Wilderness Defence – Page 123

Didcot power station trashing lakes – house squatted

Hi all a group of us opposed to the destruction of Radley Lakes by infilling them with pulverised fly ash (PFA) from N powers coal burning Didcot power station, have squatted a large house on the edge of Thrupp Lake and are now in legal possession. Our intention was to use the house and its ground as a field center for locals and visitors, however N powers lawyers have been busy and they are in court on wed 10th of Jan to get this overturned and us evicted. We intend to resist this and need people to turn up who are prepared to help defend our stake in the lakes future, so if you get down there for the 10th or shortly after please do so, for updates call me on 07762733332.

We also need the following:
Ladders/steps
gas heaters,
blankets, duvets, sleeping bags,
furniture,
fluro jackets, cooking and eating utensils,
Netting (army/climbing type),
lock on equipment,
welding equipment,
tarps,
food and general stuff.

Failing this sign petition at
http://www.saveradleylakes.org.uk/documents/SaveRadleyLakesPetition.htm or
visit the website at
http://www.saveradleylakes.org.uk/

or send us a letter or donation to

RLLF,
Sandles,
Thrupp Lane,
Radley (Lower),
Oxfordshire,
OX14 3NG.

New Year London Stunt Action by Saving Iceland

On new years day 2007 a group of activists climbed ST PAULS cathedral and the Tate Modern simultaniously to hang banners, as well as on the millenium bridge to kick start a year of decent against heavy industry in Iceland and Trinidad.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTESTORS ARE TO HOST A STUNT ACTION IN LONDON

On new years day, campaigners from the group SavingIceland.org climbed St.Pauls Cathedral and the Tate Modern as part of the SavingIceland.org campaign, a group dedicating to challenging the destruction of Europeâ€™s last remaining great wildernesses, in Iceland. This is to be a protest against the destruction of rural communities in Trinidad and the Icelandic wildernesses, the last of their kind in Europe, both at the hands of the aluminium industry.

The Icelandic government is sacrificing its glacial rivers and geothermal resources in order to power aluminium smelting facilities. It is to destroy some of Icelandâ€™s greatest natural treasures and pollute its waters. This will cause considerable damage to its tourism and fishing industries. The Trinidadian government is selling its vast reserves of natural gas to create an off-shore aluminium smelter that many fear will undermine the livelihoods of entire communities who are dependant upon fishing.

Tomorrowâ€™s action is part of an ongoing international campaign in support of local resistance against heavy industry in both Iceland and Trinidad.

SavingIceland.org has been involved in the organisation of two protest camps held in Iceland and numerous solidarity actions staged across the globe. It is currently coordinating its third protest camp on the island, commencing on 6th July 2007.

More information:
http://www.savingiceland.org

Shell education in Barnsley

On Saturday 16th December potential customers at a Shell petrol station in Barnsley were given information about the activities of Shell in Mayo and encouraged to boycott the company.

A group from Rhythms of Resistance North moved in on the petrol station mid-afternoon. The entrance and exit were blocked, banners hung and leaflets given to motorists and pedestrians with information about the Mayo pipeline. Many people received the information sympathetically. One motorist returned from the nearest alternative source of petrol, two miles away, so people could be diverted to it.

Several car drivers however were very confrontational, driving into sambistas and in one case forcing a player on to their car bonnet before braking to cause her to fall off.
The first police to arrive read out various threats, which couldnâ€™t be heard above the drum beats. Eventually reinforcements arrived, adding to the chaos with a number of vehicles of their own. For a while they held up the traffic so their photographers could get a better view.

When it came to the point of inevitable arrest for continuing the blockade the sambistas decided it would be more productive to move to the pavement and continue drawing peopleâ€™s attention so they could be given more information. A fair proportion of car drivers chose not to enter the station even when the entrance was unblocked.

http://www.corribsos.com/

Dine’ Establish Blockade Near Proposed Power Plant Site

December 14th 2006

Lucy A. Willie, right, stands at the proposed Desert Rock Power Plant site outside of Burnham on Wednesday where she and several friends and family stayed overnight to stop a contractor for Desert Rock Energy Company from doing preliminary work.

December 14th 2006

Please send far and wide!!!!

URGENT Support is requested from Dine Elders and Youth!

Sithe Global & DPA are proposing to build the Desert Rock power plant, a 1,500 MW Coal Fired plant in the Four Corners area on the Navajo Reservation. This is an area already polluted by 2 other major coal power plants. Local Navajo residence and community members oppose this project for many harmful reasons!! This Desert Rock power plant is still in the environmental review process and has NOT yet been permitted.

However, Desert Rock company trucks have began moving onto the backyard of Alice Gilmore, an elderly navajo woman, and her family on wednesday to begin drilling efforts. Desert Rock officials and police have not shown any documents or permits to the local residents stating their purpose or permission to be there. Dine supporters and community members have joined Alice and her family to blockade the road. They are elderly women and youth, and they have been camped out on the road over night since Tuesday! Desert Rock trucks have repeatedly rushed them and have almost run-over people a number of times as they attempt to get by. Desert Rock power company is violating the lease rights of the local Navajo residences and is harassing elderly Navajo women and youth! This is an urgent time and support is needed!!!

Please read on to find out how you can help! and Please pass this onto others! (press release and additional article)

What they need:
– More People Support
– Fire wood
– $$
– Attention!

how You can Help!

– More People! More people are needed to sit in support! All are welcome!
directions to the area are below:
The site is between Gallup, NM and Shiprock, NM (northeastern, NM). Take the road between Gallup and Shiprock, the 491. at the Mustang Service Station (one of the only service stations between the two), turn East on road #5 towards Burnham Chapter. From Burnham Chapter turn North onto gravel road #5082. About 10-12 miles up the road turn West until you see the encampment. There will be markers (balloons) out on the roads. (if you begin to see a dragline, you’ve gone too far)

– Fire wood! it is cold outside and many of the resisters are elderly women. if you can get firewood to the site it is very very much needed! the directions to the site are above.

– $ Money! Resisters are in need of money for gas and food, and also for bail money if necessary. Please send donations to local resident and supporter:
Elouise Brown
1015 Glade Lane 34
Farmington, NM 87401
Elouise can also be reached at: thebrownmachine@hotmail.com

– ATTENTION! the more media and observers are present the least likely Desert Rock is likely to run people over or harass them. contact the media, tell them what is going on. Contact Navajo Authorities, tell them you are extremely concerned. Be a legal observer. Spread this Alert!

###

Contact the Following Authorities! Tell them you have heard about Desert Rock’s harassment of Navajo elders and youth. Tell them you are extremely concerned! If enough people contact these offices they will know that the world is watching.

Shiprock Police Department
phone: (505) 368-1350
fax: (505) 368-1293

Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley’s Office
P.O. Box 9000 Window Rock, Arizona, 86515
phone #: (928) 871- 6352

also: George Hardeen, Navajo Nation Communications Director Office of the President
Office #: 928-871-7000
Cell #: 928-380-7688
e-mail: georgehardeen@opvp.org

Bureau of Indian Affairs (Gallup Office) they are conducting the Environmental Impact Statement.
Harrilene Yazzi, NEPA Coordinator Bureau of Indian Affairs, Navajo Regional Office
P.0. Box 1060 Gallup, New Mexico 87305
Phone: 505-863-8314
Fax: 505-863-8324

Be a Legal Observer – get to the site and help record/witness what is happening

Send this Action Alert Far and Wide!

Thank you for your support!!!

Enei Begaye
Executive Director
Black Mesa Water Coalition
408 E. Route 66, Suite #1
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Office #: (928) 213-9760
PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Contacts:
Sarah Jane White, DoodÃ¡ Desert Rock Committee (505) 860-6166
Dailan J. Long , DinÃ© CARE, DoodÃ¡ Desert Rock Committee (505) 801-0713
Elouise Brown, DoodÃ¡ Desert Rock Committee (505) 974-6159
Lori Goodman, DinÃ© CARE (970) 759-1908

BURNHAM, SANOSTEE & NENANEZAH RESIDENTS BLOCKADE DESERT ROCK PROJECT

Burnham, NM –Burnham, Sanostee & Nenanezah Elders and citizens are braving the cold to protect the land from the encroaching DinÃ© Power Authority (DPA) and Sithe Global LLC at the proposed Desert Rock site. Navajo residents confronted the DinÃ© Power Authority/Sithe Global on Tuesday afternoon after learning of water drilling that had been occurring without the knowledge and notification of local residents.

â€œI have said â€˜Noâ€™ over and over again and you keep coming over!â€? Nenanezah elder Alice Gilmore exclaimed to Sithe/DPA employees at the confrontation. For Gilmore, the issue is despicable and uncalled for since she gave no consent to allow DPA/Sithe into her grazing area. Members of the DoodÃ¡ Desert Rock committee gathered to support her opposition and asked Sithe/DPA to disclose Drilling permits that allowed drilling activity to occur, to no avail. The residents refused to leave after the Navajo Nation Police attempted to give access to DPA/Sithe Global, claiming that permits for the Desert Rock project are not for public disclosure. The Burnham residents barricaded the roads to disallow traffic into the Desert Rock site and have remained in place since the Tuesday incident occurred.

Members of DinÃ© CARE/DoodÃ¡ Desert Rock Committee met this morning at the Shiprock Courthouse to get answers about drilling permits yet the Lieutenant Dempsey denied access to Gilmore and other concerned residents to view the permits. Residents are asking for: 1.) A copy of the categorical exclusion that is allowing the drilling activities to commence. 2.) Copies of the Clean Water Act Sections 401, 402 and 404, that would prove compliance with regulatory requirements have been met. There are major disturbance taking place and according to the Clean Air Act, these permits are a pre-requisite for drilling activity.

The proposed area is home to extended families, but arbitrarily drawn political boundaries by the Navajo Nation and company representatives have the families separated into the three chapters: Burnham, Sanostee, and Nenahnezad. The boundary defining Burnham and Nenahnezad has been moved south for benefit of DPA/Sithe as recently as two years ago.

â€œThe local residents are not protesters but are resisters. Who would be happy if a well is being dug in their backyard especially when it is done in secrecy? So, how can those residents be considered protesters when they are simply standing up for their rights to have clean air, water, and environment.â€? Stated, Elouise Brown of Sanostee.

Burnham, Sanostee and Nenanezah residents are not waiting for remedy; many have set up camp at the proposed site and are refusing to move until they get the needed documents. â€œWeâ€™re fed up with them,â€? states Sarah J. White, President of the DoodÃ¡ Desert Rock Committee, â€œthe grandmas and the grandpas are being walked over by these monsters and theyâ€™re being denied information. Weâ€™re standing our ground now.â€? This incident follows accusations made against Sithe/DPA about environmental injustices, EPAâ€™s proposed issuance of prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) permit Air Quality Permit for Desert Rock Energy Facility and the creation of Navajo Nation Energy Policies without public input.
###

Lori Goodman
Dine’ CARE
10 A Town Plaza, PMB 138
Durango, CO 81301
PH: (970) 259-0199
FAX: (970) 259-2300
Cell: (970) 759-1908
kiyaani@frontier.net
dinecare.org

=====================================================================

Navajo traditional elders blockade power plant site

By Brenda Norrell
U.N. OBSERVER & International Report

BURNHAM, NEW MEXICO, USA â€“ Elderly Navajo women and their children formed a blockade, built a fire and camped at the site of a proposed power plant on tribal land in northwest New Mexico. The blockade of traditional Navajos halted site work in a region that is already toxic with air and water pollution from power plants, oil and gas wells and
scattered radioactive tailings from the Cold War.

Facing the threat of arrest by tribal police at the blockade, Navajo elderly, including one medicine man, said they are willing to go to jail to protect their land and way of life.

Most of the elderly are already ill from living in an area where power plants have released 100 tons of coal combustion waste that is blowing in the wind. One of the Navajo elderly resisters is in a wheelchair and another has severe asthma.

For the second night on Wednesday night, Dec. 13, Navajo resisters camped in the cold at the site.

â€œI have said â€˜Noâ€™ over and over again and you keep coming over!â€? said Nenanezah elder Alice Gilmore, who holds the grazing permit for the area of the proposed Desert Rock Power Plant. The Navajo Nation and Sithe Global LLC plan to build the power plant, which would be the third power plant in the Farmington/Bloomfield area.

Confronting Sithe and Navajo DPA employees, Gilmore was adamant that she has not given permission for the power plant on her land. Navajo elders from Burnham, Sanostee and Nenanezah chapter, all taking a bold action to fight the tribal government and corporate aggression, joined Gilmore at the blockade.

â€œWeâ€™re fed up with them,â€? said Sarah J. White, president of the DoodÃ¡ Desert Rock Committee. â€œThe grandmas and the grandpas are being walked over by these monsters and theyâ€™re being denied information. Weâ€™re standing our ground now.â€?

White said Navajos at the barricade need everything in the way of food, firewood and supplies.

â€œWe need everything from A to Z,â€? White said.

The blockade was formed just 10 days after Navajo Nation elected leaders gathered with representatives from 14 countries and formulated a global ban on uranium mining on Native lands. The power plant blockade also comes as Navajo Nation leaders are fighting in the
federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to protect San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff, Ariz., from the desecration of snowmaking from recycled wastewater for tourism. The mountain is sacred to 13 area Indian tribes.

However, both Navajo President Joe Shirley, Jr., and the Navajo Nation Council support the construction of the Desert Rock Power Plant and accompanying coalmine, which Navajos say would add more pollution to the air, land and water, already saturated with disease-causing toxins.

The Navajo Nation tribal government has attempted to censor the voices of Navajos speaking out against the Desert Rock power plant in New Mexico and the use of aquifer water for coal mining by Peabody Coal on the western side of the Navajo Nation in Arizona.

The proposed site of the new Desert Rock power plant is in the Four Corners Region, targeted since the 1970s as a national sacrifice area for energy production.

It is also the sacred region of Dinetah, the place of origin of Navajos. However, the air is so polluted in the region of Dinetah near Bloomfield that persons with asthma and respiratory diseases find it difficult to breathe.

Further, Navajos say while they struggle with respiratory diseases, cancer and the death of their loved ones in this region, many Navajos must also haul water and live without electricity, since the power plants on Navajo land primarily provide electricity for non-Indians.

The Navajo blockade comes as Oâ€™odham in Sonora, Mexico, challenge a secret plan by the government of Mexico, with the knowledge of the US EPA, to create a hazardous waste dump near the sacred site of Quitovac where Oâ€™odham hold ceremonies. The Navajo blockade coincides with an action by Pima on Gila River tribal land in Arizona to halt expansion
of a hazardous dumpsite.

At the same time, Yaqui in Sonora, Mexico, gathered to prohibit the use of banned pesticides in agricultural fields, now resulting in cancer and deaths.

At the proposed new Desert Rock power plant site in New Mexico, Navajo residents confronted the DinÃ© Power Authority/Sithe Global on Dec. 12, after discovering that water drilling was carried out without the knowledge and notification of local Navajo residents.

Members of the DoodÃ¡ Desert Rock committee gathered to support Gilmoreâ€™s opposition and asked Sithe/DPA to disclose drilling permits that allowed drilling activity to occur. However, no permits were provided.

The residents refused to leave after the Navajo Nation Police attempted to give access to DPA/Sithe Global, claiming that permits for the Desert Rock project are not for public disclosure. The Burnham residents barricaded the roads to disallow traffic into the Desert Rock site and Navajos remained at the blockade.

Members of DinÃ© CARE/DoodÃ¡ Desert Rock Committee met Dec. 13, at the Shiprock tribal courthouse to get answers about drilling permits. Navajo residents said a tribal police lieutenant denied Gilmore and other residents access to view the permits.

Navajo residents are asking for a copy of the categorical exclusion, which would allow the drilling activities to commence, and copies of the Clean Water Act Sections 401, 402 and 404, that would prove compliance with regulatory requirements have been met.

â€œThere are major disturbance taking place and according to the Clean Air Act, these permits are a pre-requisite for drilling activity,â€? Navajo residents said in a public statement.

Further, Navajos say tribal boundary lines were redrawn to accommodate the power plant corporation.

Navajo residents said the boundary defining Burnham and Nenahnezad was moved to the south for the benefit of DPA/Sithe within the past two years.

Elouise Brown of Sanostee said, â€œThe local residents are not protesters but are resisters. Who would be happy if a well is being dug in their backyard especially when it is done in secrecy? So, how can those residents be considered protesters when they are simply standing up for their rights to have clean air, water, and environment.â€?

Burnham, Sanostee and Nenanezah residents are not waiting for remedy; many have set up camp at the proposed site and are refusing to move until they get the needed documents.

Navajos said this incident follows accusations made against Sithe/DPA about environmental injustices, EPAâ€™s proposed issuance of prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) permit Air Quality Permit for Desert Rock Energy Facility and the creation of Navajo Nation Energy Policies without public input.

For more information on the Navajo blockade:
Lori Goodman
Dine’ CARE
PH: (970) 259-0199
FAX: (970) 259-2300
kiyaani@frontier.net
dinecare.org

Iceland Camp Against Heavy Industry Starts July 6th

The campaign to defend Europe’s vastest remaining wilderness continues. After the direct action camps in Iceland in the summers of 2005 and 2006 against the Karahnjukar dam and ALCOA’s aluminium smelter, the Saving Iceland campaign moves on to bring industrialisation of Iceland to a halt. A new camp in Iceland will commence on July 6th 2007 (location to be announced later). New plans for dams, power plants, smelters and other heavy industry need to be stopped. Targets include corporates such as ALCOA, ALCAN, Century Aluminium, Barclays, Mott McDonald, Bechtel, Rio Tinto and BH Billiton. Iceland, with it’s vast geothermal and megahydro possibilities, is a new frontier for energy craving industrial moguls, in times of increasing energy scarcity and insecurity. Stopping industrialisation and ecological destruction of the last unspoilt country in the west would be a major strategic victory for the green and anarchist movement and a new incentive for a global movement against industrialisation and ecocide. This includes the campaign against ALCOA and AluTrint’s plans for a smelter in Trinidad and other direct action against dams and heavy industry.

EF! gathering advance notice: date & contact to get involved

The Earth First Gathering 2007 is well into the planning stage.

Make space in your diary now: 18th – 22nd July 2007, somewhere in Norfolk. Please circulate this information widely.

If you want to get involved contact nexter@riseup.net.

The Earth First Gathering 2007 is well into the planning stage.

Make space in your diary now: 18th – 22nd July 2007, somewhere in Norfolk. Please circulate this information widely.

If you want to get involved contact nexter@riseup.net.

Thanx
The Collective.

The Camp for Climate Action was just the beginning! – next meeting January 13/14th, Leeds

Come and take the next steps forward and be part of a newly energised movement in the fight to avoid catastrophic climate change.

In August of this year hundreds gathered near Selby to confront the UK’s biggest CO2 emitter: Drax Coal Power Station. The Camp for Climate Action was an inspiring 10 days of learning, sustainable living and direct action to challenge the causes of climate chaos.

There is already much enthusiasm for organising another Camp, come and get involved on 13th/14th January at ‘The Common Place’ in Leeds (see www.thecommonplace.org.uk for directions). Meetings will run Saturday 11am-5pm and Sunday 10am-6pm.

This project is still at its early stages and details such as when, where and how to organise the next Camp are to be decided at this meeting. Food and crash pad accommodation will be provided. Everyone will be asked for a donation of around Â£10 to cover costs. If you have particular access or childcare needs, or if would like more information contact leeds@climatecamp.org.uk.

Please spread the news far and wide. You can download a rather nice poster here: http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/resources.htm

Some of the neighbourhoods from last yearâ€™s camp are meeting in the meantime to generate ideas for the next camp and organise locally.

London Neighbourhood Meeting
London Action Resource Centre
Dec 2nd 1.00pm

Yorkshire Neighbourhood Meeting
The Common Place
Dec 6th 7.00-9.00pm

Manchester Neighbourhood Meeting/Social
The Basement 24 Lever St, Manchester
4th December 7:30 ( http://thebasement.clearerchannel.org/ for
directions). Please email: mcragainstclimatechange@lists.riseup.net to confirm

Local groups

Some of these are specifically Climate Camp, Rising Tide or Plane Stupid groups, some are local groups involved in taking direct action against climate change that don’t necessarily see themselves as belonging to a national group.

Nottingham: nottingham[at]climatecamp.org.uk
Oxford: oxford[at]climatecamp.org.uk
Manchester: manchester[at]climatecamp.org.uk
London Rising Tide: london[at]risingtide.org.uk
South Penines: potzo8[at] yahoo.com
South West: caromac20032000[at]yahoo.com
Leeds/Bradford: katieplum75[at]yahoo.co.uk
Scotland and Ireland: scotland[at]climatecamp.org.uk
Cambridge Action Network: cambridge[at]lists.riseup.net
Birmingham: flatline[at]aktivix.org
Reading: climatejustice[at]postmaster.co.uk
York Rising Tide: yorks[at]risingtide.org.uk
Scotland Rising Tide: scotland[at]risingtide.org.uk
London Plane Stupid: london[at]planestupid.com
Manchester Plane Stupid: manchester[at]planestupid.com
Cambridge Plane Stupid: cambridge[at]planestupid.com
Oxford Plane Stupid: oxford[at]planestupid.com
Sheffield Plane Stupid: sheffield[at]planestupid.com
Sussex Plane Stupid: sussex[at]planestupid.com
Reading Plane Stupid: reading[at]planestupid.com

leeds@climatecamp.org.uk
http://www.climatecamp.org.uk

eco-prisoners – Spirit of Freedom November 2006

Spirit of Freedom
(November 2006)
Produced by
EARTH LIBERATION PRISONERS SUPPORT NETWORK

“I thank you all dearly for writing”

Spirit of Freedom
(November 2006)
Produced by
EARTH LIBERATION PRISONERS SUPPORT NETWORK

“I thank you all dearly for writing”
(Jon Ablewhite, Animal Rights Prisoner)

Welcome to the November 2006 edition of Spirit of Freedom. First off I’d like to appologise for this edition of the newsletter being late. As people may be aware the USA-SHAC 7 where all due to start their prison sentences this month and we were awaiting to hear where they were before we went to print. Sadly all of the USA-SHAC 7 defendants are now in jail so we urge everyone to please write to them. They have been jailed for merely reporting the news, so please do support them. However, whilst supporting the USA-SHAC 7, please don’t forget the other prisoners. They also need our support. So please, no matter where you are in the world, please support the eco-prisoners and no compromise in defence of Mother Earth!

COURT REPORTS & LEGAL UPDATES

OREGON UPDATE
In early November 2006, it was announced that four Americans, Jonathan Paul, Daniel McGowan, Nathan Frazer Block and Joyanna Zacher, who are all defendants in the Oregon Case, had entered Guilty pleas to various charges against them.

When entering their Guilty Pleas these four remained true to their principles and although admitting their own guilt refused to name any
others. It is unclear what length of sentences the four will receive but it is clear they no longer face the possible ‘Life imprisonment without the possibility of parole’, which they were facing if they’d gone to trial. All four are due to be sentenced in mid-December 06.

Also in early November, Grand Jury prisoner, Jeff Hogg, was released from prison. Jeff had always refused to testify against anyone in the Oregon case and was serving an indefinite prison sentence as a result. ELP celebrates Jeff’s release and praise him for his moral stance.

With other news in this investigation, in early October 2006, two of the police informants in the University of Washington arson case, Lacey Phillabaum and Jennifer Lynn Kolar (also known as Jen), pleaded guilty to their roles in the arson which occured in 2001. Kolar also admitted to an arson against a gun club. Following their guilty pleas Kolar is expected to receive a sentence of between 5-7years imprisonment, whilst Phullabaum is expected to received 3-5 years imprisonment.

As soon as any of the sentences, of any of the defendants in this case, are known ELP will bring you the news. However we would like to remind everyone that we do not support police informants and therefore, although reporting their sentences, we will not be listing the prison details of any of the police informants in this case. We do offer our total support to those who have pleaded guilty to their personal charges but not cooperated with the authorities whilst doing so.

Also, despite the various guilty pleas ELP would like to remind everyone that this case is not over. There are still at least three defendants in this case who locations are unknown to the FBI. And also, Briana Waters has formally pleaded not guilty to the University of Washington fire and is scheduled for trial in May 2007. ELP will keep you informed as to all the developments in Briana’s trial.

NADIA WINSTEAD
In mid-October 2006, American animal rights activist, Nadia Winstead, was found Guilty of contempt of court after she refused to testify before a Grand Jury which is investigating a series of Animal and Earth Liberation actions. Nadia was granted leave to appeal her conviction and that appeal hearing is due later on this month. ELP will bring you more news just as soon as we have it.

IL SILVESTRE UPDATE
In early November 2006, Giuseppe Bonamici, was released from prison under house arrest. Giuseppe is one of ten Il Silvestre members, arrested in May 2006, who has been charged with using explosives to destroy an electricity pylon in protest against nuclear power. Following Giuseppe’s release this means that six of the ten defendants are now under house arrest, but four remain imprisoned.

The remaining four are all said to be doing well and remaining strong. One of the four Benedetta Galante, initially after her imprisonment found herself subject to strict mail censorship and only received a few letters within the first four months of her imprisonment. However, her mail now does appear to be reaching her and is described as “flooding in”, so much so that the prison doesn’t have enough mail censors to keep up with her post!!!

Besides the four Il Silvestre prisoners awaiting trial following the May 06 arrests, ELP would like to remind everyone that a fifth Il Silvestre activist is also currently imprisoned. Francesco Gioia is serving 5 years and 2 months for promoting & participating in COR direct action. He is also awaiting trial for escaping from house arrest.

JOE HARRIS
On 20/09/06 British Animal Rights activist, Joe Harris, was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment for taking direct action against Huntingdon Life Sciences targets. His tactics included gluing locks and slashing car tyres.

MADELINE BUCKLER
On 22/09/06 British Animal Rights activist, Madeline Buckler, was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment for sending hate mail to the Hall family, who use to supply guinea pigs to the vivisection industry.

ECO-DEFENCE PRISONERS

Fadalla Idris Alajaimy (address unknown). Sudan anti-dam protester on remand accused of Waging War against the State for protesting against the construction of a dam. The sentence for this crime is Death.

Mohamed Ahmed Alajaimy (address unknown). Sudan anti-dam protester on remand accused of Waging War against the State for protesting against the construction of a dam. The sentence for this crime is Death.

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.

Nathan Block, #1663667, Lane County Jail, 101 W 5th Ave., Eugene, OR 97401, USA. On remand accused of involvement in an arson against a Poplar Tree Farm and an arson against an SUV dealership. Also charged with involvement in a conspiracy to carry out direct action in Oregon.

Federico Bonamici, Casa di Reclusione, ia Nuova Poggioreale 177, 80143 Napolo Poggioreale (NA), Italy. Il Silvestre member on remand accused of using explosives to damage an electricity pylon. Also accused of planning to overthrow the State.

Marco Camenisch, Postfach 3143, CH-8105 Regensdorf, Switzerland. Serving 27 years. 1) Ten years for using explosives to destroy electricity pylons leading from nuclear power stations. 2) Seventeen 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.

Ibai Ederra, Carcel de Pamplona, C/San Roque. Apdo. 250, 31080 – IruÃ±ez – Pamplona, Navarra (EspaÃ±a), Spain. Serving just under 5 years for sabotaging machinery at the controversial Itoiz dam construction site.

Rodney Coronado #03895-000, FCI Tucson, 8901 South Wilmot Rd, Tucson, AZ 85705, USA. Serving 8 months for his role in an Earth First! hunt sabotage against a mountain lion hunt. Rod is also facing additional charges relating to a speech he made at an animal rights gathering in 2003.

William Frediani (currently under house arrest). Il Silvestre activist sentenced to 6 years imprisonment for promoting & participating in COR direct action.

Benedetta Galante, Casa Circondariale, Contrada Capo di Monte, 82100 – Benevento (BN), Italy. Il Silvestre activist sentenced to 3 years 6 months for promoting & participating in COR direct action. Also awaiting trial accused of using explosives to damage an electricity pylon in protest at nuclear energy.

Francesco Gioia, Via Maiano, 10, 06049 Spoleto, Italy. Il Silvestre activist sentenced to 5 years 2 months for promoting & participating in COR direct action. Also awaiting trial for escaping from house arrest.

Silvia Guerini, Carcere “La Dozza”, Via Del Gomito 2, 40127 Bologna, Italy.
Il Silvestre member on remand accused of using explosives to damage an electricity pylon.

Leonardo Landi (currently under house arrest). Il Silvestre activist sentenced to 3 years 6 months imprisonment for promoting & participating in COR direct action.

Jeffrey Luers, #13797671, OSP, 2605 State St. Salem, OR 97310, USA. Serving 22 years & 8 months for arson on a SUV dealership & the attempted arson of an oil truck.

Ali Mohamed Alhassen Massad (address unknown). Sudan anti-dam protester on remand accused of Waging War against the State for protesting against the construction of a dam. The sentence for this crime is Death.

Eric McDavid X-2972521 4E 231A, Sacramento County Main Jail, 651 “I” Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA. On Remand accused of planning to destroy the property of the U.S. Forestry Service, mobile phone masts and power plants.

Christopher McIntosh 30512-013, USP Hazelton, US Penitentiary, PO Box 2000, Bruceton Mills, WV 26525, USA. Serving 8 years for a joint ELF/ALF arson attack on a McDonalds restaurant.

Alessio Perondi (currently under house arrest). Il Silvestre activist sentenced to 3 years 8 months imprisonment for promoting & participating in COR direct action.

Costantino Ragusa, Casa Circondariale, Via Prati Nuovi 7, 27058 Voghera (PV), Italy. Il Silvestre activist sentenced to 5 years for promoting & participating in COR direct action. Also awaiting trial accused of using explosives to damage an electricity pylon in protest at nuclear energy.

John Wade #38548-083, FCI Petersburg Low, Satellite Camp, PO Box 90027, Petersburg, VA 23804, USA. Serving 37 months for a series of ELF actions against a number of targets including McDonalds & Burger King; urban sprawl; the construction industry; and an SUV dealership.

Joyanna Zacher #1662550, Lane County Jail, 101 W 5th Ave, Eugene, OR 97401, USA. On remand accused of involvement in an arson against a Poplar Tree Farm and an SUV dealership. Also charged with involvement in a conspiracy to carry out direct action in Oregon.

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.

Natasha Avery NR8987, HMP Bronzefield, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, Middlesex, TW15 3JZ, England. Serving 16 months for a public order offence after telling a fox hunting murder what she thought of them.

Dave Blenkinsop EM7899, HMP Rye Hill, Onley, Warwickshire, CV23 8AN, England. Serving 10 years. 1) Three years for a stave attack on the Managing Director of HLS. 2) 18 months for rescuing 600 guinea pigs from a lab supplier. 3) 51â?„2 years for planting incendiary devices under an abattoirs vehicles.

Madeline Buckler PR7492, HMP Morton Hall, Swinderby, Lincoln, LN6 9PT, England. Serving 2 years for sending hate mail to a family who supplied guinea pigs for vivisection.

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.

Rodney Coronado. Serving 8 months for his role in an Earth First! hunt sabotage against a mountain lion hunt. See his details in the Eco-Defence Prisoners list.

Donald Currie TN 4593, HMP Woodhill, Tattenhoe Street, Milton Keynes, MK4 4DA, England. On remand accused of arson against a courier company with links to the vivisection industry including HLS.

Josh Demmitt 12314-081, FCI Safford, Federal Correctional Institution, P.O. Box 9000, Safford, AZ 85548, USA. Serving 30 months for an ALF arson on a University animal testing facility.

Darius Fullmer #26397-050, FCI Fort Dix Satellite Camp, P.O. Box 1000, Fort Dix, NJ 08640 USA. Serving 12 months for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.

Garfield Marcus Gabbard TB 4271, HMP Moorland (Closed), Bawtry Road, Hatfield Woodhouse, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN7 6BW, England. Serving 36 months for Affray during an animal rights demo where he jumped onto a car and kicked a security guard who pulled him off the car.

Lauren Gazzola #93497-011, FCI Danbury Route #37, 33 1/2 Pembroke Road, Danbury, CT 06811 USA. Serving 54 months imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.

Sarah Gisborne, LT5393, HMP Cookham Wood, Rochester, Kent, ME1 3LU, England.
Serving 51â?„2 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.

Joseph Harris, TN5728, HMP Lewes, Brighton Road, East Sussex, BN7 1EA, England. Serving 3 years for damaging the property of people associated with Huntingdon Life Sciences.

Kevin Kjonaas #93502-011, FCI Sandstone, PO Box 1000, Sandstone, MN 55072 USA. Serving 72 months imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.

Chris McIntosh. Serving 8 years for a joint ALF/ELF arson on a McDonalds.
See his details in the Eco-Defence Prisoners list.

Josephine Mayo PR6508, HMP Drake Hall, Eccleshall, Staffordshire, ST21 6LQ, England. Serving 4 years for attempting to blackmail a farmer who supplied guinea pigs for vivisection.

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.

Daniel Wadham TF5524, HMP Rochester, Kent. ME1 3QS, England. Serving 12 months for a public order offence after telling a fox hunting murder what he thought of them.

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.

Peter Daniel Young, #10269-111, FCI Vitorvill Medium II, Federal Correctional Institution, PO Box 5700, Adelanto, CA 92301, USA. Serving two years for releasing mink and foxes from six different fur farms. Also awaiting trial for his alleged involvement in a raid on a fur farm in South Dakota.

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 201â?„2 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.

OTHER ANTI-WAR PRISONERS

Brendan Walsh, 12473-052, FCI Allenwood Low, PO Box 1000, White Deer, PA 17887, USA. Serving 5 years for an arson on an army recruitment office in protest at the War on Iraq.

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 under house arrest.

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 which turned into a riot.

Igor Kisielewicz, syn Aleksandra, A.S. Bialystok, Kopernika 21, 15-377 Bialystok, Poland. Serving 3 months for failing to do his community service imposed for antifa activity.

Tomasz Wiloszewski, Zaklad Karny, Orzechowa 5, 98-200 Sieradz, Poland.
Serving 15 years for accidentally killing a neo-nazi whilst defending himself.

PARTY & PROTEST
Around the world there have been several massive protests against global capitalism and its environmental impact. The following have all been jailed in connection with the protests.

Jonathan Philip Robert, Crisp County Detention Center, 197 Ga. Hwy. 300 South, Cordele, GA 31015, USA (12 months)

OTHER PRISONERS

Ted Kaczynski (04475-046), US Pen – admin Max Facility, PO Box 8500, Florence Colorado 81226, USA. Serving multiple life sentences for the infamous ‘Unabomber’ anti-technology bombing & murder campaign.

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 Grateford, PO Box 244, Grateford, PA 19426-0244, USA.

Edward Goodman Africa (AM4974), 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.

MAPUCHE PRISONERS & OTHER LAND RIGHTS PRISONERS
Due to space limitation we cannot publish the names & addresses of the Mapuche & Land Rights prisoners in this edition of Spirit of Freedom, however if you would like a list please contact Spirit of Freedom.

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 bimonthly publication (available via e-mail or in a paper version). If you would like to receive a copy contact Spirit of Freedom, BM Box 2407, London, WC1N 3XX, England. Or e-mail ELP4321@hotmail.com

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

North American ELP Prisoner Fund. The North American ELP group has set up a fund where people can pay money, for North American Eco-Defence and Animal Rights prisoners, which will then be distributed to the North American prisoners. For information about the Fund and how to make a donation please contact naelpsn@mutualaid.org

DEDICATION
ELP feels it its important to remember those who have died defending Mother Earth. We use Samhain (a traditional time to remember the dead) as our opportunity to honour all our fallen friends who have died over the years.

Due to space limitation we can only list EF! & ELF style fallen friends.
But for a full list of all Animal & Earth Liberation activists who’ve died in defence of the planet check out our full memorial list on our website
www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk

This edition of Spirit of Freedom is jointly dedicated to American David “Gypsy” Chain, who was crushed to death in September 1998 when a tree was felled on top of him whilst he defended the forests; Italian activists Maria Rosas & Edoardo Massari who died in custody, in 1999, whilst awaiting trial for their alleged involvement in the sabotaging of a high speed rail line construction site in the Northern Italian Alps; Brazilian Jose Marlucio da Silva who was shot dead by police in July 2000 whilst attempting to storm & occupy a bank during an anti-GM protest; British activist ‘Jo’ whose body was found in her burnt out hut at the Nine Ladies anti-quarry protest camp
in March 2002; American Beth O’Brien, who died in April 2002 after falling from a tree she was sitting in whilst trying to defend the forests; Brazilian Bartolomeu Morais da Silva (aka “Brasilia”) who led the struggle against illegal logging, land fraud and destructive large-scale infrastructure projects was found murdered in July 2002 from shot gun wounds and his legs broken; American Robert “Naya” Bryan, died October 2002 after falling from a tree he was sitting in whilst trying to defend the forests; French activist SÃ©bastian B., who, in November 2004, was run by a train carrying nuclear waste after SÃ©bastian had tied himself to the tracks; American William “Bill” Rodgers who ended his own life in December 2005 following his arrest for a series of ELF & ALF actions.

If you know of someone who should be on this list, but isn’t, please let ELP know.
“ELP Support Network”

Birmingham activists close Shell petrol station in Rossport Solidarity action

20.11.2006 Over 20 Birmingham activists today shutdown the Shell petrol station on Bath Row nr. Five Ways, Birmingham for over three hours (no arrests !!!) Over 20 activists initiated the daylight blockade of the central Birmingham Shell station. Three protestors ‘locked on’ in the entrance to prevent access to the station whilst others strung banners … Continue reading “Birmingham activists close Shell petrol station in Rossport Solidarity action”

20.11.2006
Over 20 Birmingham activists today shutdown the Shell petrol station on Bath Row nr. Five Ways, Birmingham for over three hours (no arrests !!!)

Over 20 activists initiated the daylight blockade of the central Birmingham Shell station. Three protestors ‘locked on’ in the entrance to prevent access to the station whilst others strung banners across the exits and a ledge looking over the forecourt (pictures to come). There were no serious encounters with motorists and passers by were generally supportive of the demo, the aims of which were to disrupt Shell’s operations and to raise awareness of the struggle of the community of County Mayo, Ireland against Shell’s construction of a dangerous and experimental pipeline which poses not only a danger to the environment of this idyllic part of Ireland but also the people of County Mayo. Protestors also tried to obtain a statement from the company but were unsuccessful.

Police took over 20 minutes to respond to the action but on arrival failed to convince the protestors to move on, with half-hearted vague threats of arrest for obstruction of the highway, breach of the peace, and even witholding identity (which isnt a crime duh). In the end there was little the small group of ill prepared local pigs could do except stand by, wave bemused motorists on and take some late photos on a knocked up digital camera.

The protest ended peacefully at a time determined by the protestors after a meeting to which the franchisee was invited to give a formal response to the protest. The blockade lasted a total of three hours.

Police followed some of the protestors to a nearby restaurant after the action, going as far as entering the premises to conduct surveillance before the owner of the business asked them to leave on the grounds they were harrassing his customers for no reason.

http://www.corribsos.com/ (Shell to Sea – Campaign against Shell in Ireland)

Rossport Solidarity Picket, Salford Quays

18.11.2006

Saturday 18th November, around 20 activists, including the Rhythms of Resistance samba band went to picket the Shell garage at Salford Quays. Whilst the band played, the rest of us leafletted drivers as they arrived and where possible spoke to them. The site of the band made it all the easier to do so and most were prepared to talk too.

18.11.2006

The response was generally good. We spoke to them as they arrived and whilst on the forecourt. The message as simple – please don’t buy petrol here, better still think whether your car journey is necessary. At least ten cars simply drove away from the garage in the hour and a half we were there, which must have cost them a few hundred pounds.

The leaflet is available at: http://af-north.org/shell/rossport.htm (text below).

For more local information, please contact us at: shelltosea@af-north.org

More information about the campaign can be got from: www.indymedia.ie/mayo
Information about Shell to Sea: http://www.shelltosea.com/
Rossport Solidarity Camp: http://www.struggle.ws/rsc/ or www.rossportsolidaritycamp.com

——————

Buy your petrol somewhere else today.

Shell has a terrible record of destroying the environment and the communities unlucky enough to live near their exploration sites.
On the west coast of Ireland, in an area called Erris, in County Mayo, they have found gas. They want to bring it ashore and refine it in an area which is unspoilt and undeveloped. The result will be the total destruction of the local area and the lives of the people who live there.
Already five men have spent three months in prison for protesting about Shellâ€™s plans. The local people have fought long and hard to stop work at the refin ery. Now Shell and the Irish police are attacking these same people daily to allow construction to go ahead.

Help show you are opposed to their destruction of Erris and the way they vandalise our planet. Buy your petrol somewhere else. Better
still, think whether you need all those car journeys. Hurt them in their pockets. Itâ€™s the only way to make Shell see sense.
Manchester Shell to Sea: shelltosea@ af- north. org