Squatting / Free Spaces / Protest Sites – Page 60

Common Ground Community Garden Celebrates Success with Party on 6 September!

After a year and half of green-fingered, community-spirited direct-action, we – the organisers of Common Ground Community Garden – are celebrating success … and we invite all our friends,

After a year and half of green-fingered, community-spirited direct-action, we – the organisers of Common Ground Community Garden – are celebrating success … and we invite all our friends, neighbours and supporters to join in the fun!

Since opening the garden in May 2007, we have resisted being criminalised while fighting for green, community-managed space in our neighbourhood. Since turning a council owned derelict plot into a beautiful community garden, we and our neighbours have ignored injunctions, protested eviction attempts and even faced arrest. But finally, we have not only definitely won new sites for at least one community garden, but Common Ground itself has been granted a legal license! Success*!

Reading Grassroots Action (RGA)** who run the garden, have been working with Katesgrove Residents Association (KRA) and have managed to agree the license for Common Ground with Reading Borough Council (RBC), which sees the garden being insured by KRA and re-opened to the public until the council demolish the existing buildings***. We have also visited three sites in Katesgrove which could be used for one or more long-term gardens. We have chosen our preferred sites and hope to agree terms as soon as possible****.

To celebrate this success, we will be holding one more community event at Common Ground Community Garden on Saturday 6th September – and this time we have the full consent of the council! The event, running from 2-9pm, will feature fun for all the family such as games including a raffle, face-painting, fresh food and drink and a live graffiti exhibition produced by local artists. In addition, we will have diverse acoustic music from acts including Londons ‘Babar Luck’ and ‘The King Blues’ as well as other local acts. And of course, visitors will be able to find out more about what else we are up to and get involved in the new community garden in Katesgrove.

We would really love to welcome everybody to the garden one last time and thank everyone who has supported the project, so we hope to see you there!

But thats not all… Supporters of Common Ground are organising an all-night after party at a nearby venue! There will be a room for band (punk, ska etc) and a room for DJ’s (hiphop, drum n bass, dubstep, techno etc) and confirmed acts include Broken Note and the Bath Dub Soundsystem. See you there!

Thanks,
‘Common Ground’, part of ’Reading Grassroots Action’.

NOTES FOR THE EDITOR:

* Whilst we are celebrating, we want to thank everyone who has supported us for making this project a serious of successes from day one. Common Ground has always been about bringing people together, mobilising people into taking action to improve our community without waiting for those in power to do it for us (we reckon you might wait for ever otherwise!). It has been about a small piece of land taken back under community control and used to benefit the neighbourhood, in contrast to the usual situation where resources are used solely to make profits and benefit bosses and shareholders. In this way, Common Ground was a success every time people joined us to ignore injunctions, each time we saw off eviction days, each time people took the initiative to work in their garden. It has been a success as it was respected by young people, as it was enjoyed by local workers and families and as diverse peoples – from squatters and anarchists to residents of all backgrounds – had conversations we wouldn’t otherwise have had. So, thank you!

** Reading Grassroots Action (RGA) aims to help increase the collective power of ordinary people like ourselves, improving our living and working conditions and creating new democratic institutions which act as examples of the world we want to see. We are guided by our hope of one day living in a society of genuine freedom and equality, with all resources commonly owned and democratically organised by everyone for everyone. Several people involved in Common Ground were already RGA members and in April 2008 the groups became one and the same, with RGA looking forwards to helping create a long-term community garden in Katesgrove and moving on to tackle other campaigns in Reading. If interested in joining or supporting RGA, people are encouraged to email us at rgacollective(AT)hotmail.co.uk.

*** The buildings from Crown Street round to the beginning of Silver Street have unfortunately been left by RBC to fall into a state of disrepair over the last few years. We would prefer them to be renovated, as we believe they could be brought back to life as good-looking and useful buildings. However, RBC wish to demolish them as soon as possible, as they hope to sell yet more publicly owned land to a private property developer.

**** RBC have offered three potential sites which could be used for green, community space in Katesgrove. Of these, the site on the corner of Southampton Street and the one on the corner of Elgar Road are our favourites. Over the next few months, RGA and KRA will work to agree terms with RBC in order to gain access one or both of these sites. We appeal to the local community, and to anybody who supports this project to get in touch, and any help with work or donations would be very welcome!

rgacollective@hotmail.co.uk
http://www.rgacollective.org.uk

Today’s news from Glengad, Erris, Co. Mayo

August 31, 2008
A lunchtime Garda visit to Solidarity Camp & evening blockade of Shell compound

Today’s main news events from the epicentre of resistance against Shell – a visit about lunchtime from the Garda brass (plus lackeys inc. roving video operator), later a practice run for the Shell to Sea flotilla, followed by a blockade of Shell’s Glengad compound in the evening.

Today at about 1pm a delegation of Gardai called to the Rossport Solidarity Camp, ostensibly about informing campers of section 8.1 of the Public Order Act. While annoyed by their presence on the camp, the Gardai were prevented from snooping around the marquees, though the use of a video camera by Gda. Burke (old foe) to follow young children around roused righteous ire in their parents. Once they delivered their utterly pointless message they were escorted off the site to the road and their waiting squad car and van.

In the late afternoon, S2S Flotilla exercises were held off the Glengad compound and the marine protest/action squadron used the fine weather today to sharpen their nautical skills. Exercises lasted an hour, followed by a quick shower and off to the next S2S activity.

At 6:45 pm local residents and Rossport Solidarity Campers mounted a blockade of the gates of the Shell Glengad compound. This caught the Gardai off balance, and they deployed only in sparse numbers, very slowly, and remained firmly ensconced in their vehicles. After an hour of blockading, locals and campers returned to the Solidarity Camp for tonight’s party on the foreshore (a celebration of our mutual capacity for resistance to the corporate juggernaut and a bit of R&R too!).

Still no sign of the Solitaire. The clock is well-burnt now – she remains in Killybegs harbour but she’s still a looming threat that must be met.

The need for people to come here and help in the struggle to save Erris and stop the Great Gas Robbery remains urgent. Come to Glengad if you can!

http://www.corribsos.com

Repression of Ecotopia camp & 30 arrested at die-in in Turkey

Urgent call for solidarity, please forward wýdely

Shocking repression in Turkey!

Urgent call for solidarity, please forward wýdely

Shocking repression in Turkey!

Greens, environmentalists, peace and nature supporters, and NGO’s from all over the World gathered on the 9th of August to join the 20th international Ecotopia gathering being held at Sarikum nature reserve in Sinop, Turkey. Ecotopia gatherings promote sustainable ways of living, harmony with nature, and discuss social justice issues. This year, Ecotopia has supported local anti-nuclear groups, raised consciousness of nuclear issues and promoted alternative energy sources. However, for the last week, local police have been exerting supression on the camp by making regular visits, and following and intimidating participants outside of the camp.

On Wednesday 20th August, 6 internationals and 5 Turkish people were placed under custody while staging a peaceful vigil outside the Atomic Energy Agency (TAEK) in Sinop. Police have also shown supression towards locals of Gerze town who approached the Ecotopia camp to request solidarity against the Thermal Coal Plant planned for construction in their town. Today, the 22nd August, approximately 10 armed officers, ordered by the governor of Sinop, raided the Ecotopia camp to threaten forceful eviction if the sýte was not emptied within 3 hours. In summary, 2 days before our legal permit for he site ends, it has been forcefully demanded that we shut down activities immediately.

In Turkey, where democracy is regressing, the authorities do not tolerate the advocacy of their people to lýve a safe, sustainable and healthy life. In addition, authorities in the Turkish state and Sinop (where it it planned to build one nuclear technology centre and 3 Thermal Coal plants) are dýsturbed by the increasing local attention on these projects, and are reluctant to allow people’s awareness and knowledge to grow independently. As participants representing more than 30 countries, we are asking for your solidarity, and request you to send the following text to the Turkish authorities using the contact information given below.

For a nuclear-free world and a more democratic Turkey, let’s block the phones and faxes of the Turkish authorities!

Ecotopia 2008 participants

EYFA (European Youth For Action)

SINYAD (Sinop Nükleersiz Kent ve Yaþam Derneði)

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To whom it may concern,

We have been informed that the Ecotopia meeting being held at Sarikum nature reserve in Sinop, which was announced and received approval of its permit many months ago, is now undergoing a period of intense police suppression. This event is legitimate and legal, and we are demanding that the pressure is released. We will keep ourselves informed on how this situation develops and will follow up on this request if necessary.

Name/organization:

Country:

Signature:

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CONTACTS:

Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Ýçiþleri Bakanlýðý (Ministry of Internal Affairs)
Telefon: +90 (312 )425 72 14
Fax: + 90 (312) 418 12 60
e-mail: basin@icisleri.gov.tr

Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Sinop Valiliði ( Governership of Sinop)
Tel : 0(368) 261 15 00 –
Fax: 0368 261 15 02 – 261 55 05 –
e-mail: valilik@sinop.gov.tr, webmaster@sinop.gov.tr

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LÜTFEN ÇEVRENÝZE DAÐITINIZ…

Acil Dayanýþma Çaðrýsý – 22 Aðustos 2008, Sinop

Dünyanýn dört bir yanýndan yeþiller, çevreciler, doða ve barýþ yanlýlarý ve çeþitli örgütler olarak bu yýl 20.’si yapýlan “Uluslararasý Ekotopya Buluþma”mýzý gerçekleþtirmek üzere 9 Aðustos’ta Sinop Sarýkum’da toplandýk. Bu yýl Ekotopya’nýn amacý yerel anti-nükleer guruplarla dayanýþma saðlamak, yenilenebilir enerji kaynaklarý ve sosyal adalet konularý üzerinde bilinç arttýrmaktý. Bu etkinlik doðayla uyumlu ve sürdürebilir bir yaþam hayalimizi kýsacasý ‘ekotopyamýzý’ kamp deneyimimizde somutlaþtýrdýðýmýz, ekolojik bir yaþamýn mümkün olduðunu gördüðümüz, gösterdiðimiz, her katýlanýn evine bambaþka biri olarak döndüðü, her sene tekrarlanan 15 günlük ortak düþümüz, ütopyamýzdý. Ancak özellikle son bir haftadýr aralýksýz devam eden polis ve jandarma baskýsý bu düþü bir kabusa çevirdi.

Önce, Sinop’taki Türkiye Atom Enerjisi Kurumu (TAEK) önünde 20 Agustos Çarþamba günü nükleer enerjiyle ilgili olarak haklý bilgilendirmek amacýyla yaptýðýmýz barýþçýl bir eylem sýrasýnda 6 yabancý uyruklu, 5 TC vatandaþý, 11 arkadaþýmýz gözaltýna alýndý. Ardýndan bizlere destek olmak için gelen ve yaþadýklarý bölgede kurulmasý düþünülen termik santrale karþý seslerini daha fazla duyurabilmek için bizlerden destek bekleyen Gerze halký sadece bizimle görüþtüðü için jandarmanýn baskýlarýna maruz kaldý. Son olarak da bugün bölge jandarmasýndan gelen yaklaþýk on kiþilik grup, hemen kamp alanýný terk etmemiz gerektiðini, aksi halde zor kullanarak kampý daðýtacaklarýný söylediler. Özetle iznimizin bitmesine iki gün kala etkinliðimiz tehditlerle engellenmeye çalýþýlmaktadýr.

Demokrasinin giderek gerilediði Türkiye’de, bugün otoritelerin artýk yaþamýn savunulmasýna dahi tahammülü kalmamýþtýr. Yine görülmektedir ki üç termik ve bir nükleer teknoloji merkezi kurulmasý planlanan Sinop’ta etkili güçler ve TC devleti Sinop halkýnýn uyanýþýndan ve festivalimize giderek artan ilgisinden rahatsýz olmaktadýr. Türkiye Cumhuriyeti hiçbir biçimde örgütlü ve bilinçli bir toplum istememekte, giderek bir polis devletine dönüþmektedir. Yaklaþýk 30 ülkeden Ekotopya’nýn katýlýmcýsý bireyler olarak bizler, bu baskýlarýn giderek artmasýndan endiþe duyuyoruz.

Sizleri de aþaðýdaki hazýr metni kurumunuz ya da kendiniz adýna, iletiþim bilgilerini verdiðimiz Türk kurumlarýna göndererek bizimle dayanýþmaya çaðýrýyoruz.

Dünyamýzýn geleceði ve daha özgür bir Türkiye için bakanlýðýn ve Sinop valiliðinin fakslarýný kilitleyelim!

Ekotopya 2008 Katýlýmcýlarý

EYFA (European Youth For Action)

SÝNYAD (Sinop Nükleersiz Kent ve Yaþam Derneði)

Sayýn Yetkili;

Aylar öncesinden Türk otoritelerine ve Sinop Halkýna duyurulan “Ekotopya Buluþmasýnýn” Jandarma baskýsýyla engellenmek istendiðini haber almýþ bulunmaktayýz. Bütünüyle yasal ve meþru olan etkinlik üzerindeki baskýlarýn ortadan kalkmasýný talep ediyoruz. Aksi halde ulusal ve uluslararasý kamuoyu olarak olayýn takipçisi olacaðýmýzý bildirmek isteriz.

Ýsim / Kurum :

Ülke:

Ýmza:

ÝLETÝÞÝM BÝLGÝLERÝ:

Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Ýçiþleri Bakanlýðý:
Telefon: +90 (312 )425 72 14
Faks: + 90 (312) 418 12 60
E-posta: basin@icisleri.gov.tr

Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Sinop Valiliði
Tel : 0(368) 261 15 00 –
Faks: 0368 261 15 02 – 261 55 05 –
e-posta: valilik@sinop.gov.tr , webmaster@sinop.gov.tr

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30 arrested at die-in during environmental gathering Ecotopia in Turkey

Sinop (Turkey), 23rd of August. This afternoon, Turkish police arrested 30 foreigners from at least 18 countries and 3 Turkish citizens who took part in a peaceful “die-in” action in front of the Sinop province Governor`s residence in Sinop.

On request of the German Embassy the Sinop Police Headquarters claimed that nobody was taken under custody.

The protests are directed against the plans to build a Nuclear Technology Centre in the Sinop region. Participants are members of environmentalist movements worldwide. They want to draw attention to the fact that nuclear energy is dangerous, polluting and expensive. Instead of investing in nuclear technology, Turkey should use its great potential for solar and wind power, as well as increasing energy efficiency.

“The Turkish state seems to be very afraid of their citizens learning how dangerous nuclear power is. That is why authorities do not tolerate any protest, especially when foreigners are involved. We are seriously concerned about the denial of freedom of speech in Turkey.”, says Niklas Hartmann from Germany.

The action took place while the camp is under threat of eviction.

—

24.8.2008
22:54h.
The 32 arrested people are sitting at the police station still. There is no official statement of arrest or custody. When embassies asked for information on arrestants police actually denied to have taken people into custody(…).
The group has been split into smaller groups and taken to hospital for the compulsory check on torture and is now back at the station. They have been refused access to their lawyer, a certified translator and to contact their embassy and even access to food and water.
Rumours have it that our lawyer was told by the police that people didn’t want to see him.

People have been asked to sign papers in Turkish without translation. Before the promised release they will have to see a prosecutor, even though they are not formally arrested.

23.20h: first group of 6 people got released, probably because they signed the papers. We’ll deal with it now.

To be continued…

01:25h.
Everybody followed by undercover police all the time. Several people picked from the street that had nothing to do with the action! Finally, nobody has seen the prosecuter, but everybody out now. Police wanted to deport us from town back to camp site before everybody was released. Situation was really threatening. People now staying with trade unions. More tomorrow.

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[press release] Police threatens Ecotopia camp in Turkey with eviction

23.8.2008
In the moment, the participants of the 20th Ecotopia international environmentalist gathering at Sarikum nature reserve, Sinop, on the Turkish Black Sea coast, are awaiting and preparing for forceful eviction of their camp site by the Jandarma (Turkish Police), which are already present with undercover agents and several cars. The 70 participants from over 30 countries will peacefully resist this unjustified raid. The offical reason for the announced eviction was the announcement of the intention to take part in the weekly permitted press conference of the local anti-nuclear initiative SÝNYAD (Sinop Nükleersiz Kent ve Yaþam Derneði).

Approximately 10 armed officers, ordered by the governor of Sinop, had already raided the camp on Friday to threaten forceful eviction if the site was not emptied within 3 hours. Later, this deadline was postponed to the next morning. Two days before, six participants of the camp together with local activists were arrested during an action in front of the office of the Turkish Nuclear Energy Agency (TAEK) in Sinop. After only ten minutes of spreading flyers and holding a banner, they were physically aggressed by undercover police without any prior warning. They were held in a police station for several hours and fined for not obeying police orders. Police have also shown supression towards locals of Gerze town who approached the Ecotopia gathering to request solidarity against the Thermal Coal Plant planned for construction in their town.

“We are shocked by the behaviour of the police and local authorities who did not allow any peaceful protest to happen. They have also been constantly threatening participants of the camp and denying them, as well as locals, the right to publically express their opinion. Now they have cancelled the camp just because we announced that we would like to take part in an officially permitted anti-nuclear protest. This is not what we consider to be freedom of speech! ”, says Lenka Kukurova, representative of European Youth for Action (EYFA), the network that supports the Ecotopia gatherings.

The protests are directed against the plans to build a Nuclear Technology Centre in the Sinop region. The 20th international Ecotopia gathering is taking place in Turkey this year, to support local movements to keep Turkey free of nuclear power. Participants of the camp are members of environmentalist movements worldwide. They want to draw attention to the fact that nuclear energy is dangerous, polluting and expensive. Instead of investing in nuclear technology, Turkey should use its great potential for solar and wind power, as well as increasing energy efficiency.

For background info:
http://ecotopiagathering.org
http://www.eyfa.org

CLIMATE ACTION NEWS SHEET 82, AUGUST 2008

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UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIONS:
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1) CLIMATE ACTION CAMP & NO BORDER CAMP, HAMBURG, GERMANY, 15-24.8.08
2) SHELL TO SEA WEEK OF ACTION, 17-23.08.08
3) EARTH FIRST! SUMMER GATHERING, NORFOLK, 27.8-1.9.08
4) BRISTOL ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR, BRISTOL, 13.09.08
5) TOWARDS CLIMATE ACTION IN COPENHANGEN 2009, DENMARK, 13-14.09.08
6) CLIMATE CAMP WHAT NEXT MEETING, MANCHESTER, 26-28.09.08
7) NATIONAL MEETING TO RESIST NEW COAL, MANCHESTER, 11-12.10.08
8) FOSSIL FOOLS DAY 2009, 01.04.09

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RECENT HAPPENINGS:
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1) CAMP FOR CLIMATE ACTION, KINGSNORTH, KENT, 3-11.08.08
2) DERBYSHIRE COAL MINE EVICTED, 14.08.08
3) US CLIMATE CAMPS, JULY/AUGUST
4) SAVING ICELAND CAMP, JULY/AUGUST
5) AIRPORT OCCUPATION, GERMANY, ONGOING
6) STICKING IT TO THE PM, LONDON, 22.07.08
7) 32 4x4s DISARMED, OXFORD, 18.07.08
8) NEW RISING TIDE LEAFLET
9) NEW REPORT: CASHING IN ON COAL

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UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIONS:
————————-
1) CLIMATE ACTION CAMP & NO BORDER CAMP, HAMBURG, GERMANY, 15-24.8.08
‘These camps are going to take place in or near Hamburg. It’s two different camps, but probably on the same camp site and doing together at least two mass actions like blockades: on 22nd August at the deportation airport of Hamburg and on 23rd at the harbour or at the new coal power plant. http://klimacamp08.org

2) SHELL TO SEA WEEK OF ACTION, 17-23.08.08
The Solitaire (the biggest pipe laying ship in the world) is set to begin illegally constructing the offshore section of the pipeline. It is believed that the Solitaire is on a pretty tight schedule & booked up for the next 2 years, so ANY disruption provides us with a real opportunity to delay the project significantly. Members of the ‘Great Rebel Raft Regatta’ recently deployed at the E.ON coal fired power station at Kingsnorth in
Kent, England, have made their way from Climate Camp UK to Erris, in order to assist Shell to Sea campaigners in their opposition to this pipeline construction at Glengad.

3) EARTH FIRST! SUMMER GATHERING, NORFOLK, 27.8-1.9.08
5 days of workshops, networking and planning actions in a beautiful field in Norfolk. The gathering is also a practical example of low-impact eco-living and non-hierarchical organising. www.earthfirstgathering.org.uk

4) BRISTOL ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR, BRISTOL, 13.09.08
St Werburghs Centre, 10am to 5pm, free entry. With a workshop by Bristol Rising Tide: Why direct action? Social change not climate change? www.bristolanarchistbookfair.org

5) TOWARDS CLIMATE ACTION IN COPENHANGEN 2009, DENMARK 13-14.09.08
Join the first international planning meeting in Copenhagen from the 13-14th of September 2008. The meeting aims at preparing a large mobilisation for direct action against the root causes of climate change in Copenhagen and throughout the world during the UN Climate Conference (30 Nov-11 Dec 2009). More info:
http://klimax2009.org/?p=33&langswitch_lang=en Tell them you’re coming:
sept08@klimax2009.org

6) CLIMATE CAMP WHAT NEXT MEETING, MANCHESTER 26-28.09.08
All are invited to the first Post-Climate Camp National Gathering. The gathering will offer a chance to reflect on where we are at, decide where we go from here, and provide info as to how to get involved in the ongoing direct action campaign to stop Kingsnorth.
Questions? Email process@climatecamp.org.uk

7) NATIONAL MEETING TO RESIST NEW COAL, MANCHESTER, 11-12.10.08
A meeting to bring together groups and communities resisting coal in the UK – from open cast and deep coal mines, to power stations and coal imports. Share information, plan for action, and build a strong network of resistance. www.leaveitintheground.org.uk

8) FOSSIL FOOLS DAY 2009, 01.04.2009
Four continents, 150 actions, and an April Fool’s Day with a fantastically subversive (and radically necessary) twist – we’re definitely doing that again! So Fossil Fools Day 2009 is a go – start picking your fossil fuel target now! Info and resources will be posted on the website soon, and look out for leaflets to distribute in December.

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RECENT HAPPENINGS:
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1) CAMP FOR CLIMATE ACTION, KINGSNORTH, KENT, 3-11.08.08
From the Heathrow Conference to the Caravan, from the workshops to beautiful camp life, from the GRRR pirates to the fence breachers to the bail breakers, and the flurry of affinity group actions before, during and after the camp, the 2008 Camp for Climate Action was a roaring success. We outsmarted 26 police forces to run the biggest climate camp ever. We covered the river in boats, filled the streets with people, covered the power station gates with banners and hit at least eight other targets with autonomous actions. We flooded the national, local and independent media with our stories and messages. E.ON and the Government threw everything they could at us, and they still couldn’t hold us back. Actions, in no particular order, included: an office invasion of mining company BHP Bilton, taking over an incinerator site in Newhaven, a blockade of Cargill over its rainforest destruction and land-grabbing, a pro-vegan roof occupation and banner drop at Smithfield Meat Market, a protest at US air base Mildenhall to highlight military CO2 emissions, a banner drop from an electricity pylon, a naked protest at DBERR, the world’s smallest protesters climbing E.ON’s smokestack (at Legoland), actions at Royal Bank of Scotland (not once but twice – students do a die-in and Rising Tiders bust out the superglue), a demo at Longannet power station in Fife, a multi-pronged attack on Gatwick by Plane Stupid, the shutting down of the South’s biggest biofuel storage facility, and in
a single day of mayhem in the City, the Climate Caravan targeted RBS and the PR firms for Shell, BAA & E.ON.
www.climatecamp.org.uk
Photo slide show: http://blip.tv/file/1167973
Video: http://www.undercurrents.org/visionon/

2) DERBYSHIRE COAL MINE EVICTED, 14.08.08
The squat in Derbyshire, a protest on the site of a proposed new open-cast coal mine, came to end with the eviction of the remaining two protesters, who had resolutely resisted attempts to clear the site by furiously digging for victory. Come to the national Leave it in the Ground meeting in October to help with the next steps. www.leaveitintheground.org.uk

3) US CLIMATE CAMPS, JULY/AUGUST
All three US Climate Camps have now wound down, with action highlights including the Southeast Climate Convergence occupying a nuclear facility in Virginia, the Billionaires for Coal striking Bank of America 4 times in 3 days and a protest at NW Natural Gas following the West Coast Convergence. And check out http://www.uncampement.net/?q=en/node/775 for
the ongoing (8-24 August) camp in Quebec, Canada.

4) SAVING ICELAND CAMP, JULY/AUGUST
Saving Iceland’s fourth action camp is now over but the fight goes on. The three-week camp was at Hellisheiði, where Reykjavík Energy is expanding their geothermal power plant, first of all to supply energy to aluminium smelters. Actions included: work on the Century Aluminum’s existing smelter as well as a steel factory were blockaded, holding up a shift
change for several hours. A Reykjavik Energy geothermal drill site at Hellisheidi, being built for Century, was completely shut down for a day as activists locked to machines, climbed the drill and occupied the power control room. The national power company Landsvirkjun had it’s office invaded, and it’s CEO Fridrik Sophusson had his home visited. Saving Iceland nailed an eviction notice to his door. www.savingiceland.org

5) AIRPORT OCCUPATION, GERMANY, ONGOING
In Germany climate activists have been squatting a woodland since the beginning of June to stop the construction of yet another new runway for the already massive Frankfurt airport. The camp continues to grow with over 30 people living on site and has the support of the community. Demos and actions are being organised together with local residents’ groups
against airport expansion. Amazing treehouses, walkways and funky ground shelters have been constructed to make life pleasant in the woods and to resist eviction as long as possible. People are welcome to join in. www.waldbesetzung.blogsport.de

6) STICKING IT TO THE PM, LONDON, 22.07.08
On 22nd July a Plane Stupid campaigner superglued himself to Prime Minister Gordon Brown in 10 Downing Street. He’d been invited to receive an award for protesting, so promptly decided to carry on in that vain! Whilst asking Gordon about refusing to meet West London
residents opposed to the construction of a third runway at Heathrow, the intrepid protester put his superglue covered hand onto Brown’s polyester suit. When Brown went to turn away he found he was stuck and for once had no option but to listen. www.planestupid.com

7) 32 4x4s DISARMED, OXFORD, 18.07.08
32 SUV owners woke up in Oxford on 18th July to discover that their environmentally destructive vehicles had been disabled using the ‘mung bean trick’ to let down their tires.

8) NEW RISING TIDE LEAFLET
At long last, Rising Tide has a new leaflet – who we are, what we do and why we do it, wrapped up in an inspiring photo collage package. Sneak a peak at , or email info@risingtide.org.uk to get a bunch posted to you for distribution in your local area.

9) NEW REPORT: CASHING IN ON COAL
High street banks are making millions by providing the financial fuel that drives the expansion of coal extraction and combustion. This report examines the role in the last two years of the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), HSBC and Barclays in providing and arranging the financial means to the coal industry to extract and burn vast quantities of coal. The report reveals that RBS has helped lend more money to the coal industry, in more deals, than any other major UK bank. www.carbonweb.org

—————–
Rising Tide UK,
c/o 62 Fieldgate Street,
London E1 1ES
www.risingtide.org.uk
www.artnotoil.org.uk
www.fossilfoolsday.org
Tel: 07708 794665

See also the Camp for Climate Action (www.climatecamp.org.uk), Network for Climate Action (www.networkforclimateaction.org.uk) and Climate Indymedia (www.climateimc.org)

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A week of free workshops, discussions & skill-sharing in London

The planning for the London FreeSchool week is going well with confirmed workshops and the such like starting to appear on the website. Bowl Court Social Centre, the original location for the weeks event, was sadly evicted a couple of weeks ago. However, the event lives on and has moved to the rampART ( http://www.rampart.co.nr) and LARC ( http://www.londonarc.org.) After all a free school should not be limited and contained by concrete walls!

The deadline for workshops is soon approaching so if you are up for facilitating something over the week drop us a line ( deschooling_society@lists.riseup.net) with a brief description of the event, how long you will need, your availability between the 1st and 7th September and if you have any special requirements (e.g. Tools / equipment). If you do this by monday then we can include it in the timetable.

If you want to know what is happening over the week and when, you are unfortunately going to have to wait until the full timetable has been released next Wednesday. But here’s a little taster…

MONDAY 1st SEPTEMBER 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Welcome to London FreeSchool!
Come along, have some lunch, meet each other and find out about the week ahead.

GENDER & AUTONOMOUS SPACES
Autonomous spaces are not immune from the kind of casual sexism that is still common in the wider culture but the problem is rarely discussed. One solution has been to set up women only spaces but many people feel that these avoid the problem rather than addressing it. This workshop will be about exploring how people feel about questions of gender and sexuality in the context of radical activism and how we can find ways to address the issues.

SAFER SPACES
Its about acknowledging that oppressive behaviours and ideas are still with in our ‘radical’ activist communities, no matter how ‘radical’ we think we are. The point of the workshop is to get people to think and talk about this, find ways to deal with this in their communities and work to stop their own oppressive behaviours.

GETTING RID OF EDUCATION: COMMUNITIES FOR LEARNING
No ones needs to be educated. We all learn all the time. What people need are resourses and support to help them get where they want to go. What does this sort of an organisation look like and how can you start one? Come and find out!
Leslie Barson (Safran) home educated her two children and founded and runs The Otherwise Club, a community centre for families choosing not to send their children to school, in NW London since 1993.

SCHOOL PRIVATISATION
A discussion on school privatisation in the UK and the Wembley Tent City Occupation ( http://www.tentcityoccupation.co.uk/) with Hank Roberts.

A PRACTICAL INTRODUCTION TO FOOD BUYING GROUPS
Have you ever thought of getting together with a group of people to buy food in bulk? Come and meet other folks who’d like to do the same, to find out more and start planning your food-buying group. Cheaper food, autonomous organising, stronger links within our communities, and no more
supermarkets: let’s make the best of the recession!
Please bring pens and paper, especially markers and flipchart-like paper, to share if you have any

FOOD NOT BOMBS…
is a network of independent direct action groups. They all use food that is being thrown away, cook delicious vegan meals and serve it for free to any hungry person! Come with us for a bit of skipping (getting food from the bins!), vegan cooking, serving and cleaning! It’s political, fun and empowering!

BASICS OF GENETICS
what’s a cell? what’s a chromosome? what’s the DNA? what’s a gene? what’s a genome? what’s a genetically modified organism? what’s cloning? etc.
Have you ever asked yourself these questions?
We’ll try to talk about all that together!

INTERNET ARCHITECTURE / PHILOSOPHY
The idea for the discussion is to look at the way the technical aspects of the internet have political and philosophical implications. Some of these are well known, others not so well known. Starting
from a few technical points I hope the group can discuss general ideas around the hacker culture that has shaped the internet, as it applies to social networks and political engagement. Some sample principles from internet engineering culture:
“Be conservative in what you do; be liberal in what you accept from others.” (Jon Postel)
“We reject: kings, presidents and voting. We believe in: rough consensus and running code.” (David D. Clarke)

deschooling_society@lists.riseup.net
http://londonfreeschool.wordpress.com

Good news from Titnore + stalls, tidy-ups and open day/tours

Further success for the inspiring Titnore Woods campaigners reported in todays press

Trees saved from axe
Sunday 24th August 2008

A controversial housing development has been revised to save hundreds of trees.

Plans to build 875 homes on green fields at West Durrington, Worthing, sparked fury among environmentalists when they were unveiled in 2003.

Further success for the inspiring Titnore Woods campaigners reported in todays press

Trees saved from axe
Sunday 24th August 2008

A controversial housing development has been revised to save hundreds of trees.

Plans to build 875 homes on green fields at West Durrington, Worthing, sparked fury among environmentalists when they were unveiled in 2003.

Around 275 trees would have been axed under the original proposals as Titnore Lane, a winding country road, was straightened.

But the proposal led to protesters setting set up a permanent tree camp in woods near Titnore Lane.

Now the West Durrington Consortium, which consists of building firms with a stake in the development, has revised its design so that only 75 trees will be chopped.

It said around 2,350 trees would also be planted on the site.

The new planning application will be considered by Worthing Borough Council later this year.

—-

That’s really good news about the plans not to cut the trees, but really it’s no time to celebrate. This is by no means a victory as the question of ecology in the area goes far beyond the very small patch of woodland that was planning to be cut down. If these houses are built then the area is fucked.

That is also only looking at it from an ecological point of veiw, when really this, as with other housing developments goes far beyond the ecological issues. The building of 600 unaffordable houses (along with the 200 set aside for “key workers”) has many effects on the area, it is another act of gentrification, this battle is about more then trees and nature (for some involved) but part of an anti capitalist struggle.

Not to mention it is fucking pointless building more houses to rot and be unsold, except that we have more to squat in 10 years time.

They are nice trees though, I would be lying if i would say it didn’t make smile to think at least some them might remain.

—–

WHEN is a wood not a wood? When it has a road running right through it!

The “new” planning application for the West Durrington development in Worthing, West Sussex, is being sold to the Worthing public as a “response to public opinion” that will spare many of the Titnore trees.

But, like the original plans, it includes access roads that will cut right through the beautiful ancient woodland currently occupied by the protest camp. A wood is no longer a viable bio-system with a road cutting it in half. Wildlife like dormice and crested newts will not survive in what will be no more than roadside clumps of trees surrounded by tarmac and executive homes.

The developers do not mention that the lack of road widening was forced on them through legal pressure, rather than dreamt up out of the goodness of their hearts. And they do not mention what would be likely to happen in a few years’ time, when the massive increase in traffic to the new estate and the mega-Tesco would no doubt be expected to force a re-think on Titnore Lane for the usual “safety” reasons.

Needless to say, the battle against the destruction of our countryside in West Durrington goes on! We are urging everyone to send in their letters of objection to planning application WB/04/00040/OUT as soon as possible – October 9 is the very latest deadline. Write to James Appleton, Development Control Manager, at Worthing Borough Council, Portland House, Richmond Road, Worthing BN11 1LF or email planning@worthing.gov.uk

There will also be stalls in Worthing town centre, the first being next Saturday, September 6, from 11am at Holder’s Corner, Montague Street (near Liverpool Gardens).

And, of course, the camp is still going strong. There is, however, an urgent need for repairs to the infrastructure and defences, which have degraded over the last couple of years. Polyprop rope is badly wanted – as well as financial contributions.

If you can spare an hour or two to help at the camp, a tidy-up day is being held on Sunday September 21, from 10am. And then on Sunday September 28 there will be an Open Day, from 2pm. This will included guided tours, showing where the roads and housing are planned to destroy the area. Bring food to share.

More info: www.protectourwoodland.co.uk

Rossport Solidarity Camp reborn…

18.08.2008
Today local residents and people from Rossport Solidarity Camp erected a marquee in Glengad overlooking Shell’s new compound.

Just a short distance away from the camps former location the new marquee will provide a base for action against early pipeline work on land and against the pipe laying ship,the Solitaire, when she arrives.

Today after the marquee had been put up people invaded the compound. Activity like this and water based actions will be ongoing over the next few weeks.

New people and a wide array of boats and other water equipment are appearing all the time. The following weeks should be interesting…

Come to Mayo and join in the fun….

Sail and Rail from anywhere in UK to Ballina (nearest town to Rossport) only £35 (aprox)

Earth First! gathering – programme and travel directions

Earth First! Summer Gathering
Ecological Direct Action without Compromise
27 Aug – 1 Sept 2008, Norfolk
Join us for 5 days of workshops and planning actions

Travel directions:

Earth First! Summer Gathering
Ecological Direct Action without Compromise
27 Aug – 1 Sept 2008, Norfolk
Join us for 5 days of workshops and planning actions

Travel directions:
The gathering this year will be held at Woolseybridge Farm – a lovely site in Norfolk with lots of trees and a little stream. It’s approximately 1.5 miles NNE of Diss. Diss has regular train services and a wholefood shop. The Grid Reference of the site is TM130819. The post code is IP22 5SY.

The site is easily accessible by public transport, you can get the train either to Diss or Norwich and then catch the bus route no 1 (Simmonds) from Diss to Norwich or vice versa – this route goes right past the site and we’ll be asking the local bus company if they will stop right outside the site on request. Or you could walk or cycle – it’s only 1.5miles away from Diss train station. Please come by public transport if at all possible! .
We will run pick-ups from the train station for anybody who can’t use the bus service or for larger groups of people. If you need a lift please let us know well in advance (and not in the middle of the night, when you’re at a train station somewhere!). Ring the Gathering mobile on 07789 331857

For a map and further details on travel including bus times and directions for drivers check out http://earthfirstgathering.org.uk/2008/where.html

Programme
This year’s programme focusses on info and planning for actions, direct action skills as well as spaces to discuss how we can respond to and deal with the widening ecological, economic and societal crises. We hope there’s something for everyone.
We recommend that you arrive Tue evening, as workshops will start on Wednesday morning and run until Sunday evening

For more info about the gathering check out our website or email us (though we won’t be able to answer email after 21 Aug, as we’ll be on site setting up)

http://www.earthfirst.org.uk, summergathering _ AT _ earthfirst.org.uk

The workshops

Wednesday

12:00
Introduction to Earth First! and the gathering
Dealing with the mainstream media – how to get your message across
Basic electrics – for squats and homes.
Capitalism and climate change – how to make the links visible in actions
Queer networking session

2:30
Self-defence – mixed practise session
Squatting FAQ – sharing tips and tricks
Action Reconnaissance for beginners
Introduction to the root causes of ecological destruction and an exploration of alternatives
Advanced Navigation

4:30
Saving Iceland – Introduction to the campaign
Nuclear waste and nuclear weapons
Consensus Decision-making
Introduction to Ecology
Confronting Abusive Behaviours within our Communities – without the police/prison.

6:00
Library Space: Negotiating Safer Sex: tips on putting the theory into practice, and making your sex life more fun as well as safer!

8:00
Cinema: Talk with video on resisting rainforest destruction in Tasmania

Thursday

10:30
Dealing with Public Order situations – understanding police tactics and how we can deal with to them/turn them to our advantage (runs until lunch)
State and corporate oppression of the Australian Aborigines
Action reconnaissance – advanced skillshare, share your most clever tips and tricks for getting info for actions
Practical plant identification (beginners)
Activist trauma and recovery

12:00
Saving Iceland – an evaluation of the camp this summer
Security for Activists Part I: Do’s and don’ts of organising action, from arranging to meet, planning and what happens after
Arrest support for actions – how to provide support for your affinity group, medium sized actions or mega camps and gatherings.
Introduction to Earth First! and the summer gathering

2:30
Women’s self-defence – introductory session
Food and Climate Action: info for action
How to plan an action
Police liaison for actions – what it is, its uses and limitations and how to make it work.
Changing light bulbs or smashing the system. Sharing +/- experiences of working within/outside the system

4:30
Opposing nuclear expansion: planning for action
How to plan and run a successful medium to long-term campaign
Night time skills Part I: introduction (followed by practise session at 8.30pm)
Legal and arrest workshop
Introduction to anarchist history/potted anarchist histories

6:00
Library space: open discussion ?Direct action or publicity stunt??
8:00

Cinema: Seashepherd film and talk
8:30

Night time skills Part II – practice your skills in the field.

Friday

10:30
Blockading tactics
Climate Camp debrief: a critical look at the climate camp, its achievements and politics
Introduction to Earth First! And the summer gathering
Computer Security for the non-technical
Prison Abolition: what’s wrong with prison? what do we mean by abolition and how can we make it happen?

12:00
Food and climate change: action and campaign planning
Self-defence mixed practise session
Squatting to resist – occupations to resist the powers of darkness
History of Earth First!

2:30
The Earth First! Action Update and website: feedback and getting involved
Resisting agrofuels – update on the situation and action planning
Sea Shepherd – an intro to its campaigns and how to support/get involved.
Grow your own food – share you skills and experience
Queer Activist Forum: Radical queers organise for the future!

4:30
Queer Self-Defence: an intro to basic self-defence skills (verbal and physical)
Setting up new direct action groups
Saving Iceland ? planning actions for the coming year
Techno-fixes and climate change ? report by Corporate Watch
Urban self-reliance and self-sufficiency

7:30
Library: Prisoner Support – An informal get together to discuss the state of prisoner support in our movements, find out news and get advice on writing to prisoners, as well as making and writing cards to send to prisoners.

8:00
Cinema: A talk and film by a tribal activist from Orissa opposing mining

Saturday

10:30
Campaigns and Actions Round-up: UK and international news (no other workshops)

12:00
Women’s self-defence practise session plus running alongside – introduction to women’s self-defence
Stopping GM test fields – discussion on future campaign/actions
Research and destroy – how to research corporations
Future models of society – finding a path to sustainable living
Introduction to Earth First! and the summer gathering
Using tripods for blockading

2:30
Leave it in the ground – building resistance to new coal mining and power stations
Facilitation of meetings
Activist Security Part III: doing actions without leaving traces
Restoration Ecology
Creating safer spaces
Visit to Burston Strike School

4:30
Regional meetings and action planning (no other workshops)

6:00
Library Space: Working without leaders – discussion about core values of anarchism

8:00
Cinema: Smash Edo film and talk

Sunday
11:00
Self defence mixed practice session
Sorting out ways of communication within EF!
Using radios on actions
Introduction to Earth First! And the summer gathering
Fences: getting over them/taking them down

12:15
The summer gathering: feedback on this year’s and getting involved in organising the next one

2:30
Condoms, capitalism and climate change
Smash Edo
Introduction to navigation
What’s new in the world of law?
Feminist Health
Climbing trees, lamp posts and anything else

4:30
Radical politics in the age of collapse
The Royal Bank of Scotland and Fossil Fuel Financing
Getting your electricity from solar power and wind
Radical Parenting
Looking after our mental health – sharing ideas and experiences

8:00
Cinema: films – climate camp footage, ready steady skip etc

Monday
Take-down: please stay for a day or two to help take down the site. If you’ve got access to a vehicle/van, it’d be great if you could help transporting marquees, recycling etc to the places they need to go. Cheers!

More info about the Earth First! Summer Gathering
EF! is about direct action to halt the destruction of the Earth. It’s about doing it yourself rather than relying on leaders, governments or industry.
Direct action is at the heart of it, whether you’re standing in front of a bulldozer, shutting down an open-cast mine or ripping up a field of GM crops.
We’re a loose network of people, groups and campaigns coming together for ecological direct action.
Join us for 5 days of workshops, networking and planning actions, run without leaders by everyone who comes along. The gathering is also a practical example of low-impact eco-living and non-hierarchical organising.

http://www.earthfirst.org.uk, summergathering _ AT _ earthfirst.org.uk

Rath Lugh update, Ireland

August 14th 2008

August 14th 2008
Protectors were staging a Tree Protest near the Collierstown site highlighting the fact that roughly 62 bodies were removed from their sacred burial grounds to make way for the construction of the M3 Motorway. Collierstown graveyard dates from prehistoric times with burials continuing into the early medieval era.

The Tree Protest was given huge support from passing motorists. Locals also joined in coming out of their homes to give encouragement and there were plenty of volunteers to take stints to maintain a presence.

Derbyshire Coal Mine Occupation – Eviction Ended

The police have launched a full eviction attempt at the Bodge House squat in Shipley, Derbyshire. The house is located on the site of a proposed open cast coal mine.

Update Thursday 14th August: The last 2 protestors were evicted from the tunnel at about 2:30am, and have been handed over to the cops. UK Coal has already pulled Prospect Farm down, leaving us with no option but protest day trips to the site!

Update Sunday 10th August: Eviction is still ongoing at Bodge House, in Derbyshire. This is the 4th day of the operation and 4 people were arrested earlier today. The house is very heavily barricaded and 2-3 people are still reported to be inside. 4 vans of police and bailiffs still in attendence.

Update Friday 8th August: – We were there today to give support to those still in the house. We arrived about 11.00am. There were loads of police as would be expected and 3 people were taken out of the house while we were there and taken to Ripley police station. We were not allowed near so could not see who it was. Around 3.00 in the afternoon a chap in a suit and 2 women in inappropriate shoes turned up. We think they were from the bailiff teams. They spoke to the chief inspector in charge and went to the house. All the time the bailiffs on site had been cutting down the trees surrounding the house and trying to get in the front door of the house. They succeeded just before the ‘suits’ arrived. We left around 4pm to run some film to ITN but I heard later that the bailiffs had started up a generator to get air to the people in the tunnel under the house but left the site around 5.30. they are due back tomorrow (Saturday) to get the 2 people in the tunnel out. Anyone who can get there, please get there to give support.

Update Thursday 7th August: Around 7.45am about 60 police and 50 bailliffs arrived at the house. Throughout the day the police have been trying to get through the barricades and defences. Local people and media have been at the scene. So far 3 people have been removed from lockons and a cargo net outside the house and have been arrested. 7 people are still inside and are heavily barricaded in, included being hidden in tunnels under the house. The bailiffs have put up security fences and although they have managed to enter part of the building, the eviction attempt has been stopped for today. It is estimated the eviction will take at least another couple of days.

Background –
On Friday July 18, UK Coal, who own the site, were granted a possession order for the Squatted farmhouse on the planned Lodge House open cast coal mine site. For some time it has been anticipated that an eviction is imminent, particularly as the climbing team used against road protesters has been seen around the site. It is evident that with the Climate Camp happening at Kingsnorth Power Station, the police saw their oppertunity to move in.

Bits from mainstream sources (above from IMC) –

The protesters have been occupying the building at Prospect Farm, in Bell Lane, Smalley, for almost two months in the hope of making it impossible for UK Coal to begin opencast mining at the 334-acre site this autumn.

Bailiffs from the National Eviction Team arrived yesterday, leading to the arrest of three protesters. Three more left voluntarily.

A spokesman for UK Coal said: “We believe up to eight people remain in the house, four of whom could be in a labyrinth of tunnels underneath the house, according to information we have.

We’ve got just over 20 experts from the National Eviction Team, who worked on the site until 6pm last night.

Andy Green, a spokesman for Leave It In The Ground, said: “We’ve built an extensive tunnel network and have tree-structures and suspended cargo nets.

“As bailiffs and police arrived on site, people were chained to barricades defending strategic parts of the property.”

UK Coal has Government clearance to mine for four-and-a-half years from this autumn, despite Derbyshire County Council having refused to grant planning permission.

One of the protesters, who left voluntarily and identified himself only as Ben, said: “We need to find an alternative to coal and time for action is long overdue because climate change has already started happening.”

Eviction starts story and directions

Short audio report from first day – audio/x-wav 716K

A little background: The site was occupied on Tuesday June 18 by climate campaigners from ‘Leave it in the Ground’. They barricaded themselves in a disused farm building and took to the trees on the site of the open cast mine. Under the cover of darkness activists secured themselves in the Prospect Farm building, on the site which is about to be devastated by huge machines. and claimed squatter’s rights.