Action Reports – Page 108

Update: Work starts to cut down Irton’s beech tree

Breaking News 11pm, Tuesday 4th:
CONTRACTORS have started work to cut down Irton’s beech tree.
Vicki “Beechnut” Welsh spent four nights in the tree but came down at 10.10am today to applause from villagers, who have now accepted defeat in their battle to save the tree.

4 October 2011
A PROTESTER who is the latest to sit in the branches of a threatened tree in Irton yesterday demanded answers to four questions – one of which was aimed squarely at the Prime Minister – before she leaves her leafy home.

The 17-year-old Bridlington girl, who is known only as Beech Nut, had been there since Friday and is the fifth treetop protester since the start of the sit-in two weeks ago today.

She said that a special appeal had also been set up. She said: “I am here to launch the Irton Tree Foundation and would like to appeal for any help with our cause.”

Beech Nut said she wanted to dispel any misconceptions that the protest had cost council taxpayers £250,000 – because their protest began after the decision to fell the tree had been taken.

She added that, while they did not roost in the tree, bats used it as a primary feeding site. She said: “I’d like to see the results of a reputable bat survey.”

Beech Nut said that the villagers had been treated with disrespect and deserved answers. She asked: “Has the evidence been seen by a high court judge?”

And in a question directed at Prime Minister David Cameron she asked about the validity of tree preservation orders – the beech tree was the subject of an order but it was overruled by a judge. She said: “It’s not just about this tree, in this village, it’s about all trees in England.”

A North Yorkshire County Council representative read out a statement on Friday which said that anyone preventing the tree felling, which is likely to take place by the end of this week, could face a prison sentence.

Tree supporters have taken separate legal advice to challenge the court decision and are waiting to hear the results.

Irton resident David Parker said that they would continue the protest until the first “chainsaw touched the trunk”. He added: “We’ve been told that some time this week the tree will definitely be felled but no official person has come here so far.”

He said that they would continue to look into every legal avenue that they possibly could. He said: “We are quite within our rights to do so. We have a right to object peacefully against something we disagree with. We will act within the law.”

The tree has been the subject of a long-running legal battle between villagers, two local authorities and a nearby homeowner, who successfully applied to a judge to have the beech cut down.

People who would like to donate to the Irton Tree Foundation can do so through any branch of HSBC by using the sort code 40-40-22 and account number 91752707.

Hinkley Point blockaders declare victory over EDF Energy

3/10/2011
For about nine hours, we blockaded the nuclear power station with up to 400 people. This was the biggest anti nuclear power action in Britain for quite some years. It marked the beginning of a new anti nuclear power movement in this country, and you all made this possible.
This time, the blockade was tolerated by EDF and the police. Only one person was arrested when walking on the public footpath along the fence.
He was stopped and searched by police, and arrested for possession of a craft knife. Luckily, he was later released from Taunton police station without charge.

Those of you who came to the camp after the action are aware of a police incident: a mobile CCTV vehicle of Avon & Somerset police drove onto the camp site, filming all the time. After a while it was possible to persuade them to leave the site.
Stop New Nuclear sees this as a provocation, and we made it very clear that this incident destroyed a lot of the trust between the police and the campaign that had been built in the run-up to the blockade.
The police Silver Command has since sent an ‘apology email’ that says they’ve deleted the material.

The camp, demonstration, and blockade of Hinkley Point was not a one-off, nor was it the end – it should be the beginning of a powerful and creative anti nuclear power movement in Britain, that will stop the plans for eight new nuclear power stations in its tracks. To make this happen, we need you!
We are therefore organising a Stop New Nuclear gathering in Bristol in November (unfortunately, we have not been able to set the date yet), to discuss and plan the next campaigns and actions against nuclear new build in Britain. Please get involved – we need to grow as a movement, and this means we need more people organising our actions. Please check back for updates and register for the Stop New Nuclear gathering at http://stopnewnuclear.org.uk/gathering2011. More information will be available soon.

If you have any ideas for action, please share them in our ideas forum at http://stopnewnuclear.org.uk/ideasforum.

News from Hinkley Point
The Environment Agency has extended the deadline for objections to EDF’s environmental permit application until 15 December. This means we now have much more time to collect hundreds or even thousands of objections. Please download the objection sheet from http://stopnewnuclear.org.uk/objections-discharges, print it, sign it, and send it of to: PSC, PO Box 4404, Sheffield, S9 4WF

Press release:

Anti-nuclear protesters have declared the mass blockade at Hinkley Point today as a victory over EDF Energy. The nine-hour blockade in Somerset attracted supporters from all over the UK. Several came from as far afield as Ireland, Germany and Belgium.

Stop New Nuclear spokesperson, Andreas Speck, said the blockade has put the government and EDF on the back foot. ‘Following the interest this blockade has attracted, both regionally and nationally, the government and EDF can no longer claim that the we need nuclear energy to keep the lights on.’

He continued: ‘Germany has committed to a nuclear-free future without buying nuclear power from France or building new coal-fired power stations. The German government is looking at a decentralised energy model with a mix of renewables and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) to bridge the gap left by withdrawal from nuclear. If Germany can do it, why can’t we?’

Angie Zelter, who hit the headlines in 1996 when she and other activists attacked a Hawk jet destined to suppress protests in East Timor (and was subsequently cleared of criminal damage by a jury), blasted EDF’s claims that Hinkley Point is sustainable.

She added: ‘Over its lifetime, Hinkley will consume more energy than it produces – if you take into account the energy used to extract uranium and the power needed to store radioactive waste for hundreds of years. It doesn’t add up.’

Zelter said the risk of flooding is an increasing worry. ‘Locals are well aware of the constant danger of flooding around Hinkley,’ she continued. ‘We have information from workers there that several years ago, floodwater breached the plant’s retaining walls.’

She added that this was a particular concern now that EDF wants to build two new mega reactors at Hinkley. ‘Radioactive waste from the proposed new ERP reactors will be so toxic that it will have to be stored on the site for over 100 years. With the growth in extreme weather conditions there is no guarantee that this waste can be stored safely.’

And Zelter blasted the government for claiming that nuclear is the only solution to combating climate change. ‘If the government can spend billion renewing Trident missiles and fighting Gaddafi in Libya, why can’t they find the money to build truly sustainable energy systems that would create a great many more jobs than the nuclear sector can?’

The mass blockade was described by Stop New Nuclear organiser, Andreas Speck, as a, ‘celebration of dissent’ with pro-nuclear supporters being entertained by a Welsh choir and popular festival band, Seize The Day.

A man arrested on a footpath close to the blockade was later released without charge.

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Reports, pictures and video.
More photos
Camp photos
Bridgwater demonstration
Blockade of Hinkley Point
Some photos and some more
CND uploaded photos here
We are slowly uploading videos

Call from France to all UK anti-nuclear Activists

Update: One thing is that the dates have changed and the camp will be on from 22nd of November to 24th of November

INVITATION FOR A BIG CAMP AND MASS ACTION AGAINST THE NUCLEAR TRANSPORT CASTOR IN VALOGNES (FRANCE) ON THE 24TH AND 25TH OF NOVEMBER 2011, JUST ACROSS THE CHANNEL The french and the english government have this common feature of being mad about nuclear power. Whereas Germany, Switzerland and Italy are stepping out of the nuclear energy, France and Great-Britain are doing as if Fukushima never happened. If we refuse to let Fukushima become, like Tchernobyl before, an accident without consequence, it is time to take action, NOW. Please, spread this call to all your friends, comrades, networks in the UK. It will be a massive thing!! If anyone could print this and give it out at the hinkley protest, that would be wonderful. INVITATION FOR A BIG CAMP AND MASS ACTION AGAINST THE NUCLEAR TRANSPORT CASTOR IN VALOGNES (FRANCE) ON THE 22ND AND 24TH OF NOVEMBER 2011, JUST ACROSS THE CHANNEL The french and the english government have this common feature of being mad about nuclear power. Whereas Germany, Switzerland and Italy are stepping out of the nuclear energy, France and Great-Britain are doing as if Fukushima never happened. If we refuse to let Fukushima become, like Tchernobyl before, an accident without consequence, it is time to take action, NOW. More than ever, it is obvious that it is only on an international level that we can think the struggle against nuclear power, because it is on this level that the contradiction between the states that step out of it and those who don't becomes explosive. As our aim – to free ourselves of those who destroy our lives and everything alive for the last money left to make – can in no way be achieved by them, as all the governments can do is greenwash their tools of destruction, we should use this moment to make it clear that we still envision a future. For it is not only the question of energy that we are determined to take back in our own hands but our lives. That is why we invite all british comrades to join our initiative right on the other side of the Channel, in Valognes (near Cherbourg) on the 24th and 25th of november 2011. On these dates starts the CASTOR transport of highly radioactive refutes that goes from La Hague to Gorleben (Germany). This year for the first time, in coordination with the German comrades, there will be a camp and mass action in order to block this transport at its very starting point, in Valognes, just like the Germans do it in Gorleben. LET'S MEET THERE AND DISTURB LIKE NEVER BEFORE THE QUIET ROUTINE OF THIS DEADLY INDUSTRY! SOLIDARITY WITH THE BLOCKADE OF THE HINCKLEY POWERPLANT! valognesstopcastor@riseup.net

Mc-hammer time

In the early hours of Tuesday morning (27/09/11) McDonalds drive thru in Bedminster was visited and thoroughly smashed, with all it’s windows attacked.

Fuck Mcdonalds and the death culture they perpetuate and symbolise globally, which means:

In the early hours of Tuesday morning (27/09/11) McDonalds drive thru in Bedminster was visited and thoroughly smashed, with all it’s windows attacked.

Fuck Mcdonalds and the death culture they perpetuate and symbolise globally, which means:

abuse and mass slaughter for millions of animals caged all their miserable lives, poisonous food, sickness and cancer for humans, mind numbing drudgery and workplace control and discipline for workers treated like slaves, destruction for the environment and of course massive profit for capitalists.

If you thought smashing up Mcdonalds had gone out of anticapitalist fashion, think again. We don’t forget or forgive.

For earth, animal and human liberation.

ALF / ELF

3rd October: Manchester occupied!

Yesterday saw the occupation of Albert Square in Manchester outside the town hall. Throughout the afternoon and evening several open mic assembly sessions were held with people speaking about various issues with the common themes being resistance to cuts, community organising, direct democracy, and occupations. There was also a sound system pumping out tunes and some dancing in the rain.

The persistent rain proved to be a discouraging factor and after several hours the size of the crowd pretty much matched the size of the tarps strung across lamposts to provide some cover (earlier the police had tried to prevent people rigging up the shelters).

Later in the evening people heckled guests attending tory party fringe meetings at the town hall and the police went around grabbing beers off a few people.

Around 9pm a group of 20-30 people with a sound system on their way to the occupation from the squatted convergence centre were hassled by the cops and there were a few arrests.

http://www.occupymanchester.org

3rd October: Blockaders begin mass protest outside Hinkley Point Nuclear Power Station

More than 200 people have successfully sealed off the main entrance to Hinkley Point nuclear power station in Somerset.

Convoys of protesters began to arrive at the main gate shortly before 7am. The entrance is just yards away from where EDF Energy is making a bid to build two new mega-reactors.

http://stopnewnuclear.org.uk

More than 200 people have successfully sealed off the main entrance to Hinkley Point nuclear power station in Somerset.

Convoys of protesters began to arrive at the main gate shortly before 7am. The entrance is just yards away from where EDF Energy is making a bid to build two new mega-reactors.

http://stopnewnuclear.org.uk

The blockade was launched with the arrival of a theatrical troupe who enacted a nuclear disaster scenario similar to Fukushima. Approximately 70% of protesters are from the South West. Others have come from as far afield as Belgium and Germany.

Well-known festival band, Seize the Day, provided a musical backdrop to the event. Andreas Speck, spokesperson for the Stop New Nuclear alliance said: ‘This is the start of a new movement. We intend this day to be a celebration of resistance against the government and EDF Energy’s plans to spearhead the construction of eight new nuclear power plants around the UK.’

He continued: ‘This is blockade shows that people who understand the true dangers of nuclear power are prepared to use civil disobedience to get their voice heard. The government has hoodwinked the public into believing that we need nuclear power to keep the lights on. But this is totally untrue.’

To show their support for the victims of the Fukushima disaster, protesters will launch 206 helium balloons – to represent the number of days since the partial meltdown at the Japanese power station. The journey of balloons will be tracked to show which areas of the West Country will be worst affected should a major disaster happen at Hinkley Point.

‘We need to bring home to people that nuclear power stations can fail for many reasons – usually because of human error,’ said Nikki Clark from South West Against Nuclear. ‘The explosion at a waste processing plant in France a few weeks ago is a clear reminder that nobody is safe from the dangers of nuclear energy.’

Protesters are urging ministers to look to Germany where the government has pledged to phase out nuclear power within ten years. ‘The German government has just published a blueprint for a sustainable, nuclear-free future,’ said Camilla Berens from campaign group, Kick Nuclear. The key focus is energy reduction and a bridging technology called combined heat and power (CHP). The burning question is, if Germany can do it, why can’t we?’

For more information on the ground, contact Camilla Berens on: 07811-451417. Photographs will be release at the Stop New Nuclear website later today.

Dale Farm: injunction remains for now

LATEST: Monday 3 October: Basildon Council concedes that full clearance of Dale Farm as originally proposed would be illegal. Council ordered to pay one third of Dale Farm’s legal costs. Awaiting outcome of applications for judicial reviews, due Tuesday.

The legality of the eviction notices served by Basildon Council on Dale Farm residents was challenged by the Travellers in the High Court on Friday. Once the arguments had been heard, including an application by Basildon Council for the scaffolding at the entrance to the site to be removed, the Judge Mr Justice Edwards-Stuart said that there would not be a ruling before Monday 26 September (now extended to Tuesday 4 October). Late in the day it was reported that the injunction to restrain bailiffs from starting any clearance or eviction of the site would stand in its current form until at least 4pm Monday. A later report indicated that the judge may further extend the injunction into the middle of next week or beyond if necessary. In the meantime, applications are being prepared for judicial review of the eviction, which could lead to further delay of a final decision. Basildon Council has already set aside £18 million to evict the Dale Farm residents. However, with the current stalemate reported to be costing the council over £1 million per day, the total cost is likely to have increased by some £8 million by Monday and will continue to rise during any further delay. With a bit of luck they’ll run out of money before the eviction is allowed to go ahead.

Supporters are needed both at the High Court now and at Dale Farm now and for the duration. Contact savedalefarm@gmail.com for more information or see Save Dale Farm.

Bolivia suspends road project after indigenous protest

29.9.11

Bolivia’s President Evo Morales has suspended plans to build a major highway through indigenous peoples’ land in the Amazon rainforest.

29.9.11

Bolivia’s President Evo Morales has suspended plans to build a major highway through indigenous peoples’ land in the Amazon rainforest.

His decision follows a 40-day protest march, which was brought to an abrupt halt on Sunday, when police used tear gas and truncheons to dispel 1,000 protesters.

Morales faced pressure from within his government to use less force. His Defense Minister Cecilia Chacon resigned in protest at plans to intervene in the march.

There are also reports the teargas caused a baby to die of asphyxiation.

Morales said on Monday his decision to suspend the road was made in the ‘midst of this national debate’ and that he would ‘let the people decide’.

The proposed 300-kilometer highway would cut across the heart of the Isiboro Sécure national park. It is home to Chiman, Yurucare and Moxos Indians.

On Sunday protesters were near to completing their 500km march from the northern town of Trinidad to Bolivia’s capital, when police used teargas to disperse them.

Prior to this crackdown, a police blockade detained indigenous protesters for several days, allegedly to prevent clashes between angry colonists and the marchers.

Brazilian company OAS has been contracted to construct the road with funding from the Brazilian Development Bank.

60 international activists occupy Gold Corporation headquarters in Rosia Montana, Romania

Today, September 28th, at 12:00 o’clock, approximately 60 international activists taking part in the Reclaim the Fields camp [1], together with the local association Alburnus Maior [2], from Rosia Montana, Romania, occupied and blocked the entrance to the Rosia Montana Gold Corporations [3] headquarters in the village’s Old Square. This action was in defiance of the companies continuing attempt to expropriate locals and destroy an area protected by Romanian conservation law.

Local and international people are opposing plans to open Europe’s largest open cast gold mine, which would displace hundreds of families and result in widespread ecological destruction and cyanide contamination of the protected landscape. The peaceful occupation and blockade lasted for two hours and the company decided to leave the public information point closed for the rest of the day.

The proposed mine would destroy the village of Rosia Montana and introduce dangerous cyanide leaching technology, threatening water systems in Romania and beyond with the potential of devastating accidents. Strong local opposition to the gold mining project emerged almost immediately in the year 2000 when the project was announced by Canadian company Gabriel Resources. Resistance to the plan has since spread across Romania and beyond. During the last 10 years, Alburnus Maior, through the Save Rosia Montana Campaign has successfully mobilized thousands of people and has so far kept the plans from being carried out.

The Environmental Impact Assessment procedure for the mining project was suspended in 2008 by the Ministry of the Environment, due to the discovery of illegalities committed by the company. Furthermore, civil society has won several court cases against the Gold Corporation, where it was proved that the mining project was initiated in illegal conditions and involved high levels of corruption, coercion and abuse of the local population.

According to the law, the mining project has to restart from point zero, but the new Romanian Environment Minister wants to proceed with a political decision in favour of the mining project, in a clear violation of the court decisions, as well as of Romanian and EU laws on Environmental Impact Assessment procedures.

The Romanian government seems keen to support corporate interests in the face of local opposition. A new law on expropriation has been recently proposed in the Romanian parliament and is expected to be voted on during the next month. The law would enable private companies, instead of the Romanian state and judicial system, to carry out forced expropriation of residents, in a clear violation of human rights.

In dialogue with the occupying activists, the company spokesperson, Catalin Hosu, rejected any relation between the Gold Corporation and this law and stated that they would not resort to using it if it is passed. In reply, the activists promised to target the corporation with further actions if the promise is not kept.

At the EU level, the European Commission has been refusing to follow up on a May 2010 European Parliament resolution requiring it to make a legislative proposal to ban the use of cyanide in mining. While the Gold Corporation has expressed the intention to adopt cyanide reduction technology in Rosia Montana, recent news exposed that the use of such technology will be much more expensive than originally planned [4]. In response to this, Catalin Hosu replied that the Gold Corporation is committed to respect all Romanian and EU legislation, but did not state whether this technology will be adopted or dropped in face of the costs.

NOTES:

[1] The Reclaim the Fields movement (www.reclaimthefields.org) brings together food growers and farmers around Europe that are connecting local practical action with global political struggles. Reclaim the Fields stands against corporate interests and any projects which reduce the access and right to land for food production, abuse local communities and destroy cultural and environmental values. Between 21-30 of September, 2011, several hundred activists from all over Europe and Romania are participating in an unprecedented solidarity camp in Rosia Montana – Romania. The event is organized by Reclaim the Fields together with the Alburnus Maior Association (www.rosiamontana.org), with strong support from the Romanian peasant association Eco Ruralis (www.ecoruralis.ro) and numerous organizations and individuals from across geographical Europe.

[2] Alburnus Maior association represents the local opposition from Rosia Montana against the largest gold mine proposal in Europe which entails the destruction of Rosia Montana and a large area of the Apuseni Mountains in Romania. www.rosiamontana.org

[3] Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is 19.31 percent owned by the Romanian state with the remaining shareholders including Gabriel Resources, Newmont and Barrick Gold.

[4] AFP, Lower cyanide level in Romanian gold mine to cost millions, 23.09.2011, http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hXIMBYPJT-sYBLCZhIWJfy-sp_oQ?docId=CNG.eca6a9ad91bdb5676908fa2ea3090890.e1

Community-Suported Treesitting in Yorkshire: the way forward

27.9.11
An old beech tree has been occupied since Tuesday 20th September, to stop it’s felling, with a change-over of occupier last Saturday, whilst borough and county council battle it out in the courts over whether the tree should be felled or preserved.

Background

The local community has been protesting against the destruction of an 80+ year old Beech Tree in Irton, North Yorkshire for several years.

Irton is a village which has a strong community spirit. Residents and outsiders have come together to show their opposition to a North Yorkshire Council decision which goes against common sense.

One visitor to the village stated “ I went prepared to think it was just an ordinary tree …. But it is exceptional! It is beautiful – it adds grace to the village. Losing it would make a huge difference.”

The tree has a ‘tree preservation order’ on it, which presumably means that tree experts feel it should not be destroyed. Despite this as well as local opposition from residents, local councillors, the general public and environmental experts, – North Yorkshire County Council has decided to follow legal procedures to destroy the tree. ….

Why is the tree being destroyed?

Occupiers of a nearby house state that the tree roots are affecting, or may affect in the future:

• The boundary walls
• The drainage system
• The current owners access to the property

Why these are not valid reasons

The boundary walls
• There is no visible sign of damage to boundary walls.

“ It is not in any way affected – it is perfectly upright” says one independent observer. House owners need to provide evidence that damage has happened. This concern cannot be taken seriously.

The drainage system
• 2 expert reviews or ‘technical reports’ have apparently been conducted. Allegedly, the first report found that the damage to drains preceded the tree, and the second report found that the drains were being damaged by the tree.
o Who has commissioned these reports? No information has been provided to the public about who did these reports. Why aren’t these in the public domain?
o A local tree student has explained that any damage done to walls or drains can nowadays be dealt with by localised methods – the affected roots can be treated and there is no need to cut down an entire tree.

The current owners access to the property
• The current occupiers can move their access point, or consider using sustainable methods of transport.
o Long term residents of the village have stated that the property entrance was originally well away from the tree, and only in recent years has the gateway been altered.
o Residents have indicated that the current owners wrere previously interested in property development on the site – they submitted a planning application for the development, of several dwellings…… but were declined.

North Yorkshire County Council may have fears about the financial implications of decisions they make now, however it is unacceptable to make the fear of an individual home owner suing the council override the rights and needs of normal citizens.

The protesters

This protest is entirely peaceful, and there was a feeling of confusion amongst protesters surrounding the concept that what they are doing is a lawbreaking activity.

“We felt the tree had been condemned. We needed to stop it happening. It is disgusting.”

The protest includes a tree-sit in. 2 residents have been residing in the tree in order to save it.

“We got ladders, and stood them up the tree. An hour later, the contractors turned up. There are 60 and 70 year olds who really do not want this tree cut down. Come and have a look – there is no evidence of damage.”

Protestors in and out of the tree have been supported by a strong community, providing moral support, food, drink and warmth, as well as the obligatory wee jar.

The views

“This is really moving all the bystanders…. Their expressions are amazing…. It can’t be wrong to make a peaceful protest.”.
“There is no defence for killing this tree… I can’t find any defence.”
“ It can’t be right…. People in power making decisions….it just seems very wrong…. It is very wrong. ”

Protestors are currently being advised by the Environmental Legal Foundation.

More photos

Video