Rest of Europe – Page 11

Call out for support for forest occupation in Belgiu,

Since the first of Juli we (an action group from the Dutch Earth First!) have occupied a forest in Wilrijk, s

Since the first of Juli we (an action group from the Dutch Earth First!) have occupied a forest in Wilrijk, south of Antwerp in Belgium. So far there’s been no talk about eviction but this is about to change. The legal procedures keeping the owner from being allowed to cut are almost finished.

September 15th till Ocotber 15th are the only weeks they are allowed to cut the forest (this is to ‘protect’ the bats and birds in the forest), so we really need people to come and help us prepare for eviction! Lots of work to be done, both on the ground and in the trees.

We expect the chance of eviction will be the greatest from September 12th till September 20th. So the more people in the forest the better!

adress: fotografielaan 7, wilrijk

train to antwerp central

from rooseveltplaats bus 500 to boom

get off close to the pizzahut (ask busdriver)

walk to the pizzahut, go right, at the end of the road (cows) go right, first left, you’ll see the banners

you can contact us at: steungroep.groenoord@gmail.com

for more info: www.groenoord.be / www.facebook.com/steungroep.groenoord

0032485507274

The area has been mapped as a forest since 1771 and is an ecologically very valuable oak forest which is a habitat for lots of birds and endangered bat species. The forest is a so called wrongly zoned forest, it’s been zoned as an industrial area since 2005. Flanders (the dutch speaking part of Belgium) is the second poorest region in Europe when it comes to forests, only 8 % of the land if forest. About a third of those forests are wrongly zoned which means they are often threatened. Most of these forests are cut without anyone ever knowing. So we are not just fighting for this specific forest, we are fighting for a more just forest policy in Flanders.

The owner wants to cut the forest to build an office and storage space, but it is not clear if they have someone to rent it yet. Their old partner ended the contract because the plans were delayed.

There’s heaps of empty office buildings in Flanders. Within a minute’s walk from the forest there’s 4 empty buildings that could be renovated or broken down to make space for a new building. Yet they still want to cut the forest.

Because they have never done proper geological studies there’s big problems with the water in the area. The water can’t go anywhere so part of the forest is often under water, which has killed a lot of the trees. Measures need to be taken to ensure the survival of the forest.

Whenever cutting forests in Flanders, they talk about compensation. Which is bullshit. You can’t just cut a forest here and plant a new one somewhere else.

NO COMPROMISE IN DEFENSE OF MOTHER EARTH

Help us defend the trees!

Girona, Spain: Call for camping against the M.A.T. power line

WHAT IS THE M.A.T.?
The very high tension power line (M.A.T.) is an electric motorway which transports at least 400,000 volts. It is being constructed in order to connect European States to each other and also Europe with Africa. It is necessary in order to sell and distribute excess energy produced by nuclear power plants and the so-called alternative sources of energy. At the same time, it is the network which capitalism needs in order to supply the electricity necessary for other projects and infrastructures of death and destruction, such as high-speed railway lines. Those responsible for all this are always the same ones and the construction companies in question are directly involved in other projects which are destroying lands around the world; companies like Vinci standing out in Europe and Endesa in South America.

WHY THIS CAMP?
So that the last decisive section for the connection between France and Catalonia can not be constructed. So that the energy coming from 6 French nuclear power plants does not cross this land or any other. So as to treat the struggle against the M.A.T. as a starting point for questioning our way of living, which is mainly imposed by the domination of Progress. So as to create on the affected land a space for meeting, information, agitation and action.

WHY HERE AND WHY NOW?
After more than 10 years of struggle, we are at a decisive moment. In September expropriations are expected to begin, directed against owners who have refused to sign the sale of land needed for the construction of the M.A.T.’s last pylons in Girona.

It is because of all of this that we are inviting you to participate actively in the camp, in order to share, struggle and resist in a self-run space, without leaders and representatives. We want to create moments of exchange and connection between various struggles, because the M.A.T. affects us all and is not an isolated struggle.

AGAINST PROGRESS, ITS INFRASTRUCTURES AND ITS DEFENDERS:
LET’S TAKE OUR LIVES BACK!

SEE YOU ON THE 23rd OF AUGUST, 2013 ON THE LANDS AROUND GIRONA

Bring everything that you need for camping.
More information and updates: Torres más altas han caído

http://torresmasaltashancaido.espivblogs.net/

Multi-lingual printable fliers on 325 http://325.nostate.net/?p=8417

english flier http://torresmasaltashancaido.espivblogs.net/files/2013/08/mat-ing-imp.pdf

more: eco-/struggle here

http://325.nostate.net/?cat=7

http://en.contrainfo.espiv.net

Ongoing road bloackade against Mining in Sweden

30 July 2013 Right now there is a battle against mining in Sapmi, north of Sweden, going on. We have barricaded the road leading to the site where Beowulf Mining Plc. want to make test mines. This is the Sami peoples lands stolen by the Swedish state and colonized since way back. We stand in solidarity with indigenous culture and fight against the mega-machine of mining. The Swedish police are now on the site removing obstacles to help the mining corporation proceed. At least 6 people have been arrested already but protests are still going on. For five days the police have this special mission to help the evil corporation, that’s why we need people now!

This is a strategic battle, if the resistance to the mine is strong enough Beowulf will not be able to sell the mining site to another corporation (which is their plan). There is a security radius of 150m from the test pits, if people are inside those the corporation are not able to detonate explosives. How far is this corporation ready to go? Are they ready to blow people up to get their ore? We don’t know but we are ready to die to stop them. Solidarity protests, new warriors, prayers, actions and whatever you can imagine to help is/are welcome!

For everything wild and free!

Communiqué After 50 days of Occupation in Zurawlow, Poland

29th July 2013: It has been 50 days since the start of the protest against Chevron’s activities by residents in Zurawlow, Rogow and Szczelatyn, Poland. Since then, they have successfully blocked the access to the land leased by Chevron where the shale gas extraction was planned to be carried out.

During that time, farmers had arranged meetings with various officials, ranging from local municipality administrators down to Ministry of Environment. Unfortunately, all of the meetings and discussions failed to meet demands of the protesters.

Protesters are being supported by activists from all over the world. We are deeply appreciative of your support. Simultaneously, we would like to ask you for direct support. At this time of the year the most important period (field harvesting) for farmers begins, thus it is crucial for us your presence at the site of the protest. Only your support, joint actions and solidarity gives us a chance to reach victory.

http://occupychevron.tumblr.com

Mayo farmer to face criminal damage charge over Shell protest

26 July 2013 Gerry Bourke – a farmer from Aughoose in County Mayo – is insisting he has no case to answer after being hit with a criminal damage and trespass charge in

26 July 2013 Gerry Bourke – a farmer from Aughoose in County Mayo – is insisting he has no case to answer after being hit with a criminal damage and trespass charge in relation an incident at Shell Ireland’s tunnelling site in the village.

Gardaí confirmed to TheJournal.ie that a man was questioned in relation to an incident at the site in Aughoose on 22 June last by officers at Belmullet Station. The 48-year-old was arrested and questioned for around six hours yesterday, before being released.

Bourke – who is a supporter of the ‘Shell to Sea’ campaign – says he was engaging in a peaceful protest with several others on the date in question, and that he “couldn’t guess” as to why he was being charged with criminal damage. He told TheJournal.ie:

I was protesting at the site… I will keep protesting what’s going on as long as there’s life in my body.

He said the Shell to Sea campaign would continue in order to draw attention to the “unfairness” of what was happening in Mayo, adding:

Ownership of oil and gas should belong to the people. You cannot have a situation whereby people don’t own natural resources. There has to be a fair deal done for the country.

Gerry Bourke is due to appear in court in Belmullet on 11 September.

A spokesperson for Shell said that some damage had been caused at the site on the date in question, but declined to comment further as the case is now before the courts.

The Corrib Gas Project – which involves the extraction of natural gas from the northwest coast of the country – has been the subject of long-running opposition from ‘Shell to Sea’. Most recently, the group erected a series of signs close to a location where drilling was taking place, warning locals of the danger posed by ‘sink holes’.

Sabotage of Nuclear Train in France

A fishplate similar to the one reportedly removed by an anti-nuclear group to derail a train earlier in July.

23 July 2013 An unknown anti-nuclear group has taken credit for a July 12 act of sabotage that derailed a train transporting nuclear waste in the French city of Limoges. French police are currently conducting an investigation.

According to the regional newspaper Le Populaire du Centre, they received an email claiming responsibility. The paper also explained that a steel plate, known as a fishplate, was unbolted from the tracks, the track was lifted and the rail crossings were dislodged.

The derailment took place in the morning on a stretch of track used exclusively by nuclear giant Areva to transport nuclear waste.

The Areva train shot off the rails more than 200 ft. Neither of the two rail-workers aboard were injured.

ALF Liberates Dolphins

23 July 2013 2 dolphins were set free from Yevpatoria dolphinarium as a result of special operation with diving equipment.

During the night of the full moon on 20/07/2013 we covered 2 km under water and breached security perimeter: we cut the nets and entered dolphin containment pools.

23 July 2013 2 dolphins were set free from Yevpatoria dolphinarium as a result of special operation with diving equipment.

During the night of the full moon on 20/07/2013 we covered 2 km under water and breached security perimeter: we cut the nets and entered dolphin containment pools.

In the next hour we cut large part of perimeter barrier. Dolphins encouraged our efforts with clicks and whistling. Their support filled us with joy and excitement.

This has been an unforgettable meeting and encouraging experience for us. Our job done, we left the area of operation.

By the way, the prison was equipped with night-vision cameras, but their red eyes were turned on the catwalks and audience seats.

Nobody expected our approach from below. As soon as dolphins got wind of freedom and open water, they escaped into the night sea.

– ALF/FAI SEALS on tour

ELF target car dealer, Germany

July 17, 2013 – Germany

reported anonymously:

July 17, 2013 – Germany

reported anonymously:

"The last night we visited a Ford store in Berlin, we left a package with a fake bomb and a message 'This sick infatuation with life's destruction, this grotesque embodiment of decay, a new world will rise from this disfunction, when the institutions of oppression are laid to waste' and wrote ELF in one of their vans. This multinational is nothing more than another symbol of our disgusting civilization, with their oil, wars, destruction of the planet and animals habitats, enslavement of human-animals and pure capitalism. For Walter Bond, Marie Mason and all the victims of The Green Scare

-Animal and Earth Liberation"

Residents raise sinkhole warning signs over Shell tunnel

Yesterday (14th July), local residents and supporters raised signs on Sruwaddacon estuary, warning of the sinkholes that continue to appear over Shell's tunnel.

Yesterday (14th July), local residents and supporters raised signs on Sruwaddacon estuary, warning of the sinkholes that continue to appear over Shell's tunnel. Residents first noticed the sinkholes beginning to appear in the special area of conservation on the 20th May and numerous sinkholes have appeared along the tunnel route since then.

The warning signs which read "Danger Sinkholes: Keep Back" were erected in order to warn users of the estuary of presence of the sinkhole, which have been up to 8 foot deep. Residents were forced to put up the warning signs after both Mayo County Council and the Department of Energy & Natural Resources, despite being contacted, have failed to take any action.

The National Parks & Wildlife Service are also believed not to have investigated thus far the possible damage that may be occurring to the benthic life in the estuary, despite the area being both a Special Area of Conservation and a Special Protection Area.

Shell to Sea spokesperson Terence Conway stated "When Shell experts were giving evidence in the oral hearing, there wasn't a word about sinkholes and the bubbling up of possible contaminated material to the surface of the special area of conservation".[1]

Shell have previously sent up to 10 workers with shovels out on the estuary in a failed attempt to fill in the sinkholes.

Mr Conway continued "We can currently follow the path of the tunnel by the trail of sinkholes that have appeared on the strand. Failure to regulate has caused alot of suffering in Ireland, yet the Government are still allowing Shell to do whatever they want. The sinkholes are further proof that the Government continues to abandon their responsibility to regulate Shell."

Links

[1] YouTube Video: What's happening in Shell's Tunnel? – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hvz2l27Ooc

[2] Reports of sinkholes above Corrib tunnel investigated
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/reports-of-sinkholes-abo…54717

[3] Midwest Radio Clip about third sink-hole in Sruwaddacon estuary
http://www.shelltosea.com/content/midwest-radio-clip-ab…tuary

Bubbling in the water in the foreground while people raise warning signs in the background of photo

Police Fire Water Cannons to Quell Protest as Baton-Wielding Shop Owners Threaten Reporters in Istanbul

15 July 2013 Police have fired water cannons and tear gas to the several thousand protesters gathered on Istanbul’s İstiklal Avenue to protest a midnight bill adopted this week by the Parliament which curbed the supervision of the Chamber of Architects and Engineers (TMMOB) in all urban projects, giving full authority to the Environment and Urban Planning Ministry. Some shop owners also threateningly attacked with batons reporters an protesters chased the protesters into the side streets by the police.

Members of TMMOB, of whom many were among the most active leaders of the Taksim Solidarity Platform that initiated the protests over the demolition of Gezi Park in Istanbul, as well as many protesters, had joined the demonstration in Galatasaray Square that started at 5:30 p.m.

However, police did not allow the group to walk to Taksim Square after the Governor’s Office refused to grant permission. Police demanded the protesters to end the demonstration after the statement, warning them that a dispersion by force would be carried out against them if they failed to do so. Most of the protesters dispersed while the police chased them into the side streets, cutting off some of the pedestrian entrances to the İstiklal Avenue.

Shop owners with batons attack protesters, reporters

After scattering, some of the protesters started to regroup on the İstiklal Avenue. Water cannon trucks and panzers were also dispatched to the area. Live footage showed riot police using tear gas in the side streets, while reports said that they also fired rubber bullets to protesters.

Meanwhile, a group of baton-wielding shop owners attacked protesters running from the police. They also threatened reporters, trying to prevent them in vain from filming and taking their pictures.

Police also detained protesters, including art scholar Osman Erden. Erden was seen bleeding from the mouth while he was taken into custody.

‘No to crazy projects’

Earlier, a spokesperson for the group slammed the midnight bill, saying the government wanted to “silence” architects and engineers to prevent hurdles in grandiose urban projects. “They don’t want us because we are against [Istanbul’s] third bridge, because we said no to Canal Istanbul,” he said, referring to the massive-scale construction works branded as “crazy projects” by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

During his speech, the crowd also chanted “no to the third bridge, no to canal Istanbul, no to crazy projects,” hinting that the demands of the protesters could widen.

The spokesperson also recalled that many members of the Taksim Solidarity Platform and other civil groups were harassed and ill-treated while in custody, including Mücella Yapıcı, the general secretary of TMMOB’s Istanbul office.

“We won’t surrender,” he said.

Protesters were also seen holding pictures of Ali İsmail Korkmez, the fifth Gezi protester to have died, who passed away this week after succumbing to his injuries, inflicted by assailants who beat him with sticks.

Earlier, mothers whose children had been detained organized a sit-in in GalatasaraySquare, calling for the end of arbitrary detentions.

Gezi Park was opened on July 8 after being in police lockdown for more than three weeks. The opening of the park had caused incidents as police intervened once again against protesters, taking into custody 50 people, including a number of NGO members.