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.
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. 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
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
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.
Helpful Information for groups considering action
Action AWE Disarmament Camp & Blockade
25th August 2013
Directions and details here.
Update – 2nd September – big blockade
Twenty-one protesters have been arrested after blockading a road leading to a site which builds warheads for nuclear submarines.
Anti-nuclear weapons protesters at Atomic Weapons Establishment's (AWE) Burghfield site oppose the renewal or replacement of Trident.
Burghfield and AWE Aldermaston provide the warheads for the submarine-launched missile system.
The activists were held on suspicion of obstruction of a public highway.
The UK's existing four ballistic missile submarines are to be renewed from the late-2020s.
The government's final decision on whether to renew or replace the missile system, the UK's nuclear deterrent, is due in 2016.
'Pose a danger'
Some of the protesters at AWE Burghfield have come from Finland, Spain, Scotland, Argentina and Japan to take part.
Police said there were about 20 tents as part of a camp near the West Berkshire site.
Action AWE, which is co-ordinating the protest with Trident Ploughshares, said in a statement they were taking part in "non-violent direct action".
They said nuclear weapons were "immoral, illegal under international law, dangerous to maintain and pose a danger to peace on Earth".
Ch Insp Lindsey Finch, deputy local policing commander for Newbury, said: "We will continue to work with protesters to facilitate peaceful protest and ensure that any criminal activity is dealt with proportionately."
A spokeswoman for the weapons site said: "AWE on-site security, the Ministry of Defence Police and Thames Valley Police are currently in attendance and will remain for the duration of any protest action."
Balcombe anti-fracking protests update days 25-39
Day 37 (Fri 30th) Of Community Fracking Blockade In Balcombe Sussex
Update (10:30am): One protector arrested defending Sussex from fracking.
Update (9:30am): Police trying to force fracking truck through community blokade.
Day 34 (Tues 26th) Of Community Fracking Blockade In Balcombe Sussex
Day 37 (Fri 30th) Of Community Fracking Blockade In Balcombe Sussex
Update (10:30am): One protector arrested defending Sussex from fracking.
Update (9:30am): Police trying to force fracking truck through community blokade.
Day 34 (Tues 26th) Of Community Fracking Blockade In Balcombe Sussex
Update (5:00pm): One protector arrested today as police continue to force fracking trucks through the blockade for Cuadrilla.
Update (10:30am): First fracking truck of the day.
Day 28 (Wed 21st) Of Community Fracking Blockade In Balcombe Sussex
Update (3pm): All Protectors who were in Crawley Magistrates Court today have been given bail conditions that allow them to return to the camp.
Update (1pm): Forest camp evicted by police.
Update (12pm): Police are trying to illegally evict (without a court order) the forest camp (smaller camp in woodland next to the Cuadrilla rig site, not main camp on grass verge) at Balcombe. Come support the community!
Day 27 (Tue 20th) Of Community Fracking Blockade In Balcombe Sussex
Update (10:40am): Another fracking truck being blocked.
Update (9:30am): Fracking truck forced through community blockade by police. One Protector arrested.
Days 25/26 – the Reclaim the Power blockade and more updates/photos here
Photos & videos from Canton police station eviction resistance in Cardiff
Eviction of Canton Police Station in Cardiff on August 23rd.
Eviction of Canton Police Station in Cardiff on August 23rd.
Click here for more photos:
http://cardiff.squat.net/canton-police-station-eviction-resistanc
Bailiffs smashing in the door:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2HbkdTmNXU
Last squatter leaving the property:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-1KYVfuzYk
Antagnoistic Collective Against Boredom (ACAB)
cardiffsquatters@riseup.net
cardiff.squat.net
Swedish anti-mining protest camp against Beowulf Mining
Right now there is a battle to save Sápmi (occupied by Sweden) from more mines. Sápmi has already been exploited and colonized by the Swedish state and corporations for generations. Now an entirely new area is under attack from the mining industry, the forests, mountains and lakes west of Jokkmokk are threatened.
Since a month there is a blockade against british Beowulf Mining´s test mining project in Gállok (swe: #kallak) going on. Activists have joined together with indigenous Sami people to save the place from a big iron mine. The 29th of July the swedish police came and tore down the first blockade and arrested 6 persons. The same night the blockade was raised again, with improvements to the company´s great disappointment. The activists plan to stay for the winter when the reindeer and herders come and legally can stop the test mining.
Resistance against the planned mine is growing while the swedish police have said they are doing what the mining corporation orders them to. Beowulf is currently silent and probably don’t want more bad exposure and might try to beat the activists in the waiting game. Meanwhile more people join the protests in different ways through art and music as well as supporting the growing protest camp. The activists are now building Pentagon, a house supposed to work to decolonize the world.
Update: The second barricade was also destroyed by the cops the 12th of August and a security guarding company is hired to protect the testmines and the road from protesters. This only to do test mining.
More recent update: Yesterday they started blasting, with 4 people near by in trees not outside the blasting safety zone. pigs removed barricades in the morning. many people got pulled off the road and chased from the forest. 8 people were arrested. last night and again tonight the road is barricaded to delay work. now 10 security workers work 12hr shifts, day and night. our spirits are high. the battle continues.
http://kolonierna.wordpress.com/ for more info, pictures and videos.
How we Reclaimed the Power! – summary report of actions and before
A short story of No Dash for Gas, Reclaim the Power and how people from across the country stood in solidarity with Balcombe to oppose Cuadrilla and the dash for gas…
A short story of No Dash for Gas, Reclaim the Power and how people from across the country stood in solidarity with Balcombe to oppose Cuadrilla and the dash for gas…
It all began last year, when 21 activists occupied and shut down EDF's gas fired power station in West Burton for over a week. It was time to stop the 'Dash for Gas' which would smash our climate targets and push up energy prices…
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http://reclaimthepower.org.uk.gridhosted.co.uk” style=”max-width: 16px” />
·The Great Gas Gala! | Communtiy Protection Collective
The Great Gas Gala! Since 7am on Thursday (25th July) the community in Balcombe, Sussex has been resisting attempts by fracking company…And then, when we heard that Cuadrilla were exploring the potential of fracking in Balcombe and the local community's resistance, we changed the location of our 'Reclaim the Power' action camp…
action camp to switch location from West Burton … – No Dash for Gas
Aug 6, 2013 … The coalition of climate, anti-austerity and fuel poverty activists who were planning on returning to West Burton power… -
Huge numbers of people signed up to our facebook event and told us they were coming. Even Russell Brand was with us in spirit!On Friday, we arrived in beautiful sunny Balcombe, with members of a whole host of campaigns including UK Uncut, UK Tar Sands Network, Occupy London, Disabled People Against the Cuts and No Dash for Gas all joining the camp.Reclaim The Power has arrived in Balcombe | Come and join us!We joined the March for a Frack Free Future with two thousand protesters from across the country… -
…and those from the local community who'd been resisting Cuadrilla for weeks!
August 19 2013: Balcombe Solidarity Sunday anti-fracking protestLocal campaigners Vanessa Vine, Charles Metcalfe and Caroline Lucas MP were joined by speakers from No Dash For Gas and Occupy Chevron in Poland to headline a thunderous rally of opposition.
The protesters then formed a human circle around the site, joining hands, chanting and singing, while Cuadrilla's workers looked on from inside their razor-wire fence.
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On Monday morning, our Day of Action began! -
6 activists blockaded the entrance to Bell Pottinger's offices in London, Cuadrilla's "spin-doctors". They are responsible for a whole host of pro-fracking lies and spin which we have thoroughly debunked over the past 6 days.
Cuadrilla's PR company Bell Pottinger shut down by activists from Reclaim the Power
…then we heard from a group of 20 activists who occupied Cuadrilla's HQ in Lichfield, just outside Birmingham. They set up camp outside the building while three activists went inside, shut down 8 work stations and took over a floor of the office!
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Activists lock themselves to furniture inside Cuadrilla's HQ…meanwhile, a third action was taking place at the constituency office of pro-fracking minister, Francis Maude MP. Taking inspiration from Liberate Tate, a wind turbine blade was delivered to the roof of his office… -
Wind turbine outside office of Francis Maude MP…and with a rather lovely message for Mr. Maude to read on his return! -
Note left outside office of Francis Maude MPBack at the drill site in Balcombe, various groups set up a range of original and creative blockades at the gate, involving bikes, singers and dancers and locking on to a wheel chair… -
Blockade outside Cuadrilla fracking site in BalcombeSadly, the police decided to be heavy-handed in response to our peaceful protest…
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Protesters blockade Cuadrilla frack site in Balcombe, West SussexElsewhere in London, 6 people had gone to Lord Howell's town house for our next action and set up a 'For Shale' sign there. George Osborne's father-in-law is eager to spread fracking across the UK, particularly to the 'desolate north east'! Our activists from Newcastle might have other ideas…
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Fracking lobbyist Lord Howell's house is for shale! -
Fracking lobbyist Lord Howell's house: for shale!Back in Balcombe, the police decided to start arresting peaceful protesters staging a sit-in at the gate to the Cuadrillia site. Green MP, Caroline Lucas, was among those arrested…
Back at the camp, the children at Reclaim the Power (we were a gathering of all ages!) went on a bus ride to Balcombe village to speak to local people about the dangers of fracking to everyone's future.
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Frack Free Future bus on tour!Word had spread to our friends and supporters worldwide about our day of action which had taken on Cuadrilla and the dash for gas from all sides!
Then, only hours after being released, Caroline Lucas was fielding interviews, media work and back fighting fracking!
And then, on Tuuesday, as we began making plans for the future…
So as we pack down our camp today, it's not the end! As Ewa from No Dash For Gas put it, 'this is a marathon, not a sprint' and we will win the fight against fracking…
Above from here