Since the G8 in Gleneagles 2005 there has been sabotage on 3 different dates, with estimated damage about £200,000 plus,bristol indymedia has been spared the postings for legal reasons.
Since the G8 in Gleneagles 2005 there has been sabotage on 3 different dates, with estimated damage about £200,000 plus,bristol indymedia has been spared the postings for legal reasons.
This report announces the formation of a new campaigning and action group to be called EAST KENT EARTH FIRST!
The group is based in Canterbury, but already has support from people in the Medway Towns, Sittingbourne, Herne Bay and Thanet as well as Canterbury. Most of the people involved have a background in the Animal Rights movement and recognise the need to broaden out into Eco Action and related issues. Be it GM crops, Airport expansion, unnecessary development, or diverse other issues we shall seek to educate, inform and protest, notwithstanding the current clampdown on reasonable protest. There will shortly be a website up and running, but in the meantime anyone interested in being involved should
This report announces the formation of a new campaigning and action group to be called EAST KENT EARTH FIRST!
The group is based in Canterbury, but already has support from people in the Medway Towns, Sittingbourne, Herne Bay and Thanet as well as Canterbury. Most of the people involved have a background in the Animal Rights movement and recognise the need to broaden out into Eco Action and related issues. Be it GM crops, Airport expansion, unnecessary development, or diverse other issues we shall seek to educate, inform and protest, notwithstanding the current clampdown on reasonable protest. There will shortly be a website up and running, but in the meantime anyone interested in being involved should
contact the following email address. mattclowes@riseup.net
Short video of the April 21st anti-GM rally and picnic that ended with the attempted underplanting of organic potatoes in a field thought to be earmarked for a BASF GM potato crop trial in Hedon near Hull.
Short video of the April 21st anti-GM rally and picnic that ended with the attempted underplanting of organic potatoes in a field thought to be earmarked for a BASF GM potato crop trial in Hedon near Hull.
See also www.mutatoes.org
Plane Stupid (www.planestupid.com) is calling out for local Plane Stupid groups to form to fight the fastest growing cause of climate change (aviation) in your area. Plane Stupid thinks that local groups taking action in their area but within a wider network of Plane Stupid activists is the best way to fight the unsustainable growth of the aviation industry. If you would like to set up a group in your area all you need is a few enthusiastic members committed to using direct action to fight climate change.
Plane Stupid (www.planestupid.com) is calling out for local Plane Stupid groups to form to fight the fastest growing cause of climate change (aviation) in your area. Plane Stupid thinks that local groups taking action in their area but within a wider network of Plane Stupid activists is the best way to fight the unsustainable growth of the aviation industry. If you would like to set up a group in your area all you need is a few enthusiastic members committed to using direct action to fight climate change.
The 2003 Aviation White Paper outlines plans for between double and triple the current number of passenger flights. This involves massive airport expansion all over Britain at rate equivalent to the building of a new Heathrow every 5 years. The UK’s top climatologists predict that aviation’s emissions alone are predicted to exceed the government’s target for the country’s entire output of greenhouse gases in 2050 by around 134%. (Tyndall Centre for Climate
ChangeResearch)
Plane Stupid has become one of the direct action groups of the emerging grassroots climate movement in Britain. Our dramatic impact has come by means of a series of high-profile direct actions and a near obsessive focus on clear, basic demands that people understand: the scrapping of airport expansion plans, a tax on aircraft fuel and
plane tickets, and an end to unnecessary and unsustainable short haul flights.
Since we formed in less than 18 months ago; we have disrupted the world’s largest international aviation industry conference in Central London; grounded planes through the occupation of a taxiway at the short-haul East Midlands Airport; blocked the entrance to BAA’s headquarters at Heathrow twice; staged a roof-top protest at easyJet’s corporate headquarters in London, temporarily shut down tens of travel agents across the UK and helped angry Heathrow residents disrupt the transport minister’s speech. We also inspired and oversaw Britain’s first national day of action against short haul flights, which saw local groups hold demonstrations at six regional airports and outside Flight Centre travel agents in cities across the UK.
Government and industry’s profiteering from creating catastrophic climate change will go unchecked unless YOU do something today! Join us by setting up a local group with some like minded people in your area to help us scrap airport expansion, get aviation fuel and tickets taxed and ending short haul flights.
Contact info@planestupid.com or call 07948 219 493 for advice on setting up a local group or for someone to come and speak in your area about Plane Stupid. Also on the 12th and 13th of May we will be at the Campaign against Climate Change conference in London (http://www.campaigncc.org/) where you can come and speak to us.
www.planestupid.com
info@planestupid.com
7.05.2007 – Today a bicycle demo against the G8 was held in Nijmegen, Holland..
Today the bicycle demo against the G8 was a success. Despite the pouring rain and the absence of the majority of the international bicycle caravan, there were still 30 cyclists ready for action. Several locations that had some connection with the G8 politics were visited by bike for some good-spirited demonstrating . Unlike in Utrecht the police was wise enough not to show up. Tonight the rest of the caravan will arrive in Nijmegen, where the cyclists will stop for the night. Tomorrow the caravan will continue towards Germany, where the G8 summit will take place from 6th to 8th of june, in Heiligendamm.
7.05.2007 – Today a bicycle demo against the G8 was held in Nijmegen, Holland..
Today the bicycle demo against the G8 was a success. Despite the pouring rain and the absence of the majority of the international bicycle caravan, there were still 30 cyclists ready for action. Several locations that had some connection with the G8 politics were visited by bike for some good-spirited demonstrating . Unlike in Utrecht the police was wise enough not to show up. Tonight the rest of the caravan will arrive in Nijmegen, where the cyclists will stop for the night. Tomorrow the caravan will continue towards Germany, where the G8 summit will take place from 6th to 8th of june, in Heiligendamm.
The first stop was made at the local Mcdonalds. This was surrounded by the cyclists and the entrance road to the mcdrive was blocked with fences.This fast food chain is a symbol of exploitation of workers and environment in third world countries by the rich western society.
Of course Berendonck was also visited. Here, environmental groups and local nature enjoyers are resisting the expansion of the golf terrain, into a valuable forest and lake area. The activsts reclaimed the public space by placing signs proclaiming “This is not a Golf State / Free access recreational area”. Trees were planted in the holes, and there was a game of football. Like Berendonck is wasted for a small group of rich people, the same goes for the G8 – on a world wide scale.
The last action was at the local headquarters of the marechaussee (immigration police). The gates to the building were locked from the outside by thick chains. Banners were hung on the fences, on which was written “no human being is illegal” and “break the power of the G8” By this way the activists protested against the Fortress of Europe. The marechaussee plays an important role in the inhumane immigration politics. Migration is one of the main themes of the protests against the G8.
6.05.2007
NRT Spoof action – ‘Build the NDR: Concrete is Freedom!’ Posing as members of the fictional Coalition for Roads And Progress (C.R.A.P), and brandishing placards bearing slogans such as ‘Re-tarmac the streets!’, ‘Oil is Good for the Planet’ and ‘The NDR – an industrial paradise’ we held a series of mock press conferences outside the Forum in Norwich city centre.
6.05.2007
NRT Spoof action – ‘Build the NDR: Concrete is Freedom!’ Posing as members of the fictional Coalition for Roads And Progress (C.R.A.P), and brandishing placards bearing slogans such as ‘Re-tarmac the streets!’, ‘Oil is Good for the Planet’ and ‘The NDR – an industrial paradise’ we held a series of mock press conferences outside the Forum in Norwich city centre.
On a fine Saturday morning in May, 15 activists headed into Norwich city centre to hold a roving protest against the proposed Northern Distributor Road (NDR). Posing as members of the fictional Coalition for Roads And Progress (C.R.A.P), we held a series of mock press conferences outside the Forum, where the County Council are holding an exhibition about plans for the NDR.
Standing in front of a banner reading ‘Build the NDR: Concrete is Freedom’, and surrounded by a crowd of supporters waving placards bearing slogans such as ‘Spend More Time in Your Car!’ and ‘Who Needs Green Space or Peace and Quiet?’, the press conference heard from C.R.A.P members about their reasons for supporting the NDR.
Dr. Seymour Rhodes presented new medical research about the health benefits of air pollution and the risks of excessive walking or cycling. Mr. I. Sellmore, the developer on the panel, blew away the myth that the NDR will ease traffic congestion, instead insisting that it will replace the peaceful villages in North Norwich with a new industrial paradise. Councillor Theresa Gone reassured audience members that the £100 million cost of the road would not go over budget, challenging them to name any large infrastructure projects around the country that had not come in on time and on budget.
At the close of the press conference, which came with much applause from the crowd that had assembled, the coalition members stepped out of character and began distributing leaflets to passers-by and talking with them about the NDR project.
After an hour outside the Forum, we moved locations to the market square, where the press conference was repeated for the bustling Saturday morning shopping crowd.
‘It was fun to watch, and really inspiring to see people communicating such an important message in such a creative way,’ said one of the audience members.
Today’s protest was intended to be a light-hearted way of pointing out some major concerns we and many others have about the proposed NDR. The pitfalls of the project have become so great as to border on the ridiculous, and we thought we could play on this as a fun and unusual way to engage passers by.
See below for the leaflet handed out on the day, which explains both C.R.A.P.’s comically pro-road position and our own concerns about the NDR.
It was a fun way to spend a Saturday morning, and a successful and inspiring first outing for the new Norwich Rising Tide group. Watch this space (and www.risingtide.org.uk/norwich) for more actions against the NDR and other local climate criminals!
norwich@risingtide.org.uk
http://www.risingtide.org.uk/norwich
Spoof Placards
Here’s a full list of the spoof placards that Coalition for Roads And Progress (C.R.A.P) members were brandishing yesterday: –
NDR – an Urban Industrial Paradise
Re-tarmac the Streets
Oil is Good for the Planet!
Escape Flooding … by Car
Wimpey say bring on the NDR
Urban is Joy!
Reward Fat Cats
Who needs Green Space or Peace and Quiet?
Concrete is Freedom
More Concrete, More Pollution
Hoorah for the NDR – Spend more time in your Car
Tescos Loves the NDR
Car Fumes are Cheaper than Cigarettes
More Concrete, Fewer Trees
The NDR – You know it Makes Sense!
More Concrete, Less Greenery
May Gurney has our Best Interests at Heart
Growth is Happiness
Support Your Local Shareholder
Walking is a Waste of Time!
At midday this Sat 5th May cyclists gathered in the town square in Falmouth for the towns first Critical Mass bike ride. The celebration of combustion free liberty, picnics and ever so slightly fancy dress boasted nearly 50 riders. There was loads of diversity, from skater boys to hippy chicks, bikey blokes to art students, crusties, middle aged professionals, old Earthfirsters, and families with kids. Not bad for a small town virtually falling off the edge of the country.
At midday this Sat 5th May cyclists gathered in the town square in Falmouth for the towns first Critical Mass bike ride. The celebration of combustion free liberty, picnics and ever so slightly fancy dress boasted nearly 50 riders. There was loads of diversity, from skater boys to hippy chicks, bikey blokes to art students, crusties, middle aged professionals, old Earthfirsters, and families with kids. Not bad for a small town virtually falling off the edge of the country.
The samba band grabbed a fair bit of attention for the initial gathering, and then everyone set off for a rather disjointed but joyous perambulation down the town. The response from the high street was a dramatic, several jaws literally dropped. Once people got over the shock almost everyone grinned. There was very little driver lairyness, and the police (who had been taken unawares, and weren’t there to mind the start) made no really interventions.
Saturday lunch is of course an unusual time for a Critical Mass, but it does kind of make sense in a small tourism based community, and a good time was generally agreed to have been had by all…There are plans to do it regular.
These photos aren’t particularly representative of the ride, but do show lots of people being happy on bikes.
May 6, 2007
There has been an action group formed in Gloucester to raise awareness about the pipeline and to protest against the pipeline. We meet up around once month and also stage direct actions, put on benefit gigs and have info stalls in Gloucester and at local events. Please send an email to fightthepipe@hotmail.co.uk for more information or contact us through our myspace http://www.myspace.com/fightingthepipe
May 6, 2007
There has been an action group formed in Gloucester to raise awareness about the pipeline and to protest against the pipeline. We meet up around once month and also stage direct actions, put on benefit gigs and have info stalls in Gloucester and at local events. Please send an email to fightthepipe@hotmail.co.uk for more information or contact us through our myspace http://www.myspace.com/fightingthepipe
We would love to hear from anyone whether you just want email updates on what we are doing, put up a few posters and give leaflets to friends or get involved with direct actions.
Together we can make a difference!
4.5.07
In yet another hammerblow aimed at the animal rights movement, police made 32 arrests across the UK in the early hours of Tuesday morning in ‘Operation Achilles’. Assistant Chief Constable Adrian Leppard of Kent Police says the arrests are “one of the largest, if not the largest, police operation that has targeted animal extremism in the UK.” Three properties were also searched in Belgium and the Netherlands.
4.5.07
In yet another hammerblow aimed at the animal rights movement, police made 32 arrests across the UK in the early hours of Tuesday morning in ‘Operation Achilles’. Assistant Chief Constable Adrian Leppard of Kent Police says the arrests are “one of the largest, if not the largest, police operation that has targeted animal extremism in the UK.” Three properties were also searched in Belgium and the Netherlands.
700 police were involved as homes and animal sanctuaries were raided, with police seizing computers, mobile phones and cash. The whole operation was designed with maximum publicity in mind – the press were tipped off in advance and dutifully reported on the latest crackdown on animal rights ‘extremism’. Almost all those arrested had some connection with the SHAC campaign
Of course what didn’t hit the headlines was the number of properties raided without arrests being made and the fact that 24 hours later only nine of those arrested had been charged – two with blackmail and the other seven with ‘conspiracy to blackmail’. Twenty were released on bail and one without charge. Two of those nicked, main organisers in the SHAC campaign, have been held for further questioning.
Crucially, the police investigation – in a nod to corporate martial law – used intelligence and forensic support from the private sector. The pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry greeted news of the raids with glee: “News of today’s operation will act as a great fillip to the medical research community across Europe,” said a statement issued by Aisling Burnand, chief executive of Britain’s BioIndustry Association.
One source close to SHAC told SchNEWS, “This has all the hallmarks of a fishing expedition, designed to cause massive disruption to animal rights campaigns and show Big Pharma here and abroad that the police are making strides against the animal rights movement.”
NETCU CLOSES IN
As details emerged of the botched raid on Freshfields Animal Sanctuary in Liverpool, sanctuary head Dave Callendar told SchNEWS, “At 5.30 they kicked in the door and seized three staff members. At 6.20 they seized two others as they turned up for work. There were about sixty coppers – they set up a cordon and refused access to anyone. Those seized were held in vans but not arrested. My farm manager had his collarbone broken after he was grabbed by three police when he climbed the back wall to check on our pigs. He was held in a van for three hours and refused access to medical attention. Although the police brought an RSPCA inspector with them it was clear that when we regained access to the site that nothing had been done for the animals. Also they allowed animals to escape, which we’re still looking for. They took every single piece of hardware, mobile phones, photocopiers, you name it – but they didn’t take a single piece of paperwork. It’s difficult to see it as anything other then deliberate intimidation and disruption – nobody here is involved with the Huntingdon campaign. We’re a pro-active community organisation and we’re not going to let them walk all over us.”
The raids come against a backdrop of a decline in criminal incidents related to animal rights and demonstrate that the National Extremism Tactical Co-ordinating Unit’s (see www.netcu.org.uk) efforts are now aimed firmly at the ‘legitimate’ above ground animal rights movement. With SHAC once again able to conduct demos outside HLS (see SchNEWS 581) and activism spreading across Europe, Britain’s political police seem intent on decapitating the A.R. movement, by any means necessary.
* See www.shac.net for more
* Freshfields Animal Sanctuary see www.freshfieldsrescue.org.uk
The Basement is a social centre in Central Manchester with a vegan cafe, activist library, bookshop, computer hub and exhibition space. We have been badly affected by the massive fire on Monday and we are appealing for help so we can get back open again as soon as possible.
The Basement is a social centre in Central Manchester with a vegan cafe, activist library, bookshop, computer hub and exhibition space. We have been badly affected by the massive fire on Monday and we are appealing for help so we can get back open again as soon as possible.
The Basement Social Centre in Manchester was badly damaged in the huge fire which started on Dale Street on Monday morning. It is now closed for essential repairs but we hope to open again in the near future, In the meantime apologies to all our user groups, customers and friends.
Luckily we did not go up in flames; however we have suffered smoke damage and more significantly severe flood damage from our sprinkler system
Some of us were able to briefly go in and salvage important items; the scene that greeted us was grim but rather less apocalyptic than we first feared. There were puddles of water rather than the 2 metres we were warned about but many books, leaflets and art works are well beyond repair. Ceiling tiles have come down and we can not yet be sure how badly affected the IT hub and kitchen are.
We are not currently able to gain access to start the clean up or even fully assess the damage, this is because the area is still deemed unsafe until adjacent buildings are demolished. Latest reports suggest we will be able to get in sometime next week. This is incredibly frustrating and obviously damp things will fester so we are facing a huge challenge,
When we are able to start we would be hugely grateful for any help with the clean up. Its going to be a massive task and the more volunteers the better. We will also need financial support because although we do have some insurance it will not cover all our losses. Extensive renovation and restocking will be necessary and we really do need you.
We have all been touched by many messages of solidarity and support we have received. Thank you everybody. Cheers also to the Fire Brigade who have been ace.
We now ask that you think about turning kind words into action. We have a new website which includes a place to register offers of practical help and also an online donation facility. Any contributions you can make, physical or financial will be much appreciated.
Please go to http://thebasement.clearerchannel.org/new/
The Basement will rise, phoenix like, and be stronger and more glorious – but we will need the help of our friends and supporters to do so
Love and underwater kisses
The Basement Collective
mustsocial@yahoo.co.uk
