East Midlands – Page 22

Camp for Climate Action to target Kingsnorth power station

3.03.2008
Today it was announced that E.ON’s Kingsnorth power station in Kent will be the site of this summer’s Camp for Climate Action, running from 4 th to 11th of August 2008.

Coming on the back of last week’s actions against the proposed third runway at Heathrow, with activists occupying the tailfin of a jet and the roof of the houses of parliament, climate activists promise that 2008 will be “the year of direct action on climate change”.

3.03.2008
Today it was announced that E.ON’s Kingsnorth power station in Kent will be the site of this summer’s Camp for Climate Action, running from 4 th to 11th of August 2008.

The protest will begin with a one-day event at Heathrow, the site of the previous year’s camp, before marching across London to Kingsnorth. This is one of eight climate camps targeting coal across the world this summer.

Climate change activists will converge on Kingsnorth power station where owners E.ON plan to build the UK’s first coal fired power station in 30 years. Saturday 9th August has been named a ‘day of mass protest and direct action’ against Kingsnorth to highlight its impact on climate change.

Moving from Heathrow to Kingsnorth highlights government and corporate collusion to expand the fossil fuel economy when the scientific consensus demands the opposite. The camp will bring together thousands of activists for several days of workshops and direct action. The camp will also challenge businesses set to profit from false solutions to climate change such as agrofuels. A day of action targeting the agrofuel industry will be an integral part of the week long camp.

Natasha Edleman said: “Building a new coal-fired power station in the middle of a climate crisis is madness. The science shows that we only have a few years to avert catastrophic climate change. If we let this happen then there are seven more power stations coming. This must be stopped.”

Charlie Owens said: “Biofuels have been proposed as a solution to climate change. But new studies confirm that they are just as dangerous as fossil fuels. And they create the illusion we can carry on as usual. In the end we can only stop climate change if we challenge the growth economy and start putting people and planet first.”

For more information see:

http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/
http://www.StopKingsnorth.org/

* Like Heathrow, Kingsnorth is awaiting the approval of the government. The decision on whether to hold a public inquiry into the power station will be taken by John Hutton, at BERR, in the next six weeks. As with Heathrow, there are accusations of collusion between EON and the government. For more information see: www.greenpeace.org.uk

* Kingsnorth will produce twice as many climate-harming emissions as a third runway at Heathrow. According to the World Development Movement, flights from a third runway at Heathrow will produce as much greenhouse gas as the whole of Kenya.

* If Kingsnorth is built it is likely to open the way to new build coal. Up to seven other similar projects are planned. Growth in coal-power will undermine investment in renewable energy.

* Last year’s camp was on land which is intended for the building of a third runway at Heathrow. The eight-day camp brought together 2000 people on land next to the village of Sipson and shut down BAA’s headquarters for 24 hours. The camp also organised up to 20 smaller actions on other aviation and climate change related targets. There were 70 arrests over the week.

* E.ON has tried to greenwash their plans to build a new plant at Kingsnorth by claiming that it might one day be upgraded to use carbon capture technology. Even by the most optimistic standards, such technology will not be ready until 2020.

* In the weeks before last year’s camp, BAA applied for an injunction to stop the camp taking place. The injunction covered two million members of environmental groups from the RSPB to Greenpeace. The injunction was successfully defeated in the courts.

* In addition to the camp, days of action on climate change are planned for the 1st April (Fossil Fools Day), 1st May (Mayday), 3rd June (highlighting issues to do with food and climate change)

* “Agrofuels” are liquid fuels produced from agricultural crops. These are also referred to as “Biofuels”.

Japanese Whaling Fleet Confronted By Sea Shepherd + Interview With Nottingham Activist On Board

3.03.2008 – Aboard the M/Y Steve Irwin Southern Oceans —The crew on the Sea Shepherd ship Steve Irwin engaged in a confrontation with the Japanese factory ship Nisshin Maru this morning between 0800 and 1000 Hours. The Nisshin Maru cannot outrun the Steve Irwin. After a 12 hour chase the Sea Shepherd ship closed the gap and passed alongside the Nisshin Maru. The crew deployed over two dozen bottles of rotten butter sending a stench throughout the whale killing ship that will remain for days. The crew also threw packets of a slippery chemical onto the deck of the Nisshin Maru. This will make it very difficult to cut up whales. The substance becomes even more slippery with water so it will be difficult to wash it off the decks.

“I guess we can call this non-violent chemical warfare,” said Captain Paul Watson. “We only use organic, non-toxic materials designed to harass and obstruct illegal whaling operations.” Four armed Japanese Coast Guard officers clearly identified in their uniforms videotaped the confrontation.

The Captain of the Nisshin Maru played a tape over and over again with a woman’s voice saying “Warning, warning, this is the Nisshin Maru captain. Stop your destructive actions immediately. If you dare to board this vessel you will be taken into custody and restrained as illegal intruders under Japanese law.”

Captain Paul Watson radioed the Nisshin Maru to inform them that they had no authority in the Australian Antarctic Territory. Captain Watson ordered the Japanese captain to cease all whaling operations and to comply with the Australian Federal Court ruling that prohibits the Japanese whaling fleet from killing whales in the Australian Antarctic Territorial waters.

The confrontation took place at 63 Degrees 17 Minutes South and 126 Degrees and 20 minutes east. This is 175 miles off the Banzare Coast inside the Australian Economic Exclusion Zone. The Steve Irwin has fallen half a mile off to the starboard side of the Nisshin Maru. “It stinks too bad to remain any closer,” said Todd Emko 32, of New York City.

Not a single whale has been killed since the Sea Shepherd ship Steve Irwin returned to harass the Japanese whaling fleet in the Australian Whale Sanctuary. “They will not be getting their quota this year and that is a certainty,” said Jeff Hanson 35, from Fremantle, Western Australia. “In fact I don’t think they will be getting half their quota.” In total the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has shut down illegal Japanese whaling operations for over four and a half weeks.

=======

Interview With Nottingham Activist In Southern Ocean On Board Sea Shepherd Ship

Dan is an activist from Nottingham who has joined the crew on board the Sea Shepherd vessel Steve Irwin in a bid to stop the illegal whaling activities of the Japanese near Antartica. The mission, named Migaloo, started last December and after refuelling in Melbourne last month, the Sea Shepherd crew is back in the oceans, have managed to track down the whaling fleet and have been in hot persuit of its main vessel, the Yushin Maru No. 2 for the last week. Accoring to one of the crew onboard the ship “the weather is getting colder and we are getting many hours of darkness now. The Antarctic winter is creeping up on us. The seas are getting rougher and we are getting blizzards.” We joined Dan via sattelite phone to ask him about his adventures..

Interview 28/02/08

Dan: Hello?

Q: Hello?

Dan: Eh up, how is it going?

Q: Yeah, I’m fine, how are you?

Dan: Good mate.

Q: And you thought you’d get away with not doing an interview with us? 🙂 (Dan left earlier than anticipated)

Dan: I knew you’d catch up with me eventually..

Q: So how is it going?

Dan: Yeah, I’m alright. We’re in the middle of the southern ocean right now. In a big storm at the moment with things flying around everywhere..

Q: I read some stuff about the seas being really rough, varied at times it would be like sunny and then blizzards and things..

Dan: Yeah, I mean we’ve got about 4 meter waves and I’m not sure what the windspeed is..

Q: But you’re all coping with it?

Dan: Yeah, we didn’t expect it to be this bad, from the weather reports we were getting. But its here now..

Q: Could you explain a little bit about what it is that you guys are doing there at the moment?

Dan: Right now we are chasing the Japanese whaling fleet around the coast of Antartica. We’d like to catch up with them and stop them. By constantly chasing them we’re hoping to reduce their ability to whale. […] They’re certainly not whaling in this weather. The last couple of days they haven’t killed any whales at all.

Q: You’ve been on the chase for a number of days. Is there an end in sight? How long is this gonna go on for?

Dan: I mean depending on the weather and stuff we will carry on until our fuel runs out. Thats still a good few weeks yet, which should bring us to the end of the whaling season actually. We should be leaving the same time as the [whaling] fleet.

Q: Whats your job on the ship?

Dan: Everyone has their set role on the ship. I’m in charge of the deck department. I am also in charge of all the ships cleaning duties, making sure the toilets are clean. Also looking after all the equipment on deck, like the crane and the anchors. I’m also in charge of the inflatable boats which we use on our actions. Making sure they are in good working order and getting people trained up to use them. So thats my job. We’ve got navigators, we’ve got people in the gally cooking, we got people in the engine room making sure we have the power and [there is] also a communications officer, who keeps us in touch with email etc, lots of different jobs.

Q: Why did you decide to join the Sea Shepherd more than any other organisation, for example Greenpeace?

Dan: I’m interested in the Sea Shepherd because of its direct action angle. We don’t do any protesting. We actually physically trying to stop [the whaling fleet]. Not really interested in just protesting, done that before.. I’m concerned with saving [animals] from the seas and ending whaling forever. Its the Sea Shepherd direct angle I’m attracted to..

Q: Because at the moment there are a lot of laws protecting whales.. A lot of laws have been passed, international treaties and all sorts which basically prohibit the whaling, but no one to enforce them and that that is the task that the Sea Shepherd has taken on.

Dan: In this situation the Sea Shepherd is actually playing the role of the Australian navy or coastguard. We’re in Australian waters and Australian territory. The Australian [Federal] Court ruled [recently] that the Japanese whaling [operations] inside their territory is illegal and that it should be restrained. There just isn’t the political will to do that. Japan and Australia are important trading partners. There are numerous laws which are protecting the whales down here, I’m not an expert on all of them, but there is the Convention International Trade In Endangered Species, the UN World Charter for Nature, which is actually empoweres [ordinary] people to enforce these laws, the International Whalings Commission Moratorium on Commercial Whaling, and the Antarctic Treaty protects whales. So they are really blatently breaking a whole bunch of laws. So it is a case of law enforcement, more so that protesting.

Q: Yeah, because I guess there could be a whole load of laws, but if there is no one to enforce them..

Dan: Yeah, its only worth as much as the piece of paper its written on.. These treaties should either not be agreed on or be enforced.

Q: You’re obviously doing a great job down there, is there anything people can do on land to support the stuff you’re doing down there?

Dan: When you go to the Sea Shepherd website there are numerous people you can contact to [confront] them about their inaction. There is Sea Shepherd UK who are constantly raising funds. This ship consumes huge amounts of diesel and then the maintenance and repair. People can be sure that any money they donate will be used directly to [confront] the whalers.

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say to the people in Nottingham, some who you know and will be reading this?

Dan: Hello to everyone I know. Take care of yourselves back there. I’m a bit cold and wet, but yeah, safe so far and I’ll see you all in a few weeks.

Q: Well we wish you all the best, you’re doing a great job down there and there are tonnes of people who really support the stuff you’re doing and we all know its very important so keep up the good work!

Dan: Yeah, cheers mate, take care.

Sea Shepherd Aussie Crew Prepared to Be Taken as Prisoners to Japan

15 Actions to Topple the Fossil Fuel Empire

Rising Tide has just finished producing two new resource booklets …

1 – 15 Actions to Topple the Fossil Fuel Empire – perfect to help plan your action for up and coming Fossil Fools Day – more on that at http://risingtide.org.uk/node/241

Rising Tide has just finished producing two new resource booklets …

1 – 15 Actions to Topple the Fossil Fuel Empire – perfect to help plan your action for up and coming Fossil Fools Day – more on that at http://risingtide.org.uk/node/241

2 – Climate Action Popular Education Pack – packed with tools to help you run engaging, interactive workshops on all aspects of climate change for a wide range of people.

Both resources can be downloaded from http://risingtide.org.uk/resources/other

Paddy´s Day of Action Against Shell

This year´s St Paddy´s day, 17th March, has been called as an International day of action against shell, in solidarity with the people of Rossport.

People from all over Ireland are set to join forces and show their united strength by going all the way to London to demonstrate on shell´s front door step.

This year´s St Paddy´s day, 17th March, has been called as an International day of action against shell, in solidarity with the people of Rossport.

People from all over Ireland are set to join forces and show their united strength by going all the way to London to demonstrate on shell´s front door step.

Gluaiseacht, the Irish environmental network organising the trip, are calling for people to join them at the shell head office in London, or there is also a call out to take solidarity actions at shell garages and offices, St Paddy´s day parades and Irish embassies all over the world to coincide with the visit from 15th-17th March.

The shell centre is located on the South Bank in front of Jubilee Gardens (SE1)
right next to Waterloo train station and across from the London Eye.

What´s Wrong With shell? – The Corrib Pipeline Project

Since 2000 the small rural community of Rossport, County Mayo, Ireland have been engaged in an epic battle trying to prevent Shell, Statoil, and Marathon from building a potentially devastating toxic onshore gas refinery and high pressure pipeline in their remote and environmentally sensitive region.

Shell are the biggest stakeholder and beneficiary of the project, so have therefore been the main target of protest.

Community Strength

From the summer of 2005 mass pickets shut down the refinery construction site after five Rossport residents were imprisoned for refusing to allow Shell’s
sub-contractors access to their and their neighbours’ small farms which the pipeline is to go through. But in October 2006 the Irish state came to the aid of shell by bringing in a massive two hundred strong police unit to physically force a path for Shell to commence work. A large police presence, consisting of Gardai (Irish police) from all over Ireland, has stayed at the site to aid the work to continue undisrupted.

The costs to the Environment, Community & Health

Since shell started building the refinery, Carrowmore Lake, which is a Special Area of Conservation as well as the local water supply to 10,000 people, has been polluted with dangerously high levels of aluminium coming from the building site.

The gas pipeline is to operate at such high pressure that according to the
government’s safety study if ruptured could potentially kill people and destroy buildings for hundreds of metres around.

The waste from the refinery is to be dumped into Broadhaven bay, where 220 sightings of seven whale and dolphin species, plus sightings of two seal species have been recorded.

This is all not to mention the irreparable damage fossil fuels, like gas, are having on destabilising the global climate.

Although the resistance to shell in County Mayo is strong, the Irish state & shell´s tactics of brutality, repression and intimidation has paid a price on the people fighting the pipeline project.

So mark St Paddy´s day by showing solidarity with their fight!

For more info:

http://www.indymedia.ie/mayo – Reports of news and actions about the pipeline
http://www.struggle.ws/rsc – Rossport Solidarity Camp setup to aid the campaign against shell
http://www.corribsos.com – Campaign group Shell to Sea

http://gluaiseacht.nologic.org/wordpress – Gluaiseacht website

Latest details: Earth First! Winter Moot 2008 – February 22nd – 24th 2008 – Nottingham

Join us for
Activist skill share
Planning radical action on climate change,
Sharing ideas for the Earth First! Summer Gathering
Opposition to the UK genetic crop trials and mega-dams in Iceland
a chance to share info on your own campaign

Arrive from 5pm, Friday February 22nd 2008, with dinner at 7 o’clock.
Open to all those who have been involved in radical ecological direct action and to those who just want to find out more.

Arrive from 5pm, Friday February 22nd 2008, with dinner at 7 o’clock.
Open to all those who have been involved in radical ecological direct action and to those who just want to find out more.

Cost: £15 (to include accommodation and food)
Crèche and disabled access both available,
but please call to let us know if you need either or if you have other needs.

At The Sumac Centre, Gladstone Street Nottingham, www.veggies.org.uk/sumac
For more info call 01508 531636 (number not available during the event)

Friday late afternoon and evening will be a chance to arrive, and for introductions, plus a G8 talk & film, and an Introduction to EF!

We’ll be kicking off early on Saturday morning (9am breakfast) – starting with all sharing the most important reasons why we’ve come to Nottingham, we’ll get on with some practical discussions around the EF! Action Update, the website, and the summer gathering.
From what we’ve all said, we’ll be able in the afternoon to move on to ‘where next?’, plus sharing campaigns we’re involved with & seeing what they need, and getting together locally and regionally with other folk who are there.

On Sunday we’ll move into groups to concretely take the ideas forwards from the Saturday, from the campaigns we’re already working on and what we want to do together. We’ll finish at 4pm, after having shared what we’ve come up with. Hoorah.

Earth First! is not an organisation, but a way of using non-hierarchical organisation and the use of direct action to confront, stop and eventually reverse the forces that are responsible for the destruction of the Earth and its inhabitants. For further info check out www.earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/

Plus
All day Friday 22nd February, Saving Iceland UK meeting, also at the Sumac Centre. Open to those interested in travelling to Iceland or taking part in solidarity actions against the construction of large, wilderness wrecking dams in Iceland.

For further information and essential booking contact 01508 531636 or savingiceland@riseup.org

CLIMATE ACTION NEWS SHEET 76, FEBRUARY 2008

CONTENTS:
———————————————-
UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS:
———————————————-
1) FOSSIL FOOLS DAY – (INTER)NATIONAL, 1.4.08
2) FOSSIL FOOL FILMS AT HOUSMAN’S BOOKSHOP – LONDON, 29.3.08
3) CLIMATE OF CHANGE 2 EXHIBITION – LONDON, STARTS 1.2.08
4) NIGHT TALKS AT THE SYNERGY PROJECT – LONDON, 8.2.08
5) COIN EVENTS – LONDON, FEB-MARCH ’08
6) CAMPAIGN AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE TRADE UNION CONFERENCE – LONDON, 9.2.08
7) COLOMBIAN ACCOMPANIMENT TRAINING – BRISTOL, 16-17.2.08
8) ‘THE CARBON CONNECTION’ UK PREMIERE – LONDON, 21.2.08
9) SAVING ICELAND GATHERING – NOTTINGHAM, 22.2.08
10) EARTH FIRST! WINTER MOOT – NOTTINGHAM, 22-24.2.08
11) CAMPAIGN AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE NATIONAL MEETING – MANCHESTER, 23.2.08
12) TELL SHELL AND BP: HANDS OFF IRAQI OIL! – NATIONAL, 23.2.08
13) MASS RALLY AGAINST HEATHROW EXPANSION – LONDON, 25.2.08
14) BRINGING THE PIPELINE BACK TO SHELL – LONDON, 15-17.3.08
15) WEEK OF ACTION ON THE CLIMATE BILL – NATIONAL, 30.3.08-5.4.08
16) APRIL BIOFOOLS DAY – NATIONAL, 15.4.08
17) NATUREWISE COURSES – LONDON AREA, 2008
18) ECO-COMMUNITY EDUCATION WORKSHOPS – SUFFOLK, FEBRUARY-APRIL ’08
19) CAT COURSES – WALES, MARCH-SEPTEMBER ’08
20) CLIMATETALK CARD GAME – FREE UNTIL THE END OF FEBRUARY ’08
21) E-PETITIONS AGAINST AIRPORT EXPANSION – HEATHROW AND NEWQUAY, ONGOING ’08

———————————————-
RECENT HAPPENINGS:
———————————————-
1) TOP WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION DITCHES SHELL – 26.1.08
2) NEW WAVE OF CLIMATE ACTION – NATIONWIDE, JANUARY ’08
3) ACTIVISTS BLOCKADE PRIVATE JETS – EDINBURGH, 21.01.08
4) PENGUINS RECLAIM ICE (SH)RINK – LONDON, 12.01.08
5) GREENWASH GUERILLAS HIT SHELL HQ – 4.1.08
6) LONDON RISING TIDE DIE-IN AT THE TATE – 4.1.08
7) GREENERGY BIOFUELS PROTESTS – LONDON AND EDINBURGH, 30.1.08 AND 31.1.08
8) TESCO GREENWASH PROTEST – MANCHESTER, 23.1.08
9) CLIMATE CAMP SET UP OUTSIDE COURT – NOTTINGHAM, 14.1.08
10) CLIMAX BLOCK DONG POWERPLANT! – COPENHAGEN, 29.1.08
11) INDIGENOUS ACTION AGAINST MINING – PHILIPPINES, 17.1.08
12) OGONI DAY REMEMBERED AS SHELL FAILS TO HALT GAS FLARES – 4.1.08
13) CLIMATE CAMP SUPERGLUE TRIAL – LONDON, JANUARY ’08
14) BONN SQUARE TREE OCCUPATION – OXFORD, JANUARY ’08
15) ACTION AGAINST MOTORWAY THROUGH TARA – IRELAND, JANUARY ’08
16) CRITICAL MASS REPORT – LONDON, JANUARY ’08
17) FOREST PROTEST ACTIONS AND ARREST – TASMANIA – 8.1.08
18) SHELL TO SEA UPDATES – IRELAND, JANUARY ’08
19) ROAD BLOCK E-BULLETIN – JANUARY ’08
20) PERMACULTURE ASSOCIATION E-BULLETIN – JANUARY ’08
21) SAVE SWALLOW’S WOOD CAMPAIGN UPDATE – JANUARY ’08
22) EARTH FIRST! ACTION UPDATE – SPRING ’08

———————————————-
UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS:
———————————————-
1) FOSSIL FOOLS DAY – NATIONAL, 1.4.08
Roll up! Roll up! The Countdown to Fossil Fools Day Begins…
With less than two months to go, activists are busy plotting and planning, intent on bringing the spirit of carnival and mischief to the fight for climate justice. The day of action is being supported by the Climate Camp movement, Global Exchange and Rainforest Action Network among others. Numerous actions are expected worldwide, with possible targets including the oily strongman and gas guzzling gowk, the dirty coal merchant and biofuel clown, the offset juggler and aviation freakshow. It’s time to turn the tables on the fossil fools and to pull a prank that really packs a punch.
http://www.fossilfoolsday.org/
http://www.globalexchange.org/
http://www.ran.org/
The network for climate action is planning 3 Days Of Action Over 3 Months, starting with Fossil Fools.
April 1st: Fossil Fuels / May 1st: False Capitalist Solutions / June: Food and Climate Change. This third day of action will coincide with the UN conference on food security and climate change on 3-5 June.
www.networkforclimateaction.org.uk

2) FOSSIL FOOL FILMS AT HOUSMAN’S BOOKSHOP – LONDON, 29.3.08
Housman’s Bookshop at Kings Cross will be screening two short documentaries in the run up to FFD ( ‘Those Who Dance’ and ‘The Carbon Connection’) highlighting the struggle of communities at the frontline of the fossil fuel empire. Starts at 5pm. http://www.housmans.com/

3) CLIMATE OF CHANGE 2 EXHIBITION – LONDON, STARTS 1.2.08
6-9pm at the old Mercedes Garage,341 Finchley Rd. Camden, London NW3 6ET.
Then on the following Tues and Thurs 6-9pm. This is an open submission exhibition.
http://www.circlecommunity.org/

4) NIGHT TALKS AT THE SYNERGY PROJECT – LONDON, 8.2.08
Climate Abuse – getting over the addiction! by Jonathan Essex 02:00-02:40
Biofuels – worse than fossil fuel? By Jim Roland, eco-campaigner 02:40-03:30
As part of the Synergy event at the SeOne club, Weston Street, London Bridge.
http://www.thesynergyproject.org/content/view/13/38/

5) COIN EVENTS – LONDON, FEBRUARY-MARCH ’08
Win the climate change argument in a 15 minute tea break, 7.2.08 / Carbon Cafe, 12.2.08 / Climate Change Condensed, 28.2.08 / Climate Action Groups, 11.3.08
See www.coinet.org.uk for full details of all our trainings!

6) CAMPAIGN AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE TRADE UNION CONFERENCE – LONDON, 9.2.08
University of London Union, Malet Street, 10 am – 5 pm. Delegate fee £10.
Opening plenary speakers include Michael Meacher MP, Caroline Lucas MEP, Mark Serwotka (General Secretary, PCS), Matt Wrack (General Secretary, FBU).
http://www.campaigncc.org/CCAC%20Trade%20Union%20Conference.pdf

7) COLOMBIAN ACCOMPANIMENT TRAINING – BRISTOL, 16-17.2.08
Espacio Bristol-Colombia are organising a two day training for people interested in going to Colombia to do solidarity ‘accompaniment’ there; that is to both provide an international presence to deter the army or paramilitaries from killing social activists and to work with Colombian organisations building solidarity links. There is the opportunity to get involved with work on biofuels, BP, coal mining as well as struggles around food sovereignty and indigenous rights. The training will take place at Kebele Community Coop , 14 Robertson Road, Easton, Bristol from 11am – 5pm on Saturday and then 10pm – 4pm on Sunday.
If you are interested in attending this training email;
espacio@redcolombia.org.
http://www.redcolombia.org/

8) ‘THE CARBON CONNECTION’ UK PREMIERE – LONDON, 21.2.08
6.30 pm at Waterloo Action Centre, 16 Baylis Road, London SE1 7AA. This brilliant documentary exposes government claims that buying and selling carbon credits can reduce global warming. Plus discussion on sustainable alternatives to trading in pollution. Introduced by Kevin Smith, Carbon Trade Watch and Penny Cole, author of ‘Running a Temperature – action plan for the eco-crisis’. Refreshments. Details: info@aworldtowin.net 07871 745258
http://www.carbontradewatch.org/

9) SAVING ICELAND GATHERING – NOTTINGHAM, 22.2.08
One day gathering on opposition to wilderness trashing dams in Iceland; these are part of the USA’s carbon trading scam and evidence shows that dams are not free from releasing greenhouse gases either. For more info. phone; 01508 531636
http://www.savingiceland.org/

10) EARTH FIRST! WINTER MOOT – NOTTINGHAM, 22-24.2.08
2 days of discussion on radical direct action on climate change, GM food, nuclear power and much more. For more info. phone; 01508 531636
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19843

11) CAMPAIGN AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE NATIONAL MEETING – MANCHESTER, 23.2.08
An opportunity for you to get involved in deciding what the Campaign Against Climate Change should be doing in the coming year, and to hear about plans already made! 11.45 am to 5.00 pm, in the Peterloo Room – The Mechanics Centre, 103 Princess Road, Manchester.
http://www.campaigncc.org/

12) TELL SHELL AND BP: HANDS OFF IRAQI OIL! – NATIONAL, 23.2.08
London action (as part of National Day of Action) meet 12.30pm, Bond Street tube Hold a protest at your local Shell and BP garages (see website for resources), and contact handsoffiraqioil@gmail.com so they can help publicise it.
www.HandsOffIraqiOil.org

13) MASS RALLY AGAINST HEATHROW EXPANSION – LONDON, 25.2.08
‘We want to fill Central Hall, Westminster to get our message across to the Government.’ Speakers, music, solidarity, conviviality, inspiration for action…7pm on the 25th.
http://www.stopheathrowexpansion.com/

14) BRINGING THE PIPELINE BACK TO SHELL – LONDON, 15-17.3.08
Gluaiseacht are mobilising people from all over Ireland to travel to Shell Headquarters in London on St Patrick’s Day to protest the give-away and mismanagement of our national resources. We will be carrying a 200ft pipeline to Shell’s front door. For more info email; gluaiseacht@gmail.com
http://gluaiseacht.nologic.org/wordpress/

15) WEEK OF ACTION ON THE CLIMATE BILL – NATIONAL, 30.3.08-5.4.08
A whole host of NGOs, under the banner of Stop Climate Chaos, will be taking action for a stronger Climate Bill from March 30th to April 5th. In particular, they are encouraging everyone who cares about the Bill to lobby their MPs (not just in the week of action, but starting immediately) – and have produced a comprehensive pack of resources about how to do so. This is available for download at;
http://icount.org.uk/get_involved/296.asp
On Saturday April 5th, Friends of the Earth have called for a Day of Action on the Climate Bill.
http://www.foe.co.uk/index.html

16) APRIL BIOFOOLS DAY – NATIONAL, 15.4.08
On the 15th April the UK biofuel legislation known as the RTFO (Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation) will come into force. This commits the UK to a 2.5% mix of biofuels in both diesel and petrol rising to 5% in two years (2010). This increased demand will exacerbate the serious problems of tropical deforestation, biodiversity loss, land grabs and food price increases forcing yet more people into life-threatening food poverty. A number of NGOs will be protesting on this day and they are hoping for solidarity actions.
www.networkforclimateaction.org.uk

17) NATUREWISE COURSES – LONDON AREA, 2008
Introductory weekends: Hornsey Rise Gardens / Kingston upon Thames / Spittlefields City Farm.
Permaculture for families residential weekend: Epping.
Full design course (residential): Chingford / North London.
Woodland Weekends: Sussex.
Fees: Negotiable and flexible, depending on income.
http://www.naturewise.org.uk/page.cfm

18) ECO-COMMUNITY EDUCATION WORKSHOPS – SUFFOLK, FEBRUARY-APRIL ’08
February 12th, Non-hierarchical Decision Making and effective meetings.
February 13-14th, Solar photo-voltaic panels and 12 volt electrics.
April 3rd-4th, Introduction to permaculture.
April 14th-16th, Building a Grey water system.
Booking is essential – Contact Mell on 07760161755 / 08453370282
email; susteducation@hush.ai
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/cambridge/2008/01/388741.html

19) CAT COURSES – WALES, MARCH-SEPTEMBER ’08
The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) has announced a new programme of one-day courses for 2008:
8 March; Land Art: As Nature Inspires / 15 March; Mosses and Lichens of the Old Quarry / 29 March; Hurdle Making / 29 March; Willow Weaving / 26 April; Forest ecosystems: Dead wood, leaf litter and nutrient cycling / 10 May; Birds of the Old Quarry / 24 May; Woodland Painting / 31 May; Charcoal Drawing / 31 May; Organic Vegetables of the Old Quarry / 3 June; Upland Ecology and Landscape Management: the Future / 14 June; Practicalities of Using Rainwater / 21 June; Plants of the Old Quarry / 19 July; Mammals of the Old Quarry / 30 August; Charcoal Making: Practical and Theoretical / 27 September; Trees of the Old Quarry. Contact the Courses Department on 01654 705981.
http://www2.cat.org.uk/shortcourses/

20) CLIMATETALK CARD GAME – FREE UNTIL THE END OF FEBRUARY ’08
This is a conversation game that helps groups of about 6 people talk about climate change and what they might do about it. Everything they need, including the information and process for this conversation are provided in a smart little pack. Copies of the kit are currently available for free for small organisations that commit to sending their results. It is also freely downloadable from www.climatespace.org

21) E-PETITIONS AGAINST AIRPORT EXPANSION – HEATHROW AND NEWQUAY, ONGOING ’08
Two minutes? – two petitions.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stopheathrowexpansion/
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stopnqyexpansion/

———————————————-
RECENT HAPPENINGS:
———————————————-
1) TOP WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION DITCHES SHELL – 26.1.08
Shell’s two year tenure as sponsor of the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition has come to an end. A determined, creative two year national campaign, coordinated in part by Rising Tide and its Art Not Oil campaign, helped force the National History Museum and the BBC to ditch their unlikely sponsor. London Rising Tide’s Chris Hyde said: “This victory has shown what climatically conscious grassroots art can achieve…we will be keeping up the pressure with our Art Not Oil campaign.”
And please send your art in to the 2008 Art Not Oil online gallery…
http://risingtide.org.uk/node/259,
www.shelloiledwildlife.org.uk,http://www.artnotoil.org.uk/

2) NEW WAVE OF CLIMATE ACTION – NATIONWIDE, JANUARY ’08
Here’s some reasons to be cheerful in the dark winter months… far from hiding away from the cold (or hiding heads in the sand for that matter), hotbeds of climate action are springing up around the country. On the Rising Tide front, six new groups have formed in the last six months, with more people joining in all the time.
http://risingtide.org.uk/node/253

3) ACTIVISTS BLOCKADE PRIVATE JETS – EDINBURGH, 21.01.08
Over twenty environmental protesters breached security at Edinburgh Airport and blockaded the entrance to the private jet company, Greer Aviation. The activists, from direct action group Plane Stupid Scotland, pledged that today’s actions come as part of a nationwide campaign to reverse the current plans for a tripling of air travel in Scotland which they say flies in the face of the government’s own climate targets.
http://www.planestupid.com/?q=content/plane-stupid-scotland-activists-blockade-Edinburgh-airport-private-jets

4) PENGUINS RECLAIM THE ICE (SH)RINK – LONDON, 12.01.2008
Around 30 penguins today “reclaimed the ice” at the Natural History Museum’s ice (sh)rink in protest at British Airways sponsorship of the museum’s annual winter festivities. The protesters, from the climate action group Plane Stupid, dressed as penguins to highlight the irony of an airline creating an ice rink in central London.
http://www.planestupid.com/?q=content/march-penguins-climate-activists-protest-british-airways-ice-rink

5) GREENWASH GUERILLAS HIT SHELL HQ – 4.1.08
A small band of Rising Tide greenwash guerillas entered the lobby of the London Shell HQ to highlight the massive amount of toxic greenwash emanating from the building. Once ejected they continued their work outside, warning the public of the dangers of greenwash.
http://risingtide.org.uk/node/250

6) LONDON RISING TIDE DIE-IN AT THE TATE – 4.1.08
Activists from London Rising Tide staged a ‘die-in’ in the BP sponsored Tate Britain. Bob Jones from LRT said “we’re here to demand that the Tate cut it’s ties with BP, an art gallery is no place for an environmental hazard such as an oil company. BP are here to Greenwash their image and distract from the ecological devastation they’re causing around the world”. The protesters handed out lots of leaflets and urged patrons to demand the end of oil companies’ sponsorship of art galleries.
http://www.londonrisingtide.org.uk/node/409

7) GREENERGY BIOFUELS PROTESTS – LONDON AND EDINBURGH, 30.1.08 AND 31.1.08
In London, a colourful banner protest was held outside the office of Greenergy International, the UK’s largest biofuel supplier. This was part of a National Week of Action on Agrofuels in which different groups and organisations across the UK are organising protests against the deforestation, high food prices, human rights abuses and faster global warming caused by biofuels from large-scale monocultures. There was a second protest at Edinburgh’s Greenergy office.
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/02/390483.html
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/02/390551.html

8) TESCO GREENWASH PROTEST – MANCHESTER, 23.1.08
See; http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19911

9) CLIMATE CAMP SET UP OUTSIDE COURT – NOTTINGHAM, 14.1.08
While the trial of the eleven climate change activists who shut down Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station on April 10th 2007 began at Nottingham Magistrates Court,
Over 30 people set up a climate camp outside the court. This is the first time that the defence of necessity in relation to climate change has been used in a court of law. The defendants will call an expert witness; a climate scientist, and Royal Society Research Fellow, to prove to the court the scale and imminence of the threat that climate change poses. The judgement is expected on 25th February.
http://www.eastsideclimateaction.org.uk
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/01/389386.html
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19860

10) CLIMAX BLOCK DONG POWERPLANT! – COPENHAGEN, 29.1.08
50 activists from the Danish group ClimaX blocked the main entrance to a powerplant in Copenhagen owned by the DONG Energy corporation. The power company plans to start building a coal-fired powerplant in northern Germany.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19933

11) INDIGENOUS ACTION AGAINST MINING – PHILIPPINES, 17.1.08
Tribal villagers blockaded an Australian mining company and forced the firm to leave the village.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19875

12) OGONI DAY REMEMBERED AS SHELL FAILS TO HALT GAS FLARES – 4.1.08
At just before 8.30 this morning, as staff were arriving for work at Royal Dutch Shell’s Irish headquarters in Dublin, they were treated to a taste of what life is like for those who have to live and work near Shell installations in other parts of the world.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19799

13) CLIMATE CAMP SUPERGLUE TRIAL – LONDON, JANUARY ’08
The prosecution collapses. See;
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19819

14) BONN SQUARE TREE OCCUPATION – OXFORD, JANUARY ’08
For updates see;
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19837
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19818
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19827

15) ACTION AGAINST MOTORWAY THROUGH TARA – IRELAND, JANUARY ’08
For action updates see;
http://www.tarapixie.net
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19929
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19905
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19902

16) CRITICAL MASS REPORT – LONDON, JANUARY ’08
See; http://criticalmasslondon.org.uk/
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19920

17) FOREST PROTEST ACTIONS AND ARREST – TASMANIA – 8.1.08
For reports see;
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19937
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19877
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19878

18) SHELL TO SEA UPDATES – IRELAND, JANUARY ’08
See; http://www.corribsos.com/
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19926

19) ROAD BLOCK E-BULLETIN – JANUARY ’08
To get these monthly updates on campaigns against road building schemes (and for some quick online actions ) sign up here;
http://www.bettertransport.org.uk/user/subscribe/2

20) PERMACULTURE ASSOCIATION E-BULLETIN – JANUARY ’08
For the latest ebulletin from the Permaculture Association (Britain) see;
http://permaculture.org.uk/ebulletin.php

21) SAVE SWALLOW’S WOOD CAMPAIGN UPDATE – JANUARY ’08
See; http://www.saveswallowswood.org.uk/index.shtml

22) EARTH FIRST! ACTION UPDATE – SPRING ’08
See; http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19938

———-

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

Please send anything you’d like included in this news sheet to:
newssheet@risingtide.org.uk

To view previous editions of the Rising Tide News Sheet, visit the News Sheet Archive at http://risingtide.org.uk/newssheet

This News Sheet was brought to you by Rising Tide, a grassroots network of groups and individuals committed to taking action and building a movement against climate change.

For more information…
email: info@risingtide.org.uk
Phone: +44 (0)845 458 8923 / +44 (0)7708 794665
Address: 62 Fieldgate St, London, E1 1ES
Web site: http://risingtide.org.uk

PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO A FRIEND AND INVITE THEM TO JOIN THE LIST

To subscribe or unsubscribe visit:
http://risingtide.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/rt-news

ENDS

3 climate days of action: 1st April (Fossil Fools), 1st May (false solutions) & 3rd June (food)

For Fossil Fools Day on 1st April, see previous post
____________________________________________

1 MAY

Mayday Mayday: Invasion of the Climate Snatchers….

For Fossil Fools Day on 1st April, see previous post
____________________________________________

1 MAY

Mayday Mayday: Invasion of the Climate Snatchers….

As climate change rises up the political agenda, the same corporations that are largely responsible for the problem are attempting to dominate the mainstream debate about the solutions, in the hope to maintain the economic status quo.

A huge number of techno-fixes are forming a new economic sector: from biofuels to nuclear power, carbon-trading to hydrogen fuel cells, dumping urine in the ocean to carbon capture and storage. Everywhere corporations are seeking the elusive elixir which allows to continue business as usual.

All of these technologies are a distraction from the real solution to the problems we face: a massive reduction in our consumption and the end to economic growth.

What’s wrong with these technologies?

* A lot of these technologies won’t be ready in time to save the climate
* Many actually increase carbon emissions
* Some rely on a different non-renewable resource
* Many have massive environmental impacts
* None of them can provide us with the amount of energy we currently use
* Many will perpetuate problems of social injustice

On May 1st, international workers day, lets challenge these false solutions to climate chaos and show the real solution: far-reaching social change, and reduction in consumption.

____________________________________________
3 JUNE

Day of Action on Food and Climate Change

The Climate Action day that bites….

The kind of food we eat contributes up to a third of our greenhouse emissions. It’s about time for us to switch to plant based, organic, seasonal and locally produced food.

Climate action starts on your dinner plate, in the supermarket, on your allotment and in your back yard, in the food processing and distribution centres, down on the farm, in your high street, at the airport and in the lorry park.

Take action on 3rd June and help highlight the role of food and the food industry in climate chaos.

Get involved – whether you’re into local food, permaculture, animal rights, allotmenting, humanitarian issues, food politics, transport campaigning. Join the dots on climate change.

____________________________________________

Please distribute this info widely, stick it in your diaries and get
planning. More info including a website to follow soon! In the meantime
you can contact us at manchester@climatecamp.org.uk

For lots of resources and on taking climate action and contact details for
your nearest climate action group see
http://www.networkforclimateaction.org.uk

Support the Eco-Prisoners – Imbolc 2008 – they’re in there for us out here, please write

Spirit of Freedom
(February 2008)
Produced by
EARTH LIBERATION PRISONERS SUPPORT NETWORK

“The whole experience has been tough, but all the kind and strengthening words and wise thoughts from strangers made it much easier!”
(Former Swedish Animal Rights Prisoner)

Welcome to the February 2008 edition of Spirit of Freedom. As we enter February so we await three major events. First off, Jeff ‘Free’ Luers is due to be re-sentenced. We hope its good news. Secondly, Eric McDavid is also due to be sentenced. As soon as Eric has been sentenced we urge everyone to send him letters of support. And thirdly, the police informant Jacob Ferguson is also due to be sentenced. His cowardly deals and treachery means he won’t be sent to prison. But we await with interest to see what sentence this piece of scum does receive. If anyone hears, please do let ELP know. But whilst we await those three sentencings, please don’t forget all the other eco-prisoners. Remember, no matter where you are in the world, support the eco-prisoners and no compromise in defence of Mother Earth!

ECO-DEFENCE PRISONERS

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.

Grant Barnes #137563, San Carlos Correctional Facility, PO Box 3, Pueblo, CO 81002, USA. Serving 12 years for setting fire to a number of SUV vehicles. On one of the vehicles the letters ELF was spray-painted.

Nathan Block, #36359-086, FCI Lompoc, Federal Correctional Institution, 3600 Guard Road, Lompoc, CA 93436, USA. Serving 7 years & 8 months for an ELF arson against a Poplar Tree Farm and an ELF arson against an SUV dealership. Also admitted his role in an ELF/ALF conspiracy.

Marco Camenisch, Postfach 3143, CH-8105 Regensdorf, Switzerland. Serving 18 years. 1) Ten years for using explosives to destroy electricity pylons leading from nuclear power stations. 2) Eight 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.

Rod Coronado – See details in Animal Liberation Prisoners List.

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

Jeffrey Luers, #1306729, Lane County Adult Corrections, 101 West 5th Ave, Eugene, OR 97401-2695, USA. Awaiting resentencing. Originally sentenced to 22 years & 8 months for arson on a SUV dealership & the attempted arson of an oil truck.

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

Daniel McGowan #63794-053, Unit I, FCI Sandstone, Federal Correctional Institution, PO Box 1000, Sandstone, MN 55072, USA. Serving 7 years for an ELF arson against a Poplar Tree Farm and an ELF arson against an old growth logging corporation. Also admitted his role in an ELF/ALF conspiracy.

Christopher McIntosh #30512-013, FCI Fairton, PO Box 420, Fairton, NJ 08320, USA. Serving 8 years for setting fire to a McDonald’s restaurant.

Jonathan Paul – See details in Animal Liberation Prisoners List.

Costantino Ragusa, Casa Circondariale, Via Prati Nuovi 7, 27058 Voghera (PV), Italy. Il Silvestre activist serving 2½ years. 1) 18-months for burgling and firebombing a multinational company. 2) 12-months for organising an anti-GM protest. Costanino is also awaiting trial accused of using explosives to damage an electricity pylon in protest at nuclear energy.

Julio Villanueva, C.P. Prision De Pamplona, 31080, Iruna (Navarra), Spain.
Serving just under 5 years for sabotaging machinery at the controversial Itoiz dam construction site.

Joyanna Zacher, #36360-086, FCI Dublin, 5700 8th St.- Camp Parks- Unit F, Dublin, CA 94568, USA. Serving 7 years & 8 months for an ELF arson against a Poplar Tree Farm and an ELF arson against an SUV dealership. Also admitted her role in an ELF/ALF conspiracy.

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.

Gregg Avery TA7450, HMP Winchester, Romsey Road, Winchester, SO22 5DF, England. On remand accused of conspiracy to blackmail, in relation to his involvement with the SHAC campaign.

Natasha Avery NR8987, HMP Bronzefield, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, Middx. TW15 3JZ, England. Jailed for breaching her parole conditions imposed on her for telling a fox hunting murdering scum what she thought of them. Also awaiting trial accused of conspiracy to blackmail, in relation to her involvement with the SHAC campaign.

Nathan Block – See details in Eco Defence Prisoners List.

Mel Broughton TN9138, HMP Woodhill, Tattenhoe Street, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK4 4DA, England. On remand accused of involvement with an arson and blackmail campaign against an Oxford University vivisection establishment.

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.

Rod Coronado, Voice of the Earth, PO Box 732, Tucson, AZ 85702, USA. Due to be sentenced to one-year imprisonment after Rod informed people how to make an incendiary device during a speech at an animal rights gathering.

Donald Currie A3660AA, HMP Parkhurst, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 5NX, England. Serving an Indeterminate Sentence, of not less than six actual years, for carrying out arsons against targets associated the vivisection industry including HLS.

Lauren Gazzola #93497-011, FCI Danbury, Federal Correctional Institution, Route #37Danbury, CT 06811, USA. Serving 54 months imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.

Sarah Gisborne, LT5393, HMP Downview, Sutton Lane, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5PD, England. Serving 5½ 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.

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

Daniel McGowan – See details in Eco Defence Prisoners List.

Heather Nicholson VM4859, HMP Bronzefield, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, Middx. TW15 3JZ, England. On remand accused of conspiracy to blackmail, in relation to her involvement with the SHAC campaign.

Jonathan Paul, #07167-085, FCI Phoenix, Federal Correctional Institution, 37910 N 45th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85086, USA. Sentenced to 51 months for an ALF arson on a horse meat plant. Also admitted his role in an ELF/ALF conspiracy.

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.

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.

Joyanna Zacher – See details in Eco Defence Prisoners List.

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 20½ 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.

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 either under house arrest or released on bail.

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 that turned into a riot.

Vahtang Devitlidze, ul. Libbedova 42, UO 68/2, otryad 14, brigada 142, g. Hagyshensk, Krasnodarskiy Kray, 352680 Russia. Serving 2½ years for stabbing a neo-nazi in the leg whilst defending himself from attack.

Augustin Kraus, Vazebni veznice, PP-1, Litomerice, 41 201, Czech Republic.
Serving 14 months for his participation in attacks against local neo-nazis. His charge was “bodily harm”. He speaks Czech, Slovak and Polish. You can also write him short postcards in English.

Gubski Maxim, VK-2 – 21, Batowa str. 4, Bobruisk, 213800 Belarus. Serving 3 years for fighting with neo-nazis.

Vladislav Vladimirovich Plyashkevich, IK-10 otryad 4, Novopoltsk-5 Vitebskaya oblast, 211440 Belarus. Serving 3 years for fighting with neo-nazis.

Christian Sümmermann, BNR: 727/07/7, JVA Tegel, Seidelstr. 39, 13507 Berlin, Germany. Serving 40 months for breaching the peace whilst serving a suspended sentence issued for anti-fascist activities.

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

OTHER PRISONERS

Oscar Santa Maria Caro, CERESO, Miahuatlan de Porfirio Diaz, Oaxaca en Hall B, Cell 5., Mexico. On remand. The exact charges against Oscar are unknown but Oscar is a member of RATA, a known animal rights group.

Sacramento Delfino Cano Hernandez, CERESO, Miahuatlan de Porfirio Diaz, Oaxaca en Hall B, Cell 5., Mexico. On remand. Co-defendant of Oscar Santa Maria Caro.

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

Edward Goodman Africa (AM4974), SCI Mahanoy, 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.

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 monthly prisoner listing which is circulated by e-mail.

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

Newts delay A47 – M1 is left for us to stop

Newts halt work on village bypass
Work on a long-awaited bypass in Leicestershire has been held up because a protected species of newt has been found in the construction area.

Work started in September on the Earl Shilton bypass – planned for more than 20 years – and is set to cost £15m.

But a colony of great crested newts has been found and their protected status means it is illegal to disturb them.

When temperatures rise, the newts will come out of hibernation and move to a pond, allowing work to continue.

‘Horror stories’

The county council’s director of highways, Matthew Lugg, said he was hopeful the lost time could be made up.

Mr Lugg said: “It is very difficult to detect these species and no matter how much you do to detect these creatures, it’s not necessarily going to be comprehensive.

“We are hopeful though that we can make up the time and get back on track. There have been some real horror stories in other parts of the country and our situation could have been much worse.”

The bypass is due to open late in 2008.

The route is about 5km (three miles) long and follows the corridor that links the A47 perimeter road from a new roundabout at Carrs Hill to the A47 Leicester Road.

>>>>>>>>>>>
A small part of the M1 has already been widened, but the battle remains to be fought – 115 miles of it and we can still stop it!

http://www.nowideningm1.org.uk/

Spring into action (though storms may be at the door) – the latest issue of the EF! Action Update has burst forth

Read all about occupations & lock-ons of big industrial places around the world, corporate & government blockades, squatting, airport invasions, subvertising, climate criminals locked & glued shut, trees climbed and chopped down, GM maize fields trashed, hunger strikes, burrowing under fences, jumping on whaling boats, Buying Nothing, Reclaiming the Streets and the unstoppable singing of Christmas songs, not to mention skating penguins. Even some upcoming dates to get stuck in or to meet other direct action crazies. We couldn’t make it up even if we tried.

Another bumper issue, with a special insert on Agrofuels including a list of refineries ‘in the pipeline’ or already on the ground, plus a legal update about the recent changes to your access to solicitors in police stations.

The latest issue of the Earth First! Action Update burst forth at the latest national meeting of the Camp for Climate Action (see climatecamp.org.uk for how the camp idea is audaciously morphing this year).

Download it to print out and share here. Do get in touch with the editorial collective to let them know if you’re dishing it up round your way, or need paper copies, or want to give them one of the rarer ingredients, dosh (to send it to prisoners, protest camps and far beyond) – their contact details and more are here.