Transport – Page 16 – Earth First!

Reclaim Hulme Park – every Friday – Manchester

Local residents reclaimed Hulme Park in Manchester on Friday for an hour by closing down the road that runs through it.

Local residents reclaimed Hulme Park in Manchester on Friday for an hour by closing down the road that runs through it. Leaflets had been distributed and posters stuck around inviting people to reclaim the park – “one love, one park!!” People played games, ate and drank, and generally sat around in the street chatting to old friends and new. The police turned up in fair numbers on time, but sensibly – shock horror – just left enough of them and PCSOs to help direct traffic away, and left us to it.

When the Crescents got knocked down in the 90s, to sanitise the community action and creativity that was rife throughout Hulme, these high-density crescents of flats were replaced with a new park, and the land around sold to developers for swanky houses and flats on new exclusive streets with (s)wanky names like The Sanctuary.

The problem with old Hulme, as described by the council regeneration stooges, was that people and cars didn’t have to mix and were largely kept separate. New Hulme – a mix of old council housing (just sold off), housing association, a big housing co-op, private rented & private sold – would be safe for the city centre to expand into the space left as communities were broken up and shipped out to overspill estates around Manchester.

So what this park needed, right, was a road right through the middle of it (as well as on all sides), to keep the children safe because “the headlights of cars would act as cat’s eyes and prevent danger”.

Well, we’ve had enough.

Every Friday, 5-6pm, until we…Reclaim Hulme Park!

and

Close down the part of Royce Road that separates the two halves of Hulme Park.

Bring frisbees, balls, bikes.

World Naked Bike Ride UK

A peaceful, imaginative and fun protest against oil dependency and car culture. A celebration of the bicycle and also a celebration of the power and individuality of the human body. A symbol of the vulnerability of the cyclist in traffic. The world’s biggest naked protest: 50+ cities and thousands of riders participate worldwide, including more than 1500 in the UK in 2007.

http://worldnakedbikeride.org/uk/

To check any details of rides below, see http://nakedwiki.org/wiki/UK

# Southampton: Fri 6 June, 6pm
# Brighton & Hove: Sat 7 June, 11am
# York: Sat 7 June, 4pm
# Sheffield: Sun 8 June, 2pm
# Manchester: Fri 13 June, 6pm
# Cardiff: Sat 14 June, (time is still being finalised)
# London: Sat 14 June, 3pm
# Edinburgh: 28 or 29 June – TBC

# There is discussion about possible rides in Cambridge, Belfast, Glasgow, Oxford, or even a Bristol to Bath ride.

London Critical Mass ride 30-5-08

Quick report on the ride.

Video Short mp4 clip. – video/mp4 1.4M

Video Short wmv clip. – video/x-ms-wmv 1.2M

Quick report on the ride.

Video Short mp4 clip. – video/mp4 1.4M

Video Short wmv clip. – video/x-ms-wmv 1.2M

Several hundred riders, good weather, a very enjoyable ride, apart from police slowing things down as usual by blocking the front of the ride at intersections. Later they seemed to stop doing this and made a good job of corking instead. This time a confrontation with police over sound systems in the SOCPA zone was avoided, by not going into the SOCPA zone. Instead a stop was made outside Buck House, complete with full-on sounds.

Bike Lanes on Bloor – 1,200 take to their bikes in Toronto

On Sunday May 25th 2008 more than one thousand cyclists of all ages joined in Toronto’s biggest ever pedal-powered parade, ringing their bells all the way from High Park to Queen’s Park.

The sunny Sunday ride was in support of making Toronto a leader in bike safety by adding more bike lanes — especially on Bloor Street. To see a video of the ride, see www.bellsonbloor.ca

Collection of Latest Radical Newsletters & Magazines available to download

All of the following are available from here:

http://www.natterjackpress.co.uk/menu/downloads.php

All of the following are available from here:

http://www.natterjackpress.co.uk/menu/downloads.php

Get down to your local radical social centre or bookshop for these newsletters – if they aren’t there then print them out / photocopy and take down there. If your nearest social centre isn’t that local, then you now know where you can get all the latest publications without having to trawl the net for them.

We are always looking for newsletters/ zines/ pamphlets/ magazines/ articles to host on our download page (preferably as ‘imposed’ ready to be printed PDF) email us if you are involved in a publication.

* SchNews Weekly – from their web site

* Rough Music – Issue 18 – May/June 2008 – Local Brighton ‘trouble making, dirt digging’ newsletter

* Workers Solidarity – Issue 103 – May/June 2008 – Irish Anarchist News

* No Pasaran – Issue 1 – May 2008 – New Antifa UK Anti Fascist newsletter

* Infoshop News – Issue 1 – May 2008 – New 40 page roundup of news from the Infoshop anarchist news site

* Earth First! Action Update – May 2008 – another great new issue – a quarterly roundup of ecological and other direct action from Britain and beyond

* Mesho – April 2008 – spoof newspaper made for the international days of action for squats and autonomous spaces

* Corporate Watch – Issue 40 – April/May 2008 – Iraq Inc., European Investment Bank, Arab-British chamber of Commerce, West Papua, Review of Klein’s ‘Shock Doctrine’, Diary + More

* Gagged – Issue 23 – April/May 2008 – South Wales Anarchist Newsletter

* Resistance – Issue 102 – April/May 2008 – monthly newsletter of the Anarchist Federation UK

* No Borders – Issue 3 – February / March 2008 – No Borders UK network newsletter

* Rupture – February 2008 – a great zine for and about free parties, squats and social centres

* 325 – Issue 5 – February 2008 – an insurgent magazine of social war and anarchy

* Class War – Issue 93 – Winter 2007 – “Save the Planet – Get Rid of the Rich” getting straight to the point as always

* Organise! – Issue 69 – Wnter 2007 – magazine of the Anarchist Federation

* Fire to the Prisons – Issue 2 – December 2007 – Excellent new newsletter/magazine 30 pages of insurrectionary anti-prison/domination news and analysis and prisoner support information

* Crossing Borders – Issue 4 – November 2007 – a newsletter on movements and struggles of migration (this issue focusing on the No Borders camp in the Ukraine)

* Frontline – Issue 6 – June/August 2007 – Colombia Solidarity Campaign quarterly magazine

* Direct Action – Issue 39 – Summer 2007 – mag of UK anarcho-syndacalist Solidarity Federation

* Warrior Wind – Issue 3 – May 2007 – a newsletter in support of political prisoners

* Incendio – Issue 1 – Spring 2006 – a bilingual (english/spanish) magazine on Latin American struggles and solidarity

* Rolling Thunder – Issue 1 – Summer 2005 – ‘an anarchist journal of dangerous living’

mail@natterjackpress.co.uk
http://www.natterjackpress.co.uk

Stuck for something to do!? Uninspired & lacklustre..? The all new singing dancing EF!AU is here to lift your spirits

As if putting the boot into the genetics industry, filling empty spaces with joy & creativity, and fooling the fossil-heads wasn’t enough, people have been busy washing lumps of coal and covering themselves with paint…we kid you not…all in aid of halting the trashing of the planet!

Parliaments have been climbed, airport terminals flash(mobb)ed, fields & various other sites occupied, building stormed & blockaded, pipelines blockaded & destroyed…

Parliaments have been climbed, airport terminals flash(mobb)ed, fields & various other sites occupied, building stormed & blockaded, pipelines blockaded & destroyed…

Throw into the mix ye oldie Reclaim the Streets, the tried and tested eeeeevil Mr/Ms Sabotage, the launch of a new campaign ‘Leave it in the Ground’, plus a summer-full of dates, new contacts list, it’s a wonder we’ve fitted in a brand new sexy EF! summer gathering poster (front & back). Download the latest EF!AU to share with others, subscribe or check out some past issues. The next issue will come out at the beginning of August.

And of course, this year’s EF! Summer Gathering (or follow the link to the left) is from Wednesday 27th August to Monday 1st September 2008, if you want to plot & plan, and laugh & chat with old friends & new.

Phew, what a scorcher!

Tara Vigil Camp Being Evicted

May 08, 2008; 10:30 am
HELP NEEDED NOW

About a half an hour ago 20 Gardai, 20 OPW and 10-15 MD Security descended on the Hill to evict the Vigil Camp.

May 08, 2008; 10:30 am
HELP NEEDED NOW

About a half an hour ago 20 Gardai, 20 OPW and 10-15 MD Security descended on the Hill to evict the Vigil Camp.

2 Loader lorries and 12 other vehicles are currently there . The Temple structure has been dismantled, chopped into pieces and removed. They are now dismantling the A Chairde hut and the Tipi. The seven Vigil Keepers on site were not given time to remove their personal items and there is no channel of communication open as the workers turn their backs. There is no negotiation.

The OPW Archaeologist said that she would PERSONALLY put out the fire. She is referring to the Vigil Fire that has been burning for the Valley since Summer Solstice June 06.

URGENT

Phone credit is urgently needed on the Vigil phone. Also urgent is the need for cameras and witnesses to document this. Please do whatever you can NOW. Send credit, bring help.

VIGIL PH: 086 1758557
Related Link: http://www.tarapixie.net

—

Vigil keeps have managed to get some time.

The Gardai were not able to quote specifically any law that would allow them to estinguish the sacred fire, they have given them a days grace to ceremonously remove the fire, but as it is specifically the Hill of Tara sacred fire, it would have to be moved to another site on Tara!!!!! This in itself creates a conundrum.

No method statement has been provided.
People are now allowed to remove personal possessions.
A recognised Ferrovial employee was assisting, but was wearing MD Security clothing. THIS IT OBVIOUSLY OUTRAGIOUS.

There is approx 20 vigil keepers surounding the Temple Ti-Pi/Fire adamant that they have the right to continue holding the Vigil.
There is a good atmosphere, music + drums, kids and laughter.
Energy is high and spirits are positive.

—

3pm update:

The OPW did not produce any paperwork for this eviction. Nothing signed and dated by a Judge.

The Protectors are currently blockading their vehicles and not allowing them to LEAVE the site. Shortly after this happened, the OPW agreed to negotiations and are now at a meeting with members of the Vigil.

—

Vigil Press Release

Press Release on behalf of the Tara Solidarity Vigil Camp
8th May 2008
At approx 10:30 this morning, the Office of Public Works launched an eviction attempt on the Tara Solidarity Vigil Camp, which is in situ on public land.

The Vigil is “a non-hierarchical peoples’ solidarity vigil, here in support of local people and all individuals and groups in the campaigns to Save Tara. We are adamant in our non-affiliation with any particular political or religious parties but welcome any friends of Tara to the sacred Vigil Fire, which has been burning continuously since the Summer Solstice, 21st of June 2006”.

This morning, 20 OPW employees, up to 15 MD Security Workers and 20 Gardaí entered the camp and began to dismantle temporary structures which are used daily by the Vigil Keepers. The structures include a Temple, several dwellings and meeting huts. The Temple, which was made of wood, was desecrated by chainsaw as the Keepers looked on in shock. Their priority was to hold their ground protecting the sacred flame within the Vigil TiPi. To add insult to injury, hidden within the group of MD Security workers, wearing their logo was a known Ferrovial employee.

Ferrovial Agroman, a Spanish company, are one of the companies, in conjunction with SIAC, who are contracted to build the controversial M3 motorway. This begs to further question the repeated cooperation between the Gardaí and private security for SIAC/ Ferrovial Agroman, on the back of the demolition of the Direct Action Protest Camp at Rath Lugh on 17th Apr2008.

The OPW Archaeologist onsite stated, and has been recorded that she would “personally put out the fire”. Both the OPW onsite and the Gardaí were initially refusing to acknowledge the sacredness of the fire and in doing so are not upholding an individual’s right to religious worship/practice. The OPW have also admitted on camera that this was not an official eviction, and that they didn’t even have the official documentation or method statement to carry out the activity.

When negotiations were finally possible, the Gardaí were not able to quote specifically any law that would allow them to extinguish this sacred fire. Talks since have produce a guarantee from Ms Fionnula Parnell, Archaeologist from the National Monuments Department OPW, in the presence of a Gardai, that no attempt to remove the fire, or the TiPi housing it until the outcome of an agreed meeting on 19th May 2007. There are approx 30 vigil keepers surrounding the TiPi housing the fire adamant that they have the right to continue holding the Vigil and practice their individual and collective beliefs. Several of these people were assaulted by the privately hired security company in the presence of Gardai, and will be filing charges. Otherwise, there is a great atmosphere, music + drums, children’s laughter in the air. Energy is positive and spirits are high in the Summer sun. This is why the Vigil has attracted visitors from the 4 corners of the world in the 23months of it’s existence.

Ex-Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has in the past forewarned of dangerous trends in modern society “So much of what is happening within our society and in the wider world is bound up with questions of religion, religious identity and religious belief,” he said, “that governments which refuse or fail to engage with religious communities and religious identities risk failing in their fundamental duties to their citizens.” The Irish Constitution (Article 8) recognises that citizens have a right to “Freedom of conscience and the free profession and practice of religion are, subject to public order and morality, guaranteed to every citizen, and no law may be made either directly or indirectly to endow any religion or prohibit or restrict the free exercise thereof or give any preference, or impose any disability on account of religious belief or religious status”. The European Constitution (Part II – The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the Union) Article II-70 recognises ”Freedom of thought, conscience and religion: 1) Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right includes freedom to change religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or in private, to manifest religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance”.

We, the Vigil Keepers, call on Minister John Gormley, as Minister of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government responsible for State Managed Visitor Services, to officially acknowledge the sacred Vigil Fire on the Hill of Tara.

For verification call Debbie Reilly on 086 175 8557

Issued on behalf of the Tara Solidarity Vigil
Joanne Corbett 086 6030389 www.savetara.com

CLIMATE ACTION NEWS SHEET 79, MAY 2008

CONTENTS:

———————————————-
UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS:
———————————————-
1) CLIMATE CAMP NATIONAL GATHERING – LONDON, 10-11.5.08
2) SAVING ICELAND IN WALES AND SCOTLAND – 7th & 9th MAY ‘08
3) TURNING UP THE HEAT – LONDON, CARDIFF, MANCHESTER & ONLINE, 8/10/13.5.08
4) BIG BLETHER 6 – GLASGOW, 9-11.5.08

CONTENTS:

———————————————-
RECENT HAPPENINGS:
———————————————-
1) ‘MAYDAY! MAYDAY! INVASION OF THE CLIMATE SNATCHERS’ – INTERNATIONAL, 1.5.08
2) M1 PUBLIC NUISANCE CASE DISMISSED – SHEFFIELD, 1.5.08
3) BANK OF AMERICA, DIRTY COAL PROTEST – CHARLOTTE (USA), 23.4.08
4) GREENWASH GUERILLAS PIE FRIEDMAN – NEW YORK, 21.4.08
5) ECO-RELATED ARSON IN GREECE – 21.4.08
6) KOORAGANG COMMUNITY WALK-IN – AUSTRALIA, 19.4.08
7) BELGIAN AGRO-GIANT BLOCKADE – 17.4.08
8) TARA UPDATES – IRELAND, APRIL 08
9) BIOFOOLS DAY – NATIONWIDE, 15.4.08
10) PLANE STUPID TAKE TO THE ROOF – EDINBURGH, 14.4.08
11) BURN THE MIDNIGHT OIL! – TASMANIA, 14.4.08
12) COLLEGE GROVE UPDATES – AUSTRALIA, APRIL ‘08
13) CHEVRON TOXICO GOLDMAN AWARD – SAN FRANCISCO, 13.4.08
14) SUBVERTISING – NEW GROUP, APRIL ‘08
15) CARBON DETOX – NEW BOOK, APRIL ‘08
16) BRING CLIMATE CRIMINALS TO JUSTICE – WEBSITE, APRIL ‘08
17) PROTEST WATCH – WEBSITE, APRIL ‘08
18) AIRPORTWATCH BULLETIN – APRIL ‘08
19) THE BATH BOMB – APRIL ‘08
20) LONDON CRITICAL MASS, 14TH ANNIVERSARY – APRIL 08

———————————————-
UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS:
———————————————-
1) CLIMATE CAMP NATIONAL GATHERING – LONDON, 10-11.5.08
Greenpeace HQ, Canonbury Villas, London, N1 2PN. 10am-6pm.
This summer the Camp for Climate Action will pitch its tents outside Kingsnorth coal-fired power station in Kent for a week of education, sustainable living and direct action. Everyone is invited to the camp, which is now part of an international movement, with eight climate camps on four continents planned for this summer. Together, we will show that the blind pursuit of economic growth at any cost is simply insane, and is
to blame for the CO2 emissions and ecosystem destruction that are causing catastrophic climate change. Come to the gathering and get involved!
www.climatecamp.org.uk

2) SAVING ICELAND IN WALES AND SCOTLAND – 7th & 9th MAY 08
Aluminium smelting, even when powered by geothermal energy, emits so much greenhouse gas emissions that Iceland now produces 18 tons of CO2 equivalent per capita, compared to the European average of 11. May 7th at 8pm – Saving Iceland will give a presentation of these issues at The Treehouse, Baker St. Aberystwyth, and will describe the international direct action campaign and plans for this summer’s camp in July. (There will be a number of vehicles going from the UK to the camp.) Come and see some of the most stunning places of beauty on earth, and help protect them with direct action!
May 9th – Vegan banquet with live music, bar and raffle! The Banquet starts at 7pm at Old St Pauls Hall, Edinburgh. £5 (unwaged / low income) and £7 (waged). All profit will go to funding the Scottish Saving Iceland Collective.
Email; savingicelandscotland@riseup.net to reserve your tickets!
More info; http://www.savingiceland.org.

3) TURNING UP THE HEAT – LONDON, CARDIFF, MANCHESTER and ONLINE, 8/10/13.5.08
Can big business save the planet? A series of interactive debates on climate change and corporate power. Attend the live events or watch online!
Thursday 8 May – Can the free market stop climate change? 7:30-9:30pm at Amnesty International Human Rights Action Centre 17-25 New Inn Yard London EC2A 3EA.
10.5.08 – ‘Will biofuels help combat climate change?’ 2:30-4:30pm Cardiff University, Main Building, Shandon Theatre, Park Place CF10 3AT.
13.5.08 – ‘Does climate change mean we should restrict aviation & tourism?’ 7:30-9:30pm, Manchester Convention Centre, Cockcroft Theatre, Sackville Street M1 3BB.
To book your free place and to register to watch online please go to http://www.wdm.org.uk/heat or call 020 7820 4900 for more information.

4) BIG BLETHER 6 – GLASGOW, 9-11.5.08
Talamh Life Centre, Near Glasgow.
BB is a meeting place for activists to bring and share ideas, information and enthusiasm and to create action out of inspiration. Everyone is welcome to participate and contribute – big or small. There will be workshops on Saturday and Sunday, including everything from climate change issues, creative campaigning and transition towns to nuclear resistance, yoga and woodland crafts. BB is a non-profit organisation and entrance will be by donation. www.bigblether.org.uk

5) CLIMATE CAMP SPEAKERS’ TRAINING – MANCHESTER, 17.5.08
If you would like to talk to people about the Climate Camp and help inspire hundreds of people to come this year, then this training is for you. The networking team in conjunction with COIN (http://coinet.org.uk/) and TRAPESE (http://trapese.clearerchannel.org/) have designed a short presentation/ workshop that anyone can give to groups interested in coming to the camp.
10:30 till 5:30pm.
Contact; speakers@climatecamp.org.uk to book your place.

6) MAKE A NOISE! – LONDON, 31.5.08
An agenda for colossal airport expansion and colossal climate change demands a colossal response. You’re invited to a carnival on Saturday 31st May, which will make its way from Hatton Cross Tube Station (Piccadilly Line, 12pm) to Sipson, the village that will be wiped out if Heathrow expansion goes ahead. At the end, you’ll have the chance to help form a great big NO! spelt out by human bodies. Organisers hope to set a new world record for the biggest and loudest NO! in the world.
http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/climate/make-a-noise-20080408

7) CLIMATE ACTION WITH A BITE! – NATIONAL, 3.6.08
The food we eat contributes up to a third of the emissions poisoning the planet. It’s time for a detox! Climate action starts on your dinner plate, at the supermarket, on your allotment and in your back yard, at the food distribution centres, down on the farm, in your high street, at the airport and the lorry park. Whatever your tastes, there’s something for everyone on this action menu! Local food markets, free food stalls, workshops and film showings, street theatre, info stalls, protests and direct action, cooking demonstrations, allotment shows. Get creative and get involved!
This Day of Action on Climate Change has been called by the Network for Climate Action in co-operation with the Rising Tide Network and the Camp for Climate Action. It has been planned to coincide with The UN Conference on World Food Security and Climate Change, which runs from 3rd to 5th June.
Please email; foodNO@SPAMdaysofclimateaction.org.uk for further info.

———————————————-
RECENT HAPPENINGS:
———————————————-
1) ‘MAYDAY! MAYDAY! INVASION OF THE CLIMATE SNATCHERS’ – INTERNATIONAL,
1.5.08
This day of action targeted false capitalist solutions to climate chaos.
There were actions in Europe and Canada:
Leamington Rising Tide visited the E.on headquarters in Coventry to expose the truth behind its greenwash and show that carbon capture is a false solution to the problem of climate change. People arrived at 8am to hand fliers to the workers, while one protester occupied the roof of the building. The day was a great success with a festive vibe and no arrests. Norwich Rising Tide got together with Earth First for a Critical Mass to Sizewell nuclear power station to highlight that nuclear is not a solution to climate change. In London, The Coal Cleaning Company launched their enterprise with E.on; according to the chatty cleaners, “There’s no mess too big! We make coal Fossil Fuel Fresh!” In York people from groups across the city and both Universities took part in a banner protest outside Royal Bank of Scotland’s central branch in the city. Leaflets were handed out summarising RBS’s climate crimes. Meanwhile, members of the Earth Liberation Front and Animal Liberation Front joined forces to carry out an action against unnecessary urban development in the south-west. A JCB and other vehicles were damaged on a road construction site.
Greenwash flyers were handed out at the Green Living Show in Toronto Canada, while in Paris “Biofuel=Danger” was chalked on the side of the French Agricultural Research institute.
http://www.daysofclimateaction.org.uk/
http://risingtide.org.uk/node/276

2) M1 PUBLIC NUISANCE CASE DISMISSED – SHEFFIELD, 1.5.08
Seven climate camp activists opposed to the widening of the M1 had the case against them dismissed from Sheffield Crown Court. The Judge resoundingly rejected the prosecution’s argument that the hanging of banners over the motorway could constitute a public nuisance.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/20611

3) BANK OF AMERICA, DIRTY COAL PROTEST – CHARLOTTE (USA), 23.4.08
Activists with Asheville Rising Tide, Rainforest Action Network, and Croatan Earth First! hit the streets of Charlotte to protest at Bank of America’s annual shareholders meeting. Bank of America has seen an escalating level of protest in the past year for its funding of the coal industry.
http://www.risingtidenorthamerica.org/wordpress/2008/04/23/asheville-rising-tide-confronts-bank-of-america-shareholders/

4) GREENWASH GUERILLAS PIE FRIEDMAN – NEW YORK, 21.4.08
Thomas Friedman, the author and NY Times columnist, was invited to Brown University to give a keynote speech on Earth Day, before a packed auditorium. His talk about how corporate environmentalism can restore America to its “natural place in the global order” was interrupted with a surprise visit from the Greenwash Guerrillas. After splattering him with two green cream pies they threw leaflets to the crowd explaining their action.
http://greenwashguerrillas.wordpress.com/
http://www.risingtidenorthamerica.org/wordpress/2008/04/22/greenwash-guerrillas-pie-thomas-friedman-on-earth-day/

5) ECO-RELATED ARSON IN GREECE – 21.4.08
Eco-related arson against the ministry of development offices in Athens was carried out in protest against the plans to build new power plants using coal. “When capitalism is self-declared environment friendly, it is only to measure and manage the symptoms of the crisis it produced itself.”
http://directactiongr.blogspot.com/

6) KOORAGANG COMMUNITY WALK-IN – AUSTRALIA, 19.4.08
A crowd of around 50 protesters walked onto the construction site for a new coal terminal on Kooragang Island in Newcastle. They stopped work at the site in protest against the expansion of the coal industry and its contribution to climate change. Georgina Woods, spokesperson for Rising Tide Newcastle said, “Historically, ordinary people have achieved extraordinary things by taking direct action to prevent immoral or
unsupportable actions…Many of us here today have never done anything like this before, but we are doing it now, because we may not get another chance.” 16 of the protesters were arrested and charged with trespass. More community direct action against coal exports will take place in July this year.
http://www.risingtide.org.au/communitywalkin

7) BELGIAN AGRO-GIANT BLOCKADE – 17.4.08
In Belguim thirty activists blocked the gates of the Cargill factory in Ghent.
This action was taken to highlight the agro-giant’s involvement in everything from biofuels to soy monoculture, GMO to pesticides…The action began at around 6h30 in the morning and lasted until after 5 p.m. During all that time, not one truck with soy could enter or leave the firm.
http://www.aseed.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=552&Itemid=211

8) TARA UPDATES – IRELAND, APRIL 08
On Thursday 17th April there was a peaceful eviction of the Rath Lugh Camp. Four Protectors who were on site were told by Gardai that they had to gather up their belongings and leave. This was not done in an aggressive manner and was complied with by the Protectors.
http://www.tarapixie.net/
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/20557
Tara trip report – A group from Brighton went over to Ireland recently to support the Irish protesters attempts to halt the work on the M3 Motorway.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/20502

9) BIOFOOLS DAY – NATIONWIDE, 15.4.08
From April 15th, all petrol forecourts will be required by law to sell only fuel which is blended with 2.5% agrofuel. Corporations like Tesco are already jumping on the new “green” bandwagon, speaking little of the greater emissions, displacement, poverty and hunger that will be left in its path. The only answer to the energy crisis is a big shift in the way in which we live, travel and eat.
Nationwide protest included; Aberdeen, Bolton, Cheltenham, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, Norwich and hundreds outside Downing Street in London.
Bristol Rising Tide and Espacio Bristol-Colombia were joined by others to inform the public about this issue at Tesco in Eastville, Bristol. A group of biofuel activists made a colourful banner and flyer tour of Brighton city centre and Sussex University. Agro-fuels protesters disabled the fuel pumps of two BP filling stations in Edinburgh. Also in Scotland, five members of the Edinburgh Clown Army were detained for questioning at a peaceful and entertaining biofuels protest in Bruntsfield, and in Glasgow a biofool banner was hung.
http://www.biofuelwatch.org.uk/
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/20546

10) PLANE STUPID TAKES TO THE ROOF – EDINBURGH, 14.4.08
Two environmental activists from the climate action group, Plane Stupid Scotland, climbed onto the roof of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh to protest against plans for expansion of Scottish airports. They unfurled a large banner which carried a parody of the Trainspotting design, “Choose Life.” The banner read, “Plane Stopping: Choose the future. Say no to airport expansion.”
http://www.planestupid.com/?q=content/plane-stupid-scotland-occupy-roof-scottish-parliament

11) BURN THE MIDNIGHT OIL! – TASMANIA, 14.4.08
Activists from Still Wild Still Threatened have welcomed a 6 metre tall Peter Garrett (MP and singer from Midnight Oil) to the Upper Florentine Valley. Activists took the ‘giant Garrett’ on a tour of coupe FO42F which is due to be burnt in the immediate future to highlight their concerns about the continued logging and burning of some of Tasmania’s most carbon dense forests.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/20536

12) COLLEGE GROVE UPDATES – AUSTRALIA, APRIL 08
29 April 2008 – Activists have set up a new camp in the College Grove forest area that is due to be destroyed in the next stage of development.
http://www.globalwarmingfg.com/
14 April 2008 – College Grove protesters stop machines for the day:
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/20535
10 April – Police Violence at treesit action in College Grove, Bunbury, Australia. Two activists were arrested with one taken to hospital after a forceful and violent push by WA Police. A spokes for the Community Independent Activists (CIA) group says it was the “most violent display by police in 15 years of forest activism.”
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/20531

13) CHEVRON TOXICO GOLDMAN AWARD – SAN FRANCISCO, 13.4.08
Two campaigners who have spearheaded a landmark class-action lawsuit against Chevron in Ecuador have been awarded the Goldman Prize, the world’s most prestigious environmental honor, for their efforts to make the company clean up what experts believe is the world’s worst oil-related disaster. The Goldman Prize Comes two weeks after these damages were estimated at up to $16 Billion. Chevron Toxico is the international campaign to hold ChevronTexaco accountable for its toxic contamination of the Ecuadorian Amazon.
http://www.amazonwatch.org/

14) SUBVERTISING – NEW GROUP, APRIL ‘08
A new group want to set up a climate-focused national subvertising network where everyone has a role and where people are well supported. If you would like to get involved, see http://www.myspace.com/subvertising

15) CARBON DETOX – NEW BOOK, APRIL ‘08
A new book by George Marshall of COIN. Mark Lynas,author of Six Degrees, says:
“Buy this book and thrust it into the hands of someone who still doesn’t believe in the climate crisis. No other book goes further in addressing people’s denial and their resistance to change.”
http://www.carbondetox.org/

16) BRING CLIMATE CRIMINALS TO JUSTICE – WEBSITE, APRIL ‘08
A campaign to establish a legal process in the UK and abroad to facilitate the criminal prosecution of Government Ministers and key business leaders whose policies and activities contribute to the mass loss of life which climate change is certain to now cause.
www.climatecriminals.co.uk

17) PROTEST WATCH – WEBSITE, APRIL ‘08
A new site which aims to become a comprehensive resource for anybody interested in actively protesting in the UK.
http://www.protestwatch.org.uk/

18) AIRPORTWATCH BULLETIN – APRIL ‘08
AirportWatch updates for April. See;
http://www.aef.org.uk/downloads//AirportWatch_bulletin_April2008.pdf

19) ‘THE BATH BOMB’ – APRIL 08
Anti-copyright: copy and distribute! Issue #9 free/donation. See;
http://www.myspace.com/bathbomb

20) LONDON CRITICAL MASS, 14TH ANNIVERSARY – APRIL ‘08
For ride reports/info. see;
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/20584
http://www.criticalmasslondon.org.uk/main.html

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Newcastle community green festival FREE 7/8 june

The uk’s largest free environmental event, Newcastle community green festival 7/8 june 12pm till 6pm(after parties across the city). Come to beautiful leases park right in the centre of Newcastle and enjoy two days of music, dance and green workshops.

The event is non-corporate, car-free and family-friendly. Workshops covering low impact living, green transport, D.i.Y culture, green gardens, biodiversity, healing area, kidz area’s, heritage crafts, green politics and debates, tree hugging, vegan and veggie foods, plant sales, refugee rights and so much more…

Three stages showcasing the best local music talent with friends from across the country.
The festie is FREE and run entirly by volunteers for the love of it.
There is NO CAMPING on site sorry.

M1 Conspiracy Case Thrown Out

Seven climate camp activists against the widening of the M1 (1) had the case against them dismissed from Sheffield Crown Court today (1.05.2008). Charged with conspiracy to cause a public nuisance Judge Robinson said that: “there was not a jot of evidence” for a jury to infer an endangerment of any member of the public. Arrested over a year ago the protesters had their houses raided with property such as computers and phones taken and held for the duration of the investigation.

This ruling in the midst of a crack down (2) on green protest sets a precedent for policing of environmental demonstrations. The Judge resoundingly rejected the prosecution’s argument that the hanging of banners over the motorway would constitute a public nuisance.

He went on to say: “that all of the available material (presented to the court) is consistent only with peaceful protest.”

Campaign spokesperson Dr Julie White, a GP from Sheffield, said: “this is victory for the right to protest in the face of government policy of expanding roads, runways and coal-fired power stations in a time of climate crisis.”

The activists say that the experience has not deterred them from taking action against the root causes of climate change and will be attending the Camp for Climate Action (3) at Kingsnorth coal-fired power station in Kent this August.

Contact Julie White on 0779851073.

NOTES FOR EDITORS
1*) The Department of Transport have decided against widening the M1 any further: http://www.nowideningm1.org.uk/

2*) this month the Sunday Herald reported that protestors in Scotland had been harassed by police after peaceful demonstrations:
http://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/display.var.2210574.0.protesters_police_treated_us_like_terrorists.php

3*)The Camp for Climate Action went to Heathrow last summer over the building of a third runway this year it will pitch up at Kingsnorth over the potential building of the UK’s first new coal-fired power station for 30 years:
www.climatecamp.org.uk