Tuesday 25th October at 8am, people gathered for what has become the weekly local protest at gate one of Shell's refinery. After some tea and scones, people decided to stop a Shell truck. For about 30 minutes people stood in front of the truck without hassle, letting traffic pass on the other side of the road. Eventually the Gardaí removed people, in some cases being quite rough. One person was pinned to the ground for 5-10 minutes, immobilised. Other people were thrown off the road into ditches. The Gardaí did not hold back against one elderly protester who is almost 80, throwing him around without a second thought. After 10 or 15 minutes of people getting pulled off the road by guards, the truck inching forward as more people got in front of it and then once again get pulled off the road in a continuous rolling blockade, one person got up on top of the truck. She said she wouldn't have done this except that she was sick of seeing people getting thrown around on the road and she knew getting on top of the vehicle would defuse the situation by halting things until she either came down herself or could be removed Gardaí. After staying up on top of the truck for about 30 minutes, the protester climbed down and then was arrested, brought to Belmullet Garda station and released without charge later that day. Shell are scheduled to begin removing peat from the Aughoose tunnelling compound at the end of October or early November, which will mean hundreds of truck movements a day. Come up anytime and support the actions, or simply to visit the area and see for yourself what is going on. The Rossport Solidarity Camp is open to visitors and is located in a field in Aughoose, between Bellanaboy and Pullathomas. This Halloween weekend the Rossport Solidarity Camp is hosting a weekend of direct action training workshops. Also there will be a Day of Solidarity on the 11th of November 2011, at the Aughoose compound. It will mark 5 years since the baton charge on protestors at Bellanaboy. Please come and offer your solidarity to the community who have been protesting against the Corrib Gas project. To contact the camp, ring 085 114 1170 or email rossportsolidaritycamp[at]gmail[dot]com
Category: Wilderness Defence
Wilderness defence
All Shell Deliveries Halted for the Morning
Weekly Tuesday morning protest turns into a sucessful blockade
Outside the gates of Shell's Bellanaboy refinery in Mayo on Tuesday 18th October, someone got on top of a tractor, blocking all Shell deliveries for the morning.
Weekly Tuesday morning protest turns into a sucessful blockade
Outside the gates of Shell's Bellanaboy refinery in Mayo on Tuesday 18th October, someone got on top of a tractor, blocking all Shell deliveries for the morning.
At 8am on Tuesday, about 15 people gathered at the gates of Bellanaboy refinery for the weekly local protest that has been happening the last couple months.
The first tractor that Shell tried to bring out was stopped by the protesters, and one person got onto the cab. This blocked all Shell traffic but local traffic was still able to squeeze by, as guards and protesters directed them around the stopped tractor. All the trucks of stone which Shell have begun bringing to the Aughoose compound were also stopped and turned back in the direction they came.
Eventually the person on the tractor got down and was not arrested. People stayed in the road blocking the tractor for the rest of the morning protest, until 10:30am.
There haven't been as many actions coming from the Rossport Solidarity Camp lately, as there has been so much work to do moving the camp from the field it has been in for the summer and setting up the winter camp down the road. However Shell has said it expects to begin peat removal from the tunnelling compound at the end of October, which will mean up to 475 truck movements a day (so stay tuned).
Come up and see the cozy new winter camp, visitors are always welcome! We are still located in Aughoose but further down the road towards Pullathomas, near Aughoose church. There is still plenty of work building the new camp to be done along with actions.
On the Halloween weekend, there will be a weekend of direct action themed workshops at the new Rossport Solidarity Camp. If you are interested in coming down or even running a workshop, let us know by email on rossportsolidaritycamp@gmail.com
Also there will be a Day of Solidarity on Friday, the 11th of November to mark 5 years since the baton charge and the major campaign of Garda violence began here in Mayo. Please come and show your support.
Tirúa, Chile: Incendiary attack against tourist resort
October 13th, 2011
We, organs of Lafkenche Territorial Resistance of the Arauco Malleco Coordinator, declare before the national and international public opinion the following:
October 13th, 2011
We, organs of Lafkenche Territorial Resistance of the Arauco Malleco Coordinator, declare before the national and international public opinion the following:
Kiñe: On October 6th, at dawn, we attacked and destroyed the tourist resort of the businessman Pedro Durán Faundez, husband of the governor of Arauco Flor Waisse, located by the shores of Butako Lake.
Epu: We denounce the political and economic engagement between businessmen and government’s political operatives in our Wallmapu.
Küla: We demand the immediate release of our Mapuche political prisoners and the immediate end to national and transnational capitalist investments in our area (forestry, mining, energy, etc.).
We reaffirm our commitment to our Mapuche people, consistent with the resistance to our enemies.
We call the communities to continue recovering the territories and keep on resisting.
With our heroes Leftraru, Pelantaru, Lemún, Catrileo, Collío and others we advance towards Mapuche national liberation.
Organs of Territorial Resistance – Arauco Mapuche Coordinator
ORT-CAM
Update: Work starts to cut down Irton’s beech tree
Breaking News 11pm, Tuesday 4th:
CONTRACTORS have started work to cut down Irton’s beech tree.
Vicki “Beechnut” Welsh spent four nights in the tree but came down at 10.10am today to applause from villagers, who have now accepted defeat in their battle to save the tree.
Breaking News 11pm, Tuesday 4th:
CONTRACTORS have started work to cut down Irton’s beech tree.
Vicki “Beechnut” Welsh spent four nights in the tree but came down at 10.10am today to applause from villagers, who have now accepted defeat in their battle to save the tree.
The tree was fenced-off and felled, to tears – video.
4 October 2011
A PROTESTER who is the latest to sit in the branches of a threatened tree in Irton yesterday demanded answers to four questions – one of which was aimed squarely at the Prime Minister – before she leaves her leafy home.
The 17-year-old Bridlington girl, who is known only as Beech Nut, had been there since Friday and is the fifth treetop protester since the start of the sit-in two weeks ago today.
She said that a special appeal had also been set up. She said: “I am here to launch the Irton Tree Foundation and would like to appeal for any help with our cause.”
Beech Nut said she wanted to dispel any misconceptions that the protest had cost council taxpayers £250,000 – because their protest began after the decision to fell the tree had been taken.
She added that, while they did not roost in the tree, bats used it as a primary feeding site. She said: “I’d like to see the results of a reputable bat survey.”
Beech Nut said that the villagers had been treated with disrespect and deserved answers. She asked: “Has the evidence been seen by a high court judge?”
And in a question directed at Prime Minister David Cameron she asked about the validity of tree preservation orders – the beech tree was the subject of an order but it was overruled by a judge. She said: “It’s not just about this tree, in this village, it’s about all trees in England.”
A North Yorkshire County Council representative read out a statement on Friday which said that anyone preventing the tree felling, which is likely to take place by the end of this week, could face a prison sentence.
Tree supporters have taken separate legal advice to challenge the court decision and are waiting to hear the results.
Irton resident David Parker said that they would continue the protest until the first “chainsaw touched the trunk”. He added: “We’ve been told that some time this week the tree will definitely be felled but no official person has come here so far.”
He said that they would continue to look into every legal avenue that they possibly could. He said: “We are quite within our rights to do so. We have a right to object peacefully against something we disagree with. We will act within the law.”
The tree has been the subject of a long-running legal battle between villagers, two local authorities and a nearby homeowner, who successfully applied to a judge to have the beech cut down.
People who would like to donate to the Irton Tree Foundation can do so through any branch of HSBC by using the sort code 40-40-22 and account number 91752707.
Hinkley Point blockaders declare victory over EDF Energy
3/10/2011
For about nine hours, we blockaded the nuclear power station with up to 400 people. This was the biggest anti nuclear power action in Britain for quite some years. It marked the beginning of a new anti nuclear power movement in this country, and you all made this possible.
3/10/2011
For about nine hours, we blockaded the nuclear power station with up to 400 people. This was the biggest anti nuclear power action in Britain for quite some years. It marked the beginning of a new anti nuclear power movement in this country, and you all made this possible.
This time, the blockade was tolerated by EDF and the police. Only one person was arrested when walking on the public footpath along the fence.
He was stopped and searched by police, and arrested for possession of a craft knife. Luckily, he was later released from Taunton police station without charge.
Those of you who came to the camp after the action are aware of a police incident: a mobile CCTV vehicle of Avon & Somerset police drove onto the camp site, filming all the time. After a while it was possible to persuade them to leave the site.
Stop New Nuclear sees this as a provocation, and we made it very clear that this incident destroyed a lot of the trust between the police and the campaign that had been built in the run-up to the blockade.
The police Silver Command has since sent an ‘apology email’ that says they’ve deleted the material.
The camp, demonstration, and blockade of Hinkley Point was not a one-off, nor was it the end – it should be the beginning of a powerful and creative anti nuclear power movement in Britain, that will stop the plans for eight new nuclear power stations in its tracks. To make this happen, we need you!
We are therefore organising a Stop New Nuclear gathering in Bristol in November (unfortunately, we have not been able to set the date yet), to discuss and plan the next campaigns and actions against nuclear new build in Britain. Please get involved – we need to grow as a movement, and this means we need more people organising our actions. Please check back for updates and register for the Stop New Nuclear gathering at http://stopnewnuclear.org.uk/gathering2011. More information will be available soon.
If you have any ideas for action, please share them in our ideas forum at http://stopnewnuclear.org.uk/ideasforum.
News from Hinkley Point
The Environment Agency has extended the deadline for objections to EDF’s environmental permit application until 15 December. This means we now have much more time to collect hundreds or even thousands of objections. Please download the objection sheet from http://stopnewnuclear.org.uk/objections-discharges, print it, sign it, and send it of to: PSC, PO Box 4404, Sheffield, S9 4WF
Press release:
Anti-nuclear protesters have declared the mass blockade at Hinkley Point today as a victory over EDF Energy. The nine-hour blockade in Somerset attracted supporters from all over the UK. Several came from as far afield as Ireland, Germany and Belgium.
Stop New Nuclear spokesperson, Andreas Speck, said the blockade has put the government and EDF on the back foot. ‘Following the interest this blockade has attracted, both regionally and nationally, the government and EDF can no longer claim that the we need nuclear energy to keep the lights on.’
He continued: ‘Germany has committed to a nuclear-free future without buying nuclear power from France or building new coal-fired power stations. The German government is looking at a decentralised energy model with a mix of renewables and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) to bridge the gap left by withdrawal from nuclear. If Germany can do it, why can’t we?’
Angie Zelter, who hit the headlines in 1996 when she and other activists attacked a Hawk jet destined to suppress protests in East Timor (and was subsequently cleared of criminal damage by a jury), blasted EDF’s claims that Hinkley Point is sustainable.
She added: ‘Over its lifetime, Hinkley will consume more energy than it produces – if you take into account the energy used to extract uranium and the power needed to store radioactive waste for hundreds of years. It doesn’t add up.’
Zelter said the risk of flooding is an increasing worry. ‘Locals are well aware of the constant danger of flooding around Hinkley,’ she continued. ‘We have information from workers there that several years ago, floodwater breached the plant’s retaining walls.’
She added that this was a particular concern now that EDF wants to build two new mega reactors at Hinkley. ‘Radioactive waste from the proposed new ERP reactors will be so toxic that it will have to be stored on the site for over 100 years. With the growth in extreme weather conditions there is no guarantee that this waste can be stored safely.’
And Zelter blasted the government for claiming that nuclear is the only solution to combating climate change. ‘If the government can spend billion renewing Trident missiles and fighting Gaddafi in Libya, why can’t they find the money to build truly sustainable energy systems that would create a great many more jobs than the nuclear sector can?’
The mass blockade was described by Stop New Nuclear organiser, Andreas Speck, as a, ‘celebration of dissent’ with pro-nuclear supporters being entertained by a Welsh choir and popular festival band, Seize The Day.
A man arrested on a footpath close to the blockade was later released without charge.
—
Reports, pictures and video.
More photos
Camp photos
Bridgwater demonstration
Blockade of Hinkley Point
Some photos and some more
CND uploaded photos here
We are slowly uploading videos
Mc-hammer time
In the early hours of Tuesday morning (27/09/11) McDonalds drive thru in Bedminster was visited and thoroughly smashed, with all it’s windows attacked.
Fuck Mcdonalds and the death culture they perpetuate and symbolise globally, which means:
In the early hours of Tuesday morning (27/09/11) McDonalds drive thru in Bedminster was visited and thoroughly smashed, with all it’s windows attacked.
Fuck Mcdonalds and the death culture they perpetuate and symbolise globally, which means:
abuse and mass slaughter for millions of animals caged all their miserable lives, poisonous food, sickness and cancer for humans, mind numbing drudgery and workplace control and discipline for workers treated like slaves, destruction for the environment and of course massive profit for capitalists.
If you thought smashing up Mcdonalds had gone out of anticapitalist fashion, think again. We don’t forget or forgive.
For earth, animal and human liberation.
ALF / ELF
Bolivia suspends road project after indigenous protest
29.9.11
Bolivia’s President Evo Morales has suspended plans to build a major highway through indigenous peoples’ land in the Amazon rainforest.
29.9.11
Bolivia’s President Evo Morales has suspended plans to build a major highway through indigenous peoples’ land in the Amazon rainforest.
His decision follows a 40-day protest march, which was brought to an abrupt halt on Sunday, when police used tear gas and truncheons to dispel 1,000 protesters.
Morales faced pressure from within his government to use less force. His Defense Minister Cecilia Chacon resigned in protest at plans to intervene in the march.
There are also reports the teargas caused a baby to die of asphyxiation.
Morales said on Monday his decision to suspend the road was made in the ‘midst of this national debate’ and that he would ‘let the people decide’.
The proposed 300-kilometer highway would cut across the heart of the Isiboro Sécure national park. It is home to Chiman, Yurucare and Moxos Indians.
On Sunday protesters were near to completing their 500km march from the northern town of Trinidad to Bolivia’s capital, when police used teargas to disperse them.
Prior to this crackdown, a police blockade detained indigenous protesters for several days, allegedly to prevent clashes between angry colonists and the marchers.
Brazilian company OAS has been contracted to construct the road with funding from the Brazilian Development Bank.
60 international activists occupy Gold Corporation headquarters in Rosia Montana, Romania
Today, September 28th, at 12:00 o’clock, approximately 60 international activists taking part in the Reclaim the Fields camp [1], together with the local association Alburnus Maior [2], from Rosia Montana, Romania, occupied and blocked the entrance to the Rosia Montana Gold Corporations [3] headquarters in the village’s Ol
Today, September 28th, at 12:00 o’clock, approximately 60 international activists taking part in the Reclaim the Fields camp [1], together with the local association Alburnus Maior [2], from Rosia Montana, Romania, occupied and blocked the entrance to the Rosia Montana Gold Corporations [3] headquarters in the village’s Old Square. This action was in defiance of the companies continuing attempt to expropriate locals and destroy an area protected by Romanian conservation law.
Local and international people are opposing plans to open Europe’s largest open cast gold mine, which would displace hundreds of families and result in widespread ecological destruction and cyanide contamination of the protected landscape. The peaceful occupation and blockade lasted for two hours and the company decided to leave the public information point closed for the rest of the day.
The proposed mine would destroy the village of Rosia Montana and introduce dangerous cyanide leaching technology, threatening water systems in Romania and beyond with the potential of devastating accidents. Strong local opposition to the gold mining project emerged almost immediately in the year 2000 when the project was announced by Canadian company Gabriel Resources. Resistance to the plan has since spread across Romania and beyond. During the last 10 years, Alburnus Maior, through the Save Rosia Montana Campaign has successfully mobilized thousands of people and has so far kept the plans from being carried out.
The Environmental Impact Assessment procedure for the mining project was suspended in 2008 by the Ministry of the Environment, due to the discovery of illegalities committed by the company. Furthermore, civil society has won several court cases against the Gold Corporation, where it was proved that the mining project was initiated in illegal conditions and involved high levels of corruption, coercion and abuse of the local population.
According to the law, the mining project has to restart from point zero, but the new Romanian Environment Minister wants to proceed with a political decision in favour of the mining project, in a clear violation of the court decisions, as well as of Romanian and EU laws on Environmental Impact Assessment procedures.
The Romanian government seems keen to support corporate interests in the face of local opposition. A new law on expropriation has been recently proposed in the Romanian parliament and is expected to be voted on during the next month. The law would enable private companies, instead of the Romanian state and judicial system, to carry out forced expropriation of residents, in a clear violation of human rights.
In dialogue with the occupying activists, the company spokesperson, Catalin Hosu, rejected any relation between the Gold Corporation and this law and stated that they would not resort to using it if it is passed. In reply, the activists promised to target the corporation with further actions if the promise is not kept.
At the EU level, the European Commission has been refusing to follow up on a May 2010 European Parliament resolution requiring it to make a legislative proposal to ban the use of cyanide in mining. While the Gold Corporation has expressed the intention to adopt cyanide reduction technology in Rosia Montana, recent news exposed that the use of such technology will be much more expensive than originally planned [4]. In response to this, Catalin Hosu replied that the Gold Corporation is committed to respect all Romanian and EU legislation, but did not state whether this technology will be adopted or dropped in face of the costs.
NOTES:
[1] The Reclaim the Fields movement (www.reclaimthefields.org) brings together food growers and farmers around Europe that are connecting local practical action with global political struggles. Reclaim the Fields stands against corporate interests and any projects which reduce the access and right to land for food production, abuse local communities and destroy cultural and environmental values. Between 21-30 of September, 2011, several hundred activists from all over Europe and Romania are participating in an unprecedented solidarity camp in Rosia Montana – Romania. The event is organized by Reclaim the Fields together with the Alburnus Maior Association (www.rosiamontana.org), with strong support from the Romanian peasant association Eco Ruralis (www.ecoruralis.ro) and numerous organizations and individuals from across geographical Europe.
[2] Alburnus Maior association represents the local opposition from Rosia Montana against the largest gold mine proposal in Europe which entails the destruction of Rosia Montana and a large area of the Apuseni Mountains in Romania. www.rosiamontana.org
[3] Rosia Montana Gold Corporation is 19.31 percent owned by the Romanian state with the remaining shareholders including Gabriel Resources, Newmont and Barrick Gold.
[4] AFP, Lower cyanide level in Romanian gold mine to cost millions, 23.09.2011, http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hXIMBYPJT-sYBLCZhIWJfy-sp_oQ?docId=CNG.eca6a9ad91bdb5676908fa2ea3090890.e1
Community-Suported Treesitting in Yorkshire: the way forward
27.9.11
An old beech tree has been occupied since Tuesday 20th September, to stop it’s felling, with a change-over of occupier last Saturday, whilst borough and county council battle it out in the courts over whether the tree should be felled or preserved.
Background
27.9.11
An old beech tree has been occupied since Tuesday 20th September, to stop it’s felling, with a change-over of occupier last Saturday, whilst borough and county council battle it out in the courts over whether the tree should be felled or preserved.
Background
The local community has been protesting against the destruction of an 80+ year old Beech Tree in Irton, North Yorkshire for several years.
Irton is a village which has a strong community spirit. Residents and outsiders have come together to show their opposition to a North Yorkshire Council decision which goes against common sense.
One visitor to the village stated “ I went prepared to think it was just an ordinary tree …. But it is exceptional! It is beautiful – it adds grace to the village. Losing it would make a huge difference.”
The tree has a ‘tree preservation order’ on it, which presumably means that tree experts feel it should not be destroyed. Despite this as well as local opposition from residents, local councillors, the general public and environmental experts, – North Yorkshire County Council has decided to follow legal procedures to destroy the tree. ….
Why is the tree being destroyed?
Occupiers of a nearby house state that the tree roots are affecting, or may affect in the future:
• The boundary walls
• The drainage system
• The current owners access to the property
Why these are not valid reasons
The boundary walls
• There is no visible sign of damage to boundary walls.
“ It is not in any way affected – it is perfectly upright” says one independent observer. House owners need to provide evidence that damage has happened. This concern cannot be taken seriously.
The drainage system
• 2 expert reviews or ‘technical reports’ have apparently been conducted. Allegedly, the first report found that the damage to drains preceded the tree, and the second report found that the drains were being damaged by the tree.
o Who has commissioned these reports? No information has been provided to the public about who did these reports. Why aren’t these in the public domain?
o A local tree student has explained that any damage done to walls or drains can nowadays be dealt with by localised methods – the affected roots can be treated and there is no need to cut down an entire tree.
The current owners access to the property
• The current occupiers can move their access point, or consider using sustainable methods of transport.
o Long term residents of the village have stated that the property entrance was originally well away from the tree, and only in recent years has the gateway been altered.
o Residents have indicated that the current owners wrere previously interested in property development on the site – they submitted a planning application for the development, of several dwellings…… but were declined.
North Yorkshire County Council may have fears about the financial implications of decisions they make now, however it is unacceptable to make the fear of an individual home owner suing the council override the rights and needs of normal citizens.
The protesters
This protest is entirely peaceful, and there was a feeling of confusion amongst protesters surrounding the concept that what they are doing is a lawbreaking activity.
“We felt the tree had been condemned. We needed to stop it happening. It is disgusting.”
The protest includes a tree-sit in. 2 residents have been residing in the tree in order to save it.
“We got ladders, and stood them up the tree. An hour later, the contractors turned up. There are 60 and 70 year olds who really do not want this tree cut down. Come and have a look – there is no evidence of damage.”
Protestors in and out of the tree have been supported by a strong community, providing moral support, food, drink and warmth, as well as the obligatory wee jar.
The views
“This is really moving all the bystanders…. Their expressions are amazing…. It can’t be wrong to make a peaceful protest.”.
“There is no defence for killing this tree… I can’t find any defence.”
“ It can’t be right…. People in power making decisions….it just seems very wrong…. It is very wrong. ”
Protestors are currently being advised by the Environmental Legal Foundation.
new EF! Action Update
In an end of the summer compact EF!AU, find news about kicking shell in the teeth in Rossport again and then some more, solidarity with the community at Dale Farm, and anti-GM resistance – Spuds you Don’t Like demo in England, sabotage in Germany, France and Scotland.
In an end of the summer compact EF!AU, find news about kicking shell in the teeth in Rossport again and then some more, solidarity with the community at Dale Farm, and anti-GM resistance – Spuds you Don’t Like demo in England, sabotage in Germany, France and Scotland.
On top of the usual contacts and dates, read about solidarity with jailed Swiss nanotech activists, resistance against steel plants, mobile phone masts, mining and energy projects here & across the world – stay angry and don’t carry on as usual!
The quarterly EF!AU, August 2011