Climate Chaos – Page 139

Wrap up of West Coast Convergence for Climate Action & actions

Between August 8th-14th, 400+ people gathered for the West Coast Convergence for Climate Action. Participants took part in nearly 100 workshops, as well as lots of games and performances.

The event took place in Skamokawa, Washington in close proximity to a proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal at Bradwood, Oregon. The Columbia River divides Oregon and Washington, and participants in the Convergence learned about attempts to sustain the local economy of the Lower Columbia River while resisting massive fossil fuel developments in the area.

On Monday, August 13th, Convergence participants were joined by dozens of local activists opposing the Bradwood LNG terminal. The group gathered on the Washington shore of the Columbia River, where hundreds of people live in close proximity to the Bradwood LNG proposal. Using fishing boats, sailboats, kayaks, and an umiak, participants in the action crossed the Columbia River and occupied the beach at Bradwood where NorthernStar Natural Gas intends to construct a large LNG terminal.

On Tuesday, August 14th activists locked down in front of the PacifiCorp (aka Pacific Power) building in Portland, Oregon to demand that the company shut down the four dams it operates on the Klamath river and stop developing coal fire power plants. The protesters were joined by a rally of several dozen supporters, many of whom wore hazmat suits painted with fake blood to draw attention to the poisonous conditions on the Klamath River.

No one was arrested at either action; it was generally concluded that the companies targeted wanted to avoid drawing the additional media attention that arrests would bring.

Monday’s action also featured a banner hang hung on a cliff adjacent to the Bradwood site, showing a target symbol and the words “Another LNG Disaster – What’s Your Number?” The “number” refers to recently released clasified pictures obtained anonymously showing that NorthernStar, developer of the LNG terminal, has numbered every structure within two miles. Local LNG opponents first exposed this disturbing mapping project during Clatsop County land use hearings, with one resident asking, “If we’re not going to be impacted at all, then why is there a number on my roof in this picture?”

The global impacts of the LNG industry were also a focus of the Climate Convergence, where participants learned that LNG is up to 40 percent more carbon intensive than natural gas due to its long supply chain (LNG must be extracted as natural gas, liquefied, shipped huge distances, and ultimately re-gasified). Recent studies show that LNG is comparable to gasified coal (aka “Clean Coal,” a true oxymoron – see post about SE Convergence!) in its carbon impacts. Furthermore, local LNG opponents shared what they had learned about the global LNG industry, having communicated with opponents of LNG producing facilities in Indonesia and Russia. In these places, the severe economic, environmental and human rights impacts of LNG development are multiplied many times over in comparison to the experience of rural Oregon and Washington.

Beyond climate change issues, the West Coast Convergence used the carbon trail of various energy sources to put the environmental, human rights, and labor practices of the fossil fuel industry on display. Speakers addressed a huge variety of issues pertaining to coal, natural gas, and hydropower issues while others used the event to demonstrate skills and sustainability practices that can preclude the need for destructive fossil fuels and hydropower.

The Convergence was met with strong local support — nearly 100 people from the surrounding rural counties in Oregon and Washington participated — and important exchanges between those fighting fossil fuel development on local, regional and global scales. Participants came from as far south as Southern California and as far north as Alberta and Vancouver Island.

Southeast Convergence for Climate Action shuts down Bank of America

August 13, 2007

***5 arrested protesting Bank of America’s investments in coal and climate change***

August 13, 2007

***5 arrested protesting Bank of America’s investments in coal and climate change***

As a culmination of the Southeast Convergence for Climate Action, activists took a bold direct action against Bank of America over concerns regarding their investment throughout the coal cycle and their promotion of climate injustice. Although there was much speculation regarding a protest action at the Progress Energy Skyland coal-fired power plant, protestors surprised the downtown office of Bank of America.

Two activists locked down inside the main lobby and other activists blockaded the entrance to the downtown branch of Bank of America. The protest included a large, lively group of concerned citizens dressed as canaries and polar bears. Activists carried signs and banners that read: “Bank of America Stop Funding Climate Change,” “Bank of America Stop Mountaintop Removal,” “No Coal, No Nukes, No Kidding” “Bank of America Climate Criminal.”

Bank of America has lent hundreds of millions of dollars to companies that run and are planning to build new power plants, such as Florida Power and Light. Between 2005 and 2007, Bank of America facilitated nearly $1 billion in loans to Massey Energy and Arch Coal, two of the largest companies responsible for the destructive practice of mountaintop removal coal mining. This form of mining literally blasts the tops off of mountains to get at thin seems of coal that lay beneath. Mountaintop removal coal mining has permanently destroyed over 500 square miles of mountains and buried over 1,200 miles of streams in West Virginia alone.

As of 2005, Progress Energy’s Skyland was the fifth largest purchaser of Massey Energy’s coal. Progress Energy’s Skyland plant is a purchaser and burner of mountaintop removal coal as well as the largest point source of pollution in Buncombe County.

Locked down

The Southeast Convergence for Climate Action aimed to promote a just, rapid, nuclear-free transition away from fossil fuels; to promote environmental justice by supporting communities that are fighting dirty energy developments in their backyards; and to encourage direct actions as a means for challenging corporate power and empowering movements to stop climate change.

“I attended the convergence to build my skills for organizing and taking action on climate change,” said Joey Littleton, a convergence participant. “This is a great place to network–there are activists from all over the southeast region with a wide breadth of experience on environment and social justice issues. I enjoyed the strategy sessions; I came here to get involved with the movement to stop climate change.”

The Southeast Convergence for Climate Action is happening simultaneously with a Climate Convergence on the west coast focused on fighting liquefied natural gas terminals, and in conjunction with the UK Camp for Climate Action taking place at London’s Heathrow airport.

“Globally and locally, change will come from communities, not from benign politicians and corporations who hope to profit off the climate crisis with feel-good ‘solutions’ that do nothing to challenge a fundamentally unjust and unsustainable system,” said Mary Olson, director of the Southeast office of Nuclear Information and Resource Service and co-organizer of the convergence.

Today a massive police operation was deployed in Buncombe, Henderson, and Transylvania Counties to prevent activists from protesting a dirty power plant responsible for climate change. Dozens of uniformed and undercover cops surrounded the site of the Southeast Convergence for Climate Action as a police helicopter hovered over the site.

In addition, dozens more police were deployed at Progress Energy’s Skyland coal power plant to prevent legitimate protest against dirty energy and climate change. “This shows which side of the climate debate the government is on. They have spent tens of thousands of dollars to protect the coal industry today. Clearly if the government wanted to address climate change, they would be sending the police in to arrest the heads of Progress Energy for perpetuating the greatest threat humanity has ever faced – climate change,” an anonymous polar bear said.###

CORRECTION

We would like to clarify statements that were made about the Asheville Police Department (APD) using tazers against participants in the action against climate change and mountaintop removal at Bank of America yesterday.

The Climate Convergence sent out a press release saying that people locked down inside the bank were subject to electrocution shocks from tazers, based on the accounts of witnesses inside the bank. Now that the protestors are out of jail, we have learned that this was an inaccurate conclusion based on reasonable suspicion. One protester was heard screaming while pinned down by large group of officers and subjected to excruciating pain compliance holds right after the police were heard yelling back and forth to each asking “Who has a tazer? Get a tazer!” Many of the officers on the scene were equipped with electrocution devises, along with rubber bullets, chemical weapons, dogs, and training in torture techniques. In addition, a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) who attempted to check on the safety of the protesters after hearing shouts from officers about tazers was not allowed to do so.

The APD has a history of using tazers, widely recognized as a form of torture and the cause of several deaths around the country, on nonviolent protesters. In light of increased use of paramilitary tactics by local police forces in civilian situations, such conclusions are to be expected. We reported information we thought to be accurate at the time; in light of new information, we apologize for any inaccuracies we reported.

In Defense of a Living Planet,

###
Additionally, the Southeast Convergence for Climate Action made the following statement:

List of Demands

Recognizing that climate change is already here, we hold corporations and governments accountable for the effects on communities, people and the living earth. Therefore, we demand:

1. That Bank of America completely divest from the coal industry and other dirty, climate-changing energy companies.
2. A 90% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
3. An immediate halt to any plans for new nuclear and coal power plants and a complete redirection of research and development money toward conservation, efficiency and clean, renewable energy projects.
4. An immediate end to mountaintop removal coal mining and other forms of strip mining.
5. A just, rapid transition away from fossil fuels and nuclear power by 2020.
6. A shift to community controlled, small-scale systems of energy production, transportation, and food production and distribution.
7. An end to the privatization of the atmosphere through market-based mechanisms such as carbon trading.
8. Climate Justice Now!

From: The Southeast Convergence for Climate Action – http://www.climateconvergence.org/southeast/

Spirit of Freedom (August 2007) – Produced by EARTH LIBERATION PRISONERS SUPPORT NETWORK

“The whole experience has been tough, but all the kind and strengthening words and wise thoughts from strangers made it much easier! (Former Swedish Animal Rights Prisoner)

Welcome to the August 2007 edition of Spirit of Freedom. Regular readers of Spirit of Freedom will notice that this issue of the newsletter is slightly different to previous issues. As long-term ELP supporters will be aware, back in 2000, after the arrests & remandings of a group of Irish anti-road protesters ELP launched its e-mail Urgent ELP! service. Over the years this service has proven very popular with most of our supporters now receiving their news via e-mail with very few people receiving the newsletter in its paper version. With that in mind, ELP has decided to end its paper version of its newsletter. And because most of the Court Reports & Legal Updates news contained in Spirit of Freedom has already been circulated via e-mail we are dropping this from our newsletter and from now on Spirit of Freedom will solely be a prisoner listing publication. However, to remind everyone of all the prisoners we do support we will be circulating the Spirit of Freedom prisoner listing on a monthly basis, to give everyone a regular reminder of all the prisoners we support. Whilst looking through the list, if you notice an error, please contact ELP and we will correct it immediately. In the meantime, remember, no matter where you are in the world, support the eco-prisoners and no compromise in defence of Mother Earth!

ECO-DEFENCE PRISONERS

Fadalla Idris Alajaimy (address unknown). Sudan anti-dam protester on remand accused of Waging War against the State for protesting against the construction of a dam.

Mohamed Ahmed Alajaimy (address unknown). Sudan anti-dam protester on remand accused of Waging War against the State for protesting against the construction of a dam.

Tre Arrow, CS# 05850722, Vancouver Island Regional Correction Center, 4216 Wilkinson Rd., Victoria, BC, V8Z 5B2, Canada. On remand accused of involvement with an arson on logging trucks and an arson on vehicles owned by a sand & gravel company. Both arsons occurred in the USA. Tre is fighting his extradition to the USA.

Grant Barnes #1533241 22, Denver County Jail, PO Box 1108, Denver, CO 80201, USA. Serving 12 years for setting fire to a number of SUV vehicles. On one of the vehicles the letters ELF was spray-painted.

Nathan Block, #36359-086, FCI Lompoc, Federal Correctional Institution, 3600 Guard Road, Lompoc, CA 93436, USA. Serving 7 years & 8 months for an ELF arson against a Poplar Tree Farm and an ELF arson against an SUV dealership. Also admitted his role in an ELF/ALF conspiracy.

Marco Camenisch, Postfach 3143, CH-8105 Regensdorf, Switzerland. Serving 18 years. 1) Ten years for using explosives to destroy electricity pylons leading from nuclear power stations. 2) Eight years for the murder of a Swiss Boarder Guard whilst on the run. In 02 Marco completed a 12-year sentence in Italy for destroying electricity pylons in Italy.

Ibai Ederra, Carcel de Pamplona, C/San Roque. Apdo. 250, 31080 – Iruñez Pamplona, Navarra (España), Spain. Serving just under 5 years for sabotaging machinery at the controversial Itoiz dam construction site.

Betty Krawczyk, Alouette Correctional Centre for Women, P.O. Box 1000, Maple Ridge, BC, V2X 3K4, Canada. Serving 10-months for protesting against the development of the Winter Olympics site on traditional Squamish territory

Jeffrey Luers, #13797671, OSP, 2605 State St. Salem, OR 97310, USA. Serving 22 years & 8 months for arson on a SUV dealership & the attempted arson of an oil truck.

Ali Mohamed Alhassen Massad (address unknown). Sudan anti-dam protester on remand accused of Waging War against the State for protesting against the construction of a dam.

Eric McDavid X-2972521 4E 231A, Sacramento County Main Jail, 651 “I” Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA. On Remand accused of planning to destroy the property of the U.S. Forestry Service, mobile phone masts and power plants.

Daniel McGowan, #63794-053, MDC Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center, PO Box 329002, Brooklyn, NY 11232, USA. Serving 7 years for an ELF arson against a Poplar Tree Farm and an ELF arson against a lumber company. Also admitted his role in an ELF/ALF conspiracy.

Jonathan Paul See details in Animal Liberation Prisoners List.

Costantino Ragusa, Casa Circondariale, Via Prati Nuovi 7, 27058 Voghera (PV), Italy. Il Silvestre activist serving 2½ years. 1) 18-months for burgling and firebombing a multinational company. 2) 12-months for organising an anti-GM protest. Costanino is also awaiting trial accused of using explosives to damage an electricity pylon in protest at nuclear energy.

Joyanna Zacher, #0707300576, San Bernardino CDC, 630 E. Rialto Ave., San Bernardino, CA 92415, USA. Serving 7 years & 8 months for an ELF arson against a Poplar Tree Farm and an ELF arson against an SUV dealership. Also admitted her role in an ELF/ALF conspiracy.

ANIMAL LIBERATION PRISONERS

Jon Ablewhite TB4885, HMP Lowdham Grange, Lowdham, Nottingham, NG14 7DA, England. Serving 12 years for attempting to blackmail a farmer who supplied guinea pigs for vivisection.

Gregg Avery TA7450, HMP Winchester, Romsey Road, Winchester SO22 5DF, England. On remand accused of conspiracy to blackmail, in relation to his involvement with the SHAC campaign.

Natasha Avery NR8987, HMP Bronzefield, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, Middx. TW15 3JZ, England. Jailed for breaching her parole conditions imposed on her for telling a fox hunting murdering scum what she thought of them. Also awaiting trial accused of conspiracy to blackmail, in relation to her involvement with the SHAC campaign.

Nathan Block See details in Eco Defence Prisoners List.

Jacob Conroy #93501-011, FCI Victorville Medium I Federal Correctional Institution, P.O. Box 5300, Adelanto, CA 92301, USA. Serving 48 months imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.

Donald Currie TN4593, HMP Whitemoor, Longhill Road, March, Cambs, PE15 OPR, England. Serving an Indeterminate Sentence, of not less than six actual years, for carrying out arsons against targets associated the vivisection industry including HLS.

Darius Fullmer #26397-050, FCI Fort Dix Satellite Camp, P.O. Box 1000, Fort Dix, NJ 08640 USA. Serving 12 months for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.

Lauren Gazzola #93497-011, FCI Danbury, Federal Correctional Institution, Route #37Danbury, CT 06811, USA. Serving 54 months imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.

Sarah Gisborne, LT5393, HMP Cookham Wood, Rochester, Kent, ME1 3LU, England. Serving 5½ years for conspiracy to cause criminal damage following the damaging of 8 vehicles owned by people linked to Huntingdon Life Science.

Joshua Harper #29429-086, FCI Sheridan Federal Correctional Institution, P.O. Box 5000, Sheridan, OR 97378 USA. Serving 36 months imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.

Joseph Harris TN5728, HMP Bullingdon, Patrick Haugh Road, Arncott, Nr. Bicester, Oxon, OX25 1WD, England. Serving 2 years for damaging the property of people associated with Huntingdon Life Sciences.

Kevin Kjonaas #93502-011, FCI Sandstone, PO Box 1000, Sandstone, MN 55072 USA. Serving 72 months imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.

Josephine Mayo PR6508, HMP Drake Hall, Eccleshall, Staffs, ST21 6LQ, England. Serving 4 years for attempting to blackmail a farmer who supplied guinea pigs for vivisection.

Daniel McGowan See details in Eco Defence Prisoners List.

Heather Nicholson VM4859, HMP Bronzefield, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, Middx. TW15 3JZ, England. On remand accused of conspiracy to blackmail, in relation to her involvement with the SHAC campaign.

Jonathan Paul, c/o Friends of Jonathan Paul, PMB 267, 2305 Ashland St., Ste. C, Ashland, OR 97520, USA. Sentenced to 51 months for an ALF arson on a horse meat plant. Also admitted his role in an ELF/ALF conspiracy.

John Smith TB4887, HMP Lowdham Grange, Lowdham, Nottingham, NG14 7DA, England. Serving 12 years for attempting to blackmail a farmer who supplied guinea pigs for vivisection.

Andrew Stepanian #26399-050, FCI Butner Medium II Federal Correctional Institution, PO Box 1500, Butner, NC 27509 USA. Serving 36 months for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.

Mark Taylor TT6636, HMP YOI Onley, Rugby, Warkwickshire, CV23 8AP, England. Serving four years for organising loud demonstrations outside the offices of companies with links to HLS.

Suzanne Taylor, TM7154, HMP Foston Hall, Foston, Derby, Derbyshire, DE65 5DN, England. Serving two and a half years for helping organise loud demonstrations outside the offices of companies with links to HLS.

Kerry Whitburn TB4886, HMP Lowdham Grange, Lowdham, Nottingham, NG14 7DA, England. Serving 12 years for attempting to blackmail a farmer who supplied guinea pigs for vivisection.

Joyanna Zacher See details in Eco Defence Prisoners List.

PLOUGHSHARES PRISONERS

Helen Woodson, 03231-045, FMC Carswell – Admin. Max. Unit, POB 27137, Ft. Worth, TX 76127, USA. Serving 8 years 10 months for actions that focused on the interrelationship of war & the destruction of the natural world. The actions included pouring red paint over the security desk of a federal court and making threatening communications. Previously Helen had served 20½ years for: 1) Using a hammer to disarm a nuclear missile silo. 2) Burning $25,000 on the floor of a bank whilst denouncing war, environmental destruction & economic injustice. 3) Mailing warning letters with bullets attached to Government & corporate officials.

OTHER ANTI-WAR PRISONERS

Brendan Walsh 12473-052, FCI/FSL Elkton, PO Box 10, Lisbon, OH 44432 USA. Serving 5 years for an arson on an army recruitment office in protest at the War on Iraq.

THE LECCE FIVE
The Lecce Five have been charged with subversive association accused of damaging Esso petrol pumps to oppose the War on Iraq; sabotaging the cash machines of a bank which funds an immigration centre; and targeting the multinational company Benetton in support of Mapuche land rights activists in Chile. All of the defendants are currently either under house arrest or released on bail.

ANTIFA PRISONERS

Lasandra Burwell W063658, Ohio Reformatory for Women, 1479 Collins Ave. Marysville, OH 43040, USA. Serving 5 years for taking part in an anti-fascist demonstration which turned into a riot.

Vahtang Devitlidze, ul. Libbedova 42, UO 68/2, otryad 14, brigada 142, g. Hagyshensk, Krasnodarskiy Kray, 352680 Russia. Serving 2½ years for stabbing a neo-nazi in the leg whilst defending himself from attack.

Augustin Kraus, Vazebni veznice, PP-1, Litomerice, 41 201, Czech Republic. Serving 14 months for his participation in attacks against local neo-nazis. His charge was “bodily harm”. He speaks Czech, Slovak and Polish. You can also write him short postcards in English.

Christian Sümmermann, BNR: 727/07/7, JVA Tegel, Seidelstr. 39, 13507 Berlin, Germany. Serving 40 months for breaching the peace whilst serving a suspended sentence issued for anti-fascist activities.

Tomasz Wiloszewski, Zaklad Karny, Orzechowa 5, 98-200 Sieradz, Poland. Serving 15 years for accidentally killing a neo-nazi whilst defending himself.

OTHER PRISONERS

Oscar Santa Maria Caro, CERESO, Miahuatlan de Porfirio Diaz, Oaxaca en Hall B, Cell 5., Mexico. On remand. The exact charges against Oscar are unknown but Oscar is a member of RATA, a known animal rights group.

Sacramento Delfino Cano Hernandez, CERESO, Miahuatlan de Porfirio Diaz, Oaxaca en Hall B, Cell 5., Mexico. On remand. Co-defendant of Oscar Santa Maria Caro.

Olga Aleksandrovna Nevskaya, UU163/5, 7 Otryad, pos. Dzerzhinskiy, Mozhaysk 140090 Moskovskaya oblast, Russia. Eco-activist serving 6 years for arson, criminal damage and causing explosions in protest at the war in Chechnya.
Due for release in 2009.

Fran Thompson, #1090915 HU 1C, WERDCC, PO Box 300, Vandalia, MO 63382, USA. Serving Life for killing, in self-defence, a stalker who had broken into her home. Before her imprisonment Fran was an eco, animal & anti-nuke campaigner.

MOVE
MOVE is an eco-revolutionary group who carried out protests in defence of all life. There are currently eight MOVE activists in prison each serving 100 years after been framed for the murder of a cop in 1979. 9th defendant, Merle Africa, died in prison in 1998.

Debbie Simms Africa (006307), Janet Holloway Africa (006308) and Janine Philips Africa (006309) all at: SCI Cambridge Springs, 451 Fullerton Ave, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403-1238, USA.

Michael Davis Africa (AM4973) and Charles Simms Africa (AM4975) both at SCI Grateford, PO Box 244, Grateford, PA 19426-0244, USA.

Edward Goodman Africa (AM4974), 301 Morea Rd, Frackville, PA 17932, USA. William Philips Africa (AM4984) and Delbert Orr Africa (AM4985) both at SCI Dallas Drawer K, Dallas, PA 18612, USA.

Mumia Abu Jamal, (AM8335), SCI Greene, 175 Progress Drive, Waynesburg PA 15370, USA. In 1981 Mumia, former Black Panther and vocal supporter of MOVE, was framed for the murder of a cop. He was originally sentenced to death but is currently awaiting re-sentencing following a court hearing in 2001.

STATEMENT ON VIOLENCE
Some people listed in this newsletter have carried out violent actions. Spirit of Freedom does not condone violence. But we are also against censorship & believe people can decide for themselves who they wish to support.

ABOUT E.L.P. SUPPORT NETWORK
ELP is an international eco-prisoner support network founded, in Britain, in 1993 to support jailed eco-activists. We support the prisoners by producing various regular prisoner lists:

Spirit of Freedom is ELPs international monthly prisoner listing which is circulated by e-mail.

Urgent ELP! Bulletin is an e-mail service that distributes the names of any new eco-prisoner as soon as ELP gets their details. For more info e-mail ELP4321@hotmail.com

On-Line Newsletters ELP has a number of websites that provide news, prisoner lists and additional info about ELP & the prisoners.

English language ELP Website
www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk

North American ELP Website
www.ecoprisoners.org

Turkish language ELP Website
www.geocities.com/yesilanarsi/elp.htm

ELP Extra is an e-mail group that circulates the details of political prisoners, ELP learns about, who do not fall within the remit for support by ELP. To subscribe to the list e-mail ELP4321@Hotmail.com

Belgium ELP.SN is our Belgium contact. For more info e-mail elp_bel@hotmail.com

German ELP.SN is a prisoner led initiative run by eco-prisoner Marco Camenisch. For more info contact Marco Camenisch, Postfach 3143, CH-8105 Regensdorf, Switzerland.

North American ELP is our North American contact. For more information e-mail naelpsn@mutualaid.org

Turkey ELP.SN is our Turkish contact. For more info e-mail yesilanarsi@yahoo.com

North American ELP Prisoner Fund. The North American ELP group has set up a fund where people can pay money, for North American Eco-Defence and Animal Rights prisoners, which will then be distributed to the North American prisoners. For information about the Fund and how to make a donation please contact naelpsn@mutualaid.org

DEDICATION
This Edition of Spirit of Freedom is dedicated to Bill Avalon Rodgers, the American Oregon Defendant who ended his own life in December 2005 whilst on Remand.

Climate Camp Land Occupied & directions

11.08.2007

Climate Camp activists met at a half dozen locations around London this afternoon, moving during the evening in vans to various sites near Heathrow.

11.08.2007

Climate Camp activists met at a half dozen locations around London this afternoon, moving during the evening in vans to various sites near Heathrow.

Just after eleven the groups converged on a large field opposite the airport. Within minute tripods were erected and occupied with a large banner reading “Climate Camp, No Airport Expansion” slung between the two.

By 11.30 a hundred or so people were on the Sipson Lane site
( http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=sipson&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&sa=N&tab=wl) , half way between Sipson and Harlington villages. Vans were being quickly unloaded, tape was marking out the barrios and tents were being erected. Despite the pitch darkness kitchens were being organised and a village began to take place.

Midnight saw the arrival of the first police – does overtime kick in at a higher rate after the witching hour? Five vans lined up outside the west gate, a couple more outside the east gate and several saloons denoting the presence of senior officers.

A phalanx of cops poured on to the site and demanded to speak to the leaders. A quick call out for people to the main gate seemed to overwhelm them and they beat a hasty retreat back to the vans, a fairly low grade FIT team videoing and stumbling over the bracken as it went.

The mood on the site is one of great elation. After months of planning and anticipation the day has finally arrived and the site is taken.

==========

The Climate Camp site has been successfully taken!

We now need lots of people to come down and get everything set up.

We are on Sipson Lane, between the villages of Sipson and Harlington, North of Heathrow.

By public transport:

Train from Paddington to ‘Hayes and Harlington’ station.

From there bus 90, 140 or H98 heading South. Get off at the corner of Harlington High Street and walk West along Sipson Lane about 600 metres.

About a 2 mile walk – south into Harlington village then as above.

Go one station further on to West Drayton and take the 222 bus to the Western (Sipson) end of Sipson Lane.

Location Map

Staines is quite far away – if you want to make your own way to the site don’t go to Staines!

But what we do know is that if is that if you get yourself to Staines railway station in West London by 10am on Tuesday 14th August, you will be greeted by our friendly welcome team and promptly transported via a magical mystery tour, to the camp! Staines railway station is very small so the Welcome Desk and pickup buses will be running from Spelthorne Leisure Centre, 5 minutes walk from the station.(There will also be lifts to the camp later in the day and throughout the week).

If you get lost trying to find the station or any other enquiries then call 0207 3779088 . There will be someone manning the phone at the London Action Resource Centre 10am to 6pm from 2nd August who will be able to help you.
There will probably be policeman filming you at the station and elsewhere. Do not be intimidated

===

The police are very pissed off that they didn’t find the site for around 2 hours despite being very nearby. They’re demanding to search everything entering the site and even copying every piece of available information from mobile phones, such as serial numbers and phone numbers stored in the address book. No news on the arrestee other than that its a ‘known activist’ who the police decided would make a nice token gesture of force. Anyone wanting to get down to work on the site is very much welcome to get down and get working.

Remember your legal rights & the fun I Spy card (links above & from main article

2nd Arrest

Someone has been nicked for walking on the road. Legal observers were present. Searches becoming a little less thorough, though even the back route into the site is being heavily policed.

next Manchester critical mass 31st august

next critical mass is on friday 31st august (thats the weekend AFTER bank holiday) meet as usual at 6pm outside central library.

The ride will finish at the contact theatre where the all new, all female, all bike loving, bicycle dance troupe THE SPOKES will perform their new routine for the first time in public EVER!!!

next critical mass is on friday 31st august (thats the weekend AFTER bank holiday) meet as usual at 6pm outside central library.

The ride will finish at the contact theatre where the all new, all female, all bike loving, bicycle dance troupe THE SPOKES will perform their new routine for the first time in public EVER!!!
http://www.myspace.com/thespokesmcr

To get in the Get Bent spirit wear anything silver or pink or fancy dress or get in the spokes’ colours green and black…dress your bike too…lets get creative!

then those who want to can come into the Contact Theatre for the Get Bent Film Festival for more info on Get Bent see http://get-bent-manchester.com

put it in your diaries NOW!!! woooooo!

mcrcriticalmass@yahoo.co.uk
http://www.ibikemcr.org.uk

Sleazyjet and Fryinair Take on BIA

Climate Camp Pedal Express to Leave Bristol Sat. 10am fountains

We’re on our way to Heathrow climate camp cycling 130 miles from Bristol to London. Today- the 10th of August we held a tremendously successful demonstration outside BIA. As you can see, Sleazyjet and Fryin’air gave BIA officials a run for their money, with over 12 interviews by local media throughout the day. Many people hooted their support including a DHL fuel tanker driver. A BIA airport bus driver even stopped his bus in the middle of the roundabout and gave us a bag of fruit. Then the hot air balloons of Bristol were rising as we rode back into town, excited about our Saturday send off from the fountains in the cenrtre of Bristol. HEAThrow here we come!

Climate Camp Pedal Express to Leave Bristol Sat. 10am fountains

Call for direct action at Heathrow – website launched

Call for direct action at the Climate Camp

Activists campaigning against the impact of aviation on climate change have today released a website giving the low-down on Heathrow airport and the industries which encourage its environmentally-damaging business. They are calling on people to take non-violent direct action around the Camp for Climate Action, taking place near Heathrow in August. The website, http://www.reclaimtheskies.com includes details of airlines, suppliers and cargo companies based around Heathrow.

Call for direct action at the Climate Camp

Campaigner Joanna Maguire stated, “Look at the crazy summer weather we are having. The effects of high-level atmospheric emissions both on our climate and on the ozone layer are a serious issue and we need to take action now. The aviation industry must take on board that it is contributing to climate chaos and change is needed now. More and more businesses are offering ridiculous cheap flights for holidays and unnecessary next day deliveries around the world.”

Another activist, David Beddinton, added, “Heathrow does not exist in isolation. All these companies are profiting from cheap fuel and actively encourage the growth of flights. This has to stop and we are calling on people to take non-violent direct action to protect our futures. It needs to be hammered home that their business may be lawful, but globally they are contributing to terrible crimes against humanity. We want people to take direct action to make these companies aware that they are contributing to famine, flooding and destitution around the world.”

The website has been produced independently of the Camp for Climate Action, though it is within its policy of calling on direct action to be taken against the root causes of climate change. Their purpose is to inform people how the industry around the Heathrow works – the airport is simply the focus point of a bigger problem.

Campaigners doubt that the government or corporations are capable of making the necessary societal change to minimise the damage climate chaos is going to inflict on the earth and its inhabitants.

Visit www.reclaimtheskies.com and start getting ready for action!

New Earth First Action Update OUT NOW!

The printed EF! Action Update is back again! After a bit of a lull a new editorial collective is in place and ready to roll. We have just produced a summer edition in time for the Camp for Climate Action, where you can pick up printed copies.

The Action Update is produced quarterly to aid the sharing of news, information and ideas amongst those interested in taking action. The next newsletter will be out in November. If you’ve got news to share about your groups, campaigns and actions post them straight onto this website and we’ll make sure they’re included in the next edition.

You can also download and print out the PDF of the Action Update by clicking here.

launch of radical newsheet – the Bath Bomb

Today, seven activists from Bath Activist Network set up shop in the middle of Bath to raise awareness and encourage people to attend the upcoming. Climate Camp

Throughout the day we gave out hundreds of leaflets, stickers, newsletters and free cake. We unfurled a banner and chalked artwork on the pavement (a community support officer threatened to get some proper cops to arrest an activist for criminal damage, but we rang the council, who told us we were welcome to chalk over as much pavement as we liked, leaving a slightly red faced cop!). We received loads of support, loads of people were voicing disgust at the injunction, and pleasure that it was crap as far as injunctions go. Everybody knew about climate camp and our arguments, and it seems to be a major talking point at the mo. All in all a good and productive day – looking forward to the camp!

We also took the opportunity to start distributing our new monthly newsletter ‘Bath Bomb’, giving a radical perspective on all the news and council sleaze in Bath! To get a copy e-mailed every month, e-mail bathbombpress@yahoo.co.uk

See y’all in the fields!

bathactivistnet@yahoo.co.uk
http://www.myspace.com/bathactivistnetwork

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The Bath Bomb is here!

The first edition of what should turn out to be our monthly alternative news sheet, right now as plain text – a work in progress!:

*The Bath Bomb * Issue 1 July/August ’07 * @nti-copyright: copy and distribute! *

“All the news the Chron didn’t choose!”

(For further info on any of our stories, see www.myspace.com/bathbomb)

Bath – 1, BNP – 0

As many readers will be aware, Nick Griffin, the leader of the Nazi BNP was due to speak at Bath Uni recently. He was invited by BNP youth leader Danny Lake, a Bath Uni student.

Facing massive opposition to the speech, the Uni banned Griffin from talking. However, local Antifa (anti fascist action) members got word that Griffin was being snuck into town to give a talk to a hardcore of BNP members at a secret location. Thanks to a well placed mole, Antifa found the location, and informed the manager, who was more than happy to cancel the event (Lake had booked under the fake charity name ‘British Heritage’!).

With only 2 hours’ notice, 20 activists were scouring the streets, looking for Nazi Nick and his bonehead mates. Upon getting word that the ‘fash’ were moving toward Revolution bar, the venue was occupied by anti-fascists with the full support of the staff (one of whom was heard to say ‘do what it takes, just keep those bastards out!’). They then moved off to the Litten Tree. Antifa went in after them and after a short ‘debate’, ‘persuaded’ them to leave the pub. At this point, the old bill turned up and prevented activists from chasing the fleeing fascists. Luckily, well-placed spotters were able to follow.

They were found in Vicky Park, where, out numbered 3 to 1 by anti-fascists, they had a five minute picnic before pissing off home. An inspection of their cars revealed that none were from Bath, and had been shipped in from far and wide to give the impression of having supporters.

The BNP are a nazi organisation, led by a holocaust denying Hitler worshipper with a track record of racial violence. Bath organiser Danny Lake has been arrested twice for harassing families attending multicultural events, and has a best mate in prison for bombing a mosque. They’ve been shown once, and we can show them again – fascists are not welcome in Bath!

Diseased Liver, Anyone?

Although hushed up in the Chron, in recent months, animal rights groups in Bristol and Bath have been getting busy. ‘Paté de foie gras,’ a French import for the idle rich, is a cruel culinary treat – ducks and geese spend lifetimes trapped in cages, daily force-fed corn through painful tubes rammed down their throats, stomachs expanding to bursting point, before their livers are served on a plate. The tortured birds are often riddled with infection, and eating foie gras is linked to diseases like CJD and Alzheimer’s. Its manufacture is also banned in the UK.

Two demos persuaded Bistro No. 5 to drop it from their menu, so the campaign moved on to Le Petit Cochon, in Margaret Buildings – and what fun they had! The highly excitable staff had no problems with kicking off, scuffles inside and out, broken glass and upended tables being the order of the day. As thediners gawped on, head chefand owner Christophe charged out, pushing and shoving anyone within reach, shouting “I love ducks! I f**k ducks!” After the bestiality confessions died down, this larger-than-life character planted a kiss on one protester, and then withdrew. Two weeks later, seemingly calmed down, he claimed to have dropped foie gras. Or had he, the lying cad? Our roving reporter went undercover to discover the truth, and easily exposed the not-so-cunning ruse: the
restaurant’s still selling the putrid stuff, so watch this space for further breaking news…

Every Little (Trick in the Book) Helps

After trying to worm their way into Bath for years, Tesco’s finally seem to be getting their way. With rejection after rejection at London Road and Odd Down, yet again they were turned down at the former car showroom site John Tallis, at Bathwick Hill. But, never known for playing fair, what with all the farms and other small-scale suppliers they’ve ripped off and destroyed over the years – paying suppliers 4% less than any other supermarket – they went crying off to a government planning inspector, who overturned the council’s decision.

So, now we’ll be stuck with yet another Tesco’s Express. Whilst company spokespeople lie through their teeth, claiming that their stores give “other local businesses a boost”, the truth is that with their constant price gouging, local shops like Bathwick Stores, Tuck Time and other established small stores are likely to soon go under. Indeed, roughly 50 independent shops are squeezed out of the UK every year by big supermarkets like these. So, soon, local roads will be clogged with delivery trucks, road safety will hit blood-stained rock bottom with inadequate road-crossings, and more local jobs will be cut, because supermarkets employ two thirds less staff than smaller stores. So here’s to bigger dole queues!

Well, whilst doing our best to support local shops, when the new Tesco’s arrive, let’s make sure we give them all a big welcome: planting concrete-cracking Japanese knotweed should be just the thing!

Events Listing

Monday nights Bath Hunt Saboteur meetings 8pm back room of Bell
11th Aug Bath Free Shop @ Stall Street 12-3pm
14th—21st Aug National Camp for Climate Action nr Heathrow
5th Sept Bath Animal Action meeting back room of Bell 7.30-8.30pm
6th Sept Bath Activist Network meeting downstairs Hobgoblin 7.30-9pm
11th-14th Sept Disarm DSEI @ The Excel Centre in London
19th-24th Sept No Border Camp nr Gatwick
21st Sept Leftism benefit club night for Bristle magazine @ The Crown 9-2am

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

Get out Yer Lifejackets for the Western Riverside Yuppie Flood!

Yup, the council have done it again and sold off the western riverside area to be turned into luxury flats.

There is major cause for concern on all fronts. A flood plain will be destroyed, making localised flooding imminent, badger, owl and kingfisher habitats will be destroyed, many Bath residents will have their views ruined by huge apartment buildings, and we’ll have to deal with an influx of more yuppies.

There are also plans to demolish the historic Bath Press to make way for a supermarket to cater for the new residents. The 200 workers of the press, many of whom had put in 30-plus years were told to get out with next to no warning to make way for the new development.

Crest Nicholson, the development company (who make a cushy sideline evicting families from houseboats to build pricey waterside flats for…. you guessed it – yuppies!) have kindly offered to make 20% of the housing ‘affordable’…cheers! That means that Bathonians from the surrounding area aren’t ever going to see inside these flats! Instead of putting effort into providing better facilities and conditions for ordinary people, the council are ignoring our needs and catering for the rich to make a quick buck.

As numerous other ‘tourist’ cities across the world have shown us, flooding our communities with rich commuters will have disastrous effects – pushing house prices up, sucking resources from the community while putting nothing back and building coffee bar after f**king coffee bar!

There are a million good arguments against this development, but the same old good reason for the councillors – profit. Actions against the development are due to start soon, we’ll keep you posted!

Flights of Fancy?

Whilst climate change is seemingly on everyone’s lips, for the British airline industry, it’s (big) business as usual. Despite hot air from Number 10 about ‘carbon emissions reduction targets’, air passenger numbers are planned to double over the next 20 years; never mind the fact that planes pollute 10 times worse than trains. This week, the British Airport Authority is desperately pushing through a new law to criminalize up to 5,000,000 members of green groups round the country. The planned injunction, lucrative work for silk-tongued lawyers, will not only ban protesters from areas inside and around Heathrow, but also from the Piccadilly line, M4 and M25.

But who are these heinous eco-terrorists that BAA is so afraid of? Earth First!? Al Qaeda? Erm, no. It’s groups like Friends of the Earth, the RSPB, The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England and No Third Runway Acton Group, based in the villages of Harmondsworth and Sipson: members include the Queen, Prince Charles and hundreds of BA staff, so they’re presumably banned, too.

All this palaver is an attempt to nip this month’s national Camp for Climate Action in the bud – a week of education, workshops and activism, set to pitch up near Heathrow. The event is expected to attract huge numbers of rent-a-cops: just like the OTT policing we saw back here in April, for the Bath Climate Camp. And if this ridiculous ban does go through, it will be yet further proof that the courts are simply hired flunkies at the corporations’ beck and call. These people are fully prepared to bulldoze over an entire village for a new runway, putting silly pipedreams like ‘economic growth’ before people’s lives.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom: other planned airport expansions up and down the country are now being beaten back: Manchester, Coventry, Luton, and Birmingham schemes were all rejected, and maybe soon Bristol Airport will join ’em!

Join the Dots – from Local Dispute to National Disaster?

Lost history, increased pollution, uninhabitable homes, not being consulted on local issues?

At the moment we may feel like a divided populace at the mercy of government, council and corporations. But if we link small local disputes over development across the country, creating networks to oppose them, we will begin to see the change we crave.

Take Bath, for example – Western Riverside Development, Tesco’s at Bathwick Hill, the recent demolition of Churchill House despite mass protest… And further from home at Heathrow, where people are fighting against the third runway, protecting the beautiful old villages they stand to lose. As a member of NOTRAG (a local group opposing the runway) says: “if it happens to us, who’s next?”

“Democracy only works if voters are active and informed” All it takes for us to be more in control, is for us to pull together locally and nationally, learning from each others’ actions and to fit campaigns into our ordinary lives, next to the washing up or getting the dinner, to remind the government that we are all part of that government too. These little bits will reap huge benefits – for you, your neighbours, your children and even the world!

Some things you could do: attend local meetings, or, if you’re part of a group, link up with other groups over a common goal, get involved in protests, create your own. If you oppose the new Tesco’s, what would you like in its place? Make that happen instead. And if the Tesco’s does get built, don’t shop there! Think neighbourhood watch on a grander scale – being aware of what’s going on in your area, supporting those around you and trying not to leave anyone out, is enough. Share the work so it doesn’t overwhelm and keep morale up by sharing the decision not to take ‘no’ for an answer.

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

Critical Mass – Glossop – Fri 14th Sept 2007

We’re staging a Critical Mass bike ride on 14th September 2007, to celebrate Car Free Day and to demonstrate that bikes and people should be catered for on our roads, not just cars and traffic.

We’ll be setting off from Glossop rain station at 5.30pm and will be riding out to Swallow’s Wood near Tintwistle where we’ll stop at a local pub. The wood is threatened by a new bypass they are planning to build between Mottram and Tintwistle.

The route is fairly flat and about 4 miles in total. It’s suitable for riders of all types. Please bring a bike and wear high vis clothing.

Our aim is not to stop traffic but to make the presence of bikes on the roads more visible so please be aware of other traffic and road users.

roadalertglossop@gmail.com
http://www.myspace.com/roadalert