Nuclear – Page 18 – Earth First!

International Anti Nuclear Festival

Invitation to join International Anti Nuclear Festival –
– FINLAND – Midsummer – June 2008 –

Due to the increasing nuclear threat developing in Finland and indeed globally, a coalition has formed to promote discussion, networking, education, skill development, and action for international civil society to oppose and resist nuclear power developments.

Invitation to join International Anti Nuclear Festival –
– FINLAND – Midsummer – June 2008 –

We are in the initial stages of planning the first Finnish International Anti Nuclear Festival, to be held during Midsummer (mid to late June) 2008, in the vicinity of Olkiluoto, construction site of the world’s largest nuclear reactor.

Finland is currently setting a president for Europe and the world. After years of denial and inaction on climate change, governments and industry are now promoting nuclear power as the solution to ‘clean’ energy production and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. We believe civil society must also set a president by opposing the construction of this prototype reactor, thus send a message to policy makers that we will not allow our world and our future to be contaminated by a dangerous
radioactive legacy.

Our objectives are numerous. We wish to bring people together to speak, learn and act about problems associated with the nuclear power process – from mining on indigenous people’s lands, to ore processing and its use in reactors, to waste disposal and military applications. We seek to learn of other people’s struggles, victories and setbacks.

We also seek to develop a coordinated international strategy. Increase skills; in civil democracy / consensus decision making, research, media, fundraising, sustainable living, non-violent communication, action and civil disobedience. We hope to involve ourselves in the decisions which affect our lives and those of future generations, from consumer choice to climate change, Chernobyl to Hiroshima.

Most of all, we want to invite you to a festival to celebrate the beautiful possibilities of life, to dance, sing and share…and to make it very, very difficult for them to keep building nuclear death machines. We would hope that anybody possibly affected by the growing nuclear threat would feel inspired to participate, indeed help organise this festival.

We are inviting speakers, trainers, logistical and monetary support, musicians, medics, clowns and others.

More information at www.olkiluoto.info and www.nuclearmadness.info

if you would like to get involved, have ideas or want to be updated, e-mail camp@olkiluoto.info or jsun@rbgi.net

CLIMATE ACTION NEWS SHEET 77, MARCH 2008

CONTENTS:
———————————————-
UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS:
———————————————-
1) FOSSIL FOOLS DAY – INTERNATIONAL, 1.4.08
2) MAYDAY! MAYDAY! INVASION OF THE CLIMATE SNATCHERS – INT’L, 1.5.08
3) CLIMATE ACTION WITH A BITE! – INTERNATIONAL, 3.6.08
4) “PEOPLE ARE STILL THE SAME” – BRECON, 8.3.08
5) PADDY’S DAY OF ACTION AGAINST SHELL – IRELAND AND BEYOND, 17.3.08
6) BIKES NOT BOMBS TOUR – LONDON TO ALDERMASTON, 22-24.3.08
7) TERMINAL 5 FLASHMOB – HEATHROW, 27.3.08
8) CLIMATE BILL PUBLIC MEETING – LONDON, 22.4.08
9) COIN WORKSHOPS – NATIONAL, MARCH-APRIL 2008
10) NATIONAL CLIMATE FORUM – LONDON, 14-15.6.08
11) EARTH ACTIVIST TRAINING – GLOUCESTERSHIRE, 12-26.7.08
12) ENVIRONMENT CAMPAIGNER AWARD – 2008
13) LILI COURSES IN APRIL – BUCKS/LONDON/SHEFFIELD

———————————————-
RECENT HAPPENINGS:
———————————————-
1) CLIMATE EMERGENCY AT HEATHROW, THEN WESTMINSTER – 25.2.08 / 27.2.08
2) RATCLIFFE ACTION VERDICT – NOTTINGHAM, 25.2.08
3) BP AMERICA, EXXON MOBIL AND CO. IN THE DOCK – ALASKA, 27.2.08
4) HANDS OFF IRAQI OIL! ACTIONS – UK AND NETHERLANDS, 23.2.08
5) EARTH FIRST! BLOCKADES POWER PLANT CONSTRUCTION – FLORIDA, 18.2.08
6) RTNA/EARTHFIRST! PIPELINE ACTION – PORTLAND, U.S. 23.1.08
7) SABOTAGE AT GLENSANDA – YORKSHIRE, FEBRUARY 2008
8) PLANKTOS DUMPING SCHEME DEFEATED BY ANTI-WHALERS – MADEIRA, 14.2.08
9) COMMUNITY HALTS SHELL – IRELAND, 12.2.08
10) CRITICAL MASS HERO CLEARED – BRISTOL, 7.2.08
11) KLIMAX SURGE ON! – SWEDEN, JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2008
12) TARA CAMPAIGN UPDATE – FEBRUARY 2008
13) 15 ACTIONS TO TOPPLE THE FOSSIL FUEL EMPIRE – FEBRUARY 2008
14) RISING TIDE POP-ED RESOURCE PACK – FEBRUARY 2008
15) “RISING TO THE CLIMATE CHALLENGE” BOOKLET – FEBRUARY 2008
16) “BURNING CAPITAL” – FEBRUARY 2008
17) SPIRIT OF FREEDOM – FEBRUARY 2008
18) CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS CENTRE – FEBRUARY UPDATE 2008
19) “THE AGE OF STUPID” – FEBRUARY 2008
20) AIRPORT WATCH BULLETIN – FEBRUARY 2008
21) CAUSE CLIMATE CHANGE – WEBSITE 2008

———————————————-
UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS:
———————————————-
1) FOSSIL FOOLS DAY – INTERNATIONAL, 1.4.08
Roll up, roll up…the circus is coming to town, and it’s going to be big!
For over a century the fossil fuel industry has been fooling with our lives. From extraction to combustion they have poisoned our air, polluted
our water and ruined our climate. On April 1st, we’re going to turn the
tables and show them who the real fools are. Rising Tide’s call has been
backed by Network for Climate Action, Global Exchange and Rainforest
Action Network. There are actions planned across the country and around
the world – let us know what you get up to! (Or tell us in advance if you
can and we’ll help spread the word, get media attention, etc.) Contact
local groups or just do it yourself. Show the fossil fool clowns what you
think of their freakshow – It’s time to Pull a Prank that Packs a Punch!
Resources and ideas are available from;
http://risingtide.org.uk/fossilfoolsday/resources
http://www.networkforclimateaction.org.uk/
Also see; http://www.fossilfoolsday.org/
and; http://risingtide.org.uk/node/241
Contact no: 07961 917 535

2) MAYDAY! MAYDAY! INVASION OF THE CLIMATE SNATCHERS – INTERNATIONAL, 1.5.08
From biofuels to nuclear power, carbon-trading to hydrogen fuel cells,
dumping urine in the ocean to carbon capture – everywhere corporations are
seeking the elusive elixir which allows them to continue with business as
usual. All these technologies are a distraction from the real solutions –
a massive reduction in our consumption and far-reaching social change. On
May 1st, International Workers Day, we will challenge these false
solutions to climate chaos.
http://networkforclimateaction.org.uk

3) CLIMATE ACTION WITH A BITE! – INTERNATIONAL, 3.6.08
Climate action starts on your dinner plate, in the supermarket, at the
food processing and distribution centres, on the farm, in your allotment
or your back yard. The foods we eat are responsible for about a third of
our greenhouse emissions. It’s time for us to switch to plant-based,
organic, seasonal and locally produced food. Whether you’re into local
food, permaculture, animal rights, allotments, humanitarian issues, food
politics or transport campaigning, make the links and take action to
highlight the role of the food industry in climate chaos.
http://networkforclimateaction.org.uk

4) “PEOPLE ARE STILL THE SAME” – BRECON, 8.3.08
A one-day event showcasing artworks created in response to interviews,
dialogues and documentation of the construction of the South Wales gas
pipeline.
From 3pm till dusk: Current State Dystopia – a video projection in the
tunnel underneath the A40 road and: Books – a sound and slide installation
in Dingle Wood. 6pm: Going Home – projection and music in Penpont Church.
RSVP morag@cooptel.net or telephone 01874 636269 www.penpont.com

5) PADDY’S DAY OF ACTION AGAINST SHELL – IRELAND AND BEYOND, 17.3.08
This year´s St Paddy´s day, 17th March, has been called as an
International day of action against shell, in solidarity with the people
of Rossport. People from all over Ireland are set to join forces and show
their united strength by going all the way to London to demonstrate on
Shell´s front door step.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/20124
http://gluaiseacht.nologic.org/wordpress

6) BIKES NOT BOMBS TOUR – LONDON TO ALDERMASTON, 22-24.3.08
Bikes not bombs are planning a bicycology bike tour from London to
Aldermaston Atomic Weapons Establishment to mark the 50th anniversary of
the Aldermaston Peace March. The ride is expected to take 3 days
(22nd-24th March). More than 5000 people are expected to attend the
“Surround The Base” event at Aldermaston on the 24th. If you are
interested please email; info@bikesnotbombs.org.uk
Also see www.cnduk.org/aldermaston

7) TERMINAL 5 FLASHMOB – HEATHROW, 27.3.08
Be at T5 International Arrivals at 11am to put on (or strip to reveal)
your brightly coloured “Stop Airport Expansion” t-shirt: a visible
presence of public opposition to the madness of airport expansion. Wander
round for a bit, have a coffee, leave when you like. Wearing a t-shirt is
not (yet) a crime!
Order your free T-shirt today: stopairportexpansion@gmail.com or 0845 458
2564.
The Government/BAA see the opening day of Terminal Five (the biggest
terminal ever built in the UK, and the subject of the longest Public
Inquiry in British history) as an opportunity to put the case for further
airport expansion. Join the flash mob to highlight the real problems that
airport expansion causes: climate change, noise, air pollution and
community destruction.
http://www.t5flashmob.com/

8) CLIMATE BILL PUBLIC MEETING – LONDON, 22.4.08
Friends Meeting House, Euston, London, 7.30pm. A chance to attend a public
meeting with Hilary Benn MP (Environment Secretary) and Peter Ainsworth
(Shadow Environment Secretary) and join the calls for a strong climate
change law.
More info: howard.whitehead@foe.co.uk

9) COIN WORKSHOPS – NATIONAL, MARCH-APRIL 2008
(a) Climate Change Condensed will be happening in Cheltenham on the 6th
March.
(b) Climate Action Groups matchmaker evening, Tue 11th March 4:30 –
7:30pm, The Environment Council, London. Anyone who has attended any of
the COIN/TEC series of trainings can attend this for free.
(c) Do you work for the NHS? COIN is offering a tailored Climate Change
Speaker Training in London on March 14th. See;
www.healthandsustainability.net
(d) Communicating Climate Change, a one-day workshop, in partnership with
Vale
Royal Borough Council on Friday, April 11th.
Further trainings coming soon in Birmingham, Manchester and Scotland.
Would you like COIN to run trainings in your local area? – give Mim a call
on 01865 727911 or email mim@coinet.org.uk
See the COIN website for details on all the above; www.coinet.org.uk

10) NATIONAL CLIMATE FORUM – LONDON, 14-15.6.08
This event offers a wide range of workshops and seminars all dealing with
different aspects of the climate change crisis, probable solutions and
future developments in national and international climate policies. Venue;
South Camden Community School, London. Follow the link below to look at
the program and speakers from last year climate conference.
http://www.campaigncc.org/conference.shtml

11) EARTH ACTIVIST TRAINING – GLOUCESTERSHIRE, 12-26.7.08
A permaculture design course and more for activists! Learn the skills to
transform a piece of land, a community, and our political and economic
systems.
COSTS: (Including tuition, two weeks accommodation and all meals) £150 –
£500 sliding scale according to income. If you are interested in taking
part in the course, download an application form from:
http://www.earthactivisttraining.org/
Or write to: Earth Activist Training, c/o 59 Chelsea Park, Bristol, BS5 6AH.

12) ENVIRONMENT CAMPAIGNER AWARD
The Environment Awards (organised by the Sheila McKechnie Foundation) are
an opportunity for grassroots campaigners to receive a bespoke programme
of support and skills development designed to help them take their
campaign to the next level. See www.sheilamckechnie.org.uk for details of
how to apply.

13) LILI COURSES IN APRIL – BUCKS/LONDON/SHEFFIELD
Low-Impact Living Initiative: (01296) 714184 www.lowimpact.org

———————————————-
RECENT HAPPENINGS:
———————————————-
1) CLIMATE EMERGENCY AT HEATHROW, AND THEN WESTMINSTER – 25.2.08 / 27.2.08
On the 27th, campaigners opposed to Heathrow expansion scaled the roof of
the Houses of Parliament and hung protest banners from the building. The
protesters also made paper aeroplanes out of confidential Whitehall
documents and flew them into the MPs’ car park below! The documents –
obtained under the Freedom of Information Act – prove that airport
operator BAA wrote parts of the consultation document and that the
government has already decided to build a 3rd runway and 6th terminal at
the world’s biggest international airport.
http://www.planestupid.com/?q=content/plane-stupid-scales-parliament
Two days earlier Greenpeace campaigners had climbed on to one of
Heathrow’s short-haul flights and covered the tailfin of the plane with a
huge protest banner that read “CLIMATE EMERGENCY – NO 3rd RUNWAY”.
http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/climate/climate-campaigners-bring-peaceful-protest-to-heathrow-20080225
Also on the 25th, the Heathrow end-of-consultation rally at Westminster
was a packed-out success, with thousands of residents, politicians and
environmental campaigners pledging to resist plans to extend Heathrow –
http://www.airportwatch.org.uk/
The distribution of 50,000 leaflets and the actions of anarchist art troop
Weird Load helped make the rally such a success:
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/20050

2) RATCLIFFE ACTION VERDICT – NOTTINGHAM, 25.2.08
Following their attempts to halt operations and thus diminish CO2
emissions at the Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station last April, 10 activists
were recently back in court. Unfortunately the defendants’ defence of
environmental necessity was rejected and they were found guilty. The judge
had earlier said that he wished to compliment all the defendants on the
presentation of their case.
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/02/392323.html

3) BP AMERICA, EXXON MOBIL AND CO. IN THE DOCK – ALASKA, 27.2.08
Meanwhile, in Alaska, lawyers for the native coastal village of Kivalina
have filed a suit arguing that 5 oil companies, 14 electric utilities and
the country’s largest coal company were responsible for the relocation of
villagers because of flooding caused by the changing Arctic climate.
“There has been a long campaign by power, coal and oil companies to
mislead the public about the science of global warming,” the suit says.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/27/us/27alaska.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=Flooded+Village+Files+Suit%2C+Citing+Corporate+Link+to+Climate+Change+&st=nyt&oref=slogin

4) HANDS OFF IRAQI OIL! ACTIONS – UK AND NETHERLANDS, 23.2.08
In solidarity with the Iraqi peoples’ struggle against the plunder of
their oil reserves, there were actions in Birmingham, London, Liverpool,
Wrexham, Coventry and Amsterdam.
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/02/392315.html

5) EARTH FIRST! BLOCKADES POWER PLANT CONSTRUCTION – FLORIDA, 18.2.08
Dozens of concerned community members from Palm Beach County and across
the States put their bodies on the line to halt construction of a massive
gas-fired power plant. A dozen activists locked themselves together
through metal pipes as 200 supporters rallied around them. The blockade
stopped work on the construction site for six hours before a total of 27
people were arrested.
http://www.risingtidenorthamerica.org/wordpress/2008/02/19/blockade-shuts-down-south-florida-power-plant-construction-27-arrested/
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/20038

6) RTNA/EARTHFIRST! PIPELINE ACTION – PORTLAND, U.S. 23.1.08
The above blockade followed another combined action where Cascadia Rising
Tide joined forces with Stumptown Earth First! to hold an action and rally
at the Portland office of NW Natural in protest at their involvement in
Liquefied Natural Gas pipelines, which threaten to clear-cut strips of
forest throughout Oregon for new fossil fuel infrastructure. Activists
piled trees around the office entrance and hung a large banner which read
– “There’s nothing Green about Clear-cuts, No new pipelines”.
http://www.risingtidenorthamerica.org/wordpress/2008/01/23/cascadia-rt-organizes-anti-lng-action-at-nw-natural/

7) SABOTAGE AT GLENSANDA – YORKSHIRE, FEBRUARY 2008
An aggregates processing plant on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National
Park has been sabotaged. 20% of the stone extracted will go to major road
network construction across Europe. The plant in Yorkshire was entered and
vehicles, including all bulldozers, had holes drilled in vital parts of
their engines and their tires. Both control rooms were broken into and all
computers and instrument panels were smashed. Keys to all buildings and
machinery were removed from the site. The message “Stop Glensanda” was
left.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/20043

8) PLANKTOS DUMPING SCHEME DEFEATED BY ANTI-WHALERS – MADEIRA, 14.2.08
Planktos, the California company trying to turn a profit by fertilizing
the ocean with iron dust, has pulled the plug on planned field tests. On
the company’s web-site, a simple notice blamed the shutdown on a “highly
effective disinformation campaign waged by anti-offset crusaders.” In
November 2007, the anti-whaling ship Sea Shepherd confronted the Planktos
vessel and forced it to move onto Madeira. And there it stayed until its
recall last month.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19989

9) COMMUNITY HALTS SHELL – IRELAND, 12.2.08
The Erris community continues to protect the land – survey work was
stopped and trucks were blocked. Local people prevented Shell from illegal
work for 4 hours until Gardai forced through workers, injuring protesters.
http://www.corribsos.com/index.php?id=1686
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19977

10) CRITICAL MASS HERO CLEARED – BRISTOL, 7.2.08
In May last year, someone stood in the road and tried to stop a car that
had hit a Critical Mass cyclist, from driving away. For that he was
arrested for obstructing the highway, thrown to the floor by his neck
whilst handcuffed, and then – surprise surprise – also arrested for
assaulting a police officer.
After 9 months of nervous waiting, he was finally cleared of all charges,
as Bristol Magistrates Court accepted a submission that the police
evidence was at best ‘severely flawed’ and at worst, fabricated, and the
trial was stopped.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19971

11) KLIMAX SURGE ON! – SWEDEN, JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2008
Groups of activists connected to Klimax, Sweden’s direct action movement
against the root causes of climate change, struck repeatedly last month.
At Malmö Airport, seven activists were apprehended when trying to break
into the runway, some of them dressed as polar bears. Some 30 activists
put up a blockade in the middle of the highway running through Umeå, the
largest city in northern Sweden.
A similar number staged a protest outside the office of Swedish Meat, a
major meat corporation, to highlight the severe effects the industry is
having on our climate. Another 50 activists marched into the traffic on
one of the major streets in inner city Stockholm, seizing it for 15
minutes. The action was directed against a planned mega-highway, to be
built in the western parts of the capital.
http://klimatet.org/2008/02/17/action-report/
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/20019
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/20035

12) TARA CAMPAIGN UPDATE – FEBRUARY 2008
Lock-ons and digger-diving, plus protest camp contact.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19996
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/20126

13) 15 ACTIONS TO TOPPLE THE FOSSIL FUEL EMPIRE – FEBRUARY 2008
Rising Tide’s newest resource, on why and how to take direct action
against the fossil fuel industry… including planning tips, target
locations, examples of successful actions and more. Email us for a hard
copy or download it here:
http://risingtide.org.uk/resources/other

14) RISING TIDE POP-ED RESOURCE PACK – FEBRUARY 2008
A popular education resource packed with tools to help you run engaging,
interactive workshops on all aspects of climate change for a wide range of
people. Download it here: http://risingtide.org.uk/resources/other

15) “RISING TO THE CLIMATE CHALLENGE” BOOKLET – FEBRUARY 2008
Climate change myth-busting booklet designed to help people cut through
the fog of confusion and mixed messages about climate change and to be a
useful resource for community groups and individuals all over Scotland.
Download from the website at www.sead.org.uk

16) “BURNING CAPITAL” – FEBRUARY 2008
This compelling series of short films explores the role of Britain’s
largest corporation in the growing climate crisis. Burning Capital is a
video voyage through the murky world of oil giant BP, who kindly delivered
1.3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere last year.
Watch the films now at; http://www.platformlondon.org/burning

17) SPIRIT OF FREEDOM – FEBRUARY 2008
Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network newsletter. They’re in there
for us out here – Please write!
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19960

18) CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS CENTRE – FEBRUARY UPDATE 2008
A group of environmental and community-based organisations in the South
West have made a bid to found an independent, inter-disciplinary ‘Climate
Change Solutions Centre’, on the site of an ex-agricultural college
currently owned by Plymouth University. For more details, and information
on how to support the plans, please see; www.climatechangecentre.co.uk

19) “THE AGE OF STUPID” – FEBRUARY 2008
A climate change documentary for the big screen from Franny Armstrong
(McLibel) and John Battsek (One Day In September). Mixing documentary
footage, drama and cutting-edge animation, and starring Pete Postlethwaite
as an old man living in the devastated world of 2055. As he watches
‘archive’ footage from 2007, he asks himself: Why didn’t we stop climate
change when we had the chance? http://www.ageofstupid.net

20) AIRPORT WATCH BULLETIN – FEBRUARY 2008
For information about the campaigns against suicidal expansion at
Heathrow, Bristol, London City, Lydd, Carlisle, Newquay and other airports
see; www.airportwatch.org.uk

21) ‘CAUSES CLIMATE CHANGE’ WEBSITE
Subvertising ideas and resources.
http://www.causesclimatechange.blogspot.com/

———-

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

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

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of groups and individuals committed to taking action and building a
movement against climate change.

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Bikes against the bomb bikeride, London to Aldermaston, March 22-26

To mark the 50th anniversary of the Aldermaston Peace March,a bike ride will be leaving London on 22 March arriving at Aldermaston on Monday 24 March to join ‘ Surround the Base’ CND mass action planned for that day.

We intend to take an active stance against organisations implicit in the nuclear arms industries.

Accomodation is organised and we will be riding about 30 miles per day.

Join us for part of the journey or the whole ride.

More details at www.bikesnotbombs.org.uk

info@bikesnotbombs.org.uk

Latest details: Earth First! Winter Moot 2008 – February 22nd – 24th 2008 – Nottingham

Join us for
Activist skill share
Planning radical action on climate change,
Sharing ideas for the Earth First! Summer Gathering
Opposition to the UK genetic crop trials and mega-dams in Iceland
a chance to share info on your own campaign

Arrive from 5pm, Friday February 22nd 2008, with dinner at 7 o’clock.
Open to all those who have been involved in radical ecological direct action and to those who just want to find out more.

Arrive from 5pm, Friday February 22nd 2008, with dinner at 7 o’clock.
Open to all those who have been involved in radical ecological direct action and to those who just want to find out more.

Cost: £15 (to include accommodation and food)
Crèche and disabled access both available,
but please call to let us know if you need either or if you have other needs.

At The Sumac Centre, Gladstone Street Nottingham, www.veggies.org.uk/sumac
For more info call 01508 531636 (number not available during the event)

Friday late afternoon and evening will be a chance to arrive, and for introductions, plus a G8 talk & film, and an Introduction to EF!

We’ll be kicking off early on Saturday morning (9am breakfast) – starting with all sharing the most important reasons why we’ve come to Nottingham, we’ll get on with some practical discussions around the EF! Action Update, the website, and the summer gathering.
From what we’ve all said, we’ll be able in the afternoon to move on to ‘where next?’, plus sharing campaigns we’re involved with & seeing what they need, and getting together locally and regionally with other folk who are there.

On Sunday we’ll move into groups to concretely take the ideas forwards from the Saturday, from the campaigns we’re already working on and what we want to do together. We’ll finish at 4pm, after having shared what we’ve come up with. Hoorah.

Earth First! is not an organisation, but a way of using non-hierarchical organisation and the use of direct action to confront, stop and eventually reverse the forces that are responsible for the destruction of the Earth and its inhabitants. For further info check out www.earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/

Plus
All day Friday 22nd February, Saving Iceland UK meeting, also at the Sumac Centre. Open to those interested in travelling to Iceland or taking part in solidarity actions against the construction of large, wilderness wrecking dams in Iceland.

For further information and essential booking contact 01508 531636 or savingiceland@riseup.org

Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston demo – 24th March & byelaw challenge

12 noon Easter Monday – 24th March
Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston

We invite you to participate in a lively demonstration against the development of nuclear weapons at Aldermaston and to celebrate 50 years of anti-nuclear protest in Britain.

12 noon Easter Monday – 24th March
Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston

We invite you to participate in a lively demonstration against the development of nuclear weapons at Aldermaston and to celebrate 50 years of anti-nuclear protest in Britain.

This Easter marks the 50th anniversary of the first march to the Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston – the heart of Britain’s nuclear weapons programme. We need you – and your friends, colleagues, communities, and networks – to surround the base and create a colourful, effective, and massive demonstration.

With parliament voting in March 2007 for a new fleet of nuclear armed submarines, and with the construction of facilities for a new generation of nuclear warheads already underway at Aldermaston, it’s time to send a clear message to the government that 50 years is enough!

While celebrating five decades of sustained campaigning against nuclear weapons, the emphasis will be on embracing the future, pushing for disarmament and working together to build a broad movement that grows from strength to strength.

The event will be lively, with each gate at the site being linked to a different era – with appropriate decoration and entertainment – and is being organised by CND national and regional groups and people from the wider anti-nuclear, peace and anti-war movements. If you would like to get involved in organising for this event in your area, please get in touch.

Groups can come dressed as they want, could be in theme with the gates, or as weapons inspectors, or campaigners from the future, or as nuclear bombs, or flowers!

The possibilities are endless! The event will be organised using the ‘ Block’ structure so that your group comes ready to take up as much space around the site as possible. We have a website for your ‘Block’ to add their details and how much space they can take up along the fence line.

For Example, Eastern Block, dressing as nuclear cowboys can take up 200 meters of fence line using 2 banners 100 people and a radioactive horse prop!

That’s just an example.

We need to start mobilising now and get our coaches booked and the seats full! It will take 5,000 people to surround Aldermaston AWE. The developments at Aldermaston are well on their way, we need to move our campaigning to the next stage, build an even stronger movement and stop the development of new nuclear weapons. THE BOMB STOPS HERE!

http://www.cnduk.org/aldermaston/

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

Aldermaston byelaws – judicial review update

On 1 February 2008 Aldermaston Women’s Peace Camp(aign) took their Judicial Review of the Aldermaston Byelaws 2007 to the High Court in London. Lord Justice Maurice Kay and Mr Justice Walker decided to hear the case against the Secretary of State for Defence in full.

The case – a judicial review of the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) decision to introduce byelaws which deny the women’s peace camp their right to freedom of assembly – was brought by Public Interest Lawyers on behalf of a member of the Aldermaston Women’s Peace Camp (AWPC).

At the High Court, arguments from the claimant and defendant were completed by the end of the day and the Justices are expected to give their written judgment within the next fortnight.

After the hearing a spokeswoman from AWPC said “We feel that the byelaws are vague, that they undermine the specific rights of assembly and association and that, in implementation, they will be applied in a discriminatory manner against camp women by the Ministry of Defence Police”.

To date ten women have been arrested under the Aldermaston Byelaws 2007. All cases have been dropped after pre-trial review stage.

In related news, the camp announced today that it will be hosting one of the gates for the Aldermaston march 50th anniversary events this Easter. Called by CND, the 24 March event will be a “lively demonstration against the development of nuclear weapons at Aldermaston and a celebration of 50 years of anti-nuclear protest in Britain.”

On Easter Monday AWPC will take up residence at their historic home – Falcongate – and invite all women to join them. See link below for details. General details of the Easter event at http://www.cnduk.org/aldermaston/

—
For background on the judicial review, see: http://www.aldermaston.net/news/212 and http://www.aldermaston.net/news/183

info@aldermaston.net
http://aldermaston.net/falcongate08.php

Faslane Peace Camp punks picnik and mischief: 2-4th May

mini beltane festival- and mischief ..

Punx Piknik at Faslane Peace Camp 2nd-4th May.
Inner Terrestrials,afterbirth,acid tounge,murderburgers,wasted nation,billy liar,rimshot,fuckin-A-team,screaming blue murder, and loads more, also folk and dub acts. Circus acts and madness…. more info to come….

mini beltane festival- and mischief ..

faslaniapeacecamp@yahoo.co.uk
http://myspace.com/faslanepeacecamp

Support the Eco-Prisoners – Imbolc 2008 – they’re in there for us out here, please write

Spirit of Freedom
(February 2008)
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 February 2008 edition of Spirit of Freedom. As we enter February so we await three major events. First off, Jeff ‘Free’ Luers is due to be re-sentenced. We hope its good news. Secondly, Eric McDavid is also due to be sentenced. As soon as Eric has been sentenced we urge everyone to send him letters of support. And thirdly, the police informant Jacob Ferguson is also due to be sentenced. His cowardly deals and treachery means he won’t be sent to prison. But we await with interest to see what sentence this piece of scum does receive. If anyone hears, please do let ELP know. But whilst we await those three sentencings, please don’t forget all the other eco-prisoners. Remember, no matter where you are in the world, support the eco-prisoners and no compromise in defence of Mother Earth!

ECO-DEFENCE PRISONERS

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 #137563, San Carlos Correctional Facility, PO Box 3, Pueblo, CO 81002, 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.

Rod Coronado – See details in Animal Liberation Prisoners List.

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.

Jeffrey Luers, #1306729, Lane County Adult Corrections, 101 West 5th Ave, Eugene, OR 97401-2695, USA. Awaiting resentencing. Originally sentenced to 22 years & 8 months for arson on a SUV dealership & the attempted arson of an oil truck.

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

Daniel McGowan #63794-053, Unit I, FCI Sandstone, Federal Correctional Institution, PO Box 1000, Sandstone, MN 55072, USA. Serving 7 years for an ELF arson against a Poplar Tree Farm and an ELF arson against an old growth logging corporation. Also admitted his role in an ELF/ALF conspiracy.

Christopher McIntosh #30512-013, FCI Fairton, PO Box 420, Fairton, NJ 08320, USA. Serving 8 years for setting fire to a McDonald’s restaurant.

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.

Julio Villanueva, C.P. Prision De Pamplona, 31080, Iruna (Navarra), Spain.
Serving just under 5 years for sabotaging machinery at the controversial Itoiz dam construction site.

Joyanna Zacher, #36360-086, FCI Dublin, 5700 8th St.- Camp Parks- Unit F, Dublin, CA 94568, 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.

Mel Broughton TN9138, HMP Woodhill, Tattenhoe Street, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK4 4DA, England. On remand accused of involvement with an arson and blackmail campaign against an Oxford University vivisection establishment.

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.

Rod Coronado, Voice of the Earth, PO Box 732, Tucson, AZ 85702, USA. Due to be sentenced to one-year imprisonment after Rod informed people how to make an incendiary device during a speech at an animal rights gathering.

Donald Currie A3660AA, HMP Parkhurst, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 5NX, England. Serving an Indeterminate Sentence, of not less than six actual years, for carrying out arsons against targets associated the vivisection industry including HLS.

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 Downview, Sutton Lane, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5PD, 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.

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

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, #07167-085, FCI Phoenix, Federal Correctional Institution, 37910 N 45th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85086, 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.

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.

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 that 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.

Gubski Maxim, VK-2 – 21, Batowa str. 4, Bobruisk, 213800 Belarus. Serving 3 years for fighting with neo-nazis.

Vladislav Vladimirovich Plyashkevich, IK-10 otryad 4, Novopoltsk-5 Vitebskaya oblast, 211440 Belarus. Serving 3 years for fighting with neo-nazis.

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 Graterford, PO Box 244, Graterford, PA 19426-0244, USA.

Edward Goodman Africa (AM4974), SCI Mahanoy, 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 ELP’s 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

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

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

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

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

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

CLIMATE ACTION NEWS SHEET 75, JANUARY 2008

CONTENTS:

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

CONTENTS:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

———-

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newssheet@risingtide.org.uk

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

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email: info@risingtide.org.uk
Phone: +44 (0)845 458 8923 / +44 (0)7708 794665
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END

Aldermaston bike ride March 2008

Bikes against the bomb!
Bike ride March 22nd-26th 2008

Bikes not bombs are planning a bike ride from London to Aldermaston Atomic Weapons Establishment and back again, as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the first Aldermaston march

Bikes against the bomb!
Bike ride March 22nd-26th 2008

Bikes not bombs are planning a bike ride from London to Aldermaston Atomic Weapons Establishment and back again, as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the first Aldermaston march

The bike ride is expected to take 4 days (22nd March – 26th March 2008). If you would be interested in attending, or even better, in helping to organise it, then please email info@bikesnotbombs.org.uk .

Fifty years on from the first Aldermaston march, anti-nuclear campaigners need to work quickly to halt the trident replacement. Aldermaston atomic weapons establishment is now building research facilities to build the next generation of nukes, despite this being illegal under the international non-proliferation treaty. Grab your bikes and come and help us stop them.

More than 5000 people are expected to attend the surround the base event at Aldermaston on the 24th March and we will form part of the bike block.

The bike ride will take an active role in anti-arms trade activities

The first organising meeting will be at the London Action Resource Centre (LARC) on January 26th, at 2 p.m.

For more info please contact info@bikesnotbombs.org.uk

For directions to LARC

62 Fieldgate Street, Whitechapel, London E1 1ES. http://www.remotegoat.co.uk/venue_view.php?uid=20591 for directions

http://www.bikesnotbombs.org.uk