reported anonymously:
“Portsmouth Greyhound stadium has been treated to a new paint job. Slogans such as ‘ALF’ and ‘You bet they die” were daubed in red paint on the outer perimeter fencing to draw attention to the local people about what is going on inside that hell hole.
reported anonymously:
“Portsmouth Greyhound stadium has been treated to a new paint job. Slogans such as ‘ALF’ and ‘You bet they die” were daubed in red paint on the outer perimeter fencing to draw attention to the local people about what is going on inside that hell hole.
Until all are free
ALF”
reported by activists in the UK:
“John Parkers Poultry in Hampshire has finally closed after a sustained campaign of direct action. The actions taken included:
08/03/06 – 50 hens liberated
04/10/03 – 1024 hens liberated.
reported by activists in the UK:
“John Parkers Poultry in Hampshire has finally closed after a sustained campaign of direct action. The actions taken included:
08/03/06 – 50 hens liberated
04/10/03 – 1024 hens liberated.
19/06/03 – Chicken units sabotaged, conveyor belts, cages, lights,
feeding apparatus etc… also 100 hens liberated.
These are just the reported actions, rumor has it there were several
more…”
Festive delay, but finally here:
A seven minute video covers the brutal attacks by a group of crazed and dangerously drunk Christmas Carol singers as they rampaged their way from Carnaby Street onto Oxford Street, storming the most splendid institutes of “cheap and affordable” consumer churches.
Festive delay, but finally here:
A seven minute video covers the brutal attacks by a group of crazed and dangerously drunk Christmas Carol singers as they rampaged their way from Carnaby Street onto Oxford Street, storming the most splendid institutes of “cheap and affordable” consumer churches.
NikeTown, Selfridges, Debenhams and Topshop – all fine establishments with clean employment rights records and highly paid staff members, with guaranteed pension schemes, were subjected to bastardised festive ditties by a visibly dangerous crowd of thugs, rude legal observers and cruel cameramen, none with the least amount of concern for public safety.
A cruel and vicious stunt that should not be copied by anyone, anywhere in the world.
On new years day 2007 a group of activists climbed ST PAULS cathedral and the Tate Modern simultaniously to hang banners, as well as on the millenium bridge to kick start a year of decent against heavy industry in Iceland and Trinidad.
On new years day 2007 a group of activists climbed ST PAULS cathedral and the Tate Modern simultaniously to hang banners, as well as on the millenium bridge to kick start a year of decent against heavy industry in Iceland and Trinidad.
PRESS RELEASE
1 January 2007
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTESTORS ARE TO HOST A STUNT ACTION IN LONDON
On new years day, campaigners from the group SavingIceland.org climbed St.Pauls Cathedral and the Tate Modern as part of the SavingIceland.org campaign, a group dedicating to challenging the destruction of Europe’s last remaining great wildernesses, in Iceland. This is to be a protest against the destruction of rural communities in Trinidad and the Icelandic wildernesses, the last of their kind in Europe, both at the hands of the aluminium industry.
The Icelandic government is sacrificing its glacial rivers and geothermal resources in order to power aluminium smelting facilities. It is to destroy some of Iceland’s greatest natural treasures and pollute its waters. This will cause considerable damage to its tourism and fishing industries. The Trinidadian government is selling its vast reserves of natural gas to create an off-shore aluminium smelter that many fear will undermine the livelihoods of entire communities who are dependant upon fishing.
Tomorrow’s action is part of an ongoing international campaign in support of local resistance against heavy industry in both Iceland and Trinidad.
SavingIceland.org has been involved in the organisation of two protest camps held in Iceland and numerous solidarity actions staged across the globe. It is currently coordinating its third protest camp on the island, commencing on 6th July 2007.
More information:
http://www.savingiceland.org
critical mass fri 29 december
We met at the usual time and place of 6pm at central library in Manchester city centre. There were about ten of us, numbers being a bit low becasue many people had gone to other towns and cities for christmas and new year, but making up the numbers we had people from Aberdeen, York and Swansea!
critical mass fri 29 december
We met at the usual time and place of 6pm at central library in Manchester city centre. There were about ten of us, numbers being a bit low becasue many people had gone to other towns and cities for christmas and new year, but making up the numbers we had people from Aberdeen, York and Swansea!
We rode around the roads for an hour and a half with the bicycle
soundsystem playing a mixture of Slayer and Country/ folk. Some people cheered us and some drivers tried to kill us by dangerously overtaking us and driving on the wrong side of the road nearly into on-coming cars.
One woman said that we were being mean to her children becasue we were slowing her down and so I explained that we were celebrating bikes over car culture because amongst other things (and in addition to other groups of society) cars give children asthma and run them over and so maybe she’d like to reconsider and support us, but she later overtook us slowing down an ambulance that we were making space for to get through, she didnt get very far, about 200 yards to the next lights! She would have been quicker on a bike (of course!) Oh well. but that was really the only randomly vaguely negative incident most people seemed pleased to see us or inquisistive about why we were riding.
It was a fun ride and nice that some new people came on it. Hopefully
we’ll see them again. After the ride some of us went for a beer in the bar. nice.
We were going to have a benefit night on the january mass but as its
pangea (a big student night) where lots of people seem to be going and lots of our friends bands seem to be playing at we thought that february mass would be better (its also my birthday!). But at the next one someone will hopefully come down and film and interview some people on the mass for a film about cycling in Manchester I’m trying to make. On that note can anyone that knows film stuff that might be up for helping get in touch.
thought you might like to see this too posted by someone in the GMCC
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/postbag/template/2006/12/28.html?1
28/12/06: The opening of the Wellington Inner City “Bypass” was delayed, as it was blockaded by protesters this morning in an action against new roads.
28/12/06: The opening of the Wellington Inner City “Bypass” was delayed, as it was blockaded by protesters this morning in an action against new roads. Two people were nailed to the asphalt just before 7am at the corner of Taranaki and Arthur Streets. One person was arrested (15 cops showed up!) and was charged with obstructing a public way.
The long-awaited opening of the Wellington Inner City “Bypass” is/was delayed this morning, as it is/was blockaded by protesters who claim that new roads exacerbate climate change.
“The government could save billions of dollars, and slow climate change, by making a pro-active decision to stop building new roads,” said Charles Sylvester, a protester.
“It’s often said – for example in the Stern Report – that the potential costs of climate change massively outweigh the costs of reducing our emissions. But to stop building new roads would not even have a cost. In fact it would save billions – and help to stabilise our emissions. Every time we build a new road car-driving becomes easier, making people less likely to use the low-or non- polluting modes of transport such as walking, cycling, trains and buses. People also have to travel further due to small but cumulative increases in urban sprawl,” said Doris Brown, another protester.
“Our population’s collective total distance-travelled, and the percentage of people using each mode (bike, bus, etc), have a much greater influence on emissions than any “efficiency improvements” such as biofuels, hybrid vehicles and the reduction of idling time in traffic jams,” said Charles Sylvester.
“Billions of dollars may seem to be well-spent on new roads when cost-benefit analysis counts dollars but does not adequately recognise environmental and social values. Extending roading systems however promotes car use with money that could be used to improve public transport and provide further facilities such as cycleways to encourage walking and cycling,” said Doris Brown.
“The community here have struggled for over forty years to stop this so-called “by-pass” and we achieved a lot in terms of rescued buildings and a smaller road. The struggle is not over though. While political parties and greedy corporations squabble over who looks the greenest our global climate chaos worsens. People will not sit back and take it. The storms have come but seeds are sprouting. Expect to see more protest action!” said Charles Sylvester.
Melting icecaps, endangered Polar Bears and serious drought in Australia are “canaries in the mine” signaling a global climate change crisis that threatens the viability of weather and ocean systems on which life and civilisation depend.
“The GHG [greenhouse gas] problem is extremely dangerous to our civilization because we are predisposed to ignore it”, said Prof. Peter Barrett FRSNZ (Director, Antarctic Research Centre, Victoria University of Wellington) in an article originally published in the “Evening Post”, 10 May 2002 (www.gsnz.org.nz/gs_archive/gsprpb.htm). “If the shrinking trend [of the Arctic ice cap] continues at its present rate of 8 per cent a year, there could be no ice at all at the pole as early as the summer of 2060” reported the Dominion Post, 20 Sept, 2005, B1 summarising results of a study conducted by US National Snow and Ice Data Centre and NASA researchers. “Former U.S. vice-president Al Gore…visit[ed] Auckland [in November this year] to tell key business leaders and politicians in a closed meeting that they must act now to avert climate change catastrophe” (Sunday Star Times Oct 29, 2006, A1).
For further information see
www.sierraclub.org/sprawl/transportation/seven.asp
(seven articles in professional journals, showing that new roads induce new traffic)
www.vtpi.org (tranport policy analysis); www.livingstreets.org.nz (promoting walking)
www.option3.org.nz (people-friendly transport planning)
www.techmedia.co.nz/t2K/ (light rail etc); www.climatechange.govt.nz . (statistics)
www.hm-treasury.gov.uk (Stern Review)
Some red paint was discovered on the ‘bypass’ under Ghuznee Street by a photographer.
Links: Heartbeat | Climate IMC | Climaction | Option3 | Earth First! | Earth Liberation Front | Save Happy Valley
——–
Some notes on nail tactics:
Actually the nails were not very good, and only held the protesters down if they were VERY still. We used approx. 1.5 inch galvanised nails which were very hard to nail into the ashphalt, at least for a non-chippy, and they kept bending. If I had to do it again I would use 6 inch non galvanised nails and a decent hammer. I couldn’t see the need for galvanising. The nails were not going to rust off in the half hour or so the protesters were allowed to stay on the road.
I am not sure if police carry a claw hammer or jemmy, but if not, then then some decent nailing might have delayed the traffic until they could get one from the cop shop.
—
We tried the nails on another bit of asphalt that was newer and the nails went in really easily. The asphalt on arthur street was a bit older and compacted. Live and learn.
I think the galvanised nails were just ones they found and not specifically chosen for that reason.
And yeah it was more a photo stunt in order to get our voices heard… and it worked ;o)
Yay.
——–
PLANE STUPID Newsletter #6
“This is a deeply traumatized community which has been lied to for years and years
PLANE STUPID Newsletter #6
“This is a deeply traumatized community which has been lied to for years and years
by the aviation industry and one political party after another. There is a litany of
broken promises. I wonder just how you might feel if you had endured all this for
years! I am so angry I am almost incandescent with rage at the immorality of it
all.” – A resident of Harmondsworth, near Heathrow
~ VICTORY FOR STOP STANSTED CAMPAIGN! ~
After a sustained and long running campaign by the community near Stansted, the
Uttlesford District Council have blocked the proposed plans for expansion of the
existing runway. BAA however is refusing to accept the democratic ruling and is
taking it to a public enquiry. A campaign fund has been launched to fight the
enquiry. www.stopstanstedexpansion.com
~ OCCUPATION AGAINST BRISTOL EXPANSION ~
On the 4th December, activists from South West Climate Action occupied North
Somerset Environment and Planning Offices to protest against plans for expansion of
Bristol airport. Photos and report at www.indymedia.org.uk
~EASYJET SHUT IN DAY OF ACTION AGAINST SHORT HAUL FLIGHTS! ~
On November 6th, activists from around the country came together to take
action against short haul flights. Plane Stupid activists shut down the London HQ of
EasyGroup, the owners of low-cost carrier Easyjet, and London Rising Tide visited
the Civil Aviation Authority, presenting them with a giant cheque for their £9.2
billion annual subsidy.
In Cambridge, Manchester, Reading and London, there were protests outside
travel agents, while Leeds Bradford airport was plastered with anti-aviation
stickers. Robin Hood airport received a visit from Robin and his Merry Men,
doubly-angry because the airport has been opposing local wind farm applications.
Activists in Manchester dropped a banner, and in Southend a travel agents was shut
when a protestor locked herself to the front door.
30 travel agents across the UK had their front doors chained shut
by activists who left signs on the windows reading, “Closed for a total
rethink. See www.planestupid.com”
A member of staff at Flight Centre said, “Plane Stupid are causing mayhem here
today, everyone is getting all aerated and vexed.” We’ll give them “aerated and
vexed!” What about the 182 million people to die in Africa this century alone
because of climate change, or the residents of ‘hacked off’ Harmondsworth?
The day of action came as new research from HACAN Clearskies shows that 100,000
flights from Heathrow each year are to short haul destinations that are easily
reachable by the more sustainable train alternative.
Reports and photos at www.indymedia.org.uk
~ COURT REJECTS ASBOS FOR NEMA 25 ~
Loughborough Magistrates Court rejected calls from the Crown Prosecution Service to
slap ASBOs on the 24 Plane Stupid activists who they described as “highly organized
extremists” that were arrested in connection with the shut down of Nottingham East
Midlands short haul airport in September.
In an apparent move aimed to avoid having the case heard by a jury, the charge of
public nuisance was dropped, as was the charge relating to an alleged breach of the
aviation and security act.
Campaigner for Plane Stupid, Ellen Rickford, said, “The same day that we learn the
government is pushing ahead with its airport expansion proposals, they try to use
ASBOs to stamp out peaceful protest. Well, it seems their plans were as doomed as
the aviation industry.”
17 activists got one year conditional discharges (the minimum sentence available)
and each was charged £70 in costs. The 5 charged with criminal damage in addition to
aggravated trespass were given varying levels of community service. One person was
referred to Crown Court due to unresolved legal issues and another had his case
adjourned until January 31st. One other activist was unable to attend court due to
illness.
Help us pay our fines! Donate via: www.planestupid.com
~ TOP 100 GREEN CAMPAIGNERS OF ALL TIME ~
Veteran green campaigner and staunch supporter of Plane Stupid, John Stewart, has
been named by the Environment Agency as the 82nd most influential green activist of
all time! Just one position behind Mahatma Gandhi, Plane Stupid is mighty glad he’s
on our side and proud that he’s often been our spokesman!
~ MARKETING GURU PREDICTS END OF SHORT HAUL AIR TRAVEL ~
In a cover-story feature of Marketing Weekly Magazine, triggered by our national day
of action, a PR guru is quoted as saying that he thinks short haul budget air travel
will go the same way that coal did in the 80s because, “they are unnecessary,
outdated and therefore facing decline.” Too right!
~ AVIATION INDUSTRY PUBLISH “TEN REASONS TO KEEP FLYING” ~
Responding to Plane Stupid’s “10 reasons to ground the Plane” – the aviation
industry’s PR people at www.cheapflights.co.uk have come up with, “10 reasons to
keep flying!” This comes after the Stern report singled out aviation as one of the
most significant causes of climate change.
~ ‘ETHICAL MAN’ JOINS PLANE STUPID ON LONDON CLIMATE MARCH ~
Around fifty Plane Stupid-ers marched together with AirportWatch campaigners and
Stansted residents on the Campaign against Climate Change (CaCC) march to Trafalgar
Square on November 4th. There was an 8ft long wooden plane on storks, big banners
and tons of petitioning. Marching with Plane Stupid was Newsnight’s ‘ethical man’
and Seize the Day’s Theo and Shannon. Photos available soon on the website…
In the meantime, see www.indymedia.org.uk
~ POLITICS ROUND-UP ~
Gordon Brown snubbed scientists and campaigners calls for tough new green taxes and
instead opted in his pre-budget report for the pathetic political gesture of
increasing air passenger duty by £5. This news came less than a week after a report
from BA boss, Rod Eddington, who was hired by Gordon Brown and paid by us the
taxpayer, to (shock) suggest airport expansion was a good thing. So we now know that
industry bosses support their own plans. Fancy that!
~ DO YOU WANT US TO SPEAK IN YOUR AREA? ~
Plane Stupid speakers have appeared at the Lib Dem Regional Conference along with
Shadow Environment Minister, Chris Huhne; at the LSE alongside Stop Climate Chaos
director, Ashok Sinha; at student union venues including in London and Sussex; and
at local Greenpeace and FoE meetings across the UK. If you want us to come and talk
in your area, get in touch. info@planestupid.com
————————————————————-EVENTS
———————————-
CAMP FOR CLIMATE ACTION MEETINGS
Following the successful climate camp at Drax, plans are afoot for the next camp
which will be at a different location.get involved with putting plans into action.
www.climatecamp.org.uk
PLANE STUPID BENEFIT GIG/FILM SHOWING
On Friday 26th January, Brixton Jamm presents The Alabama3. Tickets available soon
via www.planestupid.com
——————————————————— RESOURCES
——————————
~ PLANE STUPID: A year in review ~
On November 29th, Plane Stupid had its first anniversary. For a reflection on the
incredible momentum we’ve built up over the last year, with video footage and photos
for download, see www.planestupid.com
~ PLANE STUPID Blog ~
Plane Stupid has established a blog at www.myspace.com/planestupid. Its first blog
entry includes, “The armchair environmentalist’s guide to offsets… or ‘How to save
the world for 38p!’)”
~ LEGAL RESOURCE FOR ACTIVISTS~
Experienced campaigners are offering free advice and training to grassroots groups
including legal skills and more. www.seedsforchange.org.uk
~ THE SHEILA McKECHNIE AWARDS ~
The Sheila McKechnie Awards provide campaign development packages to grassroots
campaigners. Up for grabs is a ‘Transport Award’.anyone wanting to apply should see:
www.sheilamckechnie.org.uk
The next critical mass bike ride in Manchester is Friday 29th December
We suspect lots of santa’s will be on bicycles!
The next critical mass bike ride in Manchester is Friday 29th December
We suspect lots of santa’s will be on bicycles!
Critical Mass: last friday of the month 6pm at central library
After this one the next dates are:
jan 26 (’07), feb 23, mar 30, apr 27, may 25
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.
The next manchester critical mass cycling club bicycle ride will be on Sunday January 28th (the sunday after Jan CM)
There will be two parts to the ride. If you want a real long ride then meeting in Manchester to ride out to the peaks. If you want less of a long ride then catch a train with your bike to the peaks and we’ll all meet for a nice ride and lunch. Details will be posted here very shortly.
Everyone welcome!
mcrcriticalmass@yahoo.co.uk
http://velorution.x21.org.uk
URGENT Support is requested from Dine Elders and Youth!
Sithe Global & DPA are proposing to build the Desert Rock power plant, a 1,500 MW Coal Fired plant in the Four Corners area on the Navajo Reservation. This is an area already polluted by 2 other major coal power plants. Local Navajo residence and community members oppose this project for many harmful reasons!! This Desert Rock power plant is still in the environmental review process and has NOT yet been permitted.
URGENT Support is requested from Dine Elders and Youth!
Sithe Global & DPA are proposing to build the Desert Rock power plant, a 1,500 MW Coal Fired plant in the Four Corners area on the Navajo Reservation. This is an area already polluted by 2 other major coal power plants. Local Navajo residence and community members oppose this project for many harmful reasons!! This Desert Rock power plant is still in the environmental review process and has NOT yet been permitted.
However, Desert Rock company trucks have began moving onto the backyard of Alice Gilmore, an elderly navajo woman, and her family on wednesday to begin drilling efforts. Desert Rock officials and police have not shown any documents or permits to the local residents stating their purpose or permission to be there. Dine supporters and community members have joined Alice and her family to blockade the road. They are elderly women and youth, and they have been camped out on the road over night since Tuesday! Desert Rock trucks have repeatedly rushed them and have almost run-over people a number of times as they attempt to get by. Desert Rock power company is violating the lease rights of the local Navajo residences and is harassing elderly Navajo women and youth! This is an urgent time and support is needed!!!
Please read on to find out how you can help! and Please pass this onto others! (press release and additional article)
Lucy A. Willie, right, stands at the proposed Desert Rock Power Plant site outside of Burnham on Wednesday where she and
several friends and family stayed overnight to stop a contractor for Desert Rock Energy Company from doing preliminary work.
What they need:
– More People Support
– Fire wood
– $$
– Attention!
how You can Help!
– More People! More people are needed to sit in support! All are welcome!
directions to the area are below:
The site is between Gallup, NM and Shiprock, NM (northeastern, NM). Take the road between Gallup and Shiprock, the 491. at the Mustang Service Station (one of the only service stations between the two), turn East on road #5 towards Burnham Chapter. From Burnham Chapter turn North onto gravel road #5082. About 10-12 miles up the road turn West until you see the encampment. There will be markers (balloons) out on the roads. (if you begin to see a dragline, you’ve gone too far)
– Fire wood! it is cold outside and many of the resisters are elderly women. if you can get firewood to the site it is very very much needed! the directions to the site are above.
– $ Money! Resisters are in need of money for gas and food, and also for bail money if necessary. Please send donations to local resident and supporter:
Elouise Brown
1015 Glade Lane 34
Farmington, NM 87401
Elouise can also be reached at: thebrownmachine@hotmail.com
– ATTENTION! the more media and observers are present the least likely Desert Rock is likely to run people over or harass them. contact the media, tell them what is going on. Contact Navajo Authorities, tell them you are extremely concerned. Be a legal observer. Spread this Alert!
Media Contact: Lori Goodman, cell #: (970) 759-1908, e-mail address: kiyaani@frontier.net
Contact the Following Authorities! Tell them you have heard about Desert Rock’s harassment of Navajo elders and youth. Tell them you are extremely concerned! If enough people contact these offices they will know that the world is watching.
Shiprock Police Department
phone: (505) 368-1350
fax: (505) 368-1293
Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley’s Office
P.O. Box 9000 Window Rock, Arizona, 86515
phone #: (928) 871- 6352
also: George Hardeen, Navajo Nation Communications Director Office of the President
Office #: 928-871-7000
Cell #: 928-380-7688
e-mail: georgehardeen@opvp.org
Bureau of Indian Affairs (Gallup Office) they are conducting the Environmental Impact Statement.
Harrilene Yazzi, NEPA Coordinator Bureau of Indian Affairs, Navajo Regional Office
P.0. Box 1060 Gallup, New Mexico 87305
Phone: 505-863-8314
Fax: 505-863-8324
Be a Legal Observer – get to the site and help record/witness what is happening
Send this Action Alert Far and Wide!
Thank you for your support!!!
Enei Begaye
Executive Director
Black Mesa Water Coalition
408 E. Route 66, Suite #1
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Office #: (928) 213-9760
Jihan Gearon, Native Energy Campaign
Indigenous Environmental Network
(877) 436-2121
PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Contacts:
Sarah Jane White, Doodá Desert Rock Committee (505) 860-6166
Dailan J. Long , Diné CARE, Doodá Desert Rock Committee (505) 801-0713
Elouise Brown, Doodá Desert Rock Committee (505) 974-6159
Lori Goodman, Diné CARE (970) 759-1908
BURNHAM, SANOSTEE & NENANEZAH RESIDENTS BLOCKADE DESERT ROCK PROJECT
Burnham, NM –Burnham, Sanostee & Nenanezah Elders and citizens are braving the cold to protect the land from the encroaching Diné Power Authority (DPA) and Sithe Global LLC at the proposed Desert Rock site. Navajo residents confronted the Diné Power Authority/Sithe Global on Tuesday afternoon after learning of water drilling that had been occurring without the knowledge and notification of local residents.
“I have said ‘No’ over and over again and you keep coming over!� Nenanezah elder Alice Gilmore exclaimed to Sithe/DPA employees at the confrontation. For Gilmore, the issue is despicable and uncalled for since she gave no consent to allow DPA/Sithe into her grazing area. Members of the Doodá Desert Rock committee gathered to support her opposition and asked Sithe/DPA to disclose Drilling permits that allowed drilling activity to occur, to no avail. The residents refused to leave after the Navajo Nation Police attempted to give access to DPA/Sithe Global, claiming that permits for the Desert Rock project are not for public disclosure. The Burnham residents barricaded the roads to disallow traffic into the Desert Rock site and have remained in place since the Tuesday incident occurred.
Members of Diné CARE/Doodá Desert Rock Committee met this morning at the Shiprock Courthouse to get answers about drilling permits yet the Lieutenant Dempsey denied access to Gilmore and other concerned residents to view the permits. Residents are asking for: 1.) A copy of the categorical exclusion that is allowing the drilling activities to commence. 2.) Copies of the Clean Water Act Sections 401, 402 and 404, that would prove compliance with regulatory requirements have been met. There are major disturbance taking place and according to the Clean Air Act, these permits are a pre-requisite for drilling activity.
The proposed area is home to extended families, but arbitrarily drawn political boundaries by the Navajo Nation and company representatives have the families separated into the three chapters: Burnham, Sanostee, and Nenahnezad. The boundary defining Burnham and Nenahnezad has been moved south for benefit of DPA/Sithe as recently as two years ago.
“The local residents are not protesters but are resisters. Who would be happy if a well is being dug in their backyard especially when it is done in secrecy? So, how can those residents be considered protesters when they are simply standing up for their rights to have clean air, water, and environment.� Stated, Elouise Brown of Sanostee.
Burnham, Sanostee and Nenanezah residents are not waiting for remedy; many have set up camp at the proposed site and are refusing to move until they get the needed documents. “We’re fed up with them,� states Sarah J. White, President of the Doodá Desert Rock Committee, “the grandmas and the grandpas are being walked over by these monsters and they’re being denied information. We’re standing our ground now.� This incident follows accusations made against Sithe/DPA about environmental injustices, EPA’s proposed issuance of prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) permit Air Quality Permit for Desert Rock Energy Facility and the creation of Navajo Nation Energy Policies without public input.
###
Lori Goodman
Dine’ CARE
10 A Town Plaza, PMB 138
Durango, CO 81301
PH: (970) 259-0199
FAX: (970) 259-2300
Cell: (970) 759-1908
kiyaani@frontier.net
dinecare.org
Navajo traditional elders blockade power plant site
By Brenda Norrell
U.N. OBSERVER & International Report
BURNHAM, NEW MEXICO, USA – Elderly Navajo women and their children formed a blockade, built a fire and camped at the site of a proposed power plant on tribal land in northwest New Mexico. The blockade of
traditional Navajos halted site work in a region that is already toxic with air and water pollution from power plants, oil and gas wells and scattered radioactive tailings from the Cold War.
Facing the threat of arrest by tribal police at the blockade, Navajo elderly, including one medicine man, said they are willing to go to jail to protect their land and way of life.
Most of the elderly are already ill from living in an area where power plants have released 100 tons of coal combustion waste that is blowing in the wind. One of the Navajo elderly resisters is in a wheelchair and
another has severe asthma.
For the second night on Wednesday night, Dec. 13, Navajo resisters camped in the cold at the site.
“I have said ‘No’ over and over again and you keep coming over!� said Nenanezah elder Alice Gilmore, who holds the grazing permit for the area of the proposed Desert Rock Power Plant. The Navajo Nation and
Sithe Global LLC plan to build the power plant, which would be the third power plant in the Farmington/Bloomfield area.
Confronting Sithe and Navajo DPA employees, Gilmore was adamant that she has not given permission for the power plant on her land. Navajo elders from Burnham, Sanostee and Nenanezah chapter, all taking a bold
action to fight the tribal government and corporate aggression, joined Gilmore at the blockade.
“We’re fed up with them,� said Sarah J. White, president of the Doodá Desert Rock Committee. “The grandmas and the grandpas are being walked over by these monsters and they’re being denied information. We’re standing our ground now.�
White said Navajos at the barricade need everything in the way of food, firewood and supplies. “We need everything from A to Z,� White said.
The blockade was formed just 10 days after Navajo Nation elected leaders gathered with representatives from 14 countries and formulated a global ban on uranium mining on Native lands. The power plant
blockade also comes as Navajo Nation leaders are fighting in the federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to protect San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff, Ariz., from the desecration of snowmaking from recycled
wastewater for tourism. The mountain is sacred to 13 area Indian tribes.
However, both Navajo President Joe Shirley, Jr., and the Navajo Nation Council support the construction of the Desert Rock Power Plant and accompanying coalmine, which Navajos say would add more pollution to
the air, land and water, already saturated with disease-causing toxins.
The Navajo Nation tribal government has attempted to censor the voices of Navajos speaking out against the Desert Rock power plant in New Mexico and the use of aquifer water for coal mining by Peabody Coal on
the western side of the Navajo Nation in Arizona.
The proposed site of the new Desert Rock power plant is in the Four Corners Region, targeted since the 1970s as a national sacrifice area for energy production.
It is also the sacred region of Dinetah, the place of origin of Navajos. However, the air is so polluted in the region of Dinetah near Bloomfield that persons with asthma and respiratory diseases find it difficult to breathe.
Further, Navajos say while they struggle with respiratory diseases, cancer and the death of their loved ones in this region, many Navajos must also haul water and live without electricity, since the power plants on Navajo land primarily provide electricity for non-Indians.
The Navajo blockade comes as O’odham in Sonora, Mexico, challenge a secret plan by the government of Mexico, with the knowledge of the US EPA, to create a hazardous waste dump near the sacred site of Quitovac where O’odham hold ceremonies. The Navajo blockade coincides with an action by Pima on Gila River tribal land in Arizona to halt expansion of a hazardous dumpsite.
At the same time, Yaqui in Sonora, Mexico, gathered to prohibit the use of banned pesticides in agricultural fields, now resulting in cancer and deaths.
At the proposed new Desert Rock power plant site in New Mexico, Navajo residents confronted the Diné Power Authority/Sithe Global on Dec. 12, after discovering that water drilling was carried out without the
knowledge and notification of local Navajo residents.
Members of the Doodá Desert Rock committee gathered to support Gilmore’s opposition and asked Sithe/DPA to disclose drilling permits that allowed drilling activity to occur. However, no permits were provided.
The residents refused to leave after the Navajo Nation Police attempted to give access to DPA/Sithe Global, claiming that permits for the Desert Rock project are not for public disclosure. The Burnham residents barricaded the roads to disallow traffic into the Desert Rock site and Navajos remained at the blockade.
Members of Diné CARE/Doodá Desert Rock Committee met Dec. 13, at the Shiprock tribal courthouse to get answers about drilling permits.
Navajo residents said a tribal police lieutenant denied Gilmore and other residents access to view the permits.
Navajo residents are asking for a copy of the categorical exclusion, which would allow the drilling activities to commence, and copies of the Clean Water Act Sections 401, 402 and 404, that would prove compliance with regulatory requirements have been met.
“There are major disturbance taking place and according to the Clean Air Act, these permits are a pre-requisite for drilling activity,� Navajo residents said in a public statement.
Further, Navajos say tribal boundary lines were redrawn to accommodate the power plant corporation.
The proposed area is home to extended families, but arbitrarily drawn political boundaries by the Navajo Nation and company representatives have the families separated into the three chapters: Burnham, Sanostee, and Nenahnezad.
Navajo residents said the boundary defining Burnham and Nenahnezad was moved to the south for the benefit of DPA/Sithe within the past two years.
Elouise Brown of Sanostee said, “The local residents are not protesters but are resisters. Who would be happy if a well is being dug in their backyard especially when it is done in secrecy? So, how can those residents be considered protesters when they are simply standing up for their rights to have clean air, water, and environment.�
Burnham, Sanostee and Nenanezah residents are not waiting for remedy; many have set up camp at the proposed site and are refusing to move until they get the needed documents.
Navajos said this incident follows accusations made against Sithe/DPA about environmental injustices, EPA’s proposed issuance of prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) permit Air Quality Permit for Desert
Rock Energy Facility and the creation of Navajo Nation Energy Policies without public input.
Other activist groups in Bristol want to take part in a city wide day of action against 4x4s. Please join us.
1) Launch Date/1st action: We will launch as a campaign on 28th and 29th of January. The Sunday (28th) is for people who work during the week and the Monday (29th) gives us the opportunity to do an action at a ‘School Run’ (maybe at one of the private schools in Bristol?). The theme of the actions will be: OIL ADDICTS (and the side effects of this addiction) and OIL ZOMBIES. This should give people lots of scope for creativity and fun in making 4x4s uncool and getting the 4×4 drivers to think about their (very unwise) vehicle choice. Are 4×4 drivers in fact zombies who are: a) killing pedestrians and cyclists 2) blocking the streets of Bristol 3) addicted to oil, with the deadly side effects of Global Warming and the crazy ‘Oil War’ in Iraq? You get the idea, dress up as a Zombie for the day as this will give the media lots of great pics and freak out the 4×4 drivers! If you don’t want to dress up, that’s no problem.
Other activist groups in Bristol want to take part in a city wide day of action against 4x4s. Please join us.
1) Launch Date/1st action: We will launch as a campaign on 28th and 29th of January. The Sunday (28th) is for people who work during the week and the Monday (29th) gives us the opportunity to do an action at a ‘School Run’ (maybe at one of the private schools in Bristol?). The theme of the actions will be: OIL ADDICTS (and the side effects of this addiction) and OIL ZOMBIES. This should give people lots of scope for creativity and fun in making 4x4s uncool and getting the 4×4 drivers to think about their (very unwise) vehicle choice. Are 4×4 drivers in fact zombies who are: a) killing pedestrians and cyclists 2) blocking the streets of Bristol 3) addicted to oil, with the deadly side effects of Global Warming and the crazy ‘Oil War’ in Iraq? You get the idea, dress up as a Zombie for the day as this will give the media lots of great pics and freak out the 4×4 drivers! If you don’t want to dress up, that’s no problem.
Other groups (such as the Bristol Cycling Campaign) have expressed an interest in taking part in a joint ‘Day of Action’, when they can also protest against 4x4s in Bristol in their own way. So how about declaring the 28th of January a ‘Day of Action Against 4x4s in Bristol’? If any other groups want to talk to us about what they would like to do on that day, that’s great but if you just want to do your own thing, then that is OK with us too.
2) We will hold a planning meeting on the 7th of January to co-ordinate the day of action on the 28th. Venue TBA. Please email in if you would like to attend so we have an idea of numbers. bristol4x4alliance at yahoo.co.uk
3) Lots of media interest. Below are two articles published in the Bristol Evening Post on the 20th of December. The hostility of the 4×4 drivers in their comments is quite funny. The logic of their ‘argument’ is that David Rose is a ‘mature student’ and that is some kind of criminal offence! The Day of Action on the 28th should generate allot in media coverage – print/radio/tv etc.
4) We support the ‘Transport Manifesto for Bristol’.
Hope you all have a great Christmas break and we look forward to seeing you in January.
Kind Regards
David Rose 07817 447 406
Harriet Williams
bristol4x4alliance at yahoo.co.uk
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Bristol Evening Post – 20th December 2006
Posted on: www.thisisbristol.co.uk
GUERRILLA WARFARE DECLARED ON 4X4 DRIVERS
BY TOM HODSON
thodson@bepp.co.uk
20 December 2006
Drivers of 4x4s in Bristol face having buckets of mud thrown over their cars as part of a campaign to force gas-guzzlers off the city’s streets. Environmental activist David Rose, of Clifton, and his friend Harriet Williams decided to form a new group after seeing the popularity of the four-wheel-drive cars increase in the city. They are starting a direct action campaign of throwing buckets of mud over parked 4x4s and putting fake parking tickets under their windscreen wipers. The 42-year-old mature student at Bristol University said: “We are linked with the Alliance Against Urban 4x4s in London, and they are supporting us, after they were successful in campaigning to get a proposed £25 daily congestion charge there. “Our plan is to make 4×4 drivers look stupid by giving their cars mud washes or placing the fake tickets on them.
“It is non-violent, direct action within the law. “These vehicles never seem to be used for what they were intended. “If you live in the country you obviously may need one for off-road driving, but not in Bristol.â€? Mr. Rose said the group’s aim was to make driving a 4×4 socially unacceptable and to get Bristol City Council to levy a congestion charge on them in the centre of Bristol. Their main arguments are that the vehicles are environmentally unfriendly and pose a risk to other road users and pedestrians. Mr. Rose said motorists and cyclists also found them difficult to see around. He said: “There are just so many things wrong with them, we’ve got volunteers coming forward to join the group for all kinds of reasons. “Some are just concerned with road safety, because roads in the city are narrow and they pose a danger. They emit higher amounts of carbon than normal cars as well “We are not anti-car, we are just anti-4×4.â€? Sports cars were also part of the campaign, he said, but were not as important as 4x4s. Mr. Rose said the vehicles represented a major part of the culture of conspicuous consumption. He said: “Part of the thing with them is showing off, I don’t know why. “There seems to be more and more of them in Bristol, and I think people are angry about it, and a lot want to do something about it.â€? The fake parking tickets featured safety and emissions data and the statement “Poor Vehicle Choiceâ€?, said Mr Rose, who is hoping to develop ones specific to Bristol. The group was also looking for volunteers to join its steering committee, he said. In September 2005, cyclists in Bristol launched a poster campaign targeting four-wheel-drive cars. Members of the Bristol Cycling Campaign sent out 900, A3-size posters to members and supporters bearing the words “No 4x4sâ€? with a road sign type of image “banningâ€? them. Bob Bull, of the South West branch of the Association of British Drivers, said: “We are totally against the campaign. “Our view is that these people, once they have finished with 4x4s, will move on to something else like sports cars. “They won’t be satisfied until there are no cars on the roads, it is ridiculous.
“Yes, certain 4x4s are excessive, if they are used in an inappropriate way. “But where is the cut-off point? I drive an Audi car with four-wheel- drive, my brother-in-law has a Nissan 4×4 which is diesel and more economical than most saloons. “It’s like the whole campaign against the expansion of the airport, I think people just want to have something to moan about.â€? Wayne Baker, a spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police, said throwing mud washes over cars could be considered as criminal damage. He said: “It would be regarded as an act of criminal damage, depending on the circumstances. “It could also be regarded as a public nuisance offence as well.â€?
