earthfirst – Page 293

Call for Submissions: Zine on Property Destruction

Entering the radical community, many quickly find themselves constantly hearing about debate over property destruction. Is it violence? Does it matter if it’s violence? Is it effective? Is it alienating? And on and on. I’ve been hearing this argument pretty much since I regularly started attending protests. At this point, I almost don’t want to deal with the subject. Naturally, you’re asking, “Then why the hell do you want to make a zine about it?”

The answer is simple: I may be sick of the debate, but that’s just me. As the war in Iraq drags on (dragging bloodied Iraqi corpse upon bloodied Iraqi corpse with it) and discontent and disillusionment with this whole socio-political-economic system increases, more people are getting involved in the fight against capitalism and its machines of war (both the armies abroad and the police at home). For many, when they start going to protests and demonstrations, they have at best mixed feelings about things like property destruction, violently resisting the police, or even just marching in the street without a permit. And some apprehension about these tactics is completely understandable. After all, everything in this system is designed to teach us that property (or perhaps more accurately, corporate property) is sacred, that police should always be obeyed (or else) and that breaking the law, even small laws, is morally and ethically wrong and can never be justifiable.

And so, this is a call for articles, stories, art, or anything else about the tactic of property destruction and its merits for a zine that seeks to give those on the fence about this issue a gentle nudge (and maybe convince them to rip down the fence!). Since this is meant to be a zine for people new to social movements, I respectfully ask that the tone of the articles keep that in mind when choosing their words. To put it plainly, please no anti-liberal rants–they piss me off too, but this is supposed to be the case for property destruction, not the case against liberals (maybe next time!).

When I say articles, I mean previously published or unpublished articles arguing for the validity or effectiveness of property destruction. It doesn’t even have to be something you wrote. If there’s an article that you think is really great and think that it should be included, tell me about it (things like, where I can find it, who wrote it, and how I can get ahold of them). There’s two kinds of stories that would be really great to have for this zine: personal accounts and “historical” accounts. Personal accounts would be something talking about witnessing or even committing an act of property destruction, how it made you feel, what impact it had, etc. Obviously this is very sensitive, so trying to be relatively vague is best (and also see the next paragraph for the best way to submit things like that). A “historical” account would be more of a general story (preferably contemporary) of how property destruction put pressure on an institution to win a concrete goal. Art would be anything that would be an image. A cartoon, a cool drawing, whatever.

If you have anything to contribute, please send an email to tacticaldiversity@gmail.com. I may want to edit some of your submission for various reasons (most likely space). Any edits or cuts will be run by you first. If for some reason you can’t or don’t want to submit something online, send an email and we can discuss other methods of submission. As was said above, sending personal accounts about property destruction over email is not necessarily a good idea. In fact, for both our sakes, it’s a bad idea. Any personal accounts should be submitted will an anonymous email service like www.willselfdestruct.com (be sure to make it at least 1 view). If you want me to respond somehow, you can leave an email address in the willselfdestruct message and I can respond in kind. If you don’t leave a way to respond to you, I may make edits without running them by you first. Also, a major goal is to make sure that every piece published is published with the creator’s permission. This zine isn’t going to be sold anywhere and will be distributed for free, but I still don’t want to use other people’s stuff in this zine without their express permission. So yeah, don’t submit other people’s work acting like it’s your’s and get people pissed at me. If you run an infoshop or any other radical space that could distribute this zine upon completion and are interested in receiving copies, drop a line and you’ll be kept in the loop when it comes time to publish.

In love and rage,
Casey Ford

Critical Mass reports

Police charge cyclists at Glasgow Critical Mass
29.04.2007

Last night the police committed a surprising u-turn in their approach to dealing with Glasgow Critical Mass. The Mass has previously been accompanied by cycle officers “to ensure the safety of the cyclists” however there has been no police presence since last September. This changed dramatically with the April Critical Mass; the 50-70 cyclists were tailed by a police van for the majority of the ride with the police stopping some of the riders at the front of the mass and warning them not to continue else they may face charges. In the midst of the cycle run, while the Mass dutifully waited at a red light, the two officers (A303 and A628) made their way to the front of the mass and selected three cyclists, apparently at random. It should be noted that these three were not the cyclists spoken to by the police earlier. These arbitrarily chosen cyclists have been charged with “Cycling without due consideration for other road users” under section 29 of the 1988 Road Traffic Act (exact wording: If a person rides a cycle on a road without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road, he is guilty of an offence.In this section “road” includes a bridleway). They were informed that a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal for further consideration. Watch this space.

http://www.glasgowcriticalmass.org.uk

Critical Mass London 13th Anniversary ride.
16MB film – mp4
The very well attended Mass got off to a good start, despite a spelling mistake on the kindly donated t-shirts. There was the usual large police presence with its usual intimidating videoing of riders. Pity they can’t take their own medicine and try to conceal their faces.

The police returned to their previous tactic of blocking the front of the ride, thus adding to traffic congestion. At the entrance to Parliament Square the front of the ride was blocked for several traffic light cycles. Finally, in frustration, and after some booing at the blockers, riders decide to go around on the pavement to enter the Square. At some point the ride split into two but managed to join up again in the Strand. Videoing stopped at the couriers’ pub, while the ride continued on into the night heading Eastwards.

All in all very enjoyable and merry ride.

Autonomous Environmentalists Bockade RNAD Coulport

On Thursday, 26th April, a group of autonomous environmentalists shut down RNAD Coulport, the MOD munitions depot where Britain’s nuclear weapons are stored, for a two hour period. The activists used two 15 ft tripods each with a concrete lock-on round one of the tripod legs, to blockade the two roads leading to the main gate of the base. The action was part of the Faslane 365 Environmentalists Block, commemorating the 21st anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, and in protest at the upgrading of Britain’s Trident nuclear system.

The two activists on the tripod blockading the northern access road were eventually arrested after the cutting team had removed the lock-on, and the climbing team had removed the activist at the top of the tripod, and charged with obstruction of the highway, part of the Roads Scotland Act 1984. They were held in the Faslane police cells for a three hour period before being released outside on the North Gate on caution and pending court dates.

The two activists on the second tripod blockading the shore road eventually unlocked after the northern access road had been cleared, although the activist locked on around one of the tripod legs had time to create additional disruption by unlocking only to super glue their hand to the tripod leg. Circular saws and pneumatic drills were replaced with a bowl of warm, soapy water.

In response to requests from local residents and school children preparing to sit exams, and a local MSP Jackie Baillie, Coulport was chosen as the target of the blockade instead of Faslane to maximise disruption to Britain’s nuclear programme and minimise disruption to local people. It is the opinion of the activists that the policing is responsible for long traffic delays and that police tactics are exacerbating and even capitalising on the disruption caused by the ongoing blockades.

The activists encourage other autonomous groups to take decentralised direct action against Trident and all military operations throughout the UK in order to hold back the growing tide of militarism and the environmental destruction that goes with it.

!!!MANCHESTER DIRECT ACTION TRAINING DAY!!! – venue update

!!!MANCHESTER DIRECT ACTION TRAINING DAY!!!

Date: Sunday, May 6, 2007
Time: 10:00am – 6:00pm
Location: MOVED TO MERCI DUE TO FIRE AT BASEMENT – see http://www.merci.org.uk/bridge-5.php for directions

!!!MANCHESTER DIRECT ACTION TRAINING DAY!!!

Date: Sunday, May 6, 2007
Time: 10:00am – 6:00pm
Location: MOVED TO MERCI DUE TO FIRE AT BASEMENT – see http://www.merci.org.uk/bridge-5.php for directions
Manchester
Contact Info Email: manchester@climatecamp.org.uk

A fun filled day of workshops and briefings on non-violent direct action techniques and tactics, legal issues, security issues, and chances to discuss and plan your own direct action ideas. In light of the climate camp, the theme will be taking direct action against climate change. it will be a great chance to meet people with experience of and an interest in taking direct action!
Breakfast served at 10am, then workshops from 11-6

new north london occupied social centre

the old mountview theatre school site in crouch end is opening its doors to the public on sunday the 29th april after being abandoned by the drama school now based in wood green. the new social centre benefits from a small theatre, which can be converted for cinema nights, as well as exhibition space, large workshop spaces, a bar and kitchen, and residential area.

the launch party for this exciting new art community starts at 5pm on sunday and will be a showcase of talent featuring an art exhibition, live art, cabaret, bands, and film. there will be a wide range of music with a confirmed line-up of hip-hop, folk, electro, and indy. full details to follow.

there will be food and drink and entry is by donation.

members of project 142 and the 491 gallery are among the organisers of this new community which will be called “project 104” as it is situated at 104 crouch hill, london n8.

future usage and events are still in the planning stage – ideas are welcome

nearest tube is finsbury park, from where you can walk 15 mins up stroud green road and over crouch hill. or catch the w7 bus from the wells terrace exit of the tube station. project 104 is just over the brow of the hill about halfway down on the right.
crouch hill silverlink station is a short walk away too (turn right out of station and walk over the hill).

call 07903 297199 for more info

MCR CRITICAL MASS THIS FRIDAY!

On the 27th April we celebrate crazy bikes so please come on a crazy bike or a kids bike or a shopper.. its time to lose your cool as the season loses its cool too! Bring on the Summer! If you’d like to borrow a kids bike for the ride please email us.

After this ride we’re gonna go hang out in the park so bring beers and food etc. Manchester Bike Polo Team The MCR Dropouts will be having a practise in the park and would love it if cmers would like to have a go!
for more info on their team go to myspace.com/mcrdropouts.

We cycle round the city to celebrate the bicycle:

It’s for anyone that rides a bike;
Its a celebration of getting round the city without polluting it;
Its about every journey being an adventure instead of just sitting on a boring bus or in a stressful car;
Its about cyclists riding together to demand more respect from other road users;
Its a way to meet other cyclistas;

also at that time on friday hundreds of cities around the world do the same thing…all get together for critical mass. its beautiful to know that as you ride with your mates through your own city that all around the world thousands of people are doing the same thing..

New Titnore Woods Phone

The phone number to contact the Titnore Woods protest camp has changed. The new number for the camp is 07913 534083. The old one no longer works. Please pass the new number around.

We are camped in Titnore Woods near Worthing to resist a large Tesco and housing development project. It would destroy some of the last remaining ancient woodland in Sussex, if it goes ahead. Visitors and donations are welcome.

The phone number to contact the Titnore Woods protest camp has changed. The new number for the camp is 07913 534083. The old one no longer works. Please pass the new number around.

Leeds Monthly Critical Mass Celebrations

Its the last friday of the month again: get your chains oiled, your tyres pumped, and adore your bike with horns and bells… its time for a little reclaiming of the streets.

The monthly impromptu meeting of leeds cyclist will once again hit the city centre on friday evening to parade around the city and celebrate the joys of using the lo-tech carbon free transport of the past, present and future. Although, by the very nature of critical mass nothing has been officially planned its highly likely that an accidental meeting of cyclists will take place at 5.30pm in Millenium Square.

Following the ride, there are strong rumours that a game of bicycle polo will also take place on a open public space somewhere in the city.

There can surely be no better event to attend on the eve of the Wakey Wakey Spring Tour that comes to town this weekend. (See http://www.fraw.org.uk/tour/leeds.shtml for further info.)

…And remember to spare a small thought for those still living in he 20th century with internal combustion engines fueled by crude oil derivatives that idle in their vehicles as they crawl throught the friday evening rush hour. Bless them and their antiquated ways.

Anti Gold Mining Conflicts Spreading – 2 May global day of action

Once isolated communities around the world are suddenly uniting and strengthening in their actions to halt transnational Big Mining projects. On May 2, 2007 community and environmental groups around the world will unite is struggle on the Global Day Of Action Against Barrick Gold Corporation.

Anti-Gold Mining Conflicts Spreading Throughout the Americas

Global Day of Action Against Barrick Gold, May 2, 2007

Big Mining Investors Fear Big Losses

In almost every Latin American country, transnational metals mining firms are exploring, building and operating huge, open-pit gold mines which extract and contaminate using tremendous amounts of water. These new “modern mining” projects leave thousand-year legacies of acid mine drainage, destruction of ecosystems, disease, and regional climate change. Riches in the form of gold, silver and copper are exported to first world shareholders, leaving behind poverty, dependency and pollution.

However, once-isolated communities are suddenly uniting and strengthening in their actions to halt Big Mining projects.

Today there are more than a hundred mining-related local conflicts, in every Latin American country (www.minesandcommunities.org) Campesinos, indigenous and community groups in villages and cities are fighting Big Mining insertion. In countries such as Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, multinational mining firms are responding by arming paramilitary groups to meet community resistance with murder, threats and violence. In every instance, mining firms attempt to “purchase” social license with bribes, handouts, media campaigns and corrupt local politicians, to sell “sustainable gold mining.”

The tremendous over consumption of water resources is the key issue in modern metals mining projects. Big mines change regional climate patterns, dry up ecosystems, cause the desertification of agricultural lands, communities are dried out. Big mining projects are being located primarily in sensitive river headwaters of vulnerable arid regions upon which millions of human and ecological communities depend. Big mining, through its intensive use of energy and destruction of habitat, glaciers, aquifers, climate patterns and water resources, is a huge factor in global climate change. Appropriate international and national regulation of Big Mining projects is almost non-existent.

On May 2, 2007, communities around the world affected by Big Mining projects are going to carry out simultaneous demonstrations against the Barrick Gold Corporation. Simultaneous actions will be held in Chile, Argentina, Peru, Australia, Canada, the Philippines, Tanzania, and Europe.

Barrick Gold Corporation, the world’s largest gold mining firm, is spearheading the transnational metals mining firms invasion of Latin America. In the past few years, community groups struggling against projects of Barrick Gold Corporation on five continents began communicating together, and this year they have joined together for the first time to call for this Global Day of Action Against Barrick Gold Corporation.

• In Argentina, community activists forced Barrick Gold to suspend operations in the province of La Rioja, the governor ousted due to his corrupt relations with the mining firm, and a state referendum to prohibit open-pit mining is to be voted by the population.

• Chilean and Argentine communities are fighting tooth and nail against the construction of one of the world’s largest gold mines in the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Wilderness Area, in the delicate glacier peaks of the Andes along the Chile-Argentina Border. This is Barrick’s infamous Pascua-Lama/Veladero project. http://projectcensored.org/censored_2007/index.htm#21

• In Ancash, Peru, fierce community resistance has been answered with the murders of protestors by paramilitary and state forces working for the Barrick Gold Corporation.

• In Australia, a series of powerful direct actions carried out by local Aboriginal leaders, indigenous and community activists has tied up and cast grave doubts on Barrick Gold’s huge Lake Cowal project.

On May 2, A Global Day of Action Against Barrick Gold will be carried out. We invite all neighbors, activists and ecologists to join or form the many local-scale actions to be carried out simultaneously and autonomously throughout the world, on the five continents in which Barrick Gold operates.

We hope that through visible and spirited actions, we can join together to draw attention to the grave threat brought upon our world by these transnational large-scale open-pit metals mining projects using cyanide. Our world does not need more gold and silver! We must fight to preserve this world for our children and their children.

We hope to send a message to Barrick Shareholders that their investments are highly risky: Throughout the world, communities are rejecting and shall put an end to these shameful metals mining operations.

For More Information:

Mines and Communities www.minesandcommunities.org
CorpWatch www.corpwatch.org
Latin American Observatory of Mining Conflicts www.conflictosmineros.net
www.noalamina.org (Argentina)
www.noalapascualama.org (chile)

removing a lock-on (at Faslane)

Interesting photos for all you budding arm-tube construction artists. Look how tricky it is to remove a multi- and different-layered one, even when you’ve got all the best kit: