Action Reports – Page 91

Solidarity with Japanese anti-nuclear protests

Sixteen anti-nuclear protesters – half of them Japanese – gathered outside the Japanese embassy in Piccadilly, London on Friday morning (10 August), for the second week running, in a demonstration organised by London-based group Kick Nuclear. This was in solidarity with weekly demonstrations taking place outside the Prime Minister's offices in Tokyo and elsewhere in Japan against the restarting of nuclear reactors as the Fukushima crisis continues. The weekly numbers taking part in those protests have now swelled to well over 70,000.

See also:

film of anti-nuke protest at japan embassy – by Rikki

Upcoming actions and events:

– Friday 17 August, 9.30-11.30am – Anti-nuclear solidarity protest at Embassy of Japan, 101-104 Piccadilly, London W1:

– 23 August – 1 September – Buddhist-led peace walk towards a nuclear-free future, Aldermaston Atomic Weapons Establishment, Berkshire to Hinkley Point nuclear power station, Somerset.

– Tuesday 28 August, 7.30-9.30pm – Kick Nuclear open night

– with guest speaker from Indian anti-nuclear movement

Venue: London Action Resource Centre (LARC) – (ground floor)
62 Fieldgate Street, (corner of Parfett Street), Whitechapel, London E1 1ES
Nearest Stations:- Whitechapel / Aldgate East / Aldgate / Shadwell: Map

This event is open to new folks and old hands alike to come and discuss the latest from the murky world of nuclear energy and nuclear new build, share news about protests and actions that have been taking place in the UK and elsewhere, and plot how we can put a few spanners in the works.

Come and join us!

– Tuesday 25 September – Benefit gig: David Rovics – Songs of Social Significance, with support from The Noo and Mr Creedy – presented by Kick Nuclear and friends

Doors 7pm
Tickets: £5 on the door

(Listen to and download David Rovics songs for free at http://www.davidrovics.com )

– Stop New Nuclear camp and mass action against nuclear new build at Hinkley Point, Somerset, 5-8 October 2012.

http://stopnewnuclear.org.uk

Multiple Arsons: Olympic torch returns to Bristol

On Monday 31st we lit up the opening week of the Olympics with an attack on two vehicles (and all the equipment they contained) belonging to British Telecom (BT), an "official Olympic partner". It's a small reply to the heightened repression in London.

In Longwell Green this week we then sabotaged a mast owned by BT's parent company, O2, the mobile phone network. We burnt out the mast by setting fire to the cables at the bottom.

While the thousands who can afford to swell the economy are welcomed by the state for the Olympics, O2 profits from the exploitation of a literal captive audience of "illegal" migrants who are forced to use O2 phones with extortionate pricing in a pilot scheme at Yarl's Wood "Immigration Removal Centre" (prison) which is run by Serco. The authorities can monitor calls with ease, and the network is easier to shut down in the event of a disturbance or as punishment for rule breaking. There are currently mass hunger strikes in Germany and the UK (in ?Morton Hall, a former open prison now specifically designated for "foreign nationals"), these hunger strikes are an expression against detention, control and isolation.

While O2 profit from their dealings in detention they are also furthering the encroachment of the market into the fabric of our social lives. "Giff Gaff" is a mobile phone network owned by O2 and a brainchild of their head of brand strategy. Their model of operating encourages consumers (or "members) to participate in aspects of running the service such as customer support, marketing and sales in return for meagre incentives and forms their "horizontally run" business image. Under this model your friends become marketing targets and your relations are degraded in their value as commodities, bringing us even closer to a world where every human interaction consists of buying and selling.

O2 also supply radio and phone systems for the UK police through a network of TETRA masts. G4S also use O2 sim cards to run their electronic tagging systems.

BT supply the UK prisons (as well as investing millions in the arms trade). Inmates are charged upto 7 times the average call rate, paying for the privilege to be spied on. In BT's words, "paying for the level of ongoing investment in security". BT now run computerise information points on prison wings, "aiding the prisoner during settlement". There's even employment opportunities uploading information and performance statistics.

Behind the scenes of Olympic grandeur, our daily experience is that modern life becomes more and more like a cage. Britain jails more adults than any other European country, and comes 3rd for jailed young people, but it's gold medal is in extending the authoritarian management of the "inside" to the "outside" with its induced culture of cowardice, conformity and snitching. The developing social control structure has many tentacles and is always deepening them through technology, psychology, surveillance, policing and architecture. In short, the mechanism of jail diffused throughout the urban environment. This society is already one giant prison for all but a privileged few and the modern citizen is already being trained to be the model prisoner.

But some cells are still more concrete than others. In April this year Carla Verdugo and Iván Silva were arrested in Santigao transporting an explosive the night before their comrade Juan Alistes trial preparation hearing. We want to continue what they started. Yesterday the "security case" trial against Juan, Freddy and Marcello began in Chile.

Strength to all unpacified captives from last summers riots. Solidarity with all those resisting the deportation machine. None of these hostages are forgotten. Solidarity is our weapon and we can use it.

We also take this opportunity to welcome ELF Switzerland prisoner Sylvio Guerin back to the streets.

Attacks on communication structures are a necessary part of the multi-formed struggle towards the collapse of capitalism. Where society means misery we chose rebellion. Fire to the prisons, borders and detention estate.

Update in tunnel boring machine saga – community resistance strong

4.8.12 update: 150 Gardai to move TBM 5km; Mayo County Council begin cover-up

As those following the story may have heard by now, the TBM was moved yesterday.

Aware that something was going to happen, campaigners spent the night at Glenamoy sleeping in cars and vans, aware that something was going to happen. Two slept under the bridge. Local residents nearby told us how the road had sunk 4 inches in the last few days, while other parts were ruined from the exceptional traffic. We're sure the Council will not be so quick to do those repairs…

At 4am, gardai began to swarm into the area. 150 IRMS security also marched up the road. We ran up, but the sheer weight of numbers kept us back. Ten managed to get into the field on the side where the truck was listing. Suddenly, 40 IRMS came in and set up a fence. Diggers and trucks of stone came in and for the next ten hours, Shell filled in ditches and built up a road around the collapsed bank. The crane plan had been abandoned and its seemed the field owner had given permission. Thus, without warning the crossroads were closed to all traffic, causing chaos yet again. Shell only later offered its usual bland, 'sorry for the inconvenience' shite.

Rumour is it that the crane stopped the previous day simply turned around and went home after being stopped. And that Shell were desperately trying to find a replacement – offering 15K for a crane driver alone to do the job, and another 50K for a crane itself.

Those in the field, having been given directions to go there when the road was being cleared were told they were being detained there and physically prevented from leaving by gardai. After watching the spectacle close up for a couple of hours, they made their way through other fields to get out.

Maura Harrington's van was stopped at Bellinaboy by Gardai and had its back window deliberately smashed by Sgt Dermot Butler, the well known bully of the public order unit – his former partner now has a restraining order against them, but in the dubious ranks of Mayo's police, that probably puts him in line for a promotion. Maura was arrested and charged, though subsequently released and the van returned in what was a blatant occasion of preventative detention.

Another campaigner also had their car impounded; while a third person was told their van could only leave the area if a garda drove it back to camp. There was quite a pattern were known protesters were being denied right of passage along the road, while other were stopped outright or repeatedly harassed and searched. Those walking had their own personal garda escort, and every fifty meters from Glenamoy to Bellinaboy there was at least one garda standing – someone counted them and the total there alone came to 80. We heard of checkpoints set up as far as Bangor Erris.

Butler continued his customary incivility when a local resident went to Belmullet garda station to have his tax return signed – Butler opened the hatch and said I'm not signing that for the likes of you, before slamming the hatch shut.

Betty Schults, a well known local campaigner, and others were following the trail of who had given permission for the TBM trucks to go up to Glenamoy in the first place. Having been told that documentation was at the Castlebar headquarters of Mayo County Council, she made the 100km round trip only to receive a phonecall telling her that it was missing from the file just as she arrived.

At 2pm we had news the TBM was moving so we headed down to Ballyscelly junction to witness it. Vehicles were backed up all along it, one local resident unable to get to her elderly mother who was at home alone. As usual, gardai were happy to block the road entirely for Shell, causing massive disruption as even the backroads were closed off this time.

The twitchiness of An Gardai Síochána was apparent. They were desperate to see this go off without any hitches. As the tunnel boring machine came up the road, 38 gardai walking in front of the truck alone. IRMS security were also floating around. With such numbers there was little that could be done. Punctuating all this was a thunderstorm right overhead.

The subject of such massive operation, which underlines its importance, it was clear that the TBM would be delivered back to Bellinaboy. Yet for five days it was stuck at Glenamoy, a national news story and galvinizing the surrounding communities. Shell was at the centre of the embarrassment; An Gardai Síochána left red-faced, their ability to respond reduced to simple thuggery; and the blatant criminal collusion of Mayo County Council becoming apparent once more. Ironic, as Friday was elven years to the very day that Mayo County Council signed their first agreement with Shell.

As we sat in a local pub, swapping stories of the week, it was clear that there is hardly a local who does not believe Mayo county manager, Peter Hynes, has not sold his soul to Shell. The question is for how much. Certainly he does not have the trust or respect of anyone up here.

The battle is not over yet. The TBM has not got to where it is meant to, Aghoos. Before that can happen, the road at Ballyscelly junction has to be built up so it can turn. More pieces of it have still to arrive. Aghoos is not yet ready for it either, being plagued by flooding, while the weight of the TBM is not going to do the fracturing ground at Bellinaboy refinery any good either.

Shell have shot themselves in the foot several times; not only a huge embarrassment that made national headlines, it showed the ongoing strength of resistance coming from the community here. As we sat in the pub last night we could hear the buzz of a people fighting back.

As ever the camp is open to all who want to come and support, though you might have to mind the moat and drawbridge…

Cartoon in Irish News on the story – http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/notanumber/irishnews030812-p16.jpg

———

2nd August 2012

Day three and things are still looking bad for Shell. Protesters and the Irish bog have the upper hand, with Shell receiving flack and Gardai humbled as crane sent packing.

Day Three in the TBM House
Somewhere in Erris idiots at are work…

Most of the day was quiet around the TBM itself. Fencing was put up and IMRS formed a cordon around it. We are able to walk up and around the TBM – in places you can reach out and touch the Fionnuala. The turning wheels have caused the tarmac to scrunch up in quite a few places. The front of the truck has pushed the ditch out two foot, the back axles sitting in a pool of water and looks like one of them has buckled. The road is pretty badly damaged and it is easy to see why the driver was not going any further. The load on the back is also pushing the frame of the trailer down onto the tires.

Most work was on finishing bypasses around the TBM so vehicles could get in and out of Rossport. Cars are able to get to Rossport, but the direct route is still not possible, meaning the road through Glenamoy village is still being used, causing damage to locals gardens and the road surface is being destroyed by turning lorries from Barretts & Lennons. Local councillors moaned about it and asked for reports from Shell's pet Mayo County Council.

However, one of the Rossport 5 and Goldman Prize winner Willie Corduff did something about the haulage trucks coming through the village, standing in front of one truck coming through. Unfortunately arrested, but released without charge two hours later.

Locals and campers monitored the situation all day, everyone in good spirits enjoying the sight. Even though it underlines Shell's idiocy in attempting the whole project in the first place, it is awesome to see the unbelieveable.

Elsewhere, the two arrested for the Crossmolina lock-on pleaded guilty in Ballina court. One was fined 200 euros on the spot and the other had their punishment deferred to the September hearing in Belmullet, when many others arrested on previous protests are also having their cases heard.

Gardai were around all day, but in small numbers. Amazing given how much was spent on escorting it a day or so ago that they've pretty much abandoned it now. Definitely a question or two to be asked there about a colossal waste of money. Maybe they were getting the bollocking they truely deserved as the trucks could only have been on that road with their permission.

Some people did a bit of digging and it turns out that not only was there a major failure of judgement among experienced people who should have known better about taking a heavy load up a rural road through bogland, but it may also been illegal. According to the road traffic managment plan, the approved haulage route ends at the Ballyscally junction to Aghoos. Peter Hynes, the Mayo County Council Director of Services / County Manager who always bends over backwards to help Shell, has said that Shell had all the necessary permissions, which, to put it politely is disassembling somewhat. Did he really give permission for Shell to go up to Glenamoy? Maybe people should ring his office ((094) 90 24444) and ask to see the documents. Heads need to roll on this one.

In answer to someone's question, the trucks came the designated route, on the main route past Ballinaboy to the Aghoos compound. They failed to make the turning at the Ballyscally turning where the animal labs are, so continued up to Glenamoy / Rossport junction – to turn around and try from the other direction.

But back to the direct action bit. In the evening reports started coming in (and this is the beauty of a community wide campaign – eyes and ears everywhere) that a crane was on its way. Shell were saying that the TBM was going to be moved. Mmmh, a lot of people thought otherwise. Infact, some turned thought into action. Maura was there with her car across the road at Bellinaboy bridge, holding it up. More sped down there to give support, and before you could blink another protester was up on the crane.

The whole road was blocked. Shell workers from the refinery had to go the long way around, gridlocking the road out from Pullathomas – and, we are told, made to wait by some local residents none too happy at the sight of them.

Maura's car was pulled out of the way, but the gardai ended up crashing it into the side of the bridge, causing them to abandon the effort. After a while it was back in place, making sure the cherrypicker to take down the person on the crane could not reach them.

Several hours later somewhere between sixty and hundred people came to enjoy the sight of the the crane stuck in the middle of the road. While some might moan about the blockage or emergency services, the fact remains that these are the roads of the local community and it is they who are making the decisions that Shell needs to be kicked out – and taking action. This was not a local community annoyed by the road being blocked, but happy to see Shell taking another poke in the eye.

Gardai arrived – then called for backup as they realised they were struggling to contain the situation. You could see they were loosing it, dragging out various old faces including Brett and other faces familiar from baton charges several years ago; some even thought pushing young girls around with their heavy hands was appropriate. They were met with fury.

There was a stand-off, with the gardai isolating Maura and the crane. More scuffles. The cherrypicker was temporarily occupied with the Gardai assaulting a number of people to get it back, including pressure-pointing – the usual over-reaction from the likes of Butler and Gill from the Public Order Cutting Team. At least one gardai had his pepper spray out and Brett was trying to use his torch as a baton.

For pictures, see here http://shelltosea.com/content/pictures-last-night-blocking-tbm-crane

Maura's car was toed out of the way once more and the person from the crane arrested – and given a cheer. The cherrypicker itself started listing dangerously as one of its tires deflated.

Then as we readied ourselves for the crane to come through, it reversed and disappeared into the night, last seen somewhere beyond Bangor… They gardai had lost the stomach for the fight, it seems. You could hear the happiness in the voices of the people all around us. Eleven years on in this long fight, victories were still possible in the face of Shell's invasion. This part of Erris remains free in the hearts of the people there.

Afterwards, people went back up to Glenamoy to keep vigil there. People continue to arrive at camp. This is not over yet.

For a good video of some of the resistance of previous nights see http://shelltosea.com/content/youtube-videos-shell-sea-resists-shells-attempt-move-tunnel-boring-machine-rossport-31-7-201

Some other reports
http://shelltosea.com/content/councillor-appalled-over-shell-truck-blockage-glenamoy
http://shelltosea.com/content/rossport-farmer-arrested-jack-knifed-lorry

Shell humbled as protestors disrupt arrival of the Tunnel Boring Machine

31st July 2012

The last twelve plus hours saw protesters in Erris take on one of the largest Gardai operations Ireland has seen in some time – and ran rings around it. The mammoth operation saw hundreds of Gardai and IRMS security trying to escort the tunnel boring machine [TBM] to Aghoos. Yet Shell to Sea campaigners managed, in separate incidents, two lock-ons and used a car to blockade a bridge on the route of the TBM.

Following on from Sunday night's discovery of the arrival of the TBM into Dublin Port (see http://www.indymedia.ie/article/102198 & http://www.wsm.ie/c/garda-deployed-protect-shells-machine-people-ireland ), protesters from Sligo met it at its overnight resting place, while others mobilised with people coming from across the country. We were told that there would be an armed response unit and other pieces would be joining the convey, having come in from Killybegs and Belfast.

Despite short notice a call out for a protest at Ballina 9pm, Monday night, was quickly picked up and spread. Local radio stations spread the word, and the sixty or so protesters were joined by many from Ballina and surrounding areas – some to see the TBM itself, but often offering support as well.

Banners were held calling for an end to Shell's occupying army, pointing out that not only were Shell colonizing Erris for its own needs, not and they were doing it with the connivance of the Irish state – who had supplied armed Gardai to add to their many insults. There were many plain-clothes cops circling around, some of them displaying remarkable faithfulness to 1970s stereotypes…

Just after midnight the first of the lock-ons went into place outside of Crossmolina. Despite a strong Gardai presence in this town, it caught them completely on the hop. The convoy was halted on the outskirts of Ballina, with the Sligo road being blocked by Gardai, while the public order team raced to deal with the lock-on. Protesters and others from Ballina attempted to reach the convoy but were turned back.

The lock-on lasted a little under an hour with two arrested. Reaction from the Gardai, never the most pleasant from the public order unit's cutting team of Butler and Gill was sourer than usual.

Protesters, undeterred, left Ballina and regrouped at Bellacorrick. After a few hours wait, topping ourselves up with refreshments, the convoy came into sight (4.30am). One well known local campaigner promptly blocked the bridge with her van, parking it diagonally across a narrow spot bringing things once again to a halt. Yet again despite there being several van loads of Gardai with us.

A tractor from Carey's Tool and Plant Hire of Bangor (097-83018 / 086-8236018) was brought up to haul it out – the company are well known for doing this for Shell over the years. Resistance was put up by the 30 or so protesters there, leading to a battle for the bridge. Though overwhelmed several times over by Gardai numbers, it took them time to clear us out of the way, kettling us next to the old pub. It was easy to see that it was starting to affect them.

Just as that was finishing and the convoy was on its way again, later than ever, news came through that a second lock-on was in place on the Bangor road (6am). Cue enraged Gardai as the carefully planned operation to move the TBM became farcical. Another hours worth of delay with another two arrests.

The whole of the surrounding area was sealed off, though some protester vehicles managed to get back to camp to the great irritation of local Gardai. To top it off, the TBM, now many hours later than it should have been, was unable to make the turning at Aghoos which would take it down to its final resting place. Thus forcing it to go to Glenamoy in order to turn and try again.

Where it promptly got stuck at 8am. One local couple were told to park their van up in a specific place by Gardai. Who then said they that was wrong and dragged it away to a new place. Where the turning truck crashed into it… adding insult to all of this, the l van driver was assaulted by Gardai. Then got stuck as the road began to cave in under the weight of the 162 ton segment; the driver refused to get back into the truck in case it toppled down the side of the embankment.

Meanwhile the tailbacks grew. Drivers, understandably irate irate drivers were threatened with arrested; an individual on McGrath's truck on their way to dialysis was sent home.

As it stands, the trucks are still there, one tied to the other to stop it slipping more. For a good image see http://www.shelltosea.com/sites/default/files/images/TBM_truck_stuck_at_Glenamoy.jpg Thhe main road to Rossport is cut off and might be for the foreseeable future as they try to find solutions. Word is that cranes might be brought in, but they come with their own sets of problems. The rain has finally started. We will wait and see, and probably have a few good laughs. The TBM, offensively, has been named Fionnuala from the Children of Lir, and like that legend may it be stuck there for 300 years…

It is fair to say people here are pleased. At short notice as great response was organised and the multi-million euro operation made a mockery off. Shell and the Irish state thought they were going to sneak the TBM in under everyone's noses. Instead they got a rapidly mobilised set of protests that used it to bring the campaign message to people who had not encountered it before. The farce it became was given the airtime it deserved, Shell's dirty secretly received a public washing. It was really spiriting to learn that a group of young lads had come down from Sligo to oppose it, having only just heard about it on the radio.

We thought that at best it would be highly symbolic, we never thought that we could make such a laughing stock of a multi-million euro operation. The icing on the cake though, came from Shell. The farce at Glenamoy shows them up for what they were. If they cant, with all that planning, get the TBM in, how can there be any trust that they can run the pipeline safely. As one sleep-deprived but cheerful camper said, if they cant even get the tunnel boring machine turned on the road, how the hell are they going to get it up the estuary…

Update: Right, a quick update from camp. The Tunnel Boring Machine is still stuck. Shell's contractors Roadbridge have been trying several different methods, but none working. Currently, it is believed the plan is to build up the road so local residents can get past, then use the main road to bring in cranes that can lift the truck in sections. However, there is resistance in the air…

Following on from previous stories…

Initially the Gardai closed off the entire road, making local residents and tourists sit in their cars without information – reaching us many tales of outright lies being told to people by Gardai who refuse to acknowledge it was anything to do with Shell. The people of Erris are not stupid.

The vast Gardai numbers which had been escorting the TBM vanished entirely from the area, presumably utterly exhausted from a whole night of being given the run around. They left four of their number to try and manage the traffic, which was by the afternoon slow and backed up, mostly as lorries from Lennon and Barretts quarries had started turning up with stone for the road building. Locals residents, already furious at the disruption and gardai rudeness towards them, came out of their houses and stopped the trucks, saying the TBM was simply not wanted.

The four Gardai were not up to the job, and mostly did what Roadbridge told them to – so when Roadbridge's foreman demanded the lorries come through side by side, gridlock ensued. Residents had to sort the Gardai's mess, redirecting traffic and lorries to clear the blockage.

More and more people started coming as radio and word of mouth carried the story, with people coming from across Mayo to stand in solidarity with friends and family. Doors were opened by the people of Glenamoy to those who came to stand in the rain against Shell.

Meanwhile, Mayo county council is bending over backwards to help Shell clear up their mess – all those grants seem to be coming useful after all. County manager Peter Hynes is not going to hold Shell responsible, so yet again the people are picking up Shell's bill. However, Shell did have to eat humble pie as the story spread, with the head of Shell Ireland having to issue an apology, or rather regretting the inconvenience. Not as much as the residents do.

Shell's security IRMS are now controlling a public road and deciding where residents can walk. This was challenged leading to some people being put in the ditch. Of course the Gardai stood in line with IRMS – really was impossible to tell them apart, but residents made it very clear that the road did not belong to Shell or its lackeys.

As ever, with these things, it is great to be in the midst of such community spirit and resistance.

It appears that Roadbridge are going to resume work after midnight, with the aim of shifting the listing truck tomorrow and taking it to Bellinaboy refinery (a change from going direct to the Aghoos compound), until more work can be done to strenghten the roads. We think the mighty Irish bog may be a bit tricker than that…

Camp is taking a rest – its been a long 36 hours for many people, though some are going to maintain a presence at the site of the fiasco. Other good news is that the two people arrested for the second lock-on have been released without charge. The first two are up in court in Ballina tomorrow.

One twitter captured it: http://pic.twitter.com/55lYSNpB

For images see http://www.shelltosea.com/content/pictures-tunnelling-machine-stuck-glenamoy and http://photos.independent.ie/gallery/Shell_to_Sea_protest/slideshow/Shell_to_Sea_activists_protest/05mI7xq7Oxakf

Daring Protesters Shut Down Strip Mine In West Virginia; 500,000 in Bail Needed!!!!

29.7.12

Ramping up renewed efforts to end mountaintop removal mining in central Appalachia, scores of protesters staged a daring action at the controversial Hobet strip mine today in Boone County, West Virginia, shutting down operations through a series of coordinated lock downs, tree-sits and banner drops. In a symbolic challenge to the Obama administration’s failed regulatory policies, the protest targeted the Hobet 45 mountaintop removal mine, which had been granted a widely denounced permit over two years ago.

According to RAMPS, a West Virginia-based grassroots groups that organized the “mountain mobilization” protest as part of a nationwide summer of actions against devastating extraction industry operations, St. Louis-based mine owner Patriot Coal has left behind a legacy of destruction in coal country for both area residents and miners. Patriot filed for bankruptcy earlier this month, which could also affect pension and United Mine Workers of America union contracts.

“The government has aided and abetted the coal industry in evading environmental and mine safety regulations. We are here today to demand that the government and coal industry end strip mining, repay their debt to Appalachia, and secure a just transition for this region,” said Dustin Steele of Matewan, West Virginia, in a released statement. The son and grandson of union coal miners, Steele took part in one of the truck lockdowns.

Citing the mounting evidence of the health and humanitarian crises in the coalfields from toxic mining fallout, including a rise in black lung disease and links to birth defects and cancer, the protesters also stationed banners on the mine site: “Coal Leaves, Cancer Stays.”

“The coal companies are poisoning our water and air, and they’re treating the workers no better than the land — fighting workplace health and safety protections to get the most out of labor as they can,” said Junior Walk, a former coal company employee from nearby Whitesville, West Virginia, who won the 2011 Brower Youth Award for his environmental activism.

Protesters also called on the Obama administration and regional politicians to launch more sustainable job training and coalfield regeneration projects.

Coal mining residents have pleaded for basic civil rights and environmental protection for years, with more than 20 peer-reviewed studies suggesting higher risks and links between reckless strip mining and devastating health impacts, including birth defects, cancer and chronic heart, lung and kidney disease. (A recent report noted that strip miners are even subjected to unacceptable levels of black lung disease.)

A bill, the ACHE Act, calling for an emergency moratorium on mountaintop removal mining was recently introduced into Congress.

For updates on the protests and arrests, follow RAMPS campaign.

Video

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Dam construction site destroyed in the Kurdish East of Turkey!

On the 25th July, Wednesday, more than 500 protesting people in the Kurdish province Dersim have destroyed the construction site of the highly criticized Pembelik Dam on the Peri River.

Since September 2012 local affected people along the Peri River, a border River of the two provinces Dersim (Tunceli) and Elazig protest continously against the construction of the 77 m high and 125 MW Pembelik Dam on the Peri River. Since then they have pitched protest tents close to the construction site of the dam which they refuse categorically. The affected people criticize the state for destroying the livelihoods of thousands of people through the construction of the Pembelik and other dams on the Peri River and for excluding them from any dam construction activities. Two other dams have been built in the past and have resulted in negative impacts for people and nature in the whole valley. Although the protest continues for so long and there is a big regional and national solidarity, no state official took into consideration the local people.

More than 500 people, affected people and people in solidarity with them, gathered close to the dam in order to start a protest demonstration. It was one day before the start of the annual big Munzur Culture and Nature Festival which is the biggest cultural event in the province of Dersim. After marching some kilometers they decided to occupy the dam constructing site although it is protected by many security guards. These guards and dozens of soldiers could not stopped the people although they fired in the air. The protesters overcame the gates and fences and then destroyed several construction machines and some buildings by fire.

To date this protest is the most radical one in the Kurdish region of the Republic of Turkey. In Dersim for more than ten years there are protests by people against dams which are refused by more than 90% of the population. It considers the dams as tools to destroy the wild nature, to displace people and to "pacify" the rebellious province Dersim.

See one video of the protest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Xcx01ZFg7M

Angry Environmental Protesters Occupy Government Office, Smash Computers in China

28.7.12

Angry demonstrators occupied a government office in eastern China on Saturday, destroying computers and overturning cars in a violent protest against an industrial waste pipeline they said would poison their coastal waters.

28.7.12

The demonstration was the latest in a string of protests sparked by fears of environmental degradation and highlights the social tensions the government in Beijing faces as it approaches a leadership transition this year.

About 1,000 protesters marched through the coastal city of Qidong, about one hour north of Shanghai by car, shouting slogans against the plan pipeline that would empty waste from a paper factory in a nearby town into the sea.

Demonstrators rejected the government’s stand that waste from the factory would not pollute the coastal waters.

“The government says the waste will not pollute the sea, but if that’s true, then why don’t they dump it into Yangtze River?” said Lu Shuai, a 25-year-old protester who works in logistics.

“It is because if they dump it into the river, it will have an impact on people in Shanghai and people in Shanghai will oppose it.”

Several protesters entered the city government’s main building and were seen smashing computers, overturning desks and throwing documents out the windows to loud cheers from the crowd.

Reuters witnessed five cars and one minibus being overturned. Over 1,000 police – some paramilitary – guarded the city government office compound in lines.

At least two police officers were dragged into the crowd at the government office and punched and beaten enough to make them bleed.

On Friday, in an effort to stave off the protest, the Qidong city government announced it would suspend the project for further research.

But many protesters said on Saturday that postponement was not enough.

“If the government really wanted to stop this project, they should have done it right from the beginning. At this point they are too late,” said Xi Feng, a 17-year-old protester.

Local officials took steps to ward off the demonstration and residents received text messages and letters warning that any public demonstration would be illegal.

Environmental worries have stoked calls for expanded rights for citizens and greater consultation in the tightly controlled one-party state.

The outpouring of public anger is emblematic of the rising discontent facing Chinese leaders, who are obsessed with maintaining stability and struggling to balance growth with rising public anger over environmental threats.

The protest followed similar demonstrations against projects the Sichuan town of Shifang earlier this month and in the cities of Dalian in the northeast and Haimen in southern Guangdong province in the past year.

In Shifang, the government halted construction of a copper refinery following protests by residents that it would poison them. It also freed most of the people who were detained after a clash with police.

The leadership has vowed to clean up China’s skies and waterways and increasingly tried to appear responsive to complaints about pollution. But environmental disputes pit citizens against local officials whose aim is to lure fresh investment and revenue into their areas.

sabotage to save Khimki forest, Russia

reported by activists in Russia:

"Russia. Khimki forest (north of Moscow). Construction vehicles torched, tree-cutter assaulted, his arm broken.

reported by activists in Russia:

"Russia. Khimki forest (north of Moscow). Construction vehicles torched, tree-cutter assaulted, his arm broken.

Unknown activists have torched several construction vehicles and assaulted tree-cutter at the new toll highway construction site in Khimki forest. These news appeared in joint declaration, published by state enterprise “Avtodor” and “North-Eastern concession” (subsidiary of Vinci). The accidents happened on nights of 19.07 and 21.07.
“Avtodor” representatives stated that an assault on tree-cutters took place on 19.07: one of the workers tried to prevent eco-activists from entering the construction site. In the following fight his arm broke.
On the night of 21.07 special construction vehicles were torched: several brand new harvesters and hydraulic excavator were completely destroyed by fire. Material damage is estimated to be over $ 2 000 000.
Earlier the same companies filed a complaint about unknown people opening fire on construction vehicles (supposedly from “Saiga”, a civil 12-mm carbine) and torching workers sheds with molotovs.
Eco-activists present at the site of eco-camp near the construction failed to provide police with evidence or ideas about the nature of perpetrators."

reported on From Russia With Love:

"On the night of 20-21 july, after having received news of new tree-cutting activity in Khimki forest, we decided to visit the workers. We aimed for 2 trucks and excavator parked on the clear cut. They were completely destroyed.

Our solidarity goes out to eco-activists who broke the arm of private guard who was guarding the clear cut (this piece we learned from news).

Enough of pseudo-legalism!

Do like us, do better than us.
– Autonomous autonoms

video footage of the action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P51k3CrtF20&feature=youtu.be"

Aristocrat landlord’s garden opencasted!

18.07.2012 Earlier today activists from Take Back the Land! visited Lord Home’s mansion in the Douglas Valley and opencasted his garden, hoping to bring the issues closer to home for him.

18.07.2012 Earlier today activists from Take Back the Land! visited Lord Home’s mansion in the Douglas Valley and opencasted his garden, hoping to bring the issues closer to home for him. Lord Home owns Mainshill and all of Glentaggart East which is currently being occupied by an action camp. Of course only some of the things that impact communities so much would have been felt because of this opencast, such as seeing a big mess. He won’t have to put up with the health impacts from dust and diesel fumes, the danger on the roads, the noise, contempt from South Lanarkshire Council – the list goes on.

COAL ACTION SCOTLAND MEDIA RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE USE 18th July

Lord Home’s garden opencasted by anti-coal activists

At 10:30 this morning 20 environmental and social justice protesters entered the grounds of Lord Home’s stately home at Castlemains in the Douglas Valley and began digging up his front garden. The protest brought home to Lord Home how much of an eye sore an open cast next to your residence is. A banner held up in front of his home which read “Community Health not Lord Home’s Wealth!” Police attended the scene but no arrests were made.

Rob Hearne, one of the activists digging up the Lord’s garden said: “Lord Home is making millions off opencast coal mining in the Douglas Valley. He owns land currently being mined at Mainshill, and owns the entire Glentaggart East site, next on the list to be mined. There is no community consent for opencast in this area, with 70% of people in Douglas opposing Mainshill and over 650 letters of objection sent to the council against it. Yet because of his aristocratic and hereditary privilege, he can do what he wants and walk all over the wishes of the community. We’re digging up his garden to bring the issues closer to home.”

Local resident David Grey said: “The Lord owns everything around here and makes loads of money but gives virtually nothing back to the community. He gets millions but we get cancers, asthma and respiratory diseases. He is essentially a parasite, sucking the wealth out of the area and consolidating it into his private estate.”

Clare Reed, another of the diggers at Castlemains, added: “Lord Home doesn’t even live in the valley despite his massive house and huge land ownership. He lives in London, sits in the House of Lords and is Chairperson of Coutts Bank. He is totally complicit in the destruction caused by opencast mining in the valley and all the health impacts inflicted on communities, but suffers none of the impacts himself. In fact, he makes a killing – we estimate he’ll make up to £7 million off Glentaggart East alone.”

Today’s protest follows Monday’s blockade of Broken Cross Open Cast Coal Site and Saturday’s invasion of Mainshill Open Cast Coal Site where 45 activists stopped work on the site for the day. These actions are part of a week-long action camp and occupation of Scottish Coal’s intended new mine in the area, Glentaggart East. The camp called “Take Back the Land!” has attracted activists from across Scotland, the UK and Europe to take direct action against the blight of opencast coal mining.

Coal Action Scotland
contact@coalactionscotland.org.uk
http://takebacktheland.org.uk/

Broken Cross Open Cast Site blockaded – police act as Scottish Coal security

This morning Broken Cross opencast site in the Douglas Valley was blockaded for an hour and a half before Scottish Coal workers lifted three people in heavy concrete lock-ons out of the road, all overseen by Inspector Whip (photographed) of Strathclyde Police. This isn’t the first time that Inspector Whip has hurt people by lifting them out of the road. He’s reckless and deliberately put people’s safety at risk, all to protect the profits of Scottish Coal.

COAL ACTION SCOTLAND MEDIA RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE USE 16th July 2012

Activists disrupt coal haulage and police take unacceptable risks of injury at Lanarkshire mine

At 6:00 this morning a group of 20 environmental and social justice activists blockaded the only entrance to Scottish Coal’s Broken Cross Open Cast Coal Site [1] in the Douglas Valley. This prevented all access to the site by coal lorries for one and a half hours before police ordered workers to dangerously carry activists out of the road. Concrete “lock-on tubes” were used to prevent three activists from being removed.

In an act of extreme recklessness, Inspector Whip of Strathclyde Police ordered Scottish Coal employees to drag protesters out of the access road, while they were still attached to their lock-on tubes, each weighing around 50kg. One of those moved was injured in this incident. The three have been arrested and are currently being held in custody.

Rob Hearne, one of the activists supporting the protest at the mine said: “This is not the first time that Inspector Whip and Strathclyde Police have shown such utter disregard for the safety of anti-coal activists. This kind of behaviour is totally unacceptable, where untrained workers are allowed to assault people in such a way, breaking all health and safety regulations and committing criminal offences. Strathclyde Police are acting as Scottish Coal’s private security.”

The protest was intended to stop coal from being transported from the mine to railheads and to oppose Scottish Coal’s extension to the mine as part of their “forward strategy” [2]. In particular, it aimed to stop coal HGVs from being routed through Douglas and Glespin, an issue of particular importance for local communities.

Glespin resident David Grey said: “A top traffic police officer has been quoted in the past as saying that someone will have to be killed on Lanarkshire’s roads before something is done about the haulage of coal in this area. HGVs pass right through Douglas and Glespin, past two primary schools with no level crossings, something that Scottish Coal, South Lanarkshire Council and Scottish Ministers all said would never happen. And now Inspector Whip endangers the lives of people trying to make the roads safer for local residents! It’s outrageous. Inspector Whip should be ashamed for putting the profits of coal above the safety of people in the valley.”

Today´s protest follows Saturday’s invasion of Mainshill Open Cast Coal Site [3] where 45 activists stopped work on the site for the day. This is part of a week-long action camp and occupation of Scottish Coal’s intended new mine in the area, Glentaggart East [4]. The camp called “Take Back the Land!” [5] has attracted activists from across Scotland, the UK and Europe to take direct action against the blight of opencast coal mining.

Coal Action Scotland are preparing a formal complaint to Strathclyde Police about this incident.

For interviews and comment please contact:

Roger Wilkins on 07917141720 or email contact@coalactionscotland.org.uk

Photos can be emailed upon request.

Notes to editors:

[1] Broken Cross is the larger of Scottish Coal’s two operating open cast coal mines in the Douglas Valley, South Lanarkshire, producing around 15,000 tonnes of coal a week

[2] South Lanarkshire Council approved Scottish Coal’s North (East) Extension to Broken Cross, the third such extension, despite huge community opposition to it. The extension will see the life of the mine extended until 2024, way beyond what Scottish Planning Policy considers an acceptable cumulative impact and something that local residents find totally unacceptable.

[3] Mainshill Wood was occupied by the Mainshill Solidarity Camp on 12th June 2009. It was eventually evicted on 25th January 2010 in an eviction that lasted 5 days. It involved 45 arrests and was the largest protest site eviction in the UK since Manchester Airport 11 years previously. There was huge community opposition to the mine locally, with 654 objections being lodged against the application. Despite Lord Home, the land owner, telling local residents that he’d safeguard the area from mining, he did the opposite and is now being paid by Scottish Coal for lease of the land. Since the start of coaling operations at the site in February 2010 local residents have complained of noise and dust impacts and danger on the roads as coal HGVs are routed through Douglas and Glespin.

Lord Home owns Douglas & Angus Estates. He is the son of the former prime minister Alec Home, a peer in the House of Lords and chairperson of Coutts Bank. He lives in London but has a stately home at Castlemains in the Douglas Valley.

Scottish Coal currently have two operational sites in the valley, Mainshill and Glentaggart, down from 5 in 2010.

[4] Scottish Coal have been given approval by South Lanarkshire Council despite 232 letters of objection to mine 4 million tonnes of coal from the Glentaggart East site, adjacent to the existing Glentaggart site which was in operation between 2001 and 2011. RSPB objected to the application because of the ecologically important blanket bog and protected bird breeding habitats on the 350 hectare site. The mine will be 1.5km away from two primary schools and continue the encirclement of Douglas Valley villages with opencast mines.

Glentaggart East is part of Scottish Coal’s “Forward Strategy”, unveiled in September 2011. It included 3 new opencast mine applications. One of these, Auldton Heights, was withdrawn following a substantial campaign against it. A further extension to Broken Cross, an existing site, was granted permission by the council, despite opposition from local residents.

[5] for more information about Take Back the Land! please see the following website: http://takebacktheland.org.uk/