CRITICAL MASS – friday, London – may be the biggest ever? Plus Bristol & Glasgow call-outs

police have won a high court appeal. it means that ‘organisers’ of the critical mass bike ride have to inform the police ahead of time and negotiate a fixed route. since there are really no organisers, the mass will have difficulty complying. it is simply a get-together of cyclists to go for an unorganised but synchronistic ride. a large turn-out will complicate the enforcement of this repressive decision.

police have won a high court appeal. it means that ‘organisers’ of the critical mass bike ride have to inform the police ahead of time and negotiate a fixed route. since there are really no organisers, the mass will have difficulty complying. it is simply a get-together of cyclists to go for an unorganised but synchronistic ride. a large turn-out will complicate the enforcement of this repressive decision.

back in october 2005, after the introduction of SOCPA (serious organised crime and police act) section 132, controlling protest around parliament, police handed out their leaflets warning the mass may be controlled.

in response, around 1500 cyclists took to the streets in november, bringing central london to a standstill, and making it impossible for the police to enforce their crazy repression.

you don’t have a lot of time to organise, but if you want to build a similar event, it’s up to everyone to spread this news far and wide – leaflet, poster and recruit your local cycle shop, write to your local newspaper (“local person intends to defy police ban by cycling on friday”), swamp your mailing lists, and so on and so on.

remember, the critical mass is not an ‘organised’ event, and so cannot notify the police in advance of its route. since it’s not organised by any one person, it means everyone who wants a mass needs to do something this week to make it happen large! no-one will do it for you.

so start acting, and think positive and huge – if 1500 can come out on a cold november night over this issue, think how many might turn up on a pleasant may evening?

——

“One of the three appeal judges hearing today’s case did rule in favour of the cyclists. Lord Justice Wall said a ruling that the event fell within the Public Order Act was “potentially oppressive”. “The police, in my judgment, know what the cyclists are going to do. They are going to ride around the Greater London area. “That is a perfectly lawful activity, and if, for any reason, it ceases to be so, the police have ample powers to intervene.The judge said it was a valid argument that not only is the Critical Mass rally a part of London life, but that none of the bodies responsible for public transport in London had ever felt it necessary to ask the police to consider using the Public Order Act against it.”

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Bristol CM headerThis Friday – 25th of May – Critical Mass

THIS FRIDAY – 25th of May – Critical Mass from the Fountains @ 5:30pm

Critical Mass isn’t BLOCKING traffic – We ARE Traffic.

Critical Mass is a monthly bicycle ride to celebrate cycling and to assert cyclists’ right to the road, happening on the last Friday of
every month in hundreds of cities and towns around the world. We meet at 5.30pm outside the Fountains near the Waterfront to set off by 6pm.

We take a leisurely ride through the city of Bristol for 30 mins to an hour allowing us to make our point and communicate effectively with other road users and authorities.

By getting cars to slow down for cyclists we hope to raise awareness for:

the benefits of cycling
the need for more buses
the need for more cycle lanes
cut down your driving
car drivers need to chill out
cycling is fun and there are lots of like minded people willing to do
something fun to help the environment.

Critical Mass isn’t BLOCKING traffic – We ARE Traffic.

for more info see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_Mass_%28bicycle%29
http://www.scorcher.org/cmhistory/howto.html
http://bristolcm.pbwiki.com/

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Glasgow CM May 07 flierBIG BIKE BLESSING – A Mass for Glasgow Critical Mass

Come all, come many …see you there with holly oil.

www.glasgowcriticalmass.org.uk

May 25th, 5:30pm, George Sq, !!Bring your Bike to be Blessed!!

Who do you turn to when you no longer can cycle safely in the city?
The police? The Council? The Prime Minister?
No … we need something bigger. We need the most powerful force to protect our bikes on our journey through the city on the next Critical Mass bike ride. This is why we will be calling upon the All Mighty Lord to bless all of our self-propelled vehicles. Amen! A Divine Intervention will ensure our safety so we will be blessing the bikes with our holly waters, chanting holly hymns from the holly Bike Bible. Hallelujah! For it is the bikes that have been sent down from the heavens to save us and our burning planet. Amen!

Come all, bring your children and your parents, join the merry sounds of the Critical Mass.

Why?

There is a growing cycling culture in Glasgow that is not being addressed by the Glasgow city council. Although the bike is by far the quickest, most efficient and environmentally friendly means of getting around in the city, there are hardly any bike facility, bike lanes are paired up taxis and buses and the list goes on.

Although the city council claims that there are up to “375km of identified cycle route” (www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/GettingAround/Cycling/) the majority of them are no longer than a couple of hundred meters before they get cut by a road, a building, or a parking lot.

Who?

Critical Mass, Urban Playground, Glasgow Kiss, The Weird Bike Show, and more

What to expect?

Well you should expect a safe and peaceful bike ride with other jolly cyclists, spontaneous interventions and a safe look into experiencing the city on a self propelled vehicle. As well a, a Giant Priest, a sound system on wheels, some weird bikes, a rickshaw, and much much more.

The What?

There is also a fancy dress party organized by Bedlam Boudoir and their incredible costumes. We will have the bicycle stamp on the ride which will allow you a special discount for the party later on. Special points for coming as a religious figure to bless bike and dance at party.

www.critical-mass.org
www.urban_discomfort.com
www.the-swarm.co.uk
www.glasgowkiss.org.uk

http://www.glasgowcriticalmass.org.uk

Virgin spoil-sports – TAA exhibition obstructed

19.05.2007
The Temporary Autonomous Art event taking place in a squatted venue once used by Reuters was today obstructed by a private security firm apparentlty employed by the Virgin Media Group who allegedly own the building which has been left empty for several years until occupied by the TAA earlier in the week.

TAA exhibition London 1TAA exhibition London 219.05.2007
The Temporary Autonomous Art event taking place in a squatted venue once used by Reuters was today obstructed by a private security firm apparentlty employed by the Virgin Media Group who allegedly own the building which has been left empty for several years until occupied by the TAA earlier in the week.

Today was the last day of the exhibition which opened on the 16th May and involves the work of over a dozen artists from around the country. The security were assaulting people attempting to enter the site and the police were called. Over the course of several hours the police attempted to figure out where the law stood on having security guards obstructing the public footpath in order to prevent people from entering a building which was lawfully occupied by someone other than the owner instructing the security firm.

While the first police to turn up instructed that it was a civil mater until the point of assault or obstruction, the security continued as before as soon as the police left. The second set of police to arrive took a more pragmatic approach. They said they’d do nothing until given advice from higher up and while they were there the security were forced to step back from pulling people off the fences when they climbed over.

Meanwhile, inside, kids played on a bouncy castle in the sunshine and people wandered around looking at the wide variety of art decorating the large commercial building. Workshops were also taking place around the building and there was a schedule of films and experimental performances.

Shortly before I left, higher ranking police had arrived and were expressing concern that they would be an unlicensed rave taking place in the building that evening as that’s what they were being told by the security firm. The police asked if they could have a look around but after a period of discussion those inside said no.

As I left at around 6pm, the situation remained that people wanting to enter the property had to climb over a ladder tied to the fence and could do so without obstruction from either security or police. It was not clear what would happen next but the exhibition is well worth a visit.

See also http://www.taaexhibitions.org/ and http://www.randomartists.org/

======================
update:
======================

Saturday 19th May 9pm

Has London gone anti-arts and culture?
The Metropolitan Police have today launched a major operation, which includes the cordoning of two public roads and involving the use of a considerable number of police officers and vehicles. Resulting in a stand off lasting over 12 hours so far, (at 8pm), the police operation has managed to prevent anyone entering on the last day of a highly successful and inspirational art exhibition.

Yes, read that again … an Art Exhibition …

Launched on Wednesday the Temporary Autonomous Art exhibition has attracted a large number of talented artists from all over Britain and Europe to produce one of the most exciting and innovative exhibitions that London has seen, achieving almost unanimous acclaim from everyone who has visited.

Running for four days from midday to midnight one would have thought that such a quality multicultural event would be celebrated by the authorities, but no, they insist that the place is going to turn in to some kind of rave and used it as an excuse to prevent the lawful access to local public highways and the building itself.

The building is full of high quality art, produced by dedicated artists and the very concept of a rave is enough to horrify anyone involved. The very thought of hundreds of works of art trashed in an illegal rave in incomprehensible, so the question must arise as to why?

Has the Met lost it’s senses? On a Saturday night when the understaffed, overstretched police force is having it’s busiest night of the week they are sent out in force to prevent an art exhibition!

Temporary Autonomous Art is (was) being held at 15-25 New North Road, London (Nr Old St) and is apparently the most dangerous event in town

more info 07722044788

Earth First! summer gathering – Wednesday 18th July until Sunday 22nd July 2007 – location & programme announced

What is the Earth First! Summer Gathering?

* Are you fed up with bare-faced lies from politicians, big business and the media?
* Have you had enough of a world where corporate profit comes before life and dignity?
* Do you want to see an end to mindless consumption>
* Then this Gathering is for you! Read on…

EF! gathering '07 logo (rabbit/fence)What is the Earth First! Summer Gathering?

* Are you fed up with bare-faced lies from politicians, big business and the media?
* Have you had enough of a world where corporate profit comes before life and dignity?
* Do you want to see an end to mindless consumption>
* Then this Gathering is for you! Read on…

Exploring alternatives to the corporate world of greed, lies & exploitation –

The Earth First! Summer Gathering is the place where people involved in radical ecological direct action – or those who want to be involved – get together for five days of time and space to talk, walk, share skills, learn, play, rant, find out what’s going on, find out what’s next, live outside, strategise, hang out, incite, laugh and conspire.

The gathering is also a practical example of non-hierarchical low-impact living in action.

We are a diverse community with a wide range of approaches to our action, so there should be plenty to interest and inspire everyone whether you have been active for years or are completely new to it all.

More info at earthfirstgathering.org.uk

Plane Stupid Callout for Local Groups

Plane Stupid (www.planestupid.com) is calling out for local Plane Stupid groups to form to fight the fastest growing cause of climate change (aviation) in your area. Plane Stupid thinks that local groups taking action in their area but within a wider network of Plane Stupid activists is the best way to fight the unsustainable growth of the aviation industry. If you would like to set up a group in your area all you need is a few enthusiastic members committed to using direct action to fight climate change.

Plane Stupid plane fist logoPlane Stupid (www.planestupid.com) is calling out for local Plane Stupid groups to form to fight the fastest growing cause of climate change (aviation) in your area. Plane Stupid thinks that local groups taking action in their area but within a wider network of Plane Stupid activists is the best way to fight the unsustainable growth of the aviation industry. If you would like to set up a group in your area all you need is a few enthusiastic members committed to using direct action to fight climate change.

The 2003 Aviation White Paper outlines plans for between double and triple the current number of passenger flights. This involves massive airport expansion all over Britain at rate equivalent to the building of a new Heathrow every 5 years. The UK’s top climatologists predict that aviation’s emissions alone are predicted to exceed the government’s target for the country’s entire output of greenhouse gases in 2050 by around 134%. (Tyndall Centre for Climate
ChangeResearch)

Plane Stupid has become one of the direct action groups of the emerging grassroots climate movement in Britain. Our dramatic impact has come by means of a series of high-profile direct actions and a near obsessive focus on clear, basic demands that people understand: the scrapping of airport expansion plans, a tax on aircraft fuel and
plane tickets, and an end to unnecessary and unsustainable short haul flights.

Since we formed in less than 18 months ago; we have disrupted the world’s largest international aviation industry conference in Central London; grounded planes through the occupation of a taxiway at the short-haul East Midlands Airport; blocked the entrance to BAA’s headquarters at Heathrow twice; staged a roof-top protest at easyJet’s corporate headquarters in London, temporarily shut down tens of travel agents across the UK and helped angry Heathrow residents disrupt the transport minister’s speech. We also inspired and oversaw Britain’s first national day of action against short haul flights, which saw local groups hold demonstrations at six regional airports and outside Flight Centre travel agents in cities across the UK.

Government and industry’s profiteering from creating catastrophic climate change will go unchecked unless YOU do something today! Join us by setting up a local group with some like minded people in your area to help us scrap airport expansion, get aviation fuel and tickets taxed and ending short haul flights.

Contact info@planestupid.com or call 07948 219 493 for advice on setting up a local group or for someone to come and speak in your area about Plane Stupid. Also on the 12th and 13th of May we will be at the Campaign against Climate Change conference in London (http://www.campaigncc.org/) where you can come and speak to us.

www.planestupid.com
info@planestupid.com

SHAC TAKES THE FLAK: FLIMSY PRETEXT FOR COUNTRY-WIDE ARRESTS OF ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS

4.5.07
In yet another hammerblow aimed at the animal rights movement, police made 32 arrests across the UK in the early hours of Tuesday morning in ‘Operation Achilles’. Assistant Chief Constable Adrian Leppard of Kent Police says the arrests are “one of the largest, if not the largest, police operation that has targeted animal extremism in the UK.” Three properties were also searched in Belgium and the Netherlands.

4.5.07
In yet another hammerblow aimed at the animal rights movement, police made 32 arrests across the UK in the early hours of Tuesday morning in ‘Operation Achilles’. Assistant Chief Constable Adrian Leppard of Kent Police says the arrests are “one of the largest, if not the largest, police operation that has targeted animal extremism in the UK.” Three properties were also searched in Belgium and the Netherlands.

700 police were involved as homes and animal sanctuaries were raided, with police seizing computers, mobile phones and cash. The whole operation was designed with maximum publicity in mind – the press were tipped off in advance and dutifully reported on the latest crackdown on animal rights ‘extremism’. Almost all those arrested had some connection with the SHAC campaign

Of course what didn’t hit the headlines was the number of properties raided without arrests being made and the fact that 24 hours later only nine of those arrested had been charged – two with blackmail and the other seven with ‘conspiracy to blackmail’. Twenty were released on bail and one without charge. Two of those nicked, main organisers in the SHAC campaign, have been held for further questioning.

Crucially, the police investigation – in a nod to corporate martial law – used intelligence and forensic support from the private sector. The pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry greeted news of the raids with glee: “News of today’s operation will act as a great fillip to the medical research community across Europe,” said a statement issued by Aisling Burnand, chief executive of Britain’s BioIndustry Association.

One source close to SHAC told SchNEWS, “This has all the hallmarks of a fishing expedition, designed to cause massive disruption to animal rights campaigns and show Big Pharma here and abroad that the police are making strides against the animal rights movement.”

NETCU CLOSES IN

As details emerged of the botched raid on Freshfields Animal Sanctuary in Liverpool, sanctuary head Dave Callendar told SchNEWS, “At 5.30 they kicked in the door and seized three staff members. At 6.20 they seized two others as they turned up for work. There were about sixty coppers – they set up a cordon and refused access to anyone. Those seized were held in vans but not arrested. My farm manager had his collarbone broken after he was grabbed by three police when he climbed the back wall to check on our pigs. He was held in a van for three hours and refused access to medical attention. Although the police brought an RSPCA inspector with them it was clear that when we regained access to the site that nothing had been done for the animals. Also they allowed animals to escape, which we’re still looking for. They took every single piece of hardware, mobile phones, photocopiers, you name it – but they didn’t take a single piece of paperwork. It’s difficult to see it as anything other then deliberate intimidation and disruption – nobody here is involved with the Huntingdon campaign. We’re a pro-active community organisation and we’re not going to let them walk all over us.”

The raids come against a backdrop of a decline in criminal incidents related to animal rights and demonstrate that the National Extremism Tactical Co-ordinating Unit’s (see www.netcu.org.uk) efforts are now aimed firmly at the ‘legitimate’ above ground animal rights movement. With SHAC once again able to conduct demos outside HLS (see SchNEWS 581) and activism spreading across Europe, Britain’s political police seem intent on decapitating the A.R. movement, by any means necessary.

* See www.shac.net for more
* Freshfields Animal Sanctuary see www.freshfieldsrescue.org.uk

Plane Stupid mark ten years of Blair – BAA HQ blocked

2.05.2007 Green activists today marked the tenth anniversary of Tony Blair coming to power by visiting his best friends in industry to highlight the revolving door between Labour and the aviation industry and his failure to tackle climate change. (1) A team of protestors from climate action group, Plane Stupid, (2) are blocking the ‘revolving door’ to BAA’s Heathrow HQ to oppose government and industry plans for airport expansion.

BAA 10 years of Blair2.05.2007 Green activists today marked the tenth anniversary of Tony Blair coming to power by visiting his best friends in industry to highlight the revolving door between Labour and the aviation industry and his failure to tackle climate change. (1) A team of protestors from climate action group, Plane Stupid, (2) are blocking the ‘revolving door’ to BAA’s Heathrow HQ to oppose government and industry plans for airport expansion.

The activists have chained up the front doors to the offices and have dumped copies of the science of climate change, reports from the UN and from the Tyndall Centre, into the reception area. The activists have pledged not to allow the staff out until they’ve read the science. Other campaigners have unfurled a banner outside the building stating, “Read the science. www.planestupid.com”

Campaigner for Plane Stupid, Leo Murray, explained:

“In years to come, Blair will be remembered for systematically approving climate-wrecking projects like airport expansion. But it might not have happened if it weren’t for the fact that the revolving door between Labour and BAA just hasn’t stopped spinning.” (3) (4)

He added:

“We can’t believe that if BAA had read the science, they’d still be pushing ahead with their climate-crazy plans for airport expansion. With Blair preparing to leave office, UN climate scientists gathering in Bangkok, and the hottest April on record, it’s time BAA used their enormous influence to tell Blair to ditch expansion plans or leave with a legacy of failing on climate change.”

This Friday’s IPCC report on mitigation of climate emissions, a draft copy of which has been obtained by Plane Stupid, confirms, “Land use planning and transport demand management can make a significant contribution.”

Plane Stupid are one of the groups behind the advertisements in today’s national newspapers headlined, “Vote for climate change.” (5)

Notes for Editors:

(1) The BAA/Labour revolving door:
– In advance of the government’s 2003 aviation white paper which paved the way for their expansion programme, BAA was the main supporter of lobby group, “Freedom to fly.” This group is thought to be the brain child of Steve Hardwick, Director of Public Affairs at BAA who took time out to work on the Labour election campaigns of 1997 and 2001.
– “Freedom to fly” was directed by John Prescott’s former personal political advisor from 1999-2001, Joe Irvin. When, after a year, Joe Irvin resigned, he was replaced by Dan Hodges. Hodges is the son of Glenda Jackson MP, who happens to have been Labour’s first aviation minister.
– Joe Irvin has this week been appointed as one of Gordon Brown’s top advisors (4)
– BAA’s “Freedom to Fly” was chaired by Labour peer, Brenda Dean.
– The government appointed AviaSolutions to assess the responses to its consultation on expansion. AviaSolutions is run by former high-flyers from BAA, Seamus Healey, Paul Eden and his wife, Liz. Also on the company’s board was Lyne Meredith, who previously worked as BAA’s director of planning and environment.
– BAA hosts from its West London offices, “Future Heathrow,” an industry lobby group chaired by Labour peer, Lord Soley. Launched personally by then-transport secretary, Alistair Darling, it was established to ensure that the third runway and sixth terminal is built.

(2) Plane Stupid is Britain’s first national direct action group against the unsustainable aviation growth. www.planestupid.com

(3) For more details and sources on the revolving door between BAA and Labour: http://www.turnuptheheat.org/?page_id=24

(4) http://news.independent.co.uk/people/pandora/article2483864.ece and http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2007180865,00.html

(5) For more on the ads, including the press release, see www.spurt-aviation.com

For interviews/info:

press@planestupid.com
www.planestupid.com

– ENDS –

At 5.30pm – four people were arrrested for aggravated trespass after BAA refused to read the science.

Call for Submissions: Zine on Property Destruction

Entering the radical community, many quickly find themselves constantly hearing about debate over property destruction. Is it violence? Does it matter if it’s violence? Is it effective? Is it alienating? And on and on. I’ve been hearing this argument pretty much since I regularly started attending protests. At this point, I almost don’t want to deal with the subject. Naturally, you’re asking, “Then why the hell do you want to make a zine about it?”

Entering the radical community, many quickly find themselves constantly hearing about debate over property destruction. Is it violence? Does it matter if it’s violence? Is it effective? Is it alienating? And on and on. I’ve been hearing this argument pretty much since I regularly started attending protests. At this point, I almost don’t want to deal with the subject. Naturally, you’re asking, “Then why the hell do you want to make a zine about it?”

The answer is simple: I may be sick of the debate, but that’s just me. As the war in Iraq drags on (dragging bloodied Iraqi corpse upon bloodied Iraqi corpse with it) and discontent and disillusionment with this whole socio-political-economic system increases, more people are getting involved in the fight against capitalism and its machines of war (both the armies abroad and the police at home). For many, when they start going to protests and demonstrations, they have at best mixed feelings about things like property destruction, violently resisting the police, or even just marching in the street without a permit. And some apprehension about these tactics is completely understandable. After all, everything in this system is designed to teach us that property (or perhaps more accurately, corporate property) is sacred, that police should always be obeyed (or else) and that breaking the law, even small laws, is morally and ethically wrong and can never be justifiable.

And so, this is a call for articles, stories, art, or anything else about the tactic of property destruction and its merits for a zine that seeks to give those on the fence about this issue a gentle nudge (and maybe convince them to rip down the fence!). Since this is meant to be a zine for people new to social movements, I respectfully ask that the tone of the articles keep that in mind when choosing their words. To put it plainly, please no anti-liberal rants–they piss me off too, but this is supposed to be the case for property destruction, not the case against liberals (maybe next time!).

When I say articles, I mean previously published or unpublished articles arguing for the validity or effectiveness of property destruction. It doesn’t even have to be something you wrote. If there’s an article that you think is really great and think that it should be included, tell me about it (things like, where I can find it, who wrote it, and how I can get ahold of them). There’s two kinds of stories that would be really great to have for this zine: personal accounts and “historical” accounts. Personal accounts would be something talking about witnessing or even committing an act of property destruction, how it made you feel, what impact it had, etc. Obviously this is very sensitive, so trying to be relatively vague is best (and also see the next paragraph for the best way to submit things like that). A “historical” account would be more of a general story (preferably contemporary) of how property destruction put pressure on an institution to win a concrete goal. Art would be anything that would be an image. A cartoon, a cool drawing, whatever.

If you have anything to contribute, please send an email to tacticaldiversity@gmail.com. I may want to edit some of your submission for various reasons (most likely space). Any edits or cuts will be run by you first. If for some reason you can’t or don’t want to submit something online, send an email and we can discuss other methods of submission. As was said above, sending personal accounts about property destruction over email is not necessarily a good idea. In fact, for both our sakes, it’s a bad idea. Any personal accounts should be submitted will an anonymous email service like www.willselfdestruct.com (be sure to make it at least 1 view). If you want me to respond somehow, you can leave an email address in the willselfdestruct message and I can respond in kind. If you don’t leave a way to respond to you, I may make edits without running them by you first. Also, a major goal is to make sure that every piece published is published with the creator’s permission. This zine isn’t going to be sold anywhere and will be distributed for free, but I still don’t want to use other people’s stuff in this zine without their express permission. So yeah, don’t submit other people’s work acting like it’s your’s and get people pissed at me. If you run an infoshop or any other radical space that could distribute this zine upon completion and are interested in receiving copies, drop a line and you’ll be kept in the loop when it comes time to publish.

In love and rage,
Casey Ford

Critical Mass reports

Police charge cyclists at Glasgow Critical Mass
29.04.2007

Last night the police committed a surprising u-turn in their approach to dealing with Glasgow Critical Mass. The Mass has previously been accompanied by cycle officers “to ensure the safety of the cyclists” however there has been no police presence since last September. This changed dramatically with the April Critical Mass.

Police charge cyclists at Glasgow Critical Mass
29.04.2007

Last night the police committed a surprising u-turn in their approach to dealing with Glasgow Critical Mass. The Mass has previously been accompanied by cycle officers “to ensure the safety of the cyclists” however there has been no police presence since last September. This changed dramatically with the April Critical Mass.

Last night the police committed a surprising u-turn in their approach to dealing with Glasgow Critical Mass. The Mass has previously been accompanied by cycle officers “to ensure the safety of the cyclists” however there has been no police presence since last September. This changed dramatically with the April Critical Mass; the 50-70 cyclists were tailed by a police van for the majority of the ride with the police stopping some of the riders at the front of the mass and warning them not to continue else they may face charges. In the midst of the cycle run, while the Mass dutifully waited at a red light, the two officers (A303 and A628) made their way to the front of the mass and selected three cyclists, apparently at random. It should be noted that these three were not the cyclists spoken to by the police earlier. These arbitrarily chosen cyclists have been charged with “Cycling without due consideration for other road users” under section 29 of the 1988 Road Traffic Act (exact wording: If a person rides a cycle on a road without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road, he is guilty of an offence.In this section “road” includes a bridleway). They were informed that a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal for further consideration. Watch this space.

http://www.glasgowcriticalmass.org.uk


Critical Mass London 13th Anniversary ride.
16MB film – mp4
The very well attended Mass got off to a good start, despite a spelling mistake on the kindly donated t-shirts. There was the usual large police presence with its usual intimidating videoing of riders. Pity they can’t take their own medicine and try to conceal their faces.

The police returned to their previous tactic of blocking the front of the ride, thus adding to traffic congestion. At the entrance to Parliament Square the front of the ride was blocked for several traffic light cycles. Finally, in frustration, and after some booing at the blockers, riders decide to go around on the pavement to enter the Square. At some point the ride split into two but managed to join up again in the Strand. Videoing stopped at the couriers’ pub, while the ride continued on into the night heading Eastwards.

All in all very enjoyable and merry ride.

new north london occupied social centre

the old mountview theatre school site in crouch end is opening its doors to the public on sunday the 29th april after being abandoned by the drama school now based in wood green. the new social centre benefits from a small theatre, which can be converted for cinema nights, as well as exhibition space, large workshop spaces, a bar and kitchen, and residential area.

Crouch Hill social centre 1the old mountview theatre school site in crouch end is opening its doors to the public on sunday the 29th april after being abandoned by the drama school now based in wood green. the new social centre benefits from a small theatre, which can be converted for cinema nights, as well as exhibition space, large workshop spaces, a bar and kitchen, and residential area.

the launch party for this exciting new art community starts at 5pm on sunday and will be a showcase of talent featuring an art exhibition, live art, cabaret, bands, and film. there will be a wide range of music with a confirmed line-up of hip-hop, folk, electro, and indy. full details to follow.

there will be food and drink and entry is by donation.

members of project 142 and the 491 gallery are among the organisers of this new community which will be called “project 104” as it is situated at 104 crouch hill, london n8.

future usage and events are still in the planning stage – ideas are welcome

nearest tube is finsbury park, from where you can walk 15 mins up stroud green road and over crouch hill. or catch the w7 bus from the wells terrace exit of the tube station. project 104 is just over the brow of the hill about halfway down on the right.
crouch hill silverlink station is a short walk away too (turn right out of station and walk over the hill).

call 07903 297199 for more info

Reclaim Power – 15min film version online

In the summer of 2006, 600 people 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.

In the summer of 2006, 600 people 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.

You can download this 15 min version of the film ‘Reclaim Power – voices from the camp for climate action’ here:

http://video.indymedia.org/en/2007/04/821.shtml

order the multilingual DVD 62 min + several extras – or this 15 min version in DVD quality here: orders@cinerebelde.org or networking@climatecamp.org.uk

More information about the camp 2007: http://climatecamp.org.uk

You are welcome to post or link up this 15 min clip on your websites. Please include a link to cine rebelde: http://www.cinerebelde.org/site.php3?id_rubrique=166〈=en