Unnecessary Developments – Page 48

Eco-arsonists for the liberation of the Earth in Mexico

13th June – 13th July

Eco-Arsonists Commit Multiple Actions Against Banamex, Scotiabank, & More
EpLT Sets Fire to Luxury Cars Near Mexico City
EpLT Sets Fire to Sabritas Company Office Near Mexico City

13th June – 13th July

Eco-Arsonists Commit Multiple Actions Against Banamex, Scotiabank, & More
EpLT Sets Fire to Luxury Cars Near Mexico City
EpLT Sets Fire to Sabritas Company Office Near Mexico City

Eco-Arsonists Commit Multiple Actions Against Banamex, Scotiabank, & More

Communique:

“Weekly Report of eco-arsonists.mexico

Communique:
Saturday, June 13th, following the call to action, attacks against the owners of capital began. Saturday, the 13th the window of a bank belonging to Scotiabank was stoned, causing mobilization by the police in Tlalpan when the alarm was activated. Sunday, June 14th an incendiary device was placed at the ATM of a Banamex located in Milpa Alta, which was foiled by the police, however in this district where nothing has happened before they no longer sleep in peace; paranoia has been created since similar attacks were carried out against a BBVA in recent days causing a huge impact on the disgusting authorities in this community; the police at the service of the rich didn’t delay, since then a patrol has been guarding the entrance of the BBVA and its surroundings; so as a response another incendiary device was placed in the hood of a PGJ [Procuraduría General de Justicia] patrol car outside the district command headquarters. Unfortunately, it was detected and the action was interrupted, but although the goal of burning the patrol was not achieved, panic was created and there is chaos in the streets of this community; where what that they were not expecting has happened; now their paranoia will not allow them to sleep. Wednesday night, June 17, the Tlalpan roadway was illuminated with the abolitionist fire of eco-arsonists; the ATM of a BBVA outside the entrances to the metro was left unusable when an incendiary device was left. On the same night, near the Metro Chabacano there was a second fire at a Scotiabank ATM; the third attack was at a Banamex near Taxqueña where an explosive device was placed at the ATM. The same night a false bomb was left in another Banamex in Xochimilco. On that night it was once again demonstrated that we are everywhere, and now we are dogs infected with rage. Thursday, June 18, a Banamex ATM in Ciudad Neza was burned by an incendiary device; a threatening note was left on a sheet of paper, demanding freedom for Amadeu Castellas and claiming the action.
We will not stop ourselves, they will not stop us, we will continue attacking the symbols of capitalism, the murderer, torturer, sponsor of the destruction of the earth, there will be no turning back; for each banker we have an incendiary device, for each jailer a bomb; that their money burns in flames of the abolitionist fire of the eco-arsonists.

We are your worst enemy, your number one enemy!

We will be the dog that barks and that bites you!”

EpLT Sets Fire to Luxury Cars Near Mexico City

Communique:

“INCENDIARY ATTACKS ON CARS IN MEXICO

Saturday, July 4, around 11:30 at night in a place in the south of Mexico City where things seemed to be calm, where there was peace and order on the streets, all those who are our enemies had slept quietly for quite some time yet now they do not; those who passed by in their luxury cars on the nauseating blacktop now may not do so; those who have left their contaminating cars outside their homes without worry that some eco-arsonist would attack, now they can be worried because as night fell on Saturday, July 4, a day before the elections in Mexico we entered the house of a wealthy destroyer of the earth and we placed an incendiary device at two of his luxury cars and we stealthily slipped away without a trace other than the abolitionist fire. As expected the police, at the sound of their master’s voice, acted immediately, implementing a mobilization in the streets in search of the eco-arsonists and once again we made a mockery of them. We passed before their faces and they couldn’t imagine even if they wanted to that we were their enemies, twenty minutes later the firefighters extinguished the fire but the cars were already burned.

We will continue attacking without mercy! We will not let them sleep in peace!

We will not stop until we see civilization burned!

ECO-ARSONISTS FOR THE LIBERATION OF THE EARTH (EpLT)”

EpLT Sets Fire to Sabritas Company Office Near Mexico City

Communique:

“INCENDIARY ATTACK AT DISTRICT OFFICE IN MEXICO

On Monday night, July 13, at 12:30 we decided to attack the offices of a district in the southwest of Mexico City. These offices are responsible for administering and organizing the pollution and destruction of the woodlands in this community for the Sabritas company, producers of transgenic vegetables used in junk food. This company has planted fields near the communal woodlands. An incendiary device was left at the door of the building, working successfully without leaving any trace; the abolitionist fire consumed almost the entire wooden door, leaving the roof and walls marked with black smoke. The authorities have let pass unnoticed all the actions that have been taken by the eco-arsonists for the liberation of the earth; they know perfectly well why we do it, that we have one objective and that our sabotages are not just an act of vandalism. We will not stop attacking the destroyers of the earth!

For the liberation of the earth! Total destruction of civilization!

Eco-arsonists for the liberation of the earth EpLT”

Source – http://www.elfpressoffice.org

More broken promises and lies as the fight to save Mainshill Wood continues.

The threat from Scottish Coal is growing, just as the front line against new coal looks forward to its one month birthday (complete with picnic). So get down here! Its now or never!

The threat from Scottish Coal is growing, just as the front line against new coal looks forward to its one month birthday (complete with picnic). So get down here! Its now or never! The Mainshill Solidarity Camp is extremely grateful for the continuing support from the local community and will be celebrating its one month birthday on Sunday 19th July with a community picnic at 3pm to which everyone is welcome.

Local residents awoke on Monday morning to the news of yet another application for an extension at Poniel [1], a Scottish Coal mine in the Douglas Valley, something that communities had been assured would not happen, and which new planning policy guards against…

Poniel Open Cast Coal site, a few hundred metres away from Mainshill, will be extended by 100,000 tonnes over a six month period. This broken promise is yet another example of the disregard shown to communities and the environment in the pursuit of profit.

Across the valley at Mainshill, environmental devastation and disastrous health impacts will result from the open casting of the 350ha site to extract 1.7million tonnes of coal which will cause 4.98million tonnes [2] of carbon emissions when burnt, excluding the huge emissions released through the extraction process [3].

Rather than responding to the objections made against these plans, Douglas and Angus Estates and its owner Lord Home (currently being investigated for alleged fraud [4]) prefer instead to make unfounded allegations in a recent media statement against the Mainshill Solidarity Camp [5] and continue to deny communities, through sham consultation, of their health, self determination and environmental justice.

At the public hearing attended by several members of the camp who also live in the local community, only two of the 700 people who objected were allowed to speak against the proposal. To prevent the casting aside of these objections and to obstruct the work already begun on site, the occupation of Mainshill Woods through direct action has been undertaken in solidarity with the local community.

Preparatory work for the mine such as the tree felling and bore sample drilling work undertaken by Apex already has been glossed over by the Estate and contravenes 7 conditions of the planning approval regarding studies to ascertain the presence of certain endangered species such as badgers and bats, which the occupiers know to be present on site.

The Estate has misreported the unearthing of an 11KVA underground power cable accusing the Mainshill Solidarity Camp of almost causing a “major disaster”. It was in fact Apex and Scottish Coal who endangered the lives of those on site and the local community by driving heavy machinery over the shallowly buried and unmarked cable. Any heavy machinery could cause death to the occupiers since the site is now comprehensively defended with treehouses and tunnels.

The Estate and Scottish Coal’s persistent profiteering from coal has been defended with reference to carbon capture and storage technology, however even the industry says that CCS is 20 years away. Only a small percentage of emissions can be captured using CCS technology at present [6]. CCS is a smokescreen for mining new coal, and evades the dramatic reduction in consumption integrated with localised renewable solutions and collective community action which is required given current scientific consensus regarding climate change.

The communites which would suffer the environmental injustice and negative health impacts resulting from coal extraction should have control over their local environment. If the planning system continues to side with the coal industry, futher direct action will be the only reasonable response.

ENDS

For more information please see: http://mainshill.noflag.org.uk or phone
the site for interviews on 07806926040

Notes to Editors
[1]
http://www.douglascommunitycouncil.info/news.asp?intent=viewstory&newsid=18504
[2] Carbon combines with oxygen in the atmosphere during combustion,
producing carbon dioxide, with an atomic weight of (12 + 16 x 2 = 44
kg/kmol). The CO2 released to air for each kilogram of incinerated coal is
therefore 2.93kg.
[3] http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19826520.100-capturing-carbon.html
[4]
http://www.nowpublic.com/world/coutts-bank-chairman-lord-home-named-carroll-trust-case-0
[5] The Mainshill Solidarity Camp has been occupying Mainshill Woods since
18/6/09 in order to resist Scottish Coal’s plans to develop a new open
cast coal mine.
[6] CorporateWatch Technofixes Report downloadable at
http://www.corporatewatch.org.uk/?lid=3126

Pitched battles over open refuse dump outside Athens

8th July

Pitched battles between locals of Grammatico, outside Athens, and riot police forces over the construction of an open refuse damp with locals digging trenches, building barricades and torching bulldozers; scores have been wounded as battles continue amidst spreading fires.

8th July

More than 1500 locals of the Black Mountain village of Grammatico, outside Athens, have erected barricades and dug trenches in order to stop the beginning of an open refuse damp (XYTA) construction in their area. The locals torched the company’s bulldozers after riot police forces arrested and beat the resisting mayor, refusing to take him to the hospital to treat his wounds.

One of the local council members has been declared: “There are fires everywhere and strong police forces. We are afraid of a massacre. The police is using brutal force and we have scores of wounded citizens. The riot police forces (MAT) have reached our last barricade. If they manage to cross it, then the situation will be out of control. However this will prove hard, as it is our strongest barricade. We have dug the earth planting tractors and bulldozers in it. All the village is here and is ready to fight”. Many people have been arrested during the clashes, and several policemen have been wounded by projectiles. The fire brigade has deployed 3 airplane, 3 helicopters and over 15 fire engines in order to fight the fires caused by the riot police mindless use of tear gas and “blast and flash” grenades and are threatening a children summer camp nearby.

The construction of XYTA around the country has created a chain of violent environmental struggles, whose prototype is Lefkimmi, a Corfu village which has been resisting State plans for 18 months, losing one comrade in the battles with the police.

Victories in Virginia, US of A

In the past several months, three efforts that Earth First! (EF!) has contributed action and energy to in Virginia have gained significant victories. In each of these cases, our involvement has been relatively small compared to the efforts of other groups, and all credit is due to them for doing the un-sexy, demanding work of dragging these industries through the courts and regulatory processes where these victories were ultimately won. While we envision and work to create a world where destructive projects are stopped by sheer force of grassroots direct action, we do indeed believe in using every tool in the toolbox.

Here’s a brief synopsis of some of those tools being put to work over the past two years:

The first action taken by the current incarnation of Blue Ridge Earth First! (BREF!) was a demonstration at the home of a developer driving efforts to build a Wal-Mart in Blacksburg, Virginia. There was never a long-term direct action strategy hashed out to defeat this project. While an emerging community group developed support and momentum towards legislating and later litigating their opposition into law, our action served chiefly as a reminder that civil discourse with those who would desecrate our communities for a buck is no virtue. The demonstration was also the coming-out party for a new EF! chapter ready to give some teeth to the environmental movement in the hills of Virginia.

As BREF! shifted our focus to other projects, efforts to stop the Wal-Mart through any well-mannered, government-sanctioned and truly boring means necessary, persisted and ultimately reigned triumphant by way of appealing a local zoning ordinance all the way to the Supreme Court of Virginia. While the parade of Earth First!ers making merry in developer Jeannie Stosser’s front yard played a small part in the whole turn of events, it is nonetheless a gratifying victory for our more well-behaved allies and a pleasant reminder that, when pressure builds, it eventually breaks.
On the mountaintop removal (MTR) front, a bittersweet victory was won on May 7, when the Army Corps of Engineers, responding to a prompt by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), rescinded a permit for A&G coal’s Ison Rock mine. Over the past several years, the Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards, a local community group has clogged regulatory processes and spoken out loudly against this mine. In 2004, A&G’s failure to conform to the laws for exactly how a mountain is supposed to be destroyed resulted in a boulder rolling off of a MTR mine and killing a three-year old boy asleep in his bed, prompting Katuah Earth First! to chain, lock and glue the gates to that mine closed. In 2007, this same corporation was the target of sabotage at one of it’s Wise County mountain-top removal sites by a group calling itself the “Committee to Defend the Land and People.”

The Ison Rock mine would have totaled 1,300 acres in scope and would have buried three miles of streams. This is the first time that a MTR permit has ever been rescinded due to intervention by a federal regulatory body—evidence that the mounting and increasingly militant opposition to MTR of the past several years is having an effect on policy decisions. The EPA and Army Corps reasoned that the sprawling mine would violate the Clean Water Act if it dumped mining waste into streams, a practice that always accompanies MTR operations known as “valley fills.” The bitterness of this win comes with the fact that, shortly after Obama’s EPA rescinded this and five other permits, the coal industry applied pressure for the administration to give word on 42 other pending MTR permits, which resulted in the EPA declaring that they’re all fine to proceed. Why are six MTR/valley fill mines in violation of the clean water act and 42 aren’t? Politics. They’re throwing us a bone here. We’ll take that bone, and then we’ll beat them senseless with it. All MTR buries streams! Until all MTR permits are revoked, we won’t stop!

In another case of the Clean Water Act finally being enforced, Dominion Power’s plans to add a third reactor to its Lake Anna nuclear plant were thwarted by a lawsuit brought forth by the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League (BREDL) in February. Lawyers for BREDL, an organization supporting environmental justice struggles throughout the southeast, proved in court that operations at the plant are raising temperatures in Lake Anna to over 100 degrees in the summertime. This is the same power plant where EF!, Rising Tide and others staged a sit-in during last summer’s Southeast Convergence for Climate Action.

In the nearly two years that our small EF! collective has existed, we’ve made a deliberate effort to execute direct actions with a timing and sensibility that work concurrently with the campaigns of our friends, neighbors and allies who have the stomach to tangle up the state within the parameters of its own procedures. We do not have the time, taste, expertise or resources to spearhead these efforts ourselves but we see how they can be utilized effectively. The problem with any victory won by virtue of state approval is that the state retains the power to reverse that judgment. By bypassing the “designated channels” to express our dissent and employing actions that directly disrupt the operations we oppose, we demonstrate a readiness among the general public to reject the rules of our oppressors and defend ourselves as is our natural right. This presence reinforces the truth that favorable government actions are forced by the will of the people rather than being handed down by the benevolence of the ruling class. If we treat these wins as the end of a story and allow the hard-earned and slowly-built grassroots power that produced these victories to whither, then this is as close to justice as we will ever get. If, instead, we understand them as markers in the movement towards achieving all power to all people, then onward. It is the propagation of this sentiment as well as the specific points of impact resulting from our actions that we contribute to the environmental movement in the mountains of Appalachia.

Activists strike at Chorlton Tesco, Manchester

4.7.2009
Manchester residents concerned about the presence of a Tesco store in Chorlton covered the shop in a hard hitting message to locals and the company late last night. They sprayed “Tesco is a virus” and “Tesco destroys places” in large letters across the front of the business.

Those who graffitied the supermarket say they did so because they are concerned about the effect of stores such as this on the local area. They are also angry about Tesco’s record on workers rights, both abroad and at home, and their massive contribution to climate change.

The new Tesco is proving damaging to small local businesses, many of which have been around for many decades. Far from increasing choice, the introduction of Tesco has just added to Tesco’s stranglehold and is pushing out all of the area’s variety and vitality.

Dan, one of those involved in last night’s activity said, “It’s pretty horrifying that 1 out of every 3 pounds spent on groceries in Britain is spent in Tesco. This kind of uniformity is not what we want, it’s destroying the vibrancy of local communities.”

The planned opening of the Tesco was the subject of much anger in the local area and kick-started a campaign against its construction called Keep Chorlton Interesting (It should be stressed that none of those involved in this campaign were responsible for this action). Despite opposition from hundreds of local residents, independent retailers, councillors and the local MP, the national planning inspectorate overturned the decision by the Manchester City Council Planning Committee to refuse the application.

Tesco’s record on workers rights is shocking. War on Want, the anti-poverty charity, showed last year that workers in one of Tesco’s factories in India were being payed £1.50 a day and forced to work 60 hour weeks.

Barak Obama recently weighed into the debate and attacked Tesco for refusing to allow workers to unionise in its stores in a letter to its boss Terry Leahy.

On top of all this Tesco is a major contributor to climate change: its shops are energy-intensive, food is flown in from thousands of miles away, and the company’s demand for products like palm oil is destroying vast tracts of the rainforest.

“Tesco will trample on anyone or anything for a quick buck. All they care about is their profit margins. Well, we say, it’s time we fought back and that’s just what we’ve started to do here,” said activist, Dan.

The group say they will be willing to act in a similar way in the future if it helps to highlight the true nature of Tesco. Manchester residents concerned about the presence of a Tesco store in Chorlton covered the shop in a hard hitting message to locals and the company late last night. They sprayed “Tesco is a virus” and “Tesco destroys places” in large letters across the front of the business.

Barak Obama recently weighed into the debate and attacked Tesco for refusing to allow workers to unionise in its stores in a letter to its boss Terry Leahy.

The group say they will be willing to act in a similar way in the future if it helps to highlight the true nature of Tesco.

Call-out for support: Mainshill Solidarity Camp eviction granted!

Come resist Scottish Coal and Lord Home, and defend communities and the climate!

In a farcical court hearing this morning in Lanark Sheriff Court the eviction order brought by Lord Home, the landowner (and chief exec of RBS private banking firm) and Scottish Coal, the UK’s largest open cast producer against the occupiers at Mainshill Wood was granted. Despite having just two working days to seek legal advice and work on a defence the Sheriff refused to allow the occupiers more time.

The eviction order comes into effect immediately owing to the “vast costs being incurred” by the contract drilling work being prevented at the site by campers, according to Lord Home’s solicitors.

The Chairperson of Douglas and Glespin Community Council had prepared a statement to present to the court in support of the occupiers and raising serious concerns about the timescale of the eviction order. The Sheriff, however, would not even allow the statement to be heard, saying only: “Given that you’re a lay person, I’ll cast my eyes over it”.

Tracey Mitchell from Douglas said of the proceedings: “It was damned ridiculous and money talks”. John Brozy, a former miner and former justice of the peace also from Douglas said: “the occupiers have given us new heart and made locals understand that they’re not alone”.

The Mainshill Solidarity Camp is determined to stop this coal mine from going ahead. We knew all along that this would be Lord Home’s response – not engaging with us or the community, but using his money and court bailiffs to remove us without getting his hands dirty. We will not go until we are forcefully removed or until we have won.

Scottish Coal and Lord Home are on the back foot – the Solidarity Camp has brought a huge amount of attention to what they’re doing in South Lanarkshire, and what they’ve been getting way with for years. The community is fired up and even more determined to stop this project. We can win this! The last thing Scottish Coal and Lord Home need is an expensive and drawn-out eviction – what we need is for as many people as possible to join us and come to the camp.

The site is beautiful, full of wildlife and well defended, with unprecedented levels of community support. This is the front line in the struggle against new coal and for community self-determination over the interests of big business and wealthy land owners.

Join us! See http://mainshill.noflag.org.uk for information about the camp and how to get here, and http://coalactionedinburgh.noflag.org.uk/ for regular updates.

Mainshill Solidarity Camp presented with eviction papers

At 17:00 in the afternoon on Wednesday 24th of June occupiers of the Mainshill Solidarity Camp in south Lanarkshire were handed eviction papers by a sheriff officer. The Solidarity camp has been summoned to appear at Lanark sheriff court on Monday the 29th at 9:45 am.

The Mainshill Solidarity Camp was established on Friday 26th in the Douglas Valley in South Lanarkshire to show support to the local community who are opposing a new opencast site from being built in the area. Tree-houses and other structures in the woodland have been put in place to show Scottish Coal that they are serious about preventing the opencast site from going ahead.

”Scottish Coal and Lord Home have no right to evict us from this wood’ Said Anna Key a care worker and one of the campers currently living on the Site. ”Planning permission states that they have to carry out an environmental survey from Spring until Autumn before they can start work. Because they have commenced drilling operations and tree felling we have been forced to occupy the site to stop this illegal work from happening.”

On Sunday the 28th the Solidarity Camp are holding a community picnic at 3pm to which everyone is invited. Many people from the local community will come down to drink tea and eat cake with the campers, learn how to climb trees and paint banners to make the site look welcoming.

The solidarity camp intends to do all it can to stop the new opencast mine from going ahead and has the full support of the local community. Come along to the picnic on Sunday to get involved!

Bath Bomb #23 Out Now

THE BATH BOMB
@nti-copyright: copy and distribute!
Issue #23
free/donation
June 09

“Nick Griffin: if you’re reading this, we’re in your house”

Pulling A Fash One: Bath 3, BNP 0

THE BATH BOMB
@nti-copyright: copy and distribute!
Issue #23
free/donation
June 09

“Nick Griffin: if you’re reading this, we’re in your house”

Pulling A Fash One: Bath 3, BNP 0

The BNP went three goals down on Friday the 22nd May in the continuing grudge match between themselves and the people of Bath. This time the venue was the prestigious BRLSi, on Queen Square. Nearly 100 people from a variety of backgrounds (including antifa, anarchists, greens, IWW, socialists and a good number of pissed off Bathonians) responded to a call out from Bath Activist Network to protest a hustings meeting featuring the fascist BNP.

The demo was a huge success, seeing the front doors blockaded for nearly two hours, preventing the meeting from going ahead. The majority of speakers due to represent their parties pulled out of the meeting and opted to speak on the street instead, many making the decision to do so on the night. A tiny mob of eight fascists, most from out of town, turned up and made a pitiful attempt to force their way in before giving up and spending the rest of the night moaning to the police (one of whom had an anti-BNP leaflet mysteriously taped to his back). Bristol-based BNP member Clive Courtney was arrested after shoving a local man to the ground.

The blockade ended when the 50 police who were eventually drafted in demanded that the demo move out of the public view – protesters unanimously refused, and the picket was violently broken up, allowing the fascists entry to a deserted building, as the real democracy was in full swing on the streets! While addressing the empty room, BNP Chippenham MEP candidate Jeremy Wotherspoon denied being racist, said he recently ‘shook hands with a negro’ (his words, not ours).

In an interesting side note, members of the public let protesters know that the police were describing them as ‘scum’ and activists have some interesting video footage of angry, rotund Bristol BNP high-up Mark Warren-Clutterbuck having a private chat and a laugh with senior police. The BNP requested that once the blockade was ended, they should be allowed to move in en masse – a request that the police were all too willing to facilitate. The back-patting and obvious mutual support between the cops and Nazis was sickening, but on the night the facts spoke for themselves – public support was overwhelmingly in favour of the blockade, and the ‘no platform for fascists’ position.

The BNP still features hatemonger activists convicted of bombings, murder and assault, internally calls for a reduction in democratic decision-making in the party, and only permits white ethnic, ‘indigenous’ Brits to join as full members. It is impossible for the BNP to publicly advertise, or hold a meeting without protection from the police and a huge and angry reaction from the vast majority of the public. Well done to everyone who turned up and showed once again that the BNP are not welcome in civilised society, let alone Bath. It’s just a shame that the BRLSi organizers toothlessly felt obliged to provide the BNP the credibility they so crave by inviting them; hopefully, there won’t be a next time. And if you do have any info on BNP activity in your area, email either bathactivistnet [at] yahoo.co.uk, or phone 08451 265011.

http://bristolantifa.org
http://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/inyourtown/corsham/4365146.Corsham_family_stands_as_BNP_candidates/

Eco Battle For Bathampton: Round 2

News has reached us that B&NES Council has made the public-friendly decision of approving the massively unpopular drain on financial and environmental resources that is the park and ride at Bathampton Meadows. The park and ride, part of a ludicrously expensive, environmentally/socially destructive and massively flawed transport package, is to be built on the ancient meadowlands which are part of the Cotswolds AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and contain two ancient monuments. The location is poorly-chosen and the council themselves have conceded that the traffic easing effects of the park and ride will be ‘minimal’.

Maybe the council have forgotten the headache that was caused last time the authorities tried to bulldoze the natural habitats surrounding Bathampton. In 1994, a large tree camp was set up to oppose the Bathampton A36/A46 link road, costing the authorities thousands in security costs and putting the project way behind schedule. The same looks set to happen again, with local activists honing their eco-defence skills. Rest assured that if the bulldozers roll in, so will scores of angry locals and activists determined to fight for the meadow inch by inch. The council’s disregard for the environment looks set to ignite a battle that will be giving them serious headaches for years to come. You can still write letters of objection to the scheme, and a template letter can be found at http://www.savebathamptonmeadows.org.uk, and, short notice, push a ‘call in’ for a public enquiry by the 23rd of this month.

Stop the press: at a recent public meeting, we have just heard that the Government Office for the South West have just initiated an ‘Article 14’, a modest-sounding bit of jargon that indicates that they now require more time to consider the scheme – so nothing’s set in concrete yet.

Debt Advice Centre Opens In Twerton

The Bath ‘Can’t Pay, Won’t Pay’ campaign has opened a drop-in centre for advice on debts, benefits, bailiffs and general help with the recession – and possibly any other problems you may have! Pop round the Twerton social centre (4 Day Crescent, Twerton) on Wednesdays between 4pm and 7pm, for a friendly cuppa and a chat with one of our helpful trained volunteers.

EVENTS

Bath Hunt Saboteurs meetings, 2nd and 4th Monday of the month, 8pm, The Bell, Walcot Street

London Road Food Co-op, Wednesdays, 4-7pm, Riverside Community Centre, London Road

debt advice drop-in, Wednesdays, 4-7pm, Twerton social centre, Day Crescent

The Lost Plot workday, Thursdays, 10am-dusk, Bathampton

anti-foie gras demo, Fridays, meet Queen Square 7pm

Bath Stop The War Coalition vigil, Saturdays, 11.30am-12.30, Bath Abbey Courtyard

Bubbling Under, Sunday 21st June, 1-4pm, Porter Cellar, George Street

Calais No Border Camp, 23rd-29th June, France

Bath Cycling Campaign meeting, Monday 22nd June, venue TBC, 7.30pm, http://www.bathcyclingcampaign.org.uk

Transition Bath talk on public transport issues, Wednesday 24th June, 8pm, Widcombe Social Club

Transition Drinks, Wednesday 24th June, 8pm, upstairs at The Raven

anarcho-punk gig, Friday 26th June, 8pm, The Porter Butt, London Road, Bath, feat. Citizen Fish, A heads, Surrender, Filthy Habits

animal sanctuaries benefit gig Saturday 27th June, 7.30pm, The Plough, Easton, Bristol, feat Babar Luck, Ratface & Tracey Curtis, £4 entry

Recycle Your Sundays, Sunday 28th June, the regular series of sociable, easy-paced cycle rides, www.rysbath.org.uk/Hazel 01225 469199

Bath Animal Action meeting, Wednesday 1st July, 7.30-8.30pm, backroom of The Bell, Walcot Street

Bath Activist Network meeting, Thursday 2nd July, 7.30-9pm, downstairs at The Hobgoblin, St James Parade

Bath Friends of the Earth meeting, Monday 6th July, 8pm, Stillpoint, Broad Street Place, Broad Street

Film: ‘Wedding in Galilee’, Tuesday 7th July,7.30pm, Masonic Hall, Frome, £5/£3 concessions; presented by Frome Friends of Palestine – part of Frome Festival

Bath Green Drinks, Wednesday 8th July, 8.30pm, the Porter, George Street

Bath FreeShop, Saturday 11th July, 12-3pm, outside Pump Rooms, Stall Street

Broadlands Orchardshare Volunteering Day, Saturday 11th July, 12-4pm, Broadlands Orchard, Box Road, Bathford, email broadlandsorchardshare [at] googlemail.com or phone 07532 472 256

Danish Climate Camp, Denmark, Saturday 11th July – Sunday 19th July, http://camp09.dk

Recycle Your Sundays, Sunday 12th July, the regular series of sociable, easy-paced cycle rides, www.rysbath.org.uk/Hazel 01225 469199

Bath Greenpeace meeting, Monday 13th July, 7.30-9pm, Stillpoint, Broad Street Place

Transition Open Forum, Tuesday 14th July, 7pm, Widcombe Social Club

French Climate Camp Monday, Monday 3rd August – Sunday 9th August, France, http://www.campclimat.org

Belgian/Dutch Climate Action Camp, Monday 3rd August – Sunday 9th August, near Antwerp, http://www.klimaatactiekamp.org

The Camp for Climate Action in Scotland, Monday 3rd – Tuesday 11th August, Scotland, http://climatecampscotland.org.uk

Cymru Climate Camp, Thursday 13th – Sunday 16th August 2009, Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, http://climatecampcymru.org

Greek No Borders Camp, Tuesday 25th August – Monday 31st August, Lesvos, Greece, http://lesvos09.antira.info

The Camp for Climate Action 2009, Thursday 27th August and Wednesday 2nd September, London, http://www.climatecamp.org.uk

Bristol Anarchist Bookfair, Saturday 12th September, The Island, Silver Street, Bristol, 10.30am-7pm, http://www.bristolanarchistbookfair.org

Bristol Co-Mutiny: Social Change Not Climate Change gathering, Sunday 13th September – Saturday 19th September, http://www.comutiny.wordpress.com

International Day of Climate Action, Saturday 24th October, http://www.350.org/ oct24

Exclusive: Dirty Don’s Dodgy Expenses

With the ample evidence pouring out of the cash trough that is Westminster to attest to the corrupt nature of the vast majority of our MPs, it may come as no surprise to many of you that our own ‘Dodgy’ Don Foster MP is also apparently on the take. Our favourite everyman has been claiming a staggering £380 per week allowance for his second home (£230 above the national average, and working out to a huge £19,760 per year). In addition to this, Mr Foster’s ‘miscellaneous’ claims per year total over £5,000 and have risen by 60% since 2001. Obviously as Don gets more and more used to rubbing shoulders with the shower of cheats and liars that pass themselves off as our leaders, he gets more and more comfortable with helping himself to a plush life using our cash. But, on a salary of a mere £65,000 a year, can we blame poor Don for claiming an additional total of £92,000, including expenses, secretarial services and ‘miscellaneous’ expenses in 2007?

As if this weren’t enough, Don makes a nice little earner for his political career by accepting huge wedges of cash; £99,015.09 in 2007 alone to be exact, from a shady character with his roots in white collar crime. The super rich and super crooked Paul Strasburger is a local millionaire, owner of no less than three local estate agents and by far the largest bankroller of the local Lib Dems. While hugely distasteful, being a millionaire and a land shark is not technically a crime. What IS straying towards the illegal however is Strasburger’s dealings with a certain Michael Brown, another bankroller of the Lib Dems. While on the run for theft and money laundering (Brown is now hiding out in the Caribbean) police took an interest in searching the home of Strasburger who had put his house forward as Brown’s bail address. This is just another example of big business scratching the back of politicians – the old boys’ club in action – and adds to the image we are seeing more and more of the rich and political classes sneering at us while they rob for the poor and keep for themselves. Yet still, we can’t hold Don and his Dodgy big business pals solely responsible; after all, when in Rome…

…And The BNP Are At It, Too!

Wonk-eyed Nazi Nick Griffin has gone to great lengths to distance his party from their white supremacist, fascist image, dressing the party up as an alternative to corrupt mainstream politicians. But while the party has temporarily un-stiffened their arms, and tries not to be openly racist (an attempt foiled by even the lightest scrutiny), a brief look over their expenses claims show them to be just as bad as the rest. In Barking and Dagenham, seven BNP councillors attended only 27% of meetings while still pocketing their full £9,801 allowance. A BNP councillor in Sandwell attended none of the meetings at which he was expected and took the full allowance while the party’s 2007 accounts failed their audit as several grand of expenditure was not properly recorded. They have also been in trouble recently after being caught claiming some paid-up party members were self employed to avoid paying income tax and NI contributions. So, as well as being obviously racist (Nick Griffin recently expressed a hope of igniting a racial war while addressing a KKK rally in the USA, and has published books denying the Holocaust), violent and generally repressive and obnoxious, it turns out that the BNP are just as corrupt as the rest of them, and have been joining all the other parties in wallowing in unearned piles of our cash. Bastards, the lot of ‘em!

Nobody Wins Euro Elections

The recent European elections were a resounding defeat for mainstream political parties – and another example of how undemocratic the European Parliament actually is. Labour suffered their biggest setback since the birth of Tony Blair, UKIP struggled to keep the votes they already had, whilst leftist mainstream parties such as the Greens made significant gains. However, the real winner was Nobody. Europe-wide, an incredible 57% voted for Nobody – 65% in the UK – an astonishing mandate for social change on a scale unseen since the inception of the Liberal party in the 1870s.

Unfortunately, and to the disgust of a disillusioned electorate across the continent, the EU REFUSED to acknowledge these votes, and declared that all the seats fairly won by Nobody would be REDISTRIBUTED amongst the other parties. And so we have a situation where parties such as the BNP, who took LESS votes in this election than the last, have taken seats in the EU Parliament for the first time in history.

In France in 2007 the state’s refusal to recognize a 16% vote for Nobody led to rioting in most major cities. Earlier this year, the Icelandic government’s refusal to allow Nobody to take positions of power democratically theirs contributed to the popular overthrow of that government. With the anger currently brewing across Europe, can similar uprisings be far away?

Art With A Capital ‘F’

Those dastardly johnnies from B.A.D. (Bath Arts Dictatorship) have been up to their old tricks again. This lot make up the secretive little cabal of the Bath Festivals committee who hide themselves away in their suite of rooms atop the city’s Tourist Information Centre, busily massaging their fantasies and egos, laying down the law to you, the Bath public, on vot you vill and vill not enjoy, ja?

Their latest two fingers-up to public opinion came in the form of a pair of monstrous and ugly mashed-wire-coathanger ‘sculptures’ by Gloucester ‘artist’ Sophie Ryder, which were dumped in Abbey Square in early April. These metal horrors have no link whatsoever to Bath, other than as a shop window for Ms Ryder’s other output, currently on sale at extortionate prices in the city’s Victoria Art Gallery. Are we seeing yet another B&NES-sponsored example of stealing from the poor to give to the rich?

In arguably one of the best and most enjoyable displays of direct-action ad hoc public comment since the Bush shoe-throwing episode, both beasts were pulled (or pushed) over at Easter weekend. The only thing which marred this display of sound artistic judgment was their miraculous resurrection by crane soon afterwards. How much public dosh was wasted on hoisting them back on their plinths?

Was it just coincidence that Bugs Bunny and pal Bully from TV programme ‘Bullseye’ pitched up at the same time as the Bath Comedy Festival? As they formed a backdrop to the comedy stage itself, how could anybody take them seriously? So is there a bunch of cultural worthies, not a million miles from Kingston Buildings, extracting the urine?

Care In The Co-Mutiny

Activists and groups, dreamers and schemers from across the southwest are coming together from the 12th to the 20th September in Bristol for a week of themed autonomous days of action and practical skill shares, promoting an alternative fairer and more positive future, in contrast to the current nightmare scenario of corporate greed, social injustice and environmental degradation. If you want to get involved and join the Co-Mutineers – you know you do – email comutiny [at] riseup.net.

http://www.comutiny.wordpress.com

Nobody Takes You Seriously Until You Have An Insane Arch-Nemesis

Bath Animal Action’s campaign against foie gras – overpriced liver from tortured ducks and geese, produced under such appalling conditions that only obscure EU trade laws allow its sale in the UK – remains defiant and committed in the face of one of the most reticent restaurateurs yet.

Upmarket tapas restaurant Minibar are still refusing to remove foie gras from their menu, despite bogus claims of ethical concerns, poor sales of the dish, and confessions to the Chronicle that they have a “terrible night” and lose money whenever protesters visit. The reason for this apparently suicidal devotion to cruel cuisine may be related to a small, balding and clearly unstable man claiming to co-own the restaurant. His combination of abuse, mockery and deliberately running down an activist with his expensive 4×4 has brightened up several dull nights already.

Despite an increasingly diverse and desperate array of responses – pushing an activist in the road, claiming to have proof that the food was ethically produced and then refusing to show it, the aforementioned vehicular assault, repeated and groundless threats of arrest from an openly one-sided police farce, and being bored to death for hours by an idiot who could barely hold an opinion for five minutes, let alone an argument – the campaigners have vowed to fight for a foie-gras free Bath!

www.banfoiegras.org.uk/
www.viva.org.uk/campaigns/foiegras/index.html

Upping The Veg-Ante

Last month’s Bristol Vegan Fayre – an annual celebration of vegan food, health and animal-cruelty-free ethics – went shiningly on the 30th and 31st May at Bristol’s Harbourside. Open to people of all dietary decisions, the food and drink flowed freely, particularly the free samples of chocolate and delicious fake meats, and there were stunning displays of Sikh swordfighting, and a solid line-up of reggae and rock over both days. Also on offer were info stalls on nutrition, charities, animal rescue centres and campaigning groups – although unfortunately there were slightly fewer vendors and higher costs this year, and a more commercialised atmosphere than previously: with stalls reflecting the social issues connected to veganism being relegated to out-of-the-way spots in favour of companies intent on tapping into the burgeoning vegan market. Still, a somewhat more grassroots vegan fayre is planned for Bath in late Summer/early September, so keep your eyes peeled.

http://www.bristolveganfayre.co.uk

Bath Activist Network are a local umbrella group campaigning on issues as diverse as development, environmentalism, anti-war, animal rights, workers’ rights and more. Helping to produce The Bath Bomb, we are open to anyone, and our members range from trade unionists to anarchists, liberals to greens, and people who just want to change Bath for the better. For details on meetings, demos, or just to get in touch, email bathactivistnet [at] yahoo.co.uk, or see our website: http://www.bathactivistnetwork.blogspot.com

GOT A STORY? WANT TO RECEIVE THE BATH BOMB BY EMAIL? HOPING TO SUE? Contact us by e-mailing bathbombpress [at] yahoo.co.uk. Large print e-versions available on request.GOT A STORY? WANT TO RECEIVE THE BATH BOMB BY EMAIL? HOPING TO SUE? Contact us by e-mailing bathbombpress [at] yahoo.co.uk. Large print e-versions available on request.

And now, to the disclaimer: As anyone is free to contribute, the opinions expressed in each article are not necessarily reflective of each contributor. Naturally, any right-wing or corporate bullshit will be binned and spat on. Needless to say, the opinions of the author of this disclaimer does not necessarily represent the views of any other contributor…

For further info on any of our stories see www.thebathbomb.blogspot.com

Mainshill Wood Occupied

19.6.09
URGENT: No Open Cast Here! Join the fight against open cast coal mining, climate chaos and community destruction! Come to the Solidarity Camp

Last night activists occupied the site of Mainshill Wood in solidarity with communities in the UK suffering from the impacts of open casting and resisting new mines.

19.6.09
URGENT: No Open Cast Here! Join the fight against open cast coal mining, climate chaos and community destruction! Come to the Solidarity Camp

Last night activists occupied the site of Mainshill Wood in solidarity with communities in the UK suffering from the impacts of open casting and resisting new mines.

Scottish Coal have been given permission to mine 1.7 million tonnes of coal from Mainshill in South Lanarkshire, a decision by South Lanarkshire Council and later Scottish Ministers that enraged local residents who for years have campaigned against this mine. There are four other mines in the area, making it one of the most heavily mined areas in Europe.

This new coal mine is only one of 20 such others to have recently been given planning permission in Scotland. If we are to have any chance of limiting dangerous climate change and protecting communities from carbon-intensive industries we must take matters into our own hands.

We have taken this autonomous and free space for those who wish to create positive, creative and
egalitarian solutions to ecological collapse, climate change and environmental injustice. Profiteering companies, land owners and governments will not mine for new coal here!

Support Us

We need:
People – to hold this site we need people to join us. The site has a safe spaces policy and welcomes all who share our desire to live in a space free from hierarchy, oppression, discrimination and coal mines!
Climbing equipment – any you can donate will be put to good use
Building materials – suitable bits of wood, rope, polyprop, pallets
Food – lots of it!
Money – running a camp can be expensive, if you can donate to us please do
Other equipment – head torches, tools, containers, tarps, waterproofs, sleeping bags

How to get to the camp:
Buses run to Douglas from Lanark and Hamilton. Both Lanark and Hamilton have train and bus stations and are easy to get to from either Glasgow Central Train Station or Buchannon Street Bus Station. From South of the border, going to Glasgow is the easiest way to get to Douglas. Buses from Lanark to Douglas are much more frequent!

Bus from Lanark:

The Service Number 9 (William Stokes & Sons) runs from Lanark – Glespin, stopping in Douglas (service every 49mins past each hour). Get off at the Eggerton Bridge stop just before Douglas – you’ll see the camp on your left just after the M74 underpass!

Bus from Hamilton:

The X50 (Henderson Travel – http://www.henderson-travel.co.uk/) Hamilton-Glespin runs Hamilton, Interchange – Lesmahagow, Church Hall – Rigside – Douglas, leaving Hamilton at 17:05 (one service per day)

From Douglas:

The bus will stop before Douglas at Eggerton Bridge and you will see the camp on your left after the M74 underpass. If you miss this stop get off in Douglas and walk North East back up the A70 for 1km and the camp will be on yout right just before the M74.

Hitching:

If you hitch, the camp is right next to the M74 which runs from Glasgow to Carlisle. Get dropped of at junction 12 and walk South West down the A70 towards Douglas and the camp is a few hundred metres on your left. Happendon services are close to junction 12 – if you end up therewalk South down the B7078, turn right onto the A70 towards Douglas, which takes you under the M74 and as above.

If you need a ride…

…from somewhere close by call the site phone and we’ll try to sort you out.

Call the site phone on: 07806 926 040

Protester erects fake phone mast

18 June 2009
A man has put up a fake phone mast in a bid to stop a real one being built next to his garage in Hampshire.

Sean Denman rejected £4,500 from Vodafone to erect a mast at his service station in Everton Road, Hordle.

18 June 2009
A man has put up a fake phone mast in a bid to stop a real one being built next to his garage in Hampshire.

Sean Denman rejected £4,500 from Vodafone to erect a mast at his service station in Everton Road, Hordle.

The phone giant turned its attention to a pavement adjacent to the garage but was initially refused permission.

However, the plan was agreed on appeal but Mr Denman has blocked construction by welding a pole and a box to a car which overhangs the pavement.

Vodafone said it was still looking to start work at the site, by the end of March 2010, and would take advice on any obstruction at the site before work was due to start.

The firm said it would need a planning agreement if it wanted to move its mast to avoid Mr Denman’s construction.

In a statement, Vodafone said: “The proposed radio base station… is required to improve the 3G coverage to our customers in the area.

This location was chosen after consideration of 15 alternatives as it provides a backdrop of street furniture, against which the proposed timber telegraph pole will not be visually intrusive.

“We are currently finalising our build plans and it is our intention to develop this site this financial year.”

Mr Denman said: “I had to get land surveyors to mark down where this construction would go.

“Not having complete right of way, I decided I can’t put anything on the pavement so took a car, welded on a box and pole which overhangs by the correct amount covering where the mast and box would go.

“They [Vodafone] feel they can put their construction anywhere and make up any excuse.

“I am not against it, but not in this sort of place.”

‘Antennae needed’

New Forest District Council and the parish council had previously refused the planning application.

Chris Elliott, head of planning at the council, said: “The council is concerned that so many phone mast appeals like this are being allowed by planning inspectors because of the government’s commitment to 3G technology.”

The planning inspector had agreed the proposal, with a report stating: “The appellant [Vodafone] has demonstrated the need for the antennae to provide 3G coverage in the Hordle area.”

The inspector added that “given government telecoms planning policy… the need for this facility is sufficient to outweigh the limited harm to the character and appearance of the area.”