Action Reports – Page 275

Rossport Solidarity Camp Face Threat of Eviction

Court Report.
23/07/07

Rossport Solidarity Camp temporarily thwarted Mayo Co. Council’s attempt to secure a permanent injunction at Castlebar Circuit Court today. Judge Harvey Kenny adjourned the case to next Tuesday 31st of July to give members of the camp time to seek legal advice. Mayo County Council was refused an interlocutory injunction against the camp but an interim order was upheld. The council has undertaken to not to act on this order while the case is adjourned.

Court Report.
23/07/07

Earlier this morning members of the Rossport Solidarity Camp and several local supporters arrived at Castlebar Circuit Court on foot of a Court Order issued by Judge Donagh McDonagh last Friday 20th of July. This order cited Rossport Solidarity Camp was an unauthorised development in a Candidate Area of Special Conservation.

Eoin O’Leidhin was the only one of the three people named on the court order present at the hearing. Mayo Co. Council was granted an application to have Niall Harnett added as an extra respondent/defendant to the injunction when he submitted a statement representing the camp’s position. Judge Harvey Kenny put the case back to the afternoon so that members of the camp could consult with the Co. Council representatives and their solicitor Michael Browne.

When the court reconvened, John Kiely JC, outline the councils case. Mr Kiely stated that the camp has caused “irreparable damage” at the site and that the camp was “an unauthorised development” contrary to the Planning Act of 2000 section 160. He informed the court that the council’s decision to act was due to a report from Karen Gaynor of the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) and not because of “greater and better” issues regarding the camps participation in the Shell to Sea Campaign.

Mr Kiely countered Niall Harnett’s argument that the council failed to give warning [of the councils intention to seek eviction] stating that “this is a nullity under section 3” of the Planning act.

Speaking about the residents of the camp Mr Kiely stated that they were “genuine protesters and conscientious objectors to progress”. He acknowledged the many precautions taken by the camp to minimise the footprint of the camp but argued that had “Joe Blogs been in front of the court he would be treated the same way. He pointed out that the council had an obligation to enforce the planning laws and that the court “with a heavy heart” had to deal with many travellers in the same situation.

In response, Niall Harnett, who represented the Solidarity Camp, disputed the council’s claims of irreparable damage and that authorisation of the site was “implicit in the communication and co-operation between the camp and the NPWS”. Niall told the court that the camp had carried out the recommendations set out by the service. Niall referred to an independent impact statement that was included in a statement that he had earlier handed up to the Judge. This report by, Bob Wilson, a director of Celt – Centre for Environment Living & Training and the Clare Biodiversity group stated that he is confident that the vegetation would soon take hold again.

Taking issue with the urgency of the council’s action Niall told the court that the camp had just received the papers on Friday and that the camp had not time to seek legal advice. He pointed out that the council stated that they had expected large numbers to attend the camp at the weekend but numbers were relatively small at the camp over the weekend.

In his argument Niall told the court that the camp had not been consulted or warned about the councils intent to seek a court order. Niall said, “that although Agenda 21 had not been ratified in law… it is council policy” and that consultation is a principle of Agenda 21. Niall also stated that the council’s solicitor Michael Browne had accepted that short notice was given. Niall then told the court that the order was inappropriate.

Niall requested to read his statement in to evidence for the court but the judge told him that the important points were made and that it may take some time to read.

Niall accepted that the site did not have planning permission but told the court “it is a genuine claim that we didn’t know” that the camp “was not an authorised development”.

Judge Kenny suggested that there was no getting over the planning permission barrier. In an act of goodwill Niall invited Judge Kenny to visit the camp.

John Kiely JC assumed that Niall was making an application to adjourn the case and said that he could see the court giving “liberal time” to seek legal advice. He went on to question the credentials of Bob Wilson and reiterated the council’s position that the camp was an unauthorised development.

Niall Harnett concluded that the “balance of harm was a test for any injunction” and that the harm to those living on the camp and would be greater.

Judge Kenny agreed that short notice was given. Judge Kenny stated, “that they were entitled to some breathing space” but would not concede to Niall’s request to putting the case back to after the courts summer break. Before he rose Judge Kenny ensured that the council undertook not to act on the interim court order before the next court sitting. Judge Kenny adjourned the case to next Tuesday 31st of July 2007 when he will make his ruling on the matter.

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Dutch/Belgian Earth First! gathering 24-26 August 2007

Join the Dutch EF! gathering and get involved in DIY and ionformative workshops on the three most extensive threats to this planet: climate change, one third decrease in biodiversity and the increasing abuse of natural resources. We can’t wait any longer: NOW is the time to shrink or we’ll drown!

From Friday evening the 24th until Sunday evening the 26th of August there will be workshops, discussions, brainstorms and presentations about eg the five coal-fired power stations planned to be built in the Netherlands, current campaigns, climate neutral squatting, DIY windmills, economic shrink and much more!

For more info visit www.groenfront.nl or send an email to 2007@groenfront.nl Don’t hesitate to submit your own workshop suggestions.

Children’s facilities available. Don’t bring dogs or journalists.

Come and give a workshop, talk or presentation at the Gatwick No Border Camp!

Invitation to contribute workshops and discussions at the No Border Camp, near Gatwick, UK, 19th-24th September 2007.

Continuing the tradition of No Border camps this will be a space to share information, skills, knowledge and experiences, and to plan actions together against the system of border controls.

Invitation to contribute workshops and discussions at the No Border Camp, near Gatwick, UK, 19th-24th September 2007.

Continuing the tradition of No Border camps this will be a space to share information, skills, knowledge and experiences, and to plan actions together against the system of border controls.

The first No Border Camp in UK will be a place for actions and demos, but also a space for discussion around all aspects of migration, a space to learn about new initiatives against the system of controls, detention and deportations, and a place to exchange ideas on how fight with support migrants. We want to look at the whole structure of migration controls.

To achieve this we need your contribution: would you like to deliver a workshops, discussion, forum or presentation?

Every day, from the 20th to the 24th of September we are organising spaces for discussions or plenary forums. The time-slots have been organised so not to clash with actions or demos.

The camp events working group has so far agreed on having workshops/talks on Thursday the 20th from 1 to 4 pm, and on Friday the 21st from 3 to 6 pm.

On Saturday the 22nd from 5pm there will be a plenary forum for groups to present themselves and network with others.

On Sunday in the late morning we are planning a plenary discussion where to exchange ideas on the future of the struggle for the freedom of movement for all and an end to migration controls. No borders – which way forward? And also proposal for international actions.

The camp events working group has come up with the following themes for workshops, but other ideas are of course very welcome:

* Migration controls and global apartheid
* European system of migration controls, including biometric ID, companies involved, Eurodata, SIRENE/Schengen Information System, surveillance and what’s happening in the Southern borders (Malta, Italy, Spain, Morocco etc…)
* The role of institutions and transnational organisations in migration control
* Detention & deportation
* Connections between racism and migration and antifascism
* Climate change and migration, migrant labour
* more practical ‘how to run/start a campaign’ workshops

Lets us know if you would like to contribute to the camp in Gatwick, UK, with a workshop, talk or discussion, by emailing us at g-anbc2007 [at] riseup.net

Please note the only time-slots available for workshops are on Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st September.

thanks
the camp events working group

g-anbc2007@riseup.net
http://www.noborders.org.uk

Camberwell squat centre dances on

Still no word on the eviction. No word from the alleged owners.

So… We decided to press ahead with events… if we get evicted then yah boo. These are what we came up with… There is room for more events… if you have any ideas get in touch. Seriously. There’s no point just consuming this space, make it happen. Every mini-gig or party, meeting or workshop that happens is a dance of defiance to the profiteering scum that boss this world.

Still no word on the eviction. No word from the alleged owners.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Weds 25th: Film night… Film being arranged. 7.30pm

Friday 27th: Café/bar… 7.30 – 1.

Tuesday 31 July: Spanish and Polish Lessons, 7.30 and 8pm respectively.
Beginners and slightly more experienced welcome. Bring pens and paper.
Homework.

Weds 1 August: Film night. Film being arranged. 7.30pm

Thurs 2 August: Discussion night: “Squat or Social Centre”, idea is to discuss squatted and social centres in this country and the world, issues around the differences between them, examples of what people round the world are doing, we will also will try to get an exhibition together of squat centres etc. Maybe some slides. Hopefully a comrade from Madrid will be here, to talk about La Alarma Squat and the Facultad Okupa Autogestionada squatted university they recently got together there.

Friday 3rd: Bar/café, hopefully a party, with DJs… 7.30 – 1am.

Sunday 5th: Ubuntu install fest: Help and hints as to installing free user based software like linux etc. 2pm. Laptops or hard drives obviously would help if you want this stuff!

Tuesday 7: Spanish and Polish Lesson, 7.30 and 8pm respectively.

Weds 8 August: Film night.

Thurs 9th: Historical talk on “Underground Lambeth”, all the stuff hidden beneath the streets and houses of South London’s finest borough (ooh)… 7.30pm.

Fri 10th: Café/bar. 7.30 – 1am.

Sat 11th: Mini bookfair! We agreed to get 4 or 5 stall in, 56a, elephant editions, past tense, last hours, maybe a couple more, and do a big publicity blitz. Mad or what? Could be great! Any ideas for stalls? Past Tense and Elephant confirmed.

Further ahead: There are plans for a Spanish party, and also a jam session, in 3 weeks maybe. If we still here.

Also there will hopefully be a workshop on how to build bike wheels, we’re waiting for some a delivery of stuff before confirming.

We’re not fucking dead yet!

CAMBERWELL VERSUS DEATH? WE’RE WINNING!

Camberwell Squatted Centre, 192 Warham Street, London, SE5,

Tube: Oval

Buses: P5, 36, 185, 436.

Boat: Dinghy to Kennington Park, which will be flooded by the time you read this.

For more info check the website: www.56a.org.uk/warham.html

Iceland actions – Scotland & Iceland

Saving Iceland Blockades Century Smelter at Grundartangi
19.07.2007

News of Saving Iceland’s latest action as part of the Summer of Resistance to the aluminium industry in Iceland.

Saving Iceland Blockades Century Smelter at Grundartangi
19.07.2007

News of Saving Iceland’s latest action as part of the Summer of Resistance to the aluminium industry in Iceland.

GRUNDARTANGI – Saving Iceland has this afternoon closed the single supply road from Highway 1 to the Century/Nordural smelter on Hvalfjordur and the steel factory Elkem – Icelandic Alloys. Saving Iceland opposes the planned new Century smelter at Helguvik and the expansion of the Icelandic Alloys factory. Activists have used lock-ons (metal arm tubes) to form a human blockade on the road and have occupied a construction site crane.

Century Aluminum, a part of the recently formed Russian-Swiss RUSAL/Glencore/SUAL conglomorate, want to build a second smelter in Iceland in Helguvik with a projected capacity of at least 250.000 metric tons per annum. The planned site is designed to accommodate further expansion. Grundartangi has this year been extended to 260.000 mtpa.

Currently, an environmental impact assessment (1) is under review for the Helguvik smelter, produced by the construction consultants HRV (Honnun/Rafhonnun/VST).

“It is absurd that an engineering company with a vested interest in the smelter construction could be considered to produce an objective impact assessment. The document makes absurd claims, such as that pollution is really not a problem because Helguvik is such a windy place that the pollution will just blow away,” says Saving Iceland’s Snorri Páll Jónsson Úlfhildarson.”

“This smelter will demand new geothermal power plants at Seltún, Sandfell, Austurengjar and Trölladyngju. In addition to the Hengill area which has already been seriously damaged by Reykjavik Energy. The impact assessment does not take these into account, nor the impact of the huge amount of
power lines and pylons required. The plants will ruin the natural and scenic value of the whole peninsula. Also, the recquired capacity, 400 MW, exceeds the natural capactity of the geothermal spots, and they will cool down in three to four decades (2). And Century admits it wants the site to expand further in the next decades. So it is obvious that this smelter will not just ruin Reykjanes but also need
additional hydropower.”

The impact procedure seems to be completely irrelevant anyway, since the company has completed an equity offering worth $360 million to be deployed for partly financing the construction of the Helguvik smelter project (3). This indicates that Century already has high level assurances that the project is to continue no matter what.

This completely contradicts the claims the new government of
Iceland, and particularly it’s environment minister Þórunn
Sveinbjarnardóttir, is opposed to new smelter projects.

Icelandic Alloys wants to expand its facility for producing
ferrosilicon for the steel industry. It is in fact one of Iceland’s largest contributors to greenhouse gases and other pollutants (4).

“Expansion of Icelandic Alloys and Century considerably contribute to Iceland’s greenhouse emissions. If there are no further expansions of heavy industry beyond Grundartangi and ALCOA Fjardaal, Iceland will emit 38% more greenhouse gases than in 1990. If other expansion plans continue, levels would rise to an incredible 63% above 1990 levels. (5). That is completely irresponsible.

This shows that all the talk about ‘green energy’ from hydro and geothermal is, in reality, a lie. Icelanders have to rise up against these foreign corporations,” says Úlfhildarson.

More information:
http://www.savingiceland.org

Notes and references:
1. Environmental Impact Assesment, HRV, may 2007, http://www.hrv.is/media/files/Frummatsskýrsla_2007-05-02_low%20res.pdf
2. Landvernd, Letter to national planning agency, 28th June 2007, http://www.landvernd.is/myndir/Umsogn_Helguvik.pdf
3. Credit Suisse, June 12th 2007, http://www.newratings.com/
analyst_news/article_1548857.html
4. Icelandic Ministry of the Environment, March 2006, http://
unfccc.int/resource/docs/natc/islnc4.pdf
5. Idem.

=================================
Icelandic Embassy Targeted by Activists

On the morning of 20th July, the Icelandic embassy on Queen St, Edinburgh was targeted by members of Saving Iceland(1). Paint was thrown on the building, the lock was glued and a message was affixed to the exterior reading “The Whole World is Watching”. “Iceland Bleeds” was also painted on the steps. The action served as response to recent acts of police brutality against Saving Iceland activists in Reykjavik who continue to oppose the assault on the Icelandic wilderness by heavy industry.

Icelandic Police attacked a non-violent Reclaim the Streets protest in the centre of Reykjavik, on July 14th. Video evidence(2) shows Icelandic police violently throwing protesters to the ground while others were punched and kicked. Five peaceful protesters were held in police cells, one with a broken rib after the police attack. The Reclaim the Streets demonstration was part of a continuing action camp held near Reykjavik this summer, involving activists from across the globe, including Scotland.

The recent expansion of large-scale aluminium production in Iceland has involved a barely democratic process and a comprehensive devastation of vast natural areas on a scale unprecedented in Europe today.

The Saving Iceland activists responsible for the action against the Icelandic Embassy state:
“We are sending a clear message to the Icelandic government that the destruction of unique ecosystems has environmental implications for us all. The repression of those who are opposing these destructive mega–projects is unacceptable. In the context of the current climate crisis we must all take responsibility for the destruction of our planet by criminal corporations such as Alcoa. The whole world is watching”.

The action in Edinburgh was an expression of solidarity with the activists and Icelandic people who are attempting to stand up to the unjust rule of the aluminium industry over democracy. Saving Iceland activists state: “We will not stop until the corporate invasion of the Icelandic wilderness has ceased. The world is not dying, it is being murdered. And those who are doing it need to be held accountable.”

(1) Saving Iceland is an Icelandic based direct action group opposed to continued expansion of heavy industry in Iceland. It involves participants from all over the world in collective resistance to the Icelandic state’s “Masterplan” which includes the damming of every major glacial river in Iceland by 2020 solely for the purpose of aluminum smelting. Saving Iceland has organised three summers of international protest to halt this vast destruction. It will not cease it’s opposition until all aluminum production leaves Iceland. For more info visit www.savingiceland.org

(2) Video documentation of the police violence on Saturday 14th in Reykjavik can be found at the following link. Note the use of pressure points applied for an extended period to the man on the ground and the accompanying and prolonged screaming: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NenbTc0cQs4&mode=user&search

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

The Clown Army and Saving Iceland invade Reykjavik Energy building
20.07.2007

Clowns redecorate Reykjavik Energy O.R.s interior with banner. Strawberries were offered by the corporate scum, but the clowns were not swayed from their action.

Today 25 protestors from Saving Iceland went into Orkuveitu Reykjavíkur (Reykjavik Energy, O.R.) and hung up a banner inside stating: ‘Vopnaveita Reykjavíkur?’ (‘Reykjavik Arms-dealers?’). The banner was not hung outside as planned earlier because of weather conditions. Protestors stayed in the building from 15.15 until 16.00 hrs.

Páll Erland speaking on behalf of O.R. states that they offered strawberries to protestors and welcomed Saving Iceland to put up the banner. While Erland might be happy to discuss strawberries with their visitors, they certainly did not give permission to hang up a banner indicating that they sell energy to companies known to be involved in arms production and serious human rights violations (as documented in our earlier press release). Saving Iceland has now contacted O.R., requesting they put up the banner and discuss publicly with us the ethics of selling energy to corporate criminals such as Century-RUSAL and Alcan-RioTinto.

Policing stepped up at Menwith Hill

The Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases’ (CAAB) annual Independence From America demonstration at NSA Menwith Hill was the first where protestors were not allowed to circumnavigate the base due to a Section 12 order. There were two arrests, one for wearing a shirt with the word “fuck” on it and the second for arguing against the arrest. The rally at the start was addressed by Alan Bennett and Mark Steel and the marchers from Footprints for Peace [ 1 | 2 ]. A Declaration of Independence was read out, “we… do solemnly demand the return of the land, once within the boundaries of the ancient townships of Birstwith, Felliscliffe, Norwood and Menwith, now occupied by the United States National Security Agency and their military forces.”. There was a heavy police presence, food was provided by Veggies and Yorkshire CND had a stall.

Siberian protest camp attacked by neo-nazis

In the early morning of 21st July, neo-nazi skinheads launched a vicious and unprovoked attack on an anti-nuclear protest camp in Angarsk, Siberia, Russia. The nazis violently attacked activists in their sleeping bags and tents with iron rods, knives and air pressure guns. 21 year old Ilya Borodaenko from Nachodka suffered a head-fracture during the attack and later died in hospital from his injuries. At least nine others have been reported to be seriously injured, one of which has had both their legs broken. Tents were set on fire and several belongings were stolen.
The camp started last week and is aimed at protesting against a planned centre of uranium enrichment in Angarsk. Ever since the arrival of the activists, the police have tried to intimidate them and have entered the camp in an attempt to gather information about planned actions. The organisation who planned the camp, the ‘Ecological Wave of Baikal’, had planned various rallies in the surronding area to inform locals about the plans and drum up support for the campaign.
Financial help and other forms of solidarity are urgently needed. Contact xmakimax (at) gmail.com or ogopogos (at) gmail.com if you are able to offer support

NATO Defeated by EarthFirst! in the Netherlands

For two years GroenFront! – Dutch & Belgian EarthFirst! – have been fighting with the local community in Schinveld, in the southeast of the country, to preserve a forest that would be destroyed for the sake of the NATO airforce base across the German border. A direct action camp was evicted in January, and 15 acres were destroyed, but 35 acres saved. GroenFront! was preparing to reoccupy the woods awating the final outcome of a legal battle between the local council and national government, but now to great surprise, the protestors have been vindicated and the forests are definitely saved from NATO’s bloody claws. On July 18th the Dutch highest administrative court ruled that the logging of Schiveld forest is illegal. This means the ministry of defence cannot continue the logging of the forest as requested by NATO, it also means the logging of the first six hectares in January 2006 was illegal. The forest would need to be destroyed to allow AWACS radar planes to lift off with more fuel in order to fly directly to Afghanistan and Iraq.

For almost 30 years local protestors in Schinveld have fought against NATO, first to stop the reopening of the base, then to reduce the nuisance caused by the outdated AWACS radar planes, and, since the eviction of the action camp and the logging in 2006, radicalised by GroenFront!’s forest camp, to close down the base.

When NATO wanted 20 hectares of the forest cut and it looked as if the local council would be overruled by the ministries of defence (owner of the forest) and infrastructure, they contacted GroenFront! and started a campaign where Schinveld was highlighted in the New York Times.

GroenFront! and the local community protest group Stop Awacs started a series of smaller actions. After thethe spring of 2005, the number of actions increased when the minister of infrastructure gave out a logging permit on August 3rd 2005, after a Nimby-legislation procedure (not in my back yard).
The local council and Stop Awacs tried to stop the logging until the final ruling (the one that came today) would have been made, but the court decided against that on the 2nd of December 2005. On Sunday December 4th 2005, GroenFront! occupied the forest and started an intensive international campaign.

The camp was evicted on January 9th 2006, the afternoon before about 2000 locals walked their demo in support of the activist into the forest, in spite of a restriction order, and cheered at the international group of more than 100 activist occupying the trees at that moment. Before the police could start evicting the trees, they had to remove several hundred locals who stayed in the woods after the demonstration, trying to avoid police blockades and committing other forms of civil disobedience as the mayor used emergency legislation against his own people.

Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh under threat

We have 12 days to submit objections to the planning department.
please circulate widely and respond asap.

The Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh is under threat as the landlord has put in a planning application to turn the space into a flat. ACE is now the only social centre left in scotland.

We have recently reopened after extensive renovations and continue to be a valuable resource

www.autonomous.org.uk for more information on our current activities

We have 12 days to submit objections to the planning department.
please circulate widely and respond asap.

The Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh is under threat as the landlord has put in a planning application to turn the space into a flat. ACE is now the only social centre left in scotland.

We have recently reopened after extensive renovations and continue to be a valuable resource

www.autonomous.org.uk for more information on our current activities

We need as many folk as possible to write to the following address as soon as possible – we have about 12 days left to object.

you can use the template letter below but it carries more weight if it is a personal letter. please also include your name,address and the date:

kirsty.hope@edinburgh.gov.uk
Planning and Strategy Department
for the attention of Kirsty Hope
Waverley Court
Level G2
4 East Market St
Edinburgh EH8 8BG

with this subject stated:

Re Planning Application 07/02348/FUL

17 West Montgomery Place, Edinburgh EH7 5HA

in solidarity
on behalf of ace
——————–

below attached letter

To the Head of Planning and Strategy, City Development Department, City of Edinburgh Council, 1 Cockburn Street, Edinburgh EH1 1ZJ

Re Planning Application 07/02348/FUL

17 West Montgomery Place, Edinburgh EH7 5HA

Dear Sir/ Madam

I wish to object to the application for planning permission to convert the above property into a flat. This would result in the loss of the valuable community facility currently provided in these premises.

I consider that the ACE charity operating in 17 West Montgomery Place provides a very useful resource in this neighbourhood, and serves a real local need.

I understand that the Council’s development policy is to protect local shops, community halls and meeting rooms – I would urge that this policy be adhered to, and that this planning application be refused.

Yours sincerely

SIGNATURE

Any additional comment :

ace@autonomous.org.uk
http://www.autonomous.org.uk

If you could also send a copy of your message to the local councillors for the Leith Walk ward, that would be great.
Here are their details.

Councillor Angela Blacklock (Labour)
angela.blacklock@edinburgh.gov.uk

Councillor Deidre Brock (Scottish National Party)
deidre.brock@edinburgh.gov.uk

Councillor Maggie Chapman (Green Party)
maggie.chapman@edinburgh.gov.uk
as she is on holiday, please also send to
Councillor Alison Johnstone (Green Party)
alison.johnstone@edinburgh.gov.uk

Councillor Louise Lang (Liberal Democrats)
louise.lang@edinburgh.gov.uk

European activist gatherings (Ecotopia, Portugal 4-19 Aug & ASEED international activist camp, Bulgaria, 26-29 July)

You are invited to Ecotopia 2007 – Migrations

This year Ecotopia will take place between 4 – 19 August in Aljezur in the south of Portugal.

Ecotopia is a two-week activist camp and an open event for everyone interested in environmental and social justice issues.

You are invited to Ecotopia 2007 – Migrations

This year Ecotopia will take place between 4 – 19 August in Aljezur in the south of Portugal.

Ecotopia is a two-week activist camp and an open event for everyone interested in environmental and social justice issues.

More info at http://www.ecotopiagathering.org/

International Activist Camp – Bulgaria 2007 July 26th – 29th

In the skirts of Pirin mountain, south-west Bulgaria, about 2.5 kilometers away from an old village, people from Bulgaria, Macedonia, Romania, the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe will get together to share ideas and strategies for campaigning on environmental and social issues and get inspired by each others’ activities and work.

More info at http://www.aseed.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=381&Itemid=1