earthfirst – Page 305

new squatcafe/social centre coming soon in Somerset

13th Feb

Hi,
the cider squirrel syndicate, occupants of the studioQautonamous village are embarking on a new project for which we are calling for support. the intention is to occupy a space in central Bridgwater to use as a vegan cafe cum social centre. We Want to include a library, computer/publishing workshops, juggling club, radikal cinema and a space for art and fundraisers and parties. We are calling out for any help indymedians can offer-from donations of food, equipment, literature, movies, labour, paint, electrical equipment, plates cups teabags, allotment space, smiles, advice, timber ANYTHING. We project is to be self sustaining through donations, fundraisers and sheer barefaced determination. At present we have 0 pounds for the project so anything you can help provide will enable us to create the space our dying town is crying out for. Anyone who can help or would like more info get in touch on mookdetat@hotmail.com

13th Feb

Thanks all

happy resisting x

Demo in Edinburgh in the defence of Rospuda

20 Feb 2007
On Friday at 2 pm, in front of Polish consulate there will be a dome in support of Polish protest site
against the destruction of the largest in Europe wild wetlands in Rospuda Valley (google the area to find more about the case)

Take a look at the fuckin’ pictures:
www.greenpeace.org/poland/multimedia/slajdy/dolina-rospudy-z-lotu-ptaka-2

—-
pl.indymedia.org/pl/2007/02/26397.shtml
www.szkocja.net/forum/messageview.aspx

On the Ground Ireland: Day four, the Monday picket, video and report

Fears on early Monday morning. Rats. Big ones. Perhaps Bertie Ahern and his corporate buddies had stormed the camp, attempted to make a profit nest under the communal bender and, as usual, couldn’t agree on anything and began squabbling, squawking and squeaking, clawing out each others eyeballs.

Video 190207_Corrib_picket – video/x-ms-wmv 5.6M

The early morning picket saw people gathering again outside the main gates of the construction site again, this time at 7.30am.

The Garda were out in early, two vans, several patrol cars and an unmarked blue car full of grinning senior officers, who drove up and down the road all morning.

30 to 40 protestors picketed the trucks, cars and buses bringing in the workers. But the Shell contracted workforce was now minus five, according to local people. Five more workers quit after the Friday morning protest.

The picket lasted several hours, including a tea-break at the Shell-to-Sea information hut. Then the “musicians” decided to give the workers a little scare, and send the message the protest to this pipeline and gas terminal was not going away. They ran to the front gate and fence and used sticks to hammer out as much noise as they could muster until the only remaining police van drove up out front. The musical protestors retreated back to the information centre and then took up perch opposite the main entrance again and hammered out beats on drums and barrels.

For now, there seems no real retaliation from the Garda. There was a little pointless shoving of several of the known local members, but it amounted to nothing.

The destruction of primeval Rospuda Valley is approaching! React!

The last moment to step in and stop the destruction of primeval swamps and forest in Central Europe: the Rospuda Valley Bypass. A letter by Adam

Dear Ladies and Sirs,

I do not know if You are aware that Poland is building a road through a part of Europe’s last primeval forest- the Rospuda Valley Bypass.

The last moment to step in and stop the destruction of primeval swamps and forest in Central Europe: the Rospuda Valley Bypass. A letter by Adam

Dear Ladies and Sirs,

I do not know if You are aware that Poland is building a road through a part of Europe’s last primeval forest- the Rospuda Valley Bypass.

The primeval swamps in pictures:
http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&q=rospuda%20valley&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

The investment is contradictory to EU regulations on preparation of transport investments, however, the Commision has not informed yet about the results of the inquiry, nor threatened the Polish government with penalties high enough to deter it from running the most controversial transport investment in Europe without having the decision process inspected by the EU.

Concerning thae whole decision process that took place, never in my life have I seen less democratic procedure. There was not a correct transport investment appraisal procedure, nor any democratic dispute or public inquiry. It was all done as in a totalitarian state.

There were two variants that were saving the valley: one- the Chodorki variant, and second one- the Augustów Eastern Bypass variant. Both were left out of transport appraisal procedure due to no clear reason except for wish to manipulate with the results to support one particular variant that was destroying the nature but was saving the paperwork needed to buy out the plots of land from local peasants.There is no other argument in choice of this particular corridor than the savings in paperwork!

Herewith I accuse Polish government of willfull manipulation with the data in order to protect incompetence of the people who prepared this investment. In my opinion the formal documents were prepared after the decision has been taken, and their goal was not to find the best bypass variant, but to justify exactly this option by strategic manipulating with the choice of variants analysed.

The variants included by government:
http://www.transpolska.most.org.pl/rozpuda/warianty2.jpg

The variants excluded from formal appraisal:
http://www.transpolska.most.org.pl/rozpuda/warianty2.jpg
http://www.transpolska.most.org.pl/rozpuda/warianty4.jpg

I would like to inform You that now it is expected that within no more than a week the trees will be chopped off. I think that You should act promptly enough, if You want to save the valley.

Adam, Transpolska

Earlier documents on the issue:
1. UK Indymedia – EMERGENCY ACTION: WE NEED 100 HARDCORE DIRECT …

“The bulldozers will start destroying the Rospuda Valley wetlands – unless they meet … The Rospuda Valley is a natural treasure, protected by Nature 2000. …”

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/02/362519.html

2. UK Indymedia – Polish ultracatholic government is building a road …

“In the first step of the Via Baltica corridor the by-pass of Augustów through the Rospuda Valley will be built. Currently it is the the most controversial …”

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/11/355034.html?c=on

Transpolska
http://www.transpolska.most.org.pl/

Radley Lakes

The Oxford Mail reports that Anthony Bailey was arrested for possible trespass when being evicted from a camp where npower wish to destroy a wildlife site with sulphur rich power station ash. They also report that he has a broken arm.
Unreported are stories that he broke both arms in 2 places and nearly died in Abingdon police station. Details not known but apparently he was kept in an interview room for some 9 hours with nothing happening.
Also the police are reportedly guarding him in the John Radcliffe hospital and demanding the names of all his visitors.
The alleged trespass was in open/wooded ground near the lakes and not in any private house or building.

M1 widening actions pigged

Police News Management, Incompetence and Poor Attitude To Peaceful Protest Exposed After They Prevent Peaceful Climate Camp Action With Massive Over Reaction

Today, Monday 19th of February, peaceful protesters from the Camp For Climate Action had planned a series of events to highlight the environmental cost of widening the M1. Unfortunately, a massive police presence, totally out of proportion to the proposed protest, appears to have contributed to massive tail-backs on the motorway near Sheffield. The protesters decided not to go ahead with their event after being offered a ridiculously limited space in which to make their point and no protester actions took place at any time. At no point did any of them approach close to the motorway, and they could not have therefore caused the tailbacks as the Police suggested to local radio. In fact, there had been an accident on that stretch, which combined with the roadworks and the police presence, was probably the cause of the delays.

Police News Management, Incompetence and Poor Attitude To Peaceful Protest Exposed After They Prevent Peaceful Climate Camp Action With Massive Over Reaction

In a second embarrassing mistake, the Police seem to have believed that the action had been planned by the No M1 Widening Campaign. In fact, the Camp For Climate Action was solely responsible. The police probably don’t realise the link between traffic growth and worsening climate change which threatens us all.

Sam Nexter said “Tony Blair has claimed that the government is taking climate change seriously but billions of pounds of taxpayer’s money is now being wasted on a scheme that will do nothing to ease congestion but will increase emissions. There are much more effective and economic ways to tackle congestion such as improving public transport and transferring freight onto the railways.”

“Its mad that, on top of paying for dangerous motorway building, money is also wasted paying large numbers of police to sit around in vans.” he added.

The work to widen this stretch of M1 started a month ago, and work on the section between junction 6a-10 is already well under way. In total 115 miles of the M1 is due to be widened from the M25 to Milton Keynes and from Leicester to Leeds, costing a total of over £3.74 billion. Many people believe the widening will allow traffic to grow, causing more CO2 emissions. Road transport already accounts for 21% of emissions in the UK and rises every year.

info@climatecamp.org.uk
http://www.climatecamp.org.uk

Radley Lake: The destruction begins – updates

15.02.2007

The Oxford Mail reported last night that a protester has been arrested at the Radley Lakes site after workers started preparing the area for the controversial dumping of power station ash.

15.02.2007

The Oxford Mail reported last night that a protester has been arrested at the Radley Lakes site after workers started preparing the area for the controversial dumping of power station ash.

“The Ant” as the man is know, had set up camp outside the Thrupp Lake. He went into the area owned by RWE npower after workmen began clearing trees today and was arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass.

http://www.saveradleylakes.org.uk

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Radley Latest

17.02.2007
Work has begun in earnest now, with most of the trees on the islands cut down.
NPower’s lawers have also issued an injunction, served on 6 named individuals, plus anyone else they can manage to serve one on down there, pretty much curtailing most of your civil liberties in that area.
This includes taking photgraphs of “protected individuals” (guys with chainsaws and security guards), setting up any camp within a half mile radius of the lake, carrying equipment that could be used to set up tripods, or spike trees, protesting within 5 yards of a “protected individual”…
Apparently, the security guards were feeling harrased.
So- careful not to breath too heavily either- you might end up getting nicked for that too.
So far 3 people have been arrested in the latest wave of the protest- 1 in breach of the injunction (for daring to take photos on a public highway!).
Camps will be demolished after 6 hours, and Camp Kylie, previously home to “The Ant” was demolished in the wee small hours of the morning (no arrests, as there were no longer any occupants, as they’d all been nicked!)

Suggested action- go down there, bear witness, and I leave it up to you as to whether or not you take any notice of this injunction.
I didn’t!

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background & update

RWE NPower have gone to great expense to try and gag the local press, TV and
even Radio, to prevent the news getting out there that they are trashing
Thrupp Lake and cutting down hundreds of trees, causing distress to the
nesting birds and causing pain to the local residents who have made an
application to have the place classed as a Town Green.

It all started when NPower evicted a group of people who decided to occupy
the house called Sandles which had remained unoccupied for 18 months. They
went in on the 6th Feb with a team of thuggish individuals with faces hid by
balaclavas and sledgehammered their way through a plate glass window to gain
access to the house. Two girls sleeping next to the window were traumatised
and lucky not to have been injured by the flying shards of glass.

After they had evicted the occupants, the security guards, still with their
balaclavas decided to film anyone and everyone who came near the lakes.
Filming vehicle registration numbers and eavesdropping on conversations,
they were carrying out their patrols with gusto, disturbing the wildlife all
through the night during their regular passes and being intimidating to
people who were visiting the area.

A young man called Ant decided on eviction to do a vigil outside the house.
First of all for two days he sat on a chair. Then someone gave him a tent
and brought him some provisions. It seemed an act of kindness for someone
who felt that a protest had to be made. However, the continued stream of
people who supported Ant seemed to aggravate the NPOWER GOONS and soon
NPower obtained some sort of Court Order to stop anyone camping near their
property, carrying a rope or spike within a mile of the site, photographing
their workmen and security guards, and demanding that the people against who
the injunction was served should send a copy of the injunction which they
had received to everyone who supported the Campaign to Save the Lakes.

One of the people named on the injunction is a retired scientist who is
extremely law abiding and is at a loss to understand why his name should
appear on this paperwork. He did have an altercation with a Security Guard
who refused to let him pass down Thrupp Lane BOAT (Byway open to all
Traffic) saying it was a ByWay and he couldn’t drive his vehicle down it.

Anyone who visits the lakes is likely to be followed round by a pair of
burly security guards who are looking for the opportunity to have a
confrontation. Someone visited this morning and reported his path barred by
three security men from NPower, threatening that if he tried to go past
them, he was in breach of the “injunction” and they would have him arrested
because no one is allowed within 5 feet of a Security Guard or NPower’s
property.

Edinburgh CRITICAL MASS Fri 23/02

Following on from last month’s successful ride, Friday (23/02) sees February’s Critical Mass bike ride in Edinburgh. Meet 5.30pm foot of the Mound (by the National Galleries). Ride off 6pm.

We enjoy cycling. We enjoy cycling together. Cycling together makes Edinburgh’s sometime hazardous streets a more pleasurable experience. Let’s ride and celebrate the wonderful invention that is the cycle (bi/tri/uni – all varieties welcome)! Positive attitudes essential!

Following on from last month’s successful ride, Friday (23/02) sees February’s Critical Mass bike ride in Edinburgh. Meet 5.30pm foot of the Mound (by the National Galleries). Ride off 6pm.

Edinburgh is dominated, clogged and polluted by the internal combustion engine. People sit for hours in their metal boxes – typically travelling a few miles – detached from but destroying the environment around them. Let’s demonstrate the freedom, joy and simple practicality that cycling could bring to everyones’ lives!

Invitation to the Biovision 2007 counter-summit

This message is adressed to all people in Europe who want to resist actively GMO’s, cloning, nano-technologies, biometrics, DNA registration, industrial experiments upon animals, BioPatent and more generally agrochemical multinational policy.

If it is possible for you to take a few days off between the 9th and the 14th of March, 2007 and if you have the means to come to Lyon (France), we invite you to take part in our Summit against Biovision/Biosquare.

The Biovision/Biosquare Forum is the biggest European Forum and one of the three biggest worldwide on Biotechnologies. This Forum takes place every odd year in Lyon. On the one hand it is an instrument of propaganda (Biovision) in favour of biotechnologies and on the other a market (Biosquare) where scientists propose to sell industrial applications to companies of the sector.

The other years Biosquare is held in a Swiss city (Geneva in 2006, Basle in 2004, Zurich in 2002) while Biovision is held from now on in a large town of a country of the south (in 2006 in Alexandria, Egypt).

By the time, this Forum has become a full-time lobbying machinery in favour of biotechnologies. It aims to the creation of jobs with high incomes in the area and to decide our future.

If you choose to oppose to biotechnologies as we do, we invite you to contact ( nonabiovision@no-log.org) and to join us.

We will be able to accommodate a certain number of people, but it can be more pleasant for you to pay hotel rooms if you can or to stay at a friend’s house.

It will be possible to park caravans or buses. Also we would appreciate all kind of help, for instance if you could come one week in advance.

If you cannot come, watch out : a cyber-action is already being planned.

See more…
www.rebellyon.info/spikini/biopognon/PagePrincipale

nonabiovision@no-log.org

McLibel: Human Rights Victory Anniversary Demo, Nottingham

To celebrate the McLibel Human Rights Victory Anniversary, there was a small demo on Thursday 15th February, 5pm – 6pm at Exchange Walk, Nottingham

The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg declared that the notorious and long running McLibel case was in breach of the right to a fair trial and right to freedom of expression, thereby voiding any solace that McNasty may have enjoyed from the trial.

The Court ruled that UK laws had failed to protect the public’s right to criticise massive corporations whose business practices can affect people’s lives, health and the environment.

Meanwhile after spending £10 million to suppress free speach, McDonalds find that the most widely distributed protest leaflet ever, continues to be distributed worldwide… I include a copy, for your interest!

As ever, when a protest is involved, there is a uniform nearby that has to get involved. Bless, they can’t help it, can they. This being a Community Protection Officer [half-a-constable] …. he had taken it upon himself to tell a student journalist that he couldn’t take pictures that included him! The student was attracted by the fact that someone had given the officer a leaflet and he was reading it.

Yet again, an officer abusing and exceeding his authority in intimidating people from doing something they are legally entitled to do, namely to take a photograph in a public place. I interceded pointing out that it was so allowed, and that he should leave him alone.

Meanwhile, it was a productive event, with many leaflets given out, and many folks interested in the issues being highlighted. Cheers to those that turned out on a cold and windy evening. Nice one!

Much more info at: http://www.veggies.org.uk/event.php?ref=50

and if you want to know yet more about the alternatives ….. please contact:

Veggies: http://www.veggies.org.uk

McLibel Support Campaign. 5 Caledonian Rd, London N1
Ph: 020 7713 1269
email: mclibel@globalnet.co.uk
Website: http://www.mcspotlight.org