Animal Rights/Liberation – Page 22

Anti-whaling hostages – update & solidarity demo reports: Berlin, London, Barcelona, New York, Washington DC

17/1/2008
Sea Shepherd Shuts Down Antarctic Whale Hunt
The Japanese hunt for endangered whales in the Southern Oceans Whale Sanctuary has been shut down.

“All whaling activities have come to a halt,” said Captain Paul Watson from onboard the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society’s ship Steve Irwin. No whales have been killed since January 11th. The Japanese whaling fleet has been denied a solid week of whaling activity. Our task now is to make that two weeks and then three weeks.”

As long as the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and Greenpeace keep the Japanese whaling fleet on the run, there will be no whaling activity.

“I wish that Greenpeace would be more cooperative,” said Captain Paul Watson. “However we will continue to feed them the coordinates for the rest of the fleet as they tail the factory ship Nisshin Maru. If we cannot work with Greenpeace directly we will work with them indirectly. The strength of any movement is in diversity.”

January 17th found the Sea Shepherd ship Steve Irwin chasing the whaling supply vessel Oriental Bluebird and three other whaling ships eastward along the line of Latitude of Sixty Degrees South near the Eighty Six Degree East line of longitude. This is approximately 2000 miles from Fremantle, Australia.

The Japanese whalers continue to hold Australian citizen Benjamin Potts 28 and Giles Lane 35 of Great Britain. The Japanese government has ordered their release but the whalers are defying that order and refusing to release their hostages until Sea Shepherd agrees to their demands. One of the demands is for Sea Shepherd to discontinue opposing whaling activities. Captain Watson responded by refusing to acknowledge their demands and demanding instead that the hostages be released without conditions.

The Sea Shepherd ship Steve Irwin will continue to pursue illegal Japanese whaling activities for as long as possible.

——

Australia to intercede in Safe Return of Sea Shepherd activists

After two days being held hostage on the Yushin Maru No 2, two Sea Shepherd anti-whaling activists may be returned within the next day to the Sea Shepherd ship Steve Irwin by the authorisation of the Australian Government to use the Customs and Fisheries patrol vessel Oceanic Viking as an intermediary.

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith said “What is required now to transfer those two men is the agreement of the Japanese Government, which we have, the agreement of the Australian Government, which we have,” Mr Smith said. “We now need the full and complete cooperation of the two vessels, the two captains and the two men concerned.”

Sea Shepherd were refusing to meet the conditions stipulated by the Captain of the Yashin Maru No 2 to stop interfering with the whaling fleet operations for the transfer of the two crew members, with Captain Paul Watson saying on the ABC 7.30 report “I don’t acquiesce to terrorist demands and that’s what that is. Holding hostages and making demands is a terrorist tactic.”

Asked to justify two members of his crew boarding another vessel without authorisation, which the Japanese have accused as an act or terrorism or piracy, Paul Watson replied “You can run around the ocean jumping on poacher’s vessels. They’re targeting endangered species and whale sanctuaries, in violation of a global moratorium. The United Nations’ world charter of nature on section of implementation under Section 21 E allows for non-government organisations to uphold international conservation law. So, we are authorised to do that. These are poachers, I’m trying to get that through to people. They are poachers.”

Section 21 E of the World Charter for Nature, passed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1982, states that “States and, to the extent they are able, other public authorities, international organizations, individuals, groups and corporations shall ….(e) safeguard and conserve nature in areas beyond national jurisdiction.”

Section 24 of the charter says that “Each person has a duty to act in accordance with the provisions of the present Charter; acting individually, in association with others or through participation in the political process, each person shall strive to ensure that the objectives and requirements of the present Charter are met.”

According to the Australian Foreign minister, Stephen Smith on the ABC 7.30 Report, “the only conditions that will be imposed here are conditions that will be imposed by the Australian authorities and the ‘Oceanic Viking’, and those conditions will go to the safety and security of this operation.

It was reported by AAP that the transfer may take place in the next 24 hours. According to Kim McCoy, the executive director of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, on board the Steve Irwin “We have just spoken very recently with an agent on board the Oceanic Viking customs vessel,” she said. “We have received official contact from them stating that they’re just waiting for the Japanese to confirm that they’re willing to accept those terms.”

“My understanding is that the Australian government is not going to impose any conditions on us to stop harassing the whaling, because the whaling is illegal. The only condition that the Australian government wants to impose is the safe transfer, and of course we’re going to have to facilitate a safe transfer, we don’t want to jeopardise anyone’s safety during the transfer of Giles and Pottsy (Benjamin Potts) to our ship.

“Beyond that they’ve told us that there will be no additional conditions. In other words, we are going to continue intervening against the illegal whaling activity of the Japanese.” she said.

Captain Paul Watson told Ali Moore from the ABC 7.30 Report “We’re not protesting their whaling operations, we’re not protesting them. What we are doing is interfering with illegal activities. This is an interventionist operation not a protest organisation.”

Sources:

* ABC 7.30 Report – Jan 17, 2008 – Govt considers sending ‘Oceanic Viking’ to the rescue
* ABC 7.30 Report – Jan 17, 2008 – Sea Shepherd captain reports from the high seas
* ABC News – Jan 17, 2008 – Sea Shepherd will only accept ‘unconditional’ Govt help
* news.com.au, Jan 17, 2008 – Anti-whalers contacted over detainees
* United Nations General Assemby 1982 World Charter for Nature

Repost from report on Sydney Indymedia, that contains all source links.
http://sydney.indymedia.org.au/story/australia-intercedes-safe-return-sea-shepherd-activists

——
Sea Shepherd Solidarity Protest at Japanese Embassy, Berlin

16.1.2008
People went to put pressure on officials at the Japanese Embassy at Hiroshimastrasse in Berlin today. They hung banners on the fences of the Embassy demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the two Sea Shepherd crew members taken hostage on 15 January by the Japanese
Whaling Fleet.

For updates, see www.seashepherd.org

——

Sea Shepherd Hostage London Solidarity Demo
16/1/08

Fifty picket the Japanese embassy in London in solidarity with the Sea Shepherd hostages (see previous posts). The embassy staff were not happy. Banners read ‘Free the Hostages’, ‘Stop the the Whale Slaughter’ and ‘Defend the Wild’. The picket got a lot of media coverage with multiple TV crews including one from Japan.

Updates posted here and at www.seashepherd.org

——

Sea Shepherd demo, Barcelona
17.1.2008
Demonstrators today held a protest outside the Japanese Consul in Barcelona, also delivering a letter to the General Consul demanding the immediate release of two Sea Shepherd crew members currently held hostage by Japanese whalers.

A group of Sea Shepherd supporters demonstrated outside the Japanese Consulate in Barcelona today, to call for the immediate release of Giles Lane and Benjamin Potts, currently held hostage aboard a Japanese whaling ship.

Inside, two people delivered a letter to the Consul condemning the hostage taking and demanding Japanese intervention. Outside, 150 leaflets were handed out to workers and passersby.

The Mossos turned up but everything was quiet. Solidarity to Sea Shepherd!

—–

NYC Protest for Sea Shepherd Hostages

17.01.2008
Activists braved the cold of New York City today to protest yesterday’s kidnapping of Giles Lane and Benjamin Potts by an illegal Japanese whaling ship. They were released earlier today to the Ocean Viking (Australia’s ship).

VIDEOS
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xk1AKVRbR8I
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb7IM9VNY48

Activists braved the cold of New York City today to protest yesterday’s kidnapping of Giles Lane and Benjamin Potts by an illegal Japanese whaling ship.

The duo are currently being held hostage on the ship, and demonstrations and protests at Japanese embassies and consulates across the globe are being held in solidarity with the Sea Shepherd crew.

Japan, we demand you stop the bloody slaughter of innocent whales and dolphins and return the kidnapped activists IMMEDIATELY without harm!

http://www.war-online.org

—–

17/01/08

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iO2I38jBo-E

Activists from NYC banded together with activists from Washington D.C. to protest the kidnapping and hostage taking of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society members Giles Lane (UK) and Benjamin Potts (Australia).

Animal lovers and environmentalists gathered outside the Japanese embassy and demanded the release of Potts and Lane, who are regarded as heroes, and also demanded an end to the slaughter of beautiful whales and dolphins that go to feed Japanese bellies.

At the end of yesterday’s protest activists received the call: The Sea Shepherd heroes had just been released.

Japanese whalers take Sea Shepherds hostage (incl. Brit) – demo, L’don, 16 January; email addresses; release demands; videos

15.01.2008 – [latest update at bottom]
In what has been an unpredictably dramatic day for the campaign against whaling in Antarctica, the crew of a Japanese harpoon gunboat have seized Australian and British crew mebers of the Sea Shepherd vessel, Steve Irwin.

Astounding! Last year around this time, things were really getting dramatic in the Sea Shepherd pursuit of the Japanese whaling fleet across Antarctica. Crew missing at sea, shipboard fires, the risk of a pristine environment being chemically decimated, and even one human death as an accompaniment to the slaughter of hundreds of mammoth sentient beings.

Not to be outdone, the 2007/08 season of resistance has just kicked into overdrive. Today, the Australian Federal Court called Japanese whaling – in Australian waters, at least – what it is: illegal. The Honourable Justice Allsop issued an injunction ordering that all Japanese whaling within Australian Antarctic waters (which Japan and most other countries don’t recognize) stop immediately. So, technically, since about 3pm Australian East Coast time every single crew member of the Japanese whaling fleet has been eligible for arrest should they enter Australian territories.

But the Japanese whaling fleet, as always, needed to up the ante. In the last 50 minutes it has been reported that the crew of the harpoon gunboat Yashin Maru II have taken two Sea Shepherd activists – Australian Benjamin Potts and a Briton, Giles Lane – hostage, and tied them to the radar mast of their ship. Earlier today the Sea Shepherd vessel Steve Irwin broke off its pursuit of the whale-processing factory vessel, also known as the Cetacean Death Star, the Nisshin Maru. With Greenpeace’s Esperanza still pursuing the factory ship away from the rest of the whaling fleet, the Shepherds turned about to disrupt the activities of the rest of the scattered fleet.

Obviously, they found them alright. Shepherd Captain Paul Watson reports that the two men, who have now been effectively kidnapped on the high seas – ironically, a genuine act of piracy by the Japanese whalers – had boarded the ship to deliver a letter to the captain proclaiming their whaling activity illegal and demanding an immediate cessation of whale-hunting, as per the order made today by the Federal Court.

Seems that Australian concerns about creating a diplomatic incident with Japan pale in comparison to what the whaling fleet are clearly eager to create.

Stay tuned.

============

The Japanese harpoon vessel Yushin Maru No. 2 has taken two Sea Shepherd volunteer crew members hostage. Benjamin Potts 28, an Australian citizen and Giles Lane, 35, a citizen of Great Britain are being held hostage onboard the whaling vessel. Both men were assaulted and then tied to the railings of the whaler. They were then moved and tied to the radar mast by the whalers.

Japanese Whaling Fleet On the Run With Two Sea Shepherd Hostages

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society’s ship Steve Irwin is in full pursuit of five vessels of the Japanese whaling fleet including the Japanese supply vessel Oriental Bluebird.

Both men boarded the Yushin Maru to deliver a message to the Japanese captain that the whalers were in violation of international conservation law by targeting endangered species in an established whale sanctuary in violation of a global moratorium on commercial whaling. They also notified the captain that Australia had just passed a court ruling barring Japanese whalers from the Australian Antarctic Economic Exclusion Zone.

All of this activity has taken place in the area of 60 Degrees South and 78 Degrees East. All activity has been documented from the Sea Shepherd helicopter and the fast moving Delta vessel. The Steve Irwin has dispatched a small fast Delta boat and a helicopter to attempt to persuade the Yushin Maru No. 2 to stop and release the hostages.

Captain Paul Watson has notified the Australian Federal Police that he would like to see kidnapping charges brought against the Japanese whalers. The Australian government and the British Embassy have been informed that their citizens are being held hostage on an illegally operated Japanese whaling ship in International waters.

The Japanese factory ship Nisshin Maru has fled over 700 miles to the Northwest and is heading towards South Africa accompanied by the Greenpeace ship Esperanza. The entire whaling fleet is on the run and outside of the whaling area with the Sea Shepherd ship Steve Irwin in hot pursuit of five vessels of the Japanese fleet.

No whales have been slaughtered for the last four days and it does not look as if the whaling operations are going to begin again for another week at least, and not at all if the vessels are prevented from regrouping. The Sea Shepherd ship Steve Irwin has a good supply of fuel and can remain in the area for some time and will continue to police the illegal whaling operations by the Japanese fleet.

Sea Shepherd captain Paul Watson will turn over authority to the Australian government to enforce the court ruling against illegal whaling in the Australian Antarctic Economic Exclusion Zone upon request from the Australian government and an agreement that Australia will enforce the court’s ruling to bar all Japanese whaling activities in the Australian Antarctic Territory.

The letter taken aboard:

To: The Captain of any Japanese ship involved with poaching operations in The Australian Antarctic Territorial Economic Exclusion Zone.

Sir,

My name is Giles David Lane

I am a British citizen and an unpaid volunteer on the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society vessel Steve Irwin

I have come onboard your ship because you have refused to acknowledge communication from our ship pertaining to your illegal activities in the waters of the Australian Antarctic Territorial Economic Exclusion Zone.

I am not boarding your ship with the intent to commit a crime, to rob you or to inflict injury upon your crew and yourself or damage to your ship. My reason for boarding is to deliver the message that you are in violation of international conservation law and in violation of the laws of Australia. It is my intent to deliver this message and then to request that you allow me to disembark from your vessel without harm or seizure.

I am empowered to act to uphold these laws in accordance with the United Nations World Charter for Nature and the laws of Australia.

I am boarding you with the request that you please refrain from any further criminal activity in these waters and cease and desist with the continued killing of endangered whales in this designated Whale Sanctuary in violation of the IWC global moratorium on commercial whaling and that you cease and desist in continued violations of Australian law by killing whales within the territorial waters of Australia without permit or permission from the government of Australia.

I am boarding you on the orders of Captain Paul Watson who requests that you treat me with respect and in accordance with the Geneva Convention.

http://www.seashepherd.org/

============

Picket at 2.15pm 16/1/08 at Japanese Embassy, London. Nearest Tubes Green Park & Hyde Park Corner.

The address is:101-104 Piccadilly, London, W1J 7JT
============

It would be great if everyone could take a moment to email the Japanese embassy and Foreign office and ask them to do whatever they can to effect Giles’ release. Japanese Embassy: info@jpembassy.org.uk

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: It would be good to copy them in to whatever you send to the Embassy. I had some trouble getting hold of an email address, but you could try the following one – msu.publicin@fco.gov.uk; Meg Munn is the Minister “responsible” for Asia and the Pacific.meg.munn@fco.gov.uk or munnm@parliament.uk
020 7008 1500

Suggestion of what to write: Dear Japanese Ambassador,I am writing to you to protest in the strongest possible terms the taking of two hostages on board a Japanese Whaling Ship this morning.Press reports (see links below) have suggested that the two men, (one of whom is a UK National by the name of Giles Lane), who peacefully boarded the Yushin Maru No. 2 to deliver a letter, were assaulted and then tied up. Photographs from their own vessel, the Sea Shepherd, show the two men being tied up outside. The incident happened several hours ago and I am greatly concerned for their safety.I demand that you intervene at once to ensure that these men are released, protected from the elements, and returned safely to their vessel as soon as possible. I also hope that your government will ensure that the captain and crew of the Yushin Maru No. 2 be prosecuted for their actions.Yours sincerely, etc

============

16/1/2008

Japanese Whalers Make Demands for Return of Hostages

The Institute of Cetacean Research, the front group for the illegal Japanese whaling operations are making demands for the release of the two Sea Shepherd crew being held hostage onboard the Japanese whaling vessel Yushin Maru No. 2.

The whalers said they will return the hostages in return for Sea Shepherd agreeing to no longer interfere with their whaling operations.

“The Institute of Cetacean Research is acting like a terrorist organization,” said Steve Irwin’s 1st Officer Peter Brown. “Here they are taking hostages and making demands. Our policy is that we don’t respond to terrorist demands.”

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has heard reports from the media that Japan has agreed to release the hostages but the Steve Irwin has not heard anything official from either the Australian or Japanese governments.

“The activities of the Japanese whaling fleet are illegal under international conservation law. The Japanese are poachers and should be treated in the same manner as elephant or tiger poachers,” said Captain Paul Watson.

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society will not negotiate with poachers and demands that the Japanese whalers release Benjamin Potts and Giles Lane as soon as possible.

The location of the Yushin Maru No. 2 with the hostages onboard is not known presently. The vessel is no longer in sight or within radar range of the Steve Irwin.

============

BBC video of ship being boarded

Collection of different videos

129 rabbits liberated from lab breeder

It has been reported that on the 6th January 2008, 129 rabbits were liberated from a lab breeder in Lincolnshire. This breeder supply HLS, as well as several UK universities. The photo’s show the cramped, unclean conditions of this hell hole – would we expect anything else?

Click here to watch the video (.wmv format):
http://www.shac.net/images/generic/2008_images/january/rabbitlib/rabbits.wmv

Click here to download hi-res images of the rescue:
http://www.shac.net/images/generic/2008_images/january/rabbitlib/rabbitlib.zip

SMASH HLS

CLIMATE ACTION NEWS SHEET 75, JANUARY 2008

CONTENTS:

———————————————-
UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS:
———————————————-
1) FOSSIL FOOLS DAY – NATIONAL, 1.4.08
2) LONDON RISING TIDE BENEFIT – LONDON, 11.1.08

CONTENTS:

———————————————-
UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS:
———————————————-
1) FOSSIL FOOLS DAY – NATIONAL, 1.4.08
2) LONDON RISING TIDE BENEFIT – LONDON, 11.1.08
3) NEWQUAY AIRPORT EXPANSION, PUBLIC DEBATE – CORNWALL, 12.1.08
4) RADICAL ACTION VS. CLIMATE CHAOS, NATIONAL MEET – NOTTINGHAM, 12.1.08
5) CLIMATE CAMP NATIONAL GATHERING – LEEDS, 26-27.1.08
6) BIOFUELWATCH WEEK OF ACTION – NATIONAL, 26.1.08 – 1.2.08
7) MANCHESTER CLIMATE FORUM – 1.3.08
8) DAY OF ACTION VS. GLOBAL AGRIBUSINESS – INTERNATIONAL, 26.1.08
9) LOW-IMPACT SMALLHOLDING – BUCKS, 11-13.1.08
———————————————-
RECENT HAPPENINGS:
———————————————-
1) NEWQUAY AIRPORT ROOFTOP OCCUPATION – 15.12.07
2) SANTAS AGAINST EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION – NORWICH & LONDON, 15.12.07
3) BRISTOL RISING TIDE TAKES ACTION VS. SHELL GREENWASH – DECEMBER 2007
4) SHELL TO SEA SCALE GOVERNMENT OFFICE – IRELAND, 19.12.07
5) NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE MARCH AND ACTIONS – 8.12.07
6) DUTCH COAL ACTION – 8.12.07
7) FLIGHT CENTRES SHUT FOR BUSINESS – MANCHESTER, 7.12.07
8) CHEADLE-HIGH-STREET AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE – DECEMBER 2007
9) SUBVERTISEMENTS IN LONDON AND MANCHESTER – DECEMBER 2007
10) WOMEN’S BLOCKADE OF DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT – 7.12.07
11) THE TIDE IS RISING! – 7.12.07
12) CLIMATE ACTIVISTS STOP WORK AT COAL MINE – SOUTH WALES, 5.12.07
13) INTERNATIONAL RT HOAX TARGETS BIG CARBON – 3.12.07
14) HOMELESS POLAR BEARS IN COURT – BRISTOL, 14.11.07
15) KEEP OIL UNDERGROUND – DECEMBER 2007
16) SIZEWELL NUCLEAR CLIMATE ACTION – 1.12.07
17) MANIAC MOTORIST MARS MASS – GLASGOW, NOVEMBER 2007
18) VIVA’S ‘HOT!’ CAMPAIGN – DECEMBER 2007
19) WHAT BETTER TIME? – DECEMBER 2007
20) BATH BOMB, ISSUE 5 – DECEMBER 2007
21) PACIFIC CURRENTS – DECEMBER 2007
22) A HOUSE OF CARDS – DECEMBER 2007
23) SOUTH WEST AIR ACTION – DECEMBER 2007
24) RISING TIDE LEAMINGTON SPA – DECEMBER 2007
25) RISING TIDE ON YOU TUBE

———————————————-
UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS:
———————————————-
1) FOSSIL FOOLS DAY – NATIONAL, 1.4.08
Just three months to go – are you out practising your routines? rehearsing your songs? building your props yet? I should get out more over Christmas…
However, it will soon be time to hatch your mischievous scheme, so get your friends round and start plotting!
http://www.fossilfoolsday.org/

2) LONDON RISING TIDE BENEFIT – LONDON, 11.1.08
In support of London Rising Tide, AMP is organising a night of live music at The Others, Manor Road, Stoke Newington. Entrance £5.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=38074566

3) NEWQUAY AIRPORT EXPANSION, PUBLIC DEBATE – CORNWALL, 12.1.08
Organised by Rising Tide with speakers from Groundswell and Plane Stupid.
7pm St. Mawgan Community Hall, Nr. Newquay, Cornwall. For more info. email; kernow@risingtide.org.uk

4) RADICAL ACTION VS. CLIMATE CHAOS, NATIONAL MEET – NOTTINGHAM, 12.1.08
11am – 6pm at The Sumac Centre, 245 Gladstone Street, Forest Fields, Nottingham.
This meeting came out of the last Climate Camp gathering in November. It is focussed on growing our movement – how can we encourage more groups to form and more actions/campaigns to happen? What things do we want to do to help build a vibrant network of regional action groups doing actions locally and nationally?
For instruction on how to get there: http://www.veggies.org.uk/sumac/map.html
Also, 11 people are going to trial in Nottingham on Monday 14th for ‘shutting down’ the local coal power station, If anyone wants to stay to support them that would be great!

5) CLIMATE CAMP NATIONAL GATHERING – LEEDS, 26-27.1.08
The Climate Camp on its own didn’t stop climate change – but it’s part of a growing social movement that can! Come and take the next steps forward at the upcoming UK-wide meeting on Jan 26-27 in Leeds. Everyone is welcome, whether you came to the camp, or were simply inspired by it.
http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/nextmeeting.php

6) BIOFUELWATCH WEEK OF ACTION – NATIONAL, 26.1.08 – 1.2.08
Biofuelwatch are calling for a national week of local action on agrofuels between 26th January and 1st February 2008. We will shortly update our website to provide more background information about the UK agrofuel industry and policies, as well as a draft leaflet and other resources. If you would like to get involved or find out more, please email us at info[at]biofuelwatch.org.uk.
http://biofuelwatch.org.uk/

7) MANCHESTER CLIMATE FORUM – 1.3.08
Manchester Climate Forum “Climate Change: it’s time to prepare”
9.15am at the Methodist Hall, Oldham St, Central Manchester
http://www.manchesterclimateforum.org.uk/index.html

8) DAY OF ACTION VS. GLOBAL AGRIBUSINESS – INTERNATIONAL, 26.1.08
On January 26 self-organized groups from all around the world will take creative action in their community. This will manifest in many ways, from nonviolent direct action, civil disobedience, street theatre, convergences, teach-ins and other activities and events. Grassroots movements around the world are making their voices heard and saying “Another World is Possible”. In coordination with the World Social Forum.
http://www.risingtidenorthamerica.org/wordpress/category/front-page/

9) LOW-IMPACT SMALLHOLDING – BUCKS, 11-13.1.08
Next course by the Low-Impact Living Initiative;
http://www.lowimpact.org/courseoutlinelowimpactsmallholding.htm

———————————————-
RECENT HAPPENINGS:
———————————————-
1) NEWQUAY AIRPORT ROOFTOP OCCUPATION – 15.12.07
For the recently formed Kernow and Plymouth Rising Tide groups, this action marked an escalation in their fight against climate change and for environmental justice. However the planned rooftop protest at Newquay airport was given an unlikely boost when builders at the airport left a ladder propped up!
http://risingtide.org.uk/node/248
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/7146159.stm

2) SANTAS AGAINST EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION – NORWICH AND LONDON, 15.12.07
Subversive Singing Santas Spread Seasonal Sanity in London and Norwich On one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Rising Tide activists in both London and Norwich dressed up as Santas Against Excessive Consumption and hit the high streets to sing a different tune to the usual buy, buy,
buy madness of the holiday season.
http://risingtide.org.uk/node/247

3) BRISTOL RISING TIDE TAKES ACTION VS. SHELL GREENWASH – DECEMBER 2007
A series of actions is being taken against the organisers of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award and Bristol Museum, in protest at the sponsorship of the event by Shell. A grumpy polar bear visited the offices of BBC Wildlife magazine, then activists disrupted Bristol Museum’s posh reception to kick off the exhibition with a Yes Men-style intervention. And on the opening morning, dozens of humans, polar bears, a snow leopard and a tiger gathered (complete with the Shell’s Wild Lie counter-exhibition) in front of the museum. They handed out leaflets and created quite a spectacle. Protests are expected to continue through Jan. 13th.
http://risingtide.org.uk/bristol

4) SHELL TO SEA SCALE GOVERNMENT OFFICE – IRELAND, 19.12.07
A special prayer and carol service was held on 16th December at Bellanaboy, County Mayo, marking the end of another year of community struggle against Shell’s proposed raw gas pipeline and inland refinery.
On the 19th, a small group of Shell to Sea activists scaled the heights of the Department of Natural Resources to place a banner reading PROTECT IRISH NATURAL RESOURCES on the balcony outside Eamon Ryan’s office.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17942
http://www.corribsos.com/

5) NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE MARCH AND ACTIONS – 8.12.07
Over 10,000 climate campaigners took to the streets to take part in marches in London and Glasgow over the weekend, despite pouring rain. Protesters braved the weather in one the biggest demonstrations calling for climate justice the UK has ever seen.
http://www.campaigncc.org/
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/12/387497.html
Environmental activists from direct action group Plane Stupid shut down travel agents and airline offices along the route of the Climate March in London.
http://www.planestupid.com/
Meanwhile, in Manchester airline billboards advertising cheap flights to European cities were subverted.

6) DUTCH COAL ACTION – 8.12.07
A collective of twenty Dutch EarthFirst! activists blocked the coal conveyor- belt to a plant owned by the German energy giant E.on on the Maasvlakte near Rotterdam.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17893

7) FLIGHT CENTRES SHUT FOR BUSINESS – MANCHESTER, 7.12.07
All Flight Centre branches in Manchester city centre were super-glued shut in time for Saturday trading and to coincide with the climate march in London. They were pasted with notices saying: “Closed – we want your kids to have a planet” The UK’s only Hummer dealership, Bauer Millett, was also D-locked shut.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17887

8) CHEADLE-HIGH-STREET AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE – DECEMBER 2007
Activists from Cheadle-High-Street Against Climate Change held a “A planet is not just for Xmas” campaign for a sustainable Xmas.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17917

9) SUBVERTISEMENTS IN LONDON AND MANCHESTER – DECEMBER 2007
Two adverts promoting DVD’s by Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson now have large stickers stuck on declaring “This causes climate change”. Also, FlyBe appears to have spotted the errors of their ways and cancelled their short-haul summer routes. Bravo FlyBe!
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17937

10) WOMEN’S BLOCKADE OF DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT – 7.12.07
Women climate activists blockaded the Department for Transport preventing staff from getting to work and carrying out their policies which are catapulting us towards dangerous run-away climate change. This action comes in response to the Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly confirming the government’s intentions to build a third runway and a sixth terminal at Heathrow and coincides with the opening of their first “consultation”.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17883

11) THE TIDE IS RISING! – 7.12.07
A banner with this warning/statement was dropped to welcome all those entering the city of Manchester on the Princess parkway.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17886

12) CLIMATE ACTIVISTS STOP WORK AT COAL MINE – SOUTH WALES, 5.12.07
More than thirty climate activists, including members of the Rising Tide network, joined with local residents from Merthyr Tydfil in stopping excavation work for a full day on Britain’s biggest ever open-cast coal mine at Ffos-y-fran in South Wales. Activists evaded police and security before taking over the 1,000 acre site on a hilltop near Cardiff. Dressed as clowns and polar bears, they chained themselves to bulldozers and other heavy machinery to prevent work on the mine.
http://risingtide.org.uk/node/242

13) INTERNATIONAL RT HOAX TARGETS BIG CARBON – 3.12.07
Climate activists with the international Rising Tide network embarrassed the U.S. Climate Action Partnership (USCAP), a lobby group composed of 33 prominent businesses and organizations, by distributing a spoof press release declaring that the consortium’s members had committed to a 90
percent reduction in their greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In addition, the spoof release called for an immediate moratorium on the construction of all new coal-fired power plants.
http://risingtide.org.uk/node/240
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2007/dec/03/oil.bp

14) HOMELESS POLAR BEARS IN COURT – BRISTOL, 14.11.07
Four homeless polar bears appeared before Bristol Magistrates Court on 14th November. They were arrested after blockading the Royal Bank of Scotland corporate offices on Avon St. during the Rising Tide national day of action. After pleading guilty to charges of “wilfully obstructing the public highway with a non motor vehicle” (i.e. a suit case) they were given a conditional discharge and went on to picket the RBS branch on Baldwin Street!
http://risingtide.org.uk/node/243

15) KEEP OIL UNDERGROUND – DECEMBER 2007
The only way to fight climate change. A new report by OilWatch.
http://www.oilwatch.org/doc/documentos/Keep_oil_underground.pdf
http://www.oilwatch.org/

16) SIZEWELL NUCLEAR CLIMATE ACTION – 1.12.07
What else would you do at this time in the morning at a nuclear power station, other than lay on the road, lock yourselves together, unfurl your banner reading “nuclear power is not the answer to climate chaos” and wait 15 minutes for the security to notice you.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17868

17) MANIAC MOTORIST MARS MASS – GLASGOW, NOVEMBER 2007
Unburdened with festive spirit, a middle-aged woman leant out of her car and pulled a cyclist off his bike.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17889

18) VIVA’S ‘HOT!’ CAMPAIGN – DECEMBER 2007
“Livestock’s contribution to environmental problems is on a massive scale. The impact is so significant that it needs to be addressed with urgency.” United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation 2006
find out more at
http://www.viva.org.uk/campaigns/hot/index.php

19) WHAT BETTER TIME? – DECEMBER 2007
A free news sheet from the Scottish Climate Activist Network.
http://whatbettertime.livejournal.com/

20) BATH BOMB, ISSUE 5 – DECEMBER 2007
Christmas edition of the monthly Bathonian rabblerousiness.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17905

21) PACIFIC CURRENTS – DECEMBER 2007
For updates on the work of Pacific Environment, a non-profit organisation that protects the Pacific Rim’s wild places and wildlife, see;
http://www.pacificenvironment.org/article.php?id=2658

22) A HOUSE OF CARDS – DECEMBER 2007
From fantasy finance to global crash.
Your guide to understanding the crisis that is sweeping through the global financial system and what it means for ordinary people.
Endorsed by Kevin Smith of Carbon Trade Watch and filmmaker Ken Loach.
http://www.aworldtowin.net/about/HouseOfCards.html

23) SOUTH WEST AIR ACTION – DECEMBER 2007
A new website.
http://www.swairaction.org.uk/

24) RISING TIDE LEAMINGTON SPA is born – DECEMBER 2007
The group had its first meeting on 3rd January and is now swinging into action. If you live in the area and want to find out more or get involved contact becqke@riseup.net

25) RISING TIDE ON YOU TUBE
Rising Tide action footage has been springing up all over youtube – check out http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=RisingTideNetwork for some RT films, some of the latest actions and links to other’s videos of RT actions.

———-

Please send anything you’d like included in this news sheet to:
newssheet@risingtide.org.uk

To view previous editions of the Rising Tide News Sheet, visit the News Sheet Archive at http://risingtide.org.uk/newssheet

This News Sheet was brought to you by Rising Tide, a grassroots network of groups and individuals committed to taking action and building a movement against climate change.

For more information…
email: info@risingtide.org.uk
Phone: +44 (0)845 458 8923 / +44 (0)7708 794665
Address: 62 Fieldgate St, London, E1 1ES
Web site: http://risingtide.org.uk

PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO A FRIEND AND INVITE THEM TO JOIN THE LIST

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END

Surrey Union Foxhunt – Caught Bloody Red Handed

Not 30 miles from the politicians in Westminster; the Surrey Union hunt chased a terrified fox along the A29 and around Ockley village green before ripping it apart on the cricket pitch. This was the reality in England on Saturday January 5th 2008 (3 years after hunting was banned)

What does it say about the law when the most piss-poor hunt in the country can hunt with impunity under the noses of the police and manage to kill a fox in full view of horrified villagers and motorists. Using the same hounds, continuing to hunt where they know they’ll find foxes, chasing them or putting them to ground, continuing to dig with terriers, they then expect you to believe this was an accident.

Anyone with any sense knows what is going on; it just needs you to do something about it. It’s not trendy or easy, but you can make a real difference – Join us and stop the killing NOW! http://hsa.enviroweb.org/features/joinleaf.html

HSA News Release 14th January 2008

Remember that hunting ban?

The Surrey Union foxhunt managed to kill yet again in public last Saturday 5th January. For the second year running they allowed their hounds to pursue and kill a fox in open view.

Last year it was after trespassing on a golf course at Newdigate.. This time it was in Ockley, Surrey. The hounds chased a fox into the middle of the village and caught and disembowelled it in the centre of the cricket pitch. The police eventually turned up after a 999 call and took a statement from a bystander who witnessed the horrific scenes as the animal was ripped apart by a full pack of hounds.

This happens almost every day the length and breadth of the country, but usually safely away from public scrutiny.

Hunt Saboteurs have to witness such scenes week in and week out, nearly three years after the Hunting Act came into force. Not surprisingly, foxhunts in England feel they are above the law. The Surrey police present in three vehicles on Saturday were miles away from the hounds when the fox was killed. The hunt packed up straight away, leaving the carcass in the village.

Based on the previous treatment of numerous submissions of video evidence, the police investigation will lack the gravitas and scrutiny it deserves.

Lee Moon, spokesman for the Hunt Saboteurs Association said: “Foxes are hunted and killed as if the ban never came into effect. By laying a trail through fox habitat, or having an owl in a box, the hunts can kill with impunity.

We have tried to let the law work, but with the police not interested, and a paltry number of cases brought to court, it has to be the time for a return to direct intervention; to no longer put up with the cosy relationship the hunts seem to have with the local constabularies; to make sure the wildlife of this country is safe from the barbarous practices of the past.

Animals are protected from hunts by law, but if the law won’t help them then hunt sabs will have to.”

All press enquiries 07779 580 544

http://hsa.enviroweb.org/hsa.shtml

York & Ainsty South Hunt Sabbed – Hunt Slash Tires Following Sab Success

26.12.2007
SABOTEURS FROM THE YORK HUNT SABS GROUP TODAY MONITORED THE YORK AND AINSTY SOUTH HUNT, SAVING LIVES AND CONFRONTING THEIR ILLEGAL ACTIONS

York & Ainsty South Hunt today met in Easingwold Market Square for their annual PR stunt and Boxing Day Hunt. The Master put on a show whilst doing a speech, trying to act welcoming to the “antis” and ranted how they should be tolerated as the hunt always welcomes opposing views. Whilst he was busy talking to the supporters, hunt sabs fed the hounds dog biscuits to make them more responsive to monitors in the field and laid a non-harmful citronella scent which stops them smelling foxes. The two police officers present had already told people they wouldn’t be following the Y&AS to enforce the ban.

As they set off, to a slow start, the master became very intolerant and raised his whip to hit a sab as more citronella was laid in front of the hounds – funny how their attitude changes when there’s no public round.

About an hour in, the hunt begun flushing covers with a full pack of hounds – something which is illegal under the hunting bill – and there was no drag anywhere in the area, nor seen throughout the day. As hounds went into cry, sabs were on the otherside of the cover ready to get between the fox and hunt pack when they broke cover and went into chase. Following this, sabs made howls (a noise made by followers if a fox is seen) to distract the hunt master who was unaware of the sabs on the otherside. He then began rallying the hounds towards the direction of the noise and encouraging them, only to be caught on video camera by the monitors when he, and the full pack of hounds, broke cover. Fox burrows in the woods were filled in – something done the morning of the hunt so no chased animals can get down the holes – this makes them easier to find, chase and kill as they have nowhere to hide. After this, the master (who coincidentally claimed to be legally hunting in his earlier speech!) was asked about the ban and points of law were put to him as he was being filmed; his reply – a middle finger and muttering of “Fuck Off”. This was then changed to pointing and saying he’ll speak later when he realised he was being filmed.

They then moved onto another, bigger cover and did the same but chased a fox. Due to sabs’ intervention and laying of citronella, two chased roe deer and foxes escaped from the hounds. Due to the covering of the scent by monitors, the pack was confused and the hunt moved on to try and avoid being filmed breaking the law. The land owner then came to escort sabs out of the cover and was confronted about his allowance of an illegal activity occurring on his land; unable to answer he began ranting on about trespass and tried grabbing the video cameras.

Later on as the Y&AS headed back towards Easingwold to pack up, hunt supporters slashed two tires on the land rover used by sabs – obviously in envy of their days lack of success and sabs disrupting their illegal hunt.

THE YORK AND AINSTY SOUTH, LIKE MANY OTHER HUNTS, ARE CLAIMING IN THE PRESS THEY CONTINUE TO HUNT WITHIN THE LAW. THIS IS NOW EXPOSED AS A LIE. WE WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR HUNTS WITHIN THE AREA AND INTERVENE, SAVE LIES AND ENFORCE THE LAW.

YORK HUNT SABS

http://www.huntsabs.org.uk

Sustainable Xmas – Cheadle leafletting, free space & bike protest

CheadleHighStreet Against Climate Change say ‘A planet is not just for Xmas’

Activists from CheadleHighStreet Against Climate Change have commenced their campaign for a sustainable Xmas. National research has indicated that people through holiday eating, travel, Christmas lights, and gift giving produce on average 650 kg of CO2 emissions per individual. This is 5.5% of the yearly carbon footprint of the UK.

CheadleHighStreet Against Climate Change say ‘A planet is not just for Xmas’

The average person during the Holidays produces 26 kg of CO2 from Christmas food, 96 kg of CO2 from Christmas Car travel, 218 kg of CO2 from extravagant lighting displays, 310 kg of CO2 on Christmas Shopping.

CACC members recieved a good response from shoppers of all nationalities with their leaflets ‘ A planet is not just for Xmas’. Shoppers were urged to buy locally grown conifers in pots rather than imported Scandanavian trees and to use solar powered lights . An exchange has been set up for recycled presents and those wanting an alternative to farm produced cruelty have been offered soya textured protein in exchange for the Xmas turkey.

A ‘Xmas free space ‘ will be opened for those suffering stress at Xmas and those who worship other religions or who are aetheists and pagans.There will also be a Boxing Day bike protest against traffic congestion

Strike, demonstrations, clashes (Athens-Thessaloniki-Larissa) – luxury cars, cash machines, CCTV & McD all trashed or burned

12/12/2007
All reports come from athens.indymedia.org Another report in greek can be found at www.anarchy.gr.

One-day long general strike was called by federations, labor unions and syndicates that belong to the GSEE (general syndicalist union), PAME (tied to the Communist Party) but also independent syndicates and other groups, against government plans to overhaul the pension system (raising retirement ages, cutting benefits etc).

Athens: The police repeatedly attacked with tear gas and flash light and sting ball grenades in order to tear apart the anarchist/antiautoritarian blocs (more than 1.500 persons) from the other demonstrators (more than 150.000) while the demonstrators fought back with stones and sticks. A luxurius car had its windows broken and was set on fire, together with a bank’s ATM and a police surveillance camera. Near Great Britain hotel, the cops attacked again the demonstration but were held back by the people. In Omonoia Square, the cops attacked once again the demo and cut back the anarchist/antiatoritarian blocs. In Panepistimiou street, some demonstrators attacked the cops and set free 2 persons that were handcuffed by the cops, in a previous police attack. Then, there was a constant tear gas attack and police striking the demo in order to separate the anarchist/antiatoritarian blocs from the rest of the demonstrators, though they never manage to do so, thanks to the strong self-defence of the anarchists/antiautoritarians and the support of the rest of the demonstrators that did n’t run away, regardless the amounts of tear gas and police attacks. In the same time, employees of “Olympic Airways” some of them protesting with greek flags against the bunkruptsy of this state-sponsored company, were offering flowers to the policemen ouside the parliament house… During the demonstrations, bank ATMs and surveillance cameras were destroyed, and 2 linemen of the Public Power Corporation got arrested a few hours after the demonstrations, for covering up police surveillance cameras with bags. In total, there were dozens of arrests, and 4 of them are prosecuted under misdemeanours (disruption of public order, damaging public property).

Thessaloniki: Demonstrators broke down the McDonalds at Lagkada street and bank windows, and burnt up power supply boxes of police surveillance cameras. In total, more than 30.000 people participated in the demonstrations.

Larissa: Paint bombs and eggs were thrown at banks and party offices.

Marches and open gathering were organised in most cities and towns of the country.

Bath Bomb issue 5 now! & Bristle statement

Just your Christmas edition of the monthly Bathonian rabble rousiness, from deep within gentrify central

@nti-copyright: copy and distribute!
Never mind the Chronicle… here’s the ever-festive
The Bath Bomb

Just your Christmas edition of the monthly Bathonian rabble rousiness, from deep within gentrify central

@nti-copyright: copy and distribute!
Never mind the Chronicle… here’s the ever-festive
The Bath Bomb
Issue #5
free/donation
Dec ‘07

Bath Activists – 2 BNP – 0

Nazi Nick Griffin must’ve been having flashbacks on the 26th November as yet another BNP meeting got shafted by anti-fascists. This time the venue was Oxford Union, an upper class debating society who booked Griffin and holocaust denying bastard David Irving to speak to try and raise falling ticket sales. Bath Activist Network sent 9 activists to the 1,000 strong demo. After getting bored of speeches and placards, we put ourselves to good use blockading a side entrance to the meeting, our presence being enough to deter the cops from letting the doors open. All other entrances were blockaded and BNP supporters were turfed out of a pub they were hiding in! The demo mostly stayed peaceful, save a brief instance during which the cops tried to stop activists getting into the building. The cops – as they often do – failed, and the building was breached many times throughout the night. The meeting was delayed by nearly two hours, and the meeting ended up lasting just 8 minutes, with Griffin and Irving being held in separate locations for their own safety!

Annoying though the BNP were, they were nearly topped by the spoilt tweed-wearing little Harry and Wills wannabe daddy’s boys that constitute the majority of students at Oxford. Judging by the way they were whinging and crying in favour of the BNP, you could almost get the impression that they were fascists themselves. The rich supporting the nazis? Hmmmm. Added to this, they didn’t even try to conceal their superiority complexes derived from the over-priced crash course in sodomy and brandy quaffling that counts for an education at Oxford.

The same happened to Nazi Nick in Oxford as in Bath when the greasy hunch-backed little bastard came here, with a well-placed protest shutting his meeting down. The night was a huge success – blockades, nazis getting pelted with eggs, occupations, outwitting dozy cops – chaos! When will you get the message, Nick? Society hates you and your nazi views! Listening to sick bastards like Griffin is a good reminder that regardless of colour or nationality, the only significant divide in society is rich and poor, the many and the few. As one chant went on the night, ‘They say race war – we say CLASS WAR!’

Bristle Mag: R.I.P.

We here at the Bath Bomb would like to tip our hats in fond farewell to our literary forefathers at Bristle magazine. For many years, this rag provided Bristol and the south west With inspiring radical news and rants. It was a great read, and well worth the odd £1.20 of dole!

http://www.bristle.org.uk

Kebab Shop Carnage

Station Kebab Shop in Bradford-on-Avon has been forced to close after a vicious race attack left staff members with broken bones. The attack comes shortly after anti-racists were branded fascists for shutting down a BNP meeting in Oxford. This attack is evidence enough to demonstrate what happens when we let these bastards spread their poison. They whine about freedom of speech, but they only use it to spread fear, violence and hatred because of the colour of people’s skin – they’re racist thugs who need a fuckin hard boot to the face. The only debate worth having with a fascist is one where they end up inhaling their own teeth.

In a statement received by Bath Bomb today, local Antifa group have promised retribution against fascists operating locally, and frankly, good luck to them! As Adolph Hitler once said ‘The only way the rise of the German Nazi party could have been prevented was if its enemies had have recognised it for what it was and smashed it in its infancy with the utmost force’. The only true words he ever said, and as true to the BNP and NF today as it was to him back in the 1930s’.

http://www.thisisbath.com/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=180730&command=displayContent&sourceNode=232315&home=yes&more_nodeId1=163047&contentPK=19121961

Hunting As Usual, Sabbing As Usual

It was a sunny autumn day when a group of us went for a trip to the country. We rendezvoused with a group of peaceful veggie commandoes and went about our task. We were there to monitor and stop a group of sadistic inbreds who prance about on horses to satisfy their bloodlust and inferiority complexes (I am of course talking about fox hunters, of the Tedworth Hunt). Despite the ban, they are still hunting, this was further clarified on a previous week when a group of sabs stopped a dig out (which involves the hunt sending a terrier down a fox hole to fight the trapped animal, before yanking it out). They put on the pretences of drag hunting (following a fake scent) but this is normally only for show or insurance should they “accidentally” kill anything.

On arriving at the hunt there were the usual assortment of big-eared boys and other oddities of the human species. We did our best to follow the hunt; jumping fences, blowing horns and chasing them around the countryside. At one point after losing the hunt and then re-finding them again, something must have flipped in the psychotic mind of the huntsman and his followers and they tried to ride us down (No sabs were seriously injured). Shortly after this incident, their day thoroughly ruined by the sabs, the hunt packed up early. We then went round a mate’s house for vegan cake and tea. If you feel like getting involved give us a call on 07854 062336.

http://hsa.enviroweb.org/hsa.shtml

Events

every Monday Bath Hunt Saboteurs meeting — back room of the Bell, 8pm
every Wednesday London Road Food Co-op; 4pm—7pm, Riverside Community Centre, London Road
8th Dec Bath FreeShop — Stall Street 12-3pm
10th-24th Dec Anti-fur fortnight http://www.caft.org.uk
15th Dec Day of action against foie gras; contact bathanimalaction@yahoo.co.uk
16th Dec ‘Bubbling Under’ — Porter Cellar Bar, 1-4pm; showing The Yes Men
21stDec ‘Leftism’ at the Crown on Bathwick Street — 9-1am; funds towards RAINBOW
2nd Jan Bath Animal Action meeting — back room of the Bell, 7.30-8.30pm
3rd Jan Bath Activist Network meeting — downstairs Hobgoblin, 7.30-9pm
7th Jan Public meeting against Tesco’s; St Mary’s Church, Bathwick Hill; contact bathactivistnet@yahoo.co.uk for mnore details

Reclaim The High Street

Members of Bath Activist Network descended on town last Saturday for the mammoth day of demoing that was ‘Reclaim the Planet’. Moving away from the original ‘eco’ theme, activists adopted a more generously anti-capitalist approach to question the consumer nightmare that is Xmas shopping. Now, we’re not anti Xmas, but we did want to highlight why this time of year sees the sweatshop, animal abuse and climate change industries profits soar, in this, the season of good will. We started off helping out Bath Stop the War Coalition on their anti-war vigil which has been taking place every Saturday, between 11.30 and 12.30 outside the Abbey for the past several years. An unjust war for oil, so we can keep driving our 4x4s, importing our apples and buying our plastic crap.
From there, we moved on to Bistro No.5, an isolated bastion of animal abuse that continues to sell the bloated liver of force-fed geese, otherwise known as foie gras. Having already promised to take this sick ‘delicacy’ off the menu, but put it back on, they weren’t best pleased to see us again. The manageress called the cops, who threatened some arrests, exchanged some stern words, then left after the day’s first police-protester round of banter. This left a very unhappy manageress and during a short and sharp phone call, the owner promised to take it back off the menu!

We then moved on to Disney, who use their ‘cute and cuddly’ image to hide the fact that they employ third world children in sweatshops to produce their toys for slave labour wages. A banner was unfurled, leaflets distributed, and many customers left to shop in a more cruelty-free environment. The demo was effective and well received – we even received a visit from our fluoro-jacketed friends from the Bath Constabulary, who were happy to let us continue our peaceful protest, and moved off after a another spot of jovial banter!

From there we moved to the ever unpopular McDonalds, who were pleased as ever to see us. More banners, free cake and hundreds of leaflets were deployed as dozens of potential customers pledged to boycott the place on the grounds of their disregard for animal welfare, employee rights, the environment and the serious health implications of eating there! All in all a long but successful day despite the terrible weather. A follow-up event is being planned for next summer, and loads is gonna be going on in-between, so keep yer eyes peeled!

http://www.mcspotlight.org/
http://www.nosweat.org.uk/node/183
http://www.banfoiegras.org.uk/
http://www.stopwar.org.uk/

Puppy Punchers Pay The Price

On Saturday the 10th November, activists descended on Huntingdon Life Sciences in Cambridgeshire, furious at the company’s continued animal abuse. A research contractor for the pharmaceutical industry, HLS kill 500 animals daily in the name of profit, without ever producing a single paper. But not just the cute and fluffy animals suffer: 10,000 humans die every year in the UK alone as a result of dodgy drug side effects. But then what can you expect, when the government refuses to examine whether animal testing works or not? TGN 1412 horribly injured 6 volunteers in March of last year; like Vioxx, Contergan, and Thalidomide did before, to name a few. But the pharmaceuticals have lobbied hard for their privileges, and who cares about lives when there’s a quick buck to be made? Far easier to just lock up anyone who complains and call them ‘terrorists’ – just like the three SHAC activists in prison right now.

From 1 till 2, campaigners marched through Huntingdon centre, leafleting and chanting, before moving on to the labs itself. And what a place – ringed by razorwire, fences and grim-looking cops, HLS is nothing short of a modern day Auschwitz. For two hours we vented our rage, with megaphone, voice and siren, and heard how these bankrupt monsters have been bailed out again and again by taxpayers’ money, and also of the caught-on-camera HLS workers, laughing as they hit captive beagles in the face.

Recently, another shareholder, Axa, pulled out; but when will science finally learn to move to non-animal testing, so then we can all just get on with our lives, rather than waving placards, or bed-bound in cash-strapped hospitals?

http://www.shac.net/HLS/exposed.html

Who Are Bath Activist Network?

We are a local umbrella group campaigning on issues as diverse as development, environmentalism, anti-war, animal rights, workers’ rights and more. Helping to produce The Bath Bomb, we are open to anyone, and our members range from trade unionists to anarchists, liberals to greens, and people who just want to change Bath for the better. For details on meetings, demos, or just to get in touch, ring us on 07949 611912, email bathactivistnet@yahoo.co.uk, or see our website: www.myspace.com/bathactivistnetwork

The Wheels Of Green Bull Go Round And Round

Ever straining to prove its green credentials, B&NES have recently invested in a pilot scheme of schoolbuses being run on rapeseed oil/biodiesel , as a measure to cut CO2 emissions– with one at Three Ways in Bath and another at Norton Hill, in Midsomer Norton. While my treehugger side welcomes this, my inner cynic gets sceptical: nitrous oxide emission from fertilisers are around 3oo times worse than fossil fuel emissions, so, unless organic, biofuels are no friend to the planet. Secondly, there is barely enough farmland around for food crops never mind fuel, which will jump food prices, when the world’s already got more than enough starvation problems. In the South, biofuel plantations will also ruin indigenous culture by forcing people from their land into the cities, and will also eat into nature reserves. Small scale production and recycling cooking oils may not be a bad thing, but means little profit for the agrofuels industry: yet again, the smell of ‘greenwash’ is in the air, and it’s starting to stink.

http://www.biofuelwatch.org.uk/

Suits, Gold Lamé And Videotapes

Carrying on from last month’s ‘Fourth World War’, the Porter Cellar’s keeping it up with another ‘Bubbling Under’ screening: Sunday 16th December, from 1pm till 4pm, free entry, showing ‘The Yes Men’. A darkly comical documentary, it follows the story of how two anti-corporate activists who set themselves up as bogus big business reps, making ever-more ridiculous presentations at swanky industry conferences. Following commercial logic to its nasty extreme, they hoped to shake the audience from their stupor by straight-facedly offering up business plans so brutal and downright disgusting, that even the most greedy and self-serving of fat cats would be incensed. But, whether proposing electro-shocking sweatshop workers into line with inflated golden dildos, or recycled human faeces into a new range of burgers, the only reaction they ever get is enthusiastic applause… Proving that once again, fact is stranger than fiction! Must be seen to be believed.

http://www.moles.co.uk/porter/view_porter_listing.ihtml?per=future
http://www.theyesmen.org/

GOT A STORY? WANT TO RECEIVE THE BATH BOMB BY EMAIL? HOPING TO SUE?
Contact us by e-mailing bathbombpress@yahoo.co.uk Large print e-versions are available on request.

And now, to the disclaimer: As anyone is free to contribute to this newsletter, the opinions expressed in each article are not necessarily reflective of each contributor. Naturally, any right-wing or corporate bullshit will be binned and spat on. Needless to say, the opinions of
the author of this disclaimer does not necessarily represent the views of any other contributor…

http://www.myspace.com/bathbomb

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
bristle magazine (Bristol) – statement from the collective

Whilst the comrades at Bath Bomb are jumping the gun a bit by declaring ‘Bristle R.I.P’, the bristle Collective, publishers of bristle magazine, would like to advise activists, readers and Indymedia users of the following:

A statement from the bristle Collective

Before the Bristolian news-sheet came and went, before Bristol Indymedia was conceived, before the internet was a daily (hourly) part of your lives, and before anybody & nobody had their personal blog, there was bristle magazine.

What started as a cut’n’paste A4 photocopied & folded freesheet (see image), in times of hope and high activity when the Tories were beaten and we were reclaiming those streets, developed into a 2 or more colour magazine of between 24 and 40 pages. From a copied run of 50 to a professional print-run and sales of 1200, although normally half that, bristle evolved through the years. But its aim always remained the same: to give a space and a voice in Bristol & the south west to those shut out from the corporate media-mainstream of ads and bullshit. To be a publication written by activists that would try to reach out beyond the activist scenes to combat the misinformation of governments and capital.

Some 10 years and 24 issues (plus a book, various free-sheets, t-shirts, stickers etc) later that task remains as valid and vital as ever, in fact more so! But for now bristle magazine is dormant. The continued departure over the last 2 years of long-term collective members, and contributors, has not been countered by sufficient new people. We have had some interested new people, but their involvement, and usually their stay in Bristol, has not been permanent.

Sadly therefore, the remaining few collective members, who are all deeply involved in other projects too, have decided to take a long term break and suspend publication of the magazine. We would like to thank all those who have contributed in any way to the magazine over the years, and send our love and solidarity to all those continuing to struggle for a free and better world. We look forwards to seeing you behind the barricade of your choosing, be it wielding a pen, a spray can, or something a little heavier.

For now we are looking into other possible initiatives involving print media and the machinery needed. We would be interested to hear from anybody considering publishing alternative print media. Indeed if you have the time, energy, skills (research, writing, dtp, distro, art & cartoons, editing etc) and longish-term commitment we could be persuaded to relaunch bristle! Whilst we have closed the old bristle website & email, we can still be contacted c/o 14 Robertson Rd, Bristol BS5 6JY, or email bristle@riseup.net

Salud!

Golf course in Sydney dug in with warning

24.11.2007
The anonymous visitors were clear about why they caused the damage they did. “Warning!: you bastards kill one bird and we will destroy all your greens at our leisure. We will be watching and waiting” read a note on a piece of cardboard that was stuffed into one of the holes.

Sydney, Australia – Vandals visited the Warringah Golf Club over the weekend and during the night wrecked extensive damage on four putting greens and dug holes in three others. The anonymous visitors were clear about why they caused the damage they did. “Warning!: you bastards kill one bird and we will destroy all your greens at our leisure. We will be watching and waiting” read a note on a piece of cardboard that was stuffed into one of the holes.

Animal rights advocates and neighbours have been in an uproar since the club hired a marksman to shoot native wood ducks who land on the course. The ducks are considered by the golfers to be a nuisance because the make small holes in the turf as they forage for food. The club and some employees have been inundated with phone calls and emails since the shooter was hired.