Climate Chaos – Page 111

Big Wedding vs. Big Oil – Shell Petrol Station Blockaded in Activist ‘Wedding’

A wonderful day, with fine weather, good company, a wedding and a d-lock.

A wonderful day, with fine weather, good company, a wedding and a d-lock.

(Images from video frame grabs, expect better quality photos and video later)

Around a hundred people showed up in Ludlow to celebrate this very special ‘wedding’ and take a little direct action at the same time. The ‘bride’ and ‘groom’ along with the assembled friends and family wore black, green and purple to symbolise our resistance. The forecourt was blocked off with banners and the pumps were switched off and locked up. Hymns were sungs (Dancing on the Ruins of Multinational Corporations and the Diggers Song). Veggies served cake and tea. A hand full of cops turned up to enjoy the ceremony and take some photos.

Best wishes and all the best for the future to the happy couple….

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Press Release: 19th September 2008; 12 noon

Ludlow, Shropshire: At noon today, on the forecourt of a Shropshire Shell petrol station, a Leeds couple will tie the knot, supported by around 100 friends and family forming a blockade of the petrol station. Max Gastone and Cath Muller’s ceremony in Ludlow is a protest against the ecological and social damage caused by Shell (and the continued use of fossil fuels) and also a commitment to creating a different world and a celebration of the power of community and resistance.

Shell has a horrific record of causing environmental damage and human devastation worldwide2, most famously in Nigeria3. But today the wedding party is specifically taking action in solidarity with the people of Rossport, Ireland, where Shell is trying to lay a dangerously high pressure gas pipeline, despite massive local and international opposition4. Local people have had their land compulsorily purchased and many have been beaten and imprisoned for resisting the destruction of national forest, peatland and ecologically precious mudflats – which could be avoided by building the refinery at sea.

Banners reading ‘Give us a wedding present – use your bike’ and ‘Celebrating a future without exploitation’ will be hung from the station. The wedding will include music, readings, a teach-in about the situation in Ireland and a ceremonial action against the petrol company. Cars are most definitely not invited!

ENDS

Notes for Editor
1.maxandcath@hotmail.com
2. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2005/apr/03/oilandpetrol.russia
3. http://www.essentialaction.org/shell/report/
and Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People: www.mosop.net
4.Shell to Sea campaign – www.corribsos.com
5.Text of the flier being given out at the wedding (below)

What’s Wrong With Shell Leaflet Text

You can be sure of Shell to have only one interest – MONEY- making profits from whomever and whatever they can. Over the hundred years of its existence, Shell has been at the forefront of human, animal and ecological abuse.

Shell in Mayo, Ireland

Since 2000 the people of Erris (on Ireland’s remote northwest coast) have been resisting Shell’s plans for an on-land refinery, served by a terrifyingly dangerous high pressure gas pipeline. Their land has been compulsorily purchased by the Irish government and they have been beaten and imprisoned. The government is letting Shell extract the gas for free, destroying national forest, peatland and ecologically precious mudflats to do it. The Irish people will not see a penny from the sale of their natural resources. A local headteacher is currently on hunger-strike and her husband will take over if she dies. And all because it would cost Shell two weeks’ worth of profit to build the refinery at sea.

Shell in the Niger Delta

In 1993, having had villages destroyed by the laying of pipelines, farmland and rivers polluted by oil spills and air polluted by gas-flaring, the Ogoni people of Nigeria forced Shell virtually to abandon their land through peaceful protest. Shell provides nearly half of Nigeria’s foreign income and of its military revenue. In 1994, after meeting with Shell, the Nigerian government announced “ruthless military operations.” Shell supplied the guns. Dozens of villages were destroyed, hundreds of people were massacred. Shell offered to secure the release of nine key campaigners (including Nobel prize-winner Ken Saro Wiwa), if they called off the global protests which had erupted. They did not, and were hung in November 1995. The peoples of the Niger Delta continue to resist.

But it’s not just Shell…
BP, Total, ExxonMobil, Elf and Esso all have Nigerian interests.

Total & Texaco’s operations in Burma support the military dictatorship, which uses slave labour to clear rainforest for oil extraction in return.

ExxonMobil & Chevron support the dictatorship in Chad and opened a pipeline from there through Cameroon’s pristine rainforest in 2003. This has opened up the forest and its communities to illegal logging and poaching and the influx of a largely male workforce has introduced diseases, including widespread HIV infections. Human rights abuses have increased in both countries with the flow of oil money.

BP invaded Australian aboriginal land and has also supported the Columbian security forces to get rid of opposition to its destruction of the Amazon.

Texaco is also not averse to mass Amazonian devastation and forcing out indigenous peoples, embargoing Ecuador in the ’70s until the government gave in to all its demands.

Now that the ice is receding due to global warming, all the companies are turning their gaze on the Arctic Wildlife refuge in Alaska and other opportunities that will arise in the Arctic.

All these companies profit from our defence of their oil-fields in Iraq and from the the scramble for control of the gas supply line through Georgia and Azerbaijan – many more wars will be fought over resources and there will always be an excuse of sovereignty or democracy to back up the aggressors.

Why do we let this happen?

We are paying these companies to fuel our addiction to fossil fuels. But we are hurting ourselves too:

9 people are killed on the roads every day.

1 in 10 British children now has asthma.

Our sedentary lives have contributed to a massive rise in obesity.

Motor vehicles burn half the world’s fossil fuels and climate chaos due to carbon emissions is beginning in the UK. As flooding and storms take their toll, we are feeling the effect directly.
Our collective psyche must be damaged if we can accept murder, torture, pollution and the destruction of the planet on which we depend – just to carry on our comfortable lifestyle.
We have allowed ourselves to become utterly dependent on fossil fuels for everything – our heating, food, textiles, power, movement, entertainment, healthcare. We are completely at the mercy of global money markets, corporations and rapidly decreasing natural resources.

There are positive, creative alternatives

Today we are celebrating the future and the power of community, love and resistance. Two of us are getting married on the forecourt of this Shell petrol station to symbolise our commitment to creating a different world, based on equality and co-operation:

where people give according to ability and receive according to their need

where work is fulfilling and creativity encouraged

where there are no hierarchies or authoritarian politics

where other beings and the earth are valued and respected in their own right rather than abused,
hunted, polluted and exploited for fun or greed

Where there is no discrimination and everyone has an equal say in the decisions which affect them

Social Alternatives

This is anarchism and we believe it is the best way out of the problems currently facing society and the planet. Non-hierarchical societies have always existed, although the remaining few are under threat from the ever-hungry capitalist system. Anti-authoritarian and community resistance is as old as time and the concept of ‘anarchism’ (no hierarchy) has been around for 150 years. An ever-growing community is learning from all this history and putting ideas into practice – we invite you to explore this further.

This wedding is an expression of the power of community. It is bringing together a diverse set of people in a celebration of the future we are building.

Practical Alternatives

Anarchist & non-anarchist groups all over the country (and the world) are showing how communities can take control of their land, their food and their lives and protect the earth for our future. Community-supported agriculture projects, food co-ops, shared vehicles, bike training, Local Exchange Training Schemes, climate cafe discussion/action groups, alternative energy co-ops, permaculture, Holistic Management, housing & worker co-ops, Transition Towns – the projects and the ideas are growing and multiplying.

We do not believe that reform will ever succeed in changing a system fundamentally committed to the abuse of humans, animals and the planet – if not in Ludlow, then elsewhere in the world, hidden but still in our name. All of us must change the way we think, live and love.

Ryanair AGM disrupted by climate activists

September 18, 2008
Today a group of climate activists disrupted the AGM of Ryanair at the Radisson Hotel, Dublin Airport. Campaigners dropped a banner from the hotel with a subvertised Ryanair logo reading ‘ LYINAIR.CON’. One campaigner confronted a dumb-struck Michael O’Leary at the podium, while other eco-clowns juggled outside.

The PLANE MAD campaigners are campaigning for responsible aviation. By pioneering the cheap flights model Ryanair have been responsible for a significant proportion of the massive growth in the aviation industry. Aviation is currently the fastest growing source of greenhouse gases. While governments and individuals are gearing up to tackle their carbon emissions it is necessary to accept the reality that flying is the most polluting form of transport.

Plane Mad is an Irish campaigning group taking action against the unsustainable nature of aviation in Ireland. To find out more visit www.planemad.org

Today a group of climate activists disrupted the AGM of Ryanair at the Radisson Hotel, Dublin Airport.

Members of Plane Mad entered the meeting as shareholders and told Michael O’Leary directly that he was lying about climate change. The Campaigner, Rob Mac, told the AGM that he was campaigning for the responsible use of aviation. He also stated that aviation would negate all other reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland if current growth continues. A mention was also made of the unfair tax breaks that aviation enjoys.

A briefing was distributed in the AGM from a mysterious ‘M. O’Liary’ outlining a climate change denial strategy, apparently already being rolled out.

A banner that read “Lyin Air” in the Rynair livery was dropped form the roof initially. Finding the conditions a bit windy the activist moved the banner to a balcony at the front of the hotel, where it remained for nearly an hour.

A pair of “Eco-Clowns” turned up near the banner and juggled for a while. The clowns were wearing Pinocchio noses to represent the lies being told by Michael O Leary.

One of the ‘Eco-clowns’, Ian Clotworthy, said ‘O’Leary is clearly misleading the public to try to protect his profits. Ask any scientific institution from NASA to MET Eireann and they will tell you climate change is real. Climate change can’t be denied anymore and neither can aviation’s contribution to the greenhouse gas emissions that cause it’.

The campaigners are members of the Irish group Plane Mad. The action was designed to draw attention to denial of climate change by the CEO of Ryanair in recent press and radio statements. Plane Mad believe that climate change is the defining challenge of our generation. The group believes that there are solutions to this challenge and that we need to face them head on as soon as possible.

One of the campaigners at the airport, Tara Sheehy from Tipperary said, ‘By dismissing the clearly proven link between man-made emissions and our changing climate, Michael O Leary is running from the truth. Sticking our heads in the sand and trying to deny that there is a problem will not make climate change go away. Michael O Leary claims not to be “a cloud bunny”, its time then for him to come down to earth about the science of climate change and admit to the damage his airline is causing.’

‘By pioneering the cheap flights model Ryanair have been responsible for a significant proportion of the massive growth in the aviation industry. Aviation is currently the fastest growing source of greenhouse gases. While governments and individuals are gearing up to tackle their carbon emissions it is necessary to accept the reality that flying is the most polluting form of transport.’

‘Climate change is happening now. It is negatively affecting the lives of thousands of people all over the world. Aviation is the fastest growing contributor to it. Trying to claim anything else is just plane mad.’

Plane Mad is an Irish campaigning group taking action against the unsustainable nature of aviation in Ireland. To find out more visit www.planemad.org

For further information or comment,

Contact: Tara Sheehy 086 8581605

Molly Walsh 00353879252820

Ryanair Agm

September 18, 2008

Spoof Briefing to Investors,

Dear Shareholder,

As I’m sure you are aware, a key threat to our revenue is the possibility that passengers would heed environmental concerns and fly less. We clearly need a strategy to avoid consumers becoming aware of the climate impact we have.

I want to take this opportunity to assure you that I will not let this eco-bollocks affect our profit, and to outline my strategy for dealing with it.

The tactics of denial employed by the tobacco industry proved successful for decades after the health impacts were proven. Exxon have successfully used the same tactics and many of the same personnel to deny the reality of climate change.

Currently very few passengers know that flying is the most carbon intensive way to travel. We need to direct attention away from the science by fostering a culture of doubt around the facts. The eco-loonies may attempt to cling to peer-reviewed science, but we don’t need to be able to refute their facts, all we need is to spread enough misinformation for doubt to linger.

I have already been active in national newspapers and on radio questioning whether climate change is caused by carbon dioxide. In the letters pages of the Irish Times on July the 17th, I used the current inclement weather to suggest that the climate could not be warming. The liberal idiots who read the Irish Times will believe anything.

The International Aviation and Transport Association (IATA) have done commendable work suppressing information on the damage caused by aviation. There are certain concrete facts that we cannot afford to allow to become accepted. If they did so environmental awareness could become a ticking time bomb for the health of our profits. The following facts will be denied by me, like lying is going out of fashion.

1. The reductions in emissions per passenger are meaningless due to our growth.

2. Due to the additional pollutants released by airplanes and the altitude at which they are released the total warming effect of aviation emissions is 2.7 times greater than the warming effect of the carbon dioxide alone.

3. The 2 per cent figure I always use for the share of carbon that aviation accounts for, conveniently ignores the whole story of other pollutants and recent growth.

Despite their sandal-wearing, muesli eating carry-on, these eco-loons have the potential to mess up our marketing. I’m just a lad from a farm in Mullingar, but I know how to put bums on seats. People want to fly, they want to fly cheaply and they don’t want to have to deal with the guilt peddled by those eco fun-police. All we need to do is to make it seem like the science might not be solid and our money will keep rolling in.

I know that you are rational people who understand business. I hope that you can stand behind my blatant lies, as I am working to protect our profits.

The 12 million or so passengers I carry around Europe on cheap flights may well be causing climate change but it’s putting money in my pocket. I am making money today. It is not my business to care about tomorrow.

And who do these eco-loons think they are anyway, denting the bottom line of the company I’ve been tying my ego to for years? I lie very hard every day so my kids can be richer than their friends. Will I be sparing a thought for those who are now dying as a result of climate change? You must be eco-joking!

Screw the Bangladeshis.

Screw the next generation.

Deny climate change.

Fly Ryanair.

Yours sincerely,

M. O Liary

Chief Executive

Film of disruption

RT CLIMATE ACTION NEWS SHEET 83, SEPTEMBER 2008

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UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIONS:
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1) SHELL TO SEA – HELP NEEDED IN MAYO – ONGOING
2) FLASHMOB AGAINST AIRPORT EXPANSION, 23.09.08
3) CLIMATE CAMP WHAT NEXT MEETING, MANCHESTER, 26-28.09.08
4) LOW CARBON COMMUNITIES NETWORK CONFERENCE, 04.10.08
5) DRAX COAL TRAIN DEFENDANTS APPEAL AND RALLY, 07.10.08
6) NATIONAL MEETING TO RESIST NEW COAL, MANCHESTER, 11-12.10.08
7) CLIMATE RUSH, 13.10.08
8) LOW IMPACT LIVING AND RENEWABLE ENERGY COURSES, SEPT/OCT
9) NATIONAL CLIMATE MARCH, 06.12.08
10) FANTASTIC FOOLERY, FFD 2009, 01.04.09

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RECENT HAPPENINGS:
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1) ECOTOPIAN REPRESSION – AUGUST
2) 7 GERMAN BANKS TARGETED – ‘NO TO UK COAL’ – 14.08.08
3) CLIMATE ACTION CAMP & NO BORDER CAMP, HAMBURG, 15-24.8.08
4) KINGSNORTH SIX RESULT – NOT GUILTY – 10.09.08
5) HUNGER STRIKE IN MAYO, SEPTEMBER
6) CARDIFF HILTON COAL PROTEST – 10.09.08
7) TOWARDS CLIMATE ACTION IN COPENHANGEN 2009,13-14.09.08
8) CLIMATE CAMP LEGAL UPDATE – ONGOING
9) ‘OIL WAR’ DECLARED IN NIGERIA – SEPT
10) COIN TRAINING – SEPT/OCT/NOV
11) ECO-DEFENCE PRISONERS – 2008 EDITION OF SPIRIT OF FREEDOM
12) NEW FILM – WAKE UP, FREAK OUT, THEN GET A GRIP.
13) OILWATCH POSITION PAPER ON VOLUNTARY CARBON MARKET
14) NEW CORNER HOUSE ARTICLES ON CLIMATE

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UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIONS:
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1) SHELL TO SEA – HELP NEEDED IN MAYO – ONGOING
The Solitaire (the biggest pipe laying ship in the world) is set to begin illegally constructing the offshore section of the pipeline. It is believed that the Solitaire is on a pretty tight schedule & booked up for the next 2 years, so ANY disruption provides us with a real opportunity to delay the project significantly. Members of the Great Rebel Raft Regatta recently deployed at the E.ON coal fired power station at Kingsnorth, have made their way from Climate Camp UK to Erris, in order to assist Shell to Sea campaigners in their opposition to this pipeline construction at Glengad. http://www.corribsos.com/
(Also see story below regarding the hunger strike in Erris).

2) FLASHMOB AGAINST AIRPORT EXPANSION, 23.09.08
A flashmob to protest against the expansion of Heathrow, Manchester and all UK airports is being called to coincide with the Labour Party Conference in Manchester. It also marks the launch of the newly-formed Stop Expansion at Manchester Airport group (SEMA).For more info see: www.stopmanchesterairport.org.uk
Date: Tuesday 23rd September. Time: 12.45pm (sharp!) Location: Albert Square, outside Manchester Town Hall. Turn up and reveal your red T-shirt (keep it covered before hand!) 3 ways to get your free ‘Stop Airport Expansion’ T-Shirt:
Email info@stopmanchesterairport.org.uk, meet at Friends Meeting House (Mount St) at 12.15pm and collect one, or make your own!

3) CLIMATE CAMP WHAT NEXT MEETING, MANCHESTER, 26-28.09.08
All are invited to the first Post-Climate Camp National Gathering. The gathering will offer a chance to reflect on where we are at, decide where we go from here, and provide info as to how to get involved in the ongoing direct action campaign to stop Kingsnorth. Questions? Email process@climatecamp.org.uk
For full details of the gathering go to http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/node/448

4) LOW CARBON COMMUNITIES NETWORK CONFERENCE, 04.10.08
A national day of networking and strategy planning for low carbon community groups across the UK. This free event in Llangollen is open to representatives of community groups working towards a low carbon future for everyone. A range of workshops, networking sessions and inspiring speakers offer the opportunity to learn from each other as we move towards a low carbon society. To find out more visit – http://low.communitycarbon.net/2008-conference/

5) DRAX COAL TRAIN DEFENDANTS APPEAL AND RALLY, 07.10.08
On 13th June 2008 protestors halted a coal train carrying fuel for Drax power station, which burns around 9 million tonnes of coal per year and emits some 21 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. The Drax protesters were arrested and 29 of them face criminal proceedings. The District Judge sent the case to crown court because he thought it too serious for the magistrate’s court: the maximum sentence in the magistrate’s court is 6 months. The Drax defendants face custodial sentences. They need help with expenses so that the case can be heard. Peace News has launched an appeal and you can donate: Account Name: Midlands Conservation Club, Sort Code: 30-98-00 (Lloyds TSB), Account No: 291140002.

Or rather than give money support then in person! Say ‘No’ to Coal and Climate Change! Vigil/Rally in support of the Drax 29 Tuesday 7th October – 12.30 to 2.00pm
Outside York Crown Court (next to the Castle Museum). This is the first of two pre-trial appearances before the main trial when York Eco-Action shall be calling much bigger actions. But lets show the media how big the issue is right from Day 1!

6) NATIONAL MEETING TO RESIST NEW COAL, MANCHESTER, 11-12.10.08
A meeting to bring together groups and communities resisting coal in the UK, from open cast and deep coal mines, to power stations and coal imports. Share information, plan for action, and build a strong network of resistance.
Visit – www.leaveitintheground.org.uk for more details.

7) CLIMATE RUSH, 13.10.08
Parliament Square, London – 5.30pm
100 years ago the Suffragettes went to Parliament and demanded that their society change. They held a mass rally outside Parliament to which thousands came, before a number of them rushed into Parliament and got everyone’s attention. We invite you all to celebrate the 100th anniversary of this world changing event. No airport expansion. No new coal. The creation of policies based on the most recent climate research.
The Climate Rush: www.climaterush.co.uk and info@climaterush.co.uk

8) LOW IMPACT LIVING AND RENEWABLE ENERGY COURSES, SEPT/OCT
Throughout October the Low Impact Living Initiative are running a range of courses to help you prepare for a low carbon future. From composting to building solar water heaters, green woodwork to low-impact smallholdings, wood burner construction to advanced recycling. For more information check out – http://www.lowimpact.org/courses.htm
AND
Green Dragon Energy are running renewable energy courses throughout October at various locations across the UK and Europe. Introduction to Renewable Energy, Wind & Solar Electricity Course, Solar Electricity Installation Course – Off-grid Applications for more see http://www.greendragonenergy.co.uk/courses.htm

9) NATIONAL CLIMATE MARCH, 06.12.08
Thousands will gather to March through London on Saturday 6th of December, coinciding with the pivotal UN international climate talks in Poland. The march will be one of many happening in major cities throughout the world with all calling on world leaders take the urgent and resolute action needed to prevent runaway climate change. To find out about the London March – contact the Campaign Against Climate Change at info@campaigncc.org or phone 0207 8339311.

10) FANTASTIC FOOLERY, FFD 2009, 01.04.09
Just in case you missed the news last month. Four continents, 150 actions, and an April Fools Day with a fantastically subversive (and radically necessary) twist – we’re definitely doing that again! So Fossil Fools Day 09 is a go – start picking your fossil fuel target now! Info and resources will be posted on the website soon, and look out for leaflets to distribute in December.

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RECENT HAPPENINGS:
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1) ECOTOPIAN REPRESSION – AUGUST 2008
Greens, environmentalists, peace and nature supporters, and NGO’s from all over the World gathered on the 9th of August to join the 20th international Ecotopia gathering being held at Sarikum nature reserve in Sinop, Turkey. Ecotopia gatherings promote sustainable ways of living, harmony with nature, and discuss social justice issues. This year, Ecotopia has supported local anti-nuclear groups, raised consciousness of nuclear issues and promoted alternative energy sources. On Wednesday 20th August, 6 internationals and 5 Turkish people were placed under custody while staging a peaceful vigil outside the Atomic EnergyAgency (TAEK) in Sinop. On the 22nd August, approximately 10 armed officers, ordered by the governor of Sinop, raided the Ecotopia camp, threatening forceful eviction if the site was not emptied within 3 hours. See Indymedia for more details – http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/08/407393.html

2) 7 GERMAN BANKS TARGETED – ‘NO TO UK COAL’ – 14.08.08
Communique sent via e-mail to direct action news from germany (http://www.directactionde.blogspot.com/) “On the night of Thursday 14th August, in Berlin, we made 7 attacks on Deutsche Bank, Commerz Bank, Allianz AG and Dresdener Bank. The locks to the banks and the card-readers were glued and ‘no to UK Coal’ was spraypainted. Deutsche Bank is the single biggest European investor in agrofuels in Latin America. Along with Allianz, Deustche Bank is also one of the biggest shareholders in UK Coal who currently plan to build 7 new coal fired power stations across the UK. The targets chosen are both climate change and capital related. Exploitation of the environment and people by State and industry go hand in hand. They cannot be separated and both must be attacked. This attack coincides with the end of the UK Camp for Climate Action and the beginning of the Klima Camp and Anti-Racissmus Camp near Hamburg. Social war not climate chaos!” For more info see – http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/21289

3) CLIMATE ACTION CAMP & NO BORDER CAMP, HAMBURG, 15-24.8.08
From 15 to 24th August anti-racists and environmentalists pitched their tents in Hamburg, in a joint camp with shared infrastructure, spaces and time. Both in the camp itself and during actions attempts were made to stand together and build alliances, the action high points of the camps included the blockade of the deportation airport Fuhlsbüttel and the occupation of the Moorburg coal power plant. At Hamburg airport, which was both an anti-deportation and anti-climate change action, an estimated 2,000 people took action in the area. Toilets were flooded, various actions inside the terminals occurred and demonstrations and barricades were built on roads into the airport. At Moorburg, 800 people marched to the police lines in front of coal power plant. Although Moorburg had been successfully occupied early in the week, police were now prepared. Water cannons, pepper spray, and batons were all used in full force against demonstrators. A ‘five finger tactic’ did manage to get through police lines at times, as well as through forests and fences, but demonstrators found each fence concealed yet another line of police and fences. For more information and pictures see – http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/08/407468.html

4) KINGSNORTH SIX RESULT – NOT GUILTY – 10.09.08
To recap on how important this verdict is: the defendants campaigners were accused of causing £30,000 of criminal damage to Kingsnorth smokestack from painting. The defence was that they had ‘lawful excuse’ – because they were acting to protect property around the world “in immediate need of protection” from the impacts of climate change, caused in part by burning coal. So the evidence for the defence centred around the enormous damage burning coal does to ecosystems, people and property around the planet – and the UK government’s abject failure to take any meaningful action.
This could be a very important precedent for environmental activists across the UK! For more information visit – http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/climate/kingsnorth-trial-breaking-news-verdict-20080910

5) HUNGER STRIKE IN MAYO – SEPTEMBER
Hunger Strike in Erris as Shell’s Pipe Laying Ship Arrives.
On September 9th the world’s largest pipe-laying vessel, The Solitaire, arrived off the coast of Mayo, Ireland. Local fishermen are worried about contamination of the waters they depend on, and many local people who are concerned that the offshore section of the Shell scheme is being put in place while no planning permission exists for the onshore section. The ship is supported by a number of Shell support craft, the Irish Police Water Unit and part of the Irish Navy. In recent weeks there have been 29 separate arrests in thee area around Glengad beach, where the pipe is due to make landfall.

A local school principal has vowed to refuse food until the ship leaves the area. She has parked her car in front of the Shell compound. The Irish government, including Green Party Ministers of the Environment and Natural Resources, have backed Shell’s scheme. Last month the Garda released figures showing that 11 million euro had been spent policing the project since 2006, more than half the amount the force spent on fighting organised crime. Activists on the ground in Mayo have asked for assistance. Those not in a position to travel to Mayo can hold solidarity protests at the Irish embassy or Shell petrol stations. For more info see www.indymedia.ie/mayo, http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/21448, http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/09/408913.html or contact rossportsolidaritycamp@gmail.com

6) CARDIFF HILTON COAL PROTEST – 10.09.08
Merthyr Tydfil residents and climate change campaigners staged disruptive protests at the Cardiff Hilton during the AGM of the UK Coal Authority. Three campaigners scaled the main entrance of the luxury hotel and hung a banner reading “Coal: Leave it in the Ground”, while others inside the conference challenged coal industry delegates on their industry’s record of environmental damage. The UK Coal Authority is a government-funded body tasked with promoting and supporting the UK coal industry. Their AGM features sessions on expanding opencast mining, lengthening the lifespan of aging power stations, and a range of other controversial activities carried out by the industry, which has faced widespread opposition over the past year to its plans for a new generation of coal-fired power stations, and ongoing expansion of opencast mining across the country. media@thecoalhole.org
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/21423

7) TOWARDS CLIMATE ACTION IN COPENHANGEN 2009,13-14.09.08
Reports coming out from the first international planning meeting in Copenhagen suggest that it was a great success. The meeting finalised a call out text, which will be up on the Rising Tide website shortly, and started mobilisation for direct action against the root causes of climate change in Copenhagen and throughout the world during the UN Climate Conference (30 Nov -11 Dec 2009).
More info: http://klimax2009.org/?p=33&langswitch_lang=en
To get involved in this ongoing and open process, sign up to the email list: climateaction@klimax2009.org

8) CLIMATE CAMP LEGAL UPDATE – ONGOING
Return of property – A collection of the items seized under the warrant was to happen Tuesday 16th September but annual leave deferred because of the Climate Camp and rest days following Kent Police’s activity at the Channel Tunnel fire means they can’t find an officer to return the property at the moment. If you want items collected from individual searches, collected and brought to the Manchester Gathering please email legal ASAP for advice – legal@climatecamp.org.uk
Witnesses to an arrest of a white male, 6’1″ tall, slim, black fleece top, blue jeans with blue ruck sack and camera at the Deansgate Golf Club search area on Saturday 9th August at 10.35am. Uniformed inspector (red shoulder flashes) grabbed him violently and frog- marched him to the exit. Email legal@climatecamp.org.uk

9) ‘OIL WAR’ DECLARED IN NIGERIA – SEPT
Nigeria’s main militant group in the Niger Delta has declared an “oil war” against foreign-owned oil companies working in the region. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) said on Sunday it had launched “hurricane Barbarossa” and destroyed flow stations and oil pipelines, killing 22 Nigerian soldiers. Mend said it was launching the “war” after government troops attacked one of its positions a day earlier with aerial and marine forces. Chevron confirmed one of its oil platforms was attacked by rebels on Sunday. Royal Dutch Shell, ExxonMobil, Total, Eni, and Chevron, are among the numerous oil companies operating in the Niger Delta. http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/21446

10) COIN TRAININGS – SEPT/OCT/NOV
COIN’s trainings in London this autumn are booking up fast – please see www.coinet.org.uk for details and book now to avoid disappointment.
The trainings are: 30th Sept: Communicating Climate Change; 28th Oct: Climate Change Speaker Training; 18th Nov: Climate Change Condensed; 2nd Dec: How to win the climate change argument in a 15-minute tea break. COIN is also running 2 trainings in September for Trade Unionists, see www.coinet.org.uk if you are a member of trade union and fancy some training on climate change communication.

11) ECO-DEFENCE PRISONERS – 2008 EDITION OF SPIRIT OF FREEDOM
Seeing so many good people removed from their families & loved ones for merely acting out of compassion and a desire to stop environmental destruction and animal abuse is heartbreaking. Some of the prisoners ELP lists are very well known, others are less well known. However ALL of them deserve our love and support. ALL of the listed prisoners welcome letters of support. Even if it’s just a card saying “Hi. I’m thinking of you”. So please, no matter where you are in the world, support the eco-prisoners. http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/21341

12) NEW FILM – WAKE UP, FREAK OUT, THEN GET A GRIP.
A great new short film about climate tipping points and why we need to act now. Watch it and pass it on – and it’s great for workshops! http://wakeupfreakout.org/

13) OILWATCH POSITION PAPER ON VOLUNTARY CARBON MARKET
This document is now available to downloaded from the Oilwatch website – www.oilwatch.org

14) NEW CORNER HOUSE ARTICLES ON CLIMATE
Including how the pay-to-pollute principle killed South African activist Sajida Khan, six soundbites against carbon markets, why climate change is becoming a social and political rather than technological and scientific problem, and a new video called the ‘CO2 Alibi’. http://www.thecornerhouse.org.uk/subject/climate

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RT CLIMATE ACTION NEWS SHEET 83, SEPTEMBER 2008
Compiled and sent out by Rising Tide UK: info at risingtide.org.uk
To receive this News Sheet monthly, email news-subscribe at risingtide.org.uk with the subject line ‘subscribe’ (without the quotes).

Roof top occupation of Shell offices in Belmullet

18.9.2008
Yesterday afternoon in solidarity with Maura Harrington, Shell to Sea activists occupied the roof of Shell’s offices in belmullet hanging a banner reading: ‘Solitaire Out Now’. They were accompanied by a demo of around 40 people.

At about 4pm, three Shell to Sea activists occupied the roof and dropped a banner reading ‘Solitaire Out Now’. The banner remained there for over an hour and a half, while shell to Sea supporters protested outside the front of the Shell offices. More banners were draped across the entrance area, and when the shell employees left work at 5:30 they were hailed with a chorus of boos from the assembled protestors.

Two of the three Shell to Sea campaigners who had been on the roof were arrested when they descended to the ground. The two arrestees were released quickly afterwards.

Outside the gates of the Shell landfall site compound in Glengad, Maura Harrington’s hunger strike entered its ninth day today. She remains in good spirits, but the strike is slowly exacting its toll. She remains in her car, under the glare of powerful arc lights and with a constant heavy presence of Gardaí nearby. The 24-hour protective vigil of Shell to Sea campaigners continues to watch over her. Maura’s hunger strike will end when the Shell pipe-laying ship the Solitaire leaves Irish territorial waters. The Solitaire remains at anchor in St. John’s Bay, Killybegs, Co. Donegal at the time of writing.

Solidarity Actions in Copenhagen – No More Dams; No More Smelters!

Today, 18 September, we received a letter from Denmark:

This morning, big banners were hanged on a building in Copenhagen saying: ,,Aluminium Industry is destroying all major Icelandic rivers!” A big advertisment from Icelandair Airline Company, showing Icelandic rivers, was hanging on this same wall last week.

Today, 18 September, we received a letter from Denmark:

This morning, big banners were hanged on a building in Copenhagen saying: ,,Aluminium Industry is destroying all major Icelandic rivers!” A big advertisment from Icelandair Airline Company, showing Icelandic rivers, was hanging on this same wall last week.

The construction of the planned new Century aluminium smelter in Helguvík and Alcoa’s smelter in Húsavík, will lead to damming of more glacial rivers and geothermal areas. Today it looks like dams will be built in Þjórsá River, Tungnaá, Skjálfandafljót and Jökulsá á Fjöllum; only for further heavy industry projects.

To supply energy for Alcoa’s 346 thousand tons smelter in Húsavík, a reservoir bigger than the infamous Hálslón in Kárahnjúkar will be needed; 72 km2 (1).

There is no reason for feeding companies like Alcoa with more cheap energy. Alcoa is a arms producer, directly working with the American army, the weapon producer Lockheed Martin and other mean companies (2).

Alcoa is also well known for it’s human right crimes in the company’s factories in Honduras and Guatemala. In Honduras workers often have to urinate and defecate in their clothes because they are not allowed to go to the toilet more than two times a day; women have to take down their pants to prove they are having period; and workers who plan to form unions get fired. These are just few examples (3).

Icelandic nature and society are in danger!

No more Dams! No more Smelters!

Resources:

(1) Jaap Krater, Morgunblaðið, Bakki Impact Assessment Should Include Dams, 22. Ágúst 2008.

(2) Snorri Páll Jónsson Úlfhildarson, Morgunblaðið, Lygar og Útúrsnúningar, 24. Júní 2008.

(3) National Labor Committee with Community Comunication Honduras (2007). The Walmart-ization of Alcoa. http://www.nlcnet.org/article.php?id=447.

Updates from Mayo – Shell to sea – London solidarity

15th September 2008
Protest at the Shell’s Dublin HQ

Activists from different backgrounds came along to a 1PM protest in support of the actions taken in the last week against Shell and the Irish government.

15th September 2008
Protest at the Shell’s Dublin HQ

Activists from different backgrounds came along to a 1PM protest in support of the actions taken in the last week against Shell and the Irish government.

Hundreds of leaflets were distributed and many passing motorists beeped their horns in support.

As always a large contingent of gardaí were on hand to protect the Shell employees and the company’s property from the entirely peaceful and dignified protest outside.

Around 20 people took park in a solidarity vigil at 6pm at Shell HQ in support of shell to sea hunger striker Maura Harrington.

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Today Maura Harrington marked her birthday with a seventh day on hunger strike, while supporters from the UK & Ireland demonstrated across London to bring attention to her protest. Maura, a teacher in NW Mayo, is part of the Shell To Sea Campaign which has been actively opposing Shell’s latest attempts to lay an 80 km sea based stretch of gas pipeline.

Maura’s hunger strike began on Tuesday in protest at the arrival of the Solitaire ship which was to lay the pipeline for Shell. Maura ‘s has declared that her protest will continue until the Solitaire agrees to leave Ireland without laying the pipeline.

Two Irish neighbours of Maura picketed the Shell HQ from midnight Sunday until 9am with a candle lit vigil for their friend. At 7am this morning Shell workers were greeted with leaflets & informed of Maura’s plight.

Next was AllSeas UK Ltd who own the Solitaire pipe-laying ship. 30 people banged pans, blew whistles & handed out leaflets outside the registered office of AllSeas. A blank sticker had been placed over their company label & someone from inside the building claimed that no-one was home. Eventually a security guard took a letter from the protesters, addressed to the Chief Executive, demanding that the Solitaire is removed from Irish waters immediately.

After an hour at AllSeas the crowd processed to the Irish embassy shouting ”Irish woman on hunger strike. No new Shell pipeline”. The Irish embassy refused to take a letter from an elderly Mayo woman. The protesters were asking that the Irish embassy protect its citizens such as Maura who are attempting to protect their community from the health and safety and environmental nightmare that the pipeline poses, instead of supporting the Garda intimidation and brutality.

The Norwegian embassy was the last to be visited. Norway is profiteering from the oppression of people in Ireland. It’s state oil company, Statoil is working in partnership with Shell. Here a member of staff did come out to meet us and accepted a burning candle as a symbol of our solidarity with Maura and the request of the campaign that the Norwegian Government send the Solitaire home.

As Maura’s condition deteriorates, the Solitaire is yet to respond and leave Ireland. Daily protests continue with a international day of solidarity action planned for this coming Saturday.

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Shell Demos from Thur 11th Sept

There were two demonstrations held in Dublin on Thursday in solidarity with the struggle in Rossport against Shell’s activities.

One demo was held outside Shell’s headquarters earlier in the evening and later there was a demo outside the GPO.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m84LRWsLUr4

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September 14th 2008

Shell’s pipe-laying ship pretends not to listen: meanwhile 500+ cars join protest rally in Erris

Hunger striker Maura Harrington’s daughter Astrid and son Iollan travelled to Killybegs Co. Donegal, today to make a personal plea to the Shell pipe-laying ship the Solitaire and its captain Mr. Simon van der Plicht to leave Irish waters immediately, and allow Maura to end her strike. Meanwhile, over 500 cars (with their drivers and passengers) drove around Erris this afternoon in a massive show of support for Ms. Harrington, who has now entered the sixth day of her hunger strike.

A deputation from Shell to Sea travelled to Killybegs, Co. Donegal today to attempt communications with Shell’s pipe-laying ship the Solitaire and with its captain, Mr. Simon van der Plicht. the deputation included two of hunger striker Maura Harrington’s children – her daughter Astrid, and her only son Iollan, who was brutally arrested by Shell’s Gardaí during yesterday’s beach reclamation action in Glengad, Co. Mayo.

At about lunchtime, soon after the Shell to Sea deputation arrived in Killybegs, radio contact was established with the Solitaire, which replied to initial VHF radio contact. Once the deputation announced their identity and their purpose over the radio, all radio contact with the Solitaire ceased, and all communications on VHF radio channels were met with silence. Disappointed with the ship’s attitude but undaunted, the deputation kept communicating their message to the Solitaire over the radio, with Astrid and Iollan eloquently explaining the current situation in Mayo and why their mother has chosen to go on hunger strike, and they made dignified requests for the Solitaire to leave Irish waters, so that their mother can end her strike. The other ships that were involved in Shell’s abortive pipe-laying operation in Mayo were similarly addressed; these communications were also met with silence. A further attempt at communication with Shell’s ships some two hours later was met with silence again. The Shell to Sea delegation kept trying to establish communication for about a half an hour, but were ultimately fruitless.

Between the communication attempts, Astrid boarded the Irish Naval Service ship the LÉ Eithne, which was moored in Killybegs harbour. She managed to encounter its captain, and she began explaining to him calmly the situation in her home place in NW Co. Mayo and her disgust at the Irish Navy’s role in Shell’s attempt to begin pipe-laying in Broadhaven Bay, but he walked away from her without commenting. She was then escorted off the ship.

Meanwhile back in Co. Mayo a motor car rally of over 500 cars made its way around Erris this afternoon – a sign of the massive support Shell to Sea’s and Maura Harrington’s stand command in the locality. The rally started at Barnatra at 3:30pm and is continuing at the time of posting.

Maura Harrington entered the sixth day of her hunger strike this lunchtime. Her health and spirits remain strong, as she stays in her car parked before the Shell Glengad compound gates. The gates area is kept constantly lit by Shell an an attempt to disrupt her sleeping pattern, and the numerous Gardaí stationed there continue to behave in a aggressive abusive manner. A vigil of supporters keeps watch on Maura 24 hours a day, and help combat the various Garda verbal and physical nastinesses. Her hunger strike will continue until she receives solid assurances from either the Solitaire or its owners Allseas Group SA that the ship will not be pipe-laying in Broadhaven Bay this year and will be leaving Irish territorial waters without delay.

Come to Mayo and see for yourself what Shell and the state have done to a resisting unconsenting community!

Nigeria rebels declare ‘oil war’

15/09/2008
Nigeria’s main militant group in the Niger Delta has declared an “oil war” against forgeign-owned oil companies working in the region.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) said on Sunday it had launched “hurricane Barbarossa” and destroyed flow stations and oil pipelines, killing 22 Nigerian soldiers.

Mend said it was launching the “war” after government troops attacked one of its positions a day earlier with aerial and marine forces.

Chevron confirmed one of its oil platforms was attacked by rebels on Sunday.

“There was an attack on a platform already shut down due to pipeline problems,” an official said.

“There were heavy casualties on the part of the militants,” Lieutenant-Colonel Sagir Musa, a military spokesman for the task force in Rivers state, said.

“We are hopeful they will give up the fight very soon.”

‘Hurricane of retaliation’

He said no oil facilities were affected by two days of heavy fighting.

Violence in the Niger Delta, the centre of the Opec member’s oil sector, has halted a fifth of the country’s oil production since 2006.

The Niger Delta accounts for most of Nigeria’s oil output of two million barrels per day, making it the world’s eighth biggest oil exporter.

Dr Muhammed Ali Zainy, a senior analyst for the centre for Global Energy studies, told Al Jazeera: “Recently Opec reduced production by about 520,000 barrels per day but this did not stop the sliding price of oil.

“This means that the demand for oil is faltering and that the world economy is weak, therefore any dent in Nigerian oil production would not have a big impact on the market,” he said.

Mend members warned oil firms in the Niger Delta on Saturday to withdraw their workers in the next 24 hours or face a “hurricane” of retaliation following a major gun battle with security forces earlier in the day.

Mend said security forces used helicopters, jet fighters and more than 20 gunboats in Saturday’s fighting.

A security source said soldiers from the army, navy and air force were involved in the clashes.

Insecurity in the region has cut the West African country’s output by around a fifth since early 2006, when Mend began blowing up oil pipelines and kidnapping foreign workers, helping push up world oil prices.

Royal Dutch Shell, ExxonMobil, Total, Eni, and Chevron, are among the numerous oil companies operating in the Niger Delta.

Leave it in the Ground – Scotland organising meeting

Stop new coal developments in Scotland! Leave it in the Ground

Tuesday 23rd September, 7-9pm, Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh (17 West Montgomery Place)

Stop new coal developments in Scotland! Leave it in the Ground

Tuesday 23rd September, 7-9pm, Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh (17 West Montgomery Place)

Catastrophic climate change is the biggest threat facing us. Burning coal is the biggest historical cause of climate change. Yet every day more coal is burned, and the coal industry and the government seem intent on burning even more.

33 new opencast coal mines and six coal fired power stations are at the planning stage in the UK alone. In Scotland, the outlook is bleak – many of these new coal mine projects are planned for the central belt, and two power stations are to be rebuilt.

Rumblings of an effort to resist these new projects have begun. Leave it in the Ground is a network supporting and developing groups across the UK as part of the campaign to stop new coal, and is growing in strength. As a network, Leave it in the Ground is run by and for the groups that make it up, existing as a way to establish common ground, facilitate networking and share information and skills.

This meeting aims to get everyone interested in stopping new coal developments in Scotland together, and talk about what we want to do about them, under the banner of ‘Leave it in the ground / No New Coal’. And there’s an awful lot to do – from research to community engagement and organising to taking direct action – its really important that we get on the case now!

In addition, there is a Leave it in the Ground national networking meeting in Manchester on the 11th and 12th October. We thought it would be good to have a meeting in Scotland before this in the hope that people would be up for going to Manchester with feedback and get Scotland more involved in the network. Please come along!

Peaceful Protesters Lock their Bodies to Dominion Power Plant

15 September 2008
Protesters From Across the Country Join Wise County VA Residents to Oppose Power Plant’s Impact on Environment and Health, and to Demand a Clean Energy Future

At 6:00am this morning around 50 peaceful protesters entered the construction site of Dominion Virginia’s Wise County coal-fired power plant. Almost twenty protesters locked their bodies to eight large steel drums, two of which have operational solar panels affixed to the top that illuminated a banner reading “renewable jobs to renew Appalachia.” In addition to those locked to the construction site, over 25 protesters from across the country convened in front of the plant singing and holding a 10’x30′ banner, which said “we demand a clean energy future.”

In this event—the first protest at Dominion’s $1.8 billion new coal-fired power plant—local Wise County residents have joined hands with those fighting mountaintop removal coal and climate change from Tennessee to California. Those young and old, from cities and from rural communities have come together because the construction of this 585-megawatt power plant not only poses a massive risk to the health of Appalachians, but it also stands in stark opposition to the national move to a clean energy economy.

“Coal is in our blood but we’re realizing it’s also in our lungs and in our drinking water,” said Hannah Morgan, Wise County landowner and one of those locked to the construction site. “We are here because now is the time to take greater action as individuals, a community, and a country to create a sustainable future and stop the destruction of our homeplace.”

“I’m here from Coal River, WV to support my fellow Appalachians in our shared struggle to end coal industry abuses,” said Bo Webb, resident of Coal River, WV and member of Coal River Mountain Watch. “We are not going to continue to stand idly by and watch our children be robbed of their right to clean air and clean water. This is no longer an Appalachian problem, it’s an American problem.”

With very few jobs going to local residents for construction or long-term plant operation and without any means to capture its carbon dioxide pollution, the Dominion plant represents a remarkably bad deal for Virginia. “With all the billions of dollars that have rolled out of Appalachia in the last 5 years, it should look like Dubai but instead it looks like Guatemala,” said Jane Branham, Wise County resident and nurse. “My dad was a coal miner. As he says, ‘it’s not the same as it used to be—there’s no profit in coal for the people here anymore there’s only devastation.'”

This event comes on the heels of Dominion’s groundbreaking ceremony for the plant on August 14 and continues almost two years of opposition to the project. Nearly 45,000 Virginians have signed a petition against the construction of the plant, three lawsuits were recently filed challenging the state’s approval of the plant as its permits fail to adequately control emissions of hazardous toxins, such as mercury, which can cause severe neurological deficits in developing fetuses and young children.

“Embracing clean energy is not a sacrifice, it is an opportunity,” said Rebecca Tarbotton of Rainforest Action Network, a California group that is pressuring Bank of America and Citi, leading financiers of Dominion, to stop funding coal plants and to start investing in clean energy. “This Dominion protest is part of a rapidly growing movement of people across the country who are willing to put their bodies on the line to ensure a clean energy future.”

Opponents to the plant believe Virginia should be leading the country in renewable energy; Virginia’s skilled labor force could be at the forefront of the burgeoning green jobs movement. Leaving Appalachia’s mountains intact could support a 2,000 megawatt wind farm, almost four times the amount of energy generated by this plant.

The plant, if constructed, will process largely mountain top removal coal, creating an even bigger incentive for the destructive practice that decimates historic mountains and contaminates drinking water. Wise County has already had 25% of its historic mountain ranges destroyed forever to mountaintop removal mining.

/For more information or for photos and b-roll, please contact Nell Greenberg, 276-337-3198./

http://www.wiseupdominion.org
http://www.blueridgeef.com

Son of Shell to Sea hunger striker assaulted and arrested at Glengad beach

13.09.2008
Today at midday around 50 local and national Shell to Sea campaigners attempted to reclaim Glengad beach, Special Area of Conservation, from Shell. Despite Shell’s commitment to allow public access to the beach, for the past two months the beach has been closed to the public while preparatory pipeline work is ongoing.

When campaigners attempted to exercise their right to public access to the beach they were met by Garda violence. Four people were arrested, including hunger striker Maura Harringotn’s son. Ms. Harrington’s son was treated particularly brutally by the Gardai. Four Gardai knelt on his back, pushed his face into the sand for several minutes and twisted his arms behind his back.

One witness to the arrests stated, “There were over 50 people participating in the demonstration and out of all these the Gardai clearly singled out Maura Harrington’s son. They called him by name and then assaulted him. It was no co incidence that it was Maura’s son that was so violently arrested.”

All who were arrested are currently being held in Belmullet Garda station.

At the time of writing Maura Harrington, Shell to Sea, is into her fifth day of a hunger strike which she began on Tue 9th August at approximately 6pm when Shell’s pipe-laying ship the Solitaire arrived in Broadhaven Bay, Erris, Co Mayo.

Maura is clear that her hunger strike will end in one of two ways.

1) Written confirmation that the Solitaire has left Irish territorial waters.
2) Her death.