Unnecessary Developments – Page 59

Sabotage against the Glensanda Quarry Expansion

An aggregates processing plant on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park has been sabotaged. The Plant is owned by Bardon Aggregates a member of Aggregate Industries, part of the Holcim Group. Aggregate Industries own the Glensanda Quarry on the north west coast of Scotland. The quarry is europes biggest coastal quarry and has it’s own port. Aggregate Industries plan to expand the quarry from 125 ha to 206 ha giving reserves of 814 million tonnes of granite. They currently extract 7-8 million tonnes a year and can increase this to 15 million tonnes. The expansion plan includes removing the peaks “The Mam” and “Lag a ‘mhaim” from the skyline. This would be visible from the Scottish islands and will effect the ecology of many species including otters, seals, and golden eagles. 20% of the stone extracted will go to major road network construction across europe.
The Plant in Yorkshire was entered and sabotaged. Vehicles including all bulldozers had holes drilled in vital parts of their engines and their tires. Both control rooms were broken into and all computers and instrument panels were smashed. Keys to all buildings and machinery were removed from the site. The message “Stop Glensanda” was left. Aggregate industries have sites all over the UK and the World, you know what to do!

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

CLIMATE ACTION NEWS SHEET 76, FEBRUARY 2008

CONTENTS:
———————————————-
UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS:
———————————————-
1) FOSSIL FOOLS DAY – (INTER)NATIONAL, 1.4.08
2) FOSSIL FOOL FILMS AT HOUSMAN’S BOOKSHOP – LONDON, 29.3.08
3) CLIMATE OF CHANGE 2 EXHIBITION – LONDON, STARTS 1.2.08
4) NIGHT TALKS AT THE SYNERGY PROJECT – LONDON, 8.2.08
5) COIN EVENTS – LONDON, FEB-MARCH ’08
6) CAMPAIGN AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE TRADE UNION CONFERENCE – LONDON, 9.2.08
7) COLOMBIAN ACCOMPANIMENT TRAINING – BRISTOL, 16-17.2.08
8) ‘THE CARBON CONNECTION’ UK PREMIERE – LONDON, 21.2.08
9) SAVING ICELAND GATHERING – NOTTINGHAM, 22.2.08
10) EARTH FIRST! WINTER MOOT – NOTTINGHAM, 22-24.2.08
11) CAMPAIGN AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE NATIONAL MEETING – MANCHESTER, 23.2.08
12) TELL SHELL AND BP: HANDS OFF IRAQI OIL! – NATIONAL, 23.2.08
13) MASS RALLY AGAINST HEATHROW EXPANSION – LONDON, 25.2.08
14) BRINGING THE PIPELINE BACK TO SHELL – LONDON, 15-17.3.08
15) WEEK OF ACTION ON THE CLIMATE BILL – NATIONAL, 30.3.08-5.4.08
16) APRIL BIOFOOLS DAY – NATIONAL, 15.4.08
17) NATUREWISE COURSES – LONDON AREA, 2008
18) ECO-COMMUNITY EDUCATION WORKSHOPS – SUFFOLK, FEBRUARY-APRIL ’08
19) CAT COURSES – WALES, MARCH-SEPTEMBER ’08
20) CLIMATETALK CARD GAME – FREE UNTIL THE END OF FEBRUARY ’08
21) E-PETITIONS AGAINST AIRPORT EXPANSION – HEATHROW AND NEWQUAY, ONGOING ’08

———————————————-
RECENT HAPPENINGS:
———————————————-
1) TOP WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION DITCHES SHELL – 26.1.08
2) NEW WAVE OF CLIMATE ACTION – NATIONWIDE, JANUARY ’08
3) ACTIVISTS BLOCKADE PRIVATE JETS – EDINBURGH, 21.01.08
4) PENGUINS RECLAIM ICE (SH)RINK – LONDON, 12.01.08
5) GREENWASH GUERILLAS HIT SHELL HQ – 4.1.08
6) LONDON RISING TIDE DIE-IN AT THE TATE – 4.1.08
7) GREENERGY BIOFUELS PROTESTS – LONDON AND EDINBURGH, 30.1.08 AND 31.1.08
8) TESCO GREENWASH PROTEST – MANCHESTER, 23.1.08
9) CLIMATE CAMP SET UP OUTSIDE COURT – NOTTINGHAM, 14.1.08
10) CLIMAX BLOCK DONG POWERPLANT! – COPENHAGEN, 29.1.08
11) INDIGENOUS ACTION AGAINST MINING – PHILIPPINES, 17.1.08
12) OGONI DAY REMEMBERED AS SHELL FAILS TO HALT GAS FLARES – 4.1.08
13) CLIMATE CAMP SUPERGLUE TRIAL – LONDON, JANUARY ’08
14) BONN SQUARE TREE OCCUPATION – OXFORD, JANUARY ’08
15) ACTION AGAINST MOTORWAY THROUGH TARA – IRELAND, JANUARY ’08
16) CRITICAL MASS REPORT – LONDON, JANUARY ’08
17) FOREST PROTEST ACTIONS AND ARREST – TASMANIA – 8.1.08
18) SHELL TO SEA UPDATES – IRELAND, JANUARY ’08
19) ROAD BLOCK E-BULLETIN – JANUARY ’08
20) PERMACULTURE ASSOCIATION E-BULLETIN – JANUARY ’08
21) SAVE SWALLOW’S WOOD CAMPAIGN UPDATE – JANUARY ’08
22) EARTH FIRST! ACTION UPDATE – SPRING ’08

———————————————-
UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS:
———————————————-
1) FOSSIL FOOLS DAY – NATIONAL, 1.4.08
Roll up! Roll up! The Countdown to Fossil Fools Day Begins…
With less than two months to go, activists are busy plotting and planning, intent on bringing the spirit of carnival and mischief to the fight for climate justice. The day of action is being supported by the Climate Camp movement, Global Exchange and Rainforest Action Network among others. Numerous actions are expected worldwide, with possible targets including the oily strongman and gas guzzling gowk, the dirty coal merchant and biofuel clown, the offset juggler and aviation freakshow. It’s time to turn the tables on the fossil fools and to pull a prank that really packs a punch.
http://www.fossilfoolsday.org/
http://www.globalexchange.org/
http://www.ran.org/
The network for climate action is planning 3 Days Of Action Over 3 Months, starting with Fossil Fools.
April 1st: Fossil Fuels / May 1st: False Capitalist Solutions / June: Food and Climate Change. This third day of action will coincide with the UN conference on food security and climate change on 3-5 June.
www.networkforclimateaction.org.uk

2) FOSSIL FOOL FILMS AT HOUSMAN’S BOOKSHOP – LONDON, 29.3.08
Housman’s Bookshop at Kings Cross will be screening two short documentaries in the run up to FFD ( ‘Those Who Dance’ and ‘The Carbon Connection’) highlighting the struggle of communities at the frontline of the fossil fuel empire. Starts at 5pm. http://www.housmans.com/

3) CLIMATE OF CHANGE 2 EXHIBITION – LONDON, STARTS 1.2.08
6-9pm at the old Mercedes Garage,341 Finchley Rd. Camden, London NW3 6ET.
Then on the following Tues and Thurs 6-9pm. This is an open submission exhibition.
http://www.circlecommunity.org/

4) NIGHT TALKS AT THE SYNERGY PROJECT – LONDON, 8.2.08
Climate Abuse – getting over the addiction! by Jonathan Essex 02:00-02:40
Biofuels – worse than fossil fuel? By Jim Roland, eco-campaigner 02:40-03:30
As part of the Synergy event at the SeOne club, Weston Street, London Bridge.
http://www.thesynergyproject.org/content/view/13/38/

5) COIN EVENTS – LONDON, FEBRUARY-MARCH ’08
Win the climate change argument in a 15 minute tea break, 7.2.08 / Carbon Cafe, 12.2.08 / Climate Change Condensed, 28.2.08 / Climate Action Groups, 11.3.08
See www.coinet.org.uk for full details of all our trainings!

6) CAMPAIGN AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE TRADE UNION CONFERENCE – LONDON, 9.2.08
University of London Union, Malet Street, 10 am – 5 pm. Delegate fee £10.
Opening plenary speakers include Michael Meacher MP, Caroline Lucas MEP, Mark Serwotka (General Secretary, PCS), Matt Wrack (General Secretary, FBU).
http://www.campaigncc.org/CCAC%20Trade%20Union%20Conference.pdf

7) COLOMBIAN ACCOMPANIMENT TRAINING – BRISTOL, 16-17.2.08
Espacio Bristol-Colombia are organising a two day training for people interested in going to Colombia to do solidarity ‘accompaniment’ there; that is to both provide an international presence to deter the army or paramilitaries from killing social activists and to work with Colombian organisations building solidarity links. There is the opportunity to get involved with work on biofuels, BP, coal mining as well as struggles around food sovereignty and indigenous rights. The training will take place at Kebele Community Coop , 14 Robertson Road, Easton, Bristol from 11am – 5pm on Saturday and then 10pm – 4pm on Sunday.
If you are interested in attending this training email;
espacio@redcolombia.org.
http://www.redcolombia.org/

8) ‘THE CARBON CONNECTION’ UK PREMIERE – LONDON, 21.2.08
6.30 pm at Waterloo Action Centre, 16 Baylis Road, London SE1 7AA. This brilliant documentary exposes government claims that buying and selling carbon credits can reduce global warming. Plus discussion on sustainable alternatives to trading in pollution. Introduced by Kevin Smith, Carbon Trade Watch and Penny Cole, author of ‘Running a Temperature – action plan for the eco-crisis’. Refreshments. Details: info@aworldtowin.net 07871 745258
http://www.carbontradewatch.org/

9) SAVING ICELAND GATHERING – NOTTINGHAM, 22.2.08
One day gathering on opposition to wilderness trashing dams in Iceland; these are part of the USA’s carbon trading scam and evidence shows that dams are not free from releasing greenhouse gases either. For more info. phone; 01508 531636
http://www.savingiceland.org/

10) EARTH FIRST! WINTER MOOT – NOTTINGHAM, 22-24.2.08
2 days of discussion on radical direct action on climate change, GM food, nuclear power and much more. For more info. phone; 01508 531636
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19843

11) CAMPAIGN AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE NATIONAL MEETING – MANCHESTER, 23.2.08
An opportunity for you to get involved in deciding what the Campaign Against Climate Change should be doing in the coming year, and to hear about plans already made! 11.45 am to 5.00 pm, in the Peterloo Room – The Mechanics Centre, 103 Princess Road, Manchester.
http://www.campaigncc.org/

12) TELL SHELL AND BP: HANDS OFF IRAQI OIL! – NATIONAL, 23.2.08
London action (as part of National Day of Action) meet 12.30pm, Bond Street tube Hold a protest at your local Shell and BP garages (see website for resources), and contact handsoffiraqioil@gmail.com so they can help publicise it.
www.HandsOffIraqiOil.org

13) MASS RALLY AGAINST HEATHROW EXPANSION – LONDON, 25.2.08
‘We want to fill Central Hall, Westminster to get our message across to the Government.’ Speakers, music, solidarity, conviviality, inspiration for action…7pm on the 25th.
http://www.stopheathrowexpansion.com/

14) BRINGING THE PIPELINE BACK TO SHELL – LONDON, 15-17.3.08
Gluaiseacht are mobilising people from all over Ireland to travel to Shell Headquarters in London on St Patrick’s Day to protest the give-away and mismanagement of our national resources. We will be carrying a 200ft pipeline to Shell’s front door. For more info email; gluaiseacht@gmail.com
http://gluaiseacht.nologic.org/wordpress/

15) WEEK OF ACTION ON THE CLIMATE BILL – NATIONAL, 30.3.08-5.4.08
A whole host of NGOs, under the banner of Stop Climate Chaos, will be taking action for a stronger Climate Bill from March 30th to April 5th. In particular, they are encouraging everyone who cares about the Bill to lobby their MPs (not just in the week of action, but starting immediately) – and have produced a comprehensive pack of resources about how to do so. This is available for download at;
http://icount.org.uk/get_involved/296.asp
On Saturday April 5th, Friends of the Earth have called for a Day of Action on the Climate Bill.
http://www.foe.co.uk/index.html

16) APRIL BIOFOOLS DAY – NATIONAL, 15.4.08
On the 15th April the UK biofuel legislation known as the RTFO (Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation) will come into force. This commits the UK to a 2.5% mix of biofuels in both diesel and petrol rising to 5% in two years (2010). This increased demand will exacerbate the serious problems of tropical deforestation, biodiversity loss, land grabs and food price increases forcing yet more people into life-threatening food poverty. A number of NGOs will be protesting on this day and they are hoping for solidarity actions.
www.networkforclimateaction.org.uk

17) NATUREWISE COURSES – LONDON AREA, 2008
Introductory weekends: Hornsey Rise Gardens / Kingston upon Thames / Spittlefields City Farm.
Permaculture for families residential weekend: Epping.
Full design course (residential): Chingford / North London.
Woodland Weekends: Sussex.
Fees: Negotiable and flexible, depending on income.
http://www.naturewise.org.uk/page.cfm

18) ECO-COMMUNITY EDUCATION WORKSHOPS – SUFFOLK, FEBRUARY-APRIL ’08
February 12th, Non-hierarchical Decision Making and effective meetings.
February 13-14th, Solar photo-voltaic panels and 12 volt electrics.
April 3rd-4th, Introduction to permaculture.
April 14th-16th, Building a Grey water system.
Booking is essential – Contact Mell on 07760161755 / 08453370282
email; susteducation@hush.ai
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/cambridge/2008/01/388741.html

19) CAT COURSES – WALES, MARCH-SEPTEMBER ’08
The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) has announced a new programme of one-day courses for 2008:
8 March; Land Art: As Nature Inspires / 15 March; Mosses and Lichens of the Old Quarry / 29 March; Hurdle Making / 29 March; Willow Weaving / 26 April; Forest ecosystems: Dead wood, leaf litter and nutrient cycling / 10 May; Birds of the Old Quarry / 24 May; Woodland Painting / 31 May; Charcoal Drawing / 31 May; Organic Vegetables of the Old Quarry / 3 June; Upland Ecology and Landscape Management: the Future / 14 June; Practicalities of Using Rainwater / 21 June; Plants of the Old Quarry / 19 July; Mammals of the Old Quarry / 30 August; Charcoal Making: Practical and Theoretical / 27 September; Trees of the Old Quarry. Contact the Courses Department on 01654 705981.
http://www2.cat.org.uk/shortcourses/

20) CLIMATETALK CARD GAME – FREE UNTIL THE END OF FEBRUARY ’08
This is a conversation game that helps groups of about 6 people talk about climate change and what they might do about it. Everything they need, including the information and process for this conversation are provided in a smart little pack. Copies of the kit are currently available for free for small organisations that commit to sending their results. It is also freely downloadable from www.climatespace.org

21) E-PETITIONS AGAINST AIRPORT EXPANSION – HEATHROW AND NEWQUAY, ONGOING ’08
Two minutes? – two petitions.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stopheathrowexpansion/
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stopnqyexpansion/

———————————————-
RECENT HAPPENINGS:
———————————————-
1) TOP WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION DITCHES SHELL – 26.1.08
Shell’s two year tenure as sponsor of the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition has come to an end. A determined, creative two year national campaign, coordinated in part by Rising Tide and its Art Not Oil campaign, helped force the National History Museum and the BBC to ditch their unlikely sponsor. London Rising Tide’s Chris Hyde said: “This victory has shown what climatically conscious grassroots art can achieve…we will be keeping up the pressure with our Art Not Oil campaign.”
And please send your art in to the 2008 Art Not Oil online gallery…
http://risingtide.org.uk/node/259,
www.shelloiledwildlife.org.uk,http://www.artnotoil.org.uk/

2) NEW WAVE OF CLIMATE ACTION – NATIONWIDE, JANUARY ’08
Here’s some reasons to be cheerful in the dark winter months… far from hiding away from the cold (or hiding heads in the sand for that matter), hotbeds of climate action are springing up around the country. On the Rising Tide front, six new groups have formed in the last six months, with more people joining in all the time.
http://risingtide.org.uk/node/253

3) ACTIVISTS BLOCKADE PRIVATE JETS – EDINBURGH, 21.01.08
Over twenty environmental protesters breached security at Edinburgh Airport and blockaded the entrance to the private jet company, Greer Aviation. The activists, from direct action group Plane Stupid Scotland, pledged that today’s actions come as part of a nationwide campaign to reverse the current plans for a tripling of air travel in Scotland which they say flies in the face of the government’s own climate targets.
http://www.planestupid.com/?q=content/plane-stupid-scotland-activists-blockade-Edinburgh-airport-private-jets

4) PENGUINS RECLAIM THE ICE (SH)RINK – LONDON, 12.01.2008
Around 30 penguins today “reclaimed the ice” at the Natural History Museum’s ice (sh)rink in protest at British Airways sponsorship of the museum’s annual winter festivities. The protesters, from the climate action group Plane Stupid, dressed as penguins to highlight the irony of an airline creating an ice rink in central London.
http://www.planestupid.com/?q=content/march-penguins-climate-activists-protest-british-airways-ice-rink

5) GREENWASH GUERILLAS HIT SHELL HQ – 4.1.08
A small band of Rising Tide greenwash guerillas entered the lobby of the London Shell HQ to highlight the massive amount of toxic greenwash emanating from the building. Once ejected they continued their work outside, warning the public of the dangers of greenwash.
http://risingtide.org.uk/node/250

6) LONDON RISING TIDE DIE-IN AT THE TATE – 4.1.08
Activists from London Rising Tide staged a ‘die-in’ in the BP sponsored Tate Britain. Bob Jones from LRT said “we’re here to demand that the Tate cut it’s ties with BP, an art gallery is no place for an environmental hazard such as an oil company. BP are here to Greenwash their image and distract from the ecological devastation they’re causing around the world”. The protesters handed out lots of leaflets and urged patrons to demand the end of oil companies’ sponsorship of art galleries.
http://www.londonrisingtide.org.uk/node/409

7) GREENERGY BIOFUELS PROTESTS – LONDON AND EDINBURGH, 30.1.08 AND 31.1.08
In London, a colourful banner protest was held outside the office of Greenergy International, the UK’s largest biofuel supplier. This was part of a National Week of Action on Agrofuels in which different groups and organisations across the UK are organising protests against the deforestation, high food prices, human rights abuses and faster global warming caused by biofuels from large-scale monocultures. There was a second protest at Edinburgh’s Greenergy office.
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/02/390483.html
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/02/390551.html

8) TESCO GREENWASH PROTEST – MANCHESTER, 23.1.08
See; http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19911

9) CLIMATE CAMP SET UP OUTSIDE COURT – NOTTINGHAM, 14.1.08
While the trial of the eleven climate change activists who shut down Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station on April 10th 2007 began at Nottingham Magistrates Court,
Over 30 people set up a climate camp outside the court. This is the first time that the defence of necessity in relation to climate change has been used in a court of law. The defendants will call an expert witness; a climate scientist, and Royal Society Research Fellow, to prove to the court the scale and imminence of the threat that climate change poses. The judgement is expected on 25th February.
http://www.eastsideclimateaction.org.uk
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/01/389386.html
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19860

10) CLIMAX BLOCK DONG POWERPLANT! – COPENHAGEN, 29.1.08
50 activists from the Danish group ClimaX blocked the main entrance to a powerplant in Copenhagen owned by the DONG Energy corporation. The power company plans to start building a coal-fired powerplant in northern Germany.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19933

11) INDIGENOUS ACTION AGAINST MINING – PHILIPPINES, 17.1.08
Tribal villagers blockaded an Australian mining company and forced the firm to leave the village.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19875

12) OGONI DAY REMEMBERED AS SHELL FAILS TO HALT GAS FLARES – 4.1.08
At just before 8.30 this morning, as staff were arriving for work at Royal Dutch Shell’s Irish headquarters in Dublin, they were treated to a taste of what life is like for those who have to live and work near Shell installations in other parts of the world.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19799

13) CLIMATE CAMP SUPERGLUE TRIAL – LONDON, JANUARY ’08
The prosecution collapses. See;
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19819

14) BONN SQUARE TREE OCCUPATION – OXFORD, JANUARY ’08
For updates see;
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19837
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19818
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19827

15) ACTION AGAINST MOTORWAY THROUGH TARA – IRELAND, JANUARY ’08
For action updates see;
http://www.tarapixie.net
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19929
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19905
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19902

16) CRITICAL MASS REPORT – LONDON, JANUARY ’08
See; http://criticalmasslondon.org.uk/
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19920

17) FOREST PROTEST ACTIONS AND ARREST – TASMANIA – 8.1.08
For reports see;
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19937
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19877
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19878

18) SHELL TO SEA UPDATES – IRELAND, JANUARY ’08
See; http://www.corribsos.com/
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19926

19) ROAD BLOCK E-BULLETIN – JANUARY ’08
To get these monthly updates on campaigns against road building schemes (and for some quick online actions ) sign up here;
http://www.bettertransport.org.uk/user/subscribe/2

20) PERMACULTURE ASSOCIATION E-BULLETIN – JANUARY ’08
For the latest ebulletin from the Permaculture Association (Britain) see;
http://permaculture.org.uk/ebulletin.php

21) SAVE SWALLOW’S WOOD CAMPAIGN UPDATE – JANUARY ’08
See; http://www.saveswallowswood.org.uk/index.shtml

22) EARTH FIRST! ACTION UPDATE – SPRING ’08
See; http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19938

———-

Compiled and sent out by Rising Tide UK: info at risingtide.org.uk
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This News Sheet was brought to you by Rising Tide, a grassroots network of groups and individuals committed to taking action and building a movement against climate change.

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ENDS

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

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.

Coulsdon residents’ barricade halts phone mast

27.1.08
Construction of a phone mast in Coulsdon has been halted after more than 100 angry protesters barricaded the site.

27.1.08
Construction of a phone mast in Coulsdon has been halted after more than 100 angry protesters barricaded the site.

Residents and parents blocked two trucks and two cranes from accessing the proposed mast site on Sandown Road this morning in a bid to stop the transmitter being fixed to a building opposite Chipstead Valley Primary School.

The protesters, under the banner of the Radio Action group, said there were already 15 mobile masts in less than one square mile of the school.

A Radio Action spokesman said the 10 workmen remained in Sandown Road for more than two hours before turning back after discussions with residents.

He said the group was concerned about the health effects of mobile mast transmissions, particularly on children.

It is believed phone company T Mobile want to fix the mast to the first floor of the building in Sandown Road.

Prefabs Stolen from the Poor – Bristol fights back

The hummingbird is the logo of Bovis Homes but dont let rapid wingbeats blur your memory. Lest we forget…..

Bovis took over all prefab sites in Bristol, and the old and poor were moved out to make way for new luxury apartment homes. Bovis lie when they say they meet the legal requirement of 17% social housing. They dont.

The hummingbird is the logo of Bovis Homes but dont let rapid wingbeats blur your memory. Lest we forget…..

Recently the speedwell sites were visited, earth movers were decomisioned, windows smashed, and bulldozers put out of action.

The hoarding boards surrounding the site give the illusion of wealth and happiness. We shatter the illusion with spray paint and use them as a political message board to alert the community:

Prefabs Stolen from the Poor!

Mr Tesco avoids a green wash

23.1.2008
Chief Exec. of Tesco, Terry Leahy, today evaded various campaigners at Manchester’s Whitworth Art Gallery who were anxious to discuss his company’s recent £25 mil. investment in Manchester University’s “Sustainable Consumption” Institute, yet another Tesco green-wash……………

This afternoon various interested groups convened outside the University of Manchester General Meeting of university executives, interested business parties and distinguished alumni to “welcome” the event’s guest of honour Tesco Chief Executive Terry Leahy. Terry was afforded such star status at the Meeting, held at the Whitworth Art Gallery, in recognition of his company’s recent investment of £25 million in research in the University’s “Sustainable Consumption” Institute.

Demonstrators were rather less enamoured with old Terry and his cheeky green-washing tactics. To make Terry feel at home, members of the Manchester-University based campaigns collective scrubbed the road a lovely shade of green and, dressed in white overalls and wielding mops and buckets of green-wash (this season’s new black), awaited Big Tel’s arrival. Campaigns Collective were also keen to register their discontent with the direction the University has taken under Vice Chancellor Alan Gilbert, infamous advocate of a neoliberal style of university management favouring private investment and significant budgets-cuts for learning facilities with a penchant for extravagant meals where major funders (such as Terry himself) are wined and dined.

Also in the welcoming committee were members of the Keep Chorlton Interesting campaign who’ve been getting rather cross in recent months over planned proposals for a Tesco Metro to be built on Manchester Road, Chorlton. Accompanying them were other Anti-Tesco campaigners from the Greater Manchester area, including some from Friends of the Earth. They’d brought a “Golden Cork in the Ear” award for the ‘company that most ignores the opinions of local communities’ to present to Terry on a plush velvet cushion.

Although Manchester’s very own Rhythms of Resistance kept spirits high (and feet warm) with their Samba music, unfortunately Terry didn’t pick up his award or even use the front door, sneaking in through some other super-secret entrance elsewhere thus avoiding a red-faced green-washing.

Not deterred protestors wandered down to the local Tesco to give it a scrub instead.

Video from the M.E.N.

Shell to Sea revisit RPS office

Thursday January 17th 2008

Yesterday, over 30 local people again visited the RPS office in Belmullet to again let it be known that under no circumstances would they accept raw gas running through their community. Even though RPS group director PJ Rudden claimed recently to media that he was “pleasantly surprised” by the reaction to the short listed routes, he will be in no doubt what the majority of people in Kilcommon parish think of the routes following this most recent visit. Four members of the group went in to the RPS offices to outline some of their objections to the current pipeline proposals. They also handed in a petition signed by members of the community stating their objections to putting their pipeline anywhere through the Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in Glengad or the Special Protection Area of Broadhaven Bay.

It also emerged recently that the County Council are once again doing their utmost to assist Shell in anyway they can. This time they have put in a planning proposal to upgrade the road from the refinery site back to Glengad (via the Leanamore road). The upgrade of the road will cease immediately after the gate down to landfall leaving no doubt who the instigators of this upgrade are. Approximately 6 kilometres of the road will be widened while the whole of the road upgrade will be strengthened with wire mesh to withstand the increase traffic that the council forsee. This is yet another slap in the face to the local community, who having been waiting for road repairs for years but must watch their Council spend their taxes on Shell’s infrastructure.

It also seems that Shell are continuing with their long held strategy of blaming any problems they have on protestors actions.

During the Afri Hedge School that was held in Erris in early November, a talk was given by Fr Kevin O’Hara (who founded the Centre for Social and Corporate Responsibility, which monitors oil companies in Nigeria). He stated that in one case of an oil spill at which he was present, a Shell engineer upon turning up at the spill location was straight away able to point out to other employees what had caused the oil spill as it had been a reoccurring problem. However officially of course the Shell excuse was that sabotage had caused the oil spill. The only problem for Shell was that the Shell engineer had been caught on film directing the employees to the fault in the pipeline, which was the true cause of the spill.

It seems as if Shell are using a similar tactic here in Mayo. In the latest refinery ‘Environmental Report’ (18th Dec 07) that Shell has compiled, they admitted that one of their 4 dust collection points showed a reading that was well above their limit for dust deposition (measured 530mg/m2/day where 350mg/ m2/day is the limit). The dust collection pots were in place for over a month however Shell blame the high level of dust recorded on the fact that protestors “possibly vandalised” the dust gauge during an incursion on to the site on the 9th of November.

See the Environmental Reports (sic) here:
http://www.mayococo.ie/en/News/GasTerminal/Environmenta…2007/

Oxford Tree Protest Brings Fences Down; update & latest on end of protest/arrest

12.1.2008 A demonstration in Oxford against the felling of trees and the building of a monstrous new shopping centre saw hundreds of people gather around Bonn Square. Many of them then took spontaneous direct action to stop the fencing-off of the square, and forced the Council to take the fences back down! We won this … Continue reading “Oxford Tree Protest Brings Fences Down; update & latest on end of protest/arrest”

Oxford Saturday tree protest 3

12.1.2008
A demonstration in Oxford against the felling of trees and the building of a monstrous new shopping centre saw hundreds of people gather around Bonn Square. Many of them then took spontaneous direct action to stop the fencing-off of the square, and forced the Council to take the fences back down!

We won this time, but the struggle to save the trees and stop the Westgate Centre goes on. On Monday, the tree-sitter is in court and the Council is seeking final permission to go ahead with the felling. Support is always needed down at the Square, and watch this space for announcements of future actions.

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Activist arrested while trying to give tree protester water

13.1.2008
An activist is arrested for “on suspicion of littering” while trying to throw Gabriel, the Bonn Square tree protester, some water.

At about 2 AM on Sunday morning two activists went to Bonn Square to try to give the fenced-off tree protester, Gabriel, some water. As one distracted the security, the other tried to throw a bottle to Gabriel, but unfortunately it wasn’t a very good throw 😉

Police sitting in a nearby car quickly noticed and the bottle-thrower was arrested “on suspicion of littering”. Fortunately only about 3 hours was spent at the police station before the activist was released without charge – the police seemed to have changed their mind and decided it wasn’t a prosecutable offence.

The arrestee was advised by a solicitor that whilst the arrest was potentially unlawful, pursuing legal action would likely only result in a different charge such as “public disorder”. An IPCC complaint may be made.

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14.1.2008
Latest update from BBC:

Police arrest tree man protester

A protester who was living in a tree in an attempt to stop it from being chopped down has been arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass.

Gabriel Chamberlain set up his makeshift tree house in Bonn Square, Oxford, 11 days ago.

The city council secured an eviction order to force him down, but Mr Chamberlain came down voluntarily after he ran out of water and supplies.

The tree was later felled as part of a £1.5m facelift in Oxford’s west end.

The sycamore was the largest of four trees which have been cut down.

The operation sparked protests in Bonn Square from other residents and police have arrested at least two other people.

The trees will be replaced with seven semi-mature robinia pseudoacacia trees.

A council spokesman said Bonn Square was in a key location at the intersection of four major routes.

He said the plan was aimed at making the square more attractive and improving CCTV surveillance.

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Yesterday morning Gabriel was arrested and work began on destroying the tree. I don’t know the exact details; whether it was a planned eviction or whether he was grabbed having come down from the tree for supplies or a break.

Protesters were outnumbered by cops and security and the tree itself was surrounded by several layers of fencing. Nevertheless a few attempted to block the work, but were quickly dragged away. They were arrested for aggravated trespass and I believe all have now been released on police bail, and will find out in a few weeks whether or not the charges will be dropped.

This is not the end of the campaign though; there are still tens of trees under threat as part of the Westgate expansion, and the Bonn Square campaign has served to galvanise local action. Watch this space 🙂

Meanwhile the Radley Lakes Town Green application was turned down by the County Council, despite plenty of evidence; campaigners will take the case to the High Court.