Gloucester pipeline action group

May 6, 2007
There has been an action group formed in Gloucester to raise awareness about the pipeline and to protest against the pipeline. We meet up around once month and also stage direct actions, put on benefit gigs and have info stalls in Gloucester and at local events. Please send an email to fightthepipe@hotmail.co.uk for more information or contact us through our myspace http://www.myspace.com/fightingthepipe

May 6, 2007
There has been an action group formed in Gloucester to raise awareness about the pipeline and to protest against the pipeline. We meet up around once month and also stage direct actions, put on benefit gigs and have info stalls in Gloucester and at local events. Please send an email to fightthepipe@hotmail.co.uk for more information or contact us through our myspace http://www.myspace.com/fightingthepipe

We would love to hear from anyone whether you just want email updates on what we are doing, put up a few posters and give leaflets to friends or get involved with direct actions.

Together we can make a difference!

The Basement Fire / Flood Update. WE NEED YOU!

The Basement is a social centre in Central Manchester with a vegan cafe, activist library, bookshop, computer hub and exhibition space. We have been badly affected by the massive fire on Monday and we are appealing for help so we can get back open again as soon as possible.

The Basement is a social centre in Central Manchester with a vegan cafe, activist library, bookshop, computer hub and exhibition space. We have been badly affected by the massive fire on Monday and we are appealing for help so we can get back open again as soon as possible.

The Basement Social Centre in Manchester was badly damaged in the huge fire which started on Dale Street on Monday morning. It is now closed for essential repairs but we hope to open again in the near future, In the meantime apologies to all our user groups, customers and friends.

Luckily we did not go up in flames; however we have suffered smoke damage and more significantly severe flood damage from our sprinkler system

Some of us were able to briefly go in and salvage important items; the scene that greeted us was grim but rather less apocalyptic than we first feared. There were puddles of water rather than the 2 metres we were warned about but many books, leaflets and art works are well beyond repair. Ceiling tiles have come down and we can not yet be sure how badly affected the IT hub and kitchen are.

We are not currently able to gain access to start the clean up or even fully assess the damage, this is because the area is still deemed unsafe until adjacent buildings are demolished. Latest reports suggest we will be able to get in sometime next week. This is incredibly frustrating and obviously damp things will fester so we are facing a huge challenge,

When we are able to start we would be hugely grateful for any help with the clean up. Its going to be a massive task and the more volunteers the better. We will also need financial support because although we do have some insurance it will not cover all our losses. Extensive renovation and restocking will be necessary and we really do need you.

We have all been touched by many messages of solidarity and support we have received. Thank you everybody. Cheers also to the Fire Brigade who have been ace.

We now ask that you think about turning kind words into action. We have a new website which includes a place to register offers of practical help and also an online donation facility. Any contributions you can make, physical or financial will be much appreciated.

Please go to http://thebasement.clearerchannel.org/new/

The Basement will rise, phoenix like, and be stronger and more glorious – but we will need the help of our friends and supporters to do so

Love and underwater kisses

The Basement Collective
mustsocial@yahoo.co.uk

Squaf: Sheffield Squat Café and Social Centre

Opening tonight, 1st May 2007, for a limited time only (depending on input), is a new squatted social centre and café in the former Tramway pub on London Road, Sheffield. The first event is a Open Mic Night from 8pm, other planned events include:

Squaf logoOpening tonight, 1st May 2007, for a limited time only (depending on input), is a new squatted social centre and café in the former Tramway pub on London Road, Sheffield. The first event is a Open Mic Night from 8pm, other planned events include:

# Café
# Freeshop
# Bike Workshops
# Gigs
# Workshops
# Women’s day
# Discussions
# Bar-B-Qs’

For more info see the SQUAF web site: http://www.squaf.aktivix.org/

End of the line for coal: Protestors blockade coal trains, New Zealand/Aotearoa

Press release: Save happy Valley Christchurch
Sunday 29th April 2007

Save Happy Valley members have locked onto the train tracks near Christchurch to call for an end to new coal mines in New Zealand. Other members have hung a twenty-two metre banner – ‘Solid Energy: Govt Sponsored Climate Chaos – along two of the coal wagons. They are on Kirk Road, Templeton.

Press release: Save happy Valley Christchurch
Sunday 29th April 2007

Save Happy Valley members have locked onto the train tracks near Christchurch to call for an end to new coal mines in New Zealand. Other members have hung a twenty-two metre banner – ‘Solid Energy: Govt Sponsored Climate Chaos – along two of the coal wagons. They are on Kirk Road, Templeton.

“Catastrophic climatic events are already occurring; climate change is happening now,” said Graham Jury, Save Happy Valley Christchurch spokesperson. “Earlier this year New Zealand finally reached the end of the line for coal fired power stations. It must also be the end of the line for coal mining.”

Two activists are locked onto the tracks, while a further twenty are on the tracks by the train. Save Happy Valley works for the protection of Happy Valley, proposed site of Solid Energy’s next opencast mine on the West Coast of the South Island. The group also campaigns for a just and swift transition away from coal mining.

“Solid Energy is ever increasing its production, leaving decimated ecosystems and waterways in its wake. Already, they are responsible for annual carbon dioxide emissions approximately equivalent to New Zealand’s entire transport fleet. Saying “no” to new coal mines would be an easy first step in actually addressing climate change,” said Simon Riddel, one of the activists locked to the tracks.

“The world’s climate is becoming increasingly unpredictable and human-induced greenhouse gas emissions are evidently responsible. The fossil fuel industry is a preventable cause,” said Gregory Curline, the second activist ‘on the line.’

“Half of the coal extracted is sent off shore, generating emissions outside of our Kyoto Protocol obligations. However, New Zealand is responsible for the coal it exports. The Government must pull its state owned enterprise back under control,” said Mr Jury.

// ENDS

Media Contact
Graham Jury, Save Happy Valley Christchurch spokesperson, 0273070448

Notes
In March 2007, Mighty River Power, another SOE, announced that it had discarded its plans to turn Marsden B into an operational coal fired power station.

http://savehappyvalley.org.nz

Cambridge Climate Camp meetup

Hey all. There will be a meeting on Sat May 5 at 7pm for anyone in Cambridge and East Anglia generally who is interested in going to the Camp for Climate Action on August 14-21, 2007. People who were at last year’s camp will talk about what it was like, and we will have a chance to get to know each-other and talk about going as a group to the climate camp.

Hey all. There will be a meeting on Sat May 5 at 7pm for anyone in Cambridge and East Anglia generally who is interested in going to the Camp for Climate Action on August 14-21, 2007. People who were at last year’s camp will talk about what it was like, and we will have a chance to get to know each-other and talk about going as a group to the climate camp.

The meeting is in the McCrum Seminar room in Corpus Christi College. The directions to Corpus are here: www.corpus.cam.ac.uk/about/directions.htm To get to the McCrum Seminar room, head to the McCrum lecture theatre off Benet St (marked on the map – its next to the Eagle pub); but turn right in front of the lecture theatre, up some stairs. Directly ahead are some more steps going down to the left, go down those into a passageway and the McCrum Seminar room is to the right.

The Camp for Climate Action (www.climatecamp.org.uk) is a week-long event that will include workshops about climate change and other topics, entertainment, alternative technology, low-tech living, and direct action against some of the industrial polluters that cause climate change.

Please invite anyone who might be interested.

cambridge@lists.riseup.net
http://www.cambridgeaction.net

new north london occupied social centre

the old mountview theatre school site in crouch end is opening its doors to the public on sunday the 29th april after being abandoned by the drama school now based in wood green. the new social centre benefits from a small theatre, which can be converted for cinema nights, as well as exhibition space, large workshop spaces, a bar and kitchen, and residential area.

Crouch Hill social centre 1the old mountview theatre school site in crouch end is opening its doors to the public on sunday the 29th april after being abandoned by the drama school now based in wood green. the new social centre benefits from a small theatre, which can be converted for cinema nights, as well as exhibition space, large workshop spaces, a bar and kitchen, and residential area.

the launch party for this exciting new art community starts at 5pm on sunday and will be a showcase of talent featuring an art exhibition, live art, cabaret, bands, and film. there will be a wide range of music with a confirmed line-up of hip-hop, folk, electro, and indy. full details to follow.

there will be food and drink and entry is by donation.

members of project 142 and the 491 gallery are among the organisers of this new community which will be called “project 104” as it is situated at 104 crouch hill, london n8.

future usage and events are still in the planning stage – ideas are welcome

nearest tube is finsbury park, from where you can walk 15 mins up stroud green road and over crouch hill. or catch the w7 bus from the wells terrace exit of the tube station. project 104 is just over the brow of the hill about halfway down on the right.
crouch hill silverlink station is a short walk away too (turn right out of station and walk over the hill).

call 07903 297199 for more info

New Titnore Woods Phone

The phone number to contact the Titnore Woods protest camp has changed. The new number for the camp is 07913 534083. The old one no longer works. Please pass the new number around.

We are camped in Titnore Woods near Worthing to resist a large Tesco and housing development project. It would destroy some of the last remaining ancient woodland in Sussex, if it goes ahead. Visitors and donations are welcome.

The phone number to contact the Titnore Woods protest camp has changed. The new number for the camp is 07913 534083. The old one no longer works. Please pass the new number around.

We are camped in Titnore Woods near Worthing to resist a large Tesco and housing development project. It would destroy some of the last remaining ancient woodland in Sussex, if it goes ahead. Visitors and donations are welcome.

Reclaim Power – 15min film version online

In the summer of 2006, 600 people set up a Camp for Climate Action in the shadow of one of the biggest C02 emitters in Europe: Drax coal-fired power station in Yorkshire / UK. With over one hundred workshops on a wide range of topics, the 10 day camp was a space of collective learning, sustainable living and taking direct action on the root causes of climate change. The gathering that showed practical low energy solutions in action, culminated in a day of protest and mass direct action in an attempt to shut down Drax.

In the summer of 2006, 600 people set up a Camp for Climate Action in the shadow of one of the biggest C02 emitters in Europe: Drax coal-fired power station in Yorkshire / UK. With over one hundred workshops on a wide range of topics, the 10 day camp was a space of collective learning, sustainable living and taking direct action on the root causes of climate change. The gathering that showed practical low energy solutions in action, culminated in a day of protest and mass direct action in an attempt to shut down Drax.

You can download this 15 min version of the film ‘Reclaim Power – voices from the camp for climate action’ here:

http://video.indymedia.org/en/2007/04/821.shtml

order the multilingual DVD 62 min + several extras – or this 15 min version in DVD quality here: orders@cinerebelde.org or networking@climatecamp.org.uk

More information about the camp 2007: http://climatecamp.org.uk

You are welcome to post or link up this 15 min clip on your websites. Please include a link to cine rebelde: http://www.cinerebelde.org/site.php3?id_rubrique=166〈=en

Bath Climate Camp evicted – BUT THE DEMOS ARE STILL HAPPENING!

19.04.2007
Bath Climate Camp was today evicted by a stupidly large number of cops, part of a stupidly large police operation involving random stop and searches at the train station and on the streets – The reason for the eviction? Section 63 of the CJB – we were apparently using the demo as a pretext for a free party!

19.04.2007
Bath Climate Camp was today evicted by a stupidly large number of cops, part of a stupidly large police operation involving random stop and searches at the train station and on the streets – The reason for the eviction? Section 63 of the CJB – we were apparently using the demo as a pretext for a free party!

But the demos will go on as planned, and crash space is available –
*Friday – office hours – Demo at Land and Marine HQ near the A4 on Lower Bristol Rd
*saturday, party against petrol – meet 12 noon at Bath Abbey

If you were thinking of coming along, please still do, to show the cops that their bullying tactics won’t stop our resistance!

(less) Happy Camper x

bathclimatecamp@yahoo.co.uk

The Mutatoes Are Coming !!! And Cambridge GM site location/walk report. And Rampart events

Everything you ever wanted to know about Frankenspuds, but were afraid to ask.
@ rampART (www.rampart.co.nr) this Tuesday (17th), 8pm
16 rampart street, london E1 2LA

Films and discussion on GM crops trials in the UK and the previously sucessful campaign to stop them. Plus update on the biotech industries latest attempts to push this shit down our throats.

GM potato headEverything you ever wanted to know about Frankenspuds, but were afraid to ask.
@ rampART (www.rampart.co.nr) this Tuesday (17th), 8pm
16 rampart street, london E1 2LA

Films and discussion on GM crops trials in the UK and the previously sucessful campaign to stop them. Plus update on the biotech industries latest attempts to push this shit down our throats.

This month a controversial experimental genetically modified potato crop is due to be planted in the UK by the German chemical giant BASF (offshoot of the infamous AG Farben). The trials are the first GM crops to enter British soil in nearly 3 years, after public opposition forced a u-turn in government and corporate plans for patented crops.

The potato trials are a poorly disguised test of public opposition, so to make sure that opposition is adequately expressed, a national rally is taking place on Sat 21st April. Come along, learn about the history of the anti-GM campaign and find out about transport from London. For more info, contact rally@mutatoes.org (0113 262 9365) or check out the website www.mutatoes.org

——————————————

Here is an aerial view of the site of the forthcoming GM potatoes trials in Cambridge:
cambridge GM spud aerial view

Defra have published the 6 figure grid reference for the GM Potato trial site near Cambridge.
It is: TL430627
You can see the Defra document here – http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/gm/regulation/pdf/trials.pdf

——————————————
Cambridge GM walk
We protested against Gm potatoes

We had around 60 demonstrators tramping over the NIAB fields to oppose the new GM potato crop trial just outside of Cambridge.

We received a lot of media attention and it was a fun day out for all the family including national speakers, country walks, shouting and all rounded off with delicious potato soup… oh! and don’t forget the pirate trike sound system!

——————————————

More rampART news and events…

>> Thursday Cinema (19th April), from 8pm sharp

> Regeneration Game (75min), by Mike Lane, an activist and filmmaker from Liverpool

We live in a city that has third world conditions in many of our communities and in this day and age, in the 21st century, that is fundamentally wrong. This documentary film is about ordinary people like ourselves, people who had their lives adversely affected by our civic leaders within the Liverpool city council, and by various local and central government agencies and rich property developers. It is also about people and how they empower themselves, how they stood up and said no, about local democracy or the lack of it. Community activists always knew that regeneration funding would be redirected away from Liverpool poor areas and put into the pockets of the rich.

The specific examples looked at in this documentary are:

1) How the council has colluded with local land developers in order to take away from the people of Liverpool council housing and land in order to providecheap land for the developers so they can build houses for sale.

2) The council together with property developers is stealing property from home owners through compulsory purchase orders supposedly to enable the widening of the Edge Lane corridor.

3) the attempt of council together with property developers to destroy a business in the heart of Liverpool in order to help one of the Britain’s richest man, the Duke of Westminster, to become richer.

> The Battle of Broadway Market (60min), a documentary by Emily James

At the end of November 2005 an occuption was started by local residents at 34 Broadway Market to prevent it being knocked down for luxury flats. Over the next few months support multiplied and the news travelled around the world. It’s a story that brings in corrupt property developers, an incompetant council, rampant gentrification and the question of just what sort of community we want in 21st century London.

>> OTHER NEWS

> rampART anniversary postponed

We’re sorry to have to annouce that the rampART anniversary events we were planning for next month have now been postponed as there is a really bad clash with a very interesting (and quite similar) sounding event taking place in a squatted space elsewhere in London.

We’re hoping to find new dates in June for the anniversary after the G8 – details next week hopefully.

Check out the ‘competition’ on www.randomartists.org
Temporary Autonomous Art:london
Free Entry – Wed 16th Saturday 19th May
Info lines 07050 614804 / 07092 805720

>> COMING SOON

> Barcelona Pirate Universary

Coming next week (probably Thursday 26th but TBC)… a presentation from Pirat University, an open space, free and experimental education project based in an autonomus squated space in Barcelona. Some of the activities include ‘the nothing workshop’, pirat history and unconsious hacking, sexual recycled toys workshop, opensource sewingworkshop, alternative medicine, pirate TV and others. (for more information www.universitatpirata.org)

They will also be presenting info and films about other grassroots projects taking place in Barcelona.

Details in next newsletter.

>> WISH LIST

Help. We still need a nice big fuse box / consumer unit.