Action Reports – Page 244

Eithinog and Brewery Fields victory (Bangor, Wales)

BREWERS TROOP

North Wales campaigners who have fought a fourteen year battle to stop plans to develop a 50 acre council-owned wildlife haven and community space on the edge of Bangor, Gwynedd are nearing victory.

BREWERS TROOP

North Wales campaigners who have fought a fourteen year battle to stop plans to develop a 50 acre council-owned wildlife haven and community space on the edge of Bangor, Gwynedd are nearing victory.

Rare fungi found recently at Eithinog and Brewery Fields by a veteran of two camps evicted violently by police in 1998 (See SchNEWS 172/173 & 178) have finally brought Gwynedd Council’s proposed housing plans to a halt. This turnabout comes shortly after their development had been given the green light by the UDP Inquiry Inspector last November. Campaigners are now awaiting a formal announcement by the council, which would mean 83% of the original area being preserved, hopefully to be managed as a Nature Reserve by a local community trust.

The long campaign, conducted variously by Gwynedd and Môn Earth First! in conjunction with and other groups and the local community, has seen many twists and turns: direct action against the council and developers, community marches, nature events, Bangor councillors giving evidence to undermine residents’ town green applications, and use of violence by North Wales police to break lock-ons and a bulldozer to evict a tunnel. This culminated in a 1998 Gwynedd Council commitment to establish a nature reserve being reversed in 2004 and the reinstatement of large-scale housing plans.

However, community anger at this last council U-turn persuaded it to agree to conduct an ecological appraisal of the site – which found that much of Eithinog & Brewery Fields crossed the grassland fungi SSSI threshold. In consequence, a large part of the proposed development was dropped in 2005, although seven acres of ecologically sensitive grassland recommended for conservation were still earmarked for housing. The council’s own biodiversity team acknowledged that its development would jeopardise the integrity of the whole site.

The Countryside Council for Wales has now stepped in, and although some further development will happen, it says it should be confined to five acres of degraded land. All the open space used for generations by the surrounding community is to be preserved and the land possibly transferred to a local trust, who – if this comes about – would manage it in conjunction with conservation bodies. A big SchNEWS thumbs up to the people concerned for their efforts in saving Eithinog & Brewery Fields to be a community asset for future generations.

* For a campaign history lesson, see –

http://www.eithinog.org.uk/history.html

Wominspace now open!

6.03.2008
Womin only space is now open in North East London. The space is open for all womin to use. We will be holding lots of different workshops and having cafe and bar. Come and visit us and get involved. All references to womin are trans friendly.

Wominspace is an autonomous womin created, womin organised space in north east london. Wominspace aims to challenge capitalism and patriarchy, by transforming an empty building and creating space to share skills, learn, make friends, create dialogue, find alternative ways of living, being and doing, and be an example of co-opperation, transformation, respect and love.

After a busy week preparing the space and fighting an attempted illegal eviction, we have already had some exciting workshops. We have lots more workshops planned for the weeks to come including welding, bikeology, feminist singing, vegan cake- making, language exchange, herbal skillshare…..

We are looking forward to all the events in london this weekend celebrating international womins day and would like to invite self defined womin who would like to use the space before and during the events to chill or to crash to come to the space.

There will be a vegan cafe and kidspace this thursday from 3- 6 with an open meeting to follow at 7. The meeting is open to any womin who would like to be involved in the space in any way. On friday we have a bar and cinema from 7pm. The next weeks workshops and events will be up on indymedia soon.

We are in court this Monday 10th at 3pm at Gee Street court, Shoreditch and would welcome support. If anyone has pictures of the attempted illegal eviction please could they send them to marg_musella@yahoo.co.uk

This space belongs to all womin so please come and check it out this amazing place and be a part of this amazing journey.

For more information call 07939381562 or email womenorganise@yahoo.co.uk

Treesit last ditch attempt stop bushland destruction

2008-2-29
A group of Concerned Independent Activists (CIA) have placed a platform occupied by an activist, high up a tuart tree in bushland at College Grove in Bunbury. It is hoped this will delay destruction of this contentious forest.

The bush, which forms part of a valuable nature corridor, is under threat of being bulldozed by Landcorp for a hosing development. CIA spokesperson Simon Peterfly said “this is the last nature corridor on the Swan Coastal Plain that connects the ocean to a river”…
The platform is a last ditch attempt to save the bush, which includes a rare population of ring-tailed possums. He said that Landcorp’s project was contrary to all good sense and showed a total lack of moral standing in the world of conservation.

“We want to expose Landcorp’s intent to destroy this vital section of the corridor to all Western Australians”, he said. “This is more than just a piece of bush to be flattened. It contains the rare tuart transition zone and provides habitat to a protected species which relies upon the bush for its ongoing existence”.

Mr Peterfly said that the independent activists hoped that their remaining actions would help educate people about the fragility of the remaining bushland at College Grove. “If people log onto Google Earth, they will see just how thin the nature corridor has become… It is just so fragile and too valuable to lose”.

Mr Peterfly said that the platform would stay in place as long as possible to focus people’s attention on the plight of remnant bushland on the Swan Coastal Plain.

CONTACT Simon Peterfly – 0422 540756

South West Environment Centre

Brixton Reclaim Your Food Collective, 2 Arrests.

People taking part in Brixton’s Reclaim Your Food weekly action faced arrest on Sunday (2nd March 2008 ) as they challenged the legitimacy of a Dispersal Order issued by the Lambeth branch of the Metropolitan Police.

The weekly vegan open picnic has recently faced growing repression from Police and consistent support in the community. Police (which constituted a mix of PCs, CSOs and higher-ranking officers) were waiting for the collective before they even arrived. They came equipped with a mobile surveillance van, 2 regular Police vans and 2 Police cars. Disproportionate? Make up your own mind…

The first arrest came as a result of a refusal to comply with the Dispersal Order placed upon the group, the second for attempting to establish the legal basis for such an arrest.

The Dispersal Order, made possible by the controversial Anti-Social Behaviour Act, was issued in response to an alleged Section 5 Public Order offence – defined as causing harassment, distress or alarm. However, when questioned, the Police failed to provide adequate evidence to suggest that such an offence was taking place. What followed was a series of convoluted and dubious explanations as to why they had reason to believe an offence was being committed:

1) By giving out free food, a climate was being created that enabled drug-dealing – which in itself could promote harassment, distress and/or alarm. Case Law contradicts the use of this Public Order law ‘by proxy’ (as it were) and it has previously been ruled that if a Section 5 offence is being comitted, it is unlawful to arrest anyone other than the alleged perpetrator of the offence.

2) “Local Businesses” – such as the nearby McDonalds & KFC restaraunts – were claiming that the actions of the collective were inhibiting their ability to make a profit. No law that explicitly states the interests of said businesses are to take precedent over the interests of the other parties involved was invoked. However, it’s hardly a shocking revelation that profit comes before people.

3) The concentration of Brixton’s drug users and dealers in Brixton Town Square, allegedly as a result of the Reclaim Your Food collective’s project, was making the ‘problem’ more difficult to Police. This isn’t even worthy of a witty retort.

Thankfully, the long arm of the law did not stretch to the Bicycle Repair Workshop or those making Puncture Repair Kits and Wallets from recycled and sustainable materials. These were welcome additions to the Town Square, which was reclaimed as a fully-functional public space for all…with room for a bit of a dance to the chilled reggae/dub soundsystem!

Despite all the Police intimidation and generally not fantastic weather, a good time was had by most people who turned up or happened to be passing by!

Sunday’s events also demonstrate the power of solidarity and engagement with the community, after Police abandoned initial threats to arrest everyone present because they thought those involved had ‘learnt their lesson’ and would not be back the next week. This, of course, had nothing to do with the logistical difficulties that would’ve arisen from arresting up to 50+ people with limited resources – and having to justify that to the largely supportive members of the public present…honest, sarge! There were many people on hand to photograph and film the behaviour of the Police and to record the identity numbers of the officers involved. The action was not only fully completed and largely unimpeded by Police intervention but also took to the streets afterwards, marching to Brixton Police Station and standing in solidarity with the two arrestees. The Reclaim Your Food banner was unfurled accross the Metropolitan Police logo at the front of the station, generating public interest and support. Tea and Biscuits were also on offer, giving the whole proceeding an uncharacteristically twee vibe!
Many Brixton residents approached the collective, sharing their own experiences of dealing with Police intimidation and brutality. Whilst this may appear incredibly doom-and-gloom, the atmosphere was more conducive to a sense of mutual support and a desire to challenge the state apparatus than of feeling downtrodden or apathetic, which left many people feeling positive about the possiblity of resisting the ever-creeping Police state.

The collectives involved in Sunday’s action are keen to welcome anyone who is interested in any aspect of the project to come along. The project will continure to meet at Brixton Town Square

(by Coldharbour Lane, opposite the Ritzy Cinema) from around 2/3pm every Sunday. The town square is well on it’s way to being a free public space, for anyone to use. This does not figure in the plans of the Police and Local Government, who are intent on seeing through gentrification of the area. Let’s show them whose streets they really are!

Video and Report: http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/03/392723.html
Previous Encounters: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/02/391653.html?c=on#c189534

International Anti Nuclear Festival

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lancaster ‘First’ Carnival Of Culture 2008

“The Carnival of Culture is a celebration of all that’s good and distinctive about Lancaster and a protest against the corporate takeover of our city by Centros Miller and other developers, against the wishes of the community.
From Centros Miller, the Northern Link road and out-of-town supermarket plans at Lawson’s bridge, Lancaster is subject to a barrage of proposed developments designed to benefit large companies, yet threaten the fabric and liveliness of our communities. We are tired of the lack of any say for the residents of the city as to the direction that the planners are taking us.

The Carnival is about giving Centros, the Council and any other developers a taste of the strength of our communities and of our opposition. It’s also about making links and creating lots of exciting and fun events!”

Taken fron website….

Saturday 1st of March saw Lancaster’s Carnival of Culture come off without a hitch. During the day, between 250-350 people joinedin a fantastically colourful, creative and vibrant street procession that snaked around the town through the afternoon, stopping in spots that are due to be blighted by car-parks, big box retail shopping and so forth, as well as the town square with it’s Trumpton-style Victoria statue, the City hall and the planners’ offices. We were treated to performances by a community steel band, Batala samba (leading the procession for much of the day), SistaSlap women’s african drumming group, an impromptu klezmer group, a skateboarding 10-foot Punch puppet, an alien on stilts etc etc etc.

The procession also took up the City’s one-way system in between events, with a bike sound-system providing the bassy beats. Stewards for the carnival on bikes blocked side streets and on foot, handed lollipops to car drivers caught up in the blockage. The police, it has to be said, facilitated the whole thing in a low-key manner, except for the unnecessary presence of 3 undercover cops and evidence gathering team. Why don’t they just use our website for pictures!? 😉

The protest/procession was organised over several months at open, public meetings run by consensus, and at ‘infrastructure group’ meetings (also open), with tasks divided into working groups for e.g. music, performance, carnivalism…The event itself was proceded by a street performance where corporate ‘grey men’ pulled the maggot of consumerism through saturday shoppers, sucking the souls from ‘unsuspecting’ ‘random’ Lancastrian shoppers, who were offered empty shiney bags and emerged with zombie-mask blank faces.

It is impossible to convey the ‘vibrancy’ and ‘diversity’ (we wanted to reclaim these corporate-propaganda words from the developers) of the day, it’s best to visit the website at www.carnivalofculture.org.uk. We have sent a loud and colourful, well-organised and diverse, unambiguous ‘NO’ to the corporate take-over of our city, and a multi-faceted ‘YES’ to the alternatives of non-commercial community and creativity.

carnivalofculture at googlemail dot com
http://www.carnivalofculture.org.uk

Fossil Fools Day – 1 Month to Go!

Whether you’ve been plotting for months or have just been inspired, there’s plenty of time left to plan your action. Read on for loads of resources and support…

With one month to go until April 1st, actions are being plotted up and down the country and around the world, ranging from street theatre and town centre demonstrations to high profile direct actions targeting industry operations and headquarters. Networks from Earth First! to People and Planet have got on board in helping to spread the word. National press have been in touch and are planning to cover the day. People are emailing from around the country asking for more info on planning their prank, and looking for local actions to get involved in.

We are in the middle of an unstoppable rise of creative, radical, necessary direct action against climate change… be part of it, on Fossil Fools Day and beyond.

Whether you’ve been plotting for months or have just been inspired, there’s plenty of time left to plan your action. Read on for loads of resources and support… and whatever you do, make sure to call or email us on the day so we can add your action to our end-of-day round up, and show the world what grassroots action against the fossil fuel industry can achieve.

Happy Fossil Fools Day everyone!

CONTACTS
www.risingtide.org.uk/fossilfoolsday
info@risingtide.org.uk
0796 191 7535

RESOURCES AND SUPPORT

Resources available at www.risingtide.org.uk/fossilfoolsday (get in touch if you’d like anything mailed to you in hard copy):
-actions booklet with 15 ideas for action against the fossil fuel industry, including planning tips, target locations, examples of successful actions and more
-posters, leaflets and graphics to make your own materials
-coming soon: a generic leaflet you can adapt to hand out on the day and a Q&A sheet for answering media questions

Want to find an action to get involved in?
If you’re looking to get involved where you live, get in touch and we may be able to link you up with something in your local area… or give you advice on getting your own action off the ground… or put you in touch with a local group for future actions!

Publicity
If you’re planning a publicly announced action, let us know ASAP and we can help spread the word.

Media
We’ll be sending out a national press release and may be able to direct journalists to you on the day if you wish, so any info you can let us know in advance will be really helpful – and/or a phone number to contact you on the day if that’s possible. And call or email us as soon as your action’s happened so we can include it in the end-of-day actions round-up, which we’ll be press releasing as well. Get in touch if you’d like help writing and/or sending your own press release – there’s a great guide here:
http://www.networkforclimateaction.org.uk/toolkit/press_and_media/guides_for_using_the_mainstream_media/short_guide_to_the_media.pdf

And if your action’s all sorted and you just can’t get enough of FFD… Help spread the word!
• Send an email or letter to everyone who might be interested, or who supports your group, letting them know about Fossil Fools Day and where to find out more.
• Post a Fossil Fools Day link or event description on your website, or to any other lists, blogs or websites you can think of.
• Distribute Fossil Fools Day leaflets and put up posters wherever you can – mailed to your local groups, in your community centre, office, pubs, bookshops, cafes, library, wherever you can think of. Just let us know how many you need and we’ll send them out to you!

And one last time… the call-out:

FOSSIL FOOLS DAY, April 1st 2008
Pull a prank that packs a punch.

Roll up, roll up! The climate circus is in town. Climate change threatens our very survival, but the fools at the head of the fossil fuel empire continue to plunder the earth, with governments the willing court jesters at their side.

They would have us believe that we can escape climate change with techno-fixes, market mechanisms and offset schemes – all technocratic acrobatics that distract us from the truth: the only real solution to climate change is to keep fossil fuels in the ground.

For over a century the fossil fuel industry has been fooling with our lives. From extraction to combustion they have poisoned our air, polluted our water and ruined our climate. On April 1st, 2008, we’re going to turn the tables and show them who the real fools are.

Find a local fossil fool – the coal-mining clown, the offset contortionist, the aviator tripping on the high wire, the supermarket food mile freak show, the oily strong man, or any other fool that deserves your attention – and take direct action to end the fossil fuel empire.

On Fossil Fools Day, bring the spirit of carnival and mischief to the fight for climate justice.

PS. Don’t forget, Fossil Fools Day kicks off a season of action…
3 MONTHS, 3 DAYS OF ACTION
April 1st: Fossil Fuels
May 1st: False Capitalist Solutions
June 3rd: Food and Climate Change
www.networkforclimateaction.org.uk
www.daysofclimateaction.org.uk

and…
August 4-11: Camp for Climate Action 2008
www.climatecamp.org.uk

CLIMATE ACTION NEWS SHEET 77, MARCH 2008

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

———-

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newssheet@risingtide.org.uk

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movement against climate change.

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Mass Action: Refuse to Pay on trains to London, 20 April

A mass climate action is taking place on Sunday 20th April in London. People will board trains into central London, refusing to pay the high prices. There will be a convergence in the central London terminals at around 1pm. The action aims to highlight how the current public transport prices are unaffordable and must be radically lowered if we are to get people out of their carbon intensive cars.

All are invited to take part in a mass action against soaring public transport prices on Sunday 20th April. We encourage people from all walks of life to board trains into the central London terminals, refusing to pay the fare. People will converge together at the terminals at around 1pm. The action is highlighting the fact that public transport must become drastically cheaper and affordable if it is to become a viable alternative to the dominant carbon heavy motoring. It will be a chance to collectively rise up and declare that we are not going to accept how much it costs to travel by sustainable means, and a warning to both the government and private train companies that these actions will continue until public transport prices are brought down massively.

The action is being organised by The Student Climate Project, because choosing whether or not to own a car is a decision many students are faced with. Many will opt to own a car simply because an affordable and accessible alternative is not available. This action gives students an empowering opportunity to contribute to changing the fundamentals of our carbon intensive infrastructure and economy, rather than merely feeling guilty about their own personal emissions. But, of course, you don’t need to be a student to take part in the action!

Since 1980 motoring has increased by an alarming 87%, and continues to grow despite the ongoing threat of climate change. This might have something to do with the fact that, in this time period, public transport costs for the user have risen by 40% in real terms, whereas motoring costs have decreased by 14%. [1]

If anyone is in any doubt about the emission reductions public transport can bring, then you need look no further than the Department for Transport’s own calculations. In a parliamentary answer in July 2004, the Department stated that taking the train from London to Manchester would mean just 14% the carbon emissions of taking the car for the individual passenger. [2]

Climate Change needs to be tackled today. We need 90% cuts in UK emissions before 2030 if we are to avoid going beyond tipping point where the climate system will spiral out of our control completely. As well as rapidly doing away with carbon intensive means of transport, we must also ensure the sustainable alternatives become available for all.

Therefore, let’s come together on this action and bring about positive change: putting public transport first!

More information will follow very shortly at www.studentclimateproject.org.uk and you can also email process@studentclimateproject.org.uk for info and resources for the action.

References

[1] http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/trends/current/section1rvc.pd
[2] http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmhansrd/vo040708/text/40708w05.htm

networking@studentclimateproject.org.uk
http://www.studentclimateproject.org.uk

squatting news – London, Leeds & Manchester – updated

Second court reprieve for RAMpart2
3.03.2008
The squat opened as a backup venue to the rampART social centre in east london today enjoyed it’s second courtroom reprieve. Twice now it has been served with an application for a Interim Possession Order. The first time the claimants failed to turn up at the hearing and today they admitted that they had failed to correctly serve notice on the defendants so it was thrown out of court. The owners will be apply for the third time and the papers are expected to be served sometime Tuesday with a court date probably sometime next week (although it could be earlier if there is an available time slot at the court).

Whether it will be rampART or RAMpart2 which gets evicted first remains a neck and neck race. A new building is being sought. If you have suggestions please contact the collective via rampart at mutualaid dot org.

Check out the photo essay about london’s secret social centre…

http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/london/2008/02/392529.html

///////

rampART and RAMpart2 evictions
25.2.2008

All very gloomy news from the various parts of the rampART. This morning there was a hearing to decide whether there would be an appeal against the granting of the possession order relating to Rampart Street. The judge decided there would be no appeal.

The possession order originally granted for the 3rd of Jan is now active and the owners may now get a warrant to enforce the order and book the bailiffs for an eviction. This could be within two or three weeks although this is just a guess and we’ll know more in a day or two.

Meanwhile, a new set of papers was served (kind of) on RAMpart2 and the hearing date is the 3rd of March (ie. next monday). The hearing is both for an IPO and ordinary possession order (which seems a little weird) and assuming they actually bother to turn up this time we seem to have no defense beyond a few technicalities. If they get the IPO then we’d be evicted tuesday 4th March.

A new building is urgently required.

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

Part of the international weekend of action in support of squats and autonomous spaces around the world (see www.april2008.squat.net for more info).

A Celebration of Free Spaces
Leeds City Centre, Friday 11th – Saturday 12th April 2008

Across the world, communities are under threat as city “regeneration schemes” favour a glamorous , business-friendly environment over and above issues such as community,. social housing and diversity. Leeds is no exception as PFIs and similar privatised “regeneration” programmes threaten communities across the city.

We want to show that communities throughout our city are not prepared to lie down and accept this!

For this weekend we are planning a squatted space in Leeds City Centre, featuring:

– cafe
– focus on housing / squatting / gentrification
– free shop
– family friendly space: daytime cafe will be alcohol-free & drug-free space
– opportunity to link up with other communities threatened by the above issues

…but most importantly the space will be open for whatever you want it to be: an opportunity for films, displays, art, workshops… to get involved give us an email on leedssquat@googlemail.com or call 07526 261061.

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

Manchester Space Invaders Landing April

11th & 12th April have been named as ‘international days of action on autonomous
spaces’. There will be things happening in Europe including squatted
buildings, parties, Reclaim the Streets, land occupations and more!
We have started an organising group to kick start ideas for action in Manchester. From reclaiming the streets to guerilla gardening..from a ceilidh to a
vegan cafe…free party to permaculture space…

MANCHESTER SPACE INVADERS LANDING SOON!

Decentralised days of action (April 11-12th) meeting
Thursday 21st February 7-9pm

15 people met from various different networks to begin planning for the autonomous
days of action in April..

What are the days of action?

The squatting network met recently in Leeds, and the next national squat meeting
will be in September 2008, in Manchester and the focus will be on skill sharing, and
the possibility of a mass squatting action.

Ideas for action for 11-12 April. We discussed lots of options for the days of
action… From reclaiming the streets to guerilla gardening..from a ceilidh to a
vegan cafe… Consensus was that it would be good to combine doing a squat with a
positive, inclusive, outdoor event, reclaiming a public space in the city..

We discussed the capacity needed to make these ideas happen..so if you have time,
equipment or skills please get involved! People are up for making squatted social
spaces, there have been 2 previous TAA’s (Temporary Autonomous Art spaces) in
Manchester that have been in squatted buildings. There have been TAAs all over the
country.

To find out more about potential areas we are looking at for the squat, street party
and park, come to the next meeting.

A building could be the nucleus for what we do and somewhere to base the weekend.
Everyone agreed that it’s vital to have time and space set aside for
workshops, meeting space and events. It could create a collective that
wants to keep a squatted social centre going for a while. There are community
centres being shut down all over the city at the minute.

We need money and people with skills to share and squatting experience. Please get
in touch if this applies to you! you don;t have to come to lots of meetings, but it
would be great if you could join our team to help make these plans a reality!

We are developing a resource for legal information and to clarify what is involved
in squatting..

We call for networks and autonomous groups across Manchester to get involved…
Basement/Critical Mass/Under the Pavement/Indymedia/Open Media Collective/
Manchester Animal Protection/Temporary Autonomous Artists/Campaigns Collective/No
Borders/Manchester Climate Action/Soundsystems/
LGBT Groups/Queer/Feminist/Permaculture/Food not Bombs/Musicians
and many more besides!

Next meeting: Thursday 6th March 7pm Meeting Rm 3 University of Manchester Students
Union, Oxford Rd.. please note this is an accessible venue.

People will split into working groups and start to
consider practicalities.

To join the email list:
https://lists.riseup.net/www/info/manchesterspaceinvaders
then click on subscribe
email manchesterspaceinvaders@yahoo.co.uk