x-ms-wmv 15M
20080104_RT_Tate_QT – video/quicktime 14M