Action Reports – Page 41

Badger Cull: Three Protesters Released without Charge

23rd September, Three people believed to be badger cull protesters who were arrested in Gloucestershire have been released without charge.

A woman, aged 52, from the United States, was detained by officers along with a 20-year-old man from Walsall and another woman, 26, from Croydon.

They were arrested on 19 September on suspicion of aggravated trespass.

Four other people were arrested and bailed on suspicion of theft and aggravated trespass earlier this month.

About 5,000 badgers are to be shot in a six-week pilot in Gloucestershire and Somerset in a bid to curb bovine TB.

Defra will not confirm how many badgers have been shot so far during the pilot.

Those against the cull argue shooting badgers is “inhumane” and will be ineffective.

Brazil: Another Belo Monte Occupation; Teles Pires Dam Suspended

Indigenous warriors occupying the construction site of the Belo Monte dam in Brazil, May 2013

20th September, Two bits of good news from anti-dam struggles in Brazil:

Indigenous warriors occupying the construction site of the Belo Monte dam in Brazil, May 2013

20th September, Two bits of good news from anti-dam struggles in Brazil:

• On September 16, 150 indigenous people affected by the construction of the Belo Monte Dam complex in the Brazilian Amazon occupied one of the project’s principle work camps, halting construction activities on a section of the world’s third largest dam. Members of the local Parakanã and Juruna indigenous communities blocked a main access road to demand that the dam-building consortium Norte Energia respect its obligation to remove land invaders from local indigenous territories. The mobilization marks the eighth time Belo Monte has been occupied since 2012. Read more.

• The same day, a federal judge ordered the immediate suspension of construction on the Teles Pires hydroelectric project – one of five large dams planned for the Teles Pires River, a major tributary of the Tapajós River in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon. In response to a civil lawsuit filed by Brazil’s Federal Public Prosecutors’ Office (MPF), the decision cites “unforgivable failures” in the environmental licensing of the dam, especially in terms of prior analysis of impacts on the Kayabi, Munduruku and Apiaka indigenous people and their territories. According to the decision of Judge Souza Prudente, construction of the Teles Pires Dam consortium must be halted until the indigenous component of the EIA is completed and formally approved by FUNAI. Analysts expect the Brazilian President’s administration to appeal the ruling. Read more.

Peruvian Police Fire on Minas Conga Opponents AGAIN

Police protect equipment to be used for the planned Minas Conga gold mine in Cajamarca, Peru

20th September 2013, Two pieces from the ongoing struggle to stop the Minas Conga gold mine in Peru.

Police protect equipment to be used for the planned Minas Conga gold mine in Cajamarca, Peru

20th September 2013, Two pieces from the ongoing struggle to stop the Minas Conga gold mine in Peru.

First, from World War 4 Report:

National Police troops in Peru’s northern Cajamarca province on Sept. 17 clashed with residents of Quishuar Corral hamlet who were conducting reconassiance of mountain trails on their communal lands, which they suspected the Yanacocha mining company of illegally closing to facilitate expansion of its operations. Four of the villagers were injured, and two hospitalized. Witnesses said the police troops opened fire without warning with rubber bullets and tear-gas cannisters. (RPP, Sept. 17)

The clash took place as a national Summit of Peoples Affected by Mining opened in the southern city of Arequipa, attended by over 200 representatives of campesino communities throughout Peru’s sierras. Among the headlining speakers was Wilfredo Saavedra, leader of the Cajamarca Environmental Defense Front, who told a rally gathered in the city’s Plaza de Armas: “Enough with our natural resources being preyed upon and the environment of the country being contaminated!” (La Republica, Sept. 16)

Second, Upside Down World has published an article reviewing the history of the fight against the mine, including an analysis of the ways in which Peru’s big mining push is intrinsically intertwined with Peru and Brazil’s concurrent push for more big hydroelectric dams in the Amazon basin.

Hambach Forest is occupied again, but under eviction threat

Since the climat- and reclaim the fields camp in germany, the Hambach Forest ist occupied again, by climat activist. There are activists living at plattformsin the trees since more than 2 weeks.

Since the climat- and reclaim the fields camp in germany, the Hambach Forest ist occupied again, by climat activist. There are activists living at plattformsin the trees since more than 2 weeks. The Hambach Forest is one of the oldest forest in middle europe, but already more than 4/5 of it is destroyed for open cast mining. The open cast mining in the Rheinland (between Colonge and Aachen) is the biggest climat killer in all Europe. The forest gets destroyed year by year, so that RWE the coal company (wich is the mother company of N-Power) can open cast the land. Also big villages getting destroyed for the open cast mining. Last year the forest was occupied by climat activist, the wohle spring and summer, and got evicted in automne. The eviction was the longest eviction that happened in germany, because of the tunnel system (the only god system is a tunnel system!). After the eviction activists squatted a meadow next to the Hambach Forest, wich is still occupied. In the end of august the climat- and RTF Camp took place close to the Hambach Forest. With over 500 Participants it was the biggest climat camp since 5 years in germany. More than 200 people blocked the Hambach coal-rail for half an day. In the end of the climat- andd RTF-Camp activists occupied the Hambach Forest again. Now it is occupied since more than 2 weeks. Police was there on monday to inspect the plattforms and blockading-tools, and was not realy happy. In looks like the eviction might come the next days. But maybe they want to wait after the big elections in germany this sunday. So there might still be time to come over! See you in the forest.

http://hambachforest.blogsport.de/

Here’s a video about the occupation:http://vimeo.com/74042113

and about the coal trail blockade: http://vimeo.com/73938171

and a video about the RTF-action: http://vimeo.com/73514620

Underreported Indigenous Struggles

A drilling site run by Fortune Minerals is shut down by Tahltan, Sept 10, 2013. 18th September 2013 Intercontinental Cry has released

A drilling site run by Fortune Minerals is shut down by Tahltan, Sept 10, 2013. 18th September 2013 Intercontinental Cry has released Underreported Struggles #77.

• Two Maya Q’eqchi children from Monte Olivo community, in Alta Verapaz department, Guatemala, died from bullet injuries after being shot by a “hitman” that was reportedly hired by the company Hidro Santa Rita SA. According to Real World Radio, the two children, aged 11 and 13, were shot during the attempted murder of David Chen, leader of the resistance to the company’s hydroelectric project. No one has been arrested from murder of the two children, David Eduardo Pacay Maas and Hageo Isaac Guitz.

• Three Indigenous Tolupan from Yoro district in Honduras, were murdered while carrying out peaceful actions to prevent illegal forest clearing and exploitation of natural resources in their territory. According to The Broad Movement for Dignity and Justice (Movimiento Amplio por la Dignidad y Justicia, MADJ), the Tolupan had been receiving death threats from individuals who were brazenly walking around the community fully armed, provoking fear in the residents of the area. The National Preventive Police Force and various government officials, despite being warned of the threats, failed to take any kind of action to protect the Tolupan.

• In British Colombia, Canada, members of the well-known Klabona Keepers served Fortune Minerals Limited with a “24-hour eviction notice” informing the company that it must vacate the Tahltan’s unceded traditional territory. Fortune Minerals ignored the deadline, leading the Tahltan activists to block the road leading to the site of the company’s proposed open pit coal mine. The protesters then proceeded to occupy some of the company’s drills.

• The Blackfeet Tribal Business Council unexpectedly cancelled proposed oil and gas developments near Chief Mountain . The mountain, located near the Canadian border and on the boundary between the Blackfeet Indian Reservation and Glacier National Park, is considered sacred by many of the Blackfeet people; however, some members of the Blackfeet business community (like Ron Crossguns of the Blackfeet Oil and Gas Department), have derisively dismissed anything sacred about the Mountain.

• The Oglala Lakota passed a resolution opposing the proposed Otter Creek coal mine and Tongue River Railroad in their historical homelands of southeastern Montana. The Oglala Lakota have thus far been excluded from any consultations despite the fact that the proposed mine site is an area of great cultural and historical significance containing countless burial sites, human remains, battle sites, stone features and artifacts. In addition to calling for proper consultation, the Oglala Lakota have called on all Tribal Nations who signed the Fort Laramie Treaty to stand with them in opposing the mine and railroad.

• The Buffalo River Dene Nation is moving forward with a plan to reclaim a vast area of traditional land that was seized by the Canadian government in 1953. As reported by the Dominion, the area–Spanning 11,700 square kilometres along the Alberta-Saskatchewan border–has been used for the past 60 years as a tactical bombing range; however, it is now being opened up to oil and gas extraction activities and an Enbridge pipeline. The Buffalo River Dene, who were evicted from the area, have simply had enough.

• The Nahua Peoples in the Peruvian Amazon announced that they will refuse to allow a gas consortium led by Pluspetrol to operate in their territory. In a letter that was delivered to the Ministry of Culture in Lima, the Nahua stated that, “Given the repeated broken promises by the company Pluspetrol, our people have decided to prohibit it from operating in our ancestral territory in the headwaters of the River Serjali.” Pluspetrol is currently waiting for government permission from the Ministry of Energy and Mines to explore for deposits by drilling 18 wells and conducting intensive seismic tests in the headwaters region of the River Serjali, which the Nahua consider to be their territory.

Read all of Underreported Struggles #77

Trial of anti-road protestor Emily Johns

11th September 2013 Trial of anti-road protestor – and Combe Haven Defenders – Emily Johns, arrested during Operation Disclosure in April: https://combeha

11th September 2013 Trial of anti-road protestor – and Combe Haven Defenders – Emily Johns, arrested during Operation Disclosure in April: https://combehavendefenders.wordpress.com/2013/04/09/st-leonards-woman-arrested-in-peaceful-search-for-secret-link-road-documents/

From 10am, Westminster Magistrates Court, 181 Marylebone Road London London England NW1 5BR.

Friday 11 October! https://combehavendefenders.wordpress.com/save-combe-haven-events-calendar/

Supporters welcome!

Balcombe frack-off latest

Day 48 (Tues 10th) Of Community Fracking Blockade In Balcombe Sussex

Update (3:30pm): Protector cut off, arrested and caravan moved. Come down and support the community.

Day 48 (Tues 10th) Of Community Fracking Blockade In Balcombe Sussex

Update (3:30pm): Protector cut off, arrested and caravan moved. Come down and support the community.

Update (2:00pm): Cuadrilla fracking truck blocked by Protector locked onto caravan in Balcombe. Community Protection Camp is still going strong despite increased police harassment.

Update (12:45pm): Ambulance takes one Protector to hospital with leg injury caused by Police violence

Update (12:15pm): First fracking truck of day arrives and is being blocked by Protectors.

Update (12:00pm): Community Protection Camp still holding strong. Situation pretty calm at moment. Lots of people here to support Balcombe but do come down to help if you can.

Update (11:00am): One of the three people arrested for singing outside Cuadrilla’s fracking site is a Balcombe resident.

Update (10:30am): Police trying to intimidate camp but not here in large numbers at present. Three arrests. More people would be good. Come down and support the community if you can.

Update (10am): The day has started quietly. Despite media report to the contrary the Council has no powers to evict the camp and would need to go through a court process to try. Threats by the police to use a Section 14 CJPOA to evict the camp are clearly illegal (though obviously that is no guarantee they won’t try) but the camp is holding firm. Come down and support the community if you can.

Eviction of Ferrarisbos Forest Occupation Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium

At 7am on Tuesday 3rd of September individuals occupying a wrongly zoned Farraris forest in Wilrijk were woken by the sound of chainsaws.

At 7am on Tuesday 3rd of September individuals occupying a wrongly zoned Farraris forest in Wilrijk were woken by the sound of chainsaws. Breaking the news to all that the forest was being evicted. The first arrest of an individual in a tent on the ground, followed swiftly: the tent was unzipped and the occupant ordered out although was not informed of their arrest or their rights. A cherry picker was used to gain access to the two platforms. One individual was lifted into the cherry picker and arrested. Another individual was locked on, and a cutting team was used to break the lock on, remove the person and arrest them. A fourth individual, in a bed spiral (hanging treehouse) the tree was climbed and the individual removed and arrested. The whole process took 2-3hrs, within 5hrs the forest had been cut.

Local supporters and press were at first not allowed through to outside the forest. After sometime they managed to make their way through. Some locals chose to sarcastically applaud as a representative of Essers went past. This resulted in 3 individuals being administratively arrested*.

Essers is the company responsible for the cutting of this forest. Wanting to build warehouse there, at present there is no known client for this warehouse as the previous prospective tenant pulled out of the contract.
Within Belgium there is zoning of land – land is designated for a particular use. This is out of date and therefore not accurate. Where forest (as in this case) is zoned as industrial land it is very easy to acquire the necessary permits required to fell the forest.
Ferrarisbos forest is land that in 1771 whilst Ferraris was surveying and mapping Belgium was found to be forest. This means the forest that was felled 03/09/13 was over 250 years old.
Flanders (region within Belgium) has one of the lowest percentages of remaining woodland in the EU with 8% of woodlands remaining, 20% is considered a “healthy” minimum.
The forest felled 03/09/13 was an important breeding habitat for over 20 bird species including woodpeckers. Also the forest was the summer home and hunting ground to many bats possibly including endangered and protected species, and groups of red squirrels. A Belgian Government Agency advised that if felling was to take place it should happen between the 15th of September and the 15th of October or during the spring to ensure minimal disruption to the animals living there.

There was a total of 7 arrests throughout the day, 4 of occupiers of the forest and 3 local supporters. All the arrests were administrative*.
Of the occupiers the first was quickly released due to having their passport with them. 2 were released after fingerprints and photos were taken. The one remaining occupier spoke no dutch and police refused to speak more than limited English to them, refused to provide food and then informed them they would be taken to foreign detention at some point (between in 5 minutes and 2 days). After becoming distressed the individual gave their name and was then released after being driven to a small street in Antwerp with no money, no idea of their location and no means of contacting anyone.

The 3 locals arrested during the eviction of the forest all chose to give their IDs resulting in a short detention for 2 of them. 1 was taken to prison, being told this would be for 12 months, after 5 hours they were released and put on tag for 3 months. It is unclear why and how this has happened.

Further Action
People from the Occupation of the Forest have asked for solidarity demos outside Belgian Embassies against the cutting of wrongly zoned forests.
Shortly there will also be further information for communications blockades.

*Administrative Arrest is where an individual is arrested for identification, this can last up to 12hrs if the individual chooses to give their name or has ID on them. The arrest can last up to 24hrs if no name is given.

http://groenoord.wordpress.com/2013/09/04/kroniek-van-een-aangekondigde-ontbossing/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferraris_map

steungroep.groenoord@gmail.com
www.groenoord.be

28 Days Later / Balcombe anti-fracking protests update days 40-43

One Man Stop – 2nd September – Day 40

Update (14:45am): One protector locked on to fracking truck at the gate of Cuadrilla site in Balcombe.

Update (11:45am): Two protectors arrested defending Sussex from fracking.

One Man Stop – 2nd September – Day 40

Update (14:45am): One protector locked on to fracking truck at the gate of Cuadrilla site in Balcombe.

Update (11:45am): Two protectors arrested defending Sussex from fracking.

Update (9:30am): Police trying to force fracking truck through the community protection blockade. Come down and support the community.

Protector Locked On To Fracking Tanker Blocking The Gate Of Cuadrilla Site In Balcombe – Video

More info and photos here

Day 41 (Tues 3rd) Of Community Fracking Blockade In Balcombe Sussex

Protector Locked On To Gate Of Cuadrilla Fracking Site In Balcombe – Video

"I study environmental science, I know this is wrong, I know this is mad and it's just about money. I've chosen this action because nobody is listening. I've signed petitions, I've written to the EA. I've been here peacefully protesting for the last 6 weeks or longer. The government's just not listening to its people. Once they start putting those chemicals down into the water table they cannot get them out. I don't want to leave this mess for the next generation and I certainly don't want to say I didn't do anything to stop it."

Day 43 – 5th September Of Community Fracking Blockade In Balcombe Sussex

Breaking: #Balcombe Community Protection Camp now has a tripod blocking the road. Some cars can pass… looks like no trucks for a while… #GreatGasGala #Frack_OFF #Cuadrilla

Day 43 of the Community Blockade in Balcombe. This morning one Protector is blocking fracking trucks from entering the Cuadrilla’s site with a tripod. The camp in Balcombe is fight the threat of thousands of fracking wells spreading across Sussex and the UK.

Videos

Helpful Information for groups considering action

News from the anti-MAT struggle in the Girona area of Catalonia

2nd of September, 2013:

News from the anti-MAT struggle in the Girona area of Catalonia

2nd of September, 2013:

News from the anti-MAT struggle in the Girona area of Catalonia

The active resistance camp against the MAT (very high tension electricity line) taking place near Girona has squatted a huge, antique, abandoned farmhouse near the village of Orriols, in order to give continuity to the struggle against this deadly project and the world which needs it. The resistance against the MAT has been active for more than a decade and has now reached a crucial point seeing that the construction of the line has now started in this area and is going ahead at a furious pace.

The police are constantly harassing the squatted zone and farmhouse. This is the squat's fifth day and the second day since the doors were opened to anyone who wishes to contribute to the struggle against the MAT and intends to organize collectively in order to stop it. The liberated space, located very near to where two pylons are being constructed, is like sand in the gears and cogs of this machine of death and destruction driven by industrialists and politicians and defended by the police and journalists.

During the last week of August the police presence around the camp in Fellines and its activities was very strong: people stopped and identified, provocations, number plates written down, constant patrolling along the surrounding roads, protest marches blocked, a helicopter flying above the camp and hovering near it at low altitude, presumably taking photos, etc. However, the harassment did not stop the people who came from all over the surrounding areas, the Spanish State and other European countries, and even spurred them to intensify the struggle, as can be seen with this new squatted area which seems to have thrown the police off-balance.

On the 1st of September it was made public knowledge that the abandoned Mas Castelló farmhouse had been squatted as a new space of resistance and coordination, and soon enough the police arrived in great numbers, suddenly waking up to the fact that the action had taken place right under their noses and despite all their checkpoints. The barricades built along the dirt track leading to the house, the presence of many people behind them and some other resisters on the roof of the new squat, helped keep the police away, even though they tried to advance showing plastic bullet guns, firing a few shots into the air, perhaps bringing dogs to the scene, threatening and shouting and throwing rocks at the resisters in order to provoke them and thus create the legal situation necessary for a speedy eviction order. Before nightfall, however, the forces of repression withdrew most of their faithful soldiers, only to come back a little later as a small group accompanying the owner of the house, shouting threats and trying to identify the people on the roof.

The night was quiet but this morning saw the arrival of many police vans yet again. Some of the barricades have been removed by firefighters and by a tractor which was probably ordered to do so by the owner of the house. Some hours later most of the vans filed away and the resisters got back to the tasks necessary in order to make Mas Castelló a meeting point for locals and non-locals who will continue the struggle against this deadly megaproject.

Everyone is invited to come and participate to help defend the land around Girona. People are arriving but greater numbers are necessary, so come and show your support!

If you are unable to be physically present, express your solidarity in whichever way you see fit, wherever possible and as soon as possible.

Mas Castelló resists!