Action Reports – Page 227

open cast plans for the north of england – meet in Newcastle to make plans, and for the Camp for Climate Action

The 2008 camp for climate action is to be held near to the proposed site for a new coal fired power station. E-on the company that wants to build the power station has stated that it will use a system called Carbon Capture and storage. C.C.S is still in an early development stage and has not been used on such a large scale.

The climate camp(www.climatecamp.org.uk) at Kingsnorth in the Medway valley will highlight and take direct action against the black hole in the governments climate change policy. COAL.

Power stations like Eggbrough, Drax and Kingsnorth produce huge amounts of filthy emissions, drax alone produces approx 21 millions tones of Co2 per year.
All this coal has to come from somewhere and it would ‘seam’ the money men have set their greedy eyes on the north of England again.
U:k coal and the banks group have several planning application to surface mine/open cast across the North East.
*Bradley Co. Durham- 550 000 tonnes
*Park wall north Co. Durham- 1 275 000 tonnes
*potland burn Northumberland- 2 000 000 tonnes
*Shotton Northumberland- 3 000 000 tonnes
*An extension to the exsisting site at widdrington

In addition to these applications there is already one of the largest open cast sites in the U:K at Stobswood near Morpeth. Surface mining sites are also operating in Widdrington, Blagdon estate in Northumberland. Steadburns and stoney heap near to Consett Co. Durham.

In the case of shotton/cramlington planning application, Shotton is in an opencast constraint area which means that there is a presumption against Surface mining. Northumberland county council up held the constraint and re-jected the application. However the communities and local government secretary Hazel Blears M.P Stepped in and overruled the county council allowing the opencast operation to go ahead much to dismay of the local community
(www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2008/02/08/ministers-quizzed-on-opencast-policy-61634-20450633/ )
The potland burn site is also in a constraint area yet U:K coal has still lodged an application probably because they feel the political climate is in their favor.

As if the ecological destruction, industrial injuries/deaths and disruption to the community that opencast mining leaves behind Npower have stated that they have an imminent planning application to build a new coal fired power station in Blyth on the site of the existing power station. Construction is due to begin 2014 on the same timeline as Kingsnorth.
Whilst the focus is on the climate camp and Kingsnorth, the North of England and our resources are central to the U:K government and their capitalist bosses plans for a new generation of dirty power stations .
This new generation of coal fired power stations and the unacceptable mining practices that accompany them must be stopped.
One of the key features of the climate camp is direct action.
The Banks group have offices in West Cornforth near Ferryhill, U:K coal head offices are in Doncaster’ leave it in the ground’ have began regular noise demos outside the next is 14th July. All the opencast sites are easily accessible.

People are meeting to discuss and plan for the upcoming climate camp at the star and shadow cinema, Newcastle upon tyne. Next meeting is Thursday July 3rd at 6pm why not come along and join the move against climate change.

Links and info:

www.climatecamp.org.uk
www.earthfirst.org.uk/leaveitintheground
www.greenpeace.com
www.thecoalhole.org
www.indymedia.org.uk
www.pontvalley.net
www.banksdevlopments.com
www.ukcoal.com

A visit to the Opencast Squat

21.06.2008
I decided to take a trip to Shipley today to see how the new residents of Prospect farm were settling in.

Just to recap the story so far. In the early hours of last Wednesday morning a group of caring individuals took possession of a building on the site of UK Coals planned new open cast site in Derbyshire. There aim is to protest/prevent the countryside and wider environment being devastated by the extraction and burning of the dirtiest fossil fuel.

As if we needed any reminding of the climate chaos coal burning contributes to, when I arrived on Saturday (21st June!) it was wet and drizzly and the forecast was for storms.

But the rain had not dampened the spirits of the crew now living at Prospect Farm (now re-christened Bodge farm). While they were still busy with all those jobs that need doing when you move into a new home they had already achieved a great deal and the place was very homely. A well-stocked kitchen was set up and a welcoming open fire means there is always a kettle on the go.

To the sounds of acoustic guitar from one of the tree-houses I watched a couple of people fixing fencing and looked up to admire the suspended cargo netting between the trees.

There have been other visitors coming to show their support including three generations of the family who used to live in the house before UK Coal kicked them out.

I was delayed on leaving as a large van full of provisions had just arrived and needed unloading. This had been spontaneously arranged and paid for by locals and included just about everything you could think of from tinned beans to cotton buds, fresh veg to bottled water.

Please get along there and support them, it’s a lovely location and the squat/camp has a great feel.

But get along there because at some point we have just got to draw a line. For all our futures and for generations to come, leave it in the ground.

http://www.leaveitintheground.org.uk

Solidarity actions for imprisoned liberationists

Italy, Mexico, Spain & UK
Solidarity actions for; Paola Gori, Jeff Luers & Sean Kirtley

Communiques reported to Bite Back Magazine: 15th – 19th June:

Italy, Mexico, Spain & UK
Solidarity actions for; Paola Gori, Jeff Luers & Sean Kirtley

Communiques reported to Bite Back Magazine: 15th – 19th June:

anonymous reports:

30th May – h 21.00 – Mountains of Emilia Region, Italy.
We set on fire a hunting tower placed in a wood populated by boars.
We have destroyed it with two liters of gasoline ignited by a retardant primer.
– A.L.F. –

Night of 5th June – Emilia Region, Italy.
A small chicken farm was visited again (see the communique of last month).
We have liberated one cock (the only male present) and slashed the tires of the car of the farmer.
– A.L.F. –

These actions are dedicated to Paola. She is a vegan, animal rights activist, prisoner in ‘Le Sughere’ Italian jail.
Please write* and support her.
Also, please support the victims of state repression in Italy and Austria.
Freedom for all!
Liberta ‘per tutti!”

received anonymously (translation):

“On the night of June 14 (International day in support of the earth liberation warrior Jeffrey Luers and all radical environmental prisoners), the Earth Liberation Front and Animal Liberation Front got together and went to the doors of one of the many companies guilty in the domination, destruction and extermination of the earth and its living beings.

Various slogans were painted such as ‘No More Vivisection,’ ‘ALF,’ ‘No HLS,’ ‘Support Jeffrey,’ ‘Murderers’ and others which attacked the company Unilever which shares property with DHL (an HLS supporter). Now as one passed through these modern-day extermination camps, one can read the slogans of the FLA and FLT on most of its walls.

Compañero Jeffrey we know about your situation and it gives us great pleasure to know that soon you’ll be out here on the front line fighting again like you’ve done before. We hope that those bars and life in prison leave you with even more strength to continue.

To all those radical environmentalist prisoners, an embrace from Mexico.

For Animal Liberation!
For Earth Liberation!
For Human Liberation!
Direct Action!

FLA & FLT”

excerpt from anonymous report:

“In support of Jeffrey Luers and the struggle for animal liberation
During the early hours of June 14, the locks of every fur shop in the Bilbao city center were glued, in support of this prisoner and many others, and in general of the struggle for animal liberation.”

reported anonymously:

“Activists in the North West decided to ‘pimp’ a hunt scums ride.

The car was easy to find as it had both the pro-hunt ‘Felix Says’ sticker and a BASC (Shooting) sticker in the rear window. The BASC sticker sealed the car’s fate, the Judge in the Sean Kirtley case was into shooting and a member of BASC. The car had paint stripper applied, spray paint over the windows, windscreen wipers wrecked and one wing mirror smashed. Looked really pretty once we’d finsihed.

If the owner wants compensation then they should write to Judge Ross and NETCU. It’s the criminalisation of legal protest that has caused this.

ALF”

ARRESTED & CHARGED McLibel Protester!

On the 21st June 08, as part of the anniversary of the now famous 1997 McLibel court case in which two campaigners were sued by the McDonalds Corporation for distributing a leaflet critical of the company, camp

After being removed from the restaurant by police a campaigner was approached and his details requested. He gave his name and address but was told if he did not give his date of birth he would be arrested under Section 5 of the Public Order Act. He refused, as he believes that a person is only required to give their name and address for the purpose of a summons and no additional details. He was subsequently arrested under Section 5 of the Public Order Act. The arrest got public attention with people making use of their cameras and coming up to take leaflets.

He has been charged and bailed to attend Cambridge Magistrates – Narey – Court 613 – Magistrates Court at 43 Hauxton Road, Cambridge on the 3rd July at 9.30 a.m. – ANY SUPPORT APPRECIATED.

The protesters hoped to highlight the issues that originally comprised the leaflet that led to the court case ranging from animal farming to environmental degradation. According to a campaigner, “McDonalds hasn’t really changed. Whether it be the environmental impact of animal agriculture or the fact they continue to market junk food to children in the middle of an obesity problem, McDonalds still makes a lot of people very Mcangry.”

Many of the original leaflet’s criticisms of McDonalds were vindicated in court. According to the ruling of the High Court, Mcdonalds had ‘exploited children’, was ‘culpably responsible for animal cruelty’ and used marketing that had ‘pretended to a positive nutritional benefit which their food did not match’.

The campaigners are calling on the people of Cambridge to boycott the restaurant chain. We can all make a statement about our values by the way we spend our cash. We call on everyone to say no to this business in our city.

– You can learn more about the McLibel case at http://www.mcspotlight.org/

– An additional video of the protest was taken by an independent camera man see http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/06/401610.html (thanks!)

– Protester’s video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ld3I4zVxc2A

COURT DATE:

Cambridge Magistrates – Narey – Court 613 – Magistrates Court at 43 Hauxton Road, Cambridge on the 3rd July at 9.30 a.m.

arrest charges dropped – round-up: Fossil Fools Day & M1 Conspiracy

As with the majority of protest arrests (if you do a NO COMMENT interview), though there’s been a load of people arrested recently, they’ve released without charge, on bail to return to a police station.

This gives the CPS time to decide what to do, but also hinders protest because the police can dictate punative bail restrictions.

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M1 Conspiracy Case Thrown Out

1st May 2008

This gives the CPS time to decide what to do, but also hinders protest because the police can dictate punative bail restrictions.

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M1 Conspiracy Case Thrown Out

1st May 2008
Seven climate camp activists against the widening of the M1(1*) had the case against them dismissed from Sheffield Crown Court yesterday. Charged with conspiracy to cause a public nuisance Judge Robinson said that: “there was not a jot of evidence” for a jury to infer an endangerment of any member of the public.

Seven climate camp activists against the widening of the M1(1*) had the case against them dismissed from Sheffield Crown Court today. Charged with conspiracy to cause a public nuisance Judge Robinson said that: “there was not a jot of evidence” for a jury to infer an endangerment of any member of the public.

Arrested over a year ago the protesters had their houses raided with property such as computers and phones taken and held for the duration of the investigation.

This ruling in the midst of a crack down (2*) on green protest sets a precedent for policing of environmental demonstrations. The Judge resoundingly rejected the prosecution’s argument that the hanging of banners over the motorway would constitute a public nuisance. He went on to say: “that all of the available material (presented to
the court) is consistent only with peaceful protest.”

Campaign spokesperson Dr Julie White, a GP from Sheffield, said: “this is victory for the right to protest in the face of government policy of expanding roads, runways and coal-fired power stations in a time of climate crisis.”

The activists say that the experience has not deterred them from taking action against the root causes of climate change and will be attending the Camp for Climate Action(3*) at Kingsnorth coal-fired power station in Kent this August.

Contact Julie White on 0779851073.

NOTES FOR EDITORS
1*) The Department of Transport have decided against widening the M1 any further: http://www.nowideningm1.org.uk/

2*) this month the Sunday Herald reported that protestors in Scotland had been harassed by police after peaceful demonstrations: http://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/display.var.2210574.0.protesters_police_treated_us_like_terrorists.php

3*)The Camp for Climate Action went to Heathrow last summer over the building of a third runway this year it will pitch up at Kingsnorth over the potential building of the UK’s first new coal-fired power station for 30 years:
http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/

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Bacton gas terminal 19

On 1st April, EF!ers blockaded the gas terminal at Bacton to celebrate Fossil Fools Day. The police tried to arrest everyone, and got 19 people. For a full report, see http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/20420

Due to return to a rural Norfolk police station, people were keen to phone up the police station to find out what was happening. The police had not taken any decision, and a few days before decided to drop charges against all but 3 people locked-on who got off with cautions.

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Police drop charges against Wunderman protestors

The three activists arrested following the invasion of Wunderman’s offices have had all charges against them dropped.

The environmentalists, from direct action group London Rising Tide, had been charged with “burglary of pens, paper and phone calls”.

They were held after staging a four-hour sit-in over two of parent agency Y&R’s key clients – Land Rover and BAE Systems.

The action was part of a worldwide campaign against climate change, dubbed Fossil Fools Day. In the UK, the group also staged demonstrations outside Porsche dealerships, the head office of E-on, and a coal mine in Wales.

The three activists managed to get into the Y&R building –Greater London House on Hampstead Road, NW1 – by posing as executives from a newly-privatised wing of the MoD called HarrionProjects, a spoof company whose centrepiece is the Harrion, a civilian version of the Harrier Jump-Jet.

Once inside, they barricaded themselves into the conference room, opposite Wunderman EMEA chief executive Marcus Starke’s office.

Blockade of Faslane – One year since Scotland said NO

19/06/2008
Today a group of 5 Trident Ploughshares activists blockaded the main gate of Faslane nuclear submarine base for one and a half hours. The roadway was closed from 6.40am until 7.45am, and unable to fully reopen until 8.15am. Traffic was turned away and had to find an alternative entrance.

One of the activists, Janet Fenton, said “We chose today because it is one year since the Scottish government voted NOT to support Gordon Brown’s plan to foist illegal, immoral and unaffordable nuclear weapons on Scotland for another 50 years. Along with the majority of people in Scotland, we don’t want them here or anywhere else.”

The five were cautioned by MDP police at 7am as they lay across the roadway to the North gate, locked-on using tubes and clips. A specialist cutting team had to be called out to remove the activists individually who had their arms in tubes of steel, plastic and concrete. They were arrested for Breach of the Peace and taken for processing inside the base.

See video footage at http://youtube.com/watch?v=tGAHAUHMwjo

The protesters said that they were at the North Gate peacefully acting to block the entrance to the nuclear submarine base to play their part as citizens of the world in stopping the deployment of nuclear weapons:

* to remind the UK Government of their obligations;
* to support the politicians and others who are willing to work to get rid of nuclear weapons;
* and to make it clear that matters of conscience are the responsibility of all concerned people, and can never be reserved.

Another activist said, “By using our hands and our bodies in this way, without causing harm to others, we hope that we can make it easy to see how it is the simple actions of ordinary people that are needed to rid the world of weapons of mass destruction.”

Nigerian attacks closes oilfields

19 June 2008
Oil company Royal Dutch Shell says it has temporarily stopped production at its main offshore oilfield in Nigeria, following a militant attack.

The raid took place overnight on the Bonga oil platform about 120km (75 miles) off the coast of the Niger Delta, the company said.

It is the first attack on the oilfield, which normally produces about 200,000 barrels a day.

Attacks on the inshore Niger Delta have helped drive up world oil prices.

Nigeria’s valuable offshore oilfields had always been considered difficult for most militants to target, the BBC’s Alex Last reports from Lagos.

But early on Thursday gunmen in boats reached the Bonga installation, Shell’s flagship project, for the first time.

A Nigerian navy spokesman confirmed reports that militants had kidnapped a US oil worker from a separate vessel on their way back from the raid.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) claimed it carried out the attack in an email sent to journalists, and named the American as Captain Jack Stone.

They said he would be released “in the coming hours”.

Sophisticated

The gunmen failed to get inside the platform, but attacked a key vessel used for production storage and offloading, a Shell spokesman said.

Several people were reported to have been injured.

Mend says it is campaigning for a greater share of the region’s oil wealth to be kept by local people, but the government says they are criminals motivated by the ransoms they receive from oil companies.

The shutdown has cut a tenth of Nigeria’s total output in one go.

This comes on top of a reduction of at least 20% in recent years following inland attacks.

Our correspondent says Bonga was new, expensive and working well despite the difficulties and repeated attacks affecting the company’s inshore operations in the Delta.

The militants in the Delta are getting more sophisticated and better equipped and armed, he says.

Now they have proven that in terms of distance at least, all of Nigeria’s facilities are within their reach.

Amnesties promised

Next month, a peace summit organised by the government on the Niger Delta unrest is due to begin in the capital, Abuja.

The government has promised amnesties to any militants who take part.

Mend has refused to attend unless Henry Okah, one of their leaders currently on trial for treason and gun-running, is also granted amnesty.

But the government has refused.

“We want everyone to be there to air their grievances,” vice-presidential aide Akilu Indabawa told the BBC’s Hausa Service.

“But in Henry Okah’s case the issue is in front of a court and the government can’t intervene because it respects the rule of law.”

Other reports to balance this –
Nigerian militants demand government accept mediation by ex-US president Carter
Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta Declares War
Nigerian militants: We killed drunken soldiers

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21st June 2008
Nigeria oil pipeline ‘attacked’

US oil giant Chevron has halted onshore oil production at its Escravos oilfield after an attack on a pipeline.

The loss could equate to about 120,000 barrels per day, about 6.6% of Nigeria’s total daily crude production.

The Nigerian military said militants blew up the Niger Delta pipeline, but the region’s main armed group blamed angry youths for the attack.

Earlier this week, Nigeria’s president ordered tighter security in the Delta after an attack at a Shell facility.

According to the BBC’s Alex Last, in Lagos, sources in the western Niger Delta believe the latest attack is the work of illegal oil “bunkerers” – involved in the lucrative trade in stolen oil.

Significant loss

The earlier attack on Shell’s floating oil platform at Bonga, which cut a tenth of Nigerian oil production in one go, was carried out by militant group the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend).

News agencies quoted Mend as saying that it was not responsible for the Escravos incident, which occurred on Thursday night.

Mend said it had been contacted by angry youths who reported having blown up the pipeline, the Associated Press said.

The Escravos incident highlights the vulnerability of the oil infrastructure in Nigeria, our correspondent says.

With the government planning to hold a big summit of Niger Delta leaders and more money expected to flow to the Niger Delta, perhaps the armed groups there feel it is a good time to show how relevant they are to any chance of peace, our correspondent adds.

While the loss to Nigerian crude output is significant, it is a small fraction of the daily global oil output, of about 85 million barrels per day.

News of the Escravos attack comes ahead of a meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, of major energy producers and users – where the rising price of oil will be the key topic for discussion.

On Friday the Nigerian government announced how it would spend a $10bn (£5bn) windfall from the rising oil price.

It will spend just over $5bn fixing the country’s power supply and the rest will be shared among the 36 state governments.

FIGHT SPECIESISM! #2 – Out Now

The second issue has expanded from 6 to 10 pages because of the quantity of news and analysis that has been published since the first edition.

Click HERE to read or HERE to print.

ISSUE 2, July 2008
Articles:

– Solidarity actions for Sean Kirtley
– ALF target NFU – “no badger cull”
– Fur Industry – Oslo under attack
– Falling towers – 43 in 92 days, Sweden
– Judge Ross & NETCU – crucify civil liberties
– NETCU and SOCPA – a nasty dictatorship?
– Earth news – Leave it in the ground & burning mansions*
– Anarchy in Brighton – Smash EDO Carnival*

Please distribute far and wide!

NOTES

Fight Speciesism! is the newsletter from Antispe Britain. Issues are published sporadically, dependent on when there is enough to news to fill the pages.

**Due to popular demand, FS! now features a small portion of Earth news and a column for the latest anarchist action.

We would also like to apologise for not including the recent repression in Austria against anti-fur activists. It was decided that because the issue is developing swiftly, the news printed would unfortunately be out of date when published.

However, please see the Indymedia UK feature that has been created to keep you up to date with the latest.

Climate change protestors occupy Derbyshire open cast coal site – contact, map, wish list, access & court papers

18th June 2008 – For immediate release
Leave it in the Ground 07852 460871

Today climate campaigners from ‘Leave it in the Ground’ have occupied the UK Coal’s Lodge House site in Derbyshire by barricading themselves in a disused farm building and taken to the trees on the site of the open cast mine.

Under the cover of darkness activists have secured themselves in the Prospect Farm building on the site which is about to be devastated by huge machines. Food and supplies have also been taken in for a long term occupation and barricades’ have been set up preventing police form bringing in specialist equipment down Bell Lane, Smalley Derbyshire into the heart of the site. Similarly, people are locked on by their necks behind the doors preventing force being used to gain entry. The protesters are claiming squatter’s rights.

At Lodge House today, Andy Green said “We are here because the single greatest threat to the climate comes from burning coal. Coal fired generation is historically responsible for most of the CO2 in the air today – about half of all carbon dioxide emissions globally. Coal form open cast mines is dirtier than that from deep mines, so it is even worse!”

Lodge house is owned by UK Coal, Britain’s largest coal company who plan to extract one million tonnes of coal from the 122 hector site. Protestors claim this will devastate the area. Local councils, residents and local environmental groups have all objected to the plans, however, the Environment Secretary Hilary Benn granted planning permission in 2007 and work is set to commence imminently.

New open cast mines are being actively supported by the government and the number of opencast mines going into the planning process and being approved is on the increase.

The Leave it in the Ground, is part of the Network for Climate Action (2) and its allies, has seen over a dozen actions take place around the UK including the occupation of a coal train heading for Drax power station. Protests have focused on the companies responsible for runaway carbon dioxide emissions, as well as those promoting false solutions to climate change.

“We are taking action to prevent the coal industry bent on economic growth from destroying our future,” said Julie Lee from Leave it in the Ground. “If Gordon Brown gives the go ahead to a new generation of coal fired power stations beginning with Kingsnorth in Kent, it will undermine – perhaps fatally – Britain’s chances of meeting its climate change targets. If Britain is to cut its emissions by 80% by 2050, the eight planned new coal power-fired plants alone will wipe out half of our carbon budget.”

A further demonstration is planned for 14th July at UK Coal’s Head quarters in Doncaster.

For interviews and more information about today’s action at Lodge House contact:
Andy PHONE NUMBER 07852 460871
EMAIL derby@earthfirst.org.uk

** Updates will be available throughout the day at
http://leaveitintheground.wordpress.com or from 07852 460871 **

Notes to editors.

1. UK coal’s headquarters is situated at Harworth Park, Blyth Road, Harworth, Doncaster DN11 8DB.

2. To combat open-cast mining, a new action group “Leave it in the Ground” has formed, supported by Earth First! As well as other environmental groups.

3. UK coal has submitted planning applications for 5 new sites:
(Site and Potential Tonnage)
Potland Burn, Northumberland 2,000,000 tonnes
Park Wall North, Co. Durham 1,275,000 tonnes
Bradley, Co. Durham 550,000 tonnes
Huntington Lane, Shropshire 900,000 tonnes
Blair House, Fife 700,000 tonnes

It is proposed that the 122 hectare site will produce one million tonnes of coal over five years, after which the land will be ‘returned back to its natural state’. However, UK Coal will not be able to replace ancient edges and mature trees, and their licence enables the company to expand beyond the 122 hectares without needing further permission

Coal is the dirtiest form of power generation known to man. Top NASA James Hansen recently remarked: “The only practical way to prevent CO2 levels from going far into the dangerous range, with disastrous effects for humanity and other inhabitants of the planet, is to phase out use of coal except at power plants where the CO2 is captured and sequestered.”

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The house and site has been dubbed Bodge House.

We need more people on site to make additional preparations and secure other areas to stop open casting and build long term home.

Supplies are also needed

Site phone 07503 335870

Most of all we need people to come down and stay on the site. It is a beautiful area, with much wildlife, and easy access to public transport. Come down and visit!

See here for directions & map – take public transport to Shipley Country Park or other nearby place, then make for Prospect Farm, marked on the map.

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Wish list:

Water: Please bring lots when you come as there is currently no running water on site.

scaffold, tarpaulin, planks, large nails, polyprop especially 8mm, 10mm and 12mm (but any rope is good)

sand and cement

Climbing tat – ropes, harness’ carabinas, belay plates, d-locks, padlocks and chains, cargo netting,

Blankets, carpets, quilts, sleeping bags, hammocks,

bowsaws, burners, plastic sheets, shovels and other tools, torches, hurricane lamps and head torches.

Axes, batteries (car and torch), bolt croppers, buckets, candles, fishing line, flexiflue and cutting gear,

food (tinned is good, dried food particularly things like fruit and nuts is fantastic, fresh fruit and veg is really appreciated) cooking pans and cutlery, mugs and plates first aid, generators, paraffin, refuse sacks, rope, string, tents, thermos flasks, tin storage (ammo) boxes, water butts.

Nylon crane netting, pulleys, loudhailers, parachutes, rucksacks, steel cable,

Clothes, Boots, warm clothes and socks, waterproof clothing, wellies.

Musicians, climbers, mechanics, carpenters, healers, bakers, solicitors, sponsors, poets, friendly shop keepers, trader exchange, nature-lovers and everyone else too!

Transport

Bicycles and tools.

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access to site

19th June
The chap at the Lodge on Bell Lane is not letting people past and claiming he owns the road (he is an angry farmer with dog).

Alternative access is from shipley – when coming from heanor, turn right off A6007 (Ilkeston rd) as you leave shipley (into ‘the field’), turn right onto tarmac road after the steiner school (one left) and go up this road. Bear left past bridge and lake on right and turn right through gate just before big house. You are now on Bell lane and site is the house next to road works after bridge.

if you go take lots of water

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Papers served and another protest

The farm house on the prospective open cast coal site that was squatted this week has receieved its papers.

It will be taken to court on 30th June at 10 am at Derby Combined Court Centre, Morledge, Derby, DE1 2XE by Harworth Estates Agricultural Land Ltd (part of the UK Coal Conglomerate).

The people on site are putting a call out for people to come and stay on the site and help out. If you have ever fancied your hand at protecting beautiful land against the capitalist machine, nows your chance!

There will be a protest/show of support is planed for the 30th June at Derby combined courts, The Morledge, Derby.

Come and show your support with a fun little protest at 9am.

Residents clash with riot police against dump construction (Corfu, 16/6/2008)

Massive clashes erupted outside the -under construction- illegal garbage disposal center at Lefkimmi, a village in southern Corfu, once the construction company (DOMOKAT) is now trespassing land they haven’t yet expropriated and paid. Some hundreds of local residents gathered in order to reclaim the area from the police forces and block the works. The cops attacked them using excessive tear gas and rubber bullets, they even sent the police chief injured to the hospital, once he wasn’t in his uniform and wasn’t recognised! Another three cops were injured during the clashes. Three arrestees were tortured by the policemen and face charges.

The residents mobilization came from a popular assembly, one day before, that took place in Lefkimmi’s high-school yard, also suggesting the following actions:
A whole island-wide demonstration on June 27 together with trade unions, environmental associations and others, lead by the struggle co-ordination committee.
A demonstration in Corfu city blockading the airport symbolically for two busy hours.
A sit-in at the entrance of the ring road to Missorachia and the promotion of the issue of a total management of solid wastes throughout the prefecture.

Previous actions of Lefkimmi residents in struggle: http://directactiongr.blogspot.com/2008/05/residents-clash-with-riot-policemen.html

More info in greek and some photos-videos at:
http://xyta-lefkimis.blogspot.com/
http://enakcorfu.blogspot.com/
http://athens.indymedia.org

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from a message posted on myspace.com

Last Saturday, 14/6/2008, the residents of the south Corfu town of Lefkimi have resumed their mobilisation against the building of an open garbage-dump (XYTA) meant to accomodate refuse from the tourist-rich north of the island. After lengthy direct-democratic discussions, the town’s “People’s Council” has decided to refuse the mediation of political parties and demand the immediate departure of the riot police forces (MAT) stationed in their area since the last street battles (29/5) which led to the death of a 42 year old mother, an event that has triggered solidarity protest marches across the country. “No dialogue can even start while our town is under occupation”, claimed the residents identifying the riot police with the nazi forces of the 40s.

The situation escalated once again, when on Monday the 16th of July, faced with the government’s refusal of their terms, the residents of Lefkimi errected once again barricades in an effort to inhibit construction of the new refuse unit. The renewed mobilisation of the residents was met with ruthless repression during which the riot-police used tear gas and, for the first time in recent greek history, plastic bullets. Four residents and 3 policemen have been wounded during the clashes, with the situation remaining tense and reinforcements sent by the mainland.