Transport – Page 19 – Earth First!

Bikes against the bomb bikeride, London to Aldermaston, March 22-26

To mark the 50th anniversary of the Aldermaston Peace March,a bike ride will be leaving London on 22 March arriving at Aldermaston on Monday 24 March to join ‘ Surround the Base’ CND mass action planned for that day.

We intend to take an active stance against organisations implicit in the nuclear arms industries.

Accomodation is organised and we will be riding about 30 miles per day.

Join us for part of the journey or the whole ride.

More details at www.bikesnotbombs.org.uk

info@bikesnotbombs.org.uk

Stop the Swedish “Triangle of Death” Seven polar bears held for attempted air travel

Climate activist group Klimax in Sweden are tired of unnecessary short haul and national flights. Especially between the major cities of Gothenburg, Stockholm and Malmo/Copenhagen, all directly coupled by the nearest thing Sweden has to a high speed train. That’s why that on Friday the 15th of February strange things started happening at airports around Sweden.

Time might be money but how much climate change is ten minutes worth? If you don’t have any luggage and check in on-line that’s about how much time you can save by flying between Sweden’s major cities. Considering that the Swedish trains run on renewable electric energy, that’s a hell of a lot of climate change for ten minutes. Ok, it’s not that simple. Why would any sane person without a climate conscience or a fat wallet take the train when it’s cheaper to fly? A railway system that makes the UK’s look modern could also help weigh the balance when it comes to choosing how to get there.

Here’s a round up of the different actions around the country:

Malmo http://svt.se/svt/play/video.jsp?a=1057410
At the time of writing seven activists are being held in custody. It seems that the crime of running about the countryside dressed as a polar bear is frowned upon in the south of Sweden. The seven were arrested running towards the perimeter fence of Sturup airport outside of Malmo by the large police presence. It seems that the boys in blue were out on a mass training exercise at the time. The police should be happy to get a bit of real life training. Attempting to get onto runways whilst dressed as a polar bear is definitely one of the fastest going crimes of our time. An interesting high publicity court case seems to be in the pipe line. At least one solidarity demonstration (Gothenburg 2pm Gustaf Adolfs Torg) is planned on Saturday in Sweden to demand the release of the Malmo seven.

Stockholm
The polar bears of Stockholm were treated to ice cream by the airport authorities at Bromma. A pleasant gesture but hardly making up for helping to destroy the bears northerly habitat. Sorry you family drowned but here’s a raspberry ripple to make up for it,sort of thing. A die in was staged as other peaceful protesters with banners and flyers roamed the terminal raising awareness of the environmental harm caused by air travel. There are presently plans to enlarge Bromma airport in Stockholm. The question is what are the politicians and planners thinking. In a time and a country where every nine year old knows about global warming and its causes, the authorities get the idea of expanding airports. It might be time to let the kids take over the power. They could hardly do a worse job than the climate criminals doing the job now. But then the kids are selfishly more worried about their future than in the honest business of making short term financial gains.

Gothenburg
A die in was staged in front of the security gate at Landvetter airport outside of Gothenburg. Twenty activists arrived at the airport to stage the protest on Friday evening. The die in was for the benefit of passengers on their way to emit the largest possible amount of greenhouse gases whilst covering the 300 or so miles to Stockholm. After miraculously reviving themselves the activists formed a banner wall to welcome three plane loads of arrivals from the capital. The whole thing went down peacefully with the massive police presence (at least three coppers for every climate crusader) standing around looking bored.

Uppsala
The university town of Uppsala north of Stockholm doesn’t have a nice warm passenger airport to stage an action in. The company Uppsala Air is doing its best to change this. They want to provide a pleasant passenger terminal so that local climate activists would have somewhere warm to stage protests. In the best “make do with what you’ve got spirit“, the Uppsala activist created their own runway in the city center to illustrate how pleasantly an airport can convert a boring piece of countryside into noisy polluting climate challenging strip of asfalt.

This is just the start of the Swedish resistance against climate criminality. Watch this space for the next move. We think cars are also plane stupid. Honest!

http://klimatet.org/

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Demonstration at Lismullin morning of 7th Feb – 8 AM

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

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

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

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

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

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Mass action at Tara, Monday 11 Feb, 12 noon

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

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

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

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

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11th feb –

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rath Lugh Camp Number: +353 86 1537 146

Umea blockade

9 February. Some 30 activists put up a blockade in the middle of the highway running through Umeå, the largest city in northern Sweden.

9 February. Some 30 activists put up a blockade in the middle of the highway running through Umeå, the largest city in northern Sweden. Recent studies have found the highest concentrations of carbon dioxide ever recorded in Umeå, due to increasing traffic, while Sweden’s car park remains the most fuel-guzzling in the EU. Klimax-Umeå demands a rapid expansion of public transportation in the city and an end to subsidizing new roads. The blockade lasted for half an hour, wreaking considerable chaos in the inner city traffic

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Support the Eco-Prisoners – Imbolc 2008 – they’re in there for us out here, please write

Spirit of Freedom
(February 2008)
Produced by
EARTH LIBERATION PRISONERS SUPPORT NETWORK

“The whole experience has been tough, but all the kind and strengthening words and wise thoughts from strangers made it much easier!”
(Former Swedish Animal Rights Prisoner)

Welcome to the February 2008 edition of Spirit of Freedom. As we enter February so we await three major events. First off, Jeff ‘Free’ Luers is due to be re-sentenced. We hope its good news. Secondly, Eric McDavid is also due to be sentenced. As soon as Eric has been sentenced we urge everyone to send him letters of support. And thirdly, the police informant Jacob Ferguson is also due to be sentenced. His cowardly deals and treachery means he won’t be sent to prison. But we await with interest to see what sentence this piece of scum does receive. If anyone hears, please do let ELP know. But whilst we await those three sentencings, please don’t forget all the other eco-prisoners. Remember, no matter where you are in the world, support the eco-prisoners and no compromise in defence of Mother Earth!

ECO-DEFENCE PRISONERS

Tre Arrow, CS# 05850722, Vancouver Island Regional Correction Center, 4216 Wilkinson Rd., Victoria, BC, V8Z 5B2, Canada. On remand accused of involvement with an arson on logging trucks and an arson on vehicles owned by a sand & gravel company. Both arsons occurred in the USA. Tre is fighting his extradition to the USA.

Grant Barnes #137563, San Carlos Correctional Facility, PO Box 3, Pueblo, CO 81002, USA. Serving 12 years for setting fire to a number of SUV vehicles. On one of the vehicles the letters ELF was spray-painted.

Nathan Block, #36359-086, FCI Lompoc, Federal Correctional Institution, 3600 Guard Road, Lompoc, CA 93436, USA. Serving 7 years & 8 months for an ELF arson against a Poplar Tree Farm and an ELF arson against an SUV dealership. Also admitted his role in an ELF/ALF conspiracy.

Marco Camenisch, Postfach 3143, CH-8105 Regensdorf, Switzerland. Serving 18 years. 1) Ten years for using explosives to destroy electricity pylons leading from nuclear power stations. 2) Eight years for the murder of a Swiss Boarder Guard whilst on the run. In ’02 Marco completed a 12-year sentence in Italy for destroying electricity pylons in Italy.

Rod Coronado – See details in Animal Liberation Prisoners List.

Ibai Ederra, Carcel de Pamplona, C/San Roque. Apdo. 250, 31080 – Iruñez – Pamplona, Navarra (España), Spain. Serving just under 5 years for sabotaging machinery at the controversial Itoiz dam construction site.

Jeffrey Luers, #1306729, Lane County Adult Corrections, 101 West 5th Ave, Eugene, OR 97401-2695, USA. Awaiting resentencing. Originally sentenced to 22 years & 8 months for arson on a SUV dealership & the attempted arson of an oil truck.

Eric McDavid X-2972521 4E 231A, Sacramento County Main Jail, 651 “I” Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA. Awaiting sentencing having been found guilty of planning to destroy the property of the U.S. Forestry Service, mobile phone masts and power plants.

Daniel McGowan #63794-053, Unit I, FCI Sandstone, Federal Correctional Institution, PO Box 1000, Sandstone, MN 55072, USA. Serving 7 years for an ELF arson against a Poplar Tree Farm and an ELF arson against an old growth logging corporation. Also admitted his role in an ELF/ALF conspiracy.

Christopher McIntosh #30512-013, FCI Fairton, PO Box 420, Fairton, NJ 08320, USA. Serving 8 years for setting fire to a McDonald’s restaurant.

Jonathan Paul – See details in Animal Liberation Prisoners List.

Costantino Ragusa, Casa Circondariale, Via Prati Nuovi 7, 27058 Voghera (PV), Italy. Il Silvestre activist serving 2½ years. 1) 18-months for burgling and firebombing a multinational company. 2) 12-months for organising an anti-GM protest. Costanino is also awaiting trial accused of using explosives to damage an electricity pylon in protest at nuclear energy.

Julio Villanueva, C.P. Prision De Pamplona, 31080, Iruna (Navarra), Spain.
Serving just under 5 years for sabotaging machinery at the controversial Itoiz dam construction site.

Joyanna Zacher, #36360-086, FCI Dublin, 5700 8th St.- Camp Parks- Unit F, Dublin, CA 94568, USA. Serving 7 years & 8 months for an ELF arson against a Poplar Tree Farm and an ELF arson against an SUV dealership. Also admitted her role in an ELF/ALF conspiracy.

ANIMAL LIBERATION PRISONERS

Jon Ablewhite TB4885, HMP Lowdham Grange, Lowdham, Nottingham, NG14 7DA, England. Serving 12 years for attempting to blackmail a farmer who supplied guinea pigs for vivisection.

Gregg Avery TA7450, HMP Winchester, Romsey Road, Winchester, SO22 5DF, England. On remand accused of conspiracy to blackmail, in relation to his involvement with the SHAC campaign.

Natasha Avery NR8987, HMP Bronzefield, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, Middx. TW15 3JZ, England. Jailed for breaching her parole conditions imposed on her for telling a fox hunting murdering scum what she thought of them. Also awaiting trial accused of conspiracy to blackmail, in relation to her involvement with the SHAC campaign.

Nathan Block – See details in Eco Defence Prisoners List.

Mel Broughton TN9138, HMP Woodhill, Tattenhoe Street, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK4 4DA, England. On remand accused of involvement with an arson and blackmail campaign against an Oxford University vivisection establishment.

Jacob Conroy #93501-011, FCI Victorville Medium I Federal Correctional Institution, P.O. Box 5300, Adelanto, CA 92301, USA. Serving 48 months imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.

Rod Coronado, Voice of the Earth, PO Box 732, Tucson, AZ 85702, USA. Due to be sentenced to one-year imprisonment after Rod informed people how to make an incendiary device during a speech at an animal rights gathering.

Donald Currie A3660AA, HMP Parkhurst, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 5NX, England. Serving an Indeterminate Sentence, of not less than six actual years, for carrying out arsons against targets associated the vivisection industry including HLS.

Lauren Gazzola #93497-011, FCI Danbury, Federal Correctional Institution, Route #37Danbury, CT 06811, USA. Serving 54 months imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.

Sarah Gisborne, LT5393, HMP Downview, Sutton Lane, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5PD, England. Serving 5½ years for conspiracy to cause criminal damage following the damaging of 8 vehicles owned by people linked to Huntingdon Life Science.

Joshua Harper #29429-086, FCI Sheridan Federal Correctional Institution, P.O. Box 5000, Sheridan, OR 97378 USA. Serving 36 months imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.

Kevin Kjonaas #93502-011, FCI Sandstone, PO Box 1000, Sandstone, MN 55072 USA. Serving 72 months imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.

Daniel McGowan – See details in Eco Defence Prisoners List.

Heather Nicholson VM4859, HMP Bronzefield, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, Middx. TW15 3JZ, England. On remand accused of conspiracy to blackmail, in relation to her involvement with the SHAC campaign.

Jonathan Paul, #07167-085, FCI Phoenix, Federal Correctional Institution, 37910 N 45th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85086, USA. Sentenced to 51 months for an ALF arson on a horse meat plant. Also admitted his role in an ELF/ALF conspiracy.

John Smith TB4887, HMP Lowdham Grange, Lowdham, Nottingham, NG14 7DA, England. Serving 12 years for attempting to blackmail a farmer who supplied guinea pigs for vivisection.

Andrew Stepanian #26399-050, FCI Butner Medium II Federal Correctional Institution, PO Box 1500, Butner, NC 27509 USA. Serving 36 months for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.

Kerry Whitburn TB4886, HMP Lowdham Grange, Lowdham, Nottingham, NG14 7DA, England. Serving 12 years for attempting to blackmail a farmer who supplied guinea pigs for vivisection.

Joyanna Zacher – See details in Eco Defence Prisoners List.

PLOUGHSHARES PRISONERS

Helen Woodson, 03231-045, FMC Carswell – Admin. Max. Unit, POB 27137, Ft. Worth, TX 76127, USA. Serving 8 years 10 months for actions that focused on the interrelationship of war & the destruction of the natural world. The actions included pouring red paint over the security desk of a federal court and making threatening communications. Previously Helen had served 20½ years for: 1) Using a hammer to disarm a nuclear missile silo. 2) Burning $25,000 on the floor of a bank whilst denouncing war, environmental destruction & economic injustice. 3) Mailing warning letters with bullets attached to Government & corporate officials.

THE LECCE FIVE
The Lecce Five have been charged with “subversive association” accused of damaging Esso petrol pumps to oppose the War on Iraq; sabotaging the cash machines of a bank which funds an immigration centre; and targeting the multinational company Benetton in support of Mapuche land rights activists in Chile. All of the defendants are currently either under house arrest or released on bail.

ANTIFA PRISONERS

Lasandra Burwell W063658, Ohio Reformatory for Women, 1479 Collins Ave. Marysville, OH 43040, USA. Serving 5 years for taking part in an anti-fascist demonstration that turned into a riot.

Vahtang Devitlidze, ul. Libbedova 42, UO 68/2, otryad 14, brigada 142, g. Hagyshensk, Krasnodarskiy Kray, 352680 Russia. Serving 2½ years for stabbing a neo-nazi in the leg whilst defending himself from attack.

Augustin Kraus, Vazebni veznice, PP-1, Litomerice, 41 201, Czech Republic.
Serving 14 months for his participation in attacks against local neo-nazis. His charge was “bodily harm”. He speaks Czech, Slovak and Polish. You can also write him short postcards in English.

Gubski Maxim, VK-2 – 21, Batowa str. 4, Bobruisk, 213800 Belarus. Serving 3 years for fighting with neo-nazis.

Vladislav Vladimirovich Plyashkevich, IK-10 otryad 4, Novopoltsk-5 Vitebskaya oblast, 211440 Belarus. Serving 3 years for fighting with neo-nazis.

Christian Sümmermann, BNR: 727/07/7, JVA Tegel, Seidelstr. 39, 13507 Berlin, Germany. Serving 40 months for breaching the peace whilst serving a suspended sentence issued for anti-fascist activities.

Tomasz Wiloszewski, Zaklad Karny, Orzechowa 5, 98-200 Sieradz, Poland.
Serving 15 years for accidentally killing a neo-nazi whilst defending himself.

OTHER PRISONERS

Oscar Santa Maria Caro, CERESO, Miahuatlan de Porfirio Diaz, Oaxaca en Hall B, Cell 5., Mexico. On remand. The exact charges against Oscar are unknown but Oscar is a member of RATA, a known animal rights group.

Sacramento Delfino Cano Hernandez, CERESO, Miahuatlan de Porfirio Diaz, Oaxaca en Hall B, Cell 5., Mexico. On remand. Co-defendant of Oscar Santa Maria Caro.

Olga Aleksandrovna Nevskaya, UU163/5, 7 Otryad, pos. Dzerzhinskiy, Mozhaysk 140090 Moskovskaya oblast, Russia. Eco-activist serving 6 years for arson, criminal damage and causing explosions in protest at the war in Chechnya. Due for release in 2009.

Fran Thompson, #1090915 HU 1C, WERDCC, PO Box 300, Vandalia, MO 63382, USA.
Serving Life for killing, in self-defence, a stalker who had broken into her home. Before her imprisonment Fran was an eco, animal & anti-nuke campaigner.

MOVE
MOVE is an eco-revolutionary group who carried out protests in defence of all life. There are currently eight MOVE activists in prison each serving 100 years after been framed for the murder of a cop in 1979. 9th defendant, Merle Africa, died in prison in 1998.

Debbie Simms Africa (006307), Janet Holloway Africa (006308) and Janine Philips Africa (006309) all at: SCI Cambridge Springs, 451 Fullerton Ave, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403-1238, USA.

Michael Davis Africa (AM4973) and Charles Simms Africa (AM4975) both at SCI Graterford, PO Box 244, Graterford, PA 19426-0244, USA.

Edward Goodman Africa (AM4974), SCI Mahanoy, 301 Morea Rd, Frackville, PA 17932, USA.

William Philips Africa (AM4984) and Delbert Orr Africa (AM4985) both at SCI Dallas Drawer K, Dallas, PA 18612, USA.

Mumia Abu Jamal, (AM8335), SCI Greene, 175 Progress Drive, Waynesburg PA 15370, USA. In 1981 Mumia, former Black Panther and vocal supporter of MOVE, was framed for the murder of a cop. He was originally sentenced to death but is currently awaiting re-sentencing following a court hearing in 2001.

STATEMENT ON VIOLENCE
Some people listed in this newsletter have carried out violent actions. ‘Spirit of Freedom’ does not condone violence. But we are also against censorship & believe people can decide for themselves who they wish to support.

ABOUT E.L.P. SUPPORT NETWORK
ELP is an international eco-prisoner support network founded, in Britain, in 1993 to support jailed eco-activists. We support the prisoners by producing various regular prisoner lists:

Spirit of Freedom is ELP’s international monthly prisoner listing which is circulated by e-mail.

Urgent ELP! Bulletin is an e-mail service that distributes the names of any new eco-prisoner as soon as ELP gets their details. For more info e-mail ELP4321@hotmail.com

On-Line Newsletters – ELP has a number of websites that provide news, prisoner lists and additional info about ELP & the prisoners.

English language ELP Website
www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk

North American ELP Website
www.ecoprisoners.org

Turkish language ELP Website
www.geocities.com/yesilanarsi/elp.htm

ELP Extra is an e-mail group that circulates the details of political prisoners, ELP learns about, who do not fall within the remit for support by ELP. To subscribe to the list e-mail ELP4321@Hotmail.com

Belgium ELP.SN is our Belgium contact. For more info e-mail elp_bel@hotmail.com

German ELP.SN is a prisoner led initiative run by eco-prisoner Marco Camenisch. For more info contact Marco Camenisch, Postfach 3143, CH-8105 Regensdorf, Switzerland.

North American ELP is our North American contact. For more information e-mail naelpsn@mutualaid.org

Turkey ELP.SN is our Turkish contact. For more info e-mail yesilanarsi@yahoo.com

Direct action around Greece reports (1/2008) – banks, police cameras, luxury cars get it; rats saved

Attack against a bank, 14 taken into custody (Athens, 30/1/2008)

According to a report at: http://athens.indymedia.org/front.php3?lang=el&article_id=821100

Attack against a bank, 14 taken into custody (Athens, 30/1/2008)

According to a report at: http://athens.indymedia.org/front.php3?lang=el&article_id=821100

There was an attack with sledge hammers, stones and paints against the Ethniki Bank in Gizi district (were a companion was arrested after an armed expropriation). After they left, police spread into the area and took into custody around 14 persons from the area.
—
Police camera destroyed, one person taken into custody (Thessaloniki, 29/1/2008)

From reports at athens.indymedia.org

Around 11:30 the power supply of a police camera was sabotaged in public. Riot-policemen and motorbike cops attacked the people on their way back, and managed to take into custody one person. Later on two more persons were also taken to the police headquarters, but set free after a few hours.

—
Series of incendiary attacks (Athens-Thessaloniki, 21/1/2008)

Report in english: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/01/21/europe/EU-GEN-Greece-Arson-Spree.php

According to a report in “Eleftherotipia” (Greek only): http://www.enet.gr/online/online_text/c=112,id=25251808

From 12:51 to 01:18 the following targets were attacked:

Athens:

12:51: Porsche dealership, Halandri-4 cars damaged.
01:00: Eurobank open24 subsidiary, Egaleo
01:05: Luxurius car exposition “Car Collection”, Nea Erithrea-16 cars and one motorcycle damaged
01:08: Eurobank subsidiary, Dafni
01:08: Piraeus bank subsidiary, Dafni
01:09: Citybank subsidiary, central Athens
01:15: Eurobank subsidiary, Nea Filadelfia
01:17: PV MOTORS dealership, Argiroupoli
01:18: PPC crane vehicle, Keramikos

Another incendiary device was found untouched in the entrance of an “Ethniki” bank, in Peristeri, and was carried to the forensic office of the police.

Thessaloniki:

Two arson attacks occured within five minutes. A ppc car was damaged, as well as an ATM of Millennium bank in Analipsi.

Communique sent to directactiongr@yahoo.gr:

“Last night’s series of incendiary attacks against luxurious car dealerships in Halandri, Kifissia and Argiroupoli, bank subsidiaries in Nea filadelfia, Dafni, Egaleo, Ano Patisia, Dafni and in Thessaloniki at 117, Martiou Street, and against PPC (the state-run power company) cars outside its offices in both Athens and Thessaloniki, is undertaken by the Conspiracy of Cells of Fire Thessaloniki-Athens.

We selected to strike the bank subsidiares because the constitute the symbols-tools of exploration and of the economic empire. In parallel, the banks are the modern day corporations that accredit with loanee dreams the consumers, so that they would beglamour voluntarily their misery and their economic state of captivity.

We attacked the PPC corporation as a response to the dozens assassinations of workers that died in its workplace-prisons because of the lack of security measures, as well as for the deadly effects (such as cancer) that appear at the zones around its power plants.

We set on fire the dealerships of luxurious cars that form prestigious symbols of authority inside the commodity fetishist frenzy that has taken over the metropolis. We do not respect the law-abiding citizens’ wet dreams for a fast car in expense of the slow suicide offeed by the modern life style.

The revolutionary character of an economic-capitalist targets arson is n’t found only in its physical destructionm but also in the illegality of the action itself. In the decision to attack.

In this combatant situation, there are also losses. Accordingly, we dedicate last night’s attacks in Thessaloniki and Athens to the emprisoned anarchist V. Botzatzis who is accused for 3 arson attacks against 3 targets, as weel as to the 3 fugitive comrades accused under the same case, and that chose the way of a proud escape, than to give theirselves in.

We don’t forget any emprisoned comrade. We will be back soon…

Conspiracy of Cells of Fire Thessaloniki-Athens”

—
Bank firebombed and responsibility claim (Athens, 19/1/2008)

According to reports (in greek) at athens.indymedia.org unknown persons attacked with molotov cocktails a subsidiary of eurobank in Petralona district (Athens). According to ANA-MPA news agency, the arson caused sever damages to the bank. A group claimed responsibility by an anonymoys e-mail to directactiongr@yahoo.gr stating:

The “Cells of Incendiary Solidarity” (Pirines Empristikis Allileggyis) claim responsibility for the arson at Eurobank on Trion Ierarhon Street in Petralona, on Saturday January 19, in solidarity to the emprisoned anarchist Vaggelis Botzatzis, accused with 3 arson attacks against governmental-economic targets and to the three companions that are fugitive under the same case.

The institutions of state-run enterprises, car agencies and banks, have been and will be today’s targets, targets that every revolutionary chooses to attack. These attack are born from a total perception and a route of actions against the capitalist-economic domination. These words here do not mean to recognise their-selves in a “typical claim of responsibility” because their meaning is found in the transmission of the revolutionary flame. WE ARE ON WAR. The persecutions cannot stop the incendiary actions and the rebellious consciences. Honour to those that in their lives, they set their own time and place, their “how” and “why”…

The ashes of the burnt banks for the fugitive companions and the emprisoned anarchist Vaggelis Botzatzis.

Cells of Incendiary Solidarity

Note: Vaggelis Botzatzis is an anarchist from Thessaloniki, in a pre-trial emprisonment in Komotini prisons, accused for arsons in a french brand car yard, a millenium bank subsidiary and Public Power Company vehicles. He is persecuted based on a security guard’s accusations. Apart from him, another three anarchists are fugitive for the same case.
—
Attacks on three banks (Athens, 17/1/2008)

http://athens.indymedia.org/front.php3?lang=el&article_id=815410
http://athens.indymedia.org/front.php3?lang=el&article_id=815788

2 year after the arrest of Giannis Dimitrakis after a bank robbery, on 12 o’clock, were realised three simultaneous attacks on three banks and an ATM in central Athens.

Piraeus Bank on 12, George Street, Attiki Bank on 23 Omirou Street and Ethniki bank on 30 Omirou Street, had their glasses broken and other damages. An ATM was also damaged.

There were leaflets thrown around the banks stating:
2 years later…
WE DON’T FORGET, WE DON’T FORGIVE
solidarity to G. Dimitrakis, who is emprisoned for the bank robery at Ethniki Bank on Solonos Street at 16.01.2006
Solidarity to the 3 fugitive comrades

as well as “FIRE TO THE BANKS”
—
Lab-rats liberated from technical institute (Thessaloniki, 16/1/2007)

A report on this action can be found at athens.indymedia.org where there are also more photos and a short video, as well as a text in greek, translated here:

“On January 15th, in the Thessaloniki TEI (technical institute) was programmed a practical experiment on animals alive in front of the students. This hideous action would be realised if some people from Thessaloniki was n’t mobilized. Around twenty persons visited the TEI and took not only one, as it was to expected, but four animals (lab rats). Later on the four lab rats were set free in the nature were they should be from the very begining.

We know that these specific animals will not survive for a long time in the nature, since they were born in a lab. Though, we believe it is better for them to die in the nature than in a lab or a cage.”
—
Car dealership fire-bombed (Athens, 17/1/2008)

Source (greek only): http://www.ethnos.gr/article.asp?catid=11424&subid=2&tag=8334&pubid=336523#

Two self-made explosive devises were placed underneath two cars in a Suzuki dealership in Peristeri, Athens. One of them exploded at 3:45 in the night causing minor damages, while the other one was found untouched by the police.

—
Bank arson and anonymous communique(Athens, 1/1/2008)

Source (greek only): http://news.pathfinder.gr/greece/news/449097.html

“The first fact reported to the police for 2008 was an arson attack 20 minutes after midnight at the subsidiary of Geniki Bank at 75 Kipselis street in Athens. Unidentified persons planted an incendiary device breaking the glass entrance door.”

Anonymous group claimed responsibility via e-mail to directactiongr@yahoo.gr):

“The attack at Geniki Bank on 1/1/2008 was in solidarity to emprisoned fighters.

The same time that in the city centre “celebrations” are organised to welcome the new year we, by striking, mean to prove that the flame of negation won’t cease to burn nor even this new year, against any repressive plan.

Freedom to Chr. Kontorevithakis and M. Tsourapas.”

Newts delay A47 – M1 is left for us to stop

Newts halt work on village bypass
Work on a long-awaited bypass in Leicestershire has been held up because a protected species of newt has been found in the construction area.

Work started in September on the Earl Shilton bypass – planned for more than 20 years – and is set to cost £15m.

But a colony of great crested newts has been found and their protected status means it is illegal to disturb them.

When temperatures rise, the newts will come out of hibernation and move to a pond, allowing work to continue.

‘Horror stories’

The county council’s director of highways, Matthew Lugg, said he was hopeful the lost time could be made up.

Mr Lugg said: “It is very difficult to detect these species and no matter how much you do to detect these creatures, it’s not necessarily going to be comprehensive.

“We are hopeful though that we can make up the time and get back on track. There have been some real horror stories in other parts of the country and our situation could have been much worse.”

The bypass is due to open late in 2008.

The route is about 5km (three miles) long and follows the corridor that links the A47 perimeter road from a new roundabout at Carrs Hill to the A47 Leicester Road.

>>>>>>>>>>>
A small part of the M1 has already been widened, but the battle remains to be fought – 115 miles of it and we can still stop it!

http://www.nowideningm1.org.uk/

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

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

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

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

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