Nuclear – Page 21 – Earth First!

International Day of Direct Action Against Climate Change and the G8 – UK events: Haringey… (& Jeff Luers solidarity callout)

Friday 8th June 2007
Direct Action for Climate Justice – Resistance is Self Defense!

We all know the terrifying statistics: a million species extinct by 2050, 19 of the 20 hottest years on record since 1980, Greenland and Antarctica melting, droughts, floods, famines … the G8 have had over 30 years to address climate change and only succeeded in providing trillions in subsidies to the very industries that are destroying our planet and our future. And while the G8 continues to line their pockets, island states disappear and hundreds of thousands die as a result of the freak weather conditions caused by their irrational and uncontrollable obsession with never ending economic growth.

Friday 8th June 2007
Direct Action for Climate Justice – Resistance is Self Defense!

We have a ten-year window to act. As the megalomaniac G8 leaders meet in Germany, masked behind a barrier of fences and soldiers, intent on leading us further towards catastrophic and irreversible climate chaos, we must shout, scream and roar ‘no more’. Now is the time to take direct action and shut them down, them and their climate criminal industry friends!

The 8th of June International Day of Action Against Climate Change and the G8 has been called by the International Rising Tide Network. This is a call for autonomous, decentralized actions appropriate for your town, city, or local area. Use this international day of action to support local struggles against oil refineries, gas pipelines, strip mines and coal-fired power plants. Disrupt the financial backers of the fossil fuel industry. Organise workshops to spread sustainable post-petroleum living skills. Find a weak point in the infrastructure of resource exploitation and throw a literal or symbolic wrench in the works. It’s time to visit your local polluters and give ’em hell!

We already know of actions planned across the UK, North America, Germany, Canada and Australia and that’s just the start! By 8th June actions will be planned around the world. Pass this call out on to all environmental justice, climate action, radical sustainability and related movements in all the G8 countries and the Global South.

Rising Tide will create a collection of outreach and agit-prop materials (including this call out in five different languages) that can be used by groups around the world to organise locally. These materials will be downloadable from www.risingtide.org.uk and http://risingtidenorthamerica.org.
Direct action and civil disobedience are the rational response in this time of crisis. Support the 8th of June International Day of Direct Action against Climate Change and the G8! Tell us about planned actions for climate justice being planned in your community. Contact us – info@risingtide.org.uk and contact@risingtidenorthamerica.org

In June 2007 the G8 will understand the meaning of rebellion, revolt and revolution. Their recipe for catastrophe will be met with our worldwide resistance!

*G8 Day of Action Resources – Downloadable G8 day of Action flyers and posters.
*Organise a Critical Mass Bike Ride on the 8th of June – here are some leaflet ideas to help you.

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You could link your event in with Day of Solidarity with Jeffrey Free Luers, June 9, 2007:

June marks the seventh year that our friend and comrade, Jeffrey “Free” Luers has been imprisoned and held captive by the state. Sentenced to an outrageous 22 years and 8 months for burning three Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) at Romania Chevrolet in Eugene, Jeff has continued to be active in prison and fight back with his words and inspiration. Although Jeff recently won his appeal and is expecting a reduced sentence, this case is not over:

“I have spoken with my attorney and there are still many battles ahead. Hard choices will have to be made. I am by no means close to walking out of prison, just one step closer. This is a victory, and while my own personal struggle is making headway others are just beginning.”

We encourage people to organize events for Jeff and other political prisoners, uniting struggles for human, earth, and animal liberation. In Jeff’s own words:

“This June, show your solidarity with me, and all those who have struggled, past and present, to make this world a better place. Struggle with us. Hold demonstrations or gatherings at federal buildings or US embassies and demand change. It doesn’t matter what cause or issue you fight for – we are all connected. What does matter is that we stand united and make our voices heard.”

More at http://freefreenow.org/june2007.html

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>ANNOUNCED UK EVENTS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

HARINGEY CRITICAL MASS BIKE RIDE 2007

Can’t make it to Germany? Sick of the all those cars getting in your way on the autobahn! Don’t despair…join us on Saturday 9th of June for the 2007 Haringey Critical Mass. A leisurely ride down the Green Lanes to reclaim our streets and send a breath of fresh air to those meeting in Germany.

Saturday 9th June • Assemble 12 Noon @ Manor House
• Finishing at Chestnuts Park for a picnic •

All Welcome: especially cycles, scooters, wheelchairs, skateboards, rollerblades, pedestrians…
Supported by Haringey Solidarity Group www.haringey.org.uk

FOR CLEAN AIR AND A GREEN G8

WHY HAVE A CRITICAL MASS BIKE RIDE IN HARINGEY?
We are joining together on a Critical Mass Bike Ride through Haringey as a colourful and fun way of highlighting environmental and transport issues in the borough. In the week when the G8 are gathering in Germany and the day
after the International Day of Direct Action Against Climate Change we should also be focusing on the global crisis of climate change and the environmental impacts of oil dependency.

• It’s time we reclaimed our streets from the traffic and congestion that causes toxic levels of pollution and injury and death.
• We want cycle lanes on Green Lanes and all over Haringey to make cycling a safer, more viable form of transport.
• We want measures in place to reduce traffic speeds on all roads in Haringey, where dangerous driving regularly puts cyclists, children and pedestrians at risk.

WHAT’S THE G8 GOT TO DO WITH THIS?

• The G8 (Group of eight, most industrialized nations) Summits are hosted, on rotation, by the group’s member states. In 2007 the summit is to be held on 6-8 June in Rostock, Germany.
• While it seems to be in the news a lot, Climate Change is perhaps the issue that has received least attention compared to the scale of destruction that life on earth is facing. It is the most serious problem facing the world, more serious than international terrorism, according to the UK Government’s chief scientific advisor.
• Climate change needs to be higher on the G8 agenda. However, we cannot leave it just to the scientists and politicians to dismantle the carbon machine.
• This bike ride aims to highlight this issue through action and the promotion of cycling.

Let’s celebrate the freedom and pleasure of travelling by bike – it’s much more fun and much healthier than being stuck in a car in a traffic jam. This will be a fun day out for everyone in a safe, supportive, positive atmosphere, showing how much safer and more pleasant our streets can be.

COME AND JOIN US!

If you feel it’s time to promote cycling and encourage a more sustainable Haringey, or if you would like to get involved, visit the Haringey Solidarity Group website: www.haringey.org.uk

Earth First! summer gathering – Wednesday 18th July until Sunday 22nd July 2007 – location & programme announced

What is the Earth First! Summer Gathering?

* Are you fed up with bare-faced lies from politicians, big business and the media?
* Have you had enough of a world where corporate profit comes before life and dignity?
* Do you want to see an end to mindless consumption>
* Then this Gathering is for you! Read on…

What is the Earth First! Summer Gathering?

The Earth First! Summer Gathering is the place where people involved in radical ecological direct action – or those who want to be involved – get together for five days of time and space to talk, walk, share skills, learn, play, rant, find out what’s going on, find out what’s next, live outside, strategise, hang out, incite, laugh and conspire.

The gathering is also a practical example of non-hierarchical low-impact living in action.

We are a diverse community with a wide range of approaches to our action, so there should be plenty to interest and inspire everyone whether you have been active for years or are completely new to it all.

More info at earthfirstgathering.org.uk

Autonomous Environmentalists Bockade RNAD Coulport

On Thursday, 26th April, a group of autonomous environmentalists shut down RNAD Coulport, the MOD munitions depot where Britain’s nuclear weapons are stored, for a two hour period. The activists used two 15 ft tripods each with a concrete lock-on round one of the tripod legs, to blockade the two roads leading to the main gate of the base. The action was part of the Faslane 365 Environmentalists Block, commemorating the 21st anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, and in protest at the upgrading of Britain’s Trident nuclear system.

The two activists on the tripod blockading the northern access road were eventually arrested after the cutting team had removed the lock-on, and the climbing team had removed the activist at the top of the tripod, and charged with obstruction of the highway, part of the Roads Scotland Act 1984. They were held in the Faslane police cells for a three hour period before being released outside on the North Gate on caution and pending court dates.

The two activists on the second tripod blockading the shore road eventually unlocked after the northern access road had been cleared, although the activist locked on around one of the tripod legs had time to create additional disruption by unlocking only to super glue their hand to the tripod leg. Circular saws and pneumatic drills were replaced with a bowl of warm, soapy water.

In response to requests from local residents and school children preparing to sit exams, and a local MSP Jackie Baillie, Coulport was chosen as the target of the blockade instead of Faslane to maximise disruption to Britain’s nuclear programme and minimise disruption to local people. It is the opinion of the activists that the policing is responsible for long traffic delays and that police tactics are exacerbating and even capitalising on the disruption caused by the ongoing blockades.

The activists encourage other autonomous groups to take decentralised direct action against Trident and all military operations throughout the UK in order to hold back the growing tide of militarism and the environmental destruction that goes with it.

removing a lock-on (at Faslane)

Interesting photos for all you budding arm-tube construction artists. Look how tricky it is to remove a multi- and different-layered one, even when you’ve got all the best kit:

Aldermaston blockade in progress

23.04.2007 A group of activists from Scotland have shut 3 gates at Aldermaston this morning since 6.05am. At Home Office gate two people have been arrested for obstruction of the highway, with one person sitting on top of the gate keeping it shut. At Tadley gate six people have been arrested and are locked-on in the roadway preventing vehicles from leaving or arriving. A third (Construction) gate was also locked shut with a D-lock.

The group were acting peacefully to disrupt the multimillion pound development of a replacement for Britain’s Trident Nuclear Weapons.

“With the Scottish elections looming and the real possibility of a Nuclear-Weapons Free Scotland, we felt we had to come and make the strength of feeling up here clear to AWE”, Dave, one of the activists
from South Lanarkshire, said. “It is clear from the developments at the site that the decision to renew Britain’s nuclear weapons long pre-dates the parliamentary vote last month.”

The Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston, is currently undergoing massive new developments similar in scale to the Heathrow Terminal 5 project. The developments include new computing and laser facilities
which will enable scientists to simulate nuclear explosions to improve the design of nuclear warheads without actually exploding a weapon which would be banned under the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. The site was given a £5 billion refit after the renewal of the Mutual Defence Agreement with the USA in 2005 which allows the sharing of nuclear information between the USA and Britain.

One of the group, Danya from Argyll and Bute, Scotland, said “The development of yet more Weapons of Mass Destruction at this site is in total breach of the nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty. The vote last
month to commit the UK to keeping nuclear weapons until 2050 was a foregone conclusion and does nothing to tackle the real enormous issues that the UK and the world faces, such as climate change and nuclear
proliferation.”

“Instead, the parliamentary decision and developments at this site will heighten global instability, conflict and nuclear proliferation.” The group which included activists from Faslane Peace Camp, a protest site opposite HMNB Clyde where the UK’s Trident submarines are based, say they were acting in solidarity with “Block the Builders”, a campaign taking peaceful actions against the new developments at the site. http://www.blockthebuilders.org.uk/

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Update on action as off 10.45am

At 10.30 the police removed the protestor from the top of the gate using a scaffolding tower, he has been arrested.

Early at the other gate one person was arrested and removed from a lock but someone else took their place.
The police cutting team got there at about ten and are cutting through two of the lockons. The gate is still blocked.
One of the people arrested early has now been released after being given bailed.

Support the Eco-Prisoners, Easter 2007

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

“I thank you all dearly for writing” (Jon Ablewhite, Animal Rights Prisoner)

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

“I thank you all dearly for writing” (Jon Ablewhite, Animal Rights Prisoner)

Welcome to the Easter 2007 edition of Spirit of Freedom. First off I’d like to apologise in the delay in publishing this edition of Spirit of Freedom.
A lot of things have been happening recently for ELP’s volunteers and a delay was inevitable. However, despite the delay in publication ELP has some fantastic news. For the first time in ages ELP is able to bring some good news! A lot of the ‘Il Silvestre’ prisoners have been released! Marco Camenisch has had his sentence reduced at appeal! Jeff Luers may have his sentenced reduced! Rod Coronado has been released! Garfield Gabbard has been released! And long-term prisoner Dave Blenkinsop has been released!!!
This is all brilliant news. However despite our celebrations, ELP has also seen a number of new prisoners added to our list. So lets celebrate the good news of our friends and then lets support the news prisoners. Also before we end this editorial we’ve been asked by Joyanna Zacher to remind everyone on ELP’s policy towards police informants. We do not support them! Regardless of how long they are jailed for, we do not support them. Regardless of who they are, we do not support them. A police informant relinquishes their right to be regarded as an eco-prisoner as soon as they inform. ELP supports eco-prisoners, not police informants. But remember, no matter where you are in the world, support the real eco-prisoners and no compromise in defence of Mother Earth!

COURT REPORTS & LEGAL UPDATES

MARCO CAMENISCH APPEAL NEWS
In mid March 2007 ELP received some news from Switzerland that at his appeal, Marco Camenisch, has had his 17-year prison sentence, for allegedly killing a Swiss boarder guard, reduced to 8 years. The Appeal Court ruled that the original Judge had not taken into account Marco’s time spent in prison in Italy for destroying electricity pylons, nor had the Judge fully considered the outstanding prison sentence Marco had to serve for destroying electricity pylons in Switzerland. Added altogether (39 years), the prison sentence was excessively long and so was reduced so now Marco is serving an 18-year sentence.

JEFF LUERS APPEAL UPDATE
On Valentines Day (Feb 14th) the American media announced that the Court of Appeal has declared Jeff ‘Free’ Luers, 22+ years prison sentence is too long and suggested it should be reduced to between 11+ to 13+ years. ELP will bring you more news as we get it.

ARRESTS IN MEXICO
On the 30th of November 2006 two Mexican anarchists, Oscar Santa Maria Caro and Sacramento Delfino Cano Hernandez, were arrested for as yet unknown reasons. Oscar is a well known animal rights activist who is involved with RATA (Resistance Against Animal Torture). Reports are coming out of Mexico alleging that both Oscar and Sacramento have been tortured whilst inside. There are also reports alleging that their interrogators have threatened to rape female political prisoners if the two men do not confess to their alleged crimes. ELP is trying to obtain more information about these arrests and will bring you more news as we get it.

ROD CORONADO UPDATE
In late March, American Earth First! activist, Rod Coronado, was released from prison having served his sentence for sabotaging a mountain lion hunt. ELP has learnt that Rod’s trial for “demonstrating the use of a destructive device,” relating to a speech he gave in San Diego in 2003, is scheduled to begin in June.

FINNISH ‘GREEN SCARE’
ELP has learnt that the authorities in Finland appear to be copying American tactics and are targeting known animal rights and environmental activists. No matter how minor the ‘offence’ the Finnish police seem determined to prosecute. One person ended up in court for ringing the doorbell of an animal abuser whilst on a demo. The activist was fined for “disturbing home peace”. Another activist was questioned for ‘criminal damage’ after they allegedly spat on a fur shop window! Two more activists were raided and questioned for allegedly putting a leaflet through a post box and putting a sticker on the window of a fur shop. The police accused them of ‘criminal damage’.
ELP’s Finnish friends, who wish to remain anonymous for obvious reasons, say these are just a few examples of the types of police activity happening in Finland at the moment.
ELP is informed that the police have set up a special unit to investigate animal rights activists and the unit has said intend to get activists involved in the early stages of activism ‘before it gets more serious’. Translation, the police want to intimidate people away from activism.

SERIOUS ORGANISED CRIME!
Every so often ELP brings you stories of ridiculous prosecutions of non-violent activists under Britain’s new ‘Serious Organised Crime’ legislation. Who can forget the fines imposed on two peace activists for reading out the names of the British war dead, killed in Iraq, whilst standing next to Britains main war memorial! Sadly the courts have now moved beyond just fining people and have started to hand out prison sentences to activists under this new law. In early March three British animal rights activists were jailed for between 15 months to 4 years for their part in a non-violent campaign against Huntindon Life Sciences.
According to the BBC, the three were accused of being key figures in a campaign against companies with links to HLS. They were accused of entering the offices of the companies and demanding that those companies cut their links to HLS. They were also accused of organising loud demonstrations against the companies buildings. Plus they were accused of taking photos of the people who worked for the companies.

MAN ARRESTED IN AMERICA
At the end of March the American media reported that a 24-year old man, Grant Barnes, had been arrested accused of setting fire to SUVs in Denver, CO. The media quoted the cops as saying incendiary devices were used to damage the vehicles and one of the vehicles had ELF spray painted on it. The police also stated they did not believe that Grant Barnes was a member of the ELF.

IL SILVESTRE UPDATE
At the end of February 2007 the Italian courts ruled that Silvia Guerini and Federico Bonamici should be released under house arrest. This means that only three Il Silvestre members are currently imprisoned. They are Benedetta Galante, Francesco Gioia and Costantino Ragusa.

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, PO Box 1108, Denver, CO 80201, USA. On remand accused of setting fire to a number of SUV vehicles. On one of the vehicles the letters ELF was spray-painted.

Nathan Block, #1663667, Lane County Jail, 101 W 5th Ave., Eugene, OR 97401, USA. Awaiting sentencing having admitted involvement in an arson against a Poplar Tree Farm and an arson against an SUV dealership. Also admitted involvement in a conspiracy to carry out direct action in Oregon.

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.

Benedetta Galante, Casa Circondariale, Contrada Capo di Monte, 82100 – Benevento (BN), Italy. Il Silvestre activist sentenced to 3 years 6 months for promoting & participating in COR direct action. Also awaiting trial accused of using explosives to damage an electricity pylon in protest at nuclear energy.

Francesco Gioia, Via Maiano, 10, 06049 Spoleto, Italy. Il Silvestre activist sentenced to 5 years 2 months for promoting & participating in COR direct action. Also awaiting trial for escaping from house arrest.

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.

Costantino Ragusa, Casa Circondariale, Via Prati Nuovi 7, 27058 Voghera (PV), Italy. Il Silvestre activist serving 7½ years. 1) Five years for promoting & participating in COR direct action. 2) 18-months for burgling and firebombing a multinational company. 3) 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.

John Wade #38548-083, FCI Petersburg Low, Satellite Camp, PO Box 90027, Petersburg, VA 23804, USA. Serving 37 months for a series of ELF actions against a number of targets including McDonalds & Burger King; urban sprawl; the construction industry; and an SUV dealership.

Joyanna Zacher #1662550, Lane County Jail, 101 W 5th Ave, Eugene, OR 97401, USA. Awaiting sentencing having admitted involvement in an arson against a Poplar Tree Farm and an arson against an SUV dealership. Also admitted involvement in a conspiracy to carry out direct action in Oregon.

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.

Madeline Buckler PR7492, HMP Morton Hall, Swinderby, Lincoln, LN6 9PT, England. Serving 2 years for sending hate mail to a family who supplied guinea pigs for vivisection.

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.

Josh Demmitt 12314-081, FCI Safford, Federal Correctional Institution, P.O. Box 9000, Safford, AZ 85548, USA. Serving 30 months for an ALF arson on a University animal testing facility.

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 Route #37, 33 1/2 Pembroke Road, Danbury, 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. (His original sentence was reduced on appeal).

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, Staffordshire, ST21 6LQ, England. Serving 4 years for attempting to blackmail a farmer who supplied guinea pigs for vivisection.

Trish Portwine, TM7153, HMP Cookham Wood, Rochester, Kent, ME1 3LU, England. Serving fifteen months for her role in loud demonstrations outside the offices of companies with links to HLS.

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 Belmarsh, Western Way, Thamesmead, London, SE28 0UB, England. Serving four years for organising loud demonstrations outside the offices of companies with links to HLS.

Suzanne Taylor, TM7154, HMP Cookham Wood, Rochester, Kent, ME1 3LU, 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.

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 Allenwood Low, PO Box 1000, White Deer, PA 17887, 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.

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

PARTY & PROTEST
Around the world there have been several massive protests against global capitalism and its environmental impact. The following have all been jailed in connection with the protests.

Jonathan Philip Robert, Crisp County Detention Center, 197 Ga. Hwy. 300 South, Cordele, GA 31015, USA (12 months)

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.

MAPUCHE PRISONERS & OTHER LAND RIGHTS PRISONERS
Due to space limitation we cannot publish the names & addresses of the Mapuche & Land Rights prisoners in this edition of Spirit of Freedom, however if you would like a list please contact Spirit of Freedom.

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 bimonthly publication (available via e-mail or in a paper version). If you would like to receive a copy contact Spirit of Freedom, BM Box 2407, London, WC1N 3XX, England. Or e-mail ELP4321@hotmail.com

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 Russian antifa activist, Stanislav Korepanov, who died in hospital on the 31st of March 2007, having been attacked a few days earlier by an armed gang of neo-nazis. Stanislav is the second Russian antifa activist to have been brutally attacked in recent months. On the 14th of January 2007 vegan animal rights activist, Ivan Elin, was surrounded and attacked by ten neo-nazis in St. Petersburg after he had taken part in a weekly “Food not bombs” peace rally. Ivan suffered 21 stab wounds and was rushed to hospital where he is making his recovery. Following on from the knife attack on Ivan, on the 4th of February, with a small bomb exploded in Vladimirskaya Square of St. Petersburg, near to where Food Not Bombs organise their weekly protests. The bomb was hidden in a kiosk selling flowers. Luckily the bomb only damaged the kiosk and did not injure anyone.
This is not the first time neo-nazis have used knives or explosives to target Russian activists. On the 22nd of December 2006 a number of police were injured whilst trying to defuse a device, which set to murder antifa activists in Moscow. In August 2006 eleven people were killed in Moscow when a neo-nazi bomb exploded in Cherkisovski marketplace. The brutal murder of Stanislav Korepanov and the attack against Ivan are a reminded of why fascism must never be allowed to go unchallenged. ELP wishes Ivan Elin a speedy recovery from his injuries and we congratulate the Russian ‘Food Not Bombs’ movement for not giving into this neo-nazi intimidation.
Our thoughts and sorrow are with the family and friends of Stanislav Korepanov who was only 18 years old when he died.

Aldermaston Blockade

10.04.2007
At least 5 people were arrested while are attempting to block access to the Aldermaston Atomic Weapons Establishment in Berkshire this morning in order to disrupt a multimillion pound development project at the site.

Other protesters are still in the road which has been blocked for about an hour. The protesters claim that this development is to develop new nuclear weapons and shows that the decision to renew Britain’s nuclear weapons was made years before the parliamentary vote last month.
The protesters are from the anti-Trident group Trident Ploughshares and the group Block the Builders which opposes the development at Aldermaston. They have chained themselves together and blocking the boilerhouse gate at Aldermaston. The Atomic Weapons Establishment is currently undergoing massive renewal including new computing and laser facilities which will enable to scientists to simulate nuclear explosions to improve the design of nuclear warheads without actually exploding a weapon which would be banned under the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. The site was given a £5 billion refit after the signing of the Mutual Defence Agreement with the USA in 2005 which allows the sharing of nuclear information between the USA and Britain.
Websites:
Trident Ploughshares http://www.tridentploughshares.org/aldermaston
Block the Builders http://www.blockthebuilders.org.uk
Aldermaston Women’s Camp: http://www.aldermaston.net

Robin Hood blockades the Base

On Sunday April the 1st, a team of outlaws from Nottingham blockaded the main gate of Faslane Nuclear Submarine Base for 4 hours.

This was just one day of the 365 day blockade of Faslane that was started in October in response to our governments plan to replace Trident despite agreements signed in international law in the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.

On Sunday April the 1st, a team of outlaws from Nottingham blockaded the main gate of Faslane Nuclear Submarine Base for 4 hours.

After months in the planning, over 50 people from Nottingham and Derby headed up to Scotland over the weekend. It was an incredibly mixed bunch of people, aged from 14 to 76, and including seasoned peace campaigners as well as people completely new to protesting who felt impassioned into acting by the threat of new nuclear weapons.

After a day spent marching around the nuclear base on the Saturday, final plans for the blockade were put into place that evening. It was a daunting task. The main gate was expected to be completely held by police, and we needed to be there by 6.30am! Nevertheless, despite a tyre blowing out just a few miles from the base, blockaders took the police by surprise and managed a full take-over of the space in front of the main gate seconds after arriving. A mixture of tried and tested concrete lock-ons, and innovative new methods (plastercasting ourselves to each other) were used by the 15 people who locked down in front of the gate.

The success of the operation was amazing, and the support from rest of the 50 or so people was brilliant – from a constant barrage of noise and chants, to biscuits and cigarettes being lobbed over police lines and screens to the blockaders. The last people were carried off by police at around 11am. Everyone was jubilant with success!

But it wasn’t over yet! The Rebel Clown Army was arriving and making a real nuisance of themselves… one was arrested when found in a vehicle he shouldn’t have been in, and others later locked the police in their own compound, making them look even more like fools than they normally do, when after 20 minutes of head scratching and calling the cutting team they found the key just near by!

More members of the Robin Hood team then stood in front of the gates and sang Palm Sunday hymns. When threatened with arrest, one woman refused to move to allow access to the gates. She was quickly joined by a man inspired by her actions who stood with her in solidarity and they were both arrested.

So, out of the 50 strong Robin Hood team, 17 were arrested. They were all held for over 24 hours. Yet spirits were still high when they were all released with only a written warning. On a personal note, I found this event really inspiring. Lots of people who have never done anything like this before came together to pull off a really successful blockade. Hopefully it won’t stop there, and we will continue to work together.

Nottingham folk succesfully blockade nuclear submarine base in Scotland

1.04.2007

Over 50 people from Nottingham and Derby successfully blockaded the Faslane Nuclear Naval Base In Scotland today. Various blockade groups in intriguing lock-on devices and some plastered together blocked the main entrance to the site. Police started removing people from 8.30 onwards but had problems with removing people from a 6 way lock-on device, which held strong for another 2 hours. The police had to draft in specialist equipment from other forces to deal with the device. 18 people were arrested and have been moved to Paisley. The blockade lasted for over 4 hours. Whilst on the phone to someone at the scene, one could hear a lot of chanting and cheering as one protester managed to shout ‘no to nuclear weapons’ just before being put in a police van.

1.04.2007

The action is part of an international campaign to blockade the navel base throughout the year in a bid to stop the replacement of the controversial Trident Missile Sytem. Blockades have been taking place for the last few months by groups from around the country.

Timeline: (updated when new info comes in)

6.45 – Groups arrive and blockades in place at the Main Gate. 1 group with oilbarrel lockon device, 1 group with 6 way lock on device, 2 groups of 3 with plaster attachments (lower arms plastered together).
8.30 – Police start removing people.
9.00 – Police have succesfully removed the oilbarrel lock on blockade. Up to 6 arrests by this time.
9.15 – The group is joined by members of CIRCO, the corporate arm of the Rebel Clown Army. See website. They will auction off the Trident Missile System tomorrow.
9.45 – The blockade has been in place for 3 hours now. The police announce that they are unable to remove people from the 6 way lock on device. They are drafting in officers with specialist equipment from another force.
10.51 – Other officers have arrived and with the new equipment people were removed from the 6 way lock-on device pretty quick. The blockade has been cleared now. 14 people detained in total.
11.00 – 40 people strong demonstration in front of the main entrance. Clowns entertain the crowds and have changed the HM Naval Base sign so it now reads ‘Under New Management’.
12.05 – A woman and a man are arrested for ‘breach of the peace’ offences. Apperently they came too close to the gate. The woman was part of a small group holding a palm sunday protest.
14.29 – The demonstration in front of the gates is still happening. Spirits are high and the clowns providing a load of entertainment. One clown arrested for apperently trying to enter a police vehicle. Protesters decide to stay until at least 4 o’clock when a shift change inside the base will take place.

Environmentalist bloc at Faslane 365 – 26.04.07

CHERNOBYL DAY AT FASLANE 26th April 2007

Can you see the connection between more nuclear weapons, more nuclear power stations, war for oil and climate change?
– Or that replacing Trident will mean more dangerous nuclear powered submarines based on the Clyde and more nuclear waste…
– And that nuclear weapons are an environmental disaster and radioactive pollution is caused by their use, testing, waste, accidents or by terrorist attack.
– Or that environmental devastation caused by nuclear weaponry affects people and their environments across boundaries and down the generations…

Then join the environmentalist block at Faslane on Chernobyl Day!

CHERNOBYL DAY AT FASLANE 26th April 2007

Then join the environmentalist block at Faslane on Chernobyl Day!

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April 26th 2007 will be the 21st anniversary of the Chernobyl Disaster. At least 9,000 people are expected to die in Belarus, Ukraine and Russia from the nuclear fall-out from the accident, whilst across Europe the number of deaths from cancers caused by radiation from the accident could be as high as 60,000. Amongst people who were children at the time of the accident there has been a significant increase in thyroid cancers – over 4,000 cases were diagnosed in the Ukraine between 1992 – 2002.

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On the 21st anniversary of the Chernobyl Disaster, activists and supporters from Scottish environmental groups and networks will be holding a series of events outside the Faslane nuclear submarine base to protest against the government’s plans to build more nuclear power stations and Trident replacement.

Among the different events planned for the day Friends of the Earth Scotland will be rallying from 8am to midday at the main gate with their huge inflatable white elephant to highlight that new nuclear power stations are unsafe, unwanted and unnecessary.

Plans also include a die-in and blockade of the gates later in the day.

Groups involved include: Friends of the Earth Scotland, Scottish local Greenpeace groups, Scottish People and Planet network, Rising Tide Scotland.

GET INVOLVED!
Nonviolent action training day: Saturday 31st March, 10.30am-4pm, Lamb’s House, Burgess Street, Edinburgh, EH6 6RD_map and directions:
http://www.foe-scotland.org.uk/about/getting_to_FoE_office.html

Prop and banner making day – all day from 10.30am Wednesday 25th April, Lambs House, Burgess Street, Edinburgh, EH6 6RD. Bring cardboard, paint, materials, fall-out suits and costumes to decorate!

Transport:
There will be a 50 seater coach eaving Waterloo Place, Edinburgh at
4am – Yes! Four in the morning! (Map here:
www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=55.9538&lon=-3.186&scale=10000&icon=x

Price £10 waged or £6 unwaged.
Please book your seat first by calling 0131 554 9977 or emailing
environmentalists@faslane365.org
Return time: Leaving Faslane around 5.30pm and arriving Edinburgh at
about 8pm.

Possible pick ups also in Glasgow – contact us for more information

There are also good public transport links to Faslane from Glasgow using the Low Level trains from Glasgow Queen Street and Partick stations every half hour to Helensburgh Central and then the Coulport or Garelochhead buses to Faslane Peace Camp or the Faslane Cemetery (opposite the North Gate.) There is also a train service from Queen Street (main level: destination Mallaig/Oban) which stops at Garelochhead (about a mile walk from Faslane north gate)

A cycle path runs all the way from Helensburgh to Faslane along the A814.
There is limited parking close to the Faslane North Gate in the Faslane cemetery car-park just past the North Gate on the right. Limited car parking is also available at Faslane Peace Camp at the south of the base.

Limited accommodation the night is available in Edinburgh – please bring a sleeping bag. We can also help you find accommodation in Glasgow the night before.

For more information or to book places please contact
environmentalists [at] faslane365.org or phone 0131 554 9977

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