Wilderness Defence – Page 100

65 Indigenous Communities Declare Victory in Peru

21st August 2008
Indigenous groups in Peru are claiming victory after more than a week of protests throughout the state.

A day after the government declared martial law in three of the provinces affected by the protests, on August 19 a congressional commission voted to overturn the controversial law known as Decree 1015, which the indigenous groups were challenging.

They say the law “makes it easier for mining and energy companies to buy communally owned land, will lead to a foreign land grab, especially in the Amazon rain forest,” Reuters explains. “Garcia passed the law by decree earlier this year under special powers Congress granted him to bring Peruvian law into compliance with a new free-trade deal with the United States.”

The Congressional Commission said Garcia ‘went too far’ with the decree, and “agreed in principle to bring any new land law into compliance with Convention 169 of the International Labor Organization. The Commission also issued an official document to the Executive calling for the overturn of Supreme Decree 058-2008-PCM, imposing the states of emergency,” adds Bill Weinberg of the WW4Report.

The head of Peru’s legislature followed the announcement by saying it may go to a floor vote on Friday.

Garcia, on the other hand, thinks revoking the decree is a “huge mistake,” and that it will condemn Peru’s indigenous and rural communities to “another century of backwardness and misery.”

It’s not all that far off from the truth. However, it is in fact Garcia’s decree that would be condemning them to more “backwardness and misery.”

That’s why Sixty-five indigenous communities rose up and threatened a violent confrontation with the state. And it’s why those same communities are now celebrating.

Shell to Sea: Notice served on Solitaire

20.08.2008
As part of the ongoing week of action in Rossport, a letter was today delivered to the Solitaire demanding its withdrawal from the project.

Yesterday afternoon a team of kayakers braved the waters of Donegal Bay to paddle over a kilometre out to sea to deliver a letter of protest to Captain Simon Van Der Plicht of the Solitaire.

20.08.2008
As part of the ongoing week of action in Rossport, a letter was today delivered to the Solitaire demanding its withdrawal from the project.

Yesterday afternoon a team of kayakers braved the waters of Donegal Bay to paddle over a kilometre out to sea to deliver a letter of protest to Captain Simon Van Der Plicht of the Solitaire.

A crane lowered a bucket from the ship to receive the letter after the kayakers spoke to the Captain on the radio.

Representing the views of many from the communities affected by the Corrib gas project, the letter asks the Captain to reconsider his, and the ship’s, participation in the development.

The letter clearly states that if the Captain chooses to continue the ship’s involvement he will meet strong resistance. Many people have pledged to take to the water to stop this pipeline construction work.

Today’s action is part of a Shell to Sea Week of Action targeting the Solitaire.

Actions will take place all this week until the ship is forced to abandon work.

Rossport Solidarity Camp reborn…

18.08.2008
Today local residents and people from Rossport Solidarity Camp erected a marquee in Glengad overlooking Shell’s new compound.

Just a short distance away from the camps former location the new marquee will provide a base for action against early pipeline work on land and against the pipe laying ship,the Solitaire, when she arrives.

Today after the marquee had been put up people invaded the compound. Activity like this and water based actions will be ongoing over the next few weeks.

New people and a wide array of boats and other water equipment are appearing all the time. The following weeks should be interesting…

Come to Mayo and join in the fun….

Sail and Rail from anywhere in UK to Ballina (nearest town to Rossport) only £35 (aprox)

Earth First! gathering – programme and travel directions

Earth First! Summer Gathering
Ecological Direct Action without Compromise
27 Aug – 1 Sept 2008, Norfolk
Join us for 5 days of workshops and planning actions

Travel directions:

Earth First! Summer Gathering
Ecological Direct Action without Compromise
27 Aug – 1 Sept 2008, Norfolk
Join us for 5 days of workshops and planning actions

Travel directions:
The gathering this year will be held at Woolseybridge Farm – a lovely site in Norfolk with lots of trees and a little stream. It’s approximately 1.5 miles NNE of Diss. Diss has regular train services and a wholefood shop. The Grid Reference of the site is TM130819. The post code is IP22 5SY.

The site is easily accessible by public transport, you can get the train either to Diss or Norwich and then catch the bus route no 1 (Simmonds) from Diss to Norwich or vice versa – this route goes right past the site and we’ll be asking the local bus company if they will stop right outside the site on request. Or you could walk or cycle – it’s only 1.5miles away from Diss train station. Please come by public transport if at all possible! .
We will run pick-ups from the train station for anybody who can’t use the bus service or for larger groups of people. If you need a lift please let us know well in advance (and not in the middle of the night, when you’re at a train station somewhere!). Ring the Gathering mobile on 07789 331857

For a map and further details on travel including bus times and directions for drivers check out http://earthfirstgathering.org.uk/2008/where.html

Programme
This year’s programme focusses on info and planning for actions, direct action skills as well as spaces to discuss how we can respond to and deal with the widening ecological, economic and societal crises. We hope there’s something for everyone.
We recommend that you arrive Tue evening, as workshops will start on Wednesday morning and run until Sunday evening

For more info about the gathering check out our website or email us (though we won’t be able to answer email after 21 Aug, as we’ll be on site setting up)

http://www.earthfirst.org.uk, summergathering _ AT _ earthfirst.org.uk

The workshops

Wednesday

12:00
Introduction to Earth First! and the gathering
Dealing with the mainstream media – how to get your message across
Basic electrics – for squats and homes.
Capitalism and climate change – how to make the links visible in actions
Queer networking session

2:30
Self-defence – mixed practise session
Squatting FAQ – sharing tips and tricks
Action Reconnaissance for beginners
Introduction to the root causes of ecological destruction and an exploration of alternatives
Advanced Navigation

4:30
Saving Iceland – Introduction to the campaign
Nuclear waste and nuclear weapons
Consensus Decision-making
Introduction to Ecology
Confronting Abusive Behaviours within our Communities – without the police/prison.

6:00
Library Space: Negotiating Safer Sex: tips on putting the theory into practice, and making your sex life more fun as well as safer!

8:00
Cinema: Talk with video on resisting rainforest destruction in Tasmania

Thursday

10:30
Dealing with Public Order situations – understanding police tactics and how we can deal with to them/turn them to our advantage (runs until lunch)
State and corporate oppression of the Australian Aborigines
Action reconnaissance – advanced skillshare, share your most clever tips and tricks for getting info for actions
Practical plant identification (beginners)
Activist trauma and recovery

12:00
Saving Iceland – an evaluation of the camp this summer
Security for Activists Part I: Do’s and don’ts of organising action, from arranging to meet, planning and what happens after
Arrest support for actions – how to provide support for your affinity group, medium sized actions or mega camps and gatherings.
Introduction to Earth First! and the summer gathering

2:30
Women’s self-defence – introductory session
Food and Climate Action: info for action
How to plan an action
Police liaison for actions – what it is, its uses and limitations and how to make it work.
Changing light bulbs or smashing the system. Sharing +/- experiences of working within/outside the system

4:30
Opposing nuclear expansion: planning for action
How to plan and run a successful medium to long-term campaign
Night time skills Part I: introduction (followed by practise session at 8.30pm)
Legal and arrest workshop
Introduction to anarchist history/potted anarchist histories

6:00
Library space: open discussion ?Direct action or publicity stunt??
8:00

Cinema: Seashepherd film and talk
8:30

Night time skills Part II – practice your skills in the field.

Friday

10:30
Blockading tactics
Climate Camp debrief: a critical look at the climate camp, its achievements and politics
Introduction to Earth First! And the summer gathering
Computer Security for the non-technical
Prison Abolition: what’s wrong with prison? what do we mean by abolition and how can we make it happen?

12:00
Food and climate change: action and campaign planning
Self-defence mixed practise session
Squatting to resist – occupations to resist the powers of darkness
History of Earth First!

2:30
The Earth First! Action Update and website: feedback and getting involved
Resisting agrofuels – update on the situation and action planning
Sea Shepherd – an intro to its campaigns and how to support/get involved.
Grow your own food – share you skills and experience
Queer Activist Forum: Radical queers organise for the future!

4:30
Queer Self-Defence: an intro to basic self-defence skills (verbal and physical)
Setting up new direct action groups
Saving Iceland ? planning actions for the coming year
Techno-fixes and climate change ? report by Corporate Watch
Urban self-reliance and self-sufficiency

7:30
Library: Prisoner Support – An informal get together to discuss the state of prisoner support in our movements, find out news and get advice on writing to prisoners, as well as making and writing cards to send to prisoners.

8:00
Cinema: A talk and film by a tribal activist from Orissa opposing mining

Saturday

10:30
Campaigns and Actions Round-up: UK and international news (no other workshops)

12:00
Women’s self-defence practise session plus running alongside – introduction to women’s self-defence
Stopping GM test fields – discussion on future campaign/actions
Research and destroy – how to research corporations
Future models of society – finding a path to sustainable living
Introduction to Earth First! and the summer gathering
Using tripods for blockading

2:30
Leave it in the ground – building resistance to new coal mining and power stations
Facilitation of meetings
Activist Security Part III: doing actions without leaving traces
Restoration Ecology
Creating safer spaces
Visit to Burston Strike School

4:30
Regional meetings and action planning (no other workshops)

6:00
Library Space: Working without leaders – discussion about core values of anarchism

8:00
Cinema: Smash Edo film and talk

Sunday
11:00
Self defence mixed practice session
Sorting out ways of communication within EF!
Using radios on actions
Introduction to Earth First! And the summer gathering
Fences: getting over them/taking them down

12:15
The summer gathering: feedback on this year’s and getting involved in organising the next one

2:30
Condoms, capitalism and climate change
Smash Edo
Introduction to navigation
What’s new in the world of law?
Feminist Health
Climbing trees, lamp posts and anything else

4:30
Radical politics in the age of collapse
The Royal Bank of Scotland and Fossil Fuel Financing
Getting your electricity from solar power and wind
Radical Parenting
Looking after our mental health – sharing ideas and experiences

8:00
Cinema: films – climate camp footage, ready steady skip etc

Monday
Take-down: please stay for a day or two to help take down the site. If you’ve got access to a vehicle/van, it’d be great if you could help transporting marquees, recycling etc to the places they need to go. Cheers!

More info about the Earth First! Summer Gathering
EF! is about direct action to halt the destruction of the Earth. It’s about doing it yourself rather than relying on leaders, governments or industry.
Direct action is at the heart of it, whether you’re standing in front of a bulldozer, shutting down an open-cast mine or ripping up a field of GM crops.
We’re a loose network of people, groups and campaigns coming together for ecological direct action.
Join us for 5 days of workshops, networking and planning actions, run without leaders by everyone who comes along. The gathering is also a practical example of low-impact eco-living and non-hierarchical organising.

http://www.earthfirst.org.uk, summergathering _ AT _ earthfirst.org.uk

Shell to Sea Pirates begin Week of Action against Shell’s Solitaire

August 17 2008
Today at noon a flotilla of sea kayaks reclaimed Glengad beach, Pollathomas, Co Mayo; the landfall site for Shell’s offshore pipeline.

Members of the ‘Great Rebel Raft Regatta’ recently deployed at the E.ON coal fired power station at Kingsnorth in Kent, England, have made their way from Climate Camp UK to Erris, in order to assist Shell to Sea campaigners in their opposition to this pipeline construction at Glengad.

The first wave of the Rebel Regatta arrived today following Marine & Public Information Notices which announced the arrival of the world’s largest pipe-laying vessel, the Solitaire, in Broadhaven Bay, any time from today onwards.

Captain Ahab of the Rebel Crew states, “It’s unacceptable what Shell are being allowed to get away with here in Mayo. We intend to plunder Shell’s compound at Glengad and board the Solitaire when she arrives in the bay. We take no prisoners. It’s the gang-plank for these boys. This environment needs protection from these marauders of Shell’s.”

Today’s action marks the start of a Shell to Sea Week of Action targeting the Solitaire. Actions will take place all this week until the ship is forced, like in 2005, to ‘go out the same way she came in’.

Shell moved quickly onto the public beach, a Special Area of Conservation, just a few short weeks ago with diggers, fences, security personnel and Gardaí. Local residents were forcibly removed from the area and arrested for their opposition to this work. Given that no approval or permission exists for Shell’s newly proposed onshore pipeline route, which is currently under consideration by An Bord Pleanala, it beggars belief that the ‘authorities’ allow this premature pipeline construction work to go ahead at Glengad at this time. A perfect example of ‘project splitting’, sanctioned and encouraged by government and State authorities.

Shell to Sea intends to ensure that no pipeline construction takes place on or offshore at Glengad. Had the Solitaire arrived today as planned, we were ready for her. And we are ready for her whenever she decides to come, tomorrow, the next day or any day. We understand that weather has delayed the Solitaire but Shell are confident that she will arrive by midweek at the latest.

In the meantime there are some unresolved issues at the Shell Compound and ‘Security Zone’ on the beach which we intend to resolve in the meantime. In other words, there is plenty for people to be doing here when they come.

People are already travelling to Erris to support this Week of Action against Shell. All are welcome at the Rossport Solidarity House, to visit and to stay, and to join us in our plans ensure that no raw gas ever flows to Bellanaboy. Today was just the start. Let’s continue to organise together throughout the week and always.

Get your asses to Erris … and remember … we are never as strong as when we come together in the fight, on the streets, in the fields, on the beach or on the high seas!

http://www.shelltosea.com

Rath Lugh update, Ireland

August 14th 2008

August 14th 2008
Protectors were staging a Tree Protest near the Collierstown site highlighting the fact that roughly 62 bodies were removed from their sacred burial grounds to make way for the construction of the M3 Motorway. Collierstown graveyard dates from prehistoric times with burials continuing into the early medieval era.

The Tree Protest was given huge support from passing motorists. Locals also joined in coming out of their homes to give encouragement and there were plenty of volunteers to take stints to maintain a presence.

Maine EF! Says No More Games; Bold Protest Urges LURC to Reject Massive Plum Creek Development

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, August 13 NOON
Land Use Regulatory Commission (LURC) 18 Elkins Lane – Harlow Building 22 State
House Station Augusta, Maine 04333-0022

For More Information Contact: Logan Perkins – 207-615-5158

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, August 13 NOON
Land Use Regulatory Commission (LURC) 18 Elkins Lane – Harlow Building 22 State
House Station Augusta, Maine 04333-0022

For More Information Contact: Logan Perkins – 207-615-5158

In a bold stunt today, a dozen people affiliated with Maine Earth First!, protested at the LURC office in Augusta. One woman suspended herself 35 feet in the air from a giant tripod made of wooden poles, while others hula-hooped on the ground below her. Under the banner “LURC: Do the right thing! No Development! Plum Creek can’t buy ME” the concerned citizens gathered to make it clear that the only responsible decision is for LURC to reject Plum Creek’s entire plan. Maine Earth First! is an all-volunteer group of Maine citizens working toward the protection of all remaining wild places in Maine as sources of biodiversity, climate stability and cultural heritage.

“The public has spoken and clearly told LURC to reject this destructive proposal.” said Meg Gilmartin from the top of the tripod. “The future of Maine is in their hands and they will be held responsible for the decisions they make for generations to come. Today’s protest should put LURC on notice that their complicity in the destruction of the largest undeveloped area east of the Mississippi will not be tolerated.”

Plum Creek’s Concept Plan proposes to rezone 20,000 acres, an area roughly the size of Portland, for development as part of its Moosehead Lake Concept Plan. The plan includes 90,000 acres of conservation easements to satisfy the Land Use Regulatory Commission’s (LURC) requirement for a conservation balance. An additional 266,000 acres worth ofdevelopment rights on Plum Creek land will be sold to The Nature Conservancy and The Appalachian Mountain Club for $35 million. This conservation is being hailed by many as an unprecedented opportunity to protect a large tract of land in Northern Maine, however, the conservation easements only prevent further development. They do not prevent gravel mining, spreading of sewage sludge, commercial water extraction, socalled”sustainable forestry,” or other extractive activities.

The debate around Plum Creek’s plan has focused in recent months on the future of Lily Bay, slated for a large resort development in the proposal. The Natural Resources Council of Maine and other large environmental organizations have focused their opposition to the plan primarily on protecting the pristine land around Lily Bay. Even these limited efforts have not been successful despite huge public opposition to the development in Lily Bay. When LURC released its recommendations in June, downsizing the number of acres slated for development in Lily Bay, but not decreasing the total number of residences, they were flooded with public comment urging the Commission to reconsider its position on Lily Bay. The protesters in front of LURC today, however are notstaking their opposition on just Lily Bay. “We feel that the scope of the debate has been narrowed to soon by those who would bargain away the North Woods. LURC has heard ample reasons from the people of this state to reject this plan in its entirety. This plan is a bad deal for Mainers and for the North Woods,” said Jessie Dowling, one of the hula-hoopers on the ground below the tripod.

“What LURC has before it now, is an application to extend rampant development, habitat destruction, climate change and mass extinction into one of the most pristine undeveloped areas in the country. The stakes for this type of development are incredibly high. LURC has in its sights a historic and incredibly significant decision to make, and I hope they do the right thing,” said Dowling.

URGENT CALL OUT: MAYO NEEDS YOU! NOW IS THE TIME

During the next 2 weeks, the Solitaire (the biggest pipe laying ship in the world) is set to begin illegally constructing the offshore section of the pipeline. It is believed that the Solitaire is on a pretty tight schedule & booked up for the next 2 years, so ANY disruption provides us with a real opportunity to delay the project significantly.

After the success of Climate Camp, come over to Ireland and support a community determined to resist Shell…but they need your help!
Although local resistance has been ongoing, the police and a hired security force have meant it is incredibly difficult. A few weeks ago 13 people were arrested in Glengad (1 man remains in hospital). However the police are now just escorting people from the site and not arresting people.

Therefore there is a real need for clever actions to help delay current construction at the landfall area in Glengad and the planned offshore pipe laying. The local people are calling for your assistance at this time.

It is expected that once the off-shore pipe laying is done, there will be another quiet period for several months before construction is due on the onshore section possibly next spring or summer, so NOW IS THE TIME TO COME!

If you cannot come over please do what you can from home …organise Rossport film nights, protest at Shell garages & offices, contact the Irish Embassy & media.

Travel details on camp website www.rossportsolidaritycamp.110mb.com
The cheapest and easiest way to travel from England-Ireland is to get a coach or train ticket that includes ferry too. www.sailandrail.com – 08705 455 455 www.coachacross.com
Accomodation is avaliable at the camp house
we can win but we need you
e-mail: rossportsolidaritycamp@gmail.com
Homepage: http://www.shelltosea.com, www.rossportsolidaritycamp.110mb.com, www.indymedia.ie/mayo

High tension electrical tower bombed in Chile, claimed by anarchist group

An anarchist group, in an e-mail sent to various media outlets, took responsibility for a bomb attack on a high tension electrical tower on the road at Farellones, where one of the major ski centers of the Metropolitan Region is located.

The message said, “Sabotage the centers of diversion of the rich” and “prepare a subversive September”.

It also mentioned Johnny Cariqueo Yañez, a youth who died March 31 from a heart-attack after he was arrested and jailed on the night of the “Day of the Young Combatant.”

The same anarchist group claimed responsibility for the May 18 bombing of the same police station the youth was jailed at.

The bomb at the electrical tower caused structural damage but didn’t cut off power.

August 11th, 2008
Source: lanacion.cl
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Mientras los ricos se divierten gracias a trabajadores explotados, una bomba en sus centros de diversion les recuerda que la Guerra Social esta Declarada

http://www.hommodolars.org/web/spip.php?article610

Kondh Tribes Determined to Fight UK Mining Firm in India

India’s Supreme Court has today dealt a devastating blow to the Dongria Kondh tribe by giving British FTSE 100 company Vedanta permission to mine their sacred mountain. The tribe say the mine will destroy their way of life forever. Vedanta’s subsidiary Sterlite plans to mine for bauxite, the raw material for aluminium, from Niyamgiri mountain in Orissa, eastern India. Vedanta is majority owned by London-based Indian billionaire Anil Agarwal. The Dongria Kondh say the huge open cast mine will destroy a vast swathe of untouched forest, and will reduce their most sacred site to an industrial wasteland. Last month, thirty Dongria Kondh men blockaded a road that is being built through their forest towards the site of the proposed mine. The tribe say they will stage mass protests if mining goes ahead.

The Dongria Kondh cannot appeal this decision by the Supreme Court, but they plan to submit another petition to the Court focusing on the ways in which the mine will violate their cultural and religious rights.

Dongria spokesperson Jitu Jakesika said, ‘We will become beggars if the company destroys our mountain and our forest so that they can make money. We will give our lives for our mountain.’

At this summer’s Earth First! Gathering Saving Iceland is organising a session on bauxite mining and heavy industry and mining in general in Orissa and around the globe, where there will be the opportunity to plan action against Vedanta in the UK.