Global – Page 95 – Earth First!

Forest defenders take action in the Styx Valley, Tasmania

Two forest actions took place in the Styx Valley this week. On Tuesday morning, community activists from Still Wild Still Threatened halted work on a new bridge as a forest defender locked onto forestry machinery for over 10 hours before being cut off by police. Yesterday, activists conducted a peaceful walk in to stop the industrial scale destruction of ancient forests located in coupe SX10F.

See media releases and audio links below…
MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday, 15 January 2008

Forest defenders take action in the Styx Valley, Tasmania

This morning, community activists from Still Wild Still Threatened halted work on the construction of a new bridge across the Styx River. If built, this bridge will provide increased log truck access to the globally significant stands of giant eucalypts located in the valley.

“Tasmania is currently in a state of environmental emergency. Vast tracts of old growth forests are being destroyed and sent to the chipper in order to further inflate the already grossly bulging bank accounts of a select few. Right now, in coupe SX10F, chainsaws and bulldozers are ripping apart some of our most precious natural heritage” said Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson Ula Majewski.

“The community is being locked out of their own forests all over the state, while local climate criminals Forestry Tasmania employ their usual farcical spin and claim that this bridge will be used primarily for tourists. What this bridge will do is increase the wholesale destruction of some of the island’s most significant carbon sinks” said Ms Majewski.

Recent developments at the Bali climate conference have further reinforced the importance of halting the deforestation and degradation of carbon sinks. Eucalyptus regnans old growth forests, such as those located in the Styx Valley, have been shown to store huge amounts of carbon.

“We are calling on the Rudd government to take serious action and demonstrate to the global community that Australia is implementing intelligent, enlightened and equitable strategies to combat climate change by ensuring the immediate protection of Tasmania’s ancient forests” said Ms Majewski.

Forest defenders will continue to take a stand against the destruction of old growth forests located in the Styx, Weld and Upper Florentine Valleys.

Listen to SWST vs Forestry Tasmania on ABC Radio http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/01/15/2138389.htm

MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday, 17th January 2008

Forest activists continue their protest in the Styx Valley, Tasmania

Early this afternoon, community activists from Still Wild Still Threatened conducted a peaceful walk in to coupe SX10F to document and bear witness to the ongoing destruction of old growth forests located in the Styx Valley.

“Some of our most significant carbon sinks are being destroyed at a disturbingly accelerated rate, rendering Tasmania’s forestry practices an international disgrace. The Rudd government continues to endorse the logging and burning of ancient forests located in the Styx Valley. Protecting Tasmania’s old growth forests is a simple, cheap and intelligent climate change solution” said Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson Ula Majewski.

“SX10F has gained an international profile over the past few years, becoming an iconic example of Tasmania’s globally renowned forests. This irreplaceable ecosystem, located within 1.5km of the World Heritage Boundary, is being ripped apart by bulldozers and chainsaws to line the pockets of greedy woodchippers Gunns Ltd.” said Ms Majewski.

Forest defenders will continue to peacefully protest against the destruction of old growth forests located in the Styx, Weld and Upper Florentine Valleys.

CLIMATE ACTION NEWS SHEET 75, JANUARY 2008

CONTENTS:

———————————————-
UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS:
———————————————-
1) FOSSIL FOOLS DAY – NATIONAL, 1.4.08
2) LONDON RISING TIDE BENEFIT – LONDON, 11.1.08

CONTENTS:

———————————————-
UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS:
———————————————-
1) FOSSIL FOOLS DAY – NATIONAL, 1.4.08
2) LONDON RISING TIDE BENEFIT – LONDON, 11.1.08
3) NEWQUAY AIRPORT EXPANSION, PUBLIC DEBATE – CORNWALL, 12.1.08
4) RADICAL ACTION VS. CLIMATE CHAOS, NATIONAL MEET – NOTTINGHAM, 12.1.08
5) CLIMATE CAMP NATIONAL GATHERING – LEEDS, 26-27.1.08
6) BIOFUELWATCH WEEK OF ACTION – NATIONAL, 26.1.08 – 1.2.08
7) MANCHESTER CLIMATE FORUM – 1.3.08
8) DAY OF ACTION VS. GLOBAL AGRIBUSINESS – INTERNATIONAL, 26.1.08
9) LOW-IMPACT SMALLHOLDING – BUCKS, 11-13.1.08
———————————————-
RECENT HAPPENINGS:
———————————————-
1) NEWQUAY AIRPORT ROOFTOP OCCUPATION – 15.12.07
2) SANTAS AGAINST EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION – NORWICH & LONDON, 15.12.07
3) BRISTOL RISING TIDE TAKES ACTION VS. SHELL GREENWASH – DECEMBER 2007
4) SHELL TO SEA SCALE GOVERNMENT OFFICE – IRELAND, 19.12.07
5) NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE MARCH AND ACTIONS – 8.12.07
6) DUTCH COAL ACTION – 8.12.07
7) FLIGHT CENTRES SHUT FOR BUSINESS – MANCHESTER, 7.12.07
8) CHEADLE-HIGH-STREET AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE – DECEMBER 2007
9) SUBVERTISEMENTS IN LONDON AND MANCHESTER – DECEMBER 2007
10) WOMEN’S BLOCKADE OF DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT – 7.12.07
11) THE TIDE IS RISING! – 7.12.07
12) CLIMATE ACTIVISTS STOP WORK AT COAL MINE – SOUTH WALES, 5.12.07
13) INTERNATIONAL RT HOAX TARGETS BIG CARBON – 3.12.07
14) HOMELESS POLAR BEARS IN COURT – BRISTOL, 14.11.07
15) KEEP OIL UNDERGROUND – DECEMBER 2007
16) SIZEWELL NUCLEAR CLIMATE ACTION – 1.12.07
17) MANIAC MOTORIST MARS MASS – GLASGOW, NOVEMBER 2007
18) VIVA’S ‘HOT!’ CAMPAIGN – DECEMBER 2007
19) WHAT BETTER TIME? – DECEMBER 2007
20) BATH BOMB, ISSUE 5 – DECEMBER 2007
21) PACIFIC CURRENTS – DECEMBER 2007
22) A HOUSE OF CARDS – DECEMBER 2007
23) SOUTH WEST AIR ACTION – DECEMBER 2007
24) RISING TIDE LEAMINGTON SPA – DECEMBER 2007
25) RISING TIDE ON YOU TUBE

———————————————-
UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS:
———————————————-
1) FOSSIL FOOLS DAY – NATIONAL, 1.4.08
Just three months to go – are you out practising your routines? rehearsing your songs? building your props yet? I should get out more over Christmas…
However, it will soon be time to hatch your mischievous scheme, so get your friends round and start plotting!
http://www.fossilfoolsday.org/

2) LONDON RISING TIDE BENEFIT – LONDON, 11.1.08
In support of London Rising Tide, AMP is organising a night of live music at The Others, Manor Road, Stoke Newington. Entrance £5.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=38074566

3) NEWQUAY AIRPORT EXPANSION, PUBLIC DEBATE – CORNWALL, 12.1.08
Organised by Rising Tide with speakers from Groundswell and Plane Stupid.
7pm St. Mawgan Community Hall, Nr. Newquay, Cornwall. For more info. email; kernow@risingtide.org.uk

4) RADICAL ACTION VS. CLIMATE CHAOS, NATIONAL MEET – NOTTINGHAM, 12.1.08
11am – 6pm at The Sumac Centre, 245 Gladstone Street, Forest Fields, Nottingham.
This meeting came out of the last Climate Camp gathering in November. It is focussed on growing our movement – how can we encourage more groups to form and more actions/campaigns to happen? What things do we want to do to help build a vibrant network of regional action groups doing actions locally and nationally?
For instruction on how to get there: http://www.veggies.org.uk/sumac/map.html
Also, 11 people are going to trial in Nottingham on Monday 14th for ‘shutting down’ the local coal power station, If anyone wants to stay to support them that would be great!

5) CLIMATE CAMP NATIONAL GATHERING – LEEDS, 26-27.1.08
The Climate Camp on its own didn’t stop climate change – but it’s part of a growing social movement that can! Come and take the next steps forward at the upcoming UK-wide meeting on Jan 26-27 in Leeds. Everyone is welcome, whether you came to the camp, or were simply inspired by it.
http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/nextmeeting.php

6) BIOFUELWATCH WEEK OF ACTION – NATIONAL, 26.1.08 – 1.2.08
Biofuelwatch are calling for a national week of local action on agrofuels between 26th January and 1st February 2008. We will shortly update our website to provide more background information about the UK agrofuel industry and policies, as well as a draft leaflet and other resources. If you would like to get involved or find out more, please email us at info[at]biofuelwatch.org.uk.
http://biofuelwatch.org.uk/

7) MANCHESTER CLIMATE FORUM – 1.3.08
Manchester Climate Forum “Climate Change: it’s time to prepare”
9.15am at the Methodist Hall, Oldham St, Central Manchester
http://www.manchesterclimateforum.org.uk/index.html

8) DAY OF ACTION VS. GLOBAL AGRIBUSINESS – INTERNATIONAL, 26.1.08
On January 26 self-organized groups from all around the world will take creative action in their community. This will manifest in many ways, from nonviolent direct action, civil disobedience, street theatre, convergences, teach-ins and other activities and events. Grassroots movements around the world are making their voices heard and saying “Another World is Possible”. In coordination with the World Social Forum.
http://www.risingtidenorthamerica.org/wordpress/category/front-page/

9) LOW-IMPACT SMALLHOLDING – BUCKS, 11-13.1.08
Next course by the Low-Impact Living Initiative;
http://www.lowimpact.org/courseoutlinelowimpactsmallholding.htm

———————————————-
RECENT HAPPENINGS:
———————————————-
1) NEWQUAY AIRPORT ROOFTOP OCCUPATION – 15.12.07
For the recently formed Kernow and Plymouth Rising Tide groups, this action marked an escalation in their fight against climate change and for environmental justice. However the planned rooftop protest at Newquay airport was given an unlikely boost when builders at the airport left a ladder propped up!
http://risingtide.org.uk/node/248
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/7146159.stm

2) SANTAS AGAINST EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION – NORWICH AND LONDON, 15.12.07
Subversive Singing Santas Spread Seasonal Sanity in London and Norwich On one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Rising Tide activists in both London and Norwich dressed up as Santas Against Excessive Consumption and hit the high streets to sing a different tune to the usual buy, buy,
buy madness of the holiday season.
http://risingtide.org.uk/node/247

3) BRISTOL RISING TIDE TAKES ACTION VS. SHELL GREENWASH – DECEMBER 2007
A series of actions is being taken against the organisers of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award and Bristol Museum, in protest at the sponsorship of the event by Shell. A grumpy polar bear visited the offices of BBC Wildlife magazine, then activists disrupted Bristol Museum’s posh reception to kick off the exhibition with a Yes Men-style intervention. And on the opening morning, dozens of humans, polar bears, a snow leopard and a tiger gathered (complete with the Shell’s Wild Lie counter-exhibition) in front of the museum. They handed out leaflets and created quite a spectacle. Protests are expected to continue through Jan. 13th.
http://risingtide.org.uk/bristol

4) SHELL TO SEA SCALE GOVERNMENT OFFICE – IRELAND, 19.12.07
A special prayer and carol service was held on 16th December at Bellanaboy, County Mayo, marking the end of another year of community struggle against Shell’s proposed raw gas pipeline and inland refinery.
On the 19th, a small group of Shell to Sea activists scaled the heights of the Department of Natural Resources to place a banner reading PROTECT IRISH NATURAL RESOURCES on the balcony outside Eamon Ryan’s office.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17942
http://www.corribsos.com/

5) NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE MARCH AND ACTIONS – 8.12.07
Over 10,000 climate campaigners took to the streets to take part in marches in London and Glasgow over the weekend, despite pouring rain. Protesters braved the weather in one the biggest demonstrations calling for climate justice the UK has ever seen.
http://www.campaigncc.org/
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/12/387497.html
Environmental activists from direct action group Plane Stupid shut down travel agents and airline offices along the route of the Climate March in London.
http://www.planestupid.com/
Meanwhile, in Manchester airline billboards advertising cheap flights to European cities were subverted.

6) DUTCH COAL ACTION – 8.12.07
A collective of twenty Dutch EarthFirst! activists blocked the coal conveyor- belt to a plant owned by the German energy giant E.on on the Maasvlakte near Rotterdam.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17893

7) FLIGHT CENTRES SHUT FOR BUSINESS – MANCHESTER, 7.12.07
All Flight Centre branches in Manchester city centre were super-glued shut in time for Saturday trading and to coincide with the climate march in London. They were pasted with notices saying: “Closed – we want your kids to have a planet” The UK’s only Hummer dealership, Bauer Millett, was also D-locked shut.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17887

8) CHEADLE-HIGH-STREET AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE – DECEMBER 2007
Activists from Cheadle-High-Street Against Climate Change held a “A planet is not just for Xmas” campaign for a sustainable Xmas.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17917

9) SUBVERTISEMENTS IN LONDON AND MANCHESTER – DECEMBER 2007
Two adverts promoting DVD’s by Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson now have large stickers stuck on declaring “This causes climate change”. Also, FlyBe appears to have spotted the errors of their ways and cancelled their short-haul summer routes. Bravo FlyBe!
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17937

10) WOMEN’S BLOCKADE OF DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT – 7.12.07
Women climate activists blockaded the Department for Transport preventing staff from getting to work and carrying out their policies which are catapulting us towards dangerous run-away climate change. This action comes in response to the Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly confirming the government’s intentions to build a third runway and a sixth terminal at Heathrow and coincides with the opening of their first “consultation”.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17883

11) THE TIDE IS RISING! – 7.12.07
A banner with this warning/statement was dropped to welcome all those entering the city of Manchester on the Princess parkway.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17886

12) CLIMATE ACTIVISTS STOP WORK AT COAL MINE – SOUTH WALES, 5.12.07
More than thirty climate activists, including members of the Rising Tide network, joined with local residents from Merthyr Tydfil in stopping excavation work for a full day on Britain’s biggest ever open-cast coal mine at Ffos-y-fran in South Wales. Activists evaded police and security before taking over the 1,000 acre site on a hilltop near Cardiff. Dressed as clowns and polar bears, they chained themselves to bulldozers and other heavy machinery to prevent work on the mine.
http://risingtide.org.uk/node/242

13) INTERNATIONAL RT HOAX TARGETS BIG CARBON – 3.12.07
Climate activists with the international Rising Tide network embarrassed the U.S. Climate Action Partnership (USCAP), a lobby group composed of 33 prominent businesses and organizations, by distributing a spoof press release declaring that the consortium’s members had committed to a 90
percent reduction in their greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In addition, the spoof release called for an immediate moratorium on the construction of all new coal-fired power plants.
http://risingtide.org.uk/node/240
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2007/dec/03/oil.bp

14) HOMELESS POLAR BEARS IN COURT – BRISTOL, 14.11.07
Four homeless polar bears appeared before Bristol Magistrates Court on 14th November. They were arrested after blockading the Royal Bank of Scotland corporate offices on Avon St. during the Rising Tide national day of action. After pleading guilty to charges of “wilfully obstructing the public highway with a non motor vehicle” (i.e. a suit case) they were given a conditional discharge and went on to picket the RBS branch on Baldwin Street!
http://risingtide.org.uk/node/243

15) KEEP OIL UNDERGROUND – DECEMBER 2007
The only way to fight climate change. A new report by OilWatch.
http://www.oilwatch.org/doc/documentos/Keep_oil_underground.pdf
http://www.oilwatch.org/

16) SIZEWELL NUCLEAR CLIMATE ACTION – 1.12.07
What else would you do at this time in the morning at a nuclear power station, other than lay on the road, lock yourselves together, unfurl your banner reading “nuclear power is not the answer to climate chaos” and wait 15 minutes for the security to notice you.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17868

17) MANIAC MOTORIST MARS MASS – GLASGOW, NOVEMBER 2007
Unburdened with festive spirit, a middle-aged woman leant out of her car and pulled a cyclist off his bike.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17889

18) VIVA’S ‘HOT!’ CAMPAIGN – DECEMBER 2007
“Livestock’s contribution to environmental problems is on a massive scale. The impact is so significant that it needs to be addressed with urgency.” United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation 2006
find out more at
http://www.viva.org.uk/campaigns/hot/index.php

19) WHAT BETTER TIME? – DECEMBER 2007
A free news sheet from the Scottish Climate Activist Network.
http://whatbettertime.livejournal.com/

20) BATH BOMB, ISSUE 5 – DECEMBER 2007
Christmas edition of the monthly Bathonian rabblerousiness.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17905

21) PACIFIC CURRENTS – DECEMBER 2007
For updates on the work of Pacific Environment, a non-profit organisation that protects the Pacific Rim’s wild places and wildlife, see;
http://www.pacificenvironment.org/article.php?id=2658

22) A HOUSE OF CARDS – DECEMBER 2007
From fantasy finance to global crash.
Your guide to understanding the crisis that is sweeping through the global financial system and what it means for ordinary people.
Endorsed by Kevin Smith of Carbon Trade Watch and filmmaker Ken Loach.
http://www.aworldtowin.net/about/HouseOfCards.html

23) SOUTH WEST AIR ACTION – DECEMBER 2007
A new website.
http://www.swairaction.org.uk/

24) RISING TIDE LEAMINGTON SPA is born – DECEMBER 2007
The group had its first meeting on 3rd January and is now swinging into action. If you live in the area and want to find out more or get involved contact becqke@riseup.net

25) RISING TIDE ON YOU TUBE
Rising Tide action footage has been springing up all over youtube – check out http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=RisingTideNetwork for some RT films, some of the latest actions and links to other’s videos of RT actions.

———-

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

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Woman arrested at Tas forestry protest

January 8, 2008

A 23-year-old woman involved in a forestry protest in Tasmania’s south has been plucked by a crane from her forest perch, arrested and charged.

A Tasmanian police search and rescue squad arrived at the protest site in a remote forest in the state’s south about 10am (AEDT) Tuesday to break up a four-day activist vigil.

January 8, 2008

A 23-year-old woman involved in a forestry protest in Tasmania’s south has been plucked by a crane from her forest perch, arrested and charged.

A Tasmanian police search and rescue squad arrived at the protest site in a remote forest in the state’s south about 10am (AEDT) Tuesday to break up a four-day activist vigil.

The woman was sitting atop a 10-metre tall tree trunk which had been concreted into the middle of a major access road.

She has been charged with trespassing, obstructing police, and disobeying directions, Inspector Mark Mewis of Kingston Police said.

She will be bailed to appear in court at a later date.

Two protesters remain sitting in trees at the Weld Valley site, which activists say is under threat from logging.

Police continue to negotiate with the protesters while cables which had connected the tree-borne activists to the road below have been removed.

Huon Valley Environment Centre activists say about 1,000 hectares of untouched “wilderness” could be logged, with plans by Forestry Tasmania to build a bridge across the Weld River to access the area for the first time.

Spokeswoman Jenny Weber said Forestry Tasmania had indicated it planned to start building the bridge before Christmas, and although work has yet to start, it could begin any day.

About a dozen people were at the protest when it got underway on Saturday.

Six people left on Monday after a Forestry Tasmania helicopter hovered over the area and another woman left on Tuesday morning.

The conservation group says the North Weld wilderness includes some of the best examples of ancient forests in Tasmania.

Forestry Tasmania said vast areas of the Weld were already protected.

It said 88 per cent of the valley was protected, with only 12 per cent of the area, in forests outside these zones, available for logging.

It said the designated forestry area would be logged for special timbers to be used for crafts and design, an important industry for the state.

Forestry Tasmania spokesman David Tuck said the protesters had been told repeatedly to leave.

“They have been told for four days to clear out,” he told AAP.

Mr Tuck said protesters wore balaclavas and hurled insults at Forestry Tasmania workers.

The activists were trespassing and had vandalised gates, he said.

“The incredible irony is that they’ve cut down trees in order to construct a tree-sit and put the forest in danger by having a campfire in peak bushfire season,” he said.

http://news.smh.com.au/woman-arrested-at-tas-forestry-protest/20080108-1ksf.html

=====
JAN 9 2007 – Tasmania Police have confirmed that three anti-forestry protesters were arrested in the Weld Valley, south of Hobart, yesterday.

Police and emergency workers used a crane to forcibly remove a 23 year old woman from a blockade yesterday afternoon.
She has been charged with trespass, causing injury to property, obstructing police and disobeying police directions.

A 29 year old woman and a 26 year old man were arrested last night and charged with trespass.

All three are from Lucaston, in Tasmania’s south. They will appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court in February.

source abc

Ogoni Day remembered as Shell fail to honour promise to halt gas flaring

Today is January 4th 2008.

On this day in 1993, 300,000 people in Nigeria marked the United Nations Year of Indigenous Peoples by protesting against Shell’s activities and the environmental destruction of Ogoniland in the Niger Delta.

2008 was supposed to be the deadline for the ending of gas flaring by Shell in Nigeria, but the company now says that this deadline will not be met.

Letting the company have a taste of its own medicine

Today is January 4th 2008.

2008 was supposed to be the deadline for the ending of gas flaring by Shell in Nigeria, but the company now says that this deadline will not be met.

Letting the company have a taste of its own medicine

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.

Short version of video (45 seconds) here: http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=u4uZDvA5WY4

Long version (2 minute) here: http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=597hkm9MuTo

More information on Shell in Nigeria here: http://www.foeeurope.org/press/2007/May3_DU_Flaring.htm

Gas Flaring is simply the releasing of excess gas and liquids associated with oil and gas production pipelines and refineries into the atmosphere. The main purpose of gas flaring is to protect pipelines and infrastructure from over-pressuring

The released gases are burned off, releasing any by-products into the air. These include nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and volatile organic compounds like xylene and hydrogen sulfide. Carcinogens such as benzapyrene are also released. People exposed to these substances can suffer from a variety of respiratory problems, which have been reported amongst many children in the Niger Delta but have but have never been systemically investigated. These chemicals can also aggravate asthma, cause breathing difficulties and pain, as well as chronic bronchitis.

Benzene, which is known to be emitted from gas flares in undocumented quantities, is acknowledged as being a causative agent for leukemia.

Gas flaring of course, also contributes to global warming and climate change.

Together with oil spills, gas flaring is seen as a major cause of environmental degradation. In Nigeria, the practice is supposed to be illegal, but there is no sign of the Nigerian government being able to enforce this law. Here in Ireland we know all about how Shell can manipulate the world of politics and the legal process to suit the needs of the company’s shareholders.

In Nigeria in 1995 however, it appears that Shell’s PR people slowly realised that their part in the hanging of Ken Saro Wiwa and eight other activists was a public relations disaster, and in the aftermath the company made various concessions to its critics, in a vain attempt to undue some of the damage it felt had been done to its brand. One of the promises made was the announcement of an end to gas flaring.

Shell of course, is not well known for living up to its promises, and so flaring is still going on today. In the year 2000, Shell formally announced that it would stop gas flaring by 2008. Interestingly, since 2000, gas flaring in the Niger Delta has actually increased (according to the 2005 Shell Sustainability Report).

In November 2005, the Federal High Court of Nigeria stated that Shell and other oil companies
should end gas flaring in the Niger Delta. In a case brought against Shell, the court ruled that the damaging and wasteful practice of flaring could not lawfully continue and must stop. Shell appealed against the decision.

At the demonstration on January 4th 1993, an Ogoni elder said:
“We have woken up to find our lands devastated by agents of death called oil companies. Our atmosphere has been totally polluted, our lands degraded, our waters contaminated, our trees poisoned, so much so that our flora and fauna have virtually disappeared”.

January 4th became known as Ogoni Day.

For more information see:

www.remembersarowiwa.com

Rainforest chief killed in Borneo for his opposition to logging

January 3, 2008
Keleasu Naan, a Penan chieftain and longtime activist against logging, disappeared in October while checking animal traps. His
tribes’ worst fears were confirmed when they found what they believed to be Naan’s remains last month. According to the Associated Press, the chieftain’s nephew, Michael Ipa, has stated that the body had several broken bones, leading Ipa to believe that “he has been killed by people involved in logging”.

Keleasu Naan had been one of the key figures in the Penan community’s fight against logging. He was also a plaintiff and witness in a land rights claim that has been awaiting trial since 1998.

One-hundred Penan villagers walked sixty miles this week to lodge a report at the closest police station and demand an investigation into Naan’s death. This is not the first time that Penans involved in anti-logging activity have disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Two activist Penans disappeared in the 1990s. In 2000, Bruno Manser, a Swiss environmentalist and champion of Penan rights, also disappeared in the jungle. No sign of him has been found, and some believe he was assassinated.

Logging in Borneo has been rampant since the 1980’s. In 2005 just over 50% of Borneo’s forest remained. More recently palm oil
plantations have increased pressure on the forests. Naan’s Penan community had managed to keep logging out of what the villagers claim is their ancestral land, but they now believe that several timber companies plan to resume logging. Aboriginal peoples of the Malaysia’s Sarawak region, the Penans number around 10,000. They currently live in settlements, but have not completely abandoned their traditional nomadic ways. They subsist off small gardens, hunting, and gathering. Since so much of the Penan’s resources come from the forest, its disappearance may mark their own.

http://news.mongabay.com/2008/0103-borneo_hance.html

ELP Information Bulletin (29th of December 2007)

Dear friends

ELP has just received two bits of American news. First off ALF/ELF prisoner, Jonathan Paul, has released his first prison dispatch. Secondly, we have been infored that ALF/ELF prisoner. Chris McIntosh has been moved to a new address:

Dear friends

Firstly here is the dispatch from Jonathan Paul….

*********************************************

11.14.07

Friends, supporters and family,

This is the first of 51 monthly dispatches I will be writing until I am released in 2011. Although I will be writing to let everyone know how I am doing while incarcerated at FCI Phoenix, the purpose of these dispatches are not going to be about me, but about the real issues that threaten life as we know it on this planet.

First, I would like to thank everyone who has written me in the last few weeks. Your letters of support have overwhelmed me with emotion and have given me strength and hope. I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart. From the Anarchist writing group in NY, to my tribe of friends and to those I have never met, the time you took to write to me has given me much strength. I would like to put out special thanks to my sisters, Caroline and Alexandra, my wonderful Mom (Mumsie) and my dear sweet wife, Tami. I understand your love is unconditional and with that I am blessed to have you as my family. To my wife Tami – who has been by my side since 1999, your devotion and commitment to me is unmatched by anyone, ever. Thank you for helping me pick up the mess left in the wake of this very difficult time in our life. To those who are supporting Tami on a daily basis – I thank you also. All I can to all of you is I would do the same for you and I am in your debt.

As for life here in prison, I want you all to know I am okay. Every day that passes is a day closer to my freedom. I look forward to that day and that day will come.

I want to say a few words about someone who has inspired and amazed me over the years, a committed
activist who has been “down” for a very long time. Moved to activism after experiencing the brutal
poverty and racism experienced as a part of everyday life, American Indian Movement warrior, Leonard
Peltier, has been in prison for over 30 years and is serving two life sentences for crimes he did not
commit. Leonard worked to protect his people and the earth from the powerful energy corporations and the
government they rule. On the Pine Ridge reservation in the 1970’s the traditional Native Americans fought for their way of life while under attack from the government sponsored goons, the FBI and the coal and uranium energy corporations that wanted the Black Hills for resources. The Native Americans of this land have been systematically destroyed and oppressed in a genocidal campaign since the white man first stepped his ugly foot on North America.

Leonard was accused and convicted of killing two FBI agents during a shootout on the Pine Ridge reservation in 1975. Leonard was wrongly convicted in 1977 based on coerced testimony and suppressed evidence. Leonard’s case is one of the most egregious examples of prosecutorial and investigative misconduct in the history of American jurisprudence. I first became aware of the struggles of the American Indian Movement when I was in jail for resisting a political grand jury in 1992-1993. I read In the Spirit of Crazy Horse by Peter Matthiessen while incarcerated and couldn’t put it down. Leonard’s story gave me strength during my 6 months resisting the grand jury. When I was released from jail I was complimented on my strength and all I could think of was Leonard’s strength.

When I turned myself into prison last month, one of the first books my wife sent me was In the Spirit of
Crazy Horse. I read this book, for the second time, behind bars and finished it in the first two days. I
consider the struggles of AIM and think about their fight not only against genocide, but also ecocide.
Our struggles are one struggle.

To my supporters and friends – when you sit down to write me a letter, please put the paper aside and
write to Leonard Peltier. He has been in prison for more than 30 years – he has remained strong with
unprecedented integrity. If you support me, please support him. He has sacrificed his freedom for his
people and for mother earth. Leonard needs to hear from our “tribe”…the environmental and animal rights movements for his struggle is our struggle. Show him and his people that we are all part of one movement – a movement to stop the genocide, ecocide, and oppression of all beings. We are one and when we join into one we may actually move forward and be able to effect change. By supporting Leonard, you are supporting me. If Leonard hears from you and it makes him smile, gives him some hope and strength, and lets him know that he is not and never will be forgotten, then you are giving me the strength and strength to our movements.

Please write to Leonard at the following address:

Leonard Peltier

# 89637-132

USP LEWISBURG

U.S. PENITENTIARY

P.O. BOX 1000

LEWISBURG, PA 17837

In solidarity for the earth and animals,

Jonathan Paul

#07167-085

FCI Phoenix

Federal Correctional Institution

37910 N. 45th Ave.

Phoenix, AZ 85086

Jonathan’s co-defendants:

Daniel McGowan
#63794-053
FCI Sandstone
Federal Correctional Institution
PO Box 1000
Sandstone, MN 55072

Nathan Block #36359-086
FCI Lompoc
Federal Correctional Institution
3600 Guard Road
Lompoc, CA 93436

Joyanna Zacher #36360-086
FCI Dublin
Federal Correctional Institution
5701 8th St – Camp Parks- Unit E
Dublin, CA 94568

Friends and Family of Jonathan Paul
PMB# 267
2305 Ashland St., Ste. C
Ashland, OR 97520

Secondly, an ELP supporter has informed us that Chris ‘Dirt’ McIntosh has moved. Chris’ new address is:

Chris McIntosh
#30512-013
FCI Fairton
Federal Correctional Institution
PO Box 420
Fairton, nj 08320
USA

According to www.BOP.gov Chris is expected to be at this address until 2012.

Please send letters of support to Chris, Jonathan Paul, and all the other prisoners. Remind them they are not forgotten.

ELP Support Network

+++++++++++++++++

Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network
BM Box 2407
London
WC1N 3XX
England
www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk

Shoshone Defenders of Mount Tenabo Constructing Encampment (occupied North America)

December 1, 2008
At some point today, several men will begin constructing a permanent arbor on the Southern flank of Mt. Tenabo, where they will camp and monitor the Canadian mining company Barrick Gold.

The encampment was called on during last week’s protest, where Shoshone Grandmothers and their supporters attempted to confront Barrick Gold and bring an end to the destruction of the pinion forest – which began almost immediately after the company got approval to go ahead with its ‘Cortez Hills Expansion Project.’

A massive cyanide heap leach gold mine, the project will ultimately destroy approximately 6,800 acres of land — fracturing along with it, the spiritual life and cultural practices of the Shoshone People.

“This is our treaty land. It was a treaty made with the federal government. It was not made with a foreign nation. And it is a foreign mining company that has come into our country and is destroying our mountain, our land, our food, our medicine and they have no respect,” stated one Grandmother at the protest.

“…It can’t go on. It’s perpetrating genocide against the Native American people. And we are not the only Native people suffering this distress,” said another. “It is happening world over; but we happen to be Western Shoshones and this is our land and we’re protesting the poisoned water, the destruction of the land, the road we’re standing on here, the big machines: everything that the mining industry stands for. They say they’re doing it responsibly, but they’re not because when they leave the Western Shoshone people will still be here and the land will be barren.”

To help make sure this doesn’t happen, the Western Shoshone Defense Project (WSDP) asks that you help by making any of the following the donations:

24 Nuts and Bolts (bolts need to be 1 foot in length with matching nuts)
Gasoline for saws and hauling costs.
Food items such as eggs, bacon, meat, potatoes, beans, etc. (including some sweets!)
Helpers — to assist with construction of arbor and for support in the encampment
Monetary donations for all of the above
Moral support and prayers

You can contact Joyce McDade for additional information, e-mail: EJMcDade20@wmconnect.com

Happy Valley Occupation Celebration – Two Years! (Aotearoa/New Zealand)

SAVE HAPPY VALLEY!
OCCUPATION CELEBRATION – TWO YEARS!
THE WEEKEND OF FEBRUARY 2nd-3rd, 2008

You are invited to the Save Happy Valley Coalition’s celebration of our SECOND successful year of occupying Happy Valley. We have been continuously occupying Happy Valley since January 28th 2006 in order to prevent Solid Energy from turning it into an environmentally devastating opencast coal-mine. Despite spies, 6000 snails from Augustus transferred in icecream containers, the destruction of a nearby mountain, Solid Energy’s plans for massive expansion, and the October 15th raids on activists, people have managed to keep Happy Valley safe so far! Yay for train track blockades, film nights, alternatives to minerals forums, demos, radio interviews, everyone’s actions, and the OCCUPATION!

The Save Happy Valley Coalition, and anyone who wishes to join us for the weekend celebration, will be meeting at Les Warren Park, in Westport, at 8am on Saturday 2nd Feburary 2008. (The majority of us will travel to Westport from Christchurch on the Friday night, car pooling can be arranged thru the coordinator).

You will need all of your own tramping/camping gear and food, enough for the duration of your intended stay and you need to be prepared for unpredictable weather; rain; sun; hot and cold. This means that you must have have suitable footwear, waterproof and warm clothing, a sleeping bag and a tent (unless you have arranged to share with someone else). An extended gear list will be made available to you when you confirm plans with the occupation coordinator. If you do not have the required gear we may be able to provide it for you, but please ensure that by the Friday you have the correct gear.

We will be leaving the valley / returning to Westport on Sunday the 3rd but it would be awesome if you are able to stay longer in the valley!! Please let the coordinator know.

We hope you can join us. Please RSVP so we can coordinate easily 🙂 Please let us know if you have any special needs that are of concern, we will be as accommodating as possible and we can provide you with as much information as you require.

For more information please contact the occupation coordinator.

Thanks for your support!

Frances Martin
Occupation Celebration Coordinator
frances.crayon@gmail.com
021 2037040

www.savehappyvalley.org.nz/occupation

If you cannot make it for this weekend but are able to visit the valley at another time please contact us! 🙂

LOGGING LOCK ON in Bridgetown

2007-12-13
Concerned south west citizens hold up Jarrah log truck in Bridgetown to highlight the continual destruction of native forests.

Today 12 concerned residents of the Southwest have stopped a log truck on Bridgetown’s main street to highlight the continual destruction of Australia’s native forests.

Australia has just been named the biggest carbon emitter in the world on a per-head basis. Industrial scale logging and burning of native forests is a major contributor to carbon emissions in Australia.

“By keeping the carbon in the forest and protecting native forests is one of the easiest and simplest solutions to reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions,” said Brett Thompson. “Native forests are the lungs of the planet they store vast quantities of carbon. By protecting native forests Australia can significantly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and halt the devastating affects of climate change,” commented spokesman Brett Thompson.

Bridgetown local resident Saffire Grant quotes” “We need to take action on a local level. Native forest logging in our own backyard needs to be stopped now if our community is to actively help provide solutions to climate change.”

“We call on Federal and State Labor parties to protect native forests as an active strategy to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and become a world leader in the struggle against climate change.”

6 Arrested in Brigetown halting a Jarrah Log Truck for 6 hours in main street

Concerned residents of the S.W have halted a log truck for six hours on the S.W highway in Bridgetown. This follows an action at Simcoa three weeks ago highlighting the continual destruction of native forests throughout the S.W and Australia.Six protests were arrested for disorderly behavior with police confiscating mobile phones cameras and video equipment. Protesters have vowed to continue to highlight the destruction of native forests in W.A throughout the coming months with further actions planned. The six arrested will face court in Bridgetown next Wednesday the 19th of December with a peaceful gathering of support out the front of the court planned for 9:30am.

Thursday the 13th of December 2007, six protesters were charged with disorderly conduct after holding up a log truck in Bridgetown.

During the protest police seized cameras, video recorder, mp3 player, all recording equipment and mobile phones.

See the video footage here:
http://www.globalwarmingfg.com/

Enawene Nawe blockade dam construction site

12th December 2007
Continuing their struggle against a large hydroelectric dam project in the Brazilian Amazon, the Enawene Nawe set up a blockade at one of the dam construction sites late last week. According to Survival, about 100 members of the 420-strong tribe occupied the building site, demanding an independent study into the impact they will have.

The Enawene Nawe maintain the dams will have a devastating effect on the breeding cycle of the fish they depend on to survive. They say the fish might not even be able to make it to their breeding grounds. The grounds themselves are of great cultural and spiritual significance to the Enawene Nawe. If the 11 dams go ahead as planned, the area may be destroyed.

The grounds are already heavily burdened by cattle ranchers, and the Soya Industry–who is behind the dam project.

Of course, this would not be happening if the Brazilian Government demarcated the area, in fact the entire Rio Preto, when they recognized Enawene Nawe territory in 1996. The government refused to do so.

Since then, the Enawene Nawe have been working to have the Rio Preto included, but so far their voices have fallen on deaf ears.

When the dam project came into focus late 2006/early 2007, they increased their efforts, for one, by organizing blockades. The ongoing one is the third this year.

The previous blockade, set up on May 31, 2007, was met with some success.

Brazil Amazon Indians Take on Soy Barons Blocking Dam Site
From Brazzil Mag, 11 December 2007

The remote Enawene Nawe Indians have blockaded the construction site of a hydroelectric dam in the Brazilian Amazon, which they say will destroy their vital fishing grounds. Around 100 members of the 420-strong tribe occupied the building site and a nearby highway on Thursday, December 6. They want to stop the construction of a vast complex of hydroelectric dams being built on the Juruena river, upstream from their land.

Companies led by the world’s largest soya producers, the Maggi family, are pushing for the construction of the dams. But the Enawene Nawe, who eat no red meat, say that if the dams are built, the fish they rely on will no longer be able to reach their spawning grounds.

The Enawene Nawe say they have not been consulted about the dams. They are demanding and independent study into the impact they will have.

A previous blockade of a major highway in June led the government to negotiate with the Indians, but plans for construction of the dams continued.

After the first opposition action, the Brazilian government agreed to several key demands of the Enawene Nawe. The government’s Indian agency, FUNAI, promised that it would survey lands claimed by the Enawene Nawe and other tribes, with the aim of officially recognizing the areas as indigenous.

For three days in May, the Indians erected barricades in Mato Grosso state to protest against plans to build a series of hydroelectric dams along the Juruena river. They were also demanding the official recognition of their vital fishing waters in the Rio Preto area, which are being rapidly destroyed by cattle ranchers.

Neighboring tribes joined the protest in support of the Enawene Nawe’s demands, swelling the number of protestors to 200. The government responded quickly by dispatching officials to negotiate with the Indians on the barricade. It even agreed to pay for representatives of various tribes in Mato Grosso to travel to Brazilian capital Brasília to meet with FUNAI’s president.