earthfirst – Page 269

“RILA IS DEAR!” JOIN EFFORTS TO PROTECT NATIONAL PARK

In September 2007 construction of what is hailed as “a new mega-ski area” began inside and around the boundaries of Rila National Park in Bulgaria. The park is one of the largest in Europe, a haven for natural forests, endangered species, and clean waters. A good indicator that these areas are in grave danger is the exclusion of the Rila Buffer Zone, an area around the National Park, from the NATURA 2000 network of biodiversity commissioned by the European Commission. Despite ample scientific evidence, the Ministry of the Environment prioritized political and economic concerns, violating the criteria set by both national and European law.

At this moment the Park’s chalets and lodges are being transformed into hotels and condominiums. Paths marked as trails on the National Park map are now roads. Trucks speed down from the mountaintops, hauling away timber illegally cut to create ski slopes. No management plan exists for the chairlift being constructed into National Park territory and the environmental assessment provided by developers is no longer valid. Unfortunately little is being done to stop this project. Although the local municipality was recently fined 5,000 euros for illegal road construction, the sanction seems to be a slap on the wrist considering the tens of millions supposedly invested in the project.

Sites on the Internet already promote properties near the Rila Mountains as the latest location to buy vacation homes in Bulgaria. Locations, like the Rila Lake holiday apartments (http://www.mirela.bg/en/project.php?id=44949), are in zones just excluded from protected status by the Bulgarian government. Unfortunately, prospective foreign buyers are largely unaware of the controversies surrounding these areas. Not only could they become silent accomplices in the destruction of Europe’s wilderness, they may also lose their investments purchasing illegal properties.

LET NATURE REMAIN IN BULGARIA, a coalition of 17 environmental and social NGOs are leading the movement against the illegal activities in Rila National Park. Unfortunately, their struggle is by no means easy. When activists tried to hand out information near the Rila Park Information Center, they were confronted by a group of men armed with guns and knives. They threatened the lives of the participants as well as the journalists covering the action. Although police arrived before any violence, it was the environmentalists that they warned, rather than the attackers. They were told, “Next time, we may show up too late.”

Despite the threat, the coalition remains firm in its conviction construction in the park must be halted until a full investigation can be made of the project’s environmental impact and the area’s status within the NATURA 2000 network is resolved. To prevent further destruction you can sign the petition for Rila and complete an online letter to the European Union at http://forthenature.org/petitions. To find out more about the destruction of natural areas in Bulgaria, see their website http://forthenature.org or find about WWF’s campaign for Bulgaria’s protected sites. You can also contact, Cveta Hristova, Forest and Protected Areas Program, Za Zemiata, cveta.hristova@gmail.com, cveta@zazemiata.org.

New Norwich Social Centre! Events update

The Where Will It Be Collective (WWIB) announce the opening of a social centre in a squatted building in Norwich city centre. Come and visit! Here’s the press release:

Press release
For immediate release 17 November 2007

Collective squats city centre building

A group calling itself the “Where Will It Be Collective” (WWIB) has announced the opening of a social centre in a squatted building in Norwich city centre. The Duke Street building is open for art exhibitions, music, workshops and many other activities.

The squatters, who have been advertising events under the slogan “Where Will It Be?” have announced that their occupation is protected under the 1977 Housing Act and have decorated the building with giant banners.

The Collective has made the following statement about their aims and intentions:

“The WWIB Collective hopes to create a place where anything can and will happen. We will run art shows, music events, a free shop and workshops on everything from climate change to bicycle repair.

“The Collective is creating a place that is truly free and truly democratic. It is free from corporate profits and authority. At a time when much of our city is dominated by expensive, commercial venues and chain stores, we want to show what can happen when people are given the space to entertain themselves.

“We are democratic in that we operate without leaders or committees – allowing all comers a say in what happens and how the centre operates.”

The Collective stated that it warmly welcomes visitors with refreshments by donation and will be promoting its events over the next few weeks.

Notes to editors
Further information on the Where Will It Be Collective and their events can be found at http://www.myspace.com/wherewillitbe, or by phoning 07944874393

The Where Will It Be Collective operates with a full equal opportunities policy and is actively opposed to any form of discrimination. The Collective is not affiliated to any political party.

—

* We now have a name! I am proud to formally announce the existence of Section Six Social Centre.

* On Saturday we held our inaugural gig, a well-attended and extremely convivial evening of acoustic music featuring Paul Gill and Sam Choi, Spidermilk and Twisted Routes. The evening was made a little more stressful than necessary by kids breaking stuff in an adjacent building and the police trying to hold us responsible and gain entry, but we managed to calm them down and have a great evening.

* On Sunday evening and Monday morning workmen and security from Dardan Security announced their intention to board up the front door, thereby preventing several people including three young children from exiting the building. Thankfully on both occasions the police were eventually persuaded that entombment of living people had potentially embarrassing legal consequences and asked them to stop working.

* Come and visit! We could really do with more people to help out and keep the rota staffed, especially during these early days of security paranoia.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Thursday November 22nd, 4pm: Bike maintenance / repair workshop followed by bike related films New York Critical Mass and Belleville Rendezvous.

Friday November 23rd, 8pm: ’80s disco featuring the PortaParty.

Saturday November 24th, 8pm: Live bands Fletch Cadillac, Stem Cells, Skatabrain (tbc) +Ska DJ (tbc) + more (tbc)

Monday November 26th: Climate Change evening, including a showing of the environmental documentary “The Planet”.

Coming soon (we hope…):

* More gigs
* Capoeira

Protect Tasmania’s Old growth Forests

*Summer Campaign Update and Events 2008*

Tasmania angel on tripod *Summer Campaign Update and Events 2008*
*Southern Tasmania *

Hi all –

Its going to be a great summer to come to Tasmania and be involved in the campaign to protect Tasmania’s old growth forests!

It has been a huge year for the forests of Tasmania, particularly with the national emphasis on the proposed Bell Bay pulp mill. Despite huge community opposition to this proposal, it has been approved by both Federal and State Governments and building of the facility is scheduled to start in January 2008. However the community campaign against this environmentally polluting mill which will have a huge appetite for native forests continues.

So too does the unprecedented level of destruction of our southern Tasmanian old growth and high conservation level forests. The campaigns to protect the southern forests of the Weld Valley, the Styx Valley, and the Florentine Valley continue on and 2007 has seen more community based campaigning and direct action than ever.

Since the destruction of Camp Weld – the Pirate Ship Blockade – in November 2006, the whole of the valley has been declared an exclusion zone, shutting out the general public, however activists have not been deterred and have continued to keep the spotlight on the destruction. This year saw clear-felling on the World Heritage border in the Weld Valley, and forestry plan to build a road and bridge over the Weld River to open up 2000 hectares of untouched ancient forest for logging. This is the largest piece of rainforest in Southern Tasmania. This is planned to start in the next few months.

A road is also planned to be pushed 3km into the Picton opening up 2000 hectares to logging which used to be national park. Old growth logging is also continuing on in the Arve, Esperence and Little Denison Regions. The moratorium on the Florentine Valley ends at the time of the Federal election in November, meaning once again this majestic forest will be under attack. With the recent global focus on climate change, now more than ever we must protect our ancient forests as they play an integral role in climate change mitigation through their role of storing carbon.

We are all working incredibly hard in Tasmania to protect these ancient forests, however we need your help. Please consider coming to Tasmania this summer and supporting our campaign. Walk in the bush, witness the majesty of these forests before they are gone. Learn new skills, get informed about the issues and how you can help. Below is a list of summer events that you can take part in.

Can’t come to tassie but still want to help?? Then consider holding a film night or fundraiser. Distribute information and raise awareness in your own area. Become a member of the Huon Valley Environment Centre and be updated regularly. Make a donation. Check out the websites. Be part of what is an incredible community campaign! Email: centre@huon.org or campflorentine@gmail.com for more information.

*Southern Forests Convergence
January 18th – 20th
Forest Skillshare.*
Learn about the southern forest campaigns, forests and climate change and how you can help.
Speakers, workshops, films, music.
Camping. No Dogs.

*Gunn’s n Dozers
Lose Your Exclusion Tour
January 21st – 28th
Community Action Week*
Addressing Tasmania’s Southern Forests Exclusion Zones.
Including an RTS and Music Event.

*TAZ
D.I.Y Gathering
February 8th – 10th*
Electronic music, live performances, cabaret, films, workshops and more.
Kids welcome. Camping. No dogs.

*For more information:*
www.huon.org
www.myspace.com/stillwildstillthreatened
email:centre@huon.org or campflorentine@gmail.com
phone: 03 62641286

Huon Valley Environment Centre
www.huon.org

The Huon Valley Environment Centre is a grassroots, not for profit, volunteer run charity based in the Huon Valley, Southern Tasmania. The centre opened 6 years ago as a result of huge community concern over the devastation of local forests, which form a huge part of the majesty and magic of Tasmania’s unique landscape. Since then it has been at the forefront of the campaign to protect these ancient forests in Southern Tasmania.

The Environment Centre facilitates a community working space, an eco-shop and library, a community awareness raising campaign, film nights, musical events, fundraising events, festivals, direct action, lobbying, information
stalls, and the Black Sassy Art collective.

The Huon Valley Environment Centre is one of the Gunns 20 defendants, and is currently being sued by the woodchipping giant Gunns Ltd. for over half a million dollars for standing up for Tasmania’s ancient forests.

300 on the streets of Helsinki for squat Elimäki – International Days Of Action For Squats & Autonomous Spaces – April 08

Helsinki, Finland: We get more time – 300 on the streets of Helsinki for squat Elimäki

Thursday was a day of victory for the squatting scene in Helsinki. 300 people defied the really shitty weather and gathered to demonstrate at the Youth Department of the city to show their support to the social centre Elimäki, aka squat E15.

Helsinki, Finland: We get more time – 300 on the streets of Helsinki for squat Elimäki

The Youth Department of Helsinki had gathered to decide on whether to rent the squatted house on Elimäenkatu (Elimäkistreet) to be used as a social centre for the youth of the city. This was the second time officials from the city came together to decide on the issue. After postponing the decision at their first meeting a month ago the board now unanimously decided to investigate the real condition of our house. The decision can be understood as an official recognition of the importance to have an autonomous space in Helsinki.

The house on Elimäenkatu has been deemed in very bad condition by the officials of the city. The statement has been supported by no real measurements or data whatsoever and on the contrary been proved wrong by the investigations we ourselves have made. This fact got recognized by the board of the Youth Department in their decision to appoint a private construction firm to investigate further on the matter.

The solution that the squatters and some people from the city have been working on is to have the house rented by the Youth Department to be used as an autonomous social centre. The house has been in this use since it was squatted in the beginning of August. After a long period of bad events on our issue the outlook is now better. But it would be overtly optimistic to say that if the investigations on our house turn out to be good the city would support us. During the last months the politicians and officials of the city have been changing their statements on whether to legalise the house or not on a daily basis. The Finnish media does not follow the game in the side-scenes where politicians and officials are manipulating each other to topple our project. We are far from securing the only social centre in Helsinki but much closer than before.

However the situation of Squat E15 develops the squatting scene in Helsinki and other Finnish cities is now stronger than ever before. We are constantly growing in numbers and a support demo of 300 people (or more) is more than we ever could have mustered half a year ago. We now have recognition for our needs and will not give up until we have this house or an equally good place guaranteed to us. Last but not least the international support we have been getting (Ghent, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Tallinn and Malmö as far as we know) means a lot to a small
but growing scene like ours. The struggle for free spaces continues!

Love and solidarity
Social centre Elimäki
www.valtaus.org

—————————-

On Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th of April 2008, we call for two days of demonstration, direct action, public information, street-party, squatting… in defence of free spaces and for an anti-capitalist popular culture. Through these two days, we want to help create more visibility of autonomous spaces and squats as a european/global political movement. We want to develop interconnections and solidarity between squats and autonomous spaces. We want to keep linking our spaces with new people and new struggles, and support the creation of autonomous spaces in places where there has not been a history of this kind of action. We want to build, step by step, our ability to overcome the wave of repression falling on us.

We call for decentralised and autonomous actions of all kinds, depending on what people feel to be the most appropriate to their local context. You’ll find below the political content we wish to give to these two days.

= We are everywhere…

For centuries, people have used squats and autonomous spaces, either urban or rural, to take control of their own lives. They are a tool, a tactic, a practice, and a way for people to live out their struggles. For decades, squat movements across Europe and beyond have fought capitalist development, contributing to local struggles against destruction; providing alternatives to profit-making and consumer culture; running social centres and participatory activities outside of the mainstream economy. Demonstrating the possibilities for self-organising without hierarchy; creating international networks of exchange and solidarity. These networks have changed many lives, breaking out of social control and providing free spaces where people can live outside the norm.

Among other things, these places provide bases for meetings and projects, for the creation and distribution of subversive culture, for the non-monetary based exchange of goods, resources and knowledge, for experimentating with new ways of living, for collective debates, for recycling and construction, for agricultural activities, for the production of independant media.

Whether we speak of urban squats or of purchased land, of negotiated or re-appropriated rural land, of restored factories or self-built buildings, these spaces are refuges for rebels and outlaws, poor and homeless people, radical activists, illegal immigrants. Social centres are crucial to us as part of a movement for social change.

= All over Europe, repressive agendas are being pushed by governments

They are attacking long-standing autonomous spaces such as the Ungdomshuset in Copenhagen, Koepi and Rigaer Straße in Berlin, EKH in Vienna and Les Tanneries in Dijon, squatted social centres in London and Amsterdam, Ifanet in Thessaloniki, etc. In France, squats have become a priority target for the police after the anti-CPE movement and the wave of actions and riots that happened during the presidential elections period. In Germany, many autonomous spaces have been searched and attacked before the G8 summit. In Geneva and Barcelona, two old and big squatting “fortresses”, the authorities have decided to try to put an end to the movement. Whereas it is still possible to occupy empty buildings in some countries, it has already become a crime in some others. In the countryside, access to land is becoming harder and communes face increasing problems from legislation on hygiene, security and gentrification by the bourgeoisie and tourists. All over Europe, independent cultures are being threatened.

Several months ago we saw running battles in the streets of Copenhagen and actions everywhere in Europe in an explosion of anger at the eviction of the Ungdomshuset social centre. Since then, and with a few other big resistance stories that happened over the last months, we’ve managed to renew the meaning of international solidarity.

We are motivated by the same passions, we feel the same determination, face a common enemy in repression, and are united across borders by our desire to build a world of equality and self-determination. As unaligned and ungovernable islands of uncontrolled freedom we want to continue to act in solidarity, and strengthen our international links, no matter how many kilometres there are between us.

= Issues beyond the actions

We also would like these days of actions to enable and inspire discussion, to demonstrate various possibilities & strategies, to be an occasion to share skills. These are some of the issues we would like to push:
* what do we expect from and understand by autonomous spaces?
* What is their role in the pursuit of radical social change?
* Where do they lie on the scale of’alternative’ to ‘confrontational’?
* share information on the range of activities that take place in autonomous social spaces along with ideas for how to make them work;
*question the production of goods and services; and encourage the exchange of knowledge particularly between the town and the countryside.
* share experiences, inspire each other, find out how others live collectively, and their activities, alternative economic exchange systems…
* share various ways of getting spaces all over europe: illegal occupations, Do It Yourself constructions, wagenburgs, buying collectively, free contracts…
* share practical resources and a feeling of solidarity between:
different users of autonomous spaces (either current or potential): co-operatives, people without papers, activists, travellers, immigrants, urbanites, rural dwellers, small farms;
different ways of using spaces; activities for the community, meeting area for groups, living spaces;
* enable the forming of common strategies when faced with state repression or eviction;

= Who are we, how can we collaborate on this project, and make it happen?

At the moment, we are a group of people involved with various autonomous spaces around Europe, who decided to start discussing this call. We’ll meet various collectives in the coming months and see how people feel about this proposal for european days of action, and how they want to get involved. Its success depends a lot on our capacity to create a bigger international working group. This would mean everybody who wanted to take part into it would try to start discssing the idea in various spaces, creating and distributing some propaganda materials and networking information about what’s going on near them during those days. We would also like to organize a physical meeting about all this in the upcoming months. Get in touch!

= Materials

Flyers etc can be found on our website. Please download the PDF file, print it and spread it around squats and autonomous spaces in your area.

= Preparation meeting

The success of this call now depends upon our capacity to create a bigger international working group. The whole event will happen without any “central commitee”, and will be made of a various autonomous decentralised actions. Still, we think it is important to have a physical meeting, in order to exchange ideas and strategies, discuss the contents of the call, see how to create common information tools around that project, how to connect and help the various local initiatives.
Thus, we’re calling for an international preparation & coordination meeting on November 24th & 25th 2007, in the autonomous space “Les Tanneries”, located in Dijon, France. It is a squatted social centre in a post-industrial environment, occupied since 1998. Thanks to years of struggle against the city council owning the buildings, the project has reached a certain degree of stability. It hosts a collective house, a gig room, a hacklab, a free shop, an infoshop, a collective garden, a library…

We hope that many of you will be able to join. Please tell us a bit in advance if you’re planning to come, so that we get an idea of the number of people we have to accomodate and plan food for. You’re very welcome to pass this invitation to squats and autonomous spaces that you know.

= Getting in touch & helping out

Please get in touch, by writing to april2008 at squat dot net. Any help with translations in whatever languages is greatly appreciated.
http://april2008.squat.net/

eco demo in Bath on 1st December – updated

On the 1st of Dec, Bath Activist Network will be putting on a demo/party highlighting radical alternatives to environmental destruction.

The name of the event has been changed to ‘reclaim the planet’ – which we felt more closley matched our feelings about eco-destruction than the rather vague ‘party for the planet’!. The meeting place is still abbey courtyard, but the meeting time is now 11.30. We are hoping to make this a South West wide event (and further afield if your up for making the journey!- crash space will be avaidable), so please come along!

On the 1st of Dec, Bath Activist Network will be putting on a demo/party highlighting radical alternatives to environmental destruction.

We will be moving through Bath saying hello to some of our favourite planet trashers, playing music, sharing food, playing games and making mischief!

Wear pink, wear black, bring cake, bring anger – all welcome!! We are working hard on our shiny new pedal powered sound system, which will hopefully be ready for the day!

We chose the date of the demo to be deliberately close to the national climate change march in London – the hope being to highlight radical alternatives to climate change, provide a more radical alternative to the London demo and get away from those damn RESPECT banners! See y’all there!

Bath Activist Network
bathactivistnet@yahoo.co.uk
http://www.myspace.com/bathactivistnetwork

Political graffiti in Edinburgh

Big business attacks writ large in city

THEY are slogans which are more at home on university discussion forums and left-wing political literature.

But a graffiti artist with an apparent grudge against big business has been painting the messages on bank and supermarket properties and advertising billboards. Shops and even bus shelters have also been daubed with often baffling tasters of home-spun philosophy.

Tesco, Scottish Gas, Next and Lloyds TSB are among the companies whose property or adverts have been targeted.

Police believe the graffiti may be the work of one individual and are monitoring the situation. Most of the slogans have been spotted in and around Leith, Easter Road and Abbeyhill. Tesco on Leith Walk has been adorned with “I just can’t believe in that red, white and blue”, in an apparent reference to the supermarket’s corporate colours.

“Made in China,” is plastered across one Easter Road bus stop and the phrase “Americans out” appears on a bill board on Leith Walk.

Child sex slaves, political parties, the police, the Church, the Army, and even music and property tycoon Tam Paton are also referred to in the graffiti.

Stewart Blaik, the chairman of Leith Central Community Council, said many residents had spoken to him about the issue. The fact the graffiti appeared to have some thought behind it made it worse, he insisted.

“I actually think it is deplorable because it clearly isn’t just youths running riot with a spray can,” he said. “No form of graffiti is acceptable and I certainly wouldn’t want it on my wall. It brings the whole place down.”

Pc Adam Dyer, part of the Youth Action Team in Leith, said: “From our point of view it’s quite hard to tell if this is the work of just one person. They seem to be quite random comments and there doesn’t seem to be a running theme yet.”

Leith Walk city councillor Angela Blacklock said: “On one hand it is quite refreshing to hear young people having an interest in politics but on the other graffiti is a crime and it should be cleared up as quickly as possible.”

From: http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/edinburgh.cfm?id=1806652007

Urgent: National Grid to close Woodhead Tunnel – 8th Dec walk/ride & ideas please

National Grid, the UK based Utilities Corporation, are about to put beyond use the Woodhead Tunnel, and thereby a trans-pennine railway line alternative to the car/road nightmare.

In recent weeks, the Department of Transport have signalled their intention to expand the road network and hold back rail alternatives. The Woodhead line between Sheffield and Manchester and the Modern Woodhead Tunnel (built in 1954) were closed in 1981, leading to an increasingly disastrous road traffic situation in the North West of England and particularly the adjoining area of Longdendale.

National Grid, the UK based Utilities Corporation, are about to put beyond use the Woodhead Tunnel, and thereby a trans-pennine railway line alternative to the car/road nightmare.

Whilst National and local government have pushed for a destructive Bypass to the A628 trunk road, Woodhead remains shut and alternatives shut out. But the owners of the Tunnel, National Grid, are moving to close it for good and destroy any hope of future alternatives to the car monster. They plan to relocate electricity cables from the previous Victorian tunnels to the modern one, starting in February 2008.

There’s precious little in terms of action being taken against this act of wilful vandalism by the State and local campaigners are desparate for any help they can get. A walk/bike ride is planned for December 8th, to coincide with the national climate march, but ideas for action are welcome. For more info (article to be posted soon), see http://nomottrambypass.blogspot.com/ or contact stuffyourbypass@gmail.com

SHAC DEMO

Saturday saw 700 people from all over this island, as well as many other parts of the world, gather in Huntiungdon for a march and demo against the concentration camp that is Huntingdon Life Sciences. The people of Huntingdon showed much support for the march, which was the first in the town for over four years, following changes to the existing injunction. Following the march we all moved on to the lab itself, which with its rows of fences and razor wire looks like the death camp that it is. Various speakers gave moving and passionate speeches, vowing to continue the campaign until this barbaric, abhorrent facility is closed. Despite the jailing of the three leading activists in SHAC, political prisoners of a government only interested in protecting vested finacial interest no matter the cruelty, this demo showed that the campaign is stronger than ever. We will never give up our action in defence of the Earth and all Life.

Manchester petrol station blockaded in Burma protest & 24th November national day of action vs Total

13.11.2007
Yesterday, up to 20 human rights campaigners blockaded a TOTAL garage on Oxford Road, Manchester. This was in protest at Total Oil’s investment in the military regime of Burma.

The activists, many of them students, blockaded the entrances to the petrol station successfully with the aid of 3 arm tubes. A large banner was displayed reading “Totally Out of Order – Fuelling oppression in Burma”. Leaflets were given out resulting in a number of supporting comments from people walking past.

a fourth arm tube was used to blockade the exit of the garage. The protest delayed the entry of a lorry delivering oil to the garage.

Police attended the protest but had made no attempt to remove those who were locked to each other with arm tubes by the time I left. There was also some mainstream media attention, notably from the Manchester Evening News.

==-=-=-=-=

National Day of Action against TOTALitarian Oil – Sat 24 Nov

For more details, see:
http://www.totaloutofburma.blogspot.com/

A Dozen people arrested at AWE Aldermaston Blockade

12.11.2007
About 50 people went down to AWE Aldermaston, Berkshire, very early this morning to blockade the on-going construction of the Orion laser, designed to help build the next generation of UK nuclear war heads.

The 50 activists were split in four different blockades at various strategic points to attempt to stop all construction traffic – including a blockade of Burgfield, the nearby factory where the warheads are put together (and then shipped to Coulport/Faslane in Scotland)

The blockaders used a variety of large concrete lock-ons, lock on tubes and super glue and while they stopped short of blocking the base entirely, they managed to severly disrupt the construction traffic for 2 and half hours.
4 arrests at AWE Burghfield, including a 77-year old man, after a 2-hour lock-on from sunrise, with choir and violin accompaniment, on a chilly but beautiful Monday morning,

13 arrests in total (9 at Aldermaston, near the two main construction gates – Tadley gate and Home Office gate) – everyone released in the afternoon, after 5-6 hours in custody. Some cautioned, some charged with obstruction of the highway. About 70-80 people joined the protests in total, travelling from as far afield as Yorkshire, Wales, Plymouth, Southampton, Essex, London, Cambridge, Salisbury…

Special thanks to Newbury Friends for your continued support.

More detailed action report

14.11.2007 14:55
13 Arrests at Atomic Weapons Establishment Blockades

Around 70-80 anti-nuclear campaigners took part in the ‘Block the Builders’ direct action against the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) facilities at Aldermaston and Burghfield in Berkshire during the morning rush hour on Monday 12 November. There were thirteen arrests in total, with traffic around the base severely disrupted for around two and a half hours.

At Aldermaston, protesters sought to disrupt the construction of new multi-billion pound state-of-the-art facilities at the site, including the Orion laser. Campaigners say the new facilities will be used to develop new weapons of mass destruction, in collaboration with the United States. This, they say, breaches the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, to which both the UK and the US are signatories.

There were three separate human blockades at Aldermaston, on the A340 close to Tadley Gate and Home Office Gate respectively. They were designed to block the entry of construction vehicles into the facility. Concrete-filled wheelie bins, lock-on tubes made from concrete and other materials, and superglue were used. 9 people were arrested for obstruction of the highway and taken to Newbury Police Station, including some young people and members of the Aldermaston Women’s Peace Camp.

At Burghfield, on the outskirts of Reading – where the existing Trident warheads are assembled, before being sent by road convoy back to the armaments depot at Coulport on the west coast of Scotland – four activists chained themselves together using arm lock-on tubes to block off a private road, off the Burghfield Road, which leads to the main entrance to the facility. They had to wait nearly 2 hours for the cutting team to arrive. The blockade was accompanied by a four-person choir from Turning the Tide singing protest songs, and a violinist. All four blockaders were arrested for obstruction of the highway and taken first to AWE Aldermaston and eventually to Newbury Police Station. They included a 77-year-old man and members of Trident Ploughshares.

All those arrested were held in the custody of Thames Valley Police for around six hours, before being either cautioned or charged with obstruction of the highway. They were then released, with supporters waiting for them at the police station.

People had travelled from as far afield as Yorkshire, Wales, Devon, Wiltshire, Southampton, Essex, Kent, Northants, Cambridge and London to join the protests. Other groups represented on the day included Menwith Hill Peace Camp, Salisbury and Kent CND, the Green Party and Reading Peace Group.

A spokesperson from Block the Builders said, “We are living in dangerous times, largely due to the interventionist foreign policies of the United States and Britain. What we urgently need is a UN Nuclear Weapons Convention banning all nuclear weapons. What business do we in the West have threatening military strikes on Iran for its uranium enrichment programme, whilst at the same spending billions of pounds upgrading our nuclear weapons facilities right here in the UK? The hypocrisy is plain to see. Would we not be better off spending the money on healthcare, education, tackling poverty and caring for the environment?”

Articles relating to Monday’s action:

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/11/385357.html?c=on
http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/News/Article.aspx?articleID=5608
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/berkshire/7090404.stm
http://greenreading.blogspot.com/2007/11/brave-aldermaston-protestors-survive.html