earthfirst – Page 280

Sleazyjet and Fryinair Take on BIA

Climate Camp Pedal Express to Leave Bristol Sat. 10am fountains

We’re on our way to Heathrow climate camp cycling 130 miles from Bristol to London. Today- the 10th of August we held a tremendously successful demonstration outside BIA. As you can see, Sleazyjet and Fryin’air gave BIA officials a run for their money, with over 12 interviews by local media throughout the day. Many people hooted their support including a DHL fuel tanker driver. A BIA airport bus driver even stopped his bus in the middle of the roundabout and gave us a bag of fruit. Then the hot air balloons of Bristol were rising as we rode back into town, excited about our Saturday send off from the fountains in the cenrtre of Bristol. HEAThrow here we come!

Climate Camp Pedal Express to Leave Bristol Sat. 10am fountains

Call for direct action at Heathrow – website launched

Call for direct action at the Climate Camp

Activists campaigning against the impact of aviation on climate change have today released a website giving the low-down on Heathrow airport and the industries which encourage its environmentally-damaging business. They are calling on people to take non-violent direct action around the Camp for Climate Action, taking place near Heathrow in August. The website, http://www.reclaimtheskies.com includes details of airlines, suppliers and cargo companies based around Heathrow.

Call for direct action at the Climate Camp

Campaigner Joanna Maguire stated, “Look at the crazy summer weather we are having. The effects of high-level atmospheric emissions both on our climate and on the ozone layer are a serious issue and we need to take action now. The aviation industry must take on board that it is contributing to climate chaos and change is needed now. More and more businesses are offering ridiculous cheap flights for holidays and unnecessary next day deliveries around the world.”

Another activist, David Beddinton, added, “Heathrow does not exist in isolation. All these companies are profiting from cheap fuel and actively encourage the growth of flights. This has to stop and we are calling on people to take non-violent direct action to protect our futures. It needs to be hammered home that their business may be lawful, but globally they are contributing to terrible crimes against humanity. We want people to take direct action to make these companies aware that they are contributing to famine, flooding and destitution around the world.”

The website has been produced independently of the Camp for Climate Action, though it is within its policy of calling on direct action to be taken against the root causes of climate change. Their purpose is to inform people how the industry around the Heathrow works – the airport is simply the focus point of a bigger problem.

Campaigners doubt that the government or corporations are capable of making the necessary societal change to minimise the damage climate chaos is going to inflict on the earth and its inhabitants.

Visit www.reclaimtheskies.com and start getting ready for action!

New Earth First Action Update OUT NOW!

The printed EF! Action Update is back again! After a bit of a lull a new editorial collective is in place and ready to roll. We have just produced a summer edition in time for the Camp for Climate Action, where you can pick up printed copies.

The Action Update is produced quarterly to aid the sharing of news, information and ideas amongst those interested in taking action. The next newsletter will be out in November. If you’ve got news to share about your groups, campaigns and actions post them straight onto this website and we’ll make sure they’re included in the next edition.

You can also download and print out the PDF of the Action Update by clicking here.

launch of radical newsheet – the Bath Bomb

Today, seven activists from Bath Activist Network set up shop in the middle of Bath to raise awareness and encourage people to attend the upcoming. Climate Camp

Throughout the day we gave out hundreds of leaflets, stickers, newsletters and free cake. We unfurled a banner and chalked artwork on the pavement (a community support officer threatened to get some proper cops to arrest an activist for criminal damage, but we rang the council, who told us we were welcome to chalk over as much pavement as we liked, leaving a slightly red faced cop!). We received loads of support, loads of people were voicing disgust at the injunction, and pleasure that it was crap as far as injunctions go. Everybody knew about climate camp and our arguments, and it seems to be a major talking point at the mo. All in all a good and productive day – looking forward to the camp!

We also took the opportunity to start distributing our new monthly newsletter ‘Bath Bomb’, giving a radical perspective on all the news and council sleaze in Bath! To get a copy e-mailed every month, e-mail bathbombpress@yahoo.co.uk

See y’all in the fields!

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

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The Bath Bomb is here!

The first edition of what should turn out to be our monthly alternative news sheet, right now as plain text – a work in progress!:

*The Bath Bomb * Issue 1 July/August ’07 * @nti-copyright: copy and distribute! *

“All the news the Chron didn’t choose!”

(For further info on any of our stories, see www.myspace.com/bathbomb)

Bath – 1, BNP – 0

As many readers will be aware, Nick Griffin, the leader of the Nazi BNP was due to speak at Bath Uni recently. He was invited by BNP youth leader Danny Lake, a Bath Uni student.

Facing massive opposition to the speech, the Uni banned Griffin from talking. However, local Antifa (anti fascist action) members got word that Griffin was being snuck into town to give a talk to a hardcore of BNP members at a secret location. Thanks to a well placed mole, Antifa found the location, and informed the manager, who was more than happy to cancel the event (Lake had booked under the fake charity name ‘British Heritage’!).

With only 2 hours’ notice, 20 activists were scouring the streets, looking for Nazi Nick and his bonehead mates. Upon getting word that the ‘fash’ were moving toward Revolution bar, the venue was occupied by anti-fascists with the full support of the staff (one of whom was heard to say ‘do what it takes, just keep those bastards out!’). They then moved off to the Litten Tree. Antifa went in after them and after a short ‘debate’, ‘persuaded’ them to leave the pub. At this point, the old bill turned up and prevented activists from chasing the fleeing fascists. Luckily, well-placed spotters were able to follow.

They were found in Vicky Park, where, out numbered 3 to 1 by anti-fascists, they had a five minute picnic before pissing off home. An inspection of their cars revealed that none were from Bath, and had been shipped in from far and wide to give the impression of having supporters.

The BNP are a nazi organisation, led by a holocaust denying Hitler worshipper with a track record of racial violence. Bath organiser Danny Lake has been arrested twice for harassing families attending multicultural events, and has a best mate in prison for bombing a mosque. They’ve been shown once, and we can show them again – fascists are not welcome in Bath!

Diseased Liver, Anyone?

Although hushed up in the Chron, in recent months, animal rights groups in Bristol and Bath have been getting busy. ‘Paté de foie gras,’ a French import for the idle rich, is a cruel culinary treat – ducks and geese spend lifetimes trapped in cages, daily force-fed corn through painful tubes rammed down their throats, stomachs expanding to bursting point, before their livers are served on a plate. The tortured birds are often riddled with infection, and eating foie gras is linked to diseases like CJD and Alzheimer’s. Its manufacture is also banned in the UK.

Two demos persuaded Bistro No. 5 to drop it from their menu, so the campaign moved on to Le Petit Cochon, in Margaret Buildings – and what fun they had! The highly excitable staff had no problems with kicking off, scuffles inside and out, broken glass and upended tables being the order of the day. As thediners gawped on, head chefand owner Christophe charged out, pushing and shoving anyone within reach, shouting “I love ducks! I f**k ducks!” After the bestiality confessions died down, this larger-than-life character planted a kiss on one protester, and then withdrew. Two weeks later, seemingly calmed down, he claimed to have dropped foie gras. Or had he, the lying cad? Our roving reporter went undercover to discover the truth, and easily exposed the not-so-cunning ruse: the
restaurant’s still selling the putrid stuff, so watch this space for further breaking news…

Every Little (Trick in the Book) Helps

After trying to worm their way into Bath for years, Tesco’s finally seem to be getting their way. With rejection after rejection at London Road and Odd Down, yet again they were turned down at the former car showroom site John Tallis, at Bathwick Hill. But, never known for playing fair, what with all the farms and other small-scale suppliers they’ve ripped off and destroyed over the years – paying suppliers 4% less than any other supermarket – they went crying off to a government planning inspector, who overturned the council’s decision.

So, now we’ll be stuck with yet another Tesco’s Express. Whilst company spokespeople lie through their teeth, claiming that their stores give “other local businesses a boost”, the truth is that with their constant price gouging, local shops like Bathwick Stores, Tuck Time and other established small stores are likely to soon go under. Indeed, roughly 50 independent shops are squeezed out of the UK every year by big supermarkets like these. So, soon, local roads will be clogged with delivery trucks, road safety will hit blood-stained rock bottom with inadequate road-crossings, and more local jobs will be cut, because supermarkets employ two thirds less staff than smaller stores. So here’s to bigger dole queues!

Well, whilst doing our best to support local shops, when the new Tesco’s arrive, let’s make sure we give them all a big welcome: planting concrete-cracking Japanese knotweed should be just the thing!

Events Listing

Monday nights Bath Hunt Saboteur meetings 8pm back room of Bell
11th Aug Bath Free Shop @ Stall Street 12-3pm
14th—21st Aug National Camp for Climate Action nr Heathrow
5th Sept Bath Animal Action meeting back room of Bell 7.30-8.30pm
6th Sept Bath Activist Network meeting downstairs Hobgoblin 7.30-9pm
11th-14th Sept Disarm DSEI @ The Excel Centre in London
19th-24th Sept No Border Camp nr Gatwick
21st Sept Leftism benefit club night for Bristle magazine @ The Crown 9-2am

Who Are Bath Activist Network?

We are a local umbrella group campaigning on issues as diverse as development, environmentalism, anti-war, animal rights, workers’ rights and more. Helping to produce The Bath Bomb, we are open to anyone, and our members range from trade unionists to anarchists, liberals to greens, and people who just want to change Bath for the better. For details on meetings, demos, or just to get in touch, ring us on 07949 611912, email bathactivistnet@yahoo.co.uk, or see our website: www.myspace.com/bathactivistnetwork

Get out Yer Lifejackets for the Western Riverside Yuppie Flood!

Yup, the council have done it again and sold off the western riverside area to be turned into luxury flats.

There is major cause for concern on all fronts. A flood plain will be destroyed, making localised flooding imminent, badger, owl and kingfisher habitats will be destroyed, many Bath residents will have their views ruined by huge apartment buildings, and we’ll have to deal with an influx of more yuppies.

There are also plans to demolish the historic Bath Press to make way for a supermarket to cater for the new residents. The 200 workers of the press, many of whom had put in 30-plus years were told to get out with next to no warning to make way for the new development.

Crest Nicholson, the development company (who make a cushy sideline evicting families from houseboats to build pricey waterside flats for…. you guessed it – yuppies!) have kindly offered to make 20% of the housing ‘affordable’…cheers! That means that Bathonians from the surrounding area aren’t ever going to see inside these flats! Instead of putting effort into providing better facilities and conditions for ordinary people, the council are ignoring our needs and catering for the rich to make a quick buck.

As numerous other ‘tourist’ cities across the world have shown us, flooding our communities with rich commuters will have disastrous effects – pushing house prices up, sucking resources from the community while putting nothing back and building coffee bar after f**king coffee bar!

There are a million good arguments against this development, but the same old good reason for the councillors – profit. Actions against the development are due to start soon, we’ll keep you posted!

Flights of Fancy?

Whilst climate change is seemingly on everyone’s lips, for the British airline industry, it’s (big) business as usual. Despite hot air from Number 10 about ‘carbon emissions reduction targets’, air passenger numbers are planned to double over the next 20 years; never mind the fact that planes pollute 10 times worse than trains. This week, the British Airport Authority is desperately pushing through a new law to criminalize up to 5,000,000 members of green groups round the country. The planned injunction, lucrative work for silk-tongued lawyers, will not only ban protesters from areas inside and around Heathrow, but also from the Piccadilly line, M4 and M25.

But who are these heinous eco-terrorists that BAA is so afraid of? Earth First!? Al Qaeda? Erm, no. It’s groups like Friends of the Earth, the RSPB, The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England and No Third Runway Acton Group, based in the villages of Harmondsworth and Sipson: members include the Queen, Prince Charles and hundreds of BA staff, so they’re presumably banned, too.

All this palaver is an attempt to nip this month’s national Camp for Climate Action in the bud – a week of education, workshops and activism, set to pitch up near Heathrow. The event is expected to attract huge numbers of rent-a-cops: just like the OTT policing we saw back here in April, for the Bath Climate Camp. And if this ridiculous ban does go through, it will be yet further proof that the courts are simply hired flunkies at the corporations’ beck and call. These people are fully prepared to bulldoze over an entire village for a new runway, putting silly pipedreams like ‘economic growth’ before people’s lives.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom: other planned airport expansions up and down the country are now being beaten back: Manchester, Coventry, Luton, and Birmingham schemes were all rejected, and maybe soon Bristol Airport will join ’em!

Join the Dots – from Local Dispute to National Disaster?

Lost history, increased pollution, uninhabitable homes, not being consulted on local issues?

At the moment we may feel like a divided populace at the mercy of government, council and corporations. But if we link small local disputes over development across the country, creating networks to oppose them, we will begin to see the change we crave.

Take Bath, for example – Western Riverside Development, Tesco’s at Bathwick Hill, the recent demolition of Churchill House despite mass protest… And further from home at Heathrow, where people are fighting against the third runway, protecting the beautiful old villages they stand to lose. As a member of NOTRAG (a local group opposing the runway) says: “if it happens to us, who’s next?”

“Democracy only works if voters are active and informed” All it takes for us to be more in control, is for us to pull together locally and nationally, learning from each others’ actions and to fit campaigns into our ordinary lives, next to the washing up or getting the dinner, to remind the government that we are all part of that government too. These little bits will reap huge benefits – for you, your neighbours, your children and even the world!

Some things you could do: attend local meetings, or, if you’re part of a group, link up with other groups over a common goal, get involved in protests, create your own. If you oppose the new Tesco’s, what would you like in its place? Make that happen instead. And if the Tesco’s does get built, don’t shop there! Think neighbourhood watch on a grander scale – being aware of what’s going on in your area, supporting those around you and trying not to leave anyone out, is enough. Share the work so it doesn’t overwhelm and keep morale up by sharing the decision not to take ‘no’ for an answer.

GOT A STORY? WANT TO RECEIVE THE BATH BOMB BY EMAIL? HOPING TO SUE?
Contact us by e-mailing bathbombpress@yahoo.co.uk. Large print e-versions are available on request

Critical Mass – Glossop – Fri 14th Sept 2007

We’re staging a Critical Mass bike ride on 14th September 2007, to celebrate Car Free Day and to demonstrate that bikes and people should be catered for on our roads, not just cars and traffic.

We’ll be setting off from Glossop rain station at 5.30pm and will be riding out to Swallow’s Wood near Tintwistle where we’ll stop at a local pub. The wood is threatened by a new bypass they are planning to build between Mottram and Tintwistle.

The route is fairly flat and about 4 miles in total. It’s suitable for riders of all types. Please bring a bike and wear high vis clothing.

Our aim is not to stop traffic but to make the presence of bikes on the roads more visible so please be aware of other traffic and road users.

roadalertglossop@gmail.com
http://www.myspace.com/roadalert

Rossport Solidarity Camp eviction latest

Update on eviction threat to Rossport Solidarity Camp

After over eighteen months of providing a base for activists supporting the local Shell to Sea campaign, the Rossport Solidarity Camp was served notice to quit by Mayo County Council two weeks ago. For the past year and a half the council has accepted the camp’s existence without complaint. It seems no coincidence that the council’s moves to evict the camp come at a time when Shell has been extensively surveying the estuary that runs alongside the camp in preparation for pipeline development. It is likely that pressure has been applied on the council to evict now to minimize the risk of disruption to the laying of the pipeline.

Update on eviction threat to Rossport Solidarity Camp

On Tuesday the 31st July, representatives from the camp attended a court hearing in Castlebar. Following submissions from the camp’s barrister regarding due process and the lack of time given to the camp to prepare a case, the judge reluctantly agreed to adjourn the case until September the 3rd. However, in the meantime he imposed an ‘interim order of injunction’ which allows only two camp members to remain living on site. Notably, prior to the hearing, the legal representatives of both parties had agreed terms for an adjournment that allowed more people to remain on camp. The case is essentially a civil dispute and the judge’s imposition of more stringent terms is indicative, once again, of the partiality of the judiciary with regard to Shell to Sea cases.

The primary function of the camp is to provide a space for people to support the local campaign in resisting Shell. This can be done most effectively if we have a secure base to work from. Consequently, at present, we have decided to vacate the camp in accordance with the judge’s order. In an effort to be prepared for the different potential scenarios we could face, we have sought out possible alternative locations for the camp. Some people in the campaign will continue to fight the eviction through the courts and after the hearing in September we will assess our options.

Community support following the eviction order has been overwhelming. Within a week an impressive fundraising effort had been initiated and we had offers of several houses and fields to relocate to. We have also had help with moving, cleaning, decorating and furnishing. Thanks to such incredible local assistance, one of these houses has been fixed up in the last week and is now being used as the temporary Rossport Solidarity Camp base. Over the next few weeks we hope to make several other locations inhabitable.

Two weeks ago our situation seemed dire. Today, the spirit of the camp is vibrant. It is clear that resistance here will not be hampered by repression. So, while we’re sad to be temporarily giving up our beautiful seashore home, the Rossport Solidarity Camp lives on – albeit in a slightly less rustic form. As before, visitors are always welcome.

Sixteen Metre Banner Dropped from Edinburgh Crags to Promote Heathrow Climate Camp

3rd August:
During rush-hour this morning, activists dropped a 16 metre long banner from the Edinburgh Crags to promote Climate Camp. The banner read ‘This planet has no emergency exits’, and then gave the website for the climate camp: www.climatecamp.org.uk.

After two hours of tangled ropes and wrestling with the wind, the banner was finally hung. Within ten minutes of the successful drop, park rangers turned up and informed the activists that they would be arrested for ‘breach of peace’ if the banner was not immediately removed. The ranger informed the banner-hangers that they were on ‘the queen’s property’ and could also be fined. The activists managed to retain the banner and have not been charged as yet.

Press spokesperson for the Scottish Barrio of the camp, Katie Glass said, ‘We’re hoping as many people as possible from Scotland will make the trip to the camp, to represent this country in what we feel is an issue of national and global importance. Clearly action needs to be taken now regarding climate damage, especially in wake of the massive flooding down south. We don’t feel the welfare of the natural world can be left to Governments, Industry, or anyone who stands to profit from furthering the damage already being done. It’s becoming increasingly urgent that we all take action to ensure the continued viability of life on this planet.’

Many people will be travelling from Edinburgh and around Scotland to the camp next week, along with an estimated five thousand others from around Britain and Europe. The camp takes place between August 14th and 21st, on a site near Heathrow Airport, whose plans for construction of a third runway have made it the primary focus for the protests.

A court decision on the Airport’s attempted injunction, which would make it illegal for any members of certain charities and organisation (potentially affecting up to five million people, including the Royal Family) is expected later today. Ms Glass says ‘whatever the court decision, the Scottish Barrio will not be bullied into staying away. We’ll see you down there.’

For more info on the scottish barrio contact scotland (at) risingtide.org.uk
scottishbarrio (at) lists.riseup.net

BAA climate camp Injunction: What’s Happened At Court & legal briefing

Judge’s reading (reports from first two days below) –

Delivering her ruling in a 90-speech this morning, Mrs. Justice Swift struck out most of BAA’s application, pointing out that much of their evidence was based on news reports and web sites, and ruling that, as there is a “divergence of interest” within the groups named, [with the exception of Plane Stupid], they should not be targeted.

Judge’s reading (reports from first two days below) –

She said it is regrettable that Geraldine Nicholson was ever named in the application, and that there had been no suggestion –despite participation in previous demonstrations– that Joss Garman or Leo Murray had ever harassed or intended to harass anyone.

She has therefore deleted the majority of BAA’s application, substituting wording of her own, intended to allow lawful protest, [as enshrined by right in Articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights], although preventing unlawful disruption of airport operations, [as already covered by Heathrow’s by-laws].

The wording of her draft is being studied while the court adjourns for lunch. She is prepared to fine-tune the details, when the court resumes at 2 o’clock.
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1st August –
Please note: this is an article written after telephone contact with people outside the court. Please see the other report here.

The High Court in London was the scenery of some funny encounters today as BAA put forward their case for an injunction they served individuals from certain anti-airport groups earlier last week. We’ll spare you all the boring details, so let’s jump to the exciting bits. Basically, the whole thing was badly put together from BAA’s side. Timothy Lawson Cruttenden (TLC) was representing BAA in this case, interestingly enough the same lawyers firm that tried to slap injunctions on protesters at Brighton’s weapons manufacturers EDO. This eventually failed miserably…

Anyhow, the start of the hearing was brought back to the afternoon and once in full swing, BAA put forward some evidence to give their injunction some substance. Their evidence were some articles from the Evening Standard and the Times newspapers and a chapter from the Eco Defence Handbook. Another bit of evidence was an article about last years Climate Camp in which it was said that local people had joined the protesters and mentiones were made about radical direct action tactics. Interestingly enough, the journalist who actually wrote that was in court today as well and said that some of the things in the article he had just ‘put in’ or made up. As one does…

Evidence like this is classed as ‘hearsay’ as it is no direct evidence and therefore pretty irrelevant in court.

It was unclear whether the injunction applied to the named people within the various organisations they served the papers to, or all members from those organisations. If it would apply to all members of the named organisations (over 5 million), it would probably be difficult to enforce but if it only applied to certain individuals, than the injunction wouldn’t have a lot of effect.

BAA was so unclear about this, the judge was said to be very confused and gave them until tomorrow morning to get things straight: who are you asking to be injuncted and for what reasons? The whole injunction business seems to be a total joke, poorly prepared and mainly used as a scare tactic. As things currently look, it won’t have any effect on the actual camp which is to take place from the 14th August. A spokesperson for the Camp For Climate Action was a lot clearer than BAA: ‘ This injunction is totally irrelevant to us. We won’t be intimidated or bullied. The camp is going ahead! ‘

2nd August –
BAA used most of the morning to put forward their case. It basically boiled down to a couple of things. Firstly, BAA thinks that possible disruption caused by protests may highten the risk of ‘Iraqi-style terrorism’ at the airport. One of the examples the BAA laywer Timothy Lawson-Cruttenden used was that protesters might blockade cars going to the airport which in turn could ‘exposing them to a terrorist strike’. He added: ‘of course we see that in Baghdad every day’. Right.

The defence lawyer spent the afternoon putting forward that there are already far reaching laws in place as well as a competent police force who will be able to take care of such events. An injunction would just confuse the situation, rather than add to it. The laywer for Transport for London and the London Underground, agreed, urging the court to throw out the injunction, calling it ‘neither necessary, desirable nor clear’.

Secondly, although BAA hinted yesterday that they might not seek an injunction for all members of organisations supporting the camp for climate action, it made it clear today that it is seeking to injunct the supporters besides the 4 named people on the injunction.

The judge, Mrs Justice Swift, said she will need the weekend to think things over, so a ruling can be expected on Monday morning. The hearing will continue today (Friday) in the morning, for a couple of hours.

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Heathrow’s Injunction – What it means

Everything you needed to know but didn’t have a clue what to ask about Heathrow’s injunction against protesters. Designed for the lay person, it is essential reading for climate campers.

Heathrow’s Injunction – What it actually means.

To say that Heathrow Airport have shot themselves in the foot with their misguided attempt to impose an injunction against all anti-airports protestors, not just the Camp for Climate Action, is an understatement. There is an injunction, but it is toothless. The main aim of the injunction is to scare people off from coming to the camp and from taking action at Heathrow Airport so we want to explain what the injunction really means for Climate Campers.

THE TERMS OF THE INJUNCTION

Who the injunction applies to:
As well as a few named individuals, the injunction has been granted against a nebulous group of ‘protestors’, where protestor means the anti-aviation protest group Plane Stupid, its supporters and those acting “in concert” with Plane Stupid to disrupt the operation of Heathrow airport.

What it restricts:
a) trespassing on Heathrow Airport’s land;
b) any activity impeding, obstructing or interfering with the operation of Heathrow Airport;
c) inciting or helping others to do a) or b).

Nothing in the terms of the injunction order exceeds current police powers. Mrs Justice Swift has based her order on existing laws and bye-laws, and has not permitted the wide restrictions that Heathrow wanted.

SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE CLIMATE CAMP?
Nothing of substance. The Camp for Climate Action is not covered by the injunction. The Camp for Climate Action is separate from Plane Stupid. While it may be argued that there are links between individuals in Plane Stupid and the Camp, they are separate organisations. The Camp for Climate Action existed before Plane Stupid, and is a self-organising entity controlled by no other organisation.

ARE YOU COVERED?
The key phrase which determines whether you become a ‘protestor’ or not is whether you are acting ‘in concert’ with Plane Stupid and the three named individuals (collectively called the Defendants) to disrupt operations at Heathrow Airport. Being part of the Climate Camp does not automatically make you a ‘protestor’ within the terms of this injunction. You would need to do something else in addition which would link you with the defendants. Experience with other injunctions indicates that to be acting ‘in concert’ with the Defendants would require you to:
a) be a known activist with Plane Stupid;
b) do an action explicitly organised by the Defendants for the purpose of disrupting operations at Heathrow Airport;
c) use materials produced by the Defendants in an action which either trespasses on, obstructs or interferes with Heathrow.

So to be safe we recommend that you don’t bring any banners or leaflets or other materials with any reference to Plane Stupid on them to the camp or on actions.

The injunction comes to an end on 31st August. After that it disappears altogether unless Heathrow can successfully apply to extend it.

SERVICE OF THE INJUNCTION
To be covered by the injunction you have to be served first. If you are not served then you cannot be covered by its terms even if you fall under the definition of protestor.

To prove you have been served Heathrow has to demonstrate that you were either
a) personally handed a copy of the injunction, or
b) seen / photographed / videoed reading a copy of the injunction whether on a website or the ones that are likely to be posted up on their property (this is called service by substitution).

We will deal with what to do about personal service below, but service by substitution is very difficult to prove. The injunction requires Plane Stupid, HACAN and Airport Watch to post the injunction on their websites, and no doubt Heathrow will have it on theirs as well. However, they still have to prove that you went to those websites and explicitly viewed the terms of the injunction – something very difficult to do, if not downright impossible.

Heathrow will also display the injunction around its premises, in particular on the fences and posts of its perimeter. The purpose of this is to say that you must be aware of the terms if you were in the area. But it is an argument likely to fall flat unless they have evidence to show that you actually read the notices.

The court may decide that if you have been provided with the terms of the injunction by someone telling you (eg someone shouting it over a megaphone) then you have been served. However there are any number of problems with proving this in court (as has been show to be the case with the police using megaphones to inform assemblies of sec.14 orders).

PERSONAL SERVICE
It is very likely that, despite the hollowness of their victory that BAA will attempt to serve people personally with a copy of the injunction order. The standard tactic, probably with the support of the police, is to have specially appointed individuals called ‘process servers’ whose job is to go around handing out copies of the order to people they think are likely to be ‘protestors’, and at the same time photo / video / record the fact with a description of the person served.

To be served they must give you a copy of the order, but this can amount to tapping you on the body with it and dropping it at your feet, even as you are running off. It is likely that these process servers will turn up at various protests with copies to hand out. They are also likely to be outside the climate camp attempting to serve it on people coming in or out.

You are not required to stand still and simply wait to be served. As they are officers of the court you are not supposed to actively interfere with them serving people but there is no requirement for you to make their life easy for them. If someone dodgy looking comes towards you with a sheaf of paper don’t hang around and take it, or open your window to accept it. Don’t let them into the camp – they have no right to be there. In the past people have been very creative in protecting those that have not been served, for instance, forming spontaneous group hugs around them or simply standing in a line between them and the process server – process servers are not allowed to break the law to serve the injunction order.

If a process server is being aggressive, take action and make complaints – the are not allowed to assault people or act aggressively. Video their actions (though not faces of those being served) in case there are any subsequent court cases – you have a right to video both process servers and police alike, regardless of what they say.

And if you have been served with the injunction this does not mean you are automatically covered by it – you still have to fall into the definition of ‘protestor’ given above. Simply being a climate camper or involved in a climate camp protest does not mean that.

WHAT IS A BREACH OF THE INJUNCTION
If you are a ‘protestor’ within the meaning of the injunction and you trespass on Heathrow Airport Ltd’s land (there is a map attached to the injunction) then you are in breach of the injunction. You are also in breach if you blockade any road or other form of transport for people or vehicles reaching the airport, as this would amount to interfering with or obstructing the operation of the airport. What it does not stop is action against companies involved with the airport being targeted in their own right. It does not stop leafleting or other lawful protest activities from taking place in any place not covered under the trespass clause.

It is not a criminal offence to breach the injunction as it is a civil matter only. You cannot be arrested for breaching the injunction, even if the police say otherwise. Note, however, you can still be arrested for breaking the law and local bye-laws relating to trespass, etc.

Inciting people to trespass, or to impede / interfere with Heathrow’s operation will also be considered to be breaches of the injunction, but then, only if they can prove that you were served or had knowledge that it was breaching the injunction. Note, incitement can be an offence in its own right depending on what you are inciting others to do.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU BREACH THE INJUNCTION
The injunction does not give the police any powers of arrest for breach of the injunction (of course you may still be arrested if you are suspected of committing a criminal offence). To pursue you for breach of the injunction Heathrow must get the Court’s permission, which is decided at a ‘committal’ hearing. Heathrow will need to first get your name and address in order to serve you with court papers about the committal hearing. At that hearing they will have to prove that you had been served with the injunction, and that you did something that breached the terms of the injunction.

Technically a breach is contempt of court, and can carry a variety of penalties depending on the severity of the breach, these range from a conditional discharge, through fines and jail time. But jail time in particular is very unlikely except for persistent breaches. Taking you to court for breach of the injunction is an expensive and fairly pointless route for Heathrow, and something they are unlikely to do as by the time they get you to Court the camp will be over. Most other injunctions of this sort, such as the one at the climate camp at Drax last year have proved unenforceable and have been ignored by protesters without repercussions.

The publicity generated by these injunction proceedings has been a fantastic boost for the Climate Camp itself and the campaigns against Heathrow and aviation in general. You couldn’t pay for this sort of coverage. We hope that no one will be deterred from coming to the Climate Camp by the injunction – that would be a surrender of our right to freedom of protest and expression. We can all be at the Camp, sure in our right to be there.

FINAL NOTES ON THE PROTECTION FROM HARASSMENT ACT
The outcome of these injunction proceedings is a victory for protesters in the UK and has made a laughing stock of Heathrow’s owner BAA plc, as well as their lawyer Timothy Lawson-Cruttenden, the self-declared ‘market-leader’ in these types of injunctions. Mrs Justice Swift threw out BAA’s application for an injunction under the Protection from Harassment Act (PHA) forcing BAA to fall back on the more toothless common law option, so damaging greatly the ability of corporations to use the PHA to stifle legal protest.

For the last four years corporations have been using the PHA to attack legitimate protest. Originally designed to protect people from stalkers, the Government and companies who are the target of persistent protests have been relatively successful in attempting to declare otherwise lawful forms of protest such as marches and leafleting, the use of megaphones, drums, whistles etc as amounting to harassment and therefore have been able to obtain court orders restricting or banning protests outright. The misuse of this law has lead to a draconian infringement of the rights to protest and assemble. It has also allowed corporations to obtain court orders based on lower standards of proof than would be allowed in the criminal courts, yet the penalties for breaching the orders made are criminal in nature.

As a last point, we would like to distance ourselves from the negative comments by some fighting the injunction in referring to ‘animal rights nuts’. The animal rights movement has been at the front line fighting the draconian terms of injunctions under the Protection from Harassment Act for four years now. These injunctions have never been about stopping illegal activities, but about curbing the right to lawful protest. The outcome of these current injunction proceedings is another step in that same fight.

legal.collective3@yahoo.co.uk

Bacton, Norfolk. Locals show solidarity with Shell to Sea

3.08.2007
Today a small group of local campaigners visited Shell’s processing plant at Bacton on the North Norfolk Coast to demonstrate solidarity with communities struggling against Shell in Co. Mayo, Eire. Bacton is one of the major landfall locations for North Sea gas in England and Shell’s refinery has been included in the recent SOCPA legislation.

Iceland camp closes – actions continue – arrest update

Protest Camp Closes but Actions Continue

27 July 2007

Today we wrapped our protest camp at Bringur, Mosfellsheidi, but we are not through with this summers actions.

This means that if you are planning to join us in our fight against heavy industry in Iceland you are not too late. We have plenty of energy left and loads of targets to protest at.

Protest Camp Closes but Actions Continue

27 July 2007

Today we wrapped our protest camp at Bringur, Mosfellsheidi, but we are not through with this summers actions.

This means that if you are planning to join us in our fight against heavy industry in Iceland you are not too late. We have plenty of energy left and loads of targets to protest at.

Write to us at savingiceland@riseup.net if you want to find us or call 8572692.

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Locals of Hafnarfjordur Protest Against Mayor’s Betrayal of ALCAN Referendum

26 July 2007

Locals in Hafnarfjordur protested on Thursday against the Council’s attempts to betray the results of the local referendum in March about the enlargement of the ALCAN smelter which is situated in nearby Straumsvik.

In spite of a massive PR campaign paid for by ALCAN (including an illegal gathering by ALCAN of personal data about individuals in Hafnarfjordur) the majority of the inhabitants rejected the enlargement.

After the referendum both ALCAN and the Mayor of Hafnarfjordur, Ludvik Geirsson, issued a series of contradictory statements claiming that the results of the referendum were not legally binding.

Later they surfaced with the idea that the referendum only applied to a planning permission of a certain spot by the existing factory and that nothing could stop it being built on a landfill on the other side of the factory. (1)

The locals dropped two different banners. One stating that ‘NO MEANS NO – ENLARGEMENT IS CRIMINAL’ and the other saying ‘NIETSCHE KILLED GOD – LUDVIK KILLED DEMOCRACY’.

Saving Iceland wish to congratulate the inhabitants of Hafnarfjordur for their continuing opposition to the evil that has now metamorphised into Rito Tinto-ALCAN.

1.- See: ALCAN and Mayor decide: To Hell with Democracy in Hafnarfjördur!

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State Harassment of Saving Iceland Activists

Saving Iceland demands that:
*The activist currently in prison is either moved to a womens prison with a full apology or released immediately for lack of state resources.
*All stolen passports must be released immediately, according to international law.
*An end to the criminalisation and state harassment of environmental activists.

The Icelandic Police have stepped up their repression of Saving Iceland activists whilst their 2007 Summer protest camp finishes. [1] One activist has been refused the right to appeal her prison sentence and is currently in solitary confinement. Fifteen have had their passports stolen by the Police, who refuse to give any firm reasons as to why or when they will be returned. Five people were arrested for putting up political street art, including the owner of the building that was to be painted. Nine police vehicles turned up at a party in which many SI activists were attending and entered the building without warrant.

After being arrested in the vicinity of the Rio Tinto-Alcan aluminium smelter in Straumsvik on the 24th of July [2], one activist had her sentence from the 2006 protest camp laid on her. Instead she was given the choice to either immediately pay 100,000 ISK or serve eight days in prison. She was refused her right to appeal, which would have given her a month to choose her options. She chose to go to prison instead of paying her fine. Now she is in Hegningarhusid, an all mens prison, and therefore in solitary confinement.
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“Why, if there were no spaces in a women’s prison, and if she should have been given her time of appeal, has she been rushed off into a mens prison, leaving her isolated and in solitary confinement? This is illegal and feels like a political decision designed to unfairly treat political activists.” says Saving Iceland´s Snorri Páll Jónsson Úlfhildarson

Fifteen utlendigar (foreign) activists have had their passports siezed by the Reykjavik Police Dep. After many contradictory statements, Geir Jon, Head of Police, has stated that all passports will be sent to the Keflavik or Seydisfjordur police departments who will return the passports upon the activists departure. We wonder whether this will be the case, or whether activists are to be kept in the country illegally until the time of their trial.

“Passports are the property of the state that issues them, not the Icelandic states to do with as they please. If someone whose identification has been seized by the police needs urgent medical attention or seeks a residents permit in Iceland, for example, how are they to do this without their id?” says Úlfhildarson

Four political street artists were about to apply paint to a wall in Laugavegur, Reykjavik, at 4am on the 28th of July, when they were surrounded by nine special forces police. Whilst the owner of the wall that was to be painted made it clear that he gave full permission to the artists, the police decided to arrest not only the artists, but the owner of the house too! In total, five were arrested, photographed, imprisoned for up to seven hours and finally released without charge.

On the same night a house party in Seltjarnarness which was attended by Saving Iceland activists was surrounded by police. Over twenty policemen in nine cars and vans turned up to tell the partiers to turn their music down. Also, two of the policemen were relatives of the people inside, one having been brought all the way from Hafnarfjordur. The police entered a wing of the house which was unconnected to the party without a warrant.