Action Reports – Page 50

Honduran Army Kills Indigenous Leader of COPINH Who Resisted Dam in Rio Blanco

16 July 2013 On Monday July 15th, while the Lenca community of Rio Blanco, in Honduras, marked 106 days of resistance to the building of Agua Zarca hydroelectric dam, the Army indiscriminately shot at the demonstrators killing one of the l

Tomas was a Lenca indigenous leader who was part of his community’s Indigenous and Auxiliary Council and of the National Council of the Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH).

The Honduran activist was shot dead while he was walking with other community members to the project’s facilities owned by Desa and Sinohydro companies, while his son, who was seriously injured by a high-calibre bullet, is in hospital and his life is in danger, Berta Caceres, leader of COPINH, told Real World Radio.

Berta described the act as “a desperate and criminal reaction” by the companies that want to build a dam on River Gualcaeque, seriously affecting the communities living there. The Honduran army supports the companies, said Berta, and they even pay for the transportation and maintenance of troops deployed by the Honduran government in Tegucigalpa in Rio Blanco.

On Monday night, COPINH reported of more military troops being deployed in Zacapa, Santa Barbara, and there were fears of new shootings against civilians during the wake of the murdered indigenous leader.

“The community is outraged. We are in great sorrow, also because we believe we have to continue our struggle”, said Berta during a phone interview. “As the elections approach (in November) they want to teach COPINH a lesson”, she explained and said the community decided to continue occupying the access to the dam.

A few hours after the incidents, COPINH had reported that since Friday 12, top executives of the company Desarrollo Energético Sociedad Anónima (DESA)- which is in charge of the project together with the original group Sinohydro – travelled to meet with local hitmen, who are responsible for direct threats against several members of the indigenous council, including Tomas Garcia.

Before they started shooting at civilians, the military made no attempt to talk with the activists, said Berta.

The leader of COPINH was illegally arrested in May and submitted to a trial for purportedly having an illegal weapon, something that the court could not prove and the case was finally dismissed.

The leader highlighted that in the new cases of repression against residents of the community of Rio Blanco, we urgently need international solidarity to report the civic and military authorities and both companies for murder.

“We are aware that we are confronted with an impunity strategy in a context that seems to be worsening”, said Berta. She said the communities’ determination to defend their territory is strengthened in these situations of state and private violence.

In fact, river Gualcarque is considered an essential part of the Lenca spirituality and the communities are confronting the business projects as a tribute to their culture’s symbolic figure: Lempira.

“We continue fighting, we are not afraid, we will not be prey to fear and we will continue this peaceful but strong battle for life”, she concluded.

Daniel McGowan Loses Lawsuit Against Bureau Of Prisons

16 Jult 2013 A federal court has dismissed an environmental activist’s claims against the U.S.

16 Jult 2013 A federal court has dismissed an environmental activist’s claims against the U.S. Bureau of Prisons over a restrictive prison wing he was housed in, but a lawsuit filed by other prisoners against the government over its restrictive communication management units continues.

Daniel McGowan, 39, served seven years in federal prison for arson connected with the Earth Liberation Front, four of them in the secretive communication management units, or CMUs, dubbed “Little Guantanamo” by critics.

Along with dozens of other mostly Muslim inmates, McGowan’s phone calls with the outside world and physical contact with his family were severely limited. Even after he was released to a halfway house, McGowan was briefly tossed back into prison this year for writing a Huffington Post blog entry detailing his case.

McGowan’s lawyers at the Center for Constitutional Rights had argued that his re-jailing proved he was still at risk for re-incarceration in the CMUs. But the judge overseeing the lawsuit disagreed, citing a 1990s-era law that severely restricts the rights of federal prisoners to challenge cruel and unusual punishment.

McGowan’s lawyers at the Center for Constitutional Rights said in a statement that they were “deeply disappointed” by Senior Judge Barbara J. Rothstein’s decision, but that they would push on with the larger lawsuit.

Residents raise sinkhole warning signs over Shell tunnel

Yesterday (14th July), local residents and supporters raised signs on Sruwaddacon estuary, warning of the sinkholes that continue to appear over Shell's tunnel.

Yesterday (14th July), local residents and supporters raised signs on Sruwaddacon estuary, warning of the sinkholes that continue to appear over Shell's tunnel. Residents first noticed the sinkholes beginning to appear in the special area of conservation on the 20th May and numerous sinkholes have appeared along the tunnel route since then.

The warning signs which read "Danger Sinkholes: Keep Back" were erected in order to warn users of the estuary of presence of the sinkhole, which have been up to 8 foot deep. Residents were forced to put up the warning signs after both Mayo County Council and the Department of Energy & Natural Resources, despite being contacted, have failed to take any action.

The National Parks & Wildlife Service are also believed not to have investigated thus far the possible damage that may be occurring to the benthic life in the estuary, despite the area being both a Special Area of Conservation and a Special Protection Area.

Shell to Sea spokesperson Terence Conway stated "When Shell experts were giving evidence in the oral hearing, there wasn't a word about sinkholes and the bubbling up of possible contaminated material to the surface of the special area of conservation".[1]

Shell have previously sent up to 10 workers with shovels out on the estuary in a failed attempt to fill in the sinkholes.

Mr Conway continued "We can currently follow the path of the tunnel by the trail of sinkholes that have appeared on the strand. Failure to regulate has caused alot of suffering in Ireland, yet the Government are still allowing Shell to do whatever they want. The sinkholes are further proof that the Government continues to abandon their responsibility to regulate Shell."

Links

[1] YouTube Video: What's happening in Shell's Tunnel? – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hvz2l27Ooc

[2] Reports of sinkholes above Corrib tunnel investigated
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/reports-of-sinkholes-abo…54717

[3] Midwest Radio Clip about third sink-hole in Sruwaddacon estuary
http://www.shelltosea.com/content/midwest-radio-clip-ab…tuary

Bubbling in the water in the foreground while people raise warning signs in the background of photo

Anti-nuclear Power Protesters ‘Drop Dead’ on 700th day of Kudankulam Stir

15 July 2013 On the 700th day of their protest against the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP), villagers of Idinthakarai in Tamil Nadu “dropped dead” on the roads in a symbolic gesture, an anti-plant activist said Monday

Several villagers who were walking on the roads suddenly fell down ‘dead’. After some time, they got up. A public meeting was also held today (Monday),” S.P. Udayakumar, coordinator of the People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE) told IANS over phone from Idinthakarai.

The ‘drop dead’ gesture was an enactment of the impact the power plant would have on people. The protest was held against the clearance granted by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) to KNPP’s first 1,000 MW unit to start nuclear fission.

On Saturday night, the KNPP’s first reactor attained criticality or began nuclear fission.
The villagers in the vicinity of the KNPP have been protesting against the nuclear power plant for the past 700 days, fearing for their lives in the wake of the nuclear accident in Fukushima, Japan, in 2011, under the PMANE banner.

The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) is building two reactors of 1,000 MW each. The reactors are supplied by Russia.

Refuting rumours that the protest would take a violent turn, Udayakumar said: “Ours is a peaceful protest. We don’t believe in violence. We will not cooperate. A plant of this nature would need the cooperation of the locals.”

“It is a genuine struggle of the working class. But it is not being recognised. We had knocked several doors — government, experts, courts — but no door was opened to us,” M. Pushparayan, another PMANE leader, told IANS.

Udayakumar questioned the urgency for giving the “first approach to criticality” clearance even before the apex court had the time to go through the reports filed by AERB, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) and the union ministry of environment and forests.

He said the fight against KNPP would continue — legally, scientifically and politically.
Udayakumar said a case had been filed in the Madras High Court Monday, challenging the AERB’s clearance for the first KNPP unit to go critical.

New Tree Sit in Tasmanian Old Growth

15th July Anti-forestry activists have erected a tree sit to halt logging in Tasmania’s far south.

Huon Valley Environment Centre’s Jenny Weber says the wood from the old growth is destined for timber processor Ta Ann Tasmania.

”The tree sit structure is attached to the logging machines, halting them from continuing logging today,” Ms Weber said.

The protest again involves members of the Australian Student Environment Network who also shut down Ta Ann’s Smithton mill on Friday.

The Smithton action was condemned by peak environment groups who negotiated the forestry peace deal which will lead to 504,000 hectares of forests being protected.

However, it is up to the Legislative Council to approve a protection order for the future reserves. MLCs will make their decision after considering how effective the legislation has been, including the impact of ongoing protests on Tasmania’s wood markets.

Ta Ann Tasmania has repeatedly denied using wood from old-growth forests.

Police Fire Water Cannons to Quell Protest as Baton-Wielding Shop Owners Threaten Reporters in Istanbul

15 July 2013 Police have fired water cannons and tear gas to the several thousand protesters gathered on Istanbul’s İstiklal Avenue to protest a midnight bill adopted this week by the Parliament which curbed the supervision of the Chamber of Architects and Engineers (TMMOB) in all urban projects, giving full authority to the Environment and Urban Planning Ministry. Some shop owners also threateningly attacked with batons reporters an protesters chased the protesters into the side streets by the police.

Members of TMMOB, of whom many were among the most active leaders of the Taksim Solidarity Platform that initiated the protests over the demolition of Gezi Park in Istanbul, as well as many protesters, had joined the demonstration in Galatasaray Square that started at 5:30 p.m.

However, police did not allow the group to walk to Taksim Square after the Governor’s Office refused to grant permission. Police demanded the protesters to end the demonstration after the statement, warning them that a dispersion by force would be carried out against them if they failed to do so. Most of the protesters dispersed while the police chased them into the side streets, cutting off some of the pedestrian entrances to the İstiklal Avenue.

Shop owners with batons attack protesters, reporters

After scattering, some of the protesters started to regroup on the İstiklal Avenue. Water cannon trucks and panzers were also dispatched to the area. Live footage showed riot police using tear gas in the side streets, while reports said that they also fired rubber bullets to protesters.

Meanwhile, a group of baton-wielding shop owners attacked protesters running from the police. They also threatened reporters, trying to prevent them in vain from filming and taking their pictures.

Police also detained protesters, including art scholar Osman Erden. Erden was seen bleeding from the mouth while he was taken into custody.

‘No to crazy projects’

Earlier, a spokesperson for the group slammed the midnight bill, saying the government wanted to “silence” architects and engineers to prevent hurdles in grandiose urban projects. “They don’t want us because we are against [Istanbul’s] third bridge, because we said no to Canal Istanbul,” he said, referring to the massive-scale construction works branded as “crazy projects” by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

During his speech, the crowd also chanted “no to the third bridge, no to canal Istanbul, no to crazy projects,” hinting that the demands of the protesters could widen.

The spokesperson also recalled that many members of the Taksim Solidarity Platform and other civil groups were harassed and ill-treated while in custody, including Mücella Yapıcı, the general secretary of TMMOB’s Istanbul office.

“We won’t surrender,” he said.

Protesters were also seen holding pictures of Ali İsmail Korkmez, the fifth Gezi protester to have died, who passed away this week after succumbing to his injuries, inflicted by assailants who beat him with sticks.

Earlier, mothers whose children had been detained organized a sit-in in GalatasaraySquare, calling for the end of arbitrary detentions.

Gezi Park was opened on July 8 after being in police lockdown for more than three weeks. The opening of the park had caused incidents as police intervened once again against protesters, taking into custody 50 people, including a number of NGO members.

Midnight Confiscation of Drilling Equipment at New Brunswick Anti-Fracking Protest

15 July 2013 Elsipogtog First Nation, New Brunswick – ”We’ve taken it to the next level,” said Grand Elder Ray Robinson of last night’s events. “The bubble is about to burst, if it hasn’t already been burst.”

At approximately 12 midnight last night, locals began hearing booming sounds characteristic of the Southwestern Energy (SWN) seismic testing trucks, or ‘thumpers,’ as well as other less familiar industrial sounds nearby. After an online call-out expressing concern that SWN might be attempting to begin drilling under the cover of darkness, locals and camp members began to search for the source of the sounds.

Local Elsipogtog warrior Jason Okay recounts what followed: “We stopped to ask for directions from a lady’s house that was near the sounds. We told her where we thought the sounds were, and she said ‘No way! That’s my [privately owned] land!’ We said ‘sorry ma’am, but your land’s getting drilled.’”

Camp members and locals entered the forest on the woman’s property to find a crowd of RCMP officers and private security forces protecting two SWN trucks. Protesters confronted the RCMP, stating that SWN was operating on private property without consent and must leave immediately.

According to Okay and other camp sources, protesters were followed onto the site by a group of individuals identifying themselves as UN independent observers, who proceeded to talk with the RCMP. Following discussion, it is reported that the “observers” convinced the RCMP to escort SWN officials off the property, abandoning the trucks. Elsipogtog residents confiscated the trucks, towing them onto the Elsipogtog reserve where they are still being held.

Following the abandonment of the site by SWN security and the RCMP, locals went deeper into the forest and discovered what are reported to be unmanned SWN drilling trucks. Upon investigating the surrounding area, a series of large holes in the earth were discovered. Warriors and protesters remain camped out in the area awaiting means to transport the equipment to the reserve.

“Everything should halt,” said Okay of the significance of last night’s confrontation. “SWN should realize we don’t want them here … [If we wouldn't have confiscated the equipment] they’d be drilling right now.”

Police remain camped out near the entrance to the site of the drills, blocking any attempts by protesters to transport the equipment off-site. Unmarked police vehicles dot the highway near the camp site, and SWN security vehicles have been sighted driving past the camp frequently. A Global News crew attempted to set up without consent in front of the camp at approximately 5:00am this morning, but were evicted by camp members before filming began.

Questions about UN observers

Chief Aaron Sock of Elsipogtog states that he contacted the UN last weekend to request UN observation, in order to maintain peace between the RCMP and locals due to recent security concerns. Two individuals identified by themselves and local leadership as UN Independent Observers have been present on camp for two days since, conducting interviews with camp members, collecting information, and last night, providing a mediating role in confrontations.

However, upon contacting Wilton Littlechild, Chairperson of the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP), Littlechild stated that while he was contacted by Chief Sock in regards to security concerns at the camp, he had not directly deployed any observers as of yet.

Meanwhile, a source in the office of the spokesperson for the Secretary-General of the UN confirmed to rabble.ca that there are currently no UN observers anywhere in Canada.

Despite this lack of clear verification, camp members and First Nations leadership hold that the individuals have a relationship with the UN, pointing to the RCMP’s respect for the observers’ role as mediators in last night’s confrontation as further evidence.

Update – 11:45pm EST: Upon further discussion with local leadership and the individuals identified as ‘UN Independent Observers,’ it has been made clear that the term ‘Independent Observer’ was intended to communicate that the individuals were not directly employed by the UN. They have been appointed by local leadership to maintain a peacekeeping role in the camp, and compile a report based on their observations of the situation to be independently submitted on behalf of the community to the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (which has been confirmed by the UN via Wilton Littlechild, Chairperson of EMPRIP). The titles of the individuals have been switched to ‘Peacekeepers’ to avoid future confusion.

Claire Stewart-Kanigan is a writer from Montreal currently reporting from the anti-fracking protest camp. See her first dispatch here.

Photo: Jason Okay

Road Block to Stop Theft of Water from Yaqui Peoples

14 July 2013 Vícam, Sonora, México – Traditional Authorities and the Yaqui people remain firm more than a week after the start of their road block of the international highway 15 (Mexico-Nogales) near the community of Vícam, announcing that they will take stronger actions. The action is in response to the state government’s refusal to stop the operation of the Independence Aqueduct that has illegally extracted the first volumes of water from the El Novillo dam.

Extraction began in early May, even though the state government did not have permission from the National Water Commission (CONAGUA) to transfer the water. There is also a Supreme Court (SCJN) resolution that ratified protection for the tribe pending the Environmental Impact Assessment (MIA), which is required to legally begin taking the water.

On May 8, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the traditional authorities of Vícam, citing the dossier 631/2012 for violation of their right to consultation by the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT). However, neither the Sonora state government nor federal authorities have complied with the Supreme Court’s decision to stop construction of the Independence Aqueduct. On the contrary, they have concealed the continual operation of the water pumps that CONAGUA helped to install to suck water from the Rio Yaqui near the dam El Novillo.

Since the announcement of the construction of the project through the media – the Yaqui were never directly consulted – the tribe has denounced the theft of water necessary for its existence, the illegality of the work and, above all, what they consider an effort to exterminate them by the Governor of Sonora, Guillermo Padres Elias. Elias was backed by then-President Felipe Calderon and now has the tacit support of President Enrique Peña Nieto, who has not spoken out or visited the state despite his campaign promises.

In Sept. 2011 and Nov. 2012, the tribe exercised its right to protest, intermittently blockading roads. As time passed with no response from any authorities or responsible parties, the blockades became semi-permanent on the highways, local roads and trails that connect the south and north of the state.

Currently, the blockade is on a highway located in an area recognized as Yaqui territory by presidential decrees in 1937 and 1940. The roads that connect to it pass through privately leased land, but the territory remains in the hands of the tribe.

Protests south of Sonora began with the mega-march on May 28 in Ciudad Obregon, called “Respect for the rule of law” and led by the Tribe and the citizen movement “No to Novillo”. Ending the march, the tribe and supporters began the roadblocks in the municipality of Cajeme to demand restoration of the rule of law due to the constant violations committed by the governor of Sonora. After holding assemblies to discuss continued civil resistance in the Vícam Traditional Guard, the tribe announced the installation of a camp with the roadblock in case CONAGUA does not turn off the pumps at the Novillo dam.

The “Defense Brigades of the Yaqui River” called to protest near the 47-kilometer point on the highway, visible from the pedestrian bridge. They issued a statement and invitation, calling on, “All members of the Yaqui tribe, traditional authorities and people in general…to participate in the protest on the road in Vícam as Guillermo Padres illegally connects a pipe to the Novillo dam, stealing water that belongs to us. This is water that is lacking in our territory that is used to irrigate our lands, and to consume without getting sick. It is very, very important for us to revive the Yaqui River that is completely dry now. ”

The statement also emphasized that, “They have already stolen a lot of our water, so we shouldn’t allow them to continue to divert it to someplace else; it is here where we need it. They have caused us a great deal of damage, so let us join our efforts and together rescue the water for all Yaquis who inhabit this territory. You don’t need to be a governor, captain, commander or secretary to defend your right to a dignified life. We are Yaqui and that’s enough to make your voice heard and to act.”

From the footbridge, where the tribe has set up tarps to maintain the protest, there is a long line of trailers, trucks, buses and private cars waiting for the military to give the order to pass. But given the absence of dialogue with the federal government, a solution appears far off. Meanwhile, ambulances are allowed to pass.

The Yaqui remain alert. In 2011 the state and federal police suppressed a similar demonstration. Recent statements by the state attorney general, Carlos Navarro Sugich, threatened intervention of the police; state Secretary of Government, Roberto Romero, has ignored the authorities of the Tribe; and the delegate of the Sonora Department of Communications and Transportation, Javier Hernández Armenta has indicated the possibility of filing against protesters before the Attorney General’s Office under Article 533 of the Law of General Means of Transit (Ley de Vías Generales de Comunicación).

The Yaqui are confident that the only lawbreakers are Governor Guillermo Padres, the “YES Sonora Capital Fund” (Fondo de operaciones Sonora SÍ) that is the financial force behind the project and federal agencies. In the fight to save their water, the Yaquis are achieving what years of government intervention has sought to avoid: the unity of the “Eight Traditional Peoples”. The Yaqui authorities of Guamúchil Loma who have been pro-government in recent years (known as “torokoyoris”) have joined the blockades.

Social networks are also serving to expose and report what happens in Vícam, compared to little or no information reported in local media. The media has focused on sensationalist aspects such as violence, extortion, insecurity, and economic losses. They generally ignore the Yaqui perspective.

In the heat of summer with the high temperatures of the Sonora desert, day and night, women and men of all ages concentrate on the side of the road. They will announce stronger measures if they receive no answer. They say in the Jiak language: “Namakasia achaim kaabe amau tawabaane” (stay strong, friends. Nobody should stay behind). Women fix meals, people come in from other Yaqui villages, and the tribal flag waves, announcing that autonomy is lived every day and it is defended every moment.

Fernando, a Yaqui from the Yoeme group and a firm defender of water rights, makes a sign to remember the ancestors who died defending Yaqui territory. “The smell of rebellion fills the air here in Vícam. In the faces of my fellow brigade members, you can see the signs of our future victory. Namakasia ” he concludes.

Activists Form Human Pipeline on Flatbush Avenue to Protest Natural Gas Pipeline

Activists say they’re concerned wildlife would be impacted if something went wrong with the pipeline being built in Brooklyn. (July 14, 2013)

Dozens of activists formed a human pipeline on Flatbush Avenue today in protest of a natural gas pipeline that’s being built through parts of Brooklyn.

Parts of the pipeline are already under construction to connect Brooklyn with a pipeline that goes up and down the East Coast. Activists say they’re concerned about the impact the underground flowing gas could have on the borough, wildlife and the environment.

A representative from Transco, the company behind the project, argued that opponents are overlooking the fact that the environmental benefits of natural gas are exactly what is driving the project. It is also the primary reason why the mayor specifically cited this project as key to helping the city achieve its clean air goals, Transco says.

The spokesperson added that Transco has been safely providing natural gas to New York City for more than 50 years without incident.

A public comment period will be held to discuss the project further.

Tasmanian Lockdown Halts Work at Mill

13 July 2013 Activists have vowed to continue to target timber processor Ta Ann Tasmania, after two people were arrested for chaining themselves to equipment at its Smithton mill yesterday.

The protest was condemned by the state government and frustrated peak environment groups involved in the forestry peace process.

About 40 people, including members of the Australia Student Environment Network from across Australia, forced the mill to grind to a halt yesterday.

Still Wild Still Threatened spokeswoman Miranda Gibson said the forestry legislation had failed to protect Tasmania’s forests.

Although the legislation passed Parliament in April, the Legislative Council must still approve a protection order for more than 500,000 hectares of forests.

A durability report, assessing whether the forestry legislation is working since it was passed in April this year, will form the basis of its deliberations.

Ms Gibson said it would be better off to “start again and find something better”.

“This agreement isn’t going to work: what we still see is forests falling every day,” she said.

A joint statement from the three environmental signatories to the forestry agreement described the protest as “uncalled for, unnecessary and counter to the creation of new reserves in Tasmania”.

“It is difficult to see the environmental benefit of this action given that Ta Ann Tasmania supports the protection of half a million hectares of new forest reserves and the recent World Heritage extension,” the statement said.

The company said: “The protest is based on false claims about the Tasmanian Forest Agreement by radical groups that have been outside the process. Ta Ann Tasmania has committed to only purchase timber sourced from production zones authorised by the forest peace legislation.”

Within hours of environmental activists storming Ta Ann at Smithton, pro-development group Unlock Tasmania had organised a protest of its own – against the protest.

More than 100 people joined the march down Smithton’s main street to show their support for the workers at Ta Ann.

Spokesman and Liberal candidate for Braddon Joan Rylah said fly-in activists had no place in Tasmania.

“Tasmanians have a stark choice between political groups using law-breaking attacks or supporting law-abiding groups who support law-abiding companies employing Tasmanian people,” Mrs Rylah said.