Climate Chaos – Page 142

On the anniversary of the imprisonment of the Rossport Five, Shell’s peat stripping continues

Bellanaboy, Friday June 29th 2007

In Erris, protests continue every day at the site of the proposed refinery at Bellanaboy, County Mayo.

Bellanaboy, Friday June 29th 2007

In Erris, protests continue every day at the site of the proposed refinery at Bellanaboy, County Mayo.

Last Friday, June 29th, was the second anniversary of the imprisonment of the Rossport Five. The day saw the continuing of the operation to strip the surface peat away from the Bellanaboy refinery site, and as is now normal, local people protesting were joined by supporters of the Shell to Sea campaign from other parts of Ireland and abroad.

As usual, the Garda response to the protests was brutal. One protester was arrested and many more were assaulted. Gardaí also threw activists into the deep ditches near the Bellanaboy site.

Videos of the protests on Friday morning can be seen here: http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=kAXKHu3_bKo

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=tSMF4GgnC_I

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=u7jnUOq8LYA

or check www.youtube.ie/shelltohell

The Gardaí were said to be surprised at the number of protesters at the site on Friday morning, while many people present complained that the police were suffering from the effects of the night before. Protesters commented on the noticeable smell of alcohol coming from a lot of the officers, and their generally dishevelled appearance, as well as their aggressive and juvenile behaviour. One garda, when confronted with the fact that his behaviour was not acceptable, loudly declared “I’m allowed to drink when I’m off duty!”.

Many people are still angry with the Gardaí over their treatment of a local landowner whose property they trespassed onto to allow Shell’s contractors to install a security cabin near the pier at Pollotomais, across the estuary from Rossport. The portacabin has recently been removed by Shell, but not before legal action had to be threatened.

Many local people accuse the Gardaí of intimidation of the elderly landowner, putting him under such stress that he had to be admitted to hospital. His family have said that he has been upset by a series of incidents including visits by up to six gardaí to the house. Officers asked him questions and video-taped the responses. However, the Gardaí have denied there was any pressure or intimidation involved.

Over the last few months thousands of tons of surface peat have been removed from the refinery site at Bellanaboy and dumped 11KM away, in advance of the Environmental Protection Agency decision on whether the refinery will receive a licence to operate.

New minister with responsibility for the scheme, Eamon Ryan, has been asked for a meeting with local people and other supporters of Shell to Sea, but so far has not responded. In the coming weeks and months, it is expected that more people from outside the area will join the protests.

One of the Rossport Five, Micheál Ó Seighin said recently:
“We welcome people taking non-violent direction to stop Shell’s scheme. This has never been a purely local issue. It has always had national and international dimensions. Not only are people concerned entitled to protest, they are obliged to stand up for what is right.
Related Link: http://www.youtube.ie/shelltohell

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The activist who was arrested on Friday morning was taken in handcuffs to Bellmullet Garda station where he was detained for four hours before being charged with various public order offences, including that he “did without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, wilfully prevent or interrupt the free passage of a vehicle…”.

See also : A Tainted Process http://www.indymedia.ie/article/83016, Prosecuting the Gardaí http://www.indymedia.ie/article/83096, Court Report http://www.indymedia.ie/article/82730, Portacabin incident http://www.indymedia.ie/article/82983,

manchester bike stuff this weekend – critical mass, bike polo, summer party, critical commute, climate carnival

We cycle round the city to celebrate the bicycle:

It’s for anyone that rides a bike;
Its a celebration of getting round the city without polluting it;
Its about every journey being an adventure instead of just sitting on a boring bus or in a stressful car;
Its about cyclists riding together to demand more respect from other road users;
Its a way to meet other cyclistas;

We cycle round the city to celebrate the bicycle:

woooo it will not only be an amzing bike ride to celebrate the bicycle, to meet other cyclists, to have an excuse to ride around, to feel part of a bike gang, to have a fun evening etc etc

but!

this month we will also be having an ace bbq with the bike soundsystem..woo a nice outdoor bicycle summer party.ace.

woo. so please bring vegan stuff to put on it and things to drink! we will be quite near shops so if you dont its easy to get stuff.

last month we had around 120 cyclists on critical mass, lets make this one even bigger!

see http://www.myspace.com/mcrcriticalmass

Saturday 2pm bike polo practise, platt fields park on the clay pitch behind the basketball courts. everyone welcome to join in!

see http://www.myspace.com/mcrdropouts

ALSO:

don’t forget that it’s Critical Commute this Friday morning.

Details of starting points and times at

http://www.manchesterfoe.org.uk/lyb/critical.php

AND:

Cycling Contingent

saturday 30th June 4 Climate Change Carnival

[Manchester]

There will be a parade with samba band and kids entertainment and speakers to talk about Climate Change.

Starts at 1pm from Peace Gardens (between St. Paul Square (Manchester Central Library) and Piccadilly Gardens.

mcrcriticalmass@yahoo.co.uk
http://velorution.x21.org.uk

West London residents halt traffic outside DfT Headquarters

20.06.2007
West London residents protesting about plans to expand Heathrow dramatically stopped traffic this morning outside the Department for Transport (DfT) offices in Central London before attempting an invasion of the building.

The protestors carried a bed along Marsham Street from the flat of BAA Chief Executive Stephen Nelson (1) to the Department for Transport. In the bed were two figures symbolising the close relationship between BAA and the DfT under the slogan “DfT in bed with BAA”.

As they crossed Marsham Street a dozen residents halted the traffic when they painted a runway on the road. The residents, assisted by the direct action network Plane Stupid, then left the bed outside the DfT offices.

The action follows the revelation last week that the Department for Transport had secretly passed key information supporting expansion of Heathrow to BAA six months before it is due to be published (2).

Earlier in the year, on March 5th, West London residents invaded Chatham House and disrupted a speech by Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander.

Long-time West London resident Dr John Hunt and member of the Green Party said, “This action is to expose the unhealthily close relationship there is between BAA Ferrovial and the Department for Transport. While BAA and the Department plot and plan the expansion of Heathrow, residents and local authorities are left in the dark”.

Maggie Thorburn, a long-time West London resident, said, “Although I live under the flight path and am affected by the noise of the planes, I took part in today’s action not just because of the increased noise levels I would experience if expansion went ahead, but also because I firmly believe that any further expansion at Heathrow should be ruled out on climate change grounds.”

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

(1). BAA owns a flat for its Chief Executive (Flat 905, St Johns, Marsham St) about 60 yards from the Department for Transport headquarters at 76 Marsham St.

(2). Earlier this month (6th June) the Times www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article1890224.ece revealed that “The Department for Transport has secretly passed key information supporting the expansion to the Spanish-owned company six months before it is due to be published in a consultation document. The department has also allowed senior BAA officials to influence a series of tests designed to show whether the third runway would breach limits on air pollution and noise. The Times has learnt that BAA has a team of 34 people working with civil servants, influencing the tests so that they find in favour of building the new runway. The department has given BAA a full copy of the preliminary results but is refusing to allow any opponents of the expansion to see them. Mike Forster, BAA’s head of strategy for Heathrow, admitted at a recent conference that he had seen the results and that they were “encouraging”.” The full report is not expected to be made publicly available until just before a consultation into plans to expand Heathrow, expected in the autumn.

Greenpeace gives away free train tickets at airports across the UK

19 June 2007.

UPDATE (9.25am): The booths have now all been moved by security.

Over the past hour or so, impromptu ticket exchange booths have been appearing in airports across the UK.

19 June 2007.

UPDATE (9.25am): The booths have now all been moved by security.

Over the past hour or so, impromptu ticket exchange booths have been appearing in airports across the UK.

Greenpeace volunteers (fetchingly dressed as stewards and stewardesses – pics here) have been offering BA passengers checking into domestic flights climate-friendly train tickets.

It’s not just because we’re generous souls – it’s also because flying causes 10 times more damage to the climate than taking the train. And it’s responsible for 13 per cent of the UK’s impact on the climate (that’s the government’s own figures).

It’s also the fastest growing source of emissions in the UK; between 1990 and 2050, emissions from aviation could quadruple, which scientists say could wipe out all other emissions savings we make in every other sector.

The main cause of this massive growth in the UK is the proliferation of short haul flights – often unnecessary domestic ones like the 30 or so a day between London and Manchester.

British Airways (despite its claims to be green) is one of the worst offenders, opening new and unnecessary domestic routes, fiercely opposing any measures that will curb growth in emissions, keeping a tight hold over government policy and lobbying hard for airport expansion.

You can find out more about aviation and climate change here.

And you can email BA’s Chief Executive, Willie Walsh, asking him to ground unnecessary domestic UK flights on routes that are already well served by trains, and to end BA’s lobbying for more runways and bigger airports.

Brecon anti-pipeline camp eviction has begun (& updates Tues/Wed, press releases…)

19th June 2007
Brecon tree camp eviction has begun. Support needed!

Brecon pipeline camp eviction 19th June 2007
Brecon tree camp eviction has begun. Support needed!

The eviction will most likely last a few hours, if you can make it, it would be a great help!

Site phone: 07733190958

===============
IF U CAN GET THERE TAKE A CAMERA, THE EVICTION TEAM IS GOOD OLD NET FROM SWANSEA

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update

11:40am

A40 has been closed.

There has been at least one arrest.

================
PRESS RELEASE

THIS MORNING THE EVICTION OF THE BRECON CLIMATE CHANGE CAMP AT PEN PONT BRECON IS GOING ON. THE ROAD HAS BEEN CLOSED BETWEEN SENNY BRIDGE AND BRECON FOR THE EVICTION TO TAKE PLACE. PEOPLE ARE ENTRENCHED IN THE CAMP. TREE HOUSES WILL HAVE TO BE EVICTED BY SPECIALIST CLIMBERS AND TUNNELS BY CAVE SPECIALIST

WE URGE ANYONE WHO CAN TO GET TO BRECON TO PROTECT THE PECEFUL PROTESTORS WHO ARE REFUSING TO MOVE VOLUNTARILY DUE TO THE MASSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL DESTRUCTION THE 48″ PIPELINE FROM MILFORD HAVEN TO TIRLEY IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE IS CAUSING.

THE RIVERS IN BRECON ARE RUNNING AS RED AS BLOOD DUE TO THE SILTING UP OF THE RIVERS WITH THE RED BRECON SOIL. SEE FOR YOURSELVES THE MASSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL CATASTROIPHE THESE PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO STOP.

NO FOSSIL FUELS..

TELEPHONE

01639 632286

07790 727 250

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No Embargo
**
*Pipeline protesters refuse to climb down as eviction starts*

Protestors have refused to climb down from trees on the route of the
controversial high pressure methane gas
(LNG) pipeline in Wales after being given a 10 minute warning by bailiffs to
leave the site or face being arrested.

Protestors have locked themselves together high up in the trees using
bicycle D locks while others have gone down into the tunnels they dug with
food to last for several days in order to delay National Grids multimillion
pound destructive and dangerous project.

One protestor has today said “We are willing to risk arrest as the
consequences of this pipeline will be far more devastating than spending a
night in a police cell. National Grid, as a private company, are putting
shareholder profit before peoples saftety, both locally and more
globally. We are putting ourselves in the way to say this is completely
unacceptable.”

Another protestor, from Bristol Rising Tide said “The Government, National
Grid Plc and other Corporations are continuing to build and profit from
fossil fuel infrastructure despite the clear fact that to prevent
catastrophic climate chaos, carbon emissions must be cut by 90% by 2030. So
it is up to people to take responsibility and take
action and that is why I am here doing what I can to stop this being built.”

The road from Brecon to Sennybridge, which runs past the camp, has been
closed by the police.

Contact:
Bristol Rising Tide: 07917 383517

*Notes to Editor*

Rising Tide is a climate action network dedicated to challenging the root
causes of climate change – the fossil fuel growth based economy. Rising Tide
argues that climate chaos is an issue of social injustice and that the
poorest will suffer most.

This pipeline, 4ft in diameter, will run at 94bar pressure – that is
96kg/cm2. National Grid have no experience of running pipelines at such high
pressure and it is unprecedented in Europe and the US.

In 1999, a family of four were killed in Scotland when a high pressure gas
pipe exploded by their home. Massive corrosion in the pipeline, and a
failure on the part of National Grid/Transco (NG/T) to keep adequate records
on what kind of pipes were being used, led to the explosion. Corrosion has
already been seen on the welds in the South Wales pipeline.

Since privatisation, NG/T have shed thousands of engineering jobs and cut
maintenance work. In 2000 it was revealed that Transco had underspent its
agreed pipeline maintenance and replacement programme
by £358m over the previous two years. This same corporation, accountable to
only its shareholders and board, is now supposedly responsible for the
safety of thousands of people along the route of
this pipe.

300 Construction workers at the Dragon LNMG terminal were recently on strike
over safety concerns on site. One workers was hospitalised and workers were
demanding safer working conditions.

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

brecon eviction update! 14:14

The Eviction continues with two arrests on the ground and people locked on in the tree tops, there are also people underground with substantial supplies! please support these people by donating towards fines etc on the “fight the pipe” website.

if anyone can make it they need the support!

peace love and fuck the pipe, national grid, national eviction team and anyone else involved XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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

Eviction update…
16:49

There has now been at least 5 arrests, we have no idea who has been arrested yet as they are being kept on site at the moment. There are still people locked-on in trees.

The A40 has now been re-opened but is down to one lane.

RESPECT & LOVE to all those who will be arrested over this.

FUCK YOUR PIPE NATIONAL GRID, FUCK THE GOVERNMENT FOR LETTING THIS STUPID PROJECT HAPPEN, FUCK THE POLICE & EVICTION TEAM.

We stand proud and strong knowing we are defending our beautiful earth that others want to destroy in the name of money.

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

Undead support campaign against Spanish oil multinational

Last Thursday 14th June in Asturias, Northern Spain I was present at an action where a Zombie Collective came back from the dead to support La Campana Asturiana e Contra el Expolio de las Petroleras and other Spanish solidarity organisations by staging a series of die-ins in a garage forecourt and elsewhere around the city of Gijon.

The action was to draw attention to the actions of Spanish based oil multi-national Repsol who are responsible for population displacement, militarization, violence and murder in several South American countries, most notably Colombia, where they operate clandestinely.
Publicity at the action told of El Tribunal Permanente de los Pueblos (Permanent Tribune of the People) that is described as an international organisation, looking for truth, justice and reparation for the victims of oil companies Repsol, British Petroleum and Occidental Petroleum in Colombia. It operates outside official judicial structures of any country and represents the ethical conscience of the people and humanity. The TPP is holding a judgement on these companies in Bogota in August this year. There is also a preliminary meeting to this in Madrid in June.

One of the Zombies said:
“ We are here in solidarity with all those who have died as a result of Repsol’s actions in Colombia. We are also here because we wish to make you, the Living aware of how so many of the organisations, institutions and systems that you cling to are in fact corpses themselves. From the Other Side we have a clearer picture than you and we see that though you trick yourselves into believing otherwise, your courts, your governments, your businesses in so many cases serve only Death. You cling to them because you are afraid to let go and allow new systems that can truly serve you and Life to grow. Always something has to die for the new to be born. Many of you hold a new world in your hearts but it cannot be born while you hold on to the rotting corpse of the old. Let it go, grieve it if you must but its time is past and it serves you no longer.”

I asked for clarification but the undead companera declined to elaborate. Perhaps she was referring to social movements where people seem to be moving away from trying to change the behaviour of governments to learning how to govern themselves and build the world they want….?

Climate activists glued to doors at airport

16.06.2007

Climate campaigners this afternoon glued themselves to the doors of the short-haul East Midlands airport to draw attention to the environmental impacts of flying as part of a European day of action on short-haul flights called by pressure group Airport Watch.

16.06.2007

Two men from climate action group, Plane Stupid, have caused disruption by supergluing themselves to the passenger entrances to the airport. Supporters are there handing out leaflets to airport customers encouraging them not to fly next time, and a banner carried by helium-filled balloons was also been released in the departure lounge bearing the slogan ‘Let’s fry’.

Last week another activist from Plane Stupid, Penny Eastwood, a mother of two from Yorkshire, glued herself both to the doors of Lastminute.com HQ in London in protest at the ever growing greenhouse gas emissions from aviation.

Today’s day of action was called to illustrate that short-haul flights are unnecessary and unsustainable and that short haul journeys can easily be taken by train or bus which are both over ten times less polluting. Demonstrations and protests have been happening throughout the day at airports across the UK and Europe, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Bristol, Southampton, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and others.

Aviation is the fastest-growing source of greenhouse-gas emissions worldwide. In the UK, emissions from aviation more than doubled in ten years. In May the government quoted the figure of 13% as aviation’s contribution to UK climate impacts. If you include flights to and from the UK by UK citizens (the government excludes the former), the sector now contributes about 18.5% of the climate-changing emissions for which this country is responsible.

Nottingham protestor, Alex Harvey, said, “Binge-flying is choking the planet. Airport expansion would lock us into increased greenhouse gas emissions and undo all our other efforts to reduce emissions. It’s just not an option. Yet that’s exactly what is planned for airports like East Midlands which only serve destinations easily reachable by more sustainable public transport alternatives.’

Last year twenty-five activists from Plane Stupid blockaded a taxi-runway at the same airport.

– ENDS –

nottingham@planestupid.com
http://www.planestupid.com

For more photos of passersby, reactions etc, see https://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/06/373813.html and https://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/06/373834.html

Climate Mass: Bristol Temple Meads to Bristol International Airport for 16 June aviation action day

Saturday 16 June – 2nd European Day Of Action On Aviation – a bike ride from Bristol Temple Meads to Bristol International Airport.

Stop Bristol Airport Expansion will be joining many other groups around the UK and across Europe in protesting against airport expansion, with particular emphasis on short-haul flights. We will be focusing on a theme of ‘trains not planes’ with a bike ride from Bristol Temple Meads to Bristol International Airport.

Saturday 16 June – 2nd European Day Of Action On Aviation – a bike ride from Bristol Temple Meads to Bristol International Airport.

So we’re calling on experienced cyclists to join StopBIAe in making thier point. StopBIAe have planned a route that will take you through Ashton to Long Ashton and then to the A38 via Barrow Gurney. Because the route is partially down the A38.

There will be a photo opportunity for the press at each end: at Temple Meads we will be emphasising the point that Government is focusing on airport expansion and largely ignoring the rail network – yet Temple Meads urgently needs new signalling to improve its capacity (we may be joined by some rail campaigners); at the BIA end we will be arranging a visual illustration of the theme – to be revealed on the day!

After that we hope to picnic on Felton Common close to the airport. A free lunch will be provided for all cyclists and we hope non-cycling SBAE supporters will join us with a picnic. Felton Village Hall, which is next to the Common and has bathroom facilities, will be available in case of bad weather.

It would be very useful if you could let StopBIA know a few days in advance if you can join the ride so we have an idea of the numbers to expect. If you can help with organising or on the day please get in touch too! You can contact us by emailing StopBIAe – http://www.nobristolairportexpansion.co.uk/aboutthecoalition.html

Full details of the cycle route will be available closer to 16 June.

If you have another meeting you would like us to mention here please email email StopBIAe – http://www.nobristolairportexpansion.co.uk/aboutthecoalition.html

http://www.nobristolairportexpansion.co.uk/

BILSTON GLEN 5TH BIRTHDAY PARTY

Bilston Glen 5th Birthday Party and Sunday Free Cafe, on 24th June
Day time: Free food, workshops, film showings, acoustic jamming

Evening: Sound system and party. Also jamming and chill out space at the main fire-pit

So come on down to the woods, if you haven’t been before, this is the PERFECT opportunity to get involved.
For more info and how to get there see our

home page

and our

myspace

Thousands strip off for London’s Naked Bike Ride + Manchester video + Brighton + York

In 2004 there were 58 riders, in 2005 a creditable 250 riders, rising to a massive 800 in 2006.

But in a scale that surprised even the organisers, more than five thousand people today took to London’s streets to protest against oil dependency, celebrate body freedom and curb car culture.

Starting from Hyde Park, there was a slight deviation in route as precautions were taken to avoid a collision with an Orange march (featuring as scary a bunch of apparent loons and psychopaths as you’d ever not want to meet).

Halted half way down Piccadilly the scale of the ride became apparent, as it still tailed back well into Hyde Park (first picture).

Part of the fun took it straight through the heart of London’s tourist hellhole, Covent Garden. But the roar of appreciation from the crowds made the cobbly streets more than tolerable.

Why so many? Well many of the riders had been to last month’s Critical Mass, swollen to record numbers as a result of State attempts to control it and make it “illegal”. Empowered, as many put it, the next stage was to get their clothes off and take it up a level.

“Roll on” as Rikki put in his report of that day “the next piece of repressive legislation”.

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Manchester 2007 WNBR evening Friday 8th:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEuDP7BOBUc

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Brighton 07 World Naked Bike Ride
On Saturday, more than 200 naked cyclists rode through Brighton and Hove in East Sussex. “Bikes and naked bodies harm nobody. Car fumes… are driving us all to climate chaos.”

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York: