London – Page 19 – Earth First!

Climate Camp Trafalgar- Ice Bear action & Copenhagen solidarity demo at Embassy & Copenhagen climate camp

As Copenhagen refuses entry to NGO’s and delegates from around the world, Climate Camp Trafalgar enter another day of solidarity action. This time, the target….. The London Ice Bear…. He just didn’t see it coming.

The team at Climate Camp Trafalgar square saw another day of actions this wednesday 16th. This time targeting a (corporate, aka M&S, sponsored http://plana.marksandspencer.com/we-are-doing/climate-change/stories/82/) ice sculpture.

The London Ice Bear ( http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/tackling_climate_change/the_london_ice_bear.cfm) has been attracting the attention of passers by in Trafalgar Square since friday the 11th of December. WWF (who are backing the ice bear) state, on their web page, that “everyone is invited to touch the ice sculpture. Artist Mark Coreth hopes that by touching this sculpture audiences can become sculptors themselves and make a direct connection with the bear and its icy Arctic kingdom, now under threat from man-made climate change.”

Here at Climate Camp, we took this statement rather literally. Though, obviously, we felt the need to direct the focus away from the rather sweeping statement of “man made” climate change and give it a shove towards the more fitting statement of corporate funded climate chaos.

At around 4pm on Wednesday the 15th of december, Campaigners took a banner stating “This isn’t just climate change, this is RBS funded climate chaos” and a kettle full of hot water (also branded with the RBS symbol) to the ice bear and proceeded to melt the bear with the ‘hot water of capitalism’.

Artist and sculptor Mark Coreth was more than please to see his project “interacted” with in this way.

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On Thursday December 17, approximately 50 demonstrators gathered outside the Danish Embassy in Sloane Street, London, to object to the Danish police’s harsh treatment of demonstrators at the COP Summit in Copenhagen.

After a spirited rally, demonstrators occupied the road in front of the embassy before leading a roaming traffic blockade up Sloane Street and onto Brompton Road, before eventually halting outside Harrods department store.

There were no arrests.

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A climate camp to occupy a vital location in Copenhagen was announced. 100 people with 4 pop-up tents gathered in a central square and decided to stay for two hours – full report and photos

Anthill Mob reinforce anti-expansion message during Copenhagen climate talks, London City Airport

8/12/2009

8/12/2009
Activists in east London have painted two mega-messages against growth in aviation – and flights at London City Airport in particular – to coincide with the Copenhagen climate summit. One message saying, ‘Still climate criminals!’ is written in giant letters on the top of a 60ft hill situated just south of City Airport, which planes pass directly over.

“It’s a message to the delegates flying to and back from Copenhagen,” explains Elsie Wai, spokesperson for local anti-expansion group, the Anthill Mob. “The conscientious will be taking the train but the selfish will be flying. We’re reminding the selfish delegates that they’ll remain climate criminals until they start thinking green.”

The group are also angry about London City Airport’s continuing attempts to increase business and private flights. The airport currently has approximately 80,000 commercial flights a year but aims to increase this to 170,000 by 2030. “That means more pollution, more global warming and more misery for local people,” says Elsie.

The Anthill Mob’s second message is written in 10ft high letters along the boundary fence of Tate & Lyle’s sugar refinery – situated beside the Docklands Light Railway approach to the airport. The message reads: ‘Drop the sweet talk: no flight expansion at City Airport.’

“You only have to look around the area next to the airport to see that it is in terminal decline,” says Elsie. “The airport has made millions in profits but all we get in return is more noise and pollution. Pretty much everything at City Airport is automated. As it stands, a tiny number of people benefit from employment at the airport while the wider community and the climate suffers.”

Cases of asthma and child mortality are already above the national average in the borough of Newham – where the airport is based. Expanding the airport means a massive increase in pollution which will further blight one of the poorest areas in London.

climate actions – tar sands, Santas at City Airport, Carbon Trading Exchange camped, Santas at BT (updated)

Climate Activists Tell Canada: Don’t Cop Out On COP 15!

On Monday 14th of December, campaigners from the UK Tar Sands Network and Camp for Climate Action protested outside Canada House in London and shut down Pall Mall Street in Trafalgar Square to protest against Canada’s attempts to derail the climate change negotiations in Copenhagen.

Canada is one of the biggest current stumbling blocks to an ambitious and binding climate deal – because it continues extracting oil from the most destructive project on earth, the Tar Sands. [1] This protest will take place in solidarity with similar protests in Copenhagen itself and several Canadian cities.

The Tar Sands in Alberta, Canada, are one of the world’s most polluting projects and are having a devastating effect on the lives of Indigenous communities and fuelling global climate change. Currently in Copenhagen, Canada is proposing an inadequate target for reducing greenhouse emissions by only 3% by 2020 ignoring world scientists’ recommendations to commit to over 40% reductions below 1990 levels in order to avoid dangerous runaway climate change. As a result, international criticism of Canada is mounting. Last week, a group of 11 Members of the European Parliament called on the leaders of BP, Shell, Statoil and Total companies to halt production of oil from the tar sands. [2]

“Canada has already spectacularly failed to meet its Kyoto Protocol targets and has shown no signs of changing its priorities in Copenhagen. Instead of making the necessary shift to a low carbon economy, the Canadian government continues to approve new Tar Sands leases and is refusing to co-operate with international efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change. This affects the whole world,” says Suzanne Dhaliwal of the UK Tar Sands Network, who will be at the London protest.

“The Canadian government continues to ignore its own laws, which state they must consult with Indigenous Peoples who have been trying to convey concerns about Tar Sands development. Tar Sands are killing our communities and trampling over our rights. Furthermore, the environmental destruction wreaked by the Tar Sands is directly threatening thousands of lives now and is driving our climate into chaos. The world has woken up to the fact that Canada is now Public Climate Enemy Number One. It’s time Canada did its global duty and shut down the Tar Sands,” says Clayton Thomas-Muller, an Indigenous activist with the Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN), who is participating in the parallel Tar Sands protest in Copenhagen.

UK campaigning against the Tar Sands, in solidarity with IEN, has focused on BP which plans to enter the Tar Sands through the massive ‘Sunrise Project’ and the Royal Bank of Scotland, now 84% state-owned, which has invested £8.3 billion in the Tar Sands since 2007 according to new research by the Rainforest Action Network.

The “Canada:Don’t Cop out on COP” action will start in Trafalgar Square, which has been occupied by the Camp for Climate Action [3] for the duration of the Copenhagen negotiations as a base for UK based solidarity actions. Campaigners will then move onto Canada House to deliver their message to the Canadian government.

[1] See the Indigenous Environmental Network’s Canadian Indigenous Tar Sands Campaign, www.ienearth.org/cits

[2] http://www.tarsandswatch.org/members-european-parliament-appeal-companies-stop-tar-sand-business

[3] The Camp for Climate Action is a growing grass-roots movement of diverse people taking action on climate change. http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/about

UK Tar Sands Network
tarsandsinfocus@googlemail.com
http://tarsandsinfocus.wordpress.com

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Climate Refugee Santas in City Airport Protest

6 December 2009
CLIMATE CAMP PRESS RELEASE:

REFUGEE SANTAS VS POLICE AT LONDON CITY AIRPORT

20 Climate activists dressed as Santa Claus were pushed out of London City Airport departures lounge today by police and security guards. Presents of cartoon books about the problems with carbon trading, carbon ration books, and toy trains were left undelivered. These were meant for the passengers on the final flight to Copenhagen before the COP15 climate talks begin.

The Santas’ photographer was arrested. The activists managed to publish a picture of the arrest on Twitter (1) along with another image of the Santas in action (2)

The activists sang Climate Change-themed Christmas carols, including “Silent Plight” and “God Rest We Merry Carbon Traders”, in the airport lobby.

A Santa Claus said: “The hypocrisy of flying to the Copenhagen talks is unbelievable. It just goes to show that for the politicians and corporate lobbyists in Copenhagen, these talks are no more than business as usual.

“If governments agree a deal based on false solutions like carbon trading, I shall have to take direct action by getting stuck in a whole lot more chimneys”

Video

—

7th December: 11.30am This morning protesters from the Climate Camp have blockaded the entrance to the European Climate Exchange in Bishopsgate, London [see video].

The COP Out Camp Out at Trafalgar Square was set up on Saturday after the massive Wave climate demonstration ahead of the Cop15 climate conference which starts today in Copenhagen.

The European Climate Exchange in Bishopsgate was the target and location of the Climate Camp during the G20 protests back in April.

For updates see: http://twitter.com/climatecampldn
Video http://www.twitvid.com/19342

—

Santa visits BT and exposes coal investment
November 30, 2009

This morning a team of Santa’s arrived at the BT offices in Bristol Temple Quay to expose the truth behind the companies pension scheme. BT pensions are funding coal mining in South Wales, where Merthyr Tydfil hosts one of Europe’s largest opencast coal mines. BT Pension Scheme owns a company called Hermes who own Argent, of Miller-Argent fame – the company who operate the mine. Staff pension money is secretly being spent on coal mining.

No wonder it came as a surprise when Santa came to visit…

Arriving at the BT offices at Temple Quay in Bristol this morning, Santa Claus came to say a great big festive NO to coal.

Santa and his helpers descended upon offices after finding out that BT pension schemes are paying for the massive mining operation at Ffos-y-Fran near Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales – one of Europe’s largest open cast coal mines. The mystery people in red say they are raising the issue with BT workers, letting them know where their pension money is being invested.

The bemused staff seemed happy to be greeted by the singing santas as they arrived for work, but looked concerned with the news of their employers dirty investments.

A jovial woman clutching a handful of Christmas cards said “with the climate talks in Copenhagen coming up, the world’s eyes will be on politicians struggling to come to terms with the threat of climate change.

We want the employees to know that their money is being invested in coal mining in Wales, worsening the effects of climate change. It is up to them to hold BT accountable for their actions”

The Ffos-y-Fran mine is less than 40 metres from the nearest homes and residents lives are blighted with noise, dust and pollution. Merthyr Tydfil was the site of the Climate Camp in Wales earlier this year, supporting local residents who have been fighting against the mining operations.

Santa and his helpers handed out Christmas cards and sung carols to people as they arrived for work today, explaining why they have come to visit.

“Coal is the most climate wrecking way to produce energy. Really, if we want to stop the worst effects of climate change we need to stop digging it out of the ground and invest in green technologies instead”

“I’m here because I’m seriously worried about my home back in the Arctic” said Sam, one of the Santa’s. “With predicted temperature rises, we’ll become refugees and the reindeer are notoriously fussy about where they live”.

Email – info@climatecampcymru.org

Notes:

· BT are linked to coal in the following way-BT own BT Pension Scheme (BTPS) who in turn own a company called Hermes who administer the BT pension fund. Hermes bought the development group Argent (of Miller-Argent) who run the mine at Merthyr Tydfil.

· Ffos-y-Fran, located next to Merthyr Tydfil, is one of the biggest coal mines Wales has ever seen. Over the 15 year lifetime of this new opencast mine, more than 10.8 million tonnes of coal will be extracted. Burning this will release 30 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere – at the same rate each year as the entire country of Mozambique!

· Local people have been opposing the mine for years. More than 10,000 people signed a petition opposing the mine. Despite this amazing level of opposition, the Welsh Assembly Government, encouraged by Westminster, gave the go-ahead to the mine.

· Climate Camp Cymru is Wales’ Camp for Climate Action – inspired by the Climate Camp movement taking action on climate change in the UK and worldwide. The Camp is committed to education, sustainable living and supporting direct action against the root causes of climate change.

· Coal is the dirtiest fossil fuel there is – responsible for 50% of the CO2 added to the atmosphere since the beginning of the industrial revolution, and 40% of CO2 emissions globally. Enough of it remains in the ground, if burned, to take us to a substantially different planet from the one we know today – and which has existed throughout all of human history.

http://www.climatecampcymru.org

Climate Camp sets up at Trafalgar Square

Update: The Camp will hold the space for the entire conference, reclaiming one the busiest locations in the world to push for genuine solutions to climate change. So, if you’re not off to Copenhagen then this is the place you need to be. Bring your tent, warm clothes, and ideas for action!

December 05, 2009

within the first hour of occupation, around 250 supporters arrived in the square and 20 tents established. many more are on their way. there are 2 giant manned tripods with the ‘capitalism is crisis’ banner flying between them. a yurt has been erected as well as various other shelters, a kitchen, and storage area. the first wood fires are alight, and the mood is excited and optimistic despite the damp conditions. there’s a sound system for announcements and music, and the ‘rinky dinky’ system is making it’s way up from parliament square too.

December 05, 2009

Timeline

Groups cycled to London, stopping off spreading awareness about climate change, such as Climate Chains who came down from Leeds & elsewhere (more info here too)

What to bring
Simple. Just a tent, warm and waterproof clothes. Oh, and all your friends!

Wish list
Vegan food, blankets, tarps, pallets, party/frame tents, cardboard,
banners, big water bottles + anything else you think may be helpful…

—

Press release:

Hundreds of climate activists have set up a Climate Camp at Trafalgar Square in the run up to the COP15 talks in Copenhagen next week.(1)

The ‘COP out, Camp out’, organised by a group of people who met at the Camp for Climate Action in Blackheath this summer (2), is taking place after thousands of people marched through the capital as part of ‘The Wave.’(3)

Tracy Worthy from the Camp for Climate Action said: “We are here with the Parliament in view to highlight that the elitist and undemocratic talks in Copenhagen are part of a political and economic system that puts corporate profits before the needs of people. We need system change, not climate change.”

“The false solutions being pushed in Copenhagen, such as carbon trading, will not solve the climate crisis. For the bankers, corporations and politicians who brought us the financial crisis, Copenhagen is no more than business as usual.”(4)

The location of the camp was kept secret until the last minute, when the target was announced through mass text-messaging. The activists met up at Jubilee Gardens (outside the Shell Building) and marched on to Trafalgar Square. Tracy Worthy commented, “The camp will be a space for people to get inspired and prepared for taking action during the COP15 talks.”

END

Contact: 07040 900 905
Photos: 07909 020 847
press[@]climatecamp.org.uk

Resist Eviction of Kings Crescent Estate 12pm Thursday (London N4)

Resist the eviction of a community squatting initiative 12PM on THURSDAY 3rd of DECEMBER. They are calling for as many people as possible to assemble at our place from Wednesday night onwards. Numbers mean victory!

Community Squatting Project Under Threat

What’s Happening?:

Community Squatting Project Under Threat

What’s Happening?:

The community squatting project has come under yet another attack from
Hackney Council and the Police, this time in the form of an Anti-Social
Behaviour Closure Order. These orders, usually used to evict crack houses
from communities, give the police powers to evict property by force and to
make it a criminal offence to return to the building.
As some of you may be aware, squatting in this country is not a criminal
offence. If the owners of the property (in this case, Hackney Council)
want to evict squatters it is seen as a dispute between two private
parties and they must get a court order through the civil courts.
The community squatting project on green lanes was opened spectacularly a
month or so ago, when a large group of people descended upon a partially
empty block of flats and collectively occupied, defended, fixed up and
finally allocated housing to those in the group who needed it. Many of the
people there were first-time squatters, including a migrant family (with a
newborn baby) who had been denied social housing.
Hackney council are keen to stamp out this kind of organised squatting.
The legal route is not open to us here – the courts have said they cannot
hear an appeal against the closure order until after Thursday (when the
eviction is due to take place). The only way for us to defend this project
and our ability to take similar action in the future, is through good old
fashioned force of numbers. See you there.

They are to be evicted 12PM on THURSDAY 3rd of DECEMBER and are calling for
as many people as possible to assemble at our place from Wednesday night
onwards.

ADDRESS: Lemsford Court, Brownswood Road, N4 2XN

MAP

DIRECTIONS
The Community Squatting Project is just opposite the gates of Clissold
Park on Green Lanes (Stoke Newington/Finsbury Park area). It is a large
block of flats with a grey steel door to the left. Enter through this
door.

Support the Eco-Prisoners (December 2009)‏

Spirit of Freedom (December 2009)
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)

Spirit of Freedom (December 2009)
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 December 2009 edition of Spirit of Freedom. A few months ago ELP reported the arrest of the American, Justin Solondz in China. As people will be aware Justin is wanted for questioning in connection to an FBI investigation into the ELF that led to the Oregon and Washington Trials.

When ELP first heard of the arrest we wrongly believed, like many others, that Justin would be extradited to America where he would be remanded to stand trial for his alleged ELF activity. However, a couple of days ago ELP learnt that rather than extraditing him, the Chinese decided to put Justin on trial accused of drugs related activity. Justin was duly found Guilty and sentenced to three years imprisonment followed by deportation. This is of course very bad news for Justin and if anyone has any contact details for Justin (or knows what prison he is held in, in China, please contact ELP as soon as possible).

Besides Justin’s imprisonment, sadly over the past few weeks ELP has learnt about the imprisonments of a number of people across Europe and North America accused of a variety of activity, this includes the imprisonment of former Italian ALF prisoner Sergio Stefani who has been accused of stealing a car and charged with “subversive conspiracy” and placed in a jail specifically designed for political activists! ELP encourages everyone to write urgent letter of support to all of the new prisoners on our list and remind them we are behind them. But also please don’t forget our existing prisoners. All of the prisoners listed below welcome letters of support.
So please, regardless of what languages you speak and regardless of where you live in the world, your letters of support really do make the world of difference to the prisoners. So please support the eco-prisoners and no compromise in defence of Mother Earth!

If anyone notices any of ELP’s prisoner details is out of date or we do not list a prisoner who we should list, please let ELP know as soon as possible.
ELP is run by a small group of volunteers and although we try to ensure our lists are accurate, we admit we do make mistakes. So help us help keep the lists accurate by letting us know of any changes we need to make.

ECO-DEFENCE PRISONERS

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. The letters ELF were spray painted onto all of the vehicles. (Grant is a vegan).

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. (Diet unknown).

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. (Marco is a meat eater who encourages organic living).

Niall Harnett, Castlerea Prison, Harristown, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon, Republic of Ireland. Severing 4 months for non-payment of a fine. The fine was issued following Maura’s involvement in an anti-Shell petrol company protest. (Diet unknown).

Maura Harringon, Dochas Centre, Mountjoy Gaol, North Circular Road, Dublin 7, Republic of Ireland. Severing 8 months for non-payment of a fine. The fine was issued following Maura’s involvement in an anti-Shell petrol company protest. (Diet unknown).

Leonardo Landi, Carcere Sanremo, Via Armea, 144, 18038 Sanremo (IM), Italy. Il Silvestre activist awaiting trial accused of robbery. (Leonardo is a vegetarian).

Jeffrey Luers, # 13797671, CRCI, 9111 NE Sunderland Ave, Portland, OR 97211-1708, USA. Serving 10 years for arson on a SUV dealership & the attempted arson of an oil truck. The original sentence was 22 years & 8 months, but was reduced on appeal. (Diet unknown).

Marie Jeanette Mason, #04672-061, FCI Waseca, Federal Correctional Institution, PO Box 1731, Waseca, MN 56093, USA. Serving 21 years and 10 months for her involvement in an ELF arson against a University building carrying out Genetically Modified crop tests. Marie also pleaded guilty to conspiring to carry out ELF actions and admitted involvement in 12 other ELF actions. (Marie is a vegan).

Eric McDavid, 16209-097, FCI Victorville, Medium II, Federal Correctional Institution, PO Box 5300, Adelanto, CA 92301, USA. Serving 19 years & 7 months for planning to destroy the property of the U.S. Forestry Service, mobile phone masts and power plants. At the point of his arrest no criminal
damage has actually occurred. (Eric is a vegan).

Daniel McGowan, 63794-053, USP Marion, US Penitentiary, PO Box 1000, Marion, IL 62959, 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. (Daniel is a vegetarian).

Steve Murphy #39013177 (for his most current prison address check out the website http://supportsteve.org/ ). On remand accused of attempted arson and criminal damage at a town house construction site in 2006. The FBI claim the action was done under the banner of the ELF. (Steve is a vegan).

Jonathan Paul – See details in Animal Liberation Prisoners List.

Justin Solondz (Address Unknown – China). American Green Scare defendant accused of direct action activity in America. Serving 3 years in China for drugs related offences then due to be deported back to America. His exact prison location is currently unknown. (Diet unknown).

Jonatan Strandberg, Box 248, 59323, Västervik, Sweden. Serving 15 months imprisonment after admitting damaging a communication tower used by the Department of Defence, cutting the cables on a crane used in creating urban sprawl, and damaging a vehicle used in the logging industry. Jonatan is a diabetic and follows a paleo diet, demanding locally sourced food).

Michael Sykes 696693, Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility, 1728 Bluewater Highway, Ionia, MI 48846, USA. Serving four to ten years for anti-sprawl arsons, criminal damage to a utility pole, spray-painting political graffiti and burning the American flag. (Diet unknown)

Briana Waters 36432-086, FCI Danbury, Federal Correctional Institution, Route 37, Danbury, CT 06811, USA. Serving six years for involvement in an ELF arson on a University. (Diet unknown).

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. (Diet unknown).

ANIMAL LIBERATION PRISONERS
(All Animal Liberation Prisoners follow a minimum vegetarian diet and most are vegan).

Anonymous Female Prisoner One (E-mail messages of support to
holland@die-tierbefreier.de ) German woman held on Remand accused of raiding a mink farm in Holland. (She is a vegan).

Anonymous Female Prisoner Two (E-mail messages of support to
dbf-sg@riseup.net ) Dutch woman held on Remand accused of raiding a mink farm in Holland. (She is a vegan).

Jonny Ablewhite TB4885, H.M. Prison, Hewell Lane, Redditch, Worcs B97 6QS, England. Serving 12 years for attempting to blackmail a farmer who supplied guinea pigs for vivisection. (Jon is a vegan).

Dan Amos VN7818, HMP Guys Marsh, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 0AH, England. Serving 4 years for conspiracy to blackmail Huntingdon Life Sciences. (Dan is a vegan)

Gregg Avery TA7450, HMP Coldingley, Shaftesbury Road, Bisley, Woking, Surrey GU24 9EX, England. Serving 9 years for conspiracy to blackmail Huntingdon Life Sciences. (Gregg is a vegan).

Natasha Avery NR8987, HMP Send, Ripley Road, Woking, Surrey, GU23 7LJ, England. Serving 9 years for conspiracy to blackmail Huntingdon Life Sciences. (Nat is a vegan).

Mel Broughton A3892AE, HMP Frankland, Brasside, Durham, County Durham DH1 5YD, England. Serving 10 years for “conspiracy to commit arson” against Oxford University vivisection department. (Mel is a vegan).

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. (Lauren is a vegan).

Alex Hall, Inmate #2009-06304, Davis County Jail, 800 West State St., Farmington, UT 84025, USA. On Remand accused of raiding a mink farm. Also accused of breaching bail conditions whilst on bail. (William is a vegan).

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

Robert Lewis (address unknown – England). Serving 18 months for sending threatening letters to a company linked to drugs testing. (Diet Unknown).

Daniel McGowan – See details in Eco Defence Prisoners List.

Robert Griffiths (address unknown – England). Serving 18 months for sending threatening letters to a company linked to drugs testing. (Diet unknown).

Gavin Medd-Hall WV9475, HMP Coldingley, Shaftesbury Road, Bisley, Woking, Surrey GU24 9EX, England. Serving 8 years for conspiracy to blackmail Huntingdon Life Sciences. (Gavin is a vegan).

Heather Nicholson VM5859, HMP Foston Hall, Foston, Derby, Derbyshire, DE65 5DN, England. Serving 11 years for conspiracy to blackmail Huntingdon Life Sciences. (Heather is a vegan).

Kevin Olliff, #1300931, TTCF 161 D-Pod, 450 Bauchet St., Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA. On remand accused of stalking. Exact details of the indictment have not yet been revealed but the charges appear to relate to a person employed by an educational facility so may be linked to vivisection. (Kevin is a vegan).

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. (Jonathan is a vegan).

Stergio Stefani – See Other Political Prisoner List.

William James Viehl, Inmate #2009-05735, Davis County Jail, 800 West State St., Farmington, UT 84025, USA. Awaiting sentencing having pleaded guilty to raiding a mink farm. He is due to be sentenced in December. (William is a vegan).

Nicole Vosper VM9385, HMP Bronzefield, Woodhthorpe Road, Ashford, Middx, TW15 3JZ, England. On remand accused of blackmailing Huntingdon Life Sciences. (Nicole is a vegan).

Dan Wadham, A5705AA, HMP Camp Hill, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 5PB, England. Serving 5 years for conspiracy to blackmail Huntingdon Life Sciences. (Dan is a vegan).

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. (Kerry is a vegan).

Sarah Whitehead, VM7684, HMP Bronzefield, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, Middx, TW15 3JZ, England. Serving two years for: 1) rescuing a puppy from horrific conditions. 2) rescuing over 100 animals from a pet breeder who was later prosecuted for animal abuse. Also awaiting trial for SHAC activity. (Sarah is a vegan)

GRAND JURY RESISTERS
The following people have been jailed for refusing to testify before Grand Juries in America which are investigating ALF & ELF activity.

Carolyn Feldman, Washington County Jail., 2185 Lexington Blvd. PO Box 6, Washington, IA 52353, USA. (Diet unknown).

Muscatine County Jail Inmate, c/o “Scott DeMuth”, 400 Walnut Street, Muscatine, Iowa 52761, USA. Scott has also recently been indicted for conspiracy under the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act. (Scott is a meat eater who advocates bow hunting).

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. (Diet unknown).

OTHER ANTI-WAR PRISONERS

Elija Smith VP 7551 HMP Lewes, 1 Brighton Rd, Lewes, Sussex, BN7 1EA, England. On remand accused of disarming a weapons factory, which, amongst other things, makes Hellfire Missiles. The action was in protest at Israel military action against Gaza. (Diet unknown).

THE LECCE DEFENDANTS
The Lecce Defendants 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

Aleksey Bychin, FBU OIK-2 IK-7 otryad No. 7, ul. Karnallitovaya d. 98, g. Solikamsk Permskiy Kray, 618545 Russia. Serving 5 years for defending himself against neo-nazis. (Diet unknown).

Andrei Mergenov, FGU IZ 64/1 OKB 2 komn. 73, Up. Kutyakova 107, 410601 Saratov, Russia. Serving 3 years for fighting with neo-nazis. (Diet unknown)

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

OTHER PRISONERS

Pavel Delidon, ul. Timiryazeva-1, FGU IK-7, 309990 Valuyki Russia. Anarchist/Animal Rights activist jailed for attempting to obtain wages owed to him, but which had not been paid to him by his employer. IMPORTANT: Pavel can only receive letters written in Russian. He is punished by the prison if he receives a letter not written in Russian so please, only send letters written in Russian. (Diet unknown).

Richard Sills (Address Unknown, USA). Serving 15 months for bomb hoaxing a University saying they would be targeted by the ALF if they didn’t stop their animal experiments. (Diet unknown).

Alessandro Settepani, Carcere San Michele, Via Casale, 50/A, 15122 San Michele (AL), Italy. Co-defendant of Sergio Stefani. Arrested for stealing a car and then remanded for “Subversive Conspiracy” and remanded into a prison for political activists. (Alessandro is a vegan).

Sergio Maria Stefani, Carcere San Michele, Via Casale, 50/A, 15122 San Michele (AL), Italy. Former ALF prisoner arrested for stealing a car and then remanded for “Subversive Conspiracy” and remanded into a prison for political activists. (Sergio is a vegan).

Fran Thompson, #1090915, CCC, 3151 Litton Drive, Chillicuthe, MO 64601, 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. (Fran is a vegan).

MOVE
MOVE is an eco-revolutionary group who carried out protests in defence of all life. All move prisoners describe themselves as vegetarians. 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 including assault and murder. ‘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

Greek language ELP Website
http://greekelp.blogspot.com

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

Australian ELP.SN is our Australian contact. For more info 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.

Greek ELP.SN is our Greek contact. For more info e-mail greekelp@yahoo.gr

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

Anti Capitalist Block @ the Wave

TIME: 12:45pm

PLACE: London, Berkeley Square (come out of Green Park Tube Station, turn
left, and then left again up Berkeley St. Meet next to the statue in the
middle of the green)

Places: central london/ westminster

On 7th December, world “leaders” will meet in Copenhagen to discus climate
change. The weekend before, and during the summit, protests will happen

TIME: 12:45pm

PLACE: London, Berkeley Square (come out of Green Park Tube Station, turn
left, and then left again up Berkeley St. Meet next to the statue in the
middle of the green)

Places: central london/ westminster

On 7th December, world “leaders” will meet in Copenhagen to discus climate
change. The weekend before, and during the summit, protests will happen
worldwide, in solidarity with those in Copenhagen.

But what will this achieve? For too long liberals have held sway in the
ecological movement. They push for “Sustainable, Green Capitalism”, but it
has become obvious that capitalism can NEVER be green. The Capitalist system
is inexorably tied up with environmental destruction, war, and oppression.

Therefore, it’s time to show that the only true solution is REVOLUTION. Come
to the liberal demonstration on December 5th and show the powers that be OUR
solution, the only true solution to environmental chaos!

Camp for Climate Action – where next, gatherings and process

January Regional Gatherings

There will be no national gathering in January. Instead, we are encouraging neighbourhoods to hold their own regional gatherings in advance of a three-day national gathering in February.

January Regional Gatherings

There will be no national gathering in January. Instead, we are encouraging neighbourhoods to hold their own regional gatherings in advance of a three-day national gathering in February.

We suggest that at least part of the agenda for the regional gatherings is to evaluate the past year (or more) of climate activism, and consider the proposals for future nationally organised activities that have come out of the Camp’s Where Next? discussions over the last few months. We will be sending out more information about this in the email newsletter shortly.

Once you’ve organised your gathering, contact process[at]climatecamp.org.uk to get the details of put up on this page.

February national gathering

We are planning a three-day national gathering in February, probably on the weekend of 12-14 February. update – now 20/21 February instead. We are keen for this gathering to be as central as possible in the country so that it’s accessible for as many people as possible. If you could offer to host this gathering, or help host it, please get in touch with process[at]climatecamp.org.uk.

Questions?

If you’ve got any questions relating to the Camp’s organising process, contact process[at]climatecamp.org.uk.

Gathering details will always be sent out via the Camp for Climate Action email newsletter.

UK Rossport Solidarity Gathering Feb 12-14th, Sumac Centre, Nottingham (incl.agenda)

Find out more about the Rossport Solidarity Camp in Co.Mayo, Ireland & how to support the community struggle against Shell in 2010.

UK supporters of the Rossport Solidarity Camp are holding a gathering at the Sumac Centre in Nottingham from the 12th-14th February. Anyone who has been active in the campaign or who would like to find out more is welcome to join us for the weekend. There will be food by donations & accommodation. We will be discussing how to support the struggle in Rossport over the next year as the project moves to the on-shore pipeline stage.

The project has recently been further delayed, with half of the proposed on-shore pipeline route deemed as posing an unacceptable risk to the local community. Shell have been asked by the planning board to go away & design a new route by February. This will probably go through the bay which they had previously ruled out on environmental & technical grounds.

There is still a lot of fight left in this campaign & works on a new route; if given permission probably won’t start till June. That gives us lots of time to plan & prepare a solid resistance. The local community need our help as much as ever so please come along to the gathering; meet people involved in the struggle & plot how to take on one of the biggest multinationals in the world!!

www.indymedia.ie
www.shelltosea.com

Weekend Itinerary.
Fri 12th: 12-5pm. Cycle caravan meeting. For those people interested in helping to organise a spring ride to Mayo around communities in Ireland.
6pm: Introduction to Shell to Sea & the Rossport Solidarity Camp.
Sat 13th: 10-6pm. Main meeting to discuss supporting the campaign both in the UK and the camp.
8pm -1am: Benefit night at the Sumac Centre
Sun 14th: 10am onward. Brunch & space for informal chats/more meetings

Vegan food will be available for donations. Sleeping space also provided.
Tel: 07510285458

Further gathering details at http://www.veggies.org.uk/event.php?ref=1664

Come to the Peace News Winter Gathering, 15-17 January

Join people from across the spectrum of the British peace movement for a weekend of exploration, celebration and empowerment – learning from other movements, struggling with challenging issues, and creating greater cohesion and solidarity in a segmented peace movement.

Workshops will be reflective (learning from recent activist initiatives in Gaza, Copenhagen and Calais), strategic (for example, developing plans to counter the war in Afghanistan) and practical (planning for actions in Nottingham itself, and at Aldermaston the following month). Decades of activist experience will be represented, along with fresh faces and newblood.

The Gathering will be followed on Monday 18 January by a mass nonviolent direct action against the arms trade requested by and organised by participants in the Gathering (not under the control or direction of Peace News).

Peace News Winter Gathering 2010 has developed out of Peace News Summer Camp 2009, which created a real sense of liberation for participants. The Gathering is a space of mutual respect in which activists from different groups and movements, who hold diverse views on fundamental issues, can share experiences, information and insights, and can learn more about each other.

More details including programme at http://peacenewsgathering.info/