Action Reports – Page 282

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

HARINGEY CRITICAL MASS BIKE RIDE 2007

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

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

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

FOR CLEAN AIR AND A GREEN G8

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

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

WHAT’S THE G8 GOT TO DO WITH THIS?

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

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

COME AND JOIN US!

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

CRITICAL MASS – friday, London – may be the biggest ever? Plus Bristol & Glasgow call-outs

police have won a high court appeal. it means that ‘organisers’ of the critical mass bike ride have to inform the police ahead of time and negotiate a fixed route. since there are really no organisers, the mass will have difficulty complying. it is simply a get-together of cyclists to go for an unorganised but synchronistic ride. a large turn-out will complicate the enforcement of this repressive decision.

back in october 2005, after the introduction of SOCPA (serious organised crime and police act) section 132, controlling protest around parliament, police handed out their leaflets warning the mass may be controlled.

in response, around 1500 cyclists took to the streets in november, bringing central london to a standstill, and making it impossible for the police to enforce their crazy repression.

you don’t have a lot of time to organise, but if you want to build a similar event, it’s up to everyone to spread this news far and wide – leaflet, poster and recruit your local cycle shop, write to your local newspaper (“local person intends to defy police ban by cycling on friday”), swamp your mailing lists, and so on and so on.

remember, the critical mass is not an ‘organised’ event, and so cannot notify the police in advance of its route. since it’s not organised by any one person, it means everyone who wants a mass needs to do something this week to make it happen large! no-one will do it for you.

so start acting, and think positive and huge – if 1500 can come out on a cold november night over this issue, think how many might turn up on a pleasant may evening?

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“One of the three appeal judges hearing today’s case did rule in favour of the cyclists. Lord Justice Wall said a ruling that the event fell within the Public Order Act was “potentially oppressive”. “The police, in my judgment, know what the cyclists are going to do. They are going to ride around the Greater London area. “That is a perfectly lawful activity, and if, for any reason, it ceases to be so, the police have ample powers to intervene.The judge said it was a valid argument that not only is the Critical Mass rally a part of London life, but that none of the bodies responsible for public transport in London had ever felt it necessary to ask the police to consider using the Public Order Act against it.”

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This Friday – 25th of May – Critical Mass

THIS FRIDAY – 25th of May – Critical Mass from the Fountains @ 5:30pm

Critical Mass isn’t BLOCKING traffic – We ARE Traffic.

Critical Mass is a monthly bicycle ride to celebrate cycling and to assert cyclists’ right to the road, happening on the last Friday of
every month in hundreds of cities and towns around the world. We meet at 5.30pm outside the Fountains near the Waterfront to set off by 6pm.

We take a leisurely ride through the city of Bristol for 30 mins to an hour allowing us to make our point and communicate effectively with other road users and authorities.

By getting cars to slow down for cyclists we hope to raise awareness for:

the benefits of cycling
the need for more buses
the need for more cycle lanes
cut down your driving
car drivers need to chill out
cycling is fun and there are lots of like minded people willing to do
something fun to help the environment.

Critical Mass isn’t BLOCKING traffic – We ARE Traffic.

for more info see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_Mass_%28bicycle%29
http://www.scorcher.org/cmhistory/howto.html
http://bristolcm.pbwiki.com/

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BIG BIKE BLESSING – A Mass for Glasgow Critical Mass

Come all, come many …see you there with holly oil.

www.glasgowcriticalmass.org.uk

May 25th, 5:30pm, George Sq, !!Bring your Bike to be Blessed!!

Who do you turn to when you no longer can cycle safely in the city?
The police? The Council? The Prime Minister?
No … we need something bigger. We need the most powerful force to protect our bikes on our journey through the city on the next Critical Mass bike ride. This is why we will be calling upon the All Mighty Lord to bless all of our self-propelled vehicles. Amen! A Divine Intervention will ensure our safety so we will be blessing the bikes with our holly waters, chanting holly hymns from the holly Bike Bible. Hallelujah! For it is the bikes that have been sent down from the heavens to save us and our burning planet. Amen!

Come all, bring your children and your parents, join the merry sounds of the Critical Mass.

Why?

There is a growing cycling culture in Glasgow that is not being addressed by the Glasgow city council. Although the bike is by far the quickest, most efficient and environmentally friendly means of getting around in the city, there are hardly any bike facility, bike lanes are paired up taxis and buses and the list goes on.

Although the city council claims that there are up to “375km of identified cycle route” (www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/GettingAround/Cycling/) the majority of them are no longer than a couple of hundred meters before they get cut by a road, a building, or a parking lot.

Who?

Critical Mass, Urban Playground, Glasgow Kiss, The Weird Bike Show, and more

What to expect?

Well you should expect a safe and peaceful bike ride with other jolly cyclists, spontaneous interventions and a safe look into experiencing the city on a self propelled vehicle. As well a, a Giant Priest, a sound system on wheels, some weird bikes, a rickshaw, and much much more.

The What?

There is also a fancy dress party organized by Bedlam Boudoir and their incredible costumes. We will have the bicycle stamp on the ride which will allow you a special discount for the party later on. Special points for coming as a religious figure to bless bike and dance at party.

www.critical-mass.org
www.urban_discomfort.com
www.the-swarm.co.uk
www.glasgowkiss.org.uk

http://www.glasgowcriticalmass.org.uk

Virgin spoil-sports – TAA exhibition obstructed

19.05.2007
The Temporary Autonomous Art event taking place in a squatted venue once used by Reuters was today obstructed by a private security firm apparentlty employed by the Virgin Media Group who allegedly own the building which has been left empty for several years until occupied by the TAA earlier in the week.

Today was the last day of the exhibition which opened on the 16th May and involves the work of over a dozen artists from around the country. The security were assaulting people attempting to enter the site and the police were called. Over the course of several hours the police attempted to figure out where the law stood on having security guards obstructing the public footpath in order to prevent people from entering a building which was lawfully occupied by someone other than the owner instructing the security firm.

While the first police to turn up instructed that it was a civil mater until the point of assault or obstruction, the security continued as before as soon as the police left. The second set of police to arrive took a more pragmatic approach. They said they’d do nothing until given advice from higher up and while they were there the security were forced to step back from pulling people off the fences when they climbed over.

Meanwhile, inside, kids played on a bouncy castle in the sunshine and people wandered around looking at the wide variety of art decorating the large commercial building. Workshops were also taking place around the building and there was a schedule of films and experimental performances.

Shortly before I left, higher ranking police had arrived and were expressing concern that they would be an unlicensed rave taking place in the building that evening as that’s what they were being told by the security firm. The police asked if they could have a look around but after a period of discussion those inside said no.

As I left at around 6pm, the situation remained that people wanting to enter the property had to climb over a ladder tied to the fence and could do so without obstruction from either security or police. It was not clear what would happen next but the exhibition is well worth a visit.

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update:
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Saturday 19th May 9pm

Has London gone anti-arts and culture?
The Metropolitan Police have today launched a major operation, which includes the cordoning of two public roads and involving the use of a considerable number of police officers and vehicles. Resulting in a stand off lasting over 12 hours so far, (at 8pm), the police operation has managed to prevent anyone entering on the last day of a highly successful and inspirational art exhibition.

Yes, read that again … an Art Exhibition …

Launched on Wednesday the Temporary Autonomous Art exhibition has attracted a large number of talented artists from all over Britain and Europe to produce one of the most exciting and innovative exhibitions that London has seen, achieving almost unanimous acclaim from everyone who has visited.

Running for four days from midday to midnight one would have thought that such a quality multicultural event would be celebrated by the authorities, but no, they insist that the place is going to turn in to some kind of rave and used it as an excuse to prevent the lawful access to local public highways and the building itself.

The building is full of high quality art, produced by dedicated artists and the very concept of a rave is enough to horrify anyone involved. The very thought of hundreds of works of art trashed in an illegal rave in incomprehensible, so the question must arise as to why?

Has the Met lost it’s senses? On a Saturday night when the understaffed, overstretched police force is having it’s busiest night of the week they are sent out in force to prevent an art exhibition!

Temporary Autonomous Art is (was) being held at 15-25 New North Road, London (Nr Old St) and is apparently the most dangerous event in town

more info 07722044788

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

What is the Earth First! Summer Gathering?

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

What is the Earth First! Summer Gathering?

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

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

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

More info at earthfirstgathering.org.uk

Climate Activist Glues Herself To The Front Door Of Leeds Bradford Airport

18th May: A woman climate activist blocked the entrance to Leeds/Bradford Airport today, by supergluing herself in front of the revolving door. The protest was against government’s failure to curb the growth in air travel, in spite of the fact that it is the fastest growing source of CO2 emissions from the United Kingdom.

The activist handed the following statement to members of the public and airport staff:-

“This is a peaceful act of civil disobedience. It is my intention to disrupt the normal working of this airport because it is an environmental hazard. In so doing, I am standing up for the poorest of the world’s people, and for future generations, who will bear the brunt of climate chaos, caused by the affluent lifestyles and fossil fuel addiction of the rich.

The planned threefold increase in air flights is environmental lunacy. If runaway climate change is to be averted, global carbon emissions need to peak this decade, and decline rapidly thereafter. There is no way that this can be achieved without halting the explosion in air travel. Leeds/Bradford Airport is planning to expand to 8million flights a year, and if the public authorities refuse to curb this environmental menace, then responsible local citizens must act.

I AM SUPERGLUED IN POSITION PLEASE DO NOT HURT ME BY ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE ME!

I am not a terrorist. The real terrorists are the people who are destroying the planet for profit.”

The activist was in position for about an hour, giving her plenty of opportunity to educate those going in and out of the airport. The police again showed a remarkable tolerance for the crimes of Leeds Bradford airport by arresting the activist and stopping her from performng this vital public service. What are they like?

www.climatecamp.org.uk

Eviction & Injuction Against Squatted Garden? Reading Resists!

17.05.2007
Common Ground Community Garden is due to open to the public for the first time this Saturday 19th May, with a BBQ, children’s dance exhibition and live acoustic music. Through four months of hard voluntary work, some local residents and activists have created a beautiful green space from land left as a derelict junkyard by Reading Borough Council. We’ve cleared rubbish, secured the area, laid lawn, grown plants and built tables and benches. We have recycled and re-used and created something positive for others and ourselves. Throughout this time we have been occupying the former Women’s Information Centre, left empty after the council cut their funding.

Today, we have found out that derelict land and buildings are not left to rot by the council through sheer laziness, but that they actually prefer them this way. A council official has informed us this morning that they are applying to the court for our eviction and the eviction of the new Common Ground Community Garden. Refusing to allow this positive community project to flower (excuse the pun!) or allowing Katesgrove residents a chance to decide the future of this area, the council is seeking an injunction to prevent the planned open day and celebration events this Saturday from taking place.

We intend to carry on regardless. This project is a source of pride for us, and we hope it can be the same thing for all our neighbours. We believe it to be a positive contribution to the area and we sincerely hope you will feel the same. With this in mind we would like to extend an invitation to all our friends, neighbours and those who support us to visit the garden at anytime from now onwards. We also restate our invitation to join in our celebration of the opening day, this Saturday 19th May.

The entrance to the garden is through the alleyway next to the Women’s Information Centre at the bottom of Silver Street, Katesgrove, Reading.

Against their injuction and eviction is our stubborn determination – resist!

Love n Rage,
Common Ground Community Garden Collective
rgacollective(AT)hotmail.co.uk

Christiania under attack and Copenhagen-Update

15.05.2007
The police entered christiania yesterday to evict and demolish a house, that partly burned down a couple of years ago. The eviction lead to a night of street fighting in the area. Timeline is translated from modkraft.dk

Yesterday’s attack on christiania has to be seen in connection with the attack on Ungdomshuset the 1st of march which lead to a week of riots all over Copenhagen. Again the police is now attacking a free space in Copenhagen that has been under attack from both police and government several times the last couple of years

The reason was officially that there had been made new constructions on the house which against the new administration “rules” for christiania that forbids any construction at all, which also lead to another major police raid in september 2006. Unofficially it is said that the eviction might be a test from the police to see the reaction to evictions on christiania, prior to the promised eviction of all “illegally” build houses in the area..

From several politicians and the opinion in general among left radicals the official reason for the attack has been critized as being pointless. The house was officially asked to be removed by Christiania themselves back in 2006 and there hasn’t been any reason stated why it had to be removed just now a month and a half after Ungdomshuset and a week before the court decides whether or not 3 houses on Christiania should also be evicted.

To many it seems like the police is training for these evictions of houses that are still in function and also this might be an attempt to shift the public opinion AGAINST Christiania by creating and provoking several riots in the area week after week.

However, the riots and fighting yesterday also shows that the police isn’t always the strongest force. People were caught by surprise this morning when they attacked Christiania but by evening the demonstrators proved to be a much more prepared and stronger force than the police seem to have been prepared for.

Even though Copenhagen might have seemed to disappear again in the international news the city has been the center for huge political mobilizations time after time and there has been more and more focus on police brutality in the danish news.
At the same time sentences has been decided by the city court against some of those people arrested around 1st of march. Most of them have been confession trials and might therefor not give any hint about future trials but in one or two trials people have been sentenced for long jail punishments even though there was more civil witnesses supporting them than police witnesses against them.

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From modkraft.dk:

Kl. 01.51

The police has bloked Prinsessegade (main road to christiania) and has parked a big amount of vans and officers on the main square in the area Christianshavns Torv

The situation seems unchanged.

Modkraft.dk is ending tonights reportage

Kl. 01.39

A police attack hasn’t begun anyway. Four police vans are parked across Prinsessegade with a number of officers in gas masks in front of and behind the vans.

Further up the street closer to Christiania molotov cocktails and teargas granats are thrown in each others direction but without any real movement.

The police has all equipment ready but nothing is happening

Kl. 01.28

A witness reports that the police has taken on gasmasks and is standing next to their vans by the church half way between the square Christianshavns Torv and the entrance to Christiania

The witness thinks it looks like the preparation for a final attack on the demonstrators.

Kl. 01.24

There has just been new clashes between demonstrators and police around Prinsessegade and Bådmandsstræde.

The police moved forward in vans and had rocks thrown after them. The police then retreated and fired teargas at the demonstrators.

In return the demonstrators threw at least 3 molotovcocktails at the police

It seems as if the clashes doesn’t lead to any changes in position. The police has again retreated.

Kl. 01.05

The fighting between demonstrators and police seems to stop just as slowly. There aren’t as many demonstrators on the street as earlier in the evening.

There is still a lot of clashes with the police where paintbombs and molotovs are thrown at the police

A witness has estimated the number of demonstrators to be around 100 but there is more inside christiania.

Kl. 00.55

After demonstrators have been retreated to christiania they have now started running out in different locations in the area. There is fighting in a street next to Prinsessegade. The police is slowly retreating.

There are still huge amounts of gas in the streets but the wind keeps spreading it out.

Kl. 00.41

There is still fighting between police and demonstrators in Prinsessegade. Also there is still a lot of gas in the streets but the demonstrators are just moving according to the amount of gas, retreating when there is too much. Molotovs are frequently being thrown at the police

The demonstrators are pouring water on the teargas bullets (?), moving from one to another with water bottles.

The area is covered with a huge policeforce.

Kl. 00.24

The police has fired extremely much teargas in the streets. A witness says taht the demonstrators are crying and vomitting. But people still havent given up but are instead very aggressive. A lot is retreating from the gas but several demonstrators are staying.

Water and lemons are handed out among the demonstrators.

The wind in the area is continuing and the demonstrators are moing towards the police as soon as the gas is gone.

Teargas has just been fired into christiania over the musikplace Loppen (www.loppen.dk)

Kl. 00.18

There are burning barricades several places in the area. In a parallel street to Prinsessegade a larger barricade is on fire

Kl. 00.13

Everything is quiet on Sankt Hans Torv where a demonstration was suppose to start at midnight. 15-20 demonstrators are hanging out there and there isn’t any sign of disturbance.

Kl. 00.11

A clash is being prepared in Prinsessegade. The police has fired huge amounts of gas in the street but a wind is spreading it out. That makes the demonstrators move forward as soon as the worst amount of gas is gone

The police seems to be hesitating, according to a source

Kl. 23.59

The police moved towards the demonstrators a moment ago. They were met with rocks and the like.

One van was set on fire which is out again by now

A minute after the attack the police retreated again and regrouped.
They fired gas at the demonstrators

The demonstrators have retreated a bit but are very disciplined. They are yelling “Hold the line” to each other. A witness calls them “ready for battle”

Kl. 23.55

The situation is tense. Barricades are build in Prinsessegade

By Bådmandsstræde a smaller clash is happening. Opposite earlier the police is hesitating a bit. At other attacks the police has answered to demonstrators’ attacks with powerful attack on them.

It is the demonstrators that are offensive now.. They are yelling out paroles against police brutality

The house the police evicted this morning has been rebuild.

Kl. 23.47

SMS-messages has called for a demonstration at Nørrebro at midnight. As the demonstrations on christiania and in the area earlier it is to protest the eviction of a house on christiania earlier today

Kl. 23. 42

There are two large burning barricades in Prinsessegade. One of them was attacked by a police 15 minutes ago.

A new fire is being made between the two barricades. The mood is tense & battle-prepared.

The area has been blocked by police. No one can enter or leave the neighbourhood. Even the metro has been stopped.

Witnesses describe the situation as silence before the storm

Kl. 23.33

Police has just started a massive and violent attack on the entrance to Christiania. This is after demonstrators again has made attacks on the police. A single demonstrator didn’t make it away and has been arrested and carried away

Kl. 23.23:

The police attacked the entrance to christiania five minutes ago. The demonstrators replied with molotovs, rocks and bottles.

The police has retreated again and a new attack is expected.

There are several burning barricades in the area

The riots started shortly after 22 o’clock where a demonstration on the main square in the area started by sms’s started a larger fire and build barricades. The police attacked the demonstration after about 10 minutes and at least 25 people were arrested.

The demonstrators spread out in the area afterwards and started building burning barricades around the entrances to christiania.

Politiken.dk writes that at least 42 persons had been arrested at 22.30

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Pictures & video: http://indymedia.dk/article/1153
http://politiken.dk/poltv/?ExtID=1646
http://politiken.dk/poltv/?ExtID=1646

More video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImOBGgLEBHI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpse1ohja4g
playlist:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=D96F3A4AD2D6B746

Activists Occupy Downtown West Palm Beach Billboard protesting Florida Power and Light

West Palm Beach, May 14 – This morning local activists from Project Awareness and Everglades Earth First! hung banners and locked themselves to a downtown rooftop billboard to call for a sustainable future for western Palm Beach County. They oppose FPL’s proposed West County Energy Center, citing its contribution to global warming, Everglades pollution, and overdevelopment; and the Callery-Judge “Town Development,” which would jumpstart urban sprawl in the Loxahatchee area. Their messages highlight the enormous water consumption cllowances already approved for each project, and promote public participation in two forums ñ tomorrow’s 2pm county commission meeting and the FPL’s Shareholders meeting to take place at FPL’s Juno Beach headquarters on May 25.

Their colorful banners showed an alligator chomping a power plant and read:

“Got Water? They would: FPL’s West County Plant ->18 million gallons a Day;

“Callery-Judge Town -> 5 million gallons a day. Keep it Rural, Keep it Wild. No new FPL Plant”

For over a year environmental groups have been fighting the West County Energy Center (WCEC), a natural gas plant that FPL hopes to construct 1000 feet away from the Arthur R. Marshall National Wildlife Refuge in Loxahatchee. As the alternative to fossil fuel plans, activists are promoting energy efficiency & renewable energy, which FPL claims is impractical, despite the American Council for Energy Efficiency’s recent report on the potential for efficiency and renewable sources to meet Florida’s energy demands.

“When it comes to renewable energy, the science has been there for years,” says local activist & physicist Lynne Purvis. “Why does FPL continue to use old, dirty technologies? The answer can only be greed.”

The current drought and water shortages spawn further concerns about FPL’s proposed WCEC water requirements of 18 million gallons a day and the unknown water consumption of the hundreds of thousands of units of development enabled by the project, including Callery-Judge’s 5 million gallons a day.

“These projects are direct threats to Everglades Restoration,” declared Everglades Earth First! member Peter Shultz. “What we need is conservation, not more construction.”

Dublin Shell to Sea – Bringing it all Back Home

Day of Action – They deserve it and you deserve better

On the 18th of May Dublin Shell to Sea is going to escalate its campaign against Shell’s command centre – Corrib house on Leeson Street with another day of action starting at 7.30 am sharp. This attempt to shut down Shell’s HQ, like our last day of action (http://www.indymedia.ie/article/82200), is being called to highlight the incredible theft of our natural resources that totals 51 billion euros in the Corrib field alone. This is only possible with your help; we encourage everyone to come along.

Fuel Poverty – A National Scandal
Ireland is currently facing a crisis. Our health service verges on the brink of collapse as our nurses are forced to strike for decent working conditions. Our politicians have told us they can’t give in, in fear we all might ask for decent conditions.

We have been constantly reminded in the election campaign about how much we owe our politicians. We are told the Celtic Tiger has brought untold riches and this country is now awash with money. This is true to a certain extent. More money has been generated and emigration has stopped. But still all is far from perfect in this country. Money has been wasted and the greatest giveaway is happening as we speak. 51 billion euros of our natural gas reserves is being given to Shell, Marathon and Statoil (for more info on deal see http://www.publicinquiry.ie/reports.php). Whilst these figures are often too big to contemplate, it is sometimes easier to look at who is being directly affected. As usual it is those who need help most who will be affected worst.

Unbelievably, each winter, up to 3,000 people die prematurely every year from fuel poverty (‘The Potential Health Benefits of Improving Household Energy Efficiency’ Clinch and Healy 2000 and Help The Aged., source: http://www.eirigi.org/campaigns/naturalresources/fuel_p…y.htm). This is our parents and grandparents who are dying. What is our politicians’ response to this? Instead of trying to solve the problem they gave away the one thing that could alleviate the problem – natural gas. Above all else natural gas could have ensured that three thousand people lived out their lives, but they chose to give it away instead (http://www.publicinquiry.ie/reports.php).

Royal Dutch Shell A.G.M. in The Hague
Whilst our politicians are to blame they are not the only ones. Shell, Statoil and Marathon are the thieves in this situation and are making away with enormous amounts of our resources. This week one of the thieves, Shell, will celebrate their grotesque profits at their A. G.M. in Holland. It’s quite telling that the only place that Shell’s board of directors can be held to account (if you are rich) is in a conference hall in The Hague. We the rightful beneficiaries of the natural gas deposits off our west coast won’t have a say.

The new beneficiaries are people like the Queen of Holland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Beatrice) Lord Kerr of Kinlochard (also director of Rio Tinto, Jeroen van der Veer, Linda Cook, Andy Pyle and Terry Nolan (for other members of Shell’s board of directors see (http://www.search.shell.com/cgi-bin/rsearch.cgi). Throughout this week Royal Dutch Shell will wine and dine the global elite and divide out 51 billion euros of our money.
At this meeting the rest of Shell’s shareholders will get the chance to see how their investments are doing and decide what to do with €51 billion they stole from you and Shell’s executives this year will no doubt have a nice cigar and champagne at your expense.

These men and women with their suits and briefcases will sit smug in The Hague with their caviar in the knowledge that they have ripped off a country that needs its resources badly – Our health service verges on the brink of collapse as our nurses are forced to strike for a decent wage, our elderly now live in fear of Winter as up to 3000 people die each year from fuel poverty and pensions are being privatised.

What you can do?
But all is not doom and gloom, on Friday the 18th just as Shell’s Irish elite arrive back having given away our resources to the global rich. Dublin Shell to Sea plans to greet these people by shutting down their Irish nerve centre and headquarters – Corrib House. This is the building where all decisions are taken, where they hatched the plans to steal our resources and target the Mayo communities in their relentless pursuit of profit. So come and join us in protesting against these criminals and blockade their offices on Friday the 18th of May – they deserve it and you deserve better!

Squatted Community Garden Opening Day – Sat 19th May – Reading!

“COMMON GROUND”
(Reading Squatted Community Garden)
** OPENING DAY! **

SATURDAY MAY 19TH,
1pm till Late!
** BBQ, live acoustic music and dance exhibition by local kids from 6pm! **

“COMMON GROUND”
(Reading Squatted Community Garden)
** OPENING DAY! **

SATURDAY MAY 19TH,
1pm till Late!
** BBQ, live acoustic music and dance exhibition by local kids from 6pm! **

A group of anti-capitalists in Reading have created a beautiful garden from a squatted piece of derelict land for our community to use and enjoy. On Saturday 19th May we will be opening to the public for the first time, hope to see you there!

Limited accomodation is available, 1st come 1st serve – please let us know asap, thanx!

The entrance is through the alleyway, next to the Womens Information Centre, Silver Street, Central Reading, UK. We are 10mins walk from train station.

“Anything is possible when we take the initiative”

For further information please email rgacollective(AT)hotmail.co.uk