earthfirst – Page 309

3 protesters arrested at supermaket blockade (for Welsh language)

Morrisons supermarket was blockaded by protesters and three members of the Welsh Language Society were arrested today (Saturday 27 January) as part of the continuing campaign for a law ensuring rights to use Welsh
Following a public meeting held in the High Street of Bangor, north Wales, attended by about 250 people a smaller group held a sit-down protest in the entrance to Morrisons supermarket. Despite previous protests and meetings between campaigners and the company’s head office in England, Morrisons have failed to provide a full bi-lingual service.

As eighty or so protesters sat down blocking the entrance a number of other Welsh Language Society members plastered posters on the doors announcing that the store was temporarily shut. Gwenno Teifi, Stiwart Edwards and Bethan Willams were later arrested for suspected criminal damage. were later arrested for suspected criminal damage.

Established in 1962 The Welsh Language Society (Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg) has been successful in winning a TV channel, education reforms and two changes in legislation providing limited rights ensuring government, local councils and official bodies make use of Welsh. However the Society constantly draw attention to examples such as Morrisons as typical of the private sector’s failure to provide bi-lingual services.

More photos on Flickr.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51447658@N00/

http://cymdeithas.org

12 February 2007 – Fantastic February Blockade at AWE Aldermaston

12 February 2007
Fantastic February Blockade at AWE Aldermaston
From 7 am at Tadley gate

Meet up the night before for conspiracy and practice

Block the Builders are calling for special efforts for this last
announced blockade before the vote on Trident replacement

Parliament will vote on Trident replacement within weeks. The government
are proposing a long term policy in favour of new nuclear weapons and
against
disarmament. Now is the time to show your opposition to British weapons
of mass destruction in a practical and visible way.

If Parliament vote to replace Trident in March it will be an uphill
struggle for decades to come, so it is vital that we exert pressure now
to influence the
debate. This means not just taking action, but also letting people know
– local groups, local media and your local MPs as they are the ones who will
be voting.

At Aldermaston new facilities to develop the replacement for Trident are
already being built. Block the Builders are calling for all building work to
stop until a decision is made about the future of Britain’s nuclear weapons.

Previously…
In November 400 people descended on Aldermaston to oppose Trident
replacement and halt the construction of new facilities. Nuclear war work
was disrupted for several hours but the large numbers involved meant
that only one person was arrested. The more people we have the lower the
risks are.

The road outside Aldermaston was closed by police for two hours in
December during a blockade by a dozen people using a concrete-filled
wheelie bin and
a variety of lock-ons. And a successful surprise action this week by
Scottish activists saw construction traffic blocked for four hours and
concrete
lorries arriving to build the new facilities were turned away.

Join the blockade on Monday 12 February.
Block the Builders are calling for a special effort during this crucial
time.
Non-arrestables and supporters are needed. We are encouraging others to “be
prepared”. Bring plans, equipment and enthusiasm. Bring your friends!

Accommodation available the night before, legal support team on the day.

See www.blockthebuilders.org.uk for further details or
ring 07969 739 812

Protests continue at Trebanos

26.01.2007

At 2.00 pm today a group of campaigners against the controversial LNG pipeline forced work to stop yet again on the construction site in Trebanos.

26.01.2007

At 2.00 pm today a group of campaigners against the controversial LNG pipeline forced work to stop yet again on the construction site in Trebanos.

Campaigners occupied a footpath running through the site. They argued that the footpath had been closed illegally because the required seven days notification had not been given. Even local residents had not been informed of the closure.

Initially, the police tried to stop protestors gaining access to the footpath, however, they had to admit that they were uncertain of the legality of the path closure.

Prior to today’s action, work on the construction site had been stopped for three weeks by campaigners occupying the footpath. Resistance to the pipeline is growing, with protest sites and actions against the pipeline increasing daily. The latest direct action site is a tree camp in Brecon occupying the route of the pipeline.

Come to Wales and be on the frontline of Britain’s eco-defence!

Contact Rachael (Trebanos): 01792 830417
Brecon Tree Camp: 07903152822

ex-vortex eviction thwarted this morning (pics and film)

dozens of supporters arrived this morning to ensure that no illegal eviction could take place at the occupied social squat in the building that used to host the vortex jazz club in stoke newington church street.

there was much local support as residents don’t want more luxury flats, a tesco, or a starbucks, all of which are possible plans for the site under owner richard midda’s stewardship.

midda is so unpopular in the area that a photography studio was sold to alex ross (the present owner of the spence bakery) at under market value, rather than allow midda to buy it, even although he was offering far more.

a woman police officer who attended the scene was clearly sympathetic to the squatters, and after seeking advice and clarification, reported that the bailiffs would have to return once they had written clarification from the court (which may take up to two weeks).

one independent photographer was so taken with the officer that he asked if she had a boyfriend – his hopes were dashed when she told him she was married.

quicktime – video/mp4 6.5M
flip4mac/wmv – video/x-ms-wmv 7.1M

films attached in wmv and mp4 formats

if you can’t see the film just by clicking on it (and waiting awhile, as these are several megabytes of data), then right-clik-hold (ctrl-clik on mac) instead and ‘download linked file’ before watching it on your viewer of choice
on mac or pc, i recommend downloading vlc which is a free viewer from viedolan, or also mplayer (free too)
on a mac, if you insist on watching the wmv, then download ‘flip4mac’ so you can watch it on quicktime, as the windows media viewer itself puts all sorts of nasties on your system.

================================================================================
Earlier report:

From 8.30am around 70-80 people, the majority local residents, turned out to support the resistance to the threatened eviction of the Vortex Occupied Social Centre. The owner, Richard Midda, a well known thug and property developer threatened to use force to evict the occupiers if they did not leave by 9.00am.

But like the saying goes “they make plans we make history”! After seeing such a response, composed of all age ranges and faced with no fewer than 15 film and video cameras the police intervened and thereby starting a debate on the finer points of law. With the cops in the middle of this legal debate a decision was made to send one person from the Social centre and the owner, midda, to Stoke Newington Police station where independent legal advise is now being sort.

This is current as of 9.50am.

This occupation has its roots in both the trajectory of occupations from the Radical Dairy (Stoke Newington) in 2002 and the subsequent spaces (Occupied Social Centre – Kentish Town,Ex-Grandbanks – Tufnell Park, Institute of Autonomy – Bloomsbury, The Square – Bloomsbury), BUT also in last years occupation of “Francesca’s Cafe” on Broadway Market – Hackney and Daslton theatre in Dalston.

It shows that radical political interventions in the form of occupied social centres can resonate with pre-exisiting social tensions and antoganisms, especially around gentrification and “community” issues and activate people to self-organise and take some control on how their environment(and quality of life) are shaped.
If your in the area come down, we have now occupied both sides of the pavement due to numbers.
one of the Vortex Anarchists

occupiedsocialcentre@hushmail.com
http://www.londonsocialcentre.org.uk

Hell at Shell petrol Stations: London blockade

Report 1 – On the evening of the 24th January two Shell petrol stations in north London were blockaded by activists who are concerned over Shell’s aggressive business practices and poor human rights record.

For more details of Shells record see:

www.shelltosea.com
www.shellfacts.com
www.corporatewatch.com
www.artnotoil.org.uk

The non-violent actions took place at Shell stations on Holloway Road and Upper Street in north London. No arrests were made. However some motorist became aggressive, made threats and insulted blockaders. The police did not over react and one officer made the comment “suppose we can look this up on the usual website can we?” Here it is officers.

After the last action at the station on Holloway Road one very friendly black cab driver congratulated blockaders and asked for publicity cards to hand out to his passangers. Thank for your support mate.

240107_Shell_Hell_WMV – video/x-ms-wmv 18M

Report 2 – On 24th January London Rising Tide once again helped their friends at Rhythms of Resistance Samba Band and others keep Shell aware that the campaign to prevent the damaging high pressure gas pipeline and refinery near Rossport in County Mayo, Ireland is still rolling.

…and rolling is what it was, with even a bit of rocking. We tried the new tactic with measured success of short spells at a series of North London Shell garages blockading the entrance and exits with band, banners and bandanas (there was also mention of bananas when it came to irate drivers).

Holloway Road was the first stop where having set up and told the gas guzzlers on the forecourt that we were not blocking them in, one of them decided to drive at us from behind. Having stepped back just in time, banging the window as it surged past, the driver got out of her 4 x 4 (funny that, it always seems to be) and violently threatened to do unspeakable things to us as individuals from about 2 inches away. More fossil fuelled driver lunacy followed and we decided to get rolling to the next garage when pushing came to pull us away as plod were summoned.

On arriving at the familiar territory of the Shell Upper Street garage we kitted up and lasted a bit longer, even turning away petrol thirsty black cab drivers, before more violence threatening behaviour from people blockaded out. The thin line of Samba resisted and held out as we turned away the ubiquitous Islington SUVs. The usual support from the Fire Brigade was good for keeping up our spirits.

After that it was back to Holloway Rd with less abuse but more plod and we retired to the pub when they called for back-up since the final whistle of the Spurs v Arsenal game was about to be blown along with plod’s patience.

On reflection over out stout we agreed it was desperately sad that such anger of particularly 4 x 4 drivers only had the unhealthy outlet of threatening us. Especially when Shell’s statuspheric disregard of the planet’s atmosphere and the atmosphere of living in Mayo, Ogoniland or Sakhalin seemed a better place to vent their frustration.

Unlawful eviction planned for Vortex Social Centre tomorrow (Friday 26th Jan)

We need as many people in the building at to ensure the security of the social centre against the bailiffs. Please circulate this widely and let as many people as possible know.

Property owner of 139-141 Church street Richard Midda was granted a possession order by Shoreditch county court on wednesday 24th Jan. The next stage legally is for the courts to issue a bailiffs warrant to court appointed bailiffs who will carry out the eviction on a pre-arranged date. This date we should know about in advance. Only court appointed bailiffs have the right to carry out an eviction.

Immediately after the court hearing on wednesday Midda, along with his own hired private bailiffs came round to the social centre (where the parent/baby group were meeting) threatening people while demanding he now had the right to the building any everyone must leave. He, nor his hired goons, have a legal right to repossess the building.

This morning (thursday 25th) he stuck a notice on the door saying his private bailiffs company (used primarily to harass tenants for rent) will be returning at 9am on friday morning to ensure we vacate the premises. He has no legal right to do this.

Not only then is this an unlawful eviction any attempt by him to gain access, or attempt to forcibly remove people from the premises, will be a criminal offence.

We need as many people as possible in, at, and around the social centre to prevent him gaining access (this is still our social centre!) and that any activity he engages in will be documented by us.

Be at the social centre at 8.30am. bring cameras, camcorders, your friends. The more of us there are the stronger we are.

occupiedsocialcentre@hushmail.com
http://www.londonsocialcentre.org.uk

Gaspipe protest in Trebanos comes to an end

25.01.2007

Today the footpath in Trebanos has been closed, despite residents recieving next to no notification. Legally National Grid had the right to close the footpath tomorrow (friday 26th) but noticing a reduction in numbers the footpath was sealed off today.

25.01.2007

Despite having the equipment to properly resist an eviction the activists decided that they’d “made their point and it was time to move on”. Well actually there was no need to risk arrest when we have another 115 miles of pipe to protest against.

The protest continues, here in Trebanos, Cilfrew, at the new tree-site in Brecon, and everywhere else along route, where local people are suddenly becoming radicalised and small actions are popping up all over the place.

Radley lakes – eviction imminent – update 29th jan

Urgent call for help in Oxfordshire, where activists are occupying and intend to defend a squatted lakeside property in order to prevent the infilling of Radley Lakes with toxic ash from the burning of cheap imported coal at the nearby NPower owned Didcot power station.

Radley Lakes squat
Urgent call for help in Oxfordshire, where activists are occupying and intend to defend a squatted lakeside property in order to prevent the infilling of Radley Lakes with toxic ash from the burning of cheap imported coal at the nearby NPower owned Didcot power station.

The lakes are unusual in their clarity and the area contains local and national rare and threatened species, with 115 species of birds recorded and over1000 trees surrounding the lake which will be felled. However this has been ignored by power company RWE npower, and has been rail-roaded through by Oxfordshire County Council.

The lake contains several protected species, including a possible sighting of otters, and despite a report paid for by local people confirming all this the local government bigwigs have given permission for N Power to fill the lake with flyash from Didcot power station, killing everything in the process. They have already been allowed to do this to 3 other lakes in the immediate vicinity. The local county ecologist has dismissed the report, despite a long term campaign and evidence from another ecologist proving the lake is a wildlife haven. The whole thing stinks.

Please, please if you are free this week, (or even better, right now), get down there, lock on, and make sure they have a fight on their hands. The baliffs are due any minute and more people are desperately needed.

Get off the train at Oxford, then catch train to Radley, takes about 10 mins, then another 10/15 minute walk. For more info call the site mobile on: 07772055384.

TAT NEEDED!
PolyProp, air horns/ rape alarms, cement, aggregate, etc, BOATS (dingy/inflatables etc – lakeworthy!) bedding & PEOPLE! – even if you can just spare a day to help out with building defences is is much needed and appreciated.
Thanks

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24.01.2007 – Npower have been granted immediate possesion of Sandles, the squatted field centre at Radley lakes. A call out to anyone to come down and bring cake and lock on tubes!
Call the site mobile 0777 2055 384
www.saveradleylakes.org.uk for more info on the npower plans to destroy this beautiful area

LONDON MEDIC TRAINING

3-5th February, we are holding an actionmedics training. all welcome. email Â training@actionmedics.org.uk to book a place and get venue details.

What this course is and is not:
This is a 24-hour street medic training. We will cover the majority of the basic information and skills you will need to provide first aid at protests and direct actions.
This will not make you ready for anything. This course is a foundation in first aid and some practice. More diverse and deeper skill comes with time and practice as well as continuing education in health care. You are not a “real” medic until you are in the streets interacting with patients.
One thing we do not teach is Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). CPR is a great and sometimes necessary skill. But we do not cover it here due to time constraints. You will have to find your own course.
This is NOT a certificate course. You will receive no certifications or licenses of any kind. If you have a first aid certificate (such as First Aid at Work) this will not count as a refresher course (sorry).

http://www.actionmedics.org.uk

N London Social Centre needs help now!

24.01.2007

The squatted Vortex social centre has been fending off an illegal eviction attempt this morning. There is a call out for folks to help tonight and tomorrow morning

24.01.2007

The squatted Vortex social centre has been fending off an illegal eviction attempt this morning. There is a call out for folks to help tonight and tomorrow morning

Vortex Social Centre
139-141 Stoke Newington Church Street
Stoke Newington
N16
Help needed Wednesday night (24th) and Thursday morning (25th)
Get on down there and see what help you can offer