Capitalism / Globalisation – Page 55

Direct action around Greece reports (1/2008) – banks, police cameras, luxury cars get it; rats saved

Attack against a bank, 14 taken into custody (Athens, 30/1/2008)

According to a report at: http://athens.indymedia.org/front.php3?lang=el&article_id=821100

Attack against a bank, 14 taken into custody (Athens, 30/1/2008)

According to a report at: http://athens.indymedia.org/front.php3?lang=el&article_id=821100

There was an attack with sledge hammers, stones and paints against the Ethniki Bank in Gizi district (were a companion was arrested after an armed expropriation). After they left, police spread into the area and took into custody around 14 persons from the area.
—
Police camera destroyed, one person taken into custody (Thessaloniki, 29/1/2008)

From reports at athens.indymedia.org

Around 11:30 the power supply of a police camera was sabotaged in public. Riot-policemen and motorbike cops attacked the people on their way back, and managed to take into custody one person. Later on two more persons were also taken to the police headquarters, but set free after a few hours.

—
Series of incendiary attacks (Athens-Thessaloniki, 21/1/2008)

Report in english: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/01/21/europe/EU-GEN-Greece-Arson-Spree.php

According to a report in “Eleftherotipia” (Greek only): http://www.enet.gr/online/online_text/c=112,id=25251808

From 12:51 to 01:18 the following targets were attacked:

Athens:

12:51: Porsche dealership, Halandri-4 cars damaged.
01:00: Eurobank open24 subsidiary, Egaleo
01:05: Luxurius car exposition “Car Collection”, Nea Erithrea-16 cars and one motorcycle damaged
01:08: Eurobank subsidiary, Dafni
01:08: Piraeus bank subsidiary, Dafni
01:09: Citybank subsidiary, central Athens
01:15: Eurobank subsidiary, Nea Filadelfia
01:17: PV MOTORS dealership, Argiroupoli
01:18: PPC crane vehicle, Keramikos

Another incendiary device was found untouched in the entrance of an “Ethniki” bank, in Peristeri, and was carried to the forensic office of the police.

Thessaloniki:

Two arson attacks occured within five minutes. A ppc car was damaged, as well as an ATM of Millennium bank in Analipsi.

Communique sent to directactiongr@yahoo.gr:

“Last night’s series of incendiary attacks against luxurious car dealerships in Halandri, Kifissia and Argiroupoli, bank subsidiaries in Nea filadelfia, Dafni, Egaleo, Ano Patisia, Dafni and in Thessaloniki at 117, Martiou Street, and against PPC (the state-run power company) cars outside its offices in both Athens and Thessaloniki, is undertaken by the Conspiracy of Cells of Fire Thessaloniki-Athens.

We selected to strike the bank subsidiares because the constitute the symbols-tools of exploration and of the economic empire. In parallel, the banks are the modern day corporations that accredit with loanee dreams the consumers, so that they would beglamour voluntarily their misery and their economic state of captivity.

We attacked the PPC corporation as a response to the dozens assassinations of workers that died in its workplace-prisons because of the lack of security measures, as well as for the deadly effects (such as cancer) that appear at the zones around its power plants.

We set on fire the dealerships of luxurious cars that form prestigious symbols of authority inside the commodity fetishist frenzy that has taken over the metropolis. We do not respect the law-abiding citizens’ wet dreams for a fast car in expense of the slow suicide offeed by the modern life style.

The revolutionary character of an economic-capitalist targets arson is n’t found only in its physical destructionm but also in the illegality of the action itself. In the decision to attack.

In this combatant situation, there are also losses. Accordingly, we dedicate last night’s attacks in Thessaloniki and Athens to the emprisoned anarchist V. Botzatzis who is accused for 3 arson attacks against 3 targets, as weel as to the 3 fugitive comrades accused under the same case, and that chose the way of a proud escape, than to give theirselves in.

We don’t forget any emprisoned comrade. We will be back soon…

Conspiracy of Cells of Fire Thessaloniki-Athens”

—
Bank firebombed and responsibility claim (Athens, 19/1/2008)

According to reports (in greek) at athens.indymedia.org unknown persons attacked with molotov cocktails a subsidiary of eurobank in Petralona district (Athens). According to ANA-MPA news agency, the arson caused sever damages to the bank. A group claimed responsibility by an anonymoys e-mail to directactiongr@yahoo.gr stating:

The “Cells of Incendiary Solidarity” (Pirines Empristikis Allileggyis) claim responsibility for the arson at Eurobank on Trion Ierarhon Street in Petralona, on Saturday January 19, in solidarity to the emprisoned anarchist Vaggelis Botzatzis, accused with 3 arson attacks against governmental-economic targets and to the three companions that are fugitive under the same case.

The institutions of state-run enterprises, car agencies and banks, have been and will be today’s targets, targets that every revolutionary chooses to attack. These attack are born from a total perception and a route of actions against the capitalist-economic domination. These words here do not mean to recognise their-selves in a “typical claim of responsibility” because their meaning is found in the transmission of the revolutionary flame. WE ARE ON WAR. The persecutions cannot stop the incendiary actions and the rebellious consciences. Honour to those that in their lives, they set their own time and place, their “how” and “why”…

The ashes of the burnt banks for the fugitive companions and the emprisoned anarchist Vaggelis Botzatzis.

Cells of Incendiary Solidarity

Note: Vaggelis Botzatzis is an anarchist from Thessaloniki, in a pre-trial emprisonment in Komotini prisons, accused for arsons in a french brand car yard, a millenium bank subsidiary and Public Power Company vehicles. He is persecuted based on a security guard’s accusations. Apart from him, another three anarchists are fugitive for the same case.
—
Attacks on three banks (Athens, 17/1/2008)

http://athens.indymedia.org/front.php3?lang=el&article_id=815410
http://athens.indymedia.org/front.php3?lang=el&article_id=815788

2 year after the arrest of Giannis Dimitrakis after a bank robbery, on 12 o’clock, were realised three simultaneous attacks on three banks and an ATM in central Athens.

Piraeus Bank on 12, George Street, Attiki Bank on 23 Omirou Street and Ethniki bank on 30 Omirou Street, had their glasses broken and other damages. An ATM was also damaged.

There were leaflets thrown around the banks stating:
2 years later…
WE DON’T FORGET, WE DON’T FORGIVE
solidarity to G. Dimitrakis, who is emprisoned for the bank robery at Ethniki Bank on Solonos Street at 16.01.2006
Solidarity to the 3 fugitive comrades

as well as “FIRE TO THE BANKS”
—
Lab-rats liberated from technical institute (Thessaloniki, 16/1/2007)

A report on this action can be found at athens.indymedia.org where there are also more photos and a short video, as well as a text in greek, translated here:

“On January 15th, in the Thessaloniki TEI (technical institute) was programmed a practical experiment on animals alive in front of the students. This hideous action would be realised if some people from Thessaloniki was n’t mobilized. Around twenty persons visited the TEI and took not only one, as it was to expected, but four animals (lab rats). Later on the four lab rats were set free in the nature were they should be from the very begining.

We know that these specific animals will not survive for a long time in the nature, since they were born in a lab. Though, we believe it is better for them to die in the nature than in a lab or a cage.”
—
Car dealership fire-bombed (Athens, 17/1/2008)

Source (greek only): http://www.ethnos.gr/article.asp?catid=11424&subid=2&tag=8334&pubid=336523#

Two self-made explosive devises were placed underneath two cars in a Suzuki dealership in Peristeri, Athens. One of them exploded at 3:45 in the night causing minor damages, while the other one was found untouched by the police.

—
Bank arson and anonymous communique(Athens, 1/1/2008)

Source (greek only): http://news.pathfinder.gr/greece/news/449097.html

“The first fact reported to the police for 2008 was an arson attack 20 minutes after midnight at the subsidiary of Geniki Bank at 75 Kipselis street in Athens. Unidentified persons planted an incendiary device breaking the glass entrance door.”

Anonymous group claimed responsibility via e-mail to directactiongr@yahoo.gr):

“The attack at Geniki Bank on 1/1/2008 was in solidarity to emprisoned fighters.

The same time that in the city centre “celebrations” are organised to welcome the new year we, by striking, mean to prove that the flame of negation won’t cease to burn nor even this new year, against any repressive plan.

Freedom to Chr. Kontorevithakis and M. Tsourapas.”

Spring into action (though storms may be at the door) – the latest issue of the EF! Action Update has burst forth

Read all about occupations & lock-ons of big industrial places around the world, corporate & government blockades, squatting, airport invasions, subvertising, climate criminals locked & glued shut, trees climbed and chopped down, GM maize fields trashed, hunger strikes, burrowing under fences, jumping on whaling boats, Buying Nothing, Reclaiming the Streets and the unstoppable singing of Christmas songs, not to mention skating penguins. Even some upcoming dates to get stuck in or to meet other direct action crazies. We couldn’t make it up even if we tried.

Another bumper issue, with a special insert on Agrofuels including a list of refineries ‘in the pipeline’ or already on the ground, plus a legal update about the recent changes to your access to solicitors in police stations.

The latest issue of the Earth First! Action Update burst forth at the latest national meeting of the Camp for Climate Action (see climatecamp.org.uk for how the camp idea is audaciously morphing this year).

Download it to print out and share here. Do get in touch with the editorial collective to let them know if you’re dishing it up round your way, or need paper copies, or want to give them one of the rarer ingredients, dosh (to send it to prisoners, protest camps and far beyond) – their contact details and more are here.

Mr Tesco avoids a green wash

23.1.2008
Chief Exec. of Tesco, Terry Leahy, today evaded various campaigners at Manchester’s Whitworth Art Gallery who were anxious to discuss his company’s recent £25 mil. investment in Manchester University’s “Sustainable Consumption” Institute, yet another Tesco green-wash……………

This afternoon various interested groups convened outside the University of Manchester General Meeting of university executives, interested business parties and distinguished alumni to “welcome” the event’s guest of honour Tesco Chief Executive Terry Leahy. Terry was afforded such star status at the Meeting, held at the Whitworth Art Gallery, in recognition of his company’s recent investment of £25 million in research in the University’s “Sustainable Consumption” Institute.

Demonstrators were rather less enamoured with old Terry and his cheeky green-washing tactics. To make Terry feel at home, members of the Manchester-University based campaigns collective scrubbed the road a lovely shade of green and, dressed in white overalls and wielding mops and buckets of green-wash (this season’s new black), awaited Big Tel’s arrival. Campaigns Collective were also keen to register their discontent with the direction the University has taken under Vice Chancellor Alan Gilbert, infamous advocate of a neoliberal style of university management favouring private investment and significant budgets-cuts for learning facilities with a penchant for extravagant meals where major funders (such as Terry himself) are wined and dined.

Also in the welcoming committee were members of the Keep Chorlton Interesting campaign who’ve been getting rather cross in recent months over planned proposals for a Tesco Metro to be built on Manchester Road, Chorlton. Accompanying them were other Anti-Tesco campaigners from the Greater Manchester area, including some from Friends of the Earth. They’d brought a “Golden Cork in the Ear” award for the ‘company that most ignores the opinions of local communities’ to present to Terry on a plush velvet cushion.

Although Manchester’s very own Rhythms of Resistance kept spirits high (and feet warm) with their Samba music, unfortunately Terry didn’t pick up his award or even use the front door, sneaking in through some other super-secret entrance elsewhere thus avoiding a red-faced green-washing.

Not deterred protestors wandered down to the local Tesco to give it a scrub instead.

Video from the M.E.N.

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
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END

December’s Greek round-up of bank, cash machine & Group 4-Wackenhut vehicle attacks

Arson at a bank’s ATM (Athens, 24/12/2007)

Source (greek only-page bottom): http://www.enet.gr/online/online_text/c=112,id=91228912

At 4:43 in the morning, the ATM of a Kyprou Bank subsidiary in central Athens, was set on fire. There was no responsibility claim.

Arson at a bank’s ATM (Athens, 24/12/2007)

Source (greek only-page bottom): http://www.enet.gr/online/online_text/c=112,id=91228912

At 4:43 in the morning, the ATM of a Kyprou Bank subsidiary in central Athens, was set on fire. There was no responsibility claim.
—
Molotov cocktail attack against security vehicles (Athens, 24/12/2007)

Source (greek only): Eleftherotypia – http://www.enet.gr/online/online_text/c=112,id=91228912

According to “Eleftherotypia newspaper report the “Revolutionary Attack Groups” (Epanastatikes Omades Epithesis) claim responsobility for the arsons of “Group 4 Securicor” vehicles in Kolonos, Athens. “On Dec. 24 we attacked the private guard company “Group 4-Wackenhut” headquarters destroying around 15 vehicles used in money transfers. This company, apart from owning private prisons in America and England, in our country constitutes the most important piece of the growing police-like corp of security professionals that floods the streets, breeding the big brother shoving cameras, circulating the banks’ wealth and guarding diverse capitalist targets contributing in the increasing social control and repression.”
They also mention:
“The message here is clear. When dealing with the rage of insurgents they cannot be safe, even in their headquarters. Our attack was an action of solidarity to our emprisoned comrades: Giannis Dimitrakis, Giorgos Voutsis-Vogiatzis, Marios Tsourapas, Chrissostomos Kontorevithakis, Vaggelis Botzatzis as well as to the prisoners of the Revolutionary Organisation November 17 that are being kept under a state of total isolation. It is an action of solidarity to the insurgent prisoners of April, many of whom face torture and constant transfers. It all continues…”
—
Police camera supply box on fire (Thessaloniki, 21/12/2007)

According to reports at http://athens.indymedia.org/front.php3?lang=el&article_id=807773 a group of individuals set on fire a police camera power supply box, on Ethikis Amynis Street, Thessaloniki.
—
Arson at an Emporiki Bank (Volos, 21/12/2007)

Source: (greek only-page bottom: http://www.taxydromos.gr/article_detail.asp?node_serial=001001&node_id=2&article_id=7803)

Unidentified persons caused a gas canister explosion at a bank subsidiary in Volos, around 4:30 in the morning, at Emporiki Bank on Iolkou and Konstanta street, causing damages to the bank’s ATM. Police suspects individuals from the city’s antiauthoritarian milieu.
—

Santas of Excessive Consumption in Norwich & London

Subversive Singing Santas Spread Seasonal Sanity

15.12.2007
Today, on one of the busiest shopping days of the year, activists from Norwich Rising Tide dressed up as Santas and visited Chapelfield Mall to sing a different tune to the usual buy, buy, buy madness of the holiday season.

Subversive Singing Santas Spread Seasonal Sanity

Bearing a festive banner reading Lapland is Melting and singing subverted Christmas carols (Welcome to Consumer Wonderland, Oh Little Town of Chapelfield, etc.), the Santas set up outside the temple to consumption that is Chapelfield Mall.

Many stressed-out shoppers broke into smiles of recognition as the lyrics reached their ears: ‘Hit the malls with wads of money fa la la la / Breathing air that’s stale and sterile fa la la la’ or ‘To some folks Christmas means a time for gathering with friends / But TV says it’s time for pricey gifts and selfish ends’. Mall security however were not so pleased with the ‘please don’t shop here’ tunes, and the Santas were moved on – but not before sending a streak of sanity through consumer wonderland.

The Santas’ carols also highlighted the fact that binge consumption at Christmas-time is directly linked to climate change (‘This shopping toil is wasting oil’). Holiday food, travel, lights, and gifts produce on average 650 kg of CO2 emissions per individual. In total, that’s 5.5% of the yearly carbon footprint of the UK.

‘Every gift that’s produced, transported, bought, used, and thrown away uses up energy that we don’t have, and creates emissions that our climate can’t handle. And if that product is made of plastic (like all those cheap toys that will be broken or discarded in a week’s time), then it’s literally made of oil’, said one Santa from Norwich Rising Tide.

Said another: ‘Us Santas aren’t suggesting you don’t give your loved ones presents this year. But why not make one or two of them, trade with friends, or buy locally. Think about the products you’re buying – what they’re made of, where they came from, how they got from there to here… and whether they’re actually going to make someone any happier.’

norwich@risingtide.org.uk
http://www.risingtide.org.uk/norwich

—————————————-

Santas of Excessive Consumption on Oxford Street

Santas singing alternative carols on Oxford street in London today (15 December).

Today, on the last big shopping weekend of the year, LRT went to Oxford street to sing alternative carols for all the lovely boys and girls who were busy racing around in a rush to spend.

Dressed as Santas and Elves, we brought not only cheer, but some hope too, as we got loads of positive feedback. The Santas sang for about two hours.

Christmas Carols (thanks to The Center for a New American Dream)

1
Consumer Wonderland
(To the tune of Winter Wonderland, lyrics by Erica Avery)

The TV’s on / are you watching?
Another product / that they’re hawking
one more thing you need
to make life complete
Welcome to Consumer Wonderland

In the stores / you will hear it
“Pricey gifts / show holiday spirit”
That’s what they call it
to get to your wallet
Welcome to Consumer Wonderland

At the mall we can go out shopping
and buy lots of stuff we can’t afford
we’ll have lots of fun with our new toys
until we realize that we’re still bored
When you shop / ain’t it thrilling
until / you get the billing
the money you still owe the stuff broke long ago
Welcome to Consumer Wonderland

2
Uh Oh We’re In The Red, Dear

(To the tune of Rudolph the red-nose reindeer)

Uh oh we’re in the red, dear
On our credit card it shows
Christmas is almost over
But the debit line still grows
Shopping like Santa’s zombies
Sent our budget down in flames
But all our Christmas spirit
Helped the giant retail chains

I’m so foggy Christmas Eve
Wondering how we’ll pay
Christmas doesn’t seem so bright
When our finances are tight

So here’s a plan for next year
Let’s forget the shopping spree
Let’s give a gift of love, so
All our Christmas gifts are free

3
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Slow down ye frantic shoppers for there’s something we must say
If you would spare a moment all the stores would go away
Big business has been telling us what Christmas means today

Now it’s time we decided for ourselves, for ourselves
Yes it’s time we decided for ourselves.

To some folks Christmas means a time for gathering with friends
And enemies might take it as a time to make amends
But TV says it’s time for pricey gifts and selfish ends

Now it’s time we decided for ourselves, for ourselves
Yes it’s time we decided for ourselves.

Some people feel that Christmas is when Jesus makes a call
For others it’s a time to stress good will and peace to all
But advertisers tell us it means Santa’s at the mall

Now it’s time we decided for ourselves, for ourselves
Yes it’s time we decided for ourselves.

4
Jingle All The Way
To the tune of Jingle Bells

Chorus:
Profits here, profits there,
profits everywhere
Christmas time is funny
we smell money in the air
Advertise, glamorize,
fool you with a flair.
Let’s make sure that Christmas
is a businesslike affair.

You’re eating up our lies and dashing to the stores
Then all our prices rise and how the money pours
If we don’t keep you drugged and watching your TV
You might see the hypocrisy
then where would business be?

Chorus

We’ll tell you how to think and tell you what to try
What to eat and drink and how to live and die
And if our plan succeeds, when Christmas-time is nigh
Instead of seeking love and peace you’ll hunt for gifts to buy

Chorus

5
To the tune of Little Town of Bethlehem

Oh gentle folk of London Town
Think how they feed us lies
All through the streets the shops compete
Urging us to buy and buy
Whilst elsewhere explodeth
Another bomb tonight
As innocents fall
Were in the shopping mall
This doesn’t quite seem right.

Spend all our cash, we’re feeling flash
As the queues grow and grow
Buying luxury goods and loads of food
for folks we hardly know
Whilst in so many places
The people starve and die
As I carve my bird
It’s quite absurd
We buy into this lie

Then at new year the sales appear
And everything’s reduced
In store we see new product lines
And know that we’ve been duped
We wish that we had waited
Until now to buy
The model’s been updated
It makes us want to cry.

6
To the tune of Once in Royal David’s City

Once in dirty London City
Stood a huge big fuck off shop
Where they sold their goods aplenty
And the shopping did not stop
Branded bags all overflowing
All their savings quickly going
Thus consumerism wild
Yule’s cheer message has defiled
Thus consumerism wild
Yule’s cheer message has defiled

7
To the tune of Silent Night

Silent night holy night
Bombs go boom,Soldiers fight
Round the stores the suckers trawl
Buying crap for one and all
Shop until you drop
Shop until you drop

8
To the tune of Oh Come All Ye Faithful

Oh come all ye shoppers
Burdened and despondent
Come all ye followers of ma-a-mon
Come and buy things
Sparkly and redundant

Oh come let us ignore it
Oh come let us deplore it
Oh come let us abhore it
Money and greed.

Ring tills with profit
Ring in exploitation
Ring all ye registers of capitalism
Glory to profit
At it’s highest

Oh come let us ignore it
Oh come let us deplore it
Oh come let us abhore it
Money and greed.

9
To the tune of Away in a Manger

Away in a sweatshop
A pittance for pay
Work under age children
With no time to play
Making trainers and T-shirts
And luxury goods
Threatened with violence
And given no food

The stars in the media
Encourage our greed
They’re making us want things
We don’t really need
Still wasting resources
And scrambling our brains
We’re using up carbon
With little to gain.

10
To the tune of “Frosty the Snowman”

Cheney the oil man
Was a jolly happy crook
With a secret past and alot of cash from cooking up the books
Cheney the oil man
Was a greedy guy I’m told
Because he wanted Halliburton to buy up all the oil
There must have been some magic in that pacemaker he wore
Because somehow his heart could handle the violence and the gore
Thumpity Thump Thump Thumpity Thump Thump Look at Cheney toil
Thumpity Thump Thump Thumpity Thump Thump Over fields of oil.
Cheney the oil man
got his dream come true
He stole 87 Billion from me and you.

11
To the tune of “Joy to the World”

Joy to the World the Love has come
To Liberate us all.
The workers all are poor
From shopping at these stores
Let heaven and nature sing,
Let heaven and nature sing,
And stop and stop shopping.
Joy to the World the Love has come
To Liberate us all
No one can afford
This birthday for Lord
Lets join together and sing
Lets join together and sing
And stop and stop shopping

info@londonrisingtide.org
http://londonrisingtide.org.uk

What Better Time? Issue One out now!

What Better Time? is a free news sheet from the Scottish Climate Activist Network. Issue one is out now, get em while they’re hot (actually after the demo on Saturday they’re a bit wet and soggy).
This monthly news sheet aims to inform people across Scotland, and further, from a wide range of back-grounds about a fight to save the planet (yes, that old chestnut). As I am sure you are aware human induced climate change is imminent, and every person on the planet has to do something about it. The Scottish Climate Activist Network brings together activists and concerned individuals from across Scotland so we can support each other in our work to stop climate change through protest and direct action along with building sustainable alternatives.

It is available in hard copy in all good social centres and hippy hang-outs or online.

Email: whatbettertime [at] riseup.net
Website: whatbettertime.livejournal.com

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!