Wilderness Defence – Page 121

Shell to Sea Solidarity Action in Scotland

Between 7am and 8am this morning (16th February 2007) while the city was still in darkness, a number of activists shut down eight different Shell petrol stations in and surrounding the city centre of Edinburgh. This action was a solidarity action for the Shell to Sea campaign in Rossport, County Mayo and also to target Shell for being a major contributor to global warming and climate change. The action was purposely planned to coincide with the action taking place at the Ballinaboy refinery site on the same morning.

The activists turned the emergency shut down levers so the pumps stopped working and the station was unable to sell anymore fuel. They left a shell shaped skull and a note at each station (stuck on with Shell to Sea stickers) stating;

“Shell has been shut down today in Solidarity with the innocent people around the world that have been subject to their bullying and use of violence.

Shell is a massive contributor to Global Warming and Climate Change – the greatest threats to life on earth

The community of Rossport, on the West Mayo coast in Ireland, are under siege due to Shell’s desire to get their hands on the gas reserve. Shell is building an extremely dangerous onshore gas pipeline through Rossport and a massive refinery destroying this beautiful coast and endangering hundreds of lives.

This has to stop now. The innocent people of the area are fighting for survival against an evil multinational corporation. They fear for their lives, their children and their community.

Join us in the fight against Shell – Boycott Shell and make them withdraw this disasterous pipeline sheme from County Mayo, Ireland”.

There were no police involved and therefore no arrests were made. Some stations remained shut down for a number of hours, and unfortunately some were started up again quite quickly.

The fact that one or maybe more of the emergency shut down levers were faulty and did not stop the pumps immediately adds to Shell’s track record of being a dangerous company with no regard for health and safety. These levers are meant to be used in an event of fire or emergency (or solidarity actions!) and the fact that they are faulty and difficult to access means that in an emergency the station would not shut down and the pumps would continue to dispense fuel.

Later that afternoon, all of the targeted stations were up and running again. But the message was clearly left and the stations were shut down and had empty forecourts during the morning rush hour.

CAMP BLING Photo report

Show your support by coming to the following: PARKRALLY ‘SAVE PRIORY PARK!!’ A funding decision on the controversial Priory Cresent road widening is due. Please join us for a mass rally and demonstration from 6.30pm on Thursday 22nd February, at Southend Civic Centre, to show the decision makers your opposition to the scheme. Videos, photos, … Continue reading “CAMP BLING Photo report”

Show your support by coming to the following:

PARKRALLY ‘SAVE PRIORY PARK!!’

A funding decision on the controversial Priory Cresent road widening is due. Please join us for a mass rally and demonstration from 6.30pm on Thursday 22nd February, at Southend Civic Centre, to show the decision makers your opposition to the scheme.

Videos, photos, events etc…..
http://www.ppps.org.uk/ –

Contacts, blog, news, events….
http://www.savepriorypark.org.uk/

>VISTORS ALWAYS WELCOME<

Check http://www.savepriorypark.org.uk/ for directions to the site.

Pipeline company targetted by direct action

15.02.2007
The offices of Land and Marine in Bath were targetted last night with spraypainted messages and super glued locks as part of ongoing resistance to their South Wales gas pipeline scheme.

“Disaster in the pipeline”, “LNG pipeline – eco time bomb” and “Climate Chaos Criminals” were a few of the words of warning left on the walls.
The company is responsible for building the massively destructive and dangerous 150 mile long LNG pipeline which is set to trash land and communities across South Wales as well as posing a huge threat to the safety of local people. By providing the infrastructure for continued fossil fuel dependence, Land and Marine are part of an industrial system based on profit at any cost. And the by products? Climate chaos, ecological disasters and attacks on all our health and safety. Confront the corporations which are killing the planet and stealing our lives, land and future.

Think Global, Trash Local

Npower uses Thugs to Evict Radley Lakes Environmental Activists

At approx 5am Tuesday 6th February 12 bailiffs dressed from head to foot in black and wearing balaclavas without warning smashed through the window of the occupied npower property showering sleeping activist in glass. They then proceeded to cut the air supply to a fortified bunker without checking if it was occupied, smash there way into a fortified loft without checking that the occupant Dave was safe. Not long after this they climbed onto the scaffold tower positioned on the garage roof and topped with a wooden box containing a 45 gallon concrete lock. Chris who was in the box at the time said they climbed on top of the box and started to rock the tower before breaking in with sledge hammers. Veteran road protester Muppet Dave said ‘it was one of the most dangerous eviction he had experienced and that it was only luck that nobody was seriously hurt’.

Two activists were arrested and one subsequently de-arrested and Chris is due in Didcot Magistrates Court on Thursday 15th charged with obstruction of the Bailiffs. Shortly afterwards npower swiftly cordoned of the lakes despite a ongoing legal challenge by the local “Save Radley Lakes” group for it to be recognised as common land.

The property was occupied with the intention of creating a field centre to raise awareness and prevent these beautiful lakes being in filled with toxic ash from the burning of coal at the German owned RWE npower Didcot power station. However, despite massive support from the local community, where there is overwhelming opposition to npower’s plans, and nearby environmental groups it soon became clear that npower were having non of it, so we decide to oppose the repossession and dig in. This decision instantly created more media interest embarrassing npower and undermining their greenwash and it was probably for this reason that they decide to disregard the safety of individuals and send in the heavies. We are no seeking to take legal action against Shercurity Ltd for the lack of health and safety procedure and endangerment of life. However, we fully intend to continue our campaign to save the lakes and against RWE npower for both local and global pollution of the planet.

Shercurity Ltd – have dealt with protest evictions (& squatters) before:
Main Telephone number: +44 (0)845 890 9220
Fax: +44 (0)0845 890 9221

Company Offices
Shergroup House, Braintree Freeport, No 3 Freeport Office Village, Century Drive, Braintree, Essex CM77 8YG

London: 20-21 Tooks Court, London EC4A 1LB

http://www.shercurity.net/

RADLEY LAKES BEING EVICTED

6.02.2007
IF YOU CAN GET DOWN THERE TODAY
Eviction began at Radley lakes at around 6.30 this morning.
http://www.saveradleylakes.org.uk/

The Trebanos Five – “Ramblers” arrested on route of National Grids Pipeline

This morning ( Wed 31-01-2007 ) five people were arrested on the public footpath running through the construction site in Trebanos, South Wales.

The Trebanos Five….. Whose quick decision making left a bit to be desired were arrested today for “learning Italian, having a picnic and reading” on an illegaly closed public footpath in Trebanos…… Having being given 5 minutes to move on, they were handcuffed and manhandled whilst deciding what to do next( three minutes later….) They are now known as The Trebanos Faffing Five !!!

This morning ( Wed 31-01-2007 ) five people were arrested on the public footpath running through the construction site in Trebanos, South Wales.

The footpath was subject to an “undated” closure notice on Thursday 25th January 2007. The notice gave 7 days notice. Today’s arrests on the footpath were within the 7 day period and those arrested are seeking legal advice with regards their wrongful arrest.

Neath Port Talbot CBC who closed the footpath are soon to be subject to a Judicial Revue for the way they handled the planning process. National Grid are now threatening local people in South Wales that they will sue them should their work be delayed any longer….

National Grids Security Guards, sorry I mean The South Wales Police Force, seemed very pleased with themsleves and were filmed and photographed by a local resident concerned for the safety of those arrested.
Up to 40 police officers were on hand to arrest the five young people.

National Grids 48″ dia, high pressure pipeline has caused a storm of controvesy. The enviromental issues, safety issues, the lack of democracy and the abuse of human rights have drawn support for the protestors from all of the UK, The Bahamas, California and Rossport.

The Trebanos Five were arrested within a few feet of the site where National Grid are attempting to dig a 30 mtrs deep vertical shaft through which will travel the 48″ pipe. The pipe goes through much of the South Wales Coalfield and also through the Brecon Beacons National Park.

National Grid claim this pipeline is essential for our future energy needs. That has been disproved using their own data. This pipeline is not needed, it is not wanted and it is a dangerous project which will only add to our carbon footprint. The continued use of fossil fuels, which is clearly supported by our government and police force, can only end in disaster. We may not see all of the effects today, but our children and their children will have to live with the results of our blatant disregard of the Earth.

Colombian farmers evicted by British mining companies

Representatives of African-Colombian and Indigenous families evicted from their land in the province of La Guajira, Colombia to make way for a massive opencast coal mine will speak in London on Monday 29th January, 6.30pm-8.30pm at The Human Rights Action Centre, 17-25 New Inn Yard, London EC2.

Many communities have been forced from their land since the mine opened in the 1970s. The village of Tabaco was demolished in 2001 just after British-based companies bought into the project. Many inhabitants accepted the inadequate financial compensation on offer, others are still holding out for community relocation so that they can continue living as a community and farming the land as they did before.

The British-based companies that now own the mine are Anglo American, BHPBilliton and Xstrata. All raise money on the London Stock Exchange. Anglo American has its head office in London. Many pension funds invest in these companies. Many ordinary working people in Britain, without knowing it, are benefiting from the destruction of farming communities in Colombia by the world’s richest mining multinationals. All three companies have good reputations as socially and environmentally responsible enterprises. The reality is very different. Come and hear the communities’ side of the story

Location: The Auditorium, Amnesty International UK, The Human Rights Action Centre, 17-25 New Inn Yard, London EC2
Contact: info@colombiasolidarity.org.uk
(nearest tube Old Street)

Hell at Shell petrol Stations: London blockade

Report 1 – On the evening of the 24th January two Shell petrol stations in north London were blockaded by activists who are concerned over Shell’s aggressive business practices and poor human rights record.

For more details of Shells record see:

www.shelltosea.com
www.shellfacts.com
www.corporatewatch.com
www.artnotoil.org.uk

The non-violent actions took place at Shell stations on Holloway Road and Upper Street in north London. No arrests were made. However some motorist became aggressive, made threats and insulted blockaders. The police did not over react and one officer made the comment “suppose we can look this up on the usual website can we?” Here it is officers.

After the last action at the station on Holloway Road one very friendly black cab driver congratulated blockaders and asked for publicity cards to hand out to his passangers. Thank for your support mate.

240107_Shell_Hell_WMV – video/x-ms-wmv 18M

Report 2 – On 24th January London Rising Tide once again helped their friends at Rhythms of Resistance Samba Band and others keep Shell aware that the campaign to prevent the damaging high pressure gas pipeline and refinery near Rossport in County Mayo, Ireland is still rolling.

…and rolling is what it was, with even a bit of rocking. We tried the new tactic with measured success of short spells at a series of North London Shell garages blockading the entrance and exits with band, banners and bandanas (there was also mention of bananas when it came to irate drivers).

Holloway Road was the first stop where having set up and told the gas guzzlers on the forecourt that we were not blocking them in, one of them decided to drive at us from behind. Having stepped back just in time, banging the window as it surged past, the driver got out of her 4 x 4 (funny that, it always seems to be) and violently threatened to do unspeakable things to us as individuals from about 2 inches away. More fossil fuelled driver lunacy followed and we decided to get rolling to the next garage when pushing came to pull us away as plod were summoned.

On arriving at the familiar territory of the Shell Upper Street garage we kitted up and lasted a bit longer, even turning away petrol thirsty black cab drivers, before more violence threatening behaviour from people blockaded out. The thin line of Samba resisted and held out as we turned away the ubiquitous Islington SUVs. The usual support from the Fire Brigade was good for keeping up our spirits.

After that it was back to Holloway Rd with less abuse but more plod and we retired to the pub when they called for back-up since the final whistle of the Spurs v Arsenal game was about to be blown along with plod’s patience.

On reflection over out stout we agreed it was desperately sad that such anger of particularly 4 x 4 drivers only had the unhealthy outlet of threatening us. Especially when Shell’s statuspheric disregard of the planet’s atmosphere and the atmosphere of living in Mayo, Ogoniland or Sakhalin seemed a better place to vent their frustration.

Radley lakes – eviction imminent – update 29th jan

Urgent call for help in Oxfordshire, where activists are occupying and intend to defend a squatted lakeside property in order to prevent the infilling of Radley Lakes with toxic ash from the burning of cheap imported coal at the nearby NPower owned Didcot power station.

Radley Lakes squat
Urgent call for help in Oxfordshire, where activists are occupying and intend to defend a squatted lakeside property in order to prevent the infilling of Radley Lakes with toxic ash from the burning of cheap imported coal at the nearby NPower owned Didcot power station.

The lakes are unusual in their clarity and the area contains local and national rare and threatened species, with 115 species of birds recorded and over1000 trees surrounding the lake which will be felled. However this has been ignored by power company RWE npower, and has been rail-roaded through by Oxfordshire County Council.

The lake contains several protected species, including a possible sighting of otters, and despite a report paid for by local people confirming all this the local government bigwigs have given permission for N Power to fill the lake with flyash from Didcot power station, killing everything in the process. They have already been allowed to do this to 3 other lakes in the immediate vicinity. The local county ecologist has dismissed the report, despite a long term campaign and evidence from another ecologist proving the lake is a wildlife haven. The whole thing stinks.

Please, please if you are free this week, (or even better, right now), get down there, lock on, and make sure they have a fight on their hands. The baliffs are due any minute and more people are desperately needed.

Get off the train at Oxford, then catch train to Radley, takes about 10 mins, then another 10/15 minute walk. For more info call the site mobile on: 07772055384.

TAT NEEDED!
PolyProp, air horns/ rape alarms, cement, aggregate, etc, BOATS (dingy/inflatables etc – lakeworthy!) bedding & PEOPLE! – even if you can just spare a day to help out with building defences is is much needed and appreciated.
Thanks

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24.01.2007 – Npower have been granted immediate possesion of Sandles, the squatted field centre at Radley lakes. A call out to anyone to come down and bring cake and lock on tubes!
Call the site mobile 0777 2055 384
www.saveradleylakes.org.uk for more info on the npower plans to destroy this beautiful area

Welsh pipeline protest – New tree camp set up near Brecon

22.01.2007

Following support from local people in Brecon at the weekend, a new protest camp has been set up right in the middle of the phase two route of National Grids controversial pipeline.

22.01.2007

Following support from local people in Brecon at the weekend, a new protest camp has been set up right in the middle of the phase two route of National Grids controversial pipeline.

The protest camp is up in the trees in ancient woodland 4 miles west of Brecon on the A40 close to Bettws Penpont church.It is located at Ordnance Survey national grid reference SN9728728525.
The ancient woodland is scheduled for decimation by National Grid to clear a path for the 48″ high pressure gas pipeline. The protesters aim to stop the destruction of yet more ancient woodland by National Grid and it’s contractors.

There are over 15 people on site at the moment and they are requesting any donations. Please send supplies of all sorts, food, water, warm clothes and bedding, camping and cooking gear, wood, rope, nails, etc etc etc. They would also like any people interested to join them and show solidarity in this battle to save our environment.
Map link

Stories about recent stalls & samba in Clydach Indoor Market and Brecon