East Midlands – Page 30

ID-DAY – National Day of Action against ID CARDS 26/3/07

DEFY ID CARDS & THE DATABASE STATE

TAKE BIG BROTHER DOWN

ID-DAY

Is a national day of autonomous action against ID cards and the Database state.
Across the country people will be protesting against the opening of the new ID ‘enrolment’ centres.

DEFY ID CARDS & THE DATABASE STATE

TAKE BIG BROTHER DOWN

ID-DAY

Is a national day of autonomous action against ID cards and the Database state.
Across the country people will be protesting against the opening of the new ID ‘enrolment’ centres.

Call for workshops at the Earth First! Summer Gathering 2007

This year’s gathering is from 18 – 22 July in Norfolk, near a mainline railway station.

The focus is on practical skills, but there will also be many of the regular diverse and interesting workshops.

This year’s gathering is from 18 – 22 July in Norfolk, near a mainline railway station.

The focus is on practical skills, but there will also be many of the regular diverse and interesting workshops.

The idea is to have multiple workshop sessions, e.g. four two-hour slots spread over four days building up skills in a particular area, so people can learn the basic skills to actually do the job at other mobilisations, events like the climate camp – or wherever. For example plumbing, electrical skills, medics…and whatever else people want to do… It’s not just about the practical skills but also about getting to know each other and starting to work together.

If you would like to offer a workshop please write to:
martinshaw64@riseup.net

Thanks – the EF! summer gathering collecting
General contact details etc at http://www.earthfirstgathering.org.uk/

please forward to people you think would be interested.

documentary: Reclaim Power – voices from the camp for climate action 2006

In the summer of 2006, 600 people convinced that there is no time to waste set up a Camp for Climate Action in the shadow of one of the biggest C02 emitters in Europe: Drax coal-fired power station in Yorkshire / UK. Cine Rebelde produced a documentary film about the camp.

Climate change is now a reality. Leading scientists across the world agree that in a ’business as usual scenario’ we have no longer than 10 years to prevent 2-3 degrees of additional global arming that will lead to irreversible climatic changes with dramatic consequences for our planet.

However, in a world driven by profit and committed to unlimited economic growth, humanity seems very unwilling to change the course of the fossil fuel economy.

In the summer of 2006, the 5th hottest year ever recorded in recent history, 600 people convinced that there is no time to waste set up a Camp for Climate Action in the shadow of one of the biggest C02 emitters in Europe: Drax coal-fired power station in Yorkshire / UK.

With over one hundred workshops on a wide range of topics, the 10 day camp was a space of collective learning, sustainable living and taking direct action on the root causes of climate change. The gathering that showed practical low energy solutions in action, culminated in a day of protest and mass direct action in an attempt to shut down Drax.

DVD 62min + extras
English with subtitles in English, French, German and Spanish
reports on indymedia UK: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/actions/2006/climatecamp/

Trailer download: 2:58 min
http://www.cinerebelde.org/site.php3?id_article=356〈=en

a cine rebelde production in cooperation with http://risingtide.org.uk and http://climatecamp.org.uk

indymedia reports of the Camp 2006:
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/actions/2006/climatecamp/

Pictures, information and film orders:
orders@cinerebelde.org
http://www.cinerebelde.org

DVDs will also soon be available from rising tide, climate camp groups and at the meeting in Bristol.

* * * * * *
Preparations for the Camp for Climate Action 2007 are in full swing. The upcoming meeting will be in Bristol on March 17th /18th.

Rising Tide North America is currently doing a Road Show. Check out:
http://risingtidenorthamerica.org

The Campaign Against Prison Slavery

The Campaign Against Prison Slavery is a group set up to try to expose the reality of prison labour, how little of it teaches skills that can be used after release and which could help reduce the chances of re-offending.

We also seek to expose the private companies that have contracts with prisons that are making huge profits using prisoner labour while the prisoners are paid pennies an hour, any loses incurred by the prison industries contracts are covered by the tax payer.

CAPS now has a new website www.againstprisonslavery.org and the contact details are:

Campaign Against Prison Slavery
P.O. Box 74
Brighton
BN1 4ZQ
E-mail: againstprisonslavery@riseup.net

McLibel: Human Rights Victory Anniversary Demo, Nottingham

To celebrate the McLibel Human Rights Victory Anniversary, there was a small demo on Thursday 15th February, 5pm – 6pm at Exchange Walk, Nottingham

The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg declared that the notorious and long running McLibel case was in breach of the right to a fair trial and right to freedom of expression, thereby voiding any solace that McNasty may have enjoyed from the trial.

The Court ruled that UK laws had failed to protect the public’s right to criticise massive corporations whose business practices can affect people’s lives, health and the environment.

Meanwhile after spending £10 million to suppress free speach, McDonalds find that the most widely distributed protest leaflet ever, continues to be distributed worldwide… I include a copy, for your interest!

As ever, when a protest is involved, there is a uniform nearby that has to get involved. Bless, they can’t help it, can they. This being a Community Protection Officer [half-a-constable] …. he had taken it upon himself to tell a student journalist that he couldn’t take pictures that included him! The student was attracted by the fact that someone had given the officer a leaflet and he was reading it.

Yet again, an officer abusing and exceeding his authority in intimidating people from doing something they are legally entitled to do, namely to take a photograph in a public place. I interceded pointing out that it was so allowed, and that he should leave him alone.

Meanwhile, it was a productive event, with many leaflets given out, and many folks interested in the issues being highlighted. Cheers to those that turned out on a cold and windy evening. Nice one!

Much more info at: http://www.veggies.org.uk/event.php?ref=50

and if you want to know yet more about the alternatives ….. please contact:

Veggies: http://www.veggies.org.uk

McLibel Support Campaign. 5 Caledonian Rd, London N1
Ph: 020 7713 1269
email: mclibel@globalnet.co.uk
Website: http://www.mcspotlight.org

Notts Critical Mass Relaunch for 23rd February 2007 with NEW Meeting Point

Let’s get this ride on the road!!!
Friday 23rd February is Nottingham’s next Critical Mass Bike Ride with a NEW Meeting Point in Market Square. This change is for everyone who rides a bike in Nottingham and wants to take part.

Critical Mass is a monthly bike ride to celebrate cycling and to assert cyclists’ right to the road. With no set routes and no leaders, it’s simply a bunch of people enjoying clean healthy transport.

Check out the website at http://www.criticalmassrides.info/nottingham
Join the discussion group at http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/nottcriticalmass

In addition to all of the worthwhile issues that Critical Mass highlights, it’s a great way to meet people and perhaps do a bit of networking to promote other campaigns.

So why start from the Market Square? Well Critical Mass should appeal to anyone that rides a bike so it should start from the most central location for everyone’s benefit. Plus, practically every other Critical Mass around the globe starts from a central, well-known location which makes it easy to remember and easy to find.

It’s never more than a couple of hours. Bring bright clothing, lights, horns, bells, NOISE and FRIENDS.
The next one is Friday 23rd February from Market Square, Nottingham (Last Friday of every month). Gather at 5.30pm to depart at 5.45pm. Let’s get on our bikes and make this, the simplest of actions, happen.

Spring Into Action – A week of events on Climate Change, happening in Nottingham

A week of workshops, events, music and action on climate change happening at different venues across Nottingham, from Thursday 5th – Wednesday 11th April 2007.

Climate change is real and it’s happening now. Governments and corporations dream of continued economic growth – economic growth can’t solve this crisis, but we can. A massive and concerted effort is needed on the scale of ‘Dig for Victory’ or the ‘Home Front’: A war on climate change.

We can’t continue our current way of life – the oil on which it all depends is running out too fast. A shift to a locally based economy will have to happen, with food and energy being produced by the people that use it. The only question is when? We could start now, or we could wait for a future of war, famine, hurricanes, droughts and floods. We need to gain the courage and change fast enough to cultivate a new world, before it’s too late.
‘Spring into Action’ http://www.eastsideclimateaction.org.uk/ is part of an emerging grassroots movement against climate change. Born out of the Camp for Climate Action http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/ ‘Spring into Action’ unites people across the east of England into making changes in our own lives, creating small scale solutions in our communities and resisting those who still seek their own short term gain over a safe future for us all.

So get involved, come join a workshop or run one yourself, come and help organise the change that you want to experience in our world.

Tel: 07765 217118
Email: info [at] eastsideclimateaction [dot] org [dot] uk

Public Meetings:
Monday 5th February 2007, 7:30pm, Leicester, Friends Meeting House, Queens Road.
Thursday 8th February 2007, 7:30pm, Nottingham, International Community Centre, Mansfield Road.
Next Planning Meeting:
Thursday 15th February 2007, 7pm, Nottingham, Sumac Centre, Gladstone Street.

Eastside Collective
info@eastsideclimateaction.org.uk
http://www.eastsideclimateaction.org.uk/

Next national climate camp organsing gathering Feb 17/18 in Leeds

The next national organsing gathering will be in Leeds on Sat and Sun Feb 17th/18th. It will be at The Common Place in Leeds city centre and vegan food, accommodationand creche will be provided (please contact us with accommodation, creche or any other needs though so we can plan ahead).

Climate campers are at it again! More than seventy people from around the UK met in Leeds in January and decided to organise another Camp for Climate Action this summer from 14th to 21st August. As many of you know, for ten days last August hundreds of people gathered in the shadow of Drax coal-fired power station in Yorkshire to share knowledge and inspiration to tackle the greatest threat to life on Earth, live an example of more just and sustainable alternatives, and confront one of the UK’s biggest polluters in a day of mass direct action.

Following on from this success, Camp for Climate Action 2007 will take place near to a target relating to aviation or the coal or oil industries. The location will be chosen over the coming months. Organising outreach,
fundraising, site practicalities and workshops is underway. Self managed camping, eating and living neighbourhoods around themes and geographical areas are also being planned, contact details are on the website.

There is loads to do, and everyone is invited to get involved – no experience necessary! The next national planning meetings will be held in Leeds at the Common Place, on the 17th and 18th February, and then in
Bristol on the 17th and 18th March.

See www.climatecamp.org.uk for more info. There are lots of ways to get involved without coming to national gatherings, but coming to them is a great way of really feeling part of the whole process, we work with consensus decision making and collective responsibility, everyone gets their say in how the whole thing goes.

For a 20min film of last years camp get
V For Video Activist – SchMOVIES DVD Collection 2006 OUT January 2007
– £6 (including P&P). Contact the SchNEWS Office 01273 685913 or schnews@brighton.co.uk

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

Critical Masses This Friday (& others)

This is the first critical mass of 2007. Lets start as we mean to go on and make it a big one!

We cycle round the city to celebrate the bicycle:
It’s for anyone that rides a bike;
Its a celebration of getting round the city without polluting it;

This is the first critical mass of 2007. Lets start as we mean to go on and make it a big one!

We cycle round the city to celebrate the bicycle:
It’s for anyone that rides a bike;
Its a celebration of getting round the city without polluting it;
Its about every journey being an adventure instead of just sitting on a boring bus or in a stressful car;
Its about cyclists riding together to demand more respect from other road users;
Its a way to meet other cyclistas;
At roughly the same time on Friday hundreds of cities around the world do the same thing…all get together for critical mass. its beautiful to know that as you ride with your mates through your own city that all around the world thousands of people are doing the same thing…

Rides in the UK this Friday include:
* Brighton – Gather 18:00 at the Level (BN2 3FX)
* Cambridge – Maybe gather 18:30 Cambridge Market Square
* Leeds (This month’s callout) – Gather 17:30-18:00 Millenium Square
* London – Gather 18:30 Waterloo Bridge, by the National Film Theatre
* Manchester (videos of previous rides) – Gather 18:00 Central Library
* Nottingham – Gather 17:30 Savoy cinema on Derby Road in Lenton
* Oxford – Gather 17:45-18:00 Cornmarket end of Broad Street outside The Oxford Story
* Reading – Gather 17:30, Reading Town Hall

Please leave a comment if your ride has been left off (or is incorrect).
————————————————————————
York Critical Mass

In order not to clash with other rides in the vicinity, York Critical Mass is on the first Friday of every month meaning that the next ride is next Friday on 2nd February. Assemble at 5pm outside Costcutters at the University or 5:30pm outside York Minster. See you there!

Birmingham Critical Mass: Friday, February 2nd

Brum’s critical mass is also on the first friday of the month, Friday 2nd February.
We meet up at Pigeon Park (St. Philip’s Cathedral) at 5:30pm and set off at 6pm.
The rides are getting more popular and more creative. There’s now a mobile soundsystem and for winter critical mass’ riders bring along fairy lights to illuminate the ride.
Subscribe to the list below if you want to get more involved!
http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/brumcriticalmass

Glasgow CM

This Friday at 5:30, George Square.
http://www.citystrolls.com/strolls/pages/critical.htm
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For list of UK rides & links, see also http://criticalmass.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_Critical_Mass_rides#United_Kingdom

Activist Mediation Network Launched!!!!!

Want to learn mediation skills?
Interested in helping support activist groups engage with internal disagreements and conflict, to make them more effective?
Want to tackle conflicts in your personal life that interfere with your activism?

Our launch events will be training days:

Northern Launch –
Leeds on 10th March 2007, from 11am – 5pm

Southern Launch
– London on 17 March 2007, from 11am – 5pm.

The aims of these days are:

To train people in conflict resolution skills that they can use in their own lives and activist work
For people interested in volunteering with us to receive training and to meet with us to discuss taking it further.

If you have a specific conflict or situation that you would like to discuss with us, then please get in contact and we’ll see if we can help.

Activist Mediation to the rescue! (not really!)

Details of the training days:

Booking essential: Please email activistmediation [at] aktivix [dot] org
Cost: We are asking for a £10 donation to fund expenses and help set up a travel fund to help with our mediation work. If money would prevent you from attending, then get in touch.
Creche: We are not providing creche facilities, but if childcare issues are preventing you attending, please get in touch and we’ll try and sort something out.
Access: Both venues are wheelchair accessible, and have accessible toilets. For other access needs, please contact us.
Lunch: Not provided. Please bring your own.
Transport and Accommodation: Get in touch if you have any issues or can offer a lift.

For further information have a look at our website www.activistmediation.org.uk
or telephone us on 0845 223 5254, and get in touch.

Background

For the last few years we have both been involved in mainstream mediation, and using these skills at various activist camps and situations (Climate Camp, Earth First!, Radical Routes, Trident Ploughshares). We have also been asked to work with other activist groups to help them resolve internal conflicts. There is obviously a need for this work to be done on an ongoing basis, and so we have decided to set up an activist mediation network. The aim is not for us to solve conflicts, but to skill share and offer impartial mediators in order to help groups and individuals resolve their own conflicts.