North West England – Page 14

Coal Action Scotland InfoTour dates

The Mainshill Solidarity Camp is going on tour! Check our list of dates below to see if we’re coming anywhere near you. If you’d like us to to a talk where you are and its not on the list, email us at mainshill [at] riseup.net and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

10th March
Brighton
7pm at the Cowley Club
London Road

12th March
Leeds
7pm at the Bandstand Community Allotments
Woodhouse Ridge, Meanwood Road
15th March
Bradford
7pm at the 1 in 12 Club
21-23 Albion Street

16th March
Lancaster
7pm at the Lancaster Action Resource Centre
78a Penny Street

Fossil Fools Day 2010

Climate change is no laughing matter – but that doesn’t mean we can’t confront the Fossil Fuel Empire with subversive humour.

WHAT: Direct actions, practical jokes and throwing a spanner in the works to stop the fossil fools.
WHERE: Your street, town or city.
WHEN: April 1st, 2010.

Climate change is no laughing matter – but that doesn’t mean we can’t confront the Fossil Fuel Empire with subversive humour.

WHAT: Direct actions, practical jokes and throwing a spanner in the works to stop the fossil fools.
WHERE: Your street, town or city.
WHEN: April 1st, 2010.

Last December in Copenhagen, the politicians sold us out to the fossil fools, corporate lobbyists and big banks. Now we’re left with “green capitalism,” a deeply unjust carbon market and continued assaults on our communities and ecosystems. If we’re going to stop climate chaos, the only real solution is to keep fossil fuels in the ground.

The stakes couldn’t be higher: destabilisation of the global climate, local communities destroyed by dirty energy extraction and combustion, devastating freak storms, droughts, floods, the list goes on …

This April 1st, join Rising Tide in some creative direct action … use the simply subversive to the downright disruptive: office occupations, banner drops, clownish parades, road blockades, spoof websites, subvertising, street theatre, leaflets, lock-ons or laugh-ins. Whatever works for you and your group.

Join us this Fossil Fools Day and hatch some harebrained schemes that will strike a blow to climate criminals everywhere!

WANT MORE? Fossil Fools Day also marks the launch of the BP Tar Sands Fortnight of Shame: a two-week campaign culminating in actions surrounding BP’s AGM on April 15th. The goal? To stop BP from going into the Canadian Tar Sands – the biggest, dirtiest fossil fuel project on earth. Find out more: Tar Sands in Focus.. And a word to BP: be afraid… be very afraid.

NEED A HAND? If you would like ideas for actions, graphics for leaflets or websites, advice on dealing with the press, etc., send us an email and we’ll do our best to help out: info@risingtide.org.uk

For more information see: Fossil Fools Day.

In the words of that master of pranks: “That’s All Folks”.

Manchester Airport and Heathrow residents join forces

Sunday 7th February 2010

Sunday 7th February 2010
Residents and campaigners against the expansion of Manchester and Heathrow airports have joined forces in a show of solidarity between both places threatened by airport expansion. Around 80 people turned out for the launch of the ‘Adopt-a-Resident’ scheme on Hasty Lane which involved campaigners from across Manchester and across the country pledging to support the residents in their battle to save their houses and that if it came to it – to take direct action against the bulldozers trying to demolish their homes.

Peter Johnson and daughter Holly Johnson hosted the event in front of their house. They were joined by Tracy Howard – a resident from Sipson, as well John Stewart, Chair of AirportWatch, and activists from Stop Expansion at Manchester Airport (SEMA) coalition and Plane Stupid.

The day also involved a visit to the nearby 300 year old natural pond and home to endangered Great Crested Newts.

SEMA spokesperson Sian Jones said: “The residents aren’t alone in this – climate justice campaigners from across Manchester and the country are backing them all the way.”

Hasty Lane resident Peter Johnson said: “Together with Sipson residents, we are going to fight these irresponsible and unnecessary plans. Our local councillors all opposed the plans, but they were overruled. The council has let us down, but we’re not going to give up that easily.”

Sipson resident Tracy Howard, 35, who made the trip up north for the twinning event said: “The story of Hasty lane is a way too familiar story to ours. Local communities suffering from a big airport that is destroying our homes, our health and the climate. If a 3rd runway at Heathrow is built I face losing my home, my job and my grandmother’s grave will be dug up. This is why I have been adopted by a Plane Stupid activist as there direct action tactics could be all we have left.”

PRESS COVERAGE
———————————–
BBC Website
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/8502871.stm

Manchester Evening News report
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1191887_tea_party_protest_over_airport_extension_plan

Background information
———————————–
In November 2009, Manchester City Council approved plans to bulldoze
people’s homes on Hasty Lane to expand the World Freight Centre at
Manchester Airport. This overturned the decision by local councillors from the Wythenshawe Area Committee, who rejected the Airport’s plans.

Manchester Airport is one of the region’s biggest polluters (2.5 million tonnes of CO2 annually, based on departing flights only). Yet it was recently omitted from Manchester City Council’s Climate Change Action Plan ( http://www.manchesterclimate.com/)

Manchester City Council own 55% of Manchester Airports Group – which also owns Bournemouth, Humberside and Nottingham East Midlands Airport.

Manchester Airport was recently rejected from the 10:10 campaign.
http://stopmanchesterairport.blogspot.com/2009/11/manchester-airport-rejected-from-1010.html

For more information, see:
http://www.stopmanchesterairport.org.uk

The new EF! Action Update – bursting onto the seams…

In the Spring edition of the EF! Action Update, see how King Coal is being confronted – chimneys climbed, conveyors locked-on to, mines invaded, machinery occupied, ecotage, and more.

Marvel at the Mainshill strategy of continuous action, look with awe at the range of tactics they used in the many months before eviction…and then think about what you can do, with who, where and when.

“If not you, who? If not now, when?”

The Mainshill feature includes an action timeline, local community links and ideas for the future.

The Nuclear New Build CONsultation is over on 22nd February – read about what happens next, who’s involved, and an anti-nuclear camp in April.

“in the end we just need rebellion. Everywhere.” – what was your response to the Copenhagen climate chaos, whether you went or stayed at home?

Be inspired by an interview with “D Lock,our mystery digger diving activist” – get out there, bicycle lock in hand. In January, one person so-armed brought a whole coal terminal to a halt for many hours.

And from across the seas, read about our brothers and sisters struggling against high-speed train destruction in Italy, high-voltage power lines in Catalonia, and whale hunting on the High Seas.

And if you don’t get high on all that, try not to be inspired by conferences blockaded, dams delayed, earth-trashing machinery sabotaged, trees hugged, architects imposted, genetics roofed, biomess biomassed and much more.

“We are going to inherit the earth . There is not the slightest doubt about that. We Are not afraid of ruins. We carry a new world, here in our hearts. That world is growing this minute.” – Durruti

To download the latest EF!AU for printing, go to http://www.earthfirst.org.uk/efau/actionupdate_feb10print.pdf

To read the latest EF!AU online, go to http://www.earthfirst.org.uk/efau/actionupdate_feb10.pdf

Hasty Lane Adopt-a-Resident Launch- Manchester – Sun 7th Feb 2010

On Sunday 7th February 2010, Hasty Lane tenants threatened by the expansion of Manchester Airport will be teaming up with climate justice campaigners in the public launch of the Adopt-a-Resident scheme. Like at Heathrow, the scheme aims to build solidarity and campaigning links and to send out a message that if the bulldozers come, they will have to deal with people from across Manchester standing together to protect people’s homes and to protect the climate.

Public launch – Sunday 7th February 2010

Hasty Lane ‘Adopt a Resident’ Launch
Sunday 7th February 2010
1pm – 3pm

Hasty Lane, next to Manchester Airport, WA15 8UT

What will the day involve?
———————————————
We’ll have a grand tour of Hasty Lane, including the threatened houses and nearby wildlife spots. We’ll introduce each other and have a live video link up with Sipson village near London Heathrow. There will be tea, cake and music.

What what what?
———————————————
In November 2009, Manchester City Council approved plans to bulldoze people’s homes on Hasty Lane to expand the World Freight Centre at Manchester Airport.

Not only do these plans threaten people’s homes, but the rising emissions from air freight also threaten the stability of the climate.

But we can stop them. We’re inviting you to Adopt-a-Resident at Hasty Lane. Together, we can team up to rein in Manchester airport’s climate wrecking expansion plans. Together, we’ll also show that if the bulldozers come, they will have to deal with people from across Manchester standing together to protect people’s homes and to protect our future.

At the same time, we’ll be twinning Hasty Lane with Sipson village at Heathrow. Like Hasty Lane, Sipson is also threatened by airport expansion plans. A third runway at Heathrow would bulldoze around 400 homes.

With residents, supporters, campaigners and activists linking up across Manchester and across the country – we can stand together to protect people’s homes and to protect our climate.

For more information, see:
http://stopmanchesterairport.blogspot.com/

or contact: manchester@planestupid.com

TRANSPORT
———————————————
Stop Expansion at Manchester Airport will be organsing transport from central Manchester. To book your space email manchester@planestupid.com with the subject HASTY LANE.

Otherwise,TRAIN + BUS
Get the train to Manchester Airport transport interchange then either bus numbers 18 & 18A towards Hale Barns/ Altrincham. Get off at the top off Hasty lane.
take the TRAM to Altrincham interchange and take buses number 18 or 18a towards the Airport/Wythenshawe. Get off at the top off Hasty lane.

Stop Expansion at Manchester Airport
– Homepage: http://stopmanchesterairport.blogspot.com/

climate camp ‘where next?’ regional gatherings and reader

PROPOSALS FOR 2010 SO FAR

We’ve got a new discussion board up on the Climate Camp website with all the proposals for the regional gatherings received so far, plus some other useful texts from the Where Next? discussions. Join the discussion here:

http://discussion.climatecamp.org.uk

REGIONAL GATHERINGS IN JANUARY

PROPOSALS FOR 2010 SO FAR

http://discussion.climatecamp.org.uk

REGIONAL GATHERINGS IN JANUARY

Here are the latest confirmed details of our regional gatherings in January…

(More details as we have them will be posted at:
http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/get-involved/national-gatherings/next)

—

Climate Camp Reader

Dysophia and Shift Magazine have joined forces to put together a Climate Camp Reader, “Criticism without Critique”, published in January 2010. This reader hopes to encourage and faciliate debates at the next climate camp gatherings. To download it follow this link:
http://dysophia.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/cca_reader.pdf
The editorial is posted below:

Editorial

In January & February 2010, the Camp for Climate Action will go through a period of introspection as it works out where it shall go next. While in some ways the Camp has been a success, it has also come under a barrage of criticism from some quarters within the radical movements that spawned it.

To help this debate we have put together a set of resources and relevant articles to inform and spark discussion relating to this criticism. Our bias is obvious, though the opinions expressed are those of the authors alone. Whether you agree with them or not, we believe they are worth taking on board. We hope at least that you feel confident answering their challenges, rather than just dismissing them.

Now is the time for the Camp to examine its politics in more depth, to work out just what it stands for. This is a cross-roads in its development, to continue down a path of ever increasing liberal, reformist approach, or to be the noisy radical, pointing out all the white elephants in the climate change debate. The future of the movement around the camp is being shaped here. The decisions being made now will have profound impacts on who is and who is not involved in the future.

The Camp for Climate Action grew out of the radical anarchist and environmental movements, a synthesis of the organisational skills developed at the Anti-G8 protest camp at Stirling, and the ecological direct action movements such as Earth First! The perception that emerges from these criticisms is this has been lost along the way.

We accept that this booklet makes challenging reading and that we offer little in the way of solutions. These, we believe, must come from within the camp itself. However, it is apparent that there is a need for two things. Firstly, a greater visibility for the anarchist roots within the day to day life of the CCA process and proposals. Secondly, and just as important, a more open and explicit critique of capitalism and how it is the root cause of climate change.

If we do neither out of fear of a mainstream media backlash, then we are reduced to being another NGO. Yet, the power of the Camp has always been the promise of a genuine alternative action in the face of prevarication and obstruction from governments and corporations – now is the time to spell that critique out and use it to build real alternatives, not legitimising the system we complain of. It was the strength of the Camp’s founding critiques that gave it the boldness its subsequent successes have rested on.

Ultimately, the message of the Camp is a very radical one – that radical social change is needed, especially if we are to tackle of the root causes of climate change. The answer is not to water down our actions and our messages, but to be bolder than ever. That is the excitement and power that gives the Camp its life.

To download the reader follow this link:
http://dysophia.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/cca_reader.pdf

http://dysophia.wordpress.com/
http://www.shiftmag.co.uk/

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

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/