Wilderness Defence – Page 113

Autumn EF! Action Update out – and advance notice of the Winter Moot, 22-24 February (gathering of eco-activists), Nottingham

The latest issue of the quarterly EF!AU was dished up at the Anarchist Bookfair – bursting at the seams, it had to be turned into a bumper issue, with a round-up of the actions around the time of the Camp for Climate Action, plus loads of action reports from around the world since then – from pieing oil executives, blockading garages & airports, polar bears locking-on, sabotage, prisoners, occupied spaces, digger-diving, GM crop-trashing, to cake and the cunning use of mung beans (oh, and of course, much much more).

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

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The EF! Winter Moot will happen from 22nd – 24th February 2008, in Nottingham – more details nearer the time, as this is just advance notice.

It’s a gathering for environmental activists – in the past, it’s been a chance for people involved in all kinds of ecological direct action to get together for a weekend indoors to chat about where things are at in the UK, and so improve all aspects of how we work together, in order to take direct action in defence of the earth.

Contact 0845-0223 5254 for more info

New Ring Fort discovered at hill of Tara-activist arrested, plus reminder of Samhain action & celebration weekend

October 19, 2007

URGENT

Calling out for support NOW and for the rest of the day at main gate Soldiers Hill N3.

2 Protestors are locked on to a tripod and are not moving until an independent archaeological survey is carried out on the newly revealed site.

October 19, 2007

URGENT

Calling out for support NOW and for the rest of the day at main gate Soldiers Hill N3.

2 Protestors are locked on to a tripod and are not moving until an independent archaeological survey is carried out on the newly revealed site.

Please bring banners, leaflets, warm and waterproof clothing, phone credit, cameras, video equipment, food and water.

SPREAD THE WORD, CONTACT ALL MEDIA.

Thank you

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Reminder: Tara the Great Feast and Samhain celebration Oct31/Nov3rd

Samhain Celebration and big Actions come and revel and resist,calling out to all up for it possee.

Calling ALL PEOPLE to the defence of the Tara Valley, Ireland.
Halt the destruction of this ancient sacred site by the proposed M3 Motorway. We need you NOW! Diggers are destroying this World Heritage site NOW.

We invite you to come to the Hill of Tara and celebrate Samhain, Wed. Oct31st-Sat. Nov.3rd, the ancient Celtic New Year.
As well as havin it actions on Thurs Nov1st and Fri 2nd.
Also a regular monday route walk and action,digger diving and free adrenalin rush.

Experienced activists urgently needed,tree house builders,tunnelers,techies,networkers,media spinners,and midnight pixie commandos.

Dust off your climbing harness and come,all help and support appreciated.
If u cant make it to Tara,network where u are,organise a benefit,film showing,network flyers email the EU commissioner Stavros Dimos info on websites below.

Also to come and support ongoing actions throughout the coming year.
The tide is turning the resistance grows these road building culture destroying crazies aint seen nothing yet.The people are awakening,hear the call of the Ancestors

Please download flyer and posters,from www.tarapixie.net. or view info on www.circlecommunity.org ( Liftshares are available from London,Bristol,Brighton,Wales check website above)
Email to all contacts on your network.
Print copies and distribute, particularly in public places community centres and libraries.
Network it to the maximum.Thanks from Tara Support.

For more information

www.tarapixie.net www.tarawatch.org
www.circlecommunity.org www.savetara.com
www.indymedia.ie www.indymedia.org.uk

Posters and flyers downloadable from www.tarapixie.net

tarasupport@googlemail.com

Norwegian Whaling Vessel’s Career is Finished

Sea Shepherd News Releases 10/16/2007

Norwegian Whaling Vessel’s Career is Finished

The Willassen Senior, the Norwegian whaling vessel that was scuttled on August 30, 2007 in the northern city of Svolvaer in the Lofoten Islands, will not be killing any more whales—ever again. The damage sustained by the vessel that was deliberately sunk by whale defenders exceeded $22 million kroner (over US $2 million). Sea Shepherd Conservation Society was pleased to learn that the Willassen Senior was not insured. The owners of the vessel have decided to scrap the ship, because they cannot afford to pay to repair the extensive damage caused to the electrical and mechanical systems by salt water. A group called Agenda 21 has taken credit for scuttling the whaling ship.

Sea Shepherd News Releases 10/16/2007

Norwegian Whaling Vessel’s Career is Finished

“One less whaling ship on the water translates into fewer whales being killed by these criminal whalers,” said Sea Shepherd Founder and President Captain Paul Watson. “The Agenda 21 team did an excellent job: no injuries, no evidence, no mistakes, and no more whaling. These are results that we can appreciate and admire.”

Immediately after the whaler was scuttled, the owners of other whaling vessels in Norway placed their ships under 24-hour guard. This translates into increased security costs for whaling ships, which cuts into whaling profits. “The whalers should be afraid of being scuttled,” said Captain Watson. “A vessel that is being operated in clear defiance of international conservation law and is involved with the illegal slaughter of these intelligent and gentle creatures has only one place—on the bottom of the sea!”

Norwegian police have been unsuccessful in identifying the Agenda 21 team members. All they have done so far is to seize a hard drive from an internet cafe in Svolvaer, based on a report that one of the sabotage team members may have been using a computer there. Police have confirmed that the Willassen Senior was deliberately sunk by a saboteur (or saboteurs) unknown. The ship was sunk when a pipe used to provide salt water cooling to the engine was removed. It took four hours for the ship to sink, allowing the whale defenders plenty of time to leave the area.

“This was not a crime,” said Captain Watson. “The Willassen Senior was a ship engaged in criminal activity specifically violating the International Whaling Commission’s global moratorium on commercial whaling activities. Sinking this whaler was an act of law enforcement, and we applaud this successful retirement of an illegal killing machine.”

www.seashepherd.org

Activist Film Festival is seeking submissions

Undercurrents is calling for submissions of short videos and animations on the theme of the festival: social justice and environmental action.

Subject: Political Activist videos wanted
From: undercurrents

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS OF FILMS

FOR BEYONDTV FESTIVAL NOVEMBER 2007

What is BEYONDTV?
From November 28 to December 2, 2007, Radical media charity, Undercurrents will host the 8th annual BEYONDTV festival of political documentaries, animations and music videos from inspiring media directors.

Undercurrents is calling for submissions of short videos and animations on the theme of the festival: social justice and environmental action.

Important Note: We do not screen dramas using actors

BEYONDTV will be hosted at the Dylan Thomas Centre and Taliesin Cinema Swansea from November 28 – December 2, 2007

More details at http://www.beyondtvfestival.info
beyondtv@undercurrents.org

Undercurrents
Old Exchange
Pier st
Swansea
SA1 1RY
UK

Samhain bagpipe gathering at Tara, plus action days 31st October -5th November

Samhain Bagpipe Gathering
Feis-Teamhrach (The Great Feast of Tara)

Come celebrate the Celtic New Year at Tara

Samhain Bagpipe Gathering
Feis-Teamhrach (The Great Feast of Tara)

Come celebrate the Celtic New Year at Tara
Hill of Tara, near Navan, co Meath, Ireland.

Relighting the Ancient Beacon fires & Samhain Shindig

Bring your feasting food that you want to eat and share

Wed Oct 31st Lighting Taras 7 Beacons And Feast
Thurs 1st/Fri 2nd Nov DAYS OF ACTION
Sat Nov 3rd Fire, Music and Banquet
Mon 5th (and every Mon) direct action Route walk.

Vigil camp 00353 861 758557 Action camp 00353 861 537146

Calling all musicians, bards, performers & poets
Bring your flutes, whistles, drums and voices to the Halls of Tara. Big call out to all
BAGPIPE players to gather on the Wed and Sat.
Calling all People to join in the Defense of TARA
Act now to preserve this world heritage site!

Fliers/posters to download at www.tarapixie.net

For directions to Tara check the websites below
www.savetara.com www.tarawatch.org
www.tarapixie.net

SAVE IRELAND’S TARA VALLEY!

CLIMATE ACTION NEWS SHEET 72, OCTOBER 2007

Compiled and sent out by Rising Tide UK: info at risingtide.org.uk
To receive this News Sheet monthly, email news-subscribe at risingtide.org.uk
with the subject line ‘subscribe’ (without the quotes).

CONTENTS:
———————————————-
UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS:
———————————————-
1) NATIONAL DAY OF LOCAL ACTION VS. ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND – 15.10.07
2) SAVE SWALLOWS WOOD – OCTOBER 2007 UPDATE
3) NATIONAL CLIMATE CAMP ACTION PLANNING MEETING – 3-4.11.07 OXFORD
4) CLIMATE CAMPS – 2008 GERMANY AND WORLDWIDE!
5) TARA UPDATE – 22.9.07 IRELAND
6) CRITICAL MASS UPDATES – NATIONWIDE
7) PLYMOUTH ENVIRONMENT CENTRE FILM NIGHTS – AUTUMN 2007
8) TEMPORARY AUTONOMOUS ART – OCT ’07, EDINBURGH & MANCHESTER
9) WRITE IN DEFENCE OF ISOLATED PERUVIAN TRIBES – 17.9.07
10) STUDENT CLIMATE PROJECT LAUNCH GATHERING – OXFORD, 30.11-2.12.07

———————————————-
RECENT HAPPENINGS:
———————————————-
1) ROSSPORT SOLIDARITY DEMOS – 14.9.07 LEEDS, LONDON, BRISTOL, READING,
MADRID & IRELAND
2) DIRECT ACTION IN BRISTOL – AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2007
3) WHY CARBON TRADING ISN’T WORKING – ARTICLES 2006/7
4) GAGGED! SOUTH WALES ANARCHIST NEWSLETTER – SEPTEMBER 2007
5) FEDERAL COURT BLOCKS SHELLS ARCTIC DRILLING – 14.9.07
6) BANK PULLS SAKHALIN-2 FUNDING – 15.8.07
7) "FLOOD SUMMIT" AT AIRPORT – 3.9.07 DONCASTER, YORKS.
8) COAL ACTIONS IN AUSTRALIA – 2/3.9.07
9) GLOBAL ACTIONS AGAINST HEAVY INDUSTRY – 12.9.07
10) GREEK DIRECT ACTION – SEPTEMBER 2007
11) CRITICAL MASS AND CARFREE DAY IN BRUSSELS – 24.9.07
12) ART NOT OIL 2007 GALLERY HITS 50

———————————————-
UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS:
———————————————-
1) NATIONAL DAY OF LOCAL ACTION AGAINST ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND – 15.10.07
RBS, the self-described ‘Oil and Gas Bank’ and second-largest bank in
Europe is the leading financier of climate change. From West Africa to the
Ecuadorian rainforest, from the North Sea to the Middle East, RBS loans
play a key role in forcing open the new carbon frontier. The thirty oil
and gas finance deals RBS signed between 2001 and 2006 locked us all into
655 million tonnes of emissions over the next 15 years – more than the
UK’s current annual emissions total!
On 15th October, get together with your local group, build on connections
made at the Camp, reach out to others in your area and confront RBS with
your own chosen style of creative direct action.

To find your nearest RBS branch or office:
www.rbs.co.uk/microsites/general/branch_locator/step1.asp
Download Platform’s report ‘The Oil and Gas Bank’:
www.carbonweb.org/documents/Oil_&_Gas_Bank.pdf
For help with planning effective actions: www.networkforclimateaction.org.uk

One such action is being planned in conjunction with West Cornwall Friends
of the Earth; Outside Royal Bank of Scotland, Green St (off Lemon Quay),
Truro,
12 noon, Mon 15th Oct. Contact RTUK for others.

2) SAVE SWALLOWS WOOD – OCTOBER 2007 UPDATE
A lot has been happening in the last few weeks, including the inaugural
Glossop Critical Mass. Also, there are two URGENT letter actions that they
need your help with. They should only take a few minutes of your time.
www.saveswallowswood.org.uk

3) NATIONAL CLIMATE CAMP ACTION PLANNING MEETING – 3-4.11.07 OXFORD
The Climate Camp didn’t stop climate change – but it’s part of a growing
social movement that can! Come and take the next steps forward at the
upcoming UK-wide meeting on Nov 3-4 in Oxford. Everyone is welcome,
whether you came to the camp, or were simply inspired by it.
www.climatecamp.org.uk

4) CLIMATE CAMPS – 2008 GERMANY AND WORLDWIDE!
Following the model established by the Camp for Climate Action in the UK,
plans are afoot for a Climate-Action Camp in Germany in 2008. This will
include knowledge exchange (in workshops), self-organised living that
minimises the ecological footprint, networking and direct action. There
are plans for similar camps to be set up next year in several countries.
watch this space…
www.climatecamp.org.uk

http://www.klimacamp.org/

5) TARA UPDATE – 22.9.07 IRELAND
They are desperate for more people and supplies on site. There are
currently just 20 people trying to stop work all over the Tara Skryne
valley.
www.tarapixie.net
www.savetara.com
www.circlecommunity.org
For recent videos & photos of protests see;
http://livevideo.com/tarapixie

6) CRITICAL MASS UPDATES – NATIONWIDE
For info. and updates check;
http://www.urban75.com/Action/critical.html

7) PLYMOUTH ENVIRONMENT CENTRE FILM NIGHTS – AUTUMN 2007
Including "Reclaim Power" 19.10.07 at 7pm followed by discussion with
Rising Tide representative.

http://plymouthenvironmentcentre.org.uk/events.php#film-nights

8) TEMPORARY AUTONOMOUS ART SHOWS – OCTOBER 2007 EDINBURGH & MANCHESTER
Edinburgh 10th-14th October
Manchester 24th-28th October
For further info. check;
http://www.randomartists.org/

9) WRITE IN DEFENCE OF ISOLATED PERUVIAN TRIBES – 17.9.07
Two companies planning to explore for oil in Peruvian rainforest have
revealed their sensitive plans to ‘communicate’ with the previously
uncontacted inhabitants using megaphones! In the past, oil company workers
in the Amazon region have been killed by isolated Indians. Despite this
risk to their own workers, and the equal danger of spreading fatal
diseases to the Indians, the companies – Barrett Resources of the US and
Repsol YPF of Spain – have refused to suspend their plans.
http://www.survival-international.org/news/2502
You can help by writing a letter;
http://www.survival-international.org/actnow/letters/isolatedindians

10) STUDENT CLIMATE PROJECT LAUNCH GATHERING – OXFORD, 30.11-2.12.07

‘The Student Climate Project came out of discussions at the 2007 Climate
Camp, and
seeks bring together students to take collective action against the root
causes of
Climate Change. It will also develop ways to build the student movement
and deal
with Climate Change issues in the education system. The project is
non-hierarchical
and based on consensus decision making, and the Launch Gathering is the
perfect
opportunity to get involved, share your ideas and plan for action. See
www.studentclimateproject.org.uk’

———————————————-
RECENT HAPPENINGS:
———————————————-

1) ROSSPORT SOLIDARITY DEMOS – 14.9.07 LEEDS, LONDON, BRISTOL, READING,
MADRID & IRELAND
There were a series of demonstrations held in solidarity with the day of
action against Shell’s plans for a gas pipeline & refinery in Mayo,
Ireland.
In Rossport itself over 150 people occupied the refinery site.
Bristol Rising Tide held a solidarity demo at a Shell Garage in Eastville,
Bristol with leaflets and banners.
For more details about the various actions check;
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/5090
http://www.corribsos.com/index.php?id=1&type=page

2) DIRECT ACTION IN BRISTOL – AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2007
Activists in Bristol have been busy. Parts of three golf courses have been
dug up and the message "decadent waste of water" sprayed near a club
house. A mobile phone mast has been sabotaged. A non-passenger line which
transports cars and fossil fuel to the Midlands was cut three quarters of
the way through in two places and marked with high visibility paint. A
warning banner reading: "Stop: Trees on line" was fixed across the line
several hundred yards in front of this.
Also, within the last 6 months, the front tyres of forty 4x4s have been
punctured in and around Bristol.
Finally, a "corporate entertainment" company called 4-Play, which provides
off road driving for 4x4s in the south west, has had vehicles spray
painted with

"4-play – blow-job the planet".
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/5050

3) WHY CARBON TRADING ISN’T WORKING – ARTICLES 2006/7
An excellent series of articles on why the neoliberal approach to climate
change isn’t working can be found at;
http://www.thecornerhouse.org.uk/subject/climate/

4) GAGGED! ANARCHIST NEWSLETTER – SOUTH WALES, SEPT 2007
Download the PDF here;
https://lists.riseup.net/www/d_read/gagged/gagged19.pdf
Alternatively you can read it here;
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/5052

5) FEDERAL COURT BLOCKS SHELLS ARCTIC DRILLING – 14.9.07
A federal court has denied Shell’s latest request to lift an order
blocking the company’s Arctic Ocean drilling. This ruling likely dooms the
Dutch oil giant’s drilling plans, at least for this year.
http://www.pacificenvironment.org/

6) BANK PULLS SAKHALIN-2 FUNDING – 15.8.07
The European Bank of Reconstruction and Development has decided to pull
its funding for the $20-plus billion Sakhalin-2 liquefied natural gas
project, located in Russia’s Far East.
Since January, EBRD and the Sakhalin Energy shareholders (Gazprom, Royal
Dutch Shell, Mitsui and Mitsubishi) have held talks over the project’s
finance. EBRD cut off discussions in favour of financing other projects,
such as those that promote sustainable energy.
http://www.pacificenvironment.org/

7) PROTEST AS RDA HOLDS "FLOOD SUMMIT" AT AIRPORT – 3.9.07 DONCASTER, YORKS.
Yorkshire Forward (Regional Development Agency) held an outrageous "Flood
Summit" at Finningley airport. Local people visited with pop-up tents and
banners to leaflet the conference’s participants and hold alternative
workshops highlighting the link between aviation growth and worsening
climate change.
The conference was intended to congratulate the RDA on their response to
the recent floods. The choice of venue shows just how out of touch with
reality these half-wits are.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/5021

8) COAL ACTIONS IN AUSTRALIA – 2/3.9.07
On the 2nd September, twelve Greenpeace activists were arrested at the
world’s biggest coal port at Newcastle, 160km north of Sydney, after
painting the message "Australia Pushing Export Coal" on the side of a coal
ship and unfurling a large banner in Chinese calling on China to be
cautious of John Howard and George Bush’s attempts to sabotage Kyoto. The
protest comes at the start of the 2007 APEC (Asia Pacific Economic
Cooperation) forum meeting being hosted by Australia.
http://www.greenpeace.org/australia/news-and-events/media/releases/climate-change/apec-coal-protest
The following day activists locked themselves on to a coal conveyor belt,
forcing the shut-down of a generator and halving production from
Victoria’s biggest coal fired power station.
http://www.realactiononclimatechange.blogspot.com/

9) GLOBAL ACTIONS AGAINST HEAVY INDUSTRY – 12.9.07
People in South Africa, Iceland, Trinidad, Denmark and America held a
series of coordinated protests against heavy industrialisation. This is
the first event of a new and growing global movement that began at the
2007 Saving Iceland protest camp in Ölfus, Iceland.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/5067

10) GREEK DIRECT ACTION – SEPTEMBER 2007
For direct action news from Greece, check;
http://directactiongr.blogspot.com/

11) CRITICAL MASS AND CARFREE DAY IN BRUSSELS – 24.9.07
For details and some great pics see;
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/09/381930.html

12) ART NOT OIL 2007 GALLERY HITS 50

and over 1500 hits. Take a look and send in your own work:
www.artnotoil.org.uk

Shell to Sea Two and half years later and still going strong! October 12th day of action

In 2005 small west of Ireland community became the focus of attention of the people in Ireland. Five small farmers in Rossport Co Mayo (one the most remote and isolated places in Northwest Europe) had stood up to a multinational conglomeration of Shell, Statoil and Marathon in fear they would die if Shell built their unprecedented on shore refinery.

The Irish State’s reaction to this was to indefinately imprison them. This transpired to be 94 days at which point Shell decided it was doing more harm than good by imprisoning as there was a series of direct actions and mass demonstration in their defence http://www.indymedia.ie/article/71388. In the weeks running up to this some activists made contact with community activists and started a national Shell to sea campaign. The unbelievable story of what was going on in the west of Ireland was spread through Europe through the meeting of activists at the G8 in Sterling in July 2008.

The story is quite unbelievable. Shell and their partners are attempting to destroy an unspoilt part of the west Ireland, by running a dangerous pipeline through the village of Rossport to an inland refinery that will spew hundreds of thousands of tonnes of methane each year in the local environment. On top of this they are effectively robbing the people in Ireland of €51 billion of Irish gas through a dodgy deal cut with corrupt politicians that at the time was called “economic treason”.

But lots of things are wrong and why should people all across the world we focus on this? Well its simple- we can win and if we do the effects will be immense as a precedent will have been set that will not only effect Ireland but Europe and beyond.

So what happened since 2005 and where are we now?

Traditional sectarianism was put aside and activists of different backgrounds worked together forming what the media would later bill “the looney alliance of anarchists and republicans”. Throughout the summer of 2005 and until the late summer of 2006 things worked very well as constant pickets shut down Shell’s operation in Mayo and pressure mounted on Shell and the Irish State.

Then at the end of September 2006 the State and Shell made their move. Over 200 gardai (Irish police) were billeted to Mayo. The top cop said he would have the protests finished in 48hours. The community and national campaigns response was immense. Picketing went on through the night incase the Gardai tried
to cordon activists away from the site. On the night of the second of October the cops eventually turned out in force. In an effort to maintain the year and half long picket cars were parked blocking the refinery and behind them the community sat in front of the gates. In area with lowest crime rate in Ireland 200 Gardai pulled and dragged community residents from the gates hospitalising two.

This lead to a surge in activity with much campaign activity around the country and internationally, focused on days of action in Rossport. The Garda reaction to these days of Action was violent culminating in a baton charge on November the tenth. The campaign then in the face of what seemed like more violence cancelled a proposed day of action on the 24th of November 2006. Many saw this as decisive moment for the campaign as momentum passed out of our hands. Everyone realised the folly of
it, but as with a lot of things in Shell to Sea it is a learning process. Now it seems it was not as decisive as it seemed as things build again.

This summer the campaign burst back to life by victoriously opposing shell’s attempt to install cabins for works in the bay – read more. This was followed with a very intense week which saw three fishermen including Pat “the chief” O Donnell and his son and a friend imprisoned, the site was shut down for a day. On the fishermen’s release
an invasion of the construction site took place. Over September there have been three site invasions and two days with numerous people blockading traffic attempting to access the site – read more.

All this occurred in the run up to the day of action on September 14th unique in that it had a pre-announced plan. The plan was simple – go there and sit on the road and no vehicles get on site. The run-up to the day was nervous. The big question was- could Shell to Sea with its national support in town (or countryside rather) reassert the right of ordinary people over multinationals in Erris and really push forward the already building momentum behind the campaign. The conditions were certainly right- Shell were and still are running into enormous problems as building has virtually come to a standstill due to poor quality concrete, constant protest and the lack of a pipeline route. On Friday the 14th about 150 – 200 people turned from around the country and this was matched by a sizeable mayo turnout.

The total protestor turnout was matched by a sizeable Garda presence. As the protestors shut down the main entrance to the site with the sit down the Gardai thought they would be clever and direct traffic around the sit down and bore us to tears. After this long you would imagine the cops would realise Shell to Sea is a little more on the ball than this. In the lack of the any trucks to meet protestors we decided to go and take a look and shut the site down. So it was up, over, under and through the gate as the protest made little a secondary gate as well (especially constructed for the day) – read more. The Gardai responded with their usual heavy handed tactics. Regardless of Shell’s rubbish spin, RTE’s (Irelands state broadcaster) desperate attempts to placate Shell and and the gardai’s official line it was plain to see who had won the day and that the train is firmly back on the tracks.

It’s undoubted that Shell to Sea is not yet at the dizzying heights it was at 12 or 24 months ago. However things are moving in a similar direction at the moment. We have learned the mistakes of placing too much faith in politicians to pull a deal out the hat. With this knowledge it could just be third time lucky for Shell to Sea.

Throughout this period the impact on solidarity from the England Scotland and Wales has had an enormous effect. It has been instrumental in keeping the solidarity camp continuing through people coming staying a week or a year, fundraising and donations have also allowed the camp to expand. Hospitality to campaign speakers was always second to none. Above all the impact that people coming has had a profound impact on the moral of people in Rossport. They launched their opposition in 1999 and it took six years to get National attention and then immediately people in the UK, once they heard, took up the challenge. There is still more people from the UK have to offer this struggle.

Another day of Action has been called for October the 12th as the situation is heating up as the pressure mounts up on Shell and political pressure on the greens. These days of Action will not work
on there own – if you cant travel we all need to be active in our communities organising meetings, postering and raising the issue where possible. These days are however crucial to pile on the pressure –
showing in a visible robust way the level of opposition to this project and highlighting the brutality of what is an everyday occurrence in Rossport.

At this stage many of us are scratching our heads as to why mayo people can’t do this at the height of summer but then again what else would you be doing on windy Friday morning in October? Ok fair enough we all do but it will certainly be worth it to force this to its logical conclusion after 8 years. For us it’s a few days of a trip to Rossport for others it’s the highlight and morale booster in a 8 year struggle that must and will end soon When people arrive its intensely appreciated as it shows they are not struggling on their won and people care. What are you doing on October the 12th? Organise a picket at the Irish embassy or a Shell filling Station or their headquarters. Or if possible travel to Rossport. Travel to Dublin for Thursday at six and book a ticket on the Dublin buses. Book early though. Come you need a holiday!
(for tickets phone or text 0851609850 in Dublin) Cork – corkshelltosea@gmail.com or call 0851141170 for general info.

www.rossportsolidaritycamp.com, www.shelltosea.com www.indymedia.ie/mayo

Demo – in Solidarity with Miriam Rose and Persecuted Saving Iceland Activists

1PM Tuesday 2nd October, Icelandic Embassy meet at Sloane Square
Come and show Solidarity with Miriam Rose, a Saving Iceland activist from the UK facing deportation from Iceland where she lives for being: “a threat to public order and security and fundamental societal values” also to show solidarity with Olafur Pall Siggurdson an Icelandic activist being framed for “Obstructing a Police Vehicle” following an attempt to run him over by a senior policeman.

Full article about Miriam’s Deportation: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/09/382239.html

Deportation Alert! Icelandic State Cracks Down on Saving Iceland Activists

The Icelandic State has hounded and harassed Saving Iceland activists since the network was formed in 2004. In the latest episode of this sordid saga; Miriam Rose, an activist from the UK who lives in Iceland is threatened with deportation for being: “a threat to ‘public order and security’ and ‘fundamental societal values’. She has only ever been convicted of ‘Disobeying Police Orders’ contrary to the draconian ‘Police Acts’ for which she has served a short prison sentence; in solitary confinement in a men’s prison.

On Friday 21st September, Saving Iceland activist Miriam Rose was presented with a letter from the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration threatening her with possible expulsion from Iceland. The letter claims that due to her participation in two actions at smelter sites she may be considered a threat to ‘public order and security’ and ‘fundamental societal values’. The letter also claims that Saving Iceland pays activists for being arrested, a claim repeatedly denied and proven to be false.

Saving Iceland is an international grass roots network that uses direct action to confront the Icelandic government’s Heavy Industry Policy. The government are intent on building aluminium smelters to exploit the country’s geothermal and hydro-electric potential, an ecological and environmental catastrophe sold as ‘green energy’. Saving Iceland also promotes and practices solidarity with struggles against the aluminium industry worldwide, such as in Trinidad, South Africa and India.

Miriam has already served 8 days in prison for protesting against the destruction of Icelandic wilderness, for which the UK Green Party Principal Speaker Dr Derek Wall accused the Icelandic government of political harassment and demanded her immediate release. In Radio 1 Icelandic news program Spegillinn yesterday, the police admitted that this was to be the first of many attempted deportations of activists.

Miriam is now waiting for a decision by the Directorate of Immigration, having submitted her objection to deportation. ‘I am very shocked that the Icelandic government continue to punish me, after already paying so heavily for my actions and ideals. This seems to be an attempt to scare people from protesting here, and I find such treatment surprising in a supposedly developed democracy like Iceland. I am a peaceful and educated person and have never posed a threat to the police or any other person during my time here. I was intending to settle in Iceland, and have been making moves to learn Icelandic and contribute to this society.’

In 2005 the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration attempted to deport 21 Saving Iceland activists. Activists were snatched off the streets of Reykjavik by plain clothes police, held overnight with no food, water or even pretense of a legal process. An elderly academic with no connection to Saving Iceland was hospitalised with serious head injuries after he witnessed activists being bundled into an unmarked car. Plain clothes police also broke into buildings in an attempt to get to activists on the ‘blacklist’. The Directorate of Immigration, denied that there was such a list in an interview with tabloid paper DV, fortunately Saving Iceland was able to supply them with a copy complete with the Directorate’s seal and Hildur Dungal’s (the Director’s) signature. Eventually the Directorate of Immigration admitted it had no legal right to deport anyone on the list.

In 2006 14 activists were tried and convicted for ‘Disobeying Police Orders’ and received prison sentences of up to 18 days a small group was also convicted of ‘Repression of Liberty’ and sentenced to 2 months suspended for 3 years on the false witness of a manager at engineering firm Honnen where they had attempted to occupy offices, the same manager punched and kicked protesters and slammed a door on someone’s head.

Earlier this year after Reykjavik’s first Reclaim the Streets the Icelandic police began to confiscate passport of foreign activists, something they have no legal authority to do. The Icelandic State have also had a long history of harassing Icelandic activists, in one case they have allegedly made false reports to Interpol accusing a Saving Iceland activist of traveling on a forged passport and attempted to strip the activists Icelandic Citizenship.

If the Icelandic Police and Immigration Directorate can get away with deporting Miriam, then they will use deportations more frequently to silence dissent and undermine solidarity with Icelandic environmentalists. They must be stopped!

The website of the Directorate of Immigration is http://www.utl.is/english

The director’s name is Hildur Dungal: hildur@utl.is

See also:
Report on Miriam’s deportation and statement from Saving Iceland:
http://www.savingiceland.org/node/983

Report on Miriam’s Incarceration in Solitary Confinement in a Men’s Prison:
http://www.savingiceland.org/node/892

Statement of Support from UK Green Party:
http://www.savingiceland.org/node/985 and @ http://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/3171

Report on Saving Iceland’s funding:
http://www.savingiceland.org/node/846

Report of Previous attempts to Deport Saving Iceland activists:
http://www.savingiceland.org/node/144

Report on how the Icelandic Immigration Directorate can behave quite differently if you are pals with a Government Minister:
http://www.savingiceland.org/node/759

Critical Mass to oppose Mottram – Tintwistle bypass

Last Friday saw a dozen people attend for the inaugural Glossop Critical Mass. Glossop had seen nothing like it – all kinds of cyclists, including a mobile sound system, with people coming from as far afield as Manchester and Trafford (cycling all the way to Glossop and back from it!) to attend. Plus some friends from Glossop Kinder Velo.

We certainly attracted a lot of attention – along with a van load of police and a motorcycle policeman. We’re clearly doing something right.

And the press attention has followed in its wake – today’s Manchester Evening News gave away a half page article and photo, along with a page on their website. The latter is attracting a fair amount of debate (with predictable comments from petrolheads), so please feel free to join in.

The organisers, Road Alert Glossop, are keen to repeat the event in the not too distant future, although next month’s clock changes mean Friday evenings will be out until 2008.

We are told that video-pixies were present to film some of the proceedings, and that a film will follow soon…

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PROTESTORS got on their bikes during the rush hour to campaign against the controversial Mottram – Tintwistle bypass.

They set off from Glossop railway station to cycle to Tintwistle at Friday teatime on a four-mile route organised by the Road Alert Glossop group.

The stunt was intended to highlight the fact that bikes and people should be catered for on roads, not just cars and traffic, and raise awareness of Swallows Wood, which is threatened by the proposed 3.5-mile bypass.
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“It went really well,” said organiser Jonathan Atkinson.

“We got about 20 people out. One guy brought a sound system on a little trailer with him! We had people from Glossop Cycling club and people from Stalybridge and Manchester as well.

“There was a five year old on the back of a bike and the oldest person there was in his 70s I’d say.”

Cars beeped their horns in support of the cyclists and the campaigners ended their wheeled protest with a well-deserved drink at Tintwistle’s Bulls Head pub.

Jonathan added: “We had a police escort, as well, which really helped us.

“There was an article in the Guardian saying more money should be spent on cycle lanes to save the government thousands in health care and congestion costs, so we really do need to do something.”

The public inquiry into the bypass was set to resume yesterday (Wednesday) after it was dramatically halted when the Highways Agency admitted it had got its figures wrong.

For more information on the group you can visit http://www.myspace.com/roadalert

(from the Glossop Advertiser)