Squatting / Free Spaces / Protest Sites – Page 81

Happy Birthday Camp Titnore! & Brecon pipeline camp news

27.05.2007
CAMP Titnore in Worthing, West Sussex, has this weekend been celebrating its first anniversary.
And as well as celebrating the achievement of the last year, it is looking ahead by calling for more people to join the occupation and for solidarity action against the businesses threatening to destroy the countryside location.

It was at dawn on May 28 2006 that a determined group of environmentalists moved onto ancient woodland off Titnore Lane in Durrington, near Worthing, in protest at plans for an 875-home estate, massive Tesco superstore and new access roads.
After many years of local campaigning had failed to persuade Worthing Borough Council to oppose the development, they said direct action was now the only way they could continue the fight.
They didn’t really think the camp had any chance of lasting more than a few days, or weeks at the most. And when the landowners won possession in the High Court in London in August, everyone was braced for an eviction, but fortunately it didn’t happen.
The landowners, and potential developers, then thought they would play a waiting game and imagined that the protesters would all melt away, or freeze away, during the winter, but they didn’t.
The fact that the camp is still up and running is testament to the battling, never-say-die attitude of all those involved. But now there is a need for more people to lend a hand and get involved, to ensure that the camp is still there, resisting this development, in another year’s time.
* People are needed to go and stay at the camp, even just for a weekend.
* People are needed to spread the message, raise funds and form support groups.
* The call has gone out for non-violent direct action against firms involved in the scheme, such as Tesco, Heron Group, Bryant Homes/Taylor Woodrow and Persimmon Homes.
More information can be found online at www.protectourwoodland.co.uk, www.southcoast.indymedia.org.uk and www.eco-action.org/porkbolter. Contact the camp on 07913 534083. For tips on DIY campaigning go to www.schnews.org.uk/diyguide

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National Grid start the eviction process at Brecon.

26.05.2007
National Grid paid a visit to the protest camp yesterday afternoon with a notice to leave the site.

National Grid have given the Brecon protest camp a landowners notice to leave the site immediately. They now need to take the camp to court to be able to serve them with a proper eviction notice which will then allow the camp to be removed by the police eviction teams.

More people are needed at the camp to get it ready for when the time comes as this is now the beginning of the last big push to the eviction.

Being on site for even a few hours is helpful, everything needs doing from cooking/washing up to building projects. Even if you can’t make it to the site there is still a huge amount to be done, email us if you need more info.

fightthepipe@hotmail.co.uk
http://www.fightthepipe.co.uk

Common Ground Squatted Community Garden – The Path So Far…

25.05.2007

Last Saturday, anti-capitalists in Reading opened the squatted Common Ground Community Garden to the public for the first time, and are receiving support from all corners of the community.

25.05.2007

Last Saturday, anti-capitalists in Reading opened the squatted Common Ground Community Garden to the public for the first time, and are receiving support from all corners of the community.

Six months ago, a few anarchists squatted a former Womens Information Centre in the Katesgrove area of Reading. Having had their funding cut by Reading Borough Council the Womens Centre team moved out and this building joined its run-down & derelict neighbours – all owned by the Council. Living and working in the area, we quickly discovered the total lack of any green space or community space. Looking over our wall at the derelict gardens next door, with the stories of New Yorks community gardens and Zapatista land occupations in mind, we knew just what to do.

For the next three months we worked ridiculously hard on our occupied land, clearing rubbish, needles and weeds, landscaping our new garden, obtaining materials, painting, planting and constructing decking, benches and a childrens play area. Much of the garden was created using stuff others were throwing away and donations from family, friends and neighbours. Unnavoidable costs (£150 roughly) were funded out of weekly subs (the price of a pint!). And all this through internal conflicts about decision making and accountability along the way.

After hanging a banner, putting up posters and distributing about 600 flyers door-to-door advertising our opening day two days later, the Council took out an injunction “preventing the opening day from taking place”. Yeah right! We immediately distributed another 500 letters telling our neighbours about this and making it clear we would go ahead regardless.

Early Saturday morning, pixies removed the front fence, opening the garden up fully. About midday, two Polish security guards turned up to serve the Council’s injunction. After five minutes of being ignored they did the sensible thing and went and sat in their car. Got to be said, they were great and just stayed out of the way all day, so thanks to them! Through the day, many neighbours came through the garden, breaking the law to show their support and looking amazed at the difference to the area. Rumours are, we even had one local cop show her support on our petition! Overall we had about 200 people through the garden at various times, the same number of signatures on a petition (supporting the garden and demanding community control over the land).

The celebration in the evening was great! About 100 people enjoyed a great BBQ and plenty of alcohol late into the evening. The greatest thing was the diversity; activists and punks alongside neighbours aged 8 to 80! And the tunes were fantastic, again ranging from grey-haired country and bluegrass, to gravel voiced acoustic punkrock. Singing along with my middle-aged neighbours to acoustic punks PJ Sheppard and Gaby’s “Instead of war lets have a beer!” was class, and the blues version of Marley’s redemption song wasnt bad either!

After the hungover tidy up, the garden has been visited by many more neighbours over the last few days, all equally supportive. The local press have ran great articles about the garden, and a few locals have written letters in our favour to the media and the council. We’ve even been on telly now, as ITN Thames-Valley ran a brilliant piece on their evening news, featuring the council sounding a bit silly and our neighbours sounding great!

One interesting thing is how widely held is the view that the council’s model of development – unaffordable flats, roads and shopping centres i.e. capitalist development, gentrification and speculation – is not what local people want or need. Even some of the people living in the posh flats over the road agree with us! A possibility being mooted now, is to hold a neighbourhood consultation and assembly to decide the future of the land and buildings, fighting for whatever is agreed. The beginings of links with other local struggles – such as mobile-home owners and allotment holders fighting a new road, or market stall holders resisting being forced out of the market by development – are already being seen.

Despite the extended injunction granted today – making opening the site illegal – the garden will now be kept open everyday, for local residents and workers to enjoy. We also intend to fight eviction by any means, through the courts and with direct-action. It seems obvious to us and our neighbours that the council had their chance with this land and didnt give a damn for five years – now it belongs to nobody, because it belongs to everybody! It is truly ‘Common Ground’.

katesgrovegarden(AT)yahoo.co.uk

Protesters against Bulldozers at Tara (Ireland) – update – more people needed

Since Sunday, May 20, protesters are blocking the use of heavy construction machinery at ancient archaeological sites in the Tara-Skryne valley in Co. Meath, Ireland. Construction workers are trying to begin work on the M3 four-lane motorway, although no public decision has yet been given by the Minister for Heritage Dick Roche to commence work. Reports state that the peaceful protesters who sat down in front of the machinery, were in some cases badly manhandled by the construction workers. If the protesters do not succeed in preventing the construction work from beginning, the archaeological sites will be quickly destroyed and the destruction presented to the public as a fait accompli.

The protesters at the moment are small in number and are made up of the Vigil Keepers, who have been keeping watch on Tara for some time, local people, and general members of the public.

To put it bluntly, if the protesters do not receive enough on site support, the construction company will be able to move the heavy machinery in, and in no time at all, Tara, ancient as it is, will be lost!
The protesters are calling for support.

Dr. Muireann Ni Bhrolchain of the Save Tara Campaign in Ireland wrote –
“It is quite amazing how one person, two people at a gate can stop them. This is the power of one, two, three … but we need you all now. If you care about Tara – now is the time to act.”

Protect Tara Campaign
protect-tara@gmx.net
http://www.protect-tara.org

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Collierstown under attack 23rd May

The machinery was persuaded away today, a young protester negotiated a deal with the boss – go back to Garretstown and we will not stop you there thus keeping them out of the Valley.
But the graveyard at Collierstown is in imminent danger and the two gates on the road, one at Collierstown and the other going to Baronstown need to be blocked completely tomorrow.
They are determined to push through there. The Spanish engineers were defending their actions tonight – they said the NRA told them to work on this particular section of the road.
Collierstown – coming from Dublin is after Dunshaughlin, Drive on about 4 miles to Ross Cross – the next cross road. Take the right at the cross road and the site is not far down that stretch of road. You also pass the Tara post office on the way.
The grave slabs are thrown about the place – broken.
There are bones littered on the ground.

Please anyone who can get up there asap. Very few up there at present.
Now – for Tara.
Ring 086- 17585557

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Monitors with video equipment are urgenty needed at M3 protest sites. Today (Thursday) there are reports of futher violence against peaceful protesters. Anyone who can get to the protests please do.

Location of protesters: Approx 5 miles past Dunshaughlan, turn right at first crossroads (Tara Post office on corner). Straight on and take first right. Down narrow, windy road and site entrance visable.

Daily protests are ongoing and a National Day of Action has been announced for Friday 1st June. Buses will be departing from Dublin, Cork and Galway. Full details to follow.
Related Link: http://savetara.com

Climate Camp To Target Heathrow (& new videos: Another End of the World is Possible)

Last summer, over 600 people converged outside Drax coal-fired power station for 10 days of sustainable living and collective education, culminating in a day of mass action against Drax. This year, the Camp for Climate Action will pitch its tents near Heathrow airport.

There will be a day of mass direct action aiming to disrupt the activities of the airport and the aviation industry, but in the interests of public safety there will be no attempt to blockade runways.

Although the location is different, the philosophy of the camp remains the same: to be a place for the burgeoning network of people taking radical action on climate change around the country to come together for a week of low-impact living, education, debate, networking, strategising, celebration, and direct action. The camp will feature over 100 workshops covering topics such as climate change impacts, carbon offsetting, biofuels, peak oil, permaculture, practical renewables, campaign strategy, skills for direct action, and much more. Run without leaders by everyone who comes along, it will be a working ecological village using renewable energy, composting waste and sourcing food locally.

Aviation is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK, and all our efforts to tackle climate change in other sectors are undone by the massive growth in air travel. Holding the camp at Heathrow aims to highlight the lunacy of the government’s airport expansion plans, target industry giants profiteering from the climate crisis, and raise awareness of the need to fly less. The camp will also support local residents in their long-term struggle against the building of a third runway and the destruction of their communities.

It all comes down to us, now. We are the last generation that can do anything about climate change. In 20 or 30 years time, should we not change our ways, we’ll be committed to emissions increases that will see forests burn, soils decay, oceans rise, and millions of people die. If we don’t get this issue right, so much else is lost too.

We still have time, but not for long. Make it count.

Camp for Climate Action, 14th – 21st August 2007.
http://www.climatecamp.org.uk

To celebrate the announcement of the location for this summer’s CAMP
FOR CLIMATE ACTION – Heathrow Airport, we present:

ANOTHER END OF THE WORLD IS POSSIBLE
7 Video portraits of radical climate activists

“Apocalypse is always easier to imagine than the strange and circuitous routes to what actually comes next.”
Rebecca Solnit, Hope in the Dark: The Untold History of People Power, Cannongate 2005.

Another End of the World is Possible is a series of captivating video portraits of people taking radical action against the root causes of climate change. Ranging from an activist who occupied an airport’s
taxi way, to a teacher working with kids on a deprived housing estate, the portraits demonstrate the wonderful diversity of those who will be taking part in this years Camp for Climate Action in the UK : 14th –21st August. see the all at www.climatecamp.org.uk

The 7 – 5 minute long portraits are also posted on numerous video platforms including youtube,archive.org, daily motion,v-social – Quicktime copies can be downloaded from http://www.guidedurenard.org/bm/library/7 . If you want a dvd copy contact john@labofii.net

Interviewees are: Catherine – Climate Camp; Duncan Law – Transition Town Brixton; Pauline – Rite2No; John Stewart- Airport Watch, Julie – Growing Communities; Leo – Plane Stupid; Kevin Smith – Carbon Trade
Watch.

CRITICAL MASS – friday, London – may be the biggest ever? Plus Bristol & Glasgow call-outs

police have won a high court appeal. it means that ‘organisers’ of the critical mass bike ride have to inform the police ahead of time and negotiate a fixed route. since there are really no organisers, the mass will have difficulty complying. it is simply a get-together of cyclists to go for an unorganised but synchronistic ride. a large turn-out will complicate the enforcement of this repressive decision.

back in october 2005, after the introduction of SOCPA (serious organised crime and police act) section 132, controlling protest around parliament, police handed out their leaflets warning the mass may be controlled.

in response, around 1500 cyclists took to the streets in november, bringing central london to a standstill, and making it impossible for the police to enforce their crazy repression.

you don’t have a lot of time to organise, but if you want to build a similar event, it’s up to everyone to spread this news far and wide – leaflet, poster and recruit your local cycle shop, write to your local newspaper (“local person intends to defy police ban by cycling on friday”), swamp your mailing lists, and so on and so on.

remember, the critical mass is not an ‘organised’ event, and so cannot notify the police in advance of its route. since it’s not organised by any one person, it means everyone who wants a mass needs to do something this week to make it happen large! no-one will do it for you.

so start acting, and think positive and huge – if 1500 can come out on a cold november night over this issue, think how many might turn up on a pleasant may evening?

——

“One of the three appeal judges hearing today’s case did rule in favour of the cyclists. Lord Justice Wall said a ruling that the event fell within the Public Order Act was “potentially oppressive”. “The police, in my judgment, know what the cyclists are going to do. They are going to ride around the Greater London area. “That is a perfectly lawful activity, and if, for any reason, it ceases to be so, the police have ample powers to intervene.The judge said it was a valid argument that not only is the Critical Mass rally a part of London life, but that none of the bodies responsible for public transport in London had ever felt it necessary to ask the police to consider using the Public Order Act against it.”

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This Friday – 25th of May – Critical Mass

THIS FRIDAY – 25th of May – Critical Mass from the Fountains @ 5:30pm

Critical Mass isn’t BLOCKING traffic – We ARE Traffic.

Critical Mass is a monthly bicycle ride to celebrate cycling and to assert cyclists’ right to the road, happening on the last Friday of
every month in hundreds of cities and towns around the world. We meet at 5.30pm outside the Fountains near the Waterfront to set off by 6pm.

We take a leisurely ride through the city of Bristol for 30 mins to an hour allowing us to make our point and communicate effectively with other road users and authorities.

By getting cars to slow down for cyclists we hope to raise awareness for:

the benefits of cycling
the need for more buses
the need for more cycle lanes
cut down your driving
car drivers need to chill out
cycling is fun and there are lots of like minded people willing to do
something fun to help the environment.

Critical Mass isn’t BLOCKING traffic – We ARE Traffic.

for more info see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_Mass_%28bicycle%29
http://www.scorcher.org/cmhistory/howto.html
http://bristolcm.pbwiki.com/

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BIG BIKE BLESSING – A Mass for Glasgow Critical Mass

Come all, come many …see you there with holly oil.

www.glasgowcriticalmass.org.uk

May 25th, 5:30pm, George Sq, !!Bring your Bike to be Blessed!!

Who do you turn to when you no longer can cycle safely in the city?
The police? The Council? The Prime Minister?
No … we need something bigger. We need the most powerful force to protect our bikes on our journey through the city on the next Critical Mass bike ride. This is why we will be calling upon the All Mighty Lord to bless all of our self-propelled vehicles. Amen! A Divine Intervention will ensure our safety so we will be blessing the bikes with our holly waters, chanting holly hymns from the holly Bike Bible. Hallelujah! For it is the bikes that have been sent down from the heavens to save us and our burning planet. Amen!

Come all, bring your children and your parents, join the merry sounds of the Critical Mass.

Why?

There is a growing cycling culture in Glasgow that is not being addressed by the Glasgow city council. Although the bike is by far the quickest, most efficient and environmentally friendly means of getting around in the city, there are hardly any bike facility, bike lanes are paired up taxis and buses and the list goes on.

Although the city council claims that there are up to “375km of identified cycle route” (www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/GettingAround/Cycling/) the majority of them are no longer than a couple of hundred meters before they get cut by a road, a building, or a parking lot.

Who?

Critical Mass, Urban Playground, Glasgow Kiss, The Weird Bike Show, and more

What to expect?

Well you should expect a safe and peaceful bike ride with other jolly cyclists, spontaneous interventions and a safe look into experiencing the city on a self propelled vehicle. As well a, a Giant Priest, a sound system on wheels, some weird bikes, a rickshaw, and much much more.

The What?

There is also a fancy dress party organized by Bedlam Boudoir and their incredible costumes. We will have the bicycle stamp on the ride which will allow you a special discount for the party later on. Special points for coming as a religious figure to bless bike and dance at party.

www.critical-mass.org
www.urban_discomfort.com
www.the-swarm.co.uk
www.glasgowkiss.org.uk

http://www.glasgowcriticalmass.org.uk

Virgin spoil-sports – TAA exhibition obstructed

19.05.2007
The Temporary Autonomous Art event taking place in a squatted venue once used by Reuters was today obstructed by a private security firm apparentlty employed by the Virgin Media Group who allegedly own the building which has been left empty for several years until occupied by the TAA earlier in the week.

Today was the last day of the exhibition which opened on the 16th May and involves the work of over a dozen artists from around the country. The security were assaulting people attempting to enter the site and the police were called. Over the course of several hours the police attempted to figure out where the law stood on having security guards obstructing the public footpath in order to prevent people from entering a building which was lawfully occupied by someone other than the owner instructing the security firm.

While the first police to turn up instructed that it was a civil mater until the point of assault or obstruction, the security continued as before as soon as the police left. The second set of police to arrive took a more pragmatic approach. They said they’d do nothing until given advice from higher up and while they were there the security were forced to step back from pulling people off the fences when they climbed over.

Meanwhile, inside, kids played on a bouncy castle in the sunshine and people wandered around looking at the wide variety of art decorating the large commercial building. Workshops were also taking place around the building and there was a schedule of films and experimental performances.

Shortly before I left, higher ranking police had arrived and were expressing concern that they would be an unlicensed rave taking place in the building that evening as that’s what they were being told by the security firm. The police asked if they could have a look around but after a period of discussion those inside said no.

As I left at around 6pm, the situation remained that people wanting to enter the property had to climb over a ladder tied to the fence and could do so without obstruction from either security or police. It was not clear what would happen next but the exhibition is well worth a visit.

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update:
======================

Saturday 19th May 9pm

Has London gone anti-arts and culture?
The Metropolitan Police have today launched a major operation, which includes the cordoning of two public roads and involving the use of a considerable number of police officers and vehicles. Resulting in a stand off lasting over 12 hours so far, (at 8pm), the police operation has managed to prevent anyone entering on the last day of a highly successful and inspirational art exhibition.

Yes, read that again … an Art Exhibition …

Launched on Wednesday the Temporary Autonomous Art exhibition has attracted a large number of talented artists from all over Britain and Europe to produce one of the most exciting and innovative exhibitions that London has seen, achieving almost unanimous acclaim from everyone who has visited.

Running for four days from midday to midnight one would have thought that such a quality multicultural event would be celebrated by the authorities, but no, they insist that the place is going to turn in to some kind of rave and used it as an excuse to prevent the lawful access to local public highways and the building itself.

The building is full of high quality art, produced by dedicated artists and the very concept of a rave is enough to horrify anyone involved. The very thought of hundreds of works of art trashed in an illegal rave in incomprehensible, so the question must arise as to why?

Has the Met lost it’s senses? On a Saturday night when the understaffed, overstretched police force is having it’s busiest night of the week they are sent out in force to prevent an art exhibition!

Temporary Autonomous Art is (was) being held at 15-25 New North Road, London (Nr Old St) and is apparently the most dangerous event in town

more info 07722044788

Earth First! summer gathering – Wednesday 18th July until Sunday 22nd July 2007 – location & programme announced

What is the Earth First! Summer Gathering?

* Are you fed up with bare-faced lies from politicians, big business and the media?
* Have you had enough of a world where corporate profit comes before life and dignity?
* Do you want to see an end to mindless consumption>
* Then this Gathering is for you! Read on…

What is the Earth First! Summer Gathering?

The Earth First! Summer Gathering is the place where people involved in radical ecological direct action – or those who want to be involved – get together for five days of time and space to talk, walk, share skills, learn, play, rant, find out what’s going on, find out what’s next, live outside, strategise, hang out, incite, laugh and conspire.

The gathering is also a practical example of non-hierarchical low-impact living in action.

We are a diverse community with a wide range of approaches to our action, so there should be plenty to interest and inspire everyone whether you have been active for years or are completely new to it all.

More info at earthfirstgathering.org.uk

Eviction & Injuction Against Squatted Garden? Reading Resists!

17.05.2007
Common Ground Community Garden is due to open to the public for the first time this Saturday 19th May, with a BBQ, children’s dance exhibition and live acoustic music. Through four months of hard voluntary work, some local residents and activists have created a beautiful green space from land left as a derelict junkyard by Reading Borough Council. We’ve cleared rubbish, secured the area, laid lawn, grown plants and built tables and benches. We have recycled and re-used and created something positive for others and ourselves. Throughout this time we have been occupying the former Women’s Information Centre, left empty after the council cut their funding.

Today, we have found out that derelict land and buildings are not left to rot by the council through sheer laziness, but that they actually prefer them this way. A council official has informed us this morning that they are applying to the court for our eviction and the eviction of the new Common Ground Community Garden. Refusing to allow this positive community project to flower (excuse the pun!) or allowing Katesgrove residents a chance to decide the future of this area, the council is seeking an injunction to prevent the planned open day and celebration events this Saturday from taking place.

We intend to carry on regardless. This project is a source of pride for us, and we hope it can be the same thing for all our neighbours. We believe it to be a positive contribution to the area and we sincerely hope you will feel the same. With this in mind we would like to extend an invitation to all our friends, neighbours and those who support us to visit the garden at anytime from now onwards. We also restate our invitation to join in our celebration of the opening day, this Saturday 19th May.

The entrance to the garden is through the alleyway next to the Women’s Information Centre at the bottom of Silver Street, Katesgrove, Reading.

Against their injuction and eviction is our stubborn determination – resist!

Love n Rage,
Common Ground Community Garden Collective
rgacollective(AT)hotmail.co.uk

Christiania under attack and Copenhagen-Update

15.05.2007
The police entered christiania yesterday to evict and demolish a house, that partly burned down a couple of years ago. The eviction lead to a night of street fighting in the area. Timeline is translated from modkraft.dk

Yesterday’s attack on christiania has to be seen in connection with the attack on Ungdomshuset the 1st of march which lead to a week of riots all over Copenhagen. Again the police is now attacking a free space in Copenhagen that has been under attack from both police and government several times the last couple of years

The reason was officially that there had been made new constructions on the house which against the new administration “rules” for christiania that forbids any construction at all, which also lead to another major police raid in september 2006. Unofficially it is said that the eviction might be a test from the police to see the reaction to evictions on christiania, prior to the promised eviction of all “illegally” build houses in the area..

From several politicians and the opinion in general among left radicals the official reason for the attack has been critized as being pointless. The house was officially asked to be removed by Christiania themselves back in 2006 and there hasn’t been any reason stated why it had to be removed just now a month and a half after Ungdomshuset and a week before the court decides whether or not 3 houses on Christiania should also be evicted.

To many it seems like the police is training for these evictions of houses that are still in function and also this might be an attempt to shift the public opinion AGAINST Christiania by creating and provoking several riots in the area week after week.

However, the riots and fighting yesterday also shows that the police isn’t always the strongest force. People were caught by surprise this morning when they attacked Christiania but by evening the demonstrators proved to be a much more prepared and stronger force than the police seem to have been prepared for.

Even though Copenhagen might have seemed to disappear again in the international news the city has been the center for huge political mobilizations time after time and there has been more and more focus on police brutality in the danish news.
At the same time sentences has been decided by the city court against some of those people arrested around 1st of march. Most of them have been confession trials and might therefor not give any hint about future trials but in one or two trials people have been sentenced for long jail punishments even though there was more civil witnesses supporting them than police witnesses against them.

——-
From modkraft.dk:

Kl. 01.51

The police has bloked Prinsessegade (main road to christiania) and has parked a big amount of vans and officers on the main square in the area Christianshavns Torv

The situation seems unchanged.

Modkraft.dk is ending tonights reportage

Kl. 01.39

A police attack hasn’t begun anyway. Four police vans are parked across Prinsessegade with a number of officers in gas masks in front of and behind the vans.

Further up the street closer to Christiania molotov cocktails and teargas granats are thrown in each others direction but without any real movement.

The police has all equipment ready but nothing is happening

Kl. 01.28

A witness reports that the police has taken on gasmasks and is standing next to their vans by the church half way between the square Christianshavns Torv and the entrance to Christiania

The witness thinks it looks like the preparation for a final attack on the demonstrators.

Kl. 01.24

There has just been new clashes between demonstrators and police around Prinsessegade and Bådmandsstræde.

The police moved forward in vans and had rocks thrown after them. The police then retreated and fired teargas at the demonstrators.

In return the demonstrators threw at least 3 molotovcocktails at the police

It seems as if the clashes doesn’t lead to any changes in position. The police has again retreated.

Kl. 01.05

The fighting between demonstrators and police seems to stop just as slowly. There aren’t as many demonstrators on the street as earlier in the evening.

There is still a lot of clashes with the police where paintbombs and molotovs are thrown at the police

A witness has estimated the number of demonstrators to be around 100 but there is more inside christiania.

Kl. 00.55

After demonstrators have been retreated to christiania they have now started running out in different locations in the area. There is fighting in a street next to Prinsessegade. The police is slowly retreating.

There are still huge amounts of gas in the streets but the wind keeps spreading it out.

Kl. 00.41

There is still fighting between police and demonstrators in Prinsessegade. Also there is still a lot of gas in the streets but the demonstrators are just moving according to the amount of gas, retreating when there is too much. Molotovs are frequently being thrown at the police

The demonstrators are pouring water on the teargas bullets (?), moving from one to another with water bottles.

The area is covered with a huge policeforce.

Kl. 00.24

The police has fired extremely much teargas in the streets. A witness says taht the demonstrators are crying and vomitting. But people still havent given up but are instead very aggressive. A lot is retreating from the gas but several demonstrators are staying.

Water and lemons are handed out among the demonstrators.

The wind in the area is continuing and the demonstrators are moing towards the police as soon as the gas is gone.

Teargas has just been fired into christiania over the musikplace Loppen (www.loppen.dk)

Kl. 00.18

There are burning barricades several places in the area. In a parallel street to Prinsessegade a larger barricade is on fire

Kl. 00.13

Everything is quiet on Sankt Hans Torv where a demonstration was suppose to start at midnight. 15-20 demonstrators are hanging out there and there isn’t any sign of disturbance.

Kl. 00.11

A clash is being prepared in Prinsessegade. The police has fired huge amounts of gas in the street but a wind is spreading it out. That makes the demonstrators move forward as soon as the worst amount of gas is gone

The police seems to be hesitating, according to a source

Kl. 23.59

The police moved towards the demonstrators a moment ago. They were met with rocks and the like.

One van was set on fire which is out again by now

A minute after the attack the police retreated again and regrouped.
They fired gas at the demonstrators

The demonstrators have retreated a bit but are very disciplined. They are yelling “Hold the line” to each other. A witness calls them “ready for battle”

Kl. 23.55

The situation is tense. Barricades are build in Prinsessegade

By Bådmandsstræde a smaller clash is happening. Opposite earlier the police is hesitating a bit. At other attacks the police has answered to demonstrators’ attacks with powerful attack on them.

It is the demonstrators that are offensive now.. They are yelling out paroles against police brutality

The house the police evicted this morning has been rebuild.

Kl. 23.47

SMS-messages has called for a demonstration at Nørrebro at midnight. As the demonstrations on christiania and in the area earlier it is to protest the eviction of a house on christiania earlier today

Kl. 23. 42

There are two large burning barricades in Prinsessegade. One of them was attacked by a police 15 minutes ago.

A new fire is being made between the two barricades. The mood is tense & battle-prepared.

The area has been blocked by police. No one can enter or leave the neighbourhood. Even the metro has been stopped.

Witnesses describe the situation as silence before the storm

Kl. 23.33

Police has just started a massive and violent attack on the entrance to Christiania. This is after demonstrators again has made attacks on the police. A single demonstrator didn’t make it away and has been arrested and carried away

Kl. 23.23:

The police attacked the entrance to christiania five minutes ago. The demonstrators replied with molotovs, rocks and bottles.

The police has retreated again and a new attack is expected.

There are several burning barricades in the area

The riots started shortly after 22 o’clock where a demonstration on the main square in the area started by sms’s started a larger fire and build barricades. The police attacked the demonstration after about 10 minutes and at least 25 people were arrested.

The demonstrators spread out in the area afterwards and started building burning barricades around the entrances to christiania.

Politiken.dk writes that at least 42 persons had been arrested at 22.30

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Pictures & video: http://indymedia.dk/article/1153
http://politiken.dk/poltv/?ExtID=1646
http://politiken.dk/poltv/?ExtID=1646

More video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImOBGgLEBHI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpse1ohja4g
playlist:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=D96F3A4AD2D6B746

Squatted Community Garden Opening Day – Sat 19th May – Reading!

“COMMON GROUND”
(Reading Squatted Community Garden)
** OPENING DAY! **

SATURDAY MAY 19TH,
1pm till Late!
** BBQ, live acoustic music and dance exhibition by local kids from 6pm! **

“COMMON GROUND”
(Reading Squatted Community Garden)
** OPENING DAY! **

SATURDAY MAY 19TH,
1pm till Late!
** BBQ, live acoustic music and dance exhibition by local kids from 6pm! **

A group of anti-capitalists in Reading have created a beautiful garden from a squatted piece of derelict land for our community to use and enjoy. On Saturday 19th May we will be opening to the public for the first time, hope to see you there!

Limited accomodation is available, 1st come 1st serve – please let us know asap, thanx!

The entrance is through the alleyway, next to the Womens Information Centre, Silver Street, Central Reading, UK. We are 10mins walk from train station.

“Anything is possible when we take the initiative”

For further information please email rgacollective(AT)hotmail.co.uk