earthfirst – Page 319

Rossport Solidarity Picket, Salford Quays

18.11.2006

Saturday 18th November, around 20 activists, including the Rhythms of Resistance samba band went to picket the Shell garage at Salford Quays. Whilst the band played, the rest of us leafletted drivers as they arrived and where possible spoke to them. The site of the band made it all the easier to do so and most were prepared to talk too.

18.11.2006

The response was generally good. We spoke to them as they arrived and whilst on the forecourt. The message as simple – please don’t buy petrol here, better still think whether your car journey is necessary. At least ten cars simply drove away from the garage in the hour and a half we were there, which must have cost them a few hundred pounds.

The leaflet is available at: http://af-north.org/shell/rossport.htm (text below).

For more local information, please contact us at: shelltosea@af-north.org

More information about the campaign can be got from: www.indymedia.ie/mayo
Information about Shell to Sea: http://www.shelltosea.com/
Rossport Solidarity Camp: http://www.struggle.ws/rsc/ or www.rossportsolidaritycamp.com

——————

Buy your petrol somewhere else today.

Shell has a terrible record of destroying the environment and the communities unlucky enough to live near their exploration sites.
On the west coast of Ireland, in an area called Erris, in County Mayo, they have found gas. They want to bring it ashore and refine it in an area which is unspoilt and undeveloped. The result will be the total destruction of the local area and the lives of the people who live there.
Already five men have spent three months in prison for protesting about Shellâ€™s plans. The local people have fought long and hard to stop work at the refin ery. Now Shell and the Irish police are attacking these same people daily to allow construction to go ahead.

Help show you are opposed to their destruction of Erris and the way they vandalise our planet. Buy your petrol somewhere else. Better
still, think whether you need all those car journeys. Hurt them in their pockets. Itâ€™s the only way to make Shell see sense.
Manchester Shell to Sea: shelltosea@ af- north. org

Safe Haven Pipeline Demo update & contact details

18.11.2006

since thursday a group protesting about lack of safety regulations and public consultation have been blocking the laying of the pipeline right next to the LNG constryction site – they are digging in for the long haul!

18.11.2006

Thanks to Schnews newsletter I got down to the demo yesterday afternoon to find 3 OAPS huddled in a tent on the public footpath which runs right through the middle of the massive construction site of the new Milford Haven LNG terminal.

The weather was appalling and they have already roughed it for one night. As soon as they had pitched camp on thursday hordes of cops and officials surrounded them with every manner of arc lights, generators, fenceposts, barbed wire and then packed up and went off to leave the site deserted for the weekend.

The owerwhelming presence of machinery and earthworks seems to blot out the existence of the Safe Haven protest group who are campaigning to have the official Risk Assessment report released for public consultation – apart from the actual pipeline there are grave concerns over the safety of the re-gassification plant. Previous accidents with this kind of technology have been known to produce fireballs of 27 square Km.

They have been trying to raise awareness of the issues ever since the virtaully non-existent public consultation for the Planning of this vast and unnecessary white elephant – which just turns out to be another pet project for the money-spinning Carlyle group [Bush and Saudi Patronage].

They are currently on a public footpath so there may be a struggle to evict them – basically they want to get the Safety report into the public arena and believe that if the facts are known they stand to gain considerable concessions even if the whole thing doesn’t get stopped completely.

Any support gratefully appreciated phone 07752 698489 for details

——————————————————————————————–

Anyone wishing to contact the camp at Tyn y Pant Farm in the Swansea Valley where protestors are occupying a length of pipe and have done since Sunday 12th November 2006 please telephone 07805 038725. The protest goes into it’s second week amidst amazing support from the people of the area who have had enough of being walked over by corporate business for the installation of a fossil fuel industrial sized pipeline to create a market for raped gas from foreign countries. Remember every time you turn on a gas flame or an electric light that it is not so that you can see or be warm but to enable someone, somewhere, probably not in your country, to make a profit.
We ask all those who come into contact with the fencing surrounding this pipeline to please tie a piece of green cloth or ribbon to the fence. One piece for every tree that has been destroyed in the wake of the pipeline, one ribbon for every person that will live in fear of this massive pipeline under their feet for the next 30 years if it is not stopped and one ribbon for every unnecessary death from terrorism and its causes
Thank you for your support all those who have already shown it.

Kebele’s 11th anniversary & benefit party

Raising the roof – 11th birthday & benefit party

It’s Kebele’s 11th anniversary, we now own the place outright, we’re revamping everything, and we’re even fixing the roof. So in true Kebele style, we are having a party – and you are all invited.

Raising the roof – 11th birthday & benefit party

Friday 8 December, 10pm to very late.
The Black Swan, 438 Stapleton Rd, Bristol, BS5 6NR
5 quid on the door

Bands (from hilarious chap rock to stomping ska via east European folk and demon grunge):
Don Bradmans, The Great Escape, Malarchy, Spanner, Jesus Bruiser

DJs & sound systems across the tribes:
Tossers, Positive Vibration, Idren, Akimbo, Inspiration Vibration, Enjoyment Service

Plus Cabaret, CafÃ© n snacks, Bonfire, Info.

Full details and poster/flyer downloads go to http://www.kebelecoop.org/events_11thParty.html

Background info:

For 11 years Kebele has provided a self organised space for radical politics in Easton, Bristol. From squatted beginnings and resisted eviction to fully fledged housing co-op and volunteer-run anarchist social centre, it’s a long story with plenty of ups and downs, gigs, meetings, parties and cafes along the way. Sometimes it’s really hard work, but there’s so much to learn from organising collectively without leaders and sustaining a street level community project.

It’s inspiring to see our principles still intact and at the heart of all Kebele does: equality, inclusion, shared responsibility, co-operation, solidarity, not for profit, direct action. These are more than empty, lifeless buzzwords. Kebele aims to be a reflection of the world we want to see in our everyday actions and organising; a living, working example of what we’re told is not possibleâ€¦

See http://www.kebelecoop.org for Kebele’s history and what’s on now. See also http://bristol.indymedia.org/newswire.php?story_id=25553 for recent news.

Kebele, 14 Robertson Rd, Bristol, BS5 6JY
kebelesocialcentre@riseup.net
http://www.kebelecoop.org

Stop the pipeline! info flyer + events this week (& second camp started)

Stop the Pipeline!!
Land and homes across Wales are currently being destroyed for a huge, unsafe gas pipeline. Is this the best way to tackle climate change?

Whatâ€™s wrong with the pipeline?

The pipeline will be 150 miles long from Milford Haven through the Brecon Beacons into Gloucester, making it the biggest pipeline of its kind in Europe, cutting a chunk the width of a motorway. Despite concerns about on going climate chaos the government is putting their energy and resources into digging up beautiful countryside and peopleâ€™s homes for more non-renewable energy, rather than building for alternatives like solar, wind and hydro power.

Locals groups have formed in resistance to the pipeline. Many feel they have not been properly consulted, some feel bullied and deceived, on an issue that affects them directly, with some people having their homes compulsorily purchased. There have also been many safety concerns as people feel the government have rushed plans through without proper health and safety checks. For example, itâ€™s being built on the only earthquake zone in Britain, parts of it is on land thatâ€™s deemed too unstable for houses and the gas is odourless so locals wouldnâ€™t know if there was a leak. In Trebanos, near Swansea, it was decided the land was too unstable for mains gas pipelines to the village and now theyâ€™re building Europeâ€™s biggest gas pipeline!

Whatâ€™s been happening this week?

Due to the absurdity of these plans, and the fact that no amount of campaigning has had an effect, people have recently taken direct action to stop work along the pipeline. At 5.30am last Monday (12th November) activists entered the worksite with some people climbing on to machinery and others occupying parts of the pipeline. The protestors have claimed squatterâ€™s rights on a section of pipeline and have successfully stopped work since Monday. On Thursday 16th another protest site was started by concerned families in Milford Haven in solidarity with the protestors in Trabanos. There is also a green ribbon campaign for locals to show support for the protest.

What next?

A mass bike ride has been organized for Friday 24th November to raise awareness and show opposition to the gas pipe line. Meet outside Y Mochyn Du pub in Sophia gardens at 3.30pm.

More people are joining the camps as we speak but help and support are always needed, anyone with spare time is welcome to join in.
For regular updates and information see www.indymedia.org.uk

Daughters of Rebecca at Faslane

Approximately 100 people from across Wales took part in the rolling 1-year Faslane 365 campaign over three days this week (Mon 13th – Wed 15th November). 19 protesters including eight teenagers, some of whom were as young as 14, were arrested for blockading the nuclear base. Those under 16 were almost immediately de-arrested by the police, but those aged 16 and over are treated as adults in Scottish law and were detained overnight in police cells along with everyone else. Warning letters from the procurator fiscal were issued to arrestees on their release. Since the campaign began on October 1st, only one Faslane 365 case has been referred to court.

The South Wales group brought with them a contingent of the Rebel Clown Army, a giant red dragon and assorted politicians, while the North Wales group included a sizeable group of “Merched Beca” (Daughters of Rebecca) with voluminous skirts, bonnets and blackened faces. The actions of Merched Beca in 1839-44, where protesters dressed up in womenâ€™s clothes and destroyed much-hated toll gates in Wales, led directly to a Royal Commission to examine the issue, and by 1844 most of the remaining toll gates had been legally removed, allowing ordinary people to move freely along the roads. The 21st Century Daughters of Rebecca hope that their nonviolent direct action as part of Faslane 365 will bring about the decommissioning and dismantling of Britainâ€™s nuclear weapons, allowing taxes to be diverted to more useful purposes.

wrexhamsaw@yahoo.com
http://www.wpjf.org.uk

London neighbourhood Climate Camp Meeting 2 December

London neighbourhood meeting to plan for the next climate camp, lets get this thing rolling!

The Camp for Climate Action was packed with workshops and debates, the camp was a space to pool knowledge, ideas and inspiration to tackle the greatest threat to life on Earth. Under the shadow of 12 huge cooling towers we converged to take action on the biggest CO2 emitter in northern Europe: Drax power station.

London neighbourhood meeting to plan for the next climate camp, lets get this thing rolling!

At the follow up meeting held in Manchester it was decieded that another camp would be held and that there would be regional meetings before the national gathering in Leeds on January 13 and 14. The London neighbourhood meeting will be held at the London Action Resource Centre, 62 Fieldgate Street, Whitechapel, on December 2 at 1 o’clock. see you there!

for more info see
www.climatecamp.org.uk
www.lonodnarc.org

Please Email, Phone or Write Today In Support Of Tortured Filipino Anarchists

Please take a minute to email, phone, fax, or write in support of The Sagada 11, young anarchists falsely accused of a Maoist guerilla attack and tortured in The Philippines. Today, November 17th is an international action day for them! A sample letter and contact details for officials follow this short description of the background to the case…

BACKGROUND
On February 14th this year, a group of anarcho-punks from across the Philippines aged 15-25 were on a trip to Sagada, a well known hiking spot, to go walking. Police stopped the vehicle they were hitchhiking with and brutally arrested them without a warrant. Later, they were told of an attack by Maoist guerillas on a military outpost a few days before. When they denied involvement, they were subjected to further torture including suffocation, electrocution, simulated executions and drowning. The two youngest had to be released, but the 9 others have been charged with arson and murder.

The youths were all active in ecological campaigns and groups such as Food not Bombs, but there is no evidence of any connection with any Maoist organisations, or guerilla groups, or any evidence for the crime. Their arrest was illegal. They are being held under terrible conditions without even basic necessities or enough food in overcrowded cells.

International solidarity could make a huge difference to this case. You can say you are phoning/writing about the Sagada 11, mention their names, and that you would like to enquire about their welfare/you think the arrests were illegal/demand their immediate release, etc. Please remember that they are being accused of being part of Maoist guerilla actions so be careful what you associate them with anything politically.

QUICK CONTACT DETAILS
Filipino police: Gen. Arturo Lumibao: 0063 27264361
Jail:see address below, phone number: 0063 744222304
Filipino Embassy: 0207 9371600, Fax: 020 79372925, Email: embassy@philemb.co.uk

Other important email addresses to send to: rvpuno@dilg.gov.ph, chiefacosta@edsamail.com.ph, sechbp@infocom.com.ph, drpvq@yahoo.com, omb1@ombudsman.gov.ph, ssyed@ohchr.org, tb-petitions@ohchr.org, scronin@ohchr.org . The full contact details are given after the sample letter but you can copy this email list to make mailing easier…

SAMPLE LETTER

I recently heard about a case involving eleven young people arrested, tortured and falsely accused of a terrorist attack in The Phillipines…

Names of those still in jail:

1. Rundren Berloize Lao (24) of Gerona, Tarlac.
2. Anderson Alonzo (18) of Calinan, Davao City
3. Aldoz Christian Manoza (18) of Sampaloc St.,
Santolan, Pasig City
4. Ron Pandino (20) of Barangay Mayatba, Siniloan,
Laguna
5. Jethro Villagracia (21) of Calinan, Davao City
6. Neil Russel Balajadia (25) of No. 026 Tawiran St.,
Santolan, Pasig City
7. Darwin Alagar (21) of Barangay Tipuso, Urdaneta
City, Pangasinan
8. Arvie Nunez (21) of Barangay Silangang Mayao,
Lucena City
9. Jefferson dela Rosa (20) of No. 211 A.M. De Leon
St., Santolan, Pasig City
All of them are presently detained in a jail in La
Trinidad, Benguet.

Name of minor victims released to their parentâ€™s
custody:

1. Frencess Ann Bernal (15) of Calumpang, Marikina
City
2. Ray Lester Mendoza (16) of Blk. 157 Lot 32 San
Francisco St., Barangay Rizal, Makati City

Name of persons charged with torture: General Villamor Bumanglag, provincial director of the Benguet Provincial Police Office (BPPO); Police Superintendent Brent Madjaco, head of the 1604th Police Provincial Mobile Group (PPMG) and his men; and unidentified military agents and Cafgu members

It has come to my attention that the 11 persons, who were arrested and subsequently tortured by the police and military men on 14 February 2006, have filed another criminal charges before the Benguet Prosecutorâ€™s Office on June 28. In the new complaint, the victims charged the police and military officials for arbitrary arrest and detention. As you are aware, the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in La Trinidad, Benguet had already ruled on May 19 that the arrest of the 11 victims was illegal.

I am deeply concerned that the prosecutorâ€™s office may further delay in resolving this new complaint of arbitrary arrest and detention. I am aware that prior to the filing of this complaint, on March 31 the victims had also filed for violation of Republic Act 7438 against the same respondents. No formal charges have yet been filed against them in court. It is reported that the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Office have yet to act on the recommendation made by the prosecutorâ€™s office. Only until the Ombudsman takes action to the recommendation of the prosecutors the case will make progress in court.

Also, the administrative case filed with the regional office of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) is also dragging at their office. The Commission has yet to commence its summary hearing of the administrative complaint that the victims also filed on July 20 and 21, despite a long hiatus between its original complaint filed to them. The delay to resolve the case on part of the Commission and Ombudsman is seriously
affecting this case. I am deeply concerned this situation may prolong unless acted upon while the victims remained in jail.

I am deeply concerned that charges of robbery with homicide, which was re-filed by the policemen against the 11 victims, after the courtâ€™s ruling that the 14 February 2006 arrest and detention of the victims was illegal could be a mere rehash. I am extremely disappointed that the victimsâ€™ allegations that the confession and evidence taken from them by way of torture, which the police used prosecuting them, have not been acted upon. To my understanding, the succeeding proceeding–filing of the case–should have been subsequently declared as null and void as the arrest have already been declared illegal. I therefore urged the court, to consider these circumstances in their future deliberation.

I urged your appropriate intervention to ensure that the complaints the victims filed to the prosecutorsâ€™ office, ombudsman and the police commission are acted upon promptly. I believed that you would completely agree that promptness to resolve these cases is very essential. Please also request the prosecutorâ€™s office in Benguet to consider dropping the charges of robbery with homicide against the victims re-filed by the police considering given the courtâ€™s ruling. If this cannot be done, please request the court to consider approving the victimâ€™s petition for reinvestigation.

Reinvestigation is necessary in order that the allegations of torture are dealt with accordingly.

Additionally, please request the concerned government agencies, in particular the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to considering dismantling the armed militias they are utilizing–Civilian Auxiliary Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU). The utilization of Cafgu had already resulted to abuses. In this case, CAFGU members had been accused of taking part in the illegal arrest and detention. The government must send a strong message against the use of this force.

I trust that you will take action on this case.

Yours sincerely,

FULL CONTACT DETAILS

1. Mr. Ronaldo V. Puno
Chairman
National Police Commission (Napolcom)
A. Francisco Gold Condominium II
EDSA cor. Mapagmahal St., Diliman
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Voice: +63 2 925 0330 / 31
Fax: +63 2 925 0332
Email: rvpuno@dilg.gov.ph

2. Mrs. Persida V. Rueda-Acosta
Chief, Public Attorney Office (PAO)
DOJ Agencies Building,
NIA Road East Avenue
1104 Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Tel. No. +63 2 929 9010 / 9436
Fax No. +63 2 927 6810 / 926 2878
Email: chiefacosta@edsamail.com.ph

3. Director General Oscar Calderon
Chief, Philippine National Police
Camp General Rafael Crame
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Tel: +63 2726 4361/4366/8763
Fax: +63 2724 8763

4. Atty. Jocelyn Castillo
Regional Director, Commission on Human Rights
Cordillera Administrative Region
3rd floor SSS Baguio Branch Bldg., Harrison Road
2600 Baguio City
PHILIPPINES
Tel: +63 074 619 9088/ 074 619 9089

5. Mr. Raul Gonzalez
Secretary
Department of Justice
DOJ Bldg., Padre Faura
1004 Manila
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 521 1614
Email: sechbp@infocom.com.ph

6. Ms. Purificacion Quisumbing
Commissioner
Commission on Human Rights
SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue
U.P. Complex, Diliman
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Tel: +63 2 928 5655 / 926 6188
Fax: +63 2 929 0102
Email: drpvq@yahoo.com

7. Mr. Orlando Casimiro
Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and
Other Law Enforcement Offices
3rd Floor, Ombudsman Bldg., Agham Road
Diliman (1104) Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Tel: +63 2 926 9032
Fax: +63 2 926 7572
Email: omb1@ombudsman.gov.ph

8. Professor Manfred Nowak
Special Rapporteur on the Question of Torture
Attn: Mr.Safir Syed
OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 9230
Fax: +41 22 9179016 (ATTN: SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE QUESTION OF TORTURE)
E-mail: ssyed@ohchr.org, tb-petitions@ohchr.org
9. Mr. Leandro Despouy
Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers
Attn: Sonia Cronin
Room: 3-060
OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 9160
Fax: +41 22 917 9006 (ATTN: SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR INDEPENDENCE JUDGES & LAWYERS)
E-mail: scronin@ohchr.org

For more info, http://www.brightonabc.org.uk

next mcr critical mass is on friday 24th november

thats not this friday but the one after..

we added a poster and flyer/sticker to our blog to print and distibute if you wanna..

thats not this friday but the one after..

we added a poster and flyer/sticker to our blog to print and distibute if you wanna..
http://ilovebicycles.blogspot.com/

we are gonna get some stickers printed this week hopefully ready for next critical mass which is on 24th november.. stickers should fit on top tubes
and on other surfaces!

After the rides we have all sorts of events like meals, beers, parties, film screenings etc. If you’d like to organise something for after a critical mass please email the suggestion to the list

join the critical mass email list here:
http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/manccriticalmass

After this one the next dates are:
dec 29, jan 26 (’07), feb 23, mar 30, apr 27, may 25

http://www.velorution.x21.org.uk

Bradford Priest Arrested at Nuclear Blockade

16.11.2006

Over 50 Anti Nuclear protestors from Leeds and Bradford took part in a mass blockade of the Faslane Nuclear Naval Base in Scotland this morning. Twenty seven of the protestors, including the Revd Chris Howson from Bradford were arrested for their role in the blockade, which included ‘locking on’ to a giant CND symbol outside the main gates of the base.

16.11.2006

A group of women were also arrested after succesfully blocking the second gate of the base. They were dressed as lollipop ladies and carried ‘Stop Trident’ signs.

Protestors managed to cause disruption to traffic trying to enter the base for almost an hour whilst police removed protestors lying in the road and used cutting equipment to remove the ‘lock ons’.

The blockade was part of ‘Faslane 365’, a year-long campaign set up to oppose the existence of Trident, the British nuclear submarine programme and to oppose the introduction of any replacement to Trident.

The Rev Chris Howson said, “I came to Faslane to show support to those who had planned to take part in the blockade. I was arrested by the police whilst standing on the pavement outside the base for reasons they would not explain to me, despite my repeated requests. “It is clear to me that the Government’s interests are not with the majority who are opposed to Trident replacement and would rather see the billions wasted on the nuclear weapons programme spent on health, education or climate change, but with George Bush and his colleagues who want us to live in a world of threat, fear and nuclear hypocrisy.”

Professor Dave Webb from Leeds and Convenor of Yorkshire CND said, “Today’s turnout has been fantastic. We have had a great mix of people blockading today, young and old. It just goes to show that people are prepared to take action for the world we live in. The Government must listen to us all and allow a full public and Parliamentay debate on Trident replacement, and disarmament must be an option.”

http://www.faslane365.org/leeds_and_bradford

Mooreen – Sheffield Social Centre

Coming to Sheffield Soon Nov 29 â€“ Dec 13

: laughing : singing : dancing : learning : supporting : agitating : : hacking : resisting : eating : drinking : loving : living :
Mooreen will be a temporary, autonomous, not for profit social centre located in the heart of Sheffield in reclaimed space which owing to city centre regeneration had been left empty, unused and unloved . . . until now.

Coming to Sheffield Soon Nov 29 â€“ Dec 13

For two weeks we aim to fill the space with life, love and creativity.

This grassroots project will be self-organised space, run by collective decision making, mutual aid and co-operation, and free from discrimination against any individual on the grounds of gender, race, age, sexuality, or disability. Mooreen will be a place where we can socialize, express our creativity, learn from each other and share ideas and experiences.

So this is your chance to put on that gig, show that film, run that workshop, stop that war, prevent that ecological disaster, undermine that oppressive economic system or just to create the world you’d like to see.

If you would like to join in or propose an event, come to a meeting:
next one: Rutland Arms, Wed Nov 22 (upstairs)

info line: 07989874965
Email mooreen-discuss@lists.aktivix.org
http://www.mooreen.aktivix.org