Squatting / Free Spaces / Protest Sites – Page 71

Camp for Climate Action to target Kingsnorth power station

3.03.2008
Today it was announced that E.ON’s Kingsnorth power station in Kent will be the site of this summer’s Camp for Climate Action, running from 4 th to 11th of August 2008.

Coming on the back of last week’s actions against the proposed third runway at Heathrow, with activists occupying the tailfin of a jet and the roof of the houses of parliament, climate activists promise that 2008 will be “the year of direct action on climate change”.

3.03.2008
Today it was announced that E.ON’s Kingsnorth power station in Kent will be the site of this summer’s Camp for Climate Action, running from 4 th to 11th of August 2008.

The protest will begin with a one-day event at Heathrow, the site of the previous year’s camp, before marching across London to Kingsnorth. This is one of eight climate camps targeting coal across the world this summer.

Climate change activists will converge on Kingsnorth power station where owners E.ON plan to build the UK’s first coal fired power station in 30 years. Saturday 9th August has been named a ‘day of mass protest and direct action’ against Kingsnorth to highlight its impact on climate change.

Moving from Heathrow to Kingsnorth highlights government and corporate collusion to expand the fossil fuel economy when the scientific consensus demands the opposite. The camp will bring together thousands of activists for several days of workshops and direct action. The camp will also challenge businesses set to profit from false solutions to climate change such as agrofuels. A day of action targeting the agrofuel industry will be an integral part of the week long camp.

Natasha Edleman said: “Building a new coal-fired power station in the middle of a climate crisis is madness. The science shows that we only have a few years to avert catastrophic climate change. If we let this happen then there are seven more power stations coming. This must be stopped.”

Charlie Owens said: “Biofuels have been proposed as a solution to climate change. But new studies confirm that they are just as dangerous as fossil fuels. And they create the illusion we can carry on as usual. In the end we can only stop climate change if we challenge the growth economy and start putting people and planet first.”

For more information see:

http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/
http://www.StopKingsnorth.org/

* Like Heathrow, Kingsnorth is awaiting the approval of the government. The decision on whether to hold a public inquiry into the power station will be taken by John Hutton, at BERR, in the next six weeks. As with Heathrow, there are accusations of collusion between EON and the government. For more information see: www.greenpeace.org.uk

* Kingsnorth will produce twice as many climate-harming emissions as a third runway at Heathrow. According to the World Development Movement, flights from a third runway at Heathrow will produce as much greenhouse gas as the whole of Kenya.

* If Kingsnorth is built it is likely to open the way to new build coal. Up to seven other similar projects are planned. Growth in coal-power will undermine investment in renewable energy.

* Last year’s camp was on land which is intended for the building of a third runway at Heathrow. The eight-day camp brought together 2000 people on land next to the village of Sipson and shut down BAA’s headquarters for 24 hours. The camp also organised up to 20 smaller actions on other aviation and climate change related targets. There were 70 arrests over the week.

* E.ON has tried to greenwash their plans to build a new plant at Kingsnorth by claiming that it might one day be upgraded to use carbon capture technology. Even by the most optimistic standards, such technology will not be ready until 2020.

* In the weeks before last year’s camp, BAA applied for an injunction to stop the camp taking place. The injunction covered two million members of environmental groups from the RSPB to Greenpeace. The injunction was successfully defeated in the courts.

* In addition to the camp, days of action on climate change are planned for the 1st April (Fossil Fools Day), 1st May (Mayday), 3rd June (highlighting issues to do with food and climate change)

* “Agrofuels” are liquid fuels produced from agricultural crops. These are also referred to as “Biofuels”.

‘Not An Eviction Party’ at the secret social centre

21.02.2008

Today, the backup venue for the rampART social centre faced a court hearing as the owners sought an interim possession order which would have seen the occupiers given just 24 hours to back up and leave. However, as luck would have it, only the squatters turned up to court so the case was adjourned. No eviction tomorrow and we guess not for at least another week…

21.02.2008

It was intended that we’d be having a day of resistance on Friday to see off the bailiffs, starting from 2pm with a vegan cafe and transforming into an all night party to get at least one big event out of the place we’ve put our blood, sweat and tears into since the new year. However, now there is no eviction threat tomorrow we’ve decided to party anyway with the RAMpart2 ‘Not An Eviction Party’

If you don’t already know the address, phone a friend. Anyone who regularly attends the rampART should know the address by now but we’re not posting it here.

Wanna perform or DJ? give us a call (you’ll have to be very self sufficient in terms of equipment).

This won’t be the last event at RAMpart2, but almost.

Hackney Social Centre Opens!

15.02.2008
London’s newest autonomous zone opened last night with a free cafe, music, and a series of short films.

After three weeks of resisting illegal forcible evictions, the Hackney Social Centre opened last night for an evening of food, music, films – including one, Trainsquatting, about squatters and resistance to evictions in Slovenia.

The social centre grew out of meetings through the Northeast Squatters Network, which seeks to strengthen solidarity and skill-sharing locally between the squats in north-east London. It is a non-commercial social space and plans to be home to activities such as free language lessons, a donations-only cafe, a free shop, meetings of local groups, skill-share sessions and a bike workshop.

General Meetings for the social centre are open to the public, and begin this Sunday, February 17th, at 3pm. Anyone interested in getting involved, or learning more, is welcome. The social centre is located at 231 Lower Clapton Road, in Hackney.

Here you can download TRAINSQUATTING and its subtitles >
Enjoy

http://www.kiberpipa.org/video/Frontline/TrainSquatting/

Latest details: Earth First! Winter Moot 2008 – February 22nd – 24th 2008 – Nottingham

Join us for
Activist skill share
Planning radical action on climate change,
Sharing ideas for the Earth First! Summer Gathering
Opposition to the UK genetic crop trials and mega-dams in Iceland
a chance to share info on your own campaign

Arrive from 5pm, Friday February 22nd 2008, with dinner at 7 o’clock.
Open to all those who have been involved in radical ecological direct action and to those who just want to find out more.

Arrive from 5pm, Friday February 22nd 2008, with dinner at 7 o’clock.
Open to all those who have been involved in radical ecological direct action and to those who just want to find out more.

Cost: £15 (to include accommodation and food)
Crèche and disabled access both available,
but please call to let us know if you need either or if you have other needs.

At The Sumac Centre, Gladstone Street Nottingham, www.veggies.org.uk/sumac
For more info call 01508 531636 (number not available during the event)

Friday late afternoon and evening will be a chance to arrive, and for introductions, plus a G8 talk & film, and an Introduction to EF!

We’ll be kicking off early on Saturday morning (9am breakfast) – starting with all sharing the most important reasons why we’ve come to Nottingham, we’ll get on with some practical discussions around the EF! Action Update, the website, and the summer gathering.
From what we’ve all said, we’ll be able in the afternoon to move on to ‘where next?’, plus sharing campaigns we’re involved with & seeing what they need, and getting together locally and regionally with other folk who are there.

On Sunday we’ll move into groups to concretely take the ideas forwards from the Saturday, from the campaigns we’re already working on and what we want to do together. We’ll finish at 4pm, after having shared what we’ve come up with. Hoorah.

Earth First! is not an organisation, but a way of using non-hierarchical organisation and the use of direct action to confront, stop and eventually reverse the forces that are responsible for the destruction of the Earth and its inhabitants. For further info check out www.earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/

Plus
All day Friday 22nd February, Saving Iceland UK meeting, also at the Sumac Centre. Open to those interested in travelling to Iceland or taking part in solidarity actions against the construction of large, wilderness wrecking dams in Iceland.

For further information and essential booking contact 01508 531636 or savingiceland@riseup.org

Tara campaign update: lock-ons and digger-diving, plus protest camp contact

I’m turncoat ACS archaeologist. I’m involved in Tara Campaign since June 2006 and thats my story about clamping to a lorry at 31st of January.

Wednesday evening at Rath Lugh Ressistance Camp was quite normal like every other day. Few protesters were siting in the Roundhause around burner, having tea and good conversation about how bad multinational corporations really are. Approximately about one o’clock when we were sitting in silence contemplating the idea of megalithic rock art being influenced by cymatic patterns caused by drum singing, six more protesters showed up. They bring with them idea of lock on to tar machine at Soldiers Hill, which was enthusiastically embraced by all of us. Soon we formed think tank and brainstormed through idea of that kind of Direct Action. After an hour we were ready and went to our beds to have a good rest.

I’m turncoat ACS archaeologist. I’m involved in Tara Campaign since June 2006 and thats my story about clamping to a lorry at 31st of January.

I waked up early in the morning and moved myself to the Roundhaus. Some protesters were on quick supply run, other preparing necessary equipment for action. Two of us were decided to lock on to machinery, others were making support for us. At 1020 GMT we departed to cars. Morale was high, people smiling and joking all over the road to Soldiers Hill. At 1032 GMT we arrived at sites main gate and jumped out of car. Main objective was tar machine so we moved quickly towards it, passing by two workers with angle grinder ripping off tarmac from the day before (they probably had some flaws in it and needed to lay it again).

Fortunately for us next to tar machine was lorry with tar transport so I chose that one as I knew that other protester is aiming tar machine. When we approached them, there was a little bit chaotic situation with workers running around, obviously they had no idea about true nature of our action. I founded good spot underneath the lorry and using workers ignorance locked myself on. When they realized whats really going on it was already to late. I placed my self comfortably, make a rolly and attempted to read Archaeology and Society by G. Clark. I was interrupted by security, Ferrovial Spanish workers and my favourite health and safety officer Mark Kleary.

Other protesters left and were supporting two of us from outside of construction site. When ferrovial or Kleary were not around I had nice chat with workers, they were quite satisfied to have a break in their job. It was quite cold and one of them gave me gloves to warm my hands.

Then Gardai came in and started usual drill (whats your name, would you live the site bla bla bla). We were dedicated to stay and make them cut us of from machinery. Mark Kleary himself, was the man who cut my d-lock. Before doing that he was saying something about cutting different parts of my body so he exposed himself clearly as a psychopath. To be honest I’m little bit afraid of that man and I mentioned that to Gardai. They did not commented that.

It take three different scissors and 2,5 hours to cut us off. After that we were handcuffed and taken to Garda Station at Navan. We were searched, separated and placed in different cells. Other protesters gather around Garda Station building and were blowing whistles and shouting encouraging words. After some time we were taken to Dublin. There we experienced very quick, fast food like court case.

We were collected from court by fellow protester. Now we are under bail condition until next court case which will be February the sixth, but keep working for the campaign. In next hour I’m going to Soldier Hill to support Digger Divers by mean of banner protesting. So that’s my story.

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Help is needed immediately on site with cameras batteries and general support. Please purchase phone credit for the vigil phone 086 1758557 If you can’t come to the hill contact us at tarapark@sacredireland.org maybe there is something you can do from your computer or landline.
Today, Feb 6th. Ash wednesday….. a digger is on the archeological site less than 30 feet from Lismullen Henge but has been prevented from working. 12 activists have stopped construction workers from unloading 3 dumper loads of hard core on the Lismullin archeological site. Gardai have been on site and taken names and threatened arrest. This work has been deemed illegal by the European Commission. It is also against public opinion, see full results of recent survey on www.sacredireland.
A ceremony took place on the henge at Lismullin, Imbolg Feb 3rd. 2008. There will be another ceremony this Sunday Feb 10th at 3pm
All welcome.

—————

Demonstration at Lismullin morning of 7th Feb – 8 AM

Time to get real. Time for hocus-pocus over.

Demolition works continued today at the Lismullin national monument, which lies in the middle of the M3 motorway route, near the Hill of Tara, despite the filing of High Court action yesterday by Gordon Lucas.

A large protest is planned for 8.00 AM tomorrow morning, beside the Lismullin site. Demonstrators are travelling from different parts of Ireland to object to the demolition works proceeding, while the matter is before the courts.

Smaller demonstrations have been taking place on a weekly basis, and today two more demonstrators appeared before Judge Brophy in Navan District Court, charged with trespass, after being arrested last week.

Rhiannon Curtis from the UK had her case dismissed, because it was a first offence. Marcin Sawicki, from Poland, who previously worked as an archaeologist on the M3, had his case adjourned until next week, when an interpreter was ordered to be present.

—————

Mass action at Tara, Monday 11 Feb, 12 noon

Just back from a very interesting day at Tara. Photos are to follow that show the devastation afoot up there, especially at Soldier Hill where construction workers are rushing to build the 50 acre Blundelstown Interchange. Lismullin and Rath Lugh are also very vulnerable right now.

A day of mass protest at Tara is now planned for Monday, 11 Feb, at 12 noon. We are aiming to get various groups and individuals to take part, as the situation is critical. If we all pull together for this, then we can have a strong impact, on the ground and in the media.

So make a date in your diaries, spread the word, and hopefully we’ll see some of you on Monday.

For anyone who wants to stay around up there for a while, the camp in Rath Lugh is in really good shape, with warm, dry accommodation available for activists. The guys up there are doing a great job, and it’s now time for everyone who cares about Tara to act.

—————

11th feb –

The situation is escalating at Lismullin. Diggers are trying to cross the protected area of the National Monument. There is no Garda presence. More machinery is arriving and protesters are attempting a blockade. Please support in any way you can, contact all media, bring supplies, video and photographic equipment. Join the peaceful protest and spread the word. Urgent Call Out Now!
Digger

—

It has been confirmed that a digger did indeed succeed today in driving right across the front of the Esker of Rath Lugh. This area is clearly marked and fenced as the Exclusion Zone/Preservation Area. Protesters also report other machinery including huge earth movers coming right up as far as the fences.

There is ample room for diggers to manoeuvre without going near the exclusion area. WHY WASNT THIS DRIVER ARRESTED ?

—————

The Rath Lugh Protest Camp needs your support: The Rath Lugh Direct Action Camp is situated two and a half kilometres from the Hill of Tara, on the Front Line of the proposed M3 between Lismullen and Baronstown.

Rath Lugh is the outer base camp for the Hill of Tara, enabling activists to keep a permanent vigil on the movement of vehicles and personnel working on various construction sites throughout the valley. Activists also maintain a constant presence on the Rath Lugh National Monument, which is currently under a temporary preservation order. The aim is to see this significant monument permanently preserved in-line with the rest of the Tara Complex.

“We need people urgently to halt the Valley’s destruction. Everyone has a skill or talent they can lend to this protest. Bring wellies, raingear, sleeping bags, torch, lighter, plenty of warm clothing, and good spirits. The protest is only going to get stronger, we will continue to oppose the motorway until it is moved, so come to Rath Lugh as quickly as you can. WE NEED YOU ALL NOW BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. Tara is calling, don’t ignore the call.”

Rath Lugh Camp Number: +353 86 1537 146

New social centre opening tonight in London!

!! OPENING !! (finally…!!)

After weeks of resisting forcible evictions we’re ready to open!
Come by for a potluck dinner + movie + music. FREE!

!! OPENING !! (finally…!!)

After weeks of resisting forcible evictions we’re ready to open!
Come by for a potluck dinner + movie + music. FREE!
Come support the city’s newest social centre and the future of autonomous spaces in London!

FEBRUARY 14th
6pm – midnight
231 Lower Clapton Road, Hackney (go around the back and ring the bell!)
(at the last stop of the 38 bus route)

FREE! (bring extra skipped food, music, friends)

http://www.hackneysocialcentre.blogspot.com/

Critical Mass ‘Have a Go Hero’ cleared of all charges in Bristol (& London Critical Mass January ride report/video)

7.02.2008
In May of last year, someone stood in the road and tried to stop a car, who had hit a Critical Mass cyclist off their bike, from driving away. For that he was arrested for obstructing the highway, thrown to the floor by his neck whilst handcuffed, and then – surprise surprise – also arrested for assaulting a police officer.

Today, after 9 months of nervous waiting, he was finally cleared of all charges, as Bristol Magistrates Court accepted a submission that the police evidence was at best ‘severely flawed’ and at worst, fabricated, and the trial was stopped.

A man that became involved after the event was also charged with assault and is awaiting to see if his charge will also be quashed as he can also argue that he was preventing a police ‘miscarriage of justice’.

The trial took a day and a half to realise what was evident all along – that the defendant was only guilty of trying to do the police’s job when they blatantly weren’t interested in doing it, for blatantly political reasons. Unbelievably, the police admitted to getting together to watch the cctv (presumably over a nice cup of bovril) BEFORE writing their statements, of failing to follow PACE procedures in the arrests, and of trying to pass off a wrestling move (clearly shown on the CCTV footage) as a form of ‘reasonable force’ in an arrest!

But the most unbelievable part of the whole sorry mess is the police’s deliberate allowing of the hit-and-run driver to escape, and then never following up the incident, despite the fact leaving the scene of an accident is a more serious crime than those the defendants were charged with, and despite having a full description of the car, driver AND THE REGISTRATION PLATE. Makes you wonder who the ‘mystery driver’ was doesn’t it …….

The next steps for the defendant is, first, celebrate his narrow escape from a politically motivated conviction, and then sue the police for the shocking way in which he was handled during the ‘practice dummy session’ that passed for his arrest. The local chief constable observed the trial, so we assume that his full apology and compensation won’t take too long to sort.

Critical Mass’s continue in Bristol on the last Friday of every month, meeting at 5.30pm outside the Hippodrome.

———–

A subdued start to a good ride, held up by a massive traffic jam in the Strand, but it livened up later with a bike high in Piccadilly Circus and taunts to impatient car horns. Joyful chants of ‘More bikes less cars’ and ‘Whose streets? Our streets’.

Video: http://www.archive.org/details/cml25-1-08

Several sound systems this time, some were threatened with SOCPA prosecution if they dared to play in the vicinity of Parliament. Cycle police were back after their Christmas/New Year break, about 28 in all – they usually don’t turn up at all to the December ride. They barked orders and blocked the ride at some intersections but did a good job of corking and even told off a few drivers. Later they shut down a sound system in Whitehall.

Just before Oxford Circus, a wannabe saboteur threw a glass bottle into the road which shattered into lots of puncturing shards, something to watch out for in future.

More:
http://criticalmasslondon.org.uk/
http://criticalmasslondon.org.uk/socpasounds.html

Faslane Peace Camp punks picnik and mischief: 2-4th May

mini beltane festival- and mischief ..

Punx Piknik at Faslane Peace Camp 2nd-4th May.
Inner Terrestrials,afterbirth,acid tounge,murderburgers,wasted nation,billy liar,rimshot,fuckin-A-team,screaming blue murder, and loads more, also folk and dub acts. Circus acts and madness…. more info to come….

mini beltane festival- and mischief ..

faslaniapeacecamp@yahoo.co.uk
http://myspace.com/faslanepeacecamp

Spring into action (though storms may be at the door) – the latest issue of the EF! Action Update has burst forth

Read all about occupations & lock-ons of big industrial places around the world, corporate & government blockades, squatting, airport invasions, subvertising, climate criminals locked & glued shut, trees climbed and chopped down, GM maize fields trashed, hunger strikes, burrowing under fences, jumping on whaling boats, Buying Nothing, Reclaiming the Streets and the unstoppable singing of Christmas songs, not to mention skating penguins. Even some upcoming dates to get stuck in or to meet other direct action crazies. We couldn’t make it up even if we tried.

Another bumper issue, with a special insert on Agrofuels including a list of refineries ‘in the pipeline’ or already on the ground, plus a legal update about the recent changes to your access to solicitors in police stations.

The latest issue of the Earth First! Action Update burst forth at the latest national meeting of the Camp for Climate Action (see climatecamp.org.uk for how the camp idea is audaciously morphing this year).

Download it to print out and share here. Do get in touch with the editorial collective to let them know if you’re dishing it up round your way, or need paper copies, or want to give them one of the rarer ingredients, dosh (to send it to prisoners, protest camps and far beyond) – their contact details and more are here.

Tasmanian Forest Defenders ‘Lose Their Exclusion’ in the Styx Valley, Tasmania

It’s been a busy week for Tasmanian forest defenders in the Styx Valley, setting up two blockades in two days as part of the ‘Gunns and Dozers Lose Your Exclusion Tour’.

Yesterday’s work halted construction on a new logging road being pushed into pristine forest near the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Today, two different access points to old growth logging coupe SX10F were blockaded, effectively stopping the destructive logging of ancient forest all day.

See the media releases below…
THURSDAY 24th JANUARY 2008

Tasmanian Activists Highlight Destructive Logging in the Styx Valley

Community activists from Still Wild Still Threatened have halted work on the construction of a new logging road in the Styx Valley today as part of the “Gunns and Dozers Lose Your Exclusion Tour”. The “Gunns and Dozers Lose Your Exclusion Tour” is an awareness raising event highlighting the ancient forest destruction occurring behind locked gates in Tasmania’s Southern Forests. The roading operation will open up more areas of the internationally renowned Valley of the Giants for destructive logging.

“Today’s action highlights the community’s grave concerns with the alarming rate at which Tasmania’s old growth and high conservation value forests are being destroyed behind locked gates all over the state. The ancient forests of the Styx, Weld and Upper Florentine Valleys have been internationally recognised as being of World Heritage Value and yet industrial activity like logging and roading continues everyday” said Still Wild Still Threatened Spokesperson Jess Wright.

“Our ancient forests also play an essential role in the mitigation of dangerous climate change, soaking up and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. At this critical time in the international debate about the massive contribution of forest degradation to climate change, more roading into and logging of our carbon storing forests is the last thing our planet needs” said Jess Wright.

“How much longer will our leaders stay silent and let these climate crimes continue? We are calling on Senator Penny Wong, the Minister for Climate Change and Water to show strong leadership on this issue and act immediately to protect Tasmania’s carbon dense ancient forests” Jess Wright said.

FRIDAY 25th JANUARY

Tasmanian Forest Defenders ‘Lose Their Exclusion’ in the Styx Valley, Tasmania

Community activists from Still Wild Still Threatened have returned to the Styx Valley today, preventing the destruction of ancient forest in old growth logging coupe SX10F as part of the ‘Gunns and Dozers Lose Your Exclusion Tour’. The ‘Gunns and Dozers Lose Your Exclusion Tour’ is an awareness raising event highlighting the ancient forest destruction occurring behind locked gates in Southern Tasmania’s threatened forests. Today’s action comes after forest defenders halted construction on a new logging road into pristine forest near the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area yesterday.

“While the chainsaws and bulldozers have been tearing apart this pristine tract of old growth forest, the public has been denied access to one of the Styx Valley’s most popular tourist attractions, the ancient forest walk known as ‘The Tolkien Track’. It is completely unacceptable that not only is our unique natural heritage being lost forever but the public is missing out on the opportunity to experience ancient forest that isn’t being logged” said Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson Jess Wright.

“In this era of dangerous climate change the destructive logging of old growth forest in the Styx Valley is truly a global issue. Studies show that Eucalyptus regnans forests, like those typical of the Styx Valley can store up to 1200 tonnes of carbon per hectare when fully mature*. The logging of these ancient carbon stores releases massive amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere greatly contributing to climate change.” said Jess Wright.

“Senator Penny Wong has to step up to her responsibility as the Minister for Climate Change and act immediately to protect Tasmania’s carbon storing old forests. Protecting Tasmania’s old growth and high conservation value forests is an essential step in the global challenge to mitigate the effects of dangerous climate change” Jess Wright said.

Two forest defenders are perched high in tree sits attached to structures blocking both access points to the old growth logging coupe SX10F.

Tasmania’s Southern Forests…Still Wild Still Threatened
The Huon Valley Environment Centre
Cool Forests…Conservation cools the planet