Rest of Europe – Page 23

Rossport round-up

Shell Contractor Quarry Shut Down For Day
Barret’s Quarry in Bangor Erris shut down by protesters

On Wednesday 31st August at 8am 15 people entered Barrett’s quarry, just outside Bangor Erris in Co. Mayo and stopped work for the whole day, leaving at 5:30pm. Barrett’s is a subcontractor on the Corrib Gas Project, currently bringing truckloads of gravel and hardcore to Shell’s site in Aughoose.

Entering the quarry site Wednesday morning was easy, as there were only a couple security guards and there is no fencing around the site aside from the front gate. Once people were on site work was halted pretty quickly as people climbed up onto diggers and other machinery.

No attempt to remove the protesters was made, and the day was pretty calm. Folks even got up to playing werewolves and charades while on the machinery in order to pass the time.

At 5:30 after all the workers had gone home and there was no chance of them resuming their deliveries to the Shell site, all the protesters left through the front gate.

Protesters have been targeting Barrett’s lorries on the public road over the last few weeks as they were trying to make their stone deliveries to the Shell compound, by stopping them and climbing on top of them. This occupation of the quarry itself is a message to all contractors working for Shell on this project.

Nearby Lennon’s Quarry also supply material to the site and have also had many of their vehicles occupied in recent weeks. Shell to Sea spokesperson Terence Conway said today: “Both businesses will continue to be a target of the campaign until they end all work at Shell sites.”

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Corrib protests – if Tuesday was not mad enough try today
26.8.11
MEP assaulted, work halted for six hours, campaigners drive into refinery and bounced back out again four hours later

Local Shell to Sea campaigners and their supporters at Rossport Solidarity Camp are resting after another bizarre day of lows, highs and outright idiocy during their ongoing protest against Shell in co. Mayo.

The day started unpromisingly with a 6am sortie against the compound at Aghoos seeking to exploit a couple of weak points in the fence. Shell’s contractors Roadbridge and Shevlins are racing to finish the first bit of work in constructing the fencing and new entrance way. Every moment is counting for them. This left a couple of promising gaps which people from the camp sought to exploit in their dawn raid.

Unfortunately, it was not to be. Security from IRMS were aggressive from the beginning and were dragging people across hard-core and the road. Though the main target failed, a secondary one saw two people get in. As other weak points were probed, one protester who was on the road was deliberately charged from behind, tripping them face-first onto the road. This was all photographed; a complaint to a Sergeant imported from Galway was naturally treated with disdain, the gardaí happily taking their place as part of Shell’s private security. This has already been reported to the Amnesty/Frontline human rights observer in the area and will be pursued.

People returned to camp to get a bit of rest and recuperate. Just before midday, Dublin MEP Paul Murphy (of the Socialist Party) and a number of supporters turned up. They were shown the camp and given an update as to how the campaign has been going.

While this was happening a group of people waited near the junction near Glenamoy, a key turning point for the vehicles coming between the refinery at Bellinaboy and the Aghoos compound. Most trucks and tractors along this route are escorted by gardaí, who have placed officers along this route, and whose vans regularly follow people walking it.

Despite all this attention from gardaí, quick thinking meant that one person was able to jump on top of a Barretts Quarry truck – the firm providing much of the hard-core – at around 1pm. It was a beautiful moment. Campers, locals, Paul Murphy & co all converged on the site. A good natured protest ensued, with people laughing, joking, singing, children making water balloons and the person on top of the truck giving us a rendition of “Which Side Are You On”, re-worded to take in Shell.

In the refinery a backlog of trucks and other vehicles began to build up. The public order team turned up with their cherry picker to remove the person on top of the truck. Those in the road sat down and formed two lines wrapping arms and legs around each other with the aim of stopping the cherry-picker coming in. The thugs from the public order team waded in, as ever, dragging people out, ripping clothing and using pressure points on the ear. Paul Murphy, who was involved in the line was among those assaulted in this fashion. Naturally he was livid. Word is that the story is going ‘viral’.

Not to be deterred, after the person on the truck was removed and arrested, people decamped to the front of the refinery. Numbers grew to over 50 as more locals came to support. It was fantastic to see old faces again, something that really boosted the campers. It was clear there was a buzz despite the rain that came on. There was more playing in front of the gates, and a determination to resist in the air. For those who had been at the morning protest, it was such a lift. Gardaí and security stayed clear; the line of trucks backed up inside the refinery grew longer. The person who had been arrested was charged, released and came to join the protest.

Eventually Shell caved in. They parked up the trucks and shut up shop at Aghoos at 6.30pm. Though having pushed their workers to keep to the existing timetable, the day was lost to the campaigners. Fearing that they might try and take some of the vehicles out the back gate, people drove around, driving up close to the back gate. Two of these cars driven by locals (well known to security) and containing just as recognisable people were waved through the refinery gates by security. So, we suspect, heads are going to roll. One car drove around and back out again without security actually being aware of this. The other stayed in and drove around the refinery, two fingers up to all who think they can run rough-shod over the people of Erris. Naturally, the gardaí, late to the party this time, then began stopping workers going in. It was a great turn around to a long day. Now, for another planning meeting…

For Paul Murphy’s own account:
I was just about to finish this report when we heard… two IRMS (Shell’s private security) minibuses were blocked for an hour. And the car was still in the refinery as of 8pm. So down we head again, barely finishing inner. Security had surrounded the car at the inner perimeter fence as it was trying to leave. For some very bizarre reason they would not let the car leave by the gate directly in front of it, but wanted it to go all the way to the back gate.

The occupants refused that option as they were worried they would be ambushed. A tractor was brought and attached to the back of the car by a rope. For the next hour and a half the car was bounced backwards across the site. The idiocy of the people doing this meant that the car was constantly bouncing and knocking against the back of the tractor. Once occupant phoned the gardaí for help but the person answering the 999 call laughed. It is not hard to see why the gardaí in Erris are not trusted by the people who live there.

By 9pm a crowd of locals and people from the camp had assembled outside the back gate in support. Numbers swelled to forty by 10pm when the tractor finally brought the car out – gardaí and security filled out into the road – the security clearly acting like cops again – pushing concerned friends and family away. It was a relief to see our friends safe again.

A long, exhausting day, but amazing in so many unexpected ways. Welcome to Mayo.
http://www.rossportsolidaritycamp.org

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Mayo Road Blockaded in International Solidarity Protest
August 26 2011
From 6.00am to 9.30am this morning, three campaigners occupied Aghoos Road, as part of the ongoing protests against the controversial Shell refinery at Bellinaboy. They formed a triangle in the middle of the road using a set of especially made arm-tubes. This action follows on from yesterday, which saw the Gardai assault Dublin MEP Paul Murphy during a sit-down protest at the same part of the road. The protest stopped a number of Shell’s construction vehicles reaching their destination at Aghoos. All three have been arrested and taken to Belmullet.
From 6.00am to 9.30am this morning, three campaigners occupied Aghoos Road, as part of the ongoing protests against the controversial Shell refinery at Bellinaboy. They formed a triangle in the middle of the road using a set of especially made arm-tubes. This action follows on from yesterday, which saw the Gardai assault Dublin MEP Paul Murphy during a sit-down protest at the same part of the road. The protest stopped a number of Shell’s construction vehicles reaching their destination at Aghoos. All three have been arrested and taken to Belmullet.

One of those occupying the road said, “I’m doing this in support of a similar protest that took place in Broome Community, Australia last night. This is a powerful way to show that struggles from Ogoniland in Nigeria, to the Tar Sands in Canada, Australia, to Erris, Mayo and now to Australia are linked in common cause. Once we heard about the Broome Community actions we had to show solidarity. It feels really powerful to be part of this.”

The Broome Community are opposing a gas project that parallels the situation in north-west Mayo. Like Mayo, Shell is one of the companies being resisted by local communities. Links between the two communities are being established, and award winning film “The Pipe”, which documents the Mayo situation is being shown at events in Australia.

Yesterday saw a series of events targeting the Shell refinery in Aghoos and Bellinaboy. The Rossport Solidarity Camp was visited by Paul Murphy, MEP who came to learn more about local community resistance to the project. While taking part in a peaceful sit-down protest in front of a truck he was assaulted and had his clothes torn by gardai.

Con Coughlan, from the Camp said, “The determination we are feeling is incredible; knowing that people in Australia were doing their protests while we were doing ours was inspiring for us all. We send our best wishes out to them.”

ENDS

*FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:*
Rossport Solidarity Camp 085 1141170

Notes
1. For more information on the Broome Community protests see http://handsoffcountry.blogspot.com/

2. For reports of events on Thursday, 25th August, see
Related Link: http://www.rossportsolidaritycamp.org

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Daily Protests in Mayo, Numbers Building
Actions are constant, sometimes 3 or 4 in a day

Between lock-ons, mass trespasses, lorry climbing and a breach of security at Shell’s refinery, this week brought a lot of people out protesting. Locals who haven’t been out on the roads in years have come out this week, and momentum is building.

Here are some photos from Wednesday 24th August that haven’t been posted. Tuesday and Thursday were so full of events that these photos didn’t make it up. But things are happening every day, keep looking at the shelltosea.com website, twitter, and indymedia to stay posted.

Wednesday’s events began with a 6am trespass onto Shell’s compound in Aughoose. Soon after a few people went to join the locals who are at the refinery gates every morning, and 6 people sat down in the road wrapping arms and legs around each other to stop a tractor. Gardai dragged people out of the road for the tractor to pass. After this one person managed to climb on top of a truck delivering bogmats outside the refinery. The person stayed up for about 10 minutes but when a garda climbed onto the lorry and wrestled her D-lock away, preventing her from locking on, she came down and was not arrested.

Later that day Shell illegally extended their Aughoose compound into the public road, using harris fencing to reduce the road to one lane. Shell’s private security then stood in the public road, and workers yet again stopped traffic whenever a delivery was being made to the compound (which happens 3-4 times an hour and can mean 5-30 minutes of road closure). When people from the Rossport Solidarity Camp saw them putting up fencing in the road people went down to take advantage of the narrow road for the next tractor delivery. However once again Gardai and IRMS worked together to push people into ditches, contain people, and clear the road.

Honest to god direct quote from MY 31 Sergeant Richard Mahony, explaining why people must clear the road, “For your own health and safety, or we’ll throw you in the ditch.”

Apologies for the belatedly posted photos, it is not easy keeping up with media stuff when actions are happening constantly! There is plenty to do that doesn’t involve protesting as well, including tending to the three gardens, cooking the communal meals, maintaining the wind turbines, and everything else it takes to maintain the camp!

The camp is located in a field overlooking the Shell compound in Aughoose, between Bellanaboy and Pullathomas. Come for a visit anytime! Contact the camp at rossportsolidaritycamp[at]gmail[dot]com or 085 114 1170

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Mayo Road Blockaded in International Solidarity Protest
From 6.00am to 9.30am Friday 26th August, three campaigners occupied Aghoos Road, as part of the ongoing protests against the controversial Shell refinery at Bellinaboy. They formed a triangle in the middle of the road using a set of especially made arm-tubes.

This action follows on from yesterday, which saw the Gardai assault Dublin MEP Paul Murphy during a sit-down protest at the same part of the road. The protest stopped a number of Shell’s construction vehicles reaching their destination at Aghoos. All three have been arrested and taken to Belmullet.

ENDS

Notes
1. For more information on the Broome Community protests see http://handsoffcountry.blogspot.com/

2. For reports of events on Thursday, 25th August, see
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/100407 and
This action follows on from yesterday, which saw the Gardai assault Dublin MEP Paul Murphy during a sit-down protest at the same part of the road. The protest stopped a number of Shell’s construction vehicles reaching their destination at Aghoos. All three have been arrested and taken to Belmullet.

ENDS

Notes
1. For more information on the Broome Community protests see http://handsoffcountry.blogspot.com/

2. For reports of events on Thursday, 25th August, see above, or
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/100407 and
http://www.paulmurphymep.eu/breaking-news-how-the-gardai-assaulted-me-and-other-peaceful-protestors-in-rossport

The Black Fish is looking for crew members

The marine protection organisation The Black Fish is looking for people to join its direct action team and future ship’s crew.

The marine protection organisation The Black Fish is looking for people to join its direct action team and future ship’s crew. “In order to be effective in our marine conservation campaigns, we need to be out at sea, opposing the most destructive fishing and hunting activities, where they happen away from the public eye.” For this reason The Black Fish is working towards the purchase of an ocean going vessel and is looking for crew members.

“There are possibilities opening up to us which might see us getting access to a vessel in the near future. We need a crew for the initial overhaul of this ship and preparing it for its first campaign.” according to Wietse van der Werf, spokesperson for the organisation.

The Black Fish has launched a crew application page where people can apply for voluntary crew positions. “We are looking for people with sailing experience but this is not a necessity for the entire crew. Willingness and dedication to commit time and hard work to make future campaigns of The Black Fish a success, that is a must.”

Any questions related to crewing with The Black Fish, please see the crewing page on our website or contact the crewing coordinator at crew@theblackfish.org

We look forward to your application!

http://www.theblackfish.org/

HIGHWAY PROJECT SABOTAGED

received anonymously:

"10 kms of interstate highway staked out for extension were sabotaged last week in Northern Ukraine.

received anonymously:

"10 kms of interstate highway staked out for extension were sabotaged last week in Northern Ukraine.

Although some could argue that activism like this is not even worth mentioning (that's our own attitude on the matter, for example, like shoplifting or stensils), we do find it necessary to mention the act.

First reason is an important notice that usually fails to make its way into minds of some of our comrades. While it is important to respond to System offensive actions (like reactive attacks that took place in Kharkov and Saint-Petersburgh and Moscow and basically everywhere, where eco-anarchists RESPOND to raping of Nature), we find it more important to continue our attacks on technology and its means of destruction of nature even when no concrete offense is taking place.
In our case we just happened upon some old highway extension project, which, like many costly projects in Ukraine, was suspended because of awful economy of the country. Mother-Nature has already started reclaiming the area, with grass and dirt covering plates of concrete and some survey stakes.

But its obvious for everyone living in here that projects like this (interstate highway between Moscow and Kiev) will be put to life, for example as soon as next billion of dollars gets send by IMF or something.
So our small vagabond group of earth liberationists went to vandalism as soon as survey stakes were noticed. Just to help the Wild and hasten the process. We do believe the task was worth it.

And the reason for this is the thing that's often lost in communiques of our comrades world-wide. Its the most wonderful and magical feeling of communion with nature. When one does not only feels invigorated and excited because of his deeds, but something extraordinary happens, that gives hope and provides the momentum necessary for continuation of our project.

During the process of (tiresome and dangerous 'cause of police intervention) joyful destruction, our hungry and thirsty band (reasons for our thirst and hunger being banal travel from point A to point B) kept stumbling upon bountiful bushes of wild sweetbriar, so that we managed to fill ourselves and eat/suck the juices to our delight.
It is in moments like this that one gets to really appreciate the connection that comes into being when one turns away from civilization and towards untamed Wild.

– International ELF/FAI"

Three Heavy Machines torched at Ukraine Construction Site

30.8.11

reported by activists in Ukraine (photo from 057.ua):

“In the night of August 28th, 3 wheeled loaders were torched in Gorky Park (Kharkov, Ukraine).

30.8.11

reported by activists in Ukraine (photo from 057.ua):

“In the night of August 28th, 3 wheeled loaders were torched in Gorky Park (Kharkov, Ukraine).

According to the chief engineer of Gorky Park, Oleg Grinenko, the loaders had just started their work in the park. The equipment belonged to a subcontractor whose task was to provide for new road infrastructure. One of the destroyed loader’s market price was estimated as $60,000.

Since the beginning of construction on May 2011 , the construction site has seen numerous ecotage actions, expropriations of construction equipment and mass protests.”

Sea Shepherd Prevents Pilot Whale Bloodshed in the Faeroe Islands

26 August 2011

Operation Ferocious Isles Pilot Whale Defense Campaign is a Success

"Sail forth – steer for the deep waters only,
Reckless O soul, exploring, I with thee and thou with me,
For we are bound where mariner has not yet dared to go,
And we will risk the ship, our selves and all."
– Walt Whitman

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society’s Operation Ferocious Isles pilot whale defense campaign is almost over and it looks like our objective has been achieved. Not a single whale or dolphin has been killed on the beaches or in the waters of the Faeroe Islands under our watch this July and August.

Earlier in the summer, the Faeroese police ordered that no grinds (pilot whale drives and slaughter) would be allowed for as long as the Sea Shepherd ships were in Faeroese waters. Thus, our mere watchful presence prevented any killings this summer saving hundreds of whales as a result. Not a dramatic campaign by far, but enormously successful nonetheless.

It remains possible that whales may be killed after the Steve Irwin and the Brigitte Bardot leave patrol, but June, July, and August are the three most notorious months for the slaughter of the whales as they are peak migration months. Our objective was to prevent the killing of any whales during this period and that objective has been realized, therefore, Operation Ferocious Isles has been extraordinarily successful.

Additionally during the duration of the campaign, the crews of our two Sea Shepherd ships were able to meet and speak to hundreds of Faeroese youth. We were pleasantly surprised to find so many young people in opposition to the grind.

Sea Shepherd had hoped to make a public presentation but unfortunately, our request was denied by the Faeroese government, although our presence generated a great deal of publicity both in the Faeroes and in Denmark.

Significant campaign achievements include increasing international awareness of the whaling that takes place in the Faeroes, provoking controversy and discussion amongst the local people, increasing spending for the Danish Navy and police during the Sea Shepherd’s time in Faeroese waters, and most importantly, preventing a single grind from taking place.

The two Sea Shepherd ships will return to Great Britain to begin to make preparations for a return voyage to the Antarctic waters to once again intervene against illegal Japanese whaling activities in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary.

The Steve Irwin will host a fundraising event on the Thames (river) in London on September 13th.

The crews of the Steve Irwin and the Brigitte Bardot are very happy with the results of this year’s campaign and are anxious to return and once again intercept the Japanese fleet to prevent them killing whales off the coast of Antarctica.

“Over the past few months we saw whales, we deterred whales from approaching the islands, we prevented the killing of whales by just being here. We could not be any more pleased with the results of the campaign. Zero kills translates into a perfect campaign and we are extremely happy with the results of our efforts this summer,” said Captain Paul Watson.

This has been a very busy year for Sea Shepherd beginning with our victory over the Japanese whaling fleet by driving them out of the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary a month and a half before their season ended and preventing them from killing 83% of their intended kill quota. Since our victory in the Southern Ocean, we have captured poachers in the Galapagos, confronted tuna poachers off the coast of Libya, protested at the 63rd Annual International Whaling Commission meeting in Jersey, exposed the atrocities of the seal slaughter in Namibia, helped catch the criminals who viciously clubbed seal pups in New Zealand, reduced the number of dolphins killed in Taiji, Japan by half, and now, we can relish in this victory for the pilot whales here in the Faeroes.

Never before has Sea Shepherd been so active and effective on a truly international level.

And the reason for our successes is your continued support. We do the best we can with the resources available to us and increased support translates into increased activism.

Our support base is steadily growing thanks to the momentum of recent documentary films featuring Sea Shepherd including Eco-Pirate: The Story of Paul Watson, Minds in the Water, and Confessions of an Eco-Terrorist. And of course, thanks to Animal Planet’s hit television series Whale Wars now in its fourth season.

“What gives me such satisfaction is knowing that because we have intervened, because our ships have been on the water around the world, that so many marine lives have been saved,” said Captain Watson. “When I think of a mother whale and her calf swimming free in the sea because we silenced the harpoons this year, I feel deeply and warmly satisfied, that all our efforts have been worth the rough seas, the long voyages, the dangerous confrontations, and the political harassment. And to be at sea surrounded by hundreds of pilot whales that we were able to keep away from the killers onshore – that was the highpoint of our summer.”

Read more in Captain Paul Watson’s An Open Letter to the People of the Faeroe Islands.

Beneath The Fae'roes Sky

The Northern lights were dancing,
On the waves across the sea.
The stars of heaven hovered,
Across our shimmering galaxy.

A refrain from down the ages,
So in haunting in its song.
These ancient isles shall tell us,
Our love must make us strong.

The wind it swirled around me,
As we stood there off the shore,
And listened to their song,
Like we never heard before.

The whalers they may find them,
No choice may ours to be.
Yet we defend life proudly,
For this truth will set us free.

Memories recalled across the years,
Of rages and of strife.
Of cetacean misery,
And the horrific waste of life.

We wondered where love was,
In the face of so much pain.
I looked into the sea below,
To find it once again.

We travelled the wide oceans,
Heard many call us names.
With harpoon and gun and hatred,
The insanity of human games.

Some used the whales for glory,
Some use them for their gain.
But Sea Shepherd intervenes,
To cleanse the cruel human stain.

Is it not our place to wonder,
As the sea does weep with tears,
And all the ocean’s creatures,
Look on with mortal fear.

It is ours to hold the trident,
It is ours to hold it long,
It is ours to voyage forward,
Our love must make us strong.

With the trident in one hand,
In the other, the shepherd’s crook,
We try to regain the balance,
To return what man has took.

And as the cold wind carried,
The whale’s song into the night.
We closed our eyes and dreamt,
Until the morning light.

We saw the pilots swimming,
They did swim into our lee,
It was in this magic moment,
Came this song from mother sea.

Our hearts were all a dancing,
On the waves, out on the sea.
The whales turned from the shore,
And from the islands they did flee.

A host of ghosts on the beaches,
So haunting in their song,
These ancient isles have shown us,
That our love has made us strong.

-By Captain Paul Watson, inspired by and with lines borrowed from “Beneath a Phrygian Sky” by Loreena McKennitt

Rossport round-up: come fight Shell with us

Day of Chaos against Shell at Aghoos Compound
23.08.2011
A mass trespass stops work, one person on top of a digger for 4 hours

Today 25 people from Rossport Solidarity Camp sustained a barrage of actions against the site Shell is preparing for its tunnel boring machine. Despite 80 security and three vans of gardaí they were unable to keeps the protesters out. In the chaos that ensued one person got through the lines to d-lock themselves to one of the diggers and remained up there stopping work for 4 hours. Elsewhere other diggers had to stop working as protestors approached.

Con Coughlan, one of those who one of those who breached security said, “It was an incredible day. We pushed and pushed. No matter how many times they dragged us out we kept going back. People were coming from the back, others were launching themselves over the fences at the front.”

The day started at 2pm with three separate groups coming from different directions. From early on they began being carried out of the compound by private security, but this was no deterrent with people simply dusting themselves off and going back around. Despite their much greater numbers, security struggled to keep up with the constant pressure. Numerous weaknesses in the site perimeter were found and used to keep people coming in.

It was in a moment of chaos that one person found the opportunity to slip under a fence and made the dash for the nearest digger. Security, caught on the hop, despite holding off a number of other protesters, failed to stop her getting on top and using a d-lock she had brought with her to attach her neck to the roof section. She then settled down for a nap while the rest got on with the day. She was there for four hours and was not arrested.

Most of the work going on was to build the palisade fencing for the inner compound of the site. This is being supplied and installed by Shevlins Engineering.

Grainne Bradaigh , another of those who found a way in said, “We had fun. It was really very empowering. You could see how effective we were being from the way the workers were so frustrated. It was the first time I’ve done something like this, but I’m definitely up for it again. The gardaí were outside acting as private security for the tractors coming in, but there was nothing they could to do to stop us inside Shell’s compound.”

Actions have been taking place against Shell in co. Mayo all summer, opposing the construction of a pipeline that will pump high pressure gas through the beautiful Broadhaven Bay. It is part of a broader campaign by locals and those who support their efforts, that has been going on for ten years. Since May a camp has been established above the important site at Aughoose. It is open to all – if you are interested in coming along, please visit the website at www.rossportsolidaritycamp.org

—–
Double Barrel Concrete Lock-on Stops Shell

Monday 22nd August at 6am, two people locked their arms into concrete barrels in the road between Shell’s Ballinaboy refinery and the tunneling compound in Aughoose. The lock-on lasted for 7 hours, stopping all deliveries to the compound during that time.

Currently Shell are trying to set up a compound in Aughoose, 3km from the refinery at Ballinaboy. They are bringing in fencing, bogmats, steel girders and other equipment in order to secure the compound. Once it is secure Shell intends to remove 75,000 tonnes of peat from the bog. This bog is an important wetland habitat, home to frogs and newts and loads of diverse flora and fauna. After removing the peat they plan on bringing in the tunnel boring machine and begin the tunnel under the estuary for the onshore pipeline.

The concrete lock-ons were set up at 6am on Monday. As Shell normally begins deliveries to the compound from 7am, this 7 hour lock-on effectively stopped all deliveries for 6 hours.

The Garda cutting team which specialises in cutting protesters out of lock-ons and getting people down from high places, did not arrive until 9am. The first person was cut out of the first concrete barrel just before 11am. Within 15 minutes they began cutting the second concrete barrel to remove the second person. The second person was cut out just before 1pm, at which point the guards called Mayo County Council to clean up the mess of the cut up lock-on.

Local residents and the Rossport Solidarity Camp are doing continuous actions against Shell. If you’ve been meaning to come but just haven’t gotten around to it yet, come for a visit. There is plenty to do here including gardening, cooking, site maintenance, talking to locals or writing indymedia articles, as well as sitting in a lock-on if you like that kinda thing. The only way to really understand what is happening here is to come and see for yourself. The camp is located in a field in Aughoose overlooking the Shell compound, between Pullathomas and Ballinaboy.

To contact the camp, ring 085 114 1170 or email rossportsolidaritycamp[at]gmail[dot]com
http://shelltosea.com

—–

Gardaí and Shell Security Work Hand in Hand Blocking Public Roads

An Garda Siochana and Integrated Risk Management Services (IRMS) policing the roads together

Monday 15th August at 9am a group of 12 people went down to Shell’s compound in Aughoose to stop work. Eventually Shell’s private security (IRMS) and the Gardaí began working together to police the roads and protect deliveries of equipment to the compound.

After about an hour of protesters maintaining a presence on the road and slowing the work of the diggers, Gardaí and IRMS formed a line containing protesters on the opposite side of the road from Shell’s compound. The private security have absolutely no jurisdiction on a public road, so they have no right to be containing and handling people.

At one point an IRMS manager gave orders to the Gardaí, telling them to back off and allow traffic to pass. Several cars were held up for at least 15 minutes while Shell delivered a new digger to the compound. In Shell’s traffic management plan it states that the public road will remain open at all times, however in the past few weeks we have seen IRMS closing the public road for up to 30 minutes at a time.

On Tuesday 16th August a group of people went down to the compound again to stop the work, this time entering the compound from around the side. Some people were carried or escorted by IRMS up to the public road, no arrests were made.

The protests are continuous, and people are needed to sustain actions. If you are thinking of visiting the camp, any time is a good time. The camp is located in a field opposite the Shell compound in Aughoose, between Ballinaboy and Pullathomas.

To contact the camp, ring 085 114 1170 or email rossportsolidaritycamp[at]gmail[dot]com

—–

Some Expert Lorry Climbing Stops Shell

Between a mass trespass in the morning, someone blocking the road for 2 and ½ hours by climbing on top of a lorry, and a protest outside Shell’s Ballinaboy refinery, Thursday 11th August was a day full of blocking Shell.

Thursday 11th August at 10:30am about 20 people entered the compound in Aughoose which Shell is expanding in order to build the tunnel for the onshore pipeline. The diggers which are laying bogmats and erecting fencing retreated into the centre of the compound which is heavily guarded by IRMS, Shell’s private security force. Work was slowed for an hour and a half while people were on the site.

At 11:30am someone managed to climb on top of a lorry which was about to deliver fencing and girders to the compound. The halted lorry blocked the road so they were not able to bring anything else into the compound. Shell estimated they would be making 75 deliveries per day, today they managed about 10.

Just before 2pm the Garda public order unit showed up with their new toy, a cherrypicker. Sergeant Butler was driving it, and three public order Gardaí went up in the cage and pulled the person off of the steel girder he was sat on.

Once the road was cleared a few people went back down onto the compound and once again the diggers retreated and stopped working for about an hour.

To finish up the day, a group of people cycled to Shell’s Ballinaboy refinery for 6pm and stopped the last few tractors of the day from coming out, simply by sitting outside the gates and making tea. Then on the way home the cyclists delayed the IRMS shift change for almost an hour, until the Gardaí arrived and the cyclists went home for dinner.

—–

Corrib Gas protest at Aughoose compound

At approx 6.40 am this morning, Wednesday 9th August, members of Rossport Solidarity Camp entered Shell’s pipe laying compound at Aughoose. Shell is attempting to extend its existing compound to facilitate the arrival of its tunnel boring machine. A total of about 70 I-RMS security guards removed 10+ protesters from the compound with force. Gardai were standing by to assist the I-RMS, however, they were faced with a difficult legal predicament: which law could they use to restrain or arrest a protester? Without the free reign of “public order” legislation, the Gardai could only reproach protesters if the private land owner, Shell, requested it.

One protester was arrested for refusing to give a name and address. Gardai are entitled to request a name and address only if the person in question is, within reason, suspected of breaking a law. In short, a garda must tell a person why he/she is requesting a name and address. The gardai were having difficulty locating such a reason. It is unclear whether or not Shell asked the Gardai to intervene. With the negative public relations image Shell has acquired for itself in Ireland due to the Corrib project, it is thought that Shell are reluctant take any court proceedings against protesters.

The IRMS was policing the entire road outside the Aughoose compound at various points. This writer has personally seen I-RMS security guards unlawfully act in a manner only warranted to police officers of the state. Despite assurances by Superintendent Pat Diskin who in an article written by Irish Times reporter, Lorna Siggins, denied claims by Shell to Sea that the private security company, I-RMS, was closing roads at Aughoose. This morning the I-RMS did block the road unlawfully. Rossport solidarity camp members, as well as members of the Gardai, witnessed these actions. Gardai are legally obligated to maintain the public order on all public highways at all times whenever possible. This morning I-RMS were exempt from the laws of the state.

Two protesters were assaulted by I-RMS security guards, with one of the protesters being punched in the face. Complaints have been made to the Gardai and statements have been given on the matter. Meanwhile, Rossport Solidarity Camp members stopped work this afternoon at Shrahmore peat deposition site from 4pm until 7pm. This is the second consecutive day that work in Shrahmore has been halted by protesters.

If you want to visit the camp there is plenty for everyone; join in the protests, or help in the garden, or help with site maintenance. The camp is located in a field in Aughoose, between Ballinaboy and Pullathomas. Ring the camp at 0851141170 or email at rossportsolidaritycamp[at]gmail[dot]com

—–

Shell’s work at peat depot halted

Work was halted at Bord na Mona’s Shrahmore peat deposition site on Monday August 8th by protesters from Rossport Solidarity Camp. From 11am up until 6pm four protesters prevented Barrett’s and Lennon’s quarry trucks from entering the site with road building gravel. Inside the compound, two of the protesters climbed up onto a digger in order to stop it proceeding with the road construction on the site.

Shell oil company is planning to dig up 125,000 tonnes of peat from Shruwaddacon estuary and lay down a high pressure raw gas pipeline. The local community have not consented to Shell’s operations. The peat which Shell plans to dig up is scheduled to be dumped at Shrahmore. However, without the presence of adequate road networks within Shrahmore, the heavy peat dumping machinery cannot operate. By halting road building works at Shrahmore from proceeding, protesters are challenging the social, environmental and economic validity of Shell’s activities.

Meanwhile, it has also been announced today that Shell, Statoil & Vermilion have now extended their expected date for when Corrib Gas will flow to 2014. Every year it seems that they push their expected finish date out further and further. Originally the finish date was due to be 2003, so now the project would be 11 years delayed by Shell’s current guess: http://www.irishexaminer.com/business/corrib-pipeline-w….html

Polish nuclear programme and the protests against it

August 2011
Shortly after the end of 1990 moratorium the Polish pro–nuclear lobby, based around National Atomic Energy Agency (state institution of nuclear safety) and academic institutions involved in development of nuclear technologies, supported by international nuclear lobby has started to work on the new plans of building the nuclear power plants in Poland.

1984 – 1990: Autonomous movement stops the construction of Zarnowiec NPP

In the early Seventies the Polish government decided to build two nuclear power plants, based on Soviet technology ( with four pressurized water reactors VVER 440 each – similar to ones in Temelin NPP in Czech Republic and Kozloduj in Bulgaria, build by a Skoda plants in Czech Rep.) in Zarnowiec and Klempicz. The construction of Zarnowiec plant started in 1982 in the midst of the economic breakdown and political repressions of the Martial Law.

The first protests against Zarnowiec NPP, organized by academic ecological groups, started in 1984, but to no avail. It was only after the 1986 Chernobyl disaster when the opposition against the plant gained momentum and public support.

Soon after the loose coalition of anarchist and green activist with a group of young members of various anti–government political groups (including then illegal Solidarity), and Catholic Youth activists has emerged and started to organize own street protests and propaganda in various cities across the country.

In early 1989 the protest movement, still informal and based on a non–hierarchical agenda, started to organize weekly street marches in Gdansk, a city 50 kilometres from the site of Zarnowiec NPP, as well as similar actions in Warsaw, during the government session on the nuclear programme.

The anti–nuclear movement grew stronger and stronger, with new groups and organizations joining the protests. In the political turmoil of 1989 the protest against the Zarnowiec NPP was seen as protest against the crumbling dictature of the communist party, so many participants have joined the street demos for pure political reasons – but the movement itself kept its apolitical character. Soon, even for the majority of nuclear scientists involved in the project it became apparent that the soviet technology used in the plant is unreliable and obsolete, and the safety and technological standards at the construction site are appalling (according to Jany Waluszko, one of the anarchist activists involved in protests, during the construction of Zarnowiec NPP around 300 000 tons of cement was stolen from the site – deficit at a time construction materials stolen from the site soon become major source of income both for the workers and the local dwellers. As a result, during harsh winter made of reinforced concrete foundation of one of the reactors has cracked, due to the very low content of cement in the concrete – replacing stolen cement with a sand in the mixers was a common way of concealing the theft…).

During the Round Table negotiations between Solidarity and the communist party in spring 1989 the Solidarity demanded the construction of Zarnowiec to be abandoned – as the result the question of nuclear programme was the only one not agreed in the process but, when Solidarity took over the power in August 1989 the Mazowiecki government refuse to authorize such a decision. It led to the further escalation of protests – with a hunger strike, occupation of local government buildings in Gdansk and a three months blockade of the Gdynia harbour, where the parts of the nuclear reactor were delivered (against the own government position, rank and file organization of Solidarity in the harbour refused to unload the reactor from the ship and call for a referendum on the nuclear programme).

After three months stand-off, the reactor was unloaded by the Zarnowiec NPP workers and the blockade of the harbour was broken, but faced with the ever growing opposition from protest movement and rank and file members of Solidarity (a call for referendum was soon supported by 110 factory comities of S. in Gdansk region and large group of MPs representing the Citizens Comities – political arm of Solidarity) the government was forced to suspend construction of Zarnowiec NPP for one year, at the beginning of 1990.

Such a decision didn’t calm down the protests: the group of activists continued an indefinite hunger strike in Gdansk, started on 8 of Dec, 1989, and growing numbers of local organizations calling for a referendum. Such a social referendum, organized solely by local structures of Citizens Comities and the protest movement activists was announced on 25 of Jan. 1990 and held in Gdansk region, against the will of the Warsaw government, on 27 of May (prime minister Mazowiecki called the referendum “undemocratic” and refused any material support to it!). In major organizational effort the protest movement printed and distributed almost two millions of ballot papers, and organized polling stations across the region. As a result, it achieved the turnout of 44%, with 87% of votes against the NPP and 13% in support of it.

The government initially refused to accept the results, but faced with growing opposition from local communities (virtually blocking the construction site with farming equipment and tractors), the governments of other Baltic countries (afraid of the plant, based on soviet safety standards) and serious economic difficulties was forced to abandon the construction of Zarnowiec NPP on 4 of Sept. 1990. This decision was later (9 of Nov.) confirmed by a bill passed through the parliament: it also imposed the 15 years moratorium on new nuclear programmes and demanded a national referendum to authorize it. (the referendum has never been held and the work on new nuclear programme started in 2005).

2005 – 2011: Second nuclear programme

Shortly after the end of 1990 moratorium the Polish pro–nuclear lobby, based around National Atomic Energy Agency (state institution of nuclear safety) and academic institutions involved in development of nuclear technologies, supported by the international nuclear lobby has started to work on the new plans of building the nuclear power plants in Poland.

After the 2007 elections, won by the neoliberal Civic Platform, this plans got support from the Ministry of Economy, and on 10 of November 2009 became a part of National Energy Policy 2030. Half a year earlier, on 15 of May 2009 Hanna Trojanowska was appointed as a Government Commissioner for Nuclear Energy (in 1982 – 1991 Trojanowska worked as a designer of first Zarnowiec NPP, and later held senior managerial positions in state – owned PGE energy corporation – soon chosen as an operator of future Polish NPPs…).

Since her appointment the government and the nuclear lobby, linked now on personal level, have worked hand in hand towards the development of nuclear programme: on 16 of August 2010 official Program of Development of Nuclear Energy was adopted by the government, and by the end of March 2011 governmental projects of thirst two bills on nuclear energy: the amendment of Nuclear Energy bill (dated back to mid–80s) and the Bill on Investment in Nuclear Energy where submitted to the parliament. At the same time the Ministry of Economy published the assessment of 27 sites around the country, considered as a potential location of the NPP, with Zarnowiec as a winner an Klempicz (a village in North West of Poland, around 60 kilometers north of the city of Poznan) as a runner up.

In May 2011 the governmental plan of the pro-nuclear propaganda campaign (including nuclear ‘product placement’ in popular TV series) has leaked to independent media, but was completely ignored by the mainstream ones. The cost of the campaign was estimated by its authors at around 20 milion euros, paid with taxpayers money.

By the end of June both chambers of the parliament has passed the ‘nuclear’ bills, submitted by the government, and from 1 of July both acts has come into force – without any public discussion or attention and any major amendments.

According to the governmental plan, by the year 2030 demand for electric power in Poland will increase by 30% comparing to 2010, and by 2020, due to the limits on emission of carbon dioxide imposed by EU, higher costs of emission rights and a necessity of introduction costly technologies limiting the emission of greenhouse gasses (like CCS) in thermal power plants the cost of production of energy in NPP’s will be comparable to the power plants using lignite as a fuel. In response to this challenges by 2030 more than 15% of electric energy should by produced by NPP’s.

To meet this demand, the government is planning to build two nuclear power plants, first one by 2020 and second by 2030. The governmental sources varies, when it comes to the power rating of the planned plants, with initial plans suggesting that each plant will produce around 4400 MW (in four 1100MW class reactors). This was later (in 2010) downgraded by commissioner Trojanowska to around 3000MW each (yet again, other officials of Ministry of Economy opt for 3600MW, produced by two 1800MW class reactors). Considering the power output of modern reactors, it’s likely that the final rating will be 3200MW a plant. The total cost of building this capacity is estimated by Trojanowska at 20 bilion Euros (this estimation is based on 4400MW variant – the Ministry of Economy is estimating the cost of building the nuclear plant at 4500 Euros for 1kW, which makes 16 bilion for a 3600MW plant and 32 bilion for a whole program). The cost of building the plants will be beared by the investor and operator of the plants – state-owned PGE (Polska Grupa Energetyczna – Polish Energy Group) power corporation. The direct public involvement in nuclear programme is to be limited to around 18 milion Euros over next ten years, that include establishing the modern nuclear safety service and construction of large scale nuclear waste storage.

The government plan doesn’t mention the location of the storage facility, as well as the preferred technology of storage (with classic nuclear waste damp site and more sophisticated nuclear recycling plants considered). Asked about it by the journalists, Trojanowska has avoided direct answer and promised, that by the 2011 (half a year after the nuclear programme itself!!!) the plan for dealing with nuclear waste produced by the plants will be adopted. As for August 2011, no such plan was ever published.

Regardless of it, the Ministry of Economy has published the shortlist of three Generation III+ reactors, considered for Polish NPP’s. This include:

Westinghouse AP1000 – for a 4400MW a plant variant, and probably it’s upgraded version, CAP1700, for a 3200MW variant. The design was never tested in practice, with the first reactor to become operational in China in 2014, yet it has already risen the safety concerns, both from the nuclear safety authorities in USA (external shield suspected to be vunerable to terrorist attack and earthquakes) and UK (original design rejected due to a faulty design of valves in cooling system and, once again – design of the external shield) and environmental groups (design of containment vessel prone to corrosion and leaks).

Areva/EDF/Siemens EPR – rated at 1650MW for a 3200MW variant. None of EPR reactors operational as for 2011, four in construction in Europe (2 in Finland and 2 in France) – due to serious design faults the original EPR projects were to be altered during the construction causing over two years delay and rise in cost. Safety concerns by Finnish and French nuclear safety authorities, UK one rejected a design after finding serious faults in safety systems design (the main and emergency control systems are interconnected so the fault in main one might disable the emergency controls as well).

Hitachi/GE ESBWR – boiling water reactor with innovative, but never tested in practice, passive cooling systems. Rated at 1600MW, never build, is expected to be granted US nuclear safety authority approval by the end of 2011. Considered for new NPP in Lithuania.

As the governmental nuclear programme was made public, it was criticized both by environmental organization and by some leading scientists in the field of energy production. Professor Wladyslaw Mielczarski from the Technical University in Lodz, Poland, one of most senior experts in this field in the country and EU, denounces the basic thesis of the nuclear program as unrealistic, he’s also questioning the governmental estimations on consumption of electric power, costs of building of NPP and producing energy in such a plants. According to Mielczarski, in contrary to nuclear program figures, the demand for electric power in Poland might increase by no more than 10% by 2030, but just as well it might remain on the 2010 level or drop, due to the higher costs of energy and introduction of less power – consuming technologies. This put the need for building of NPP in question. Professor also stresses the need of building a new gas or coal power station together with NPP, to create a necessary backup power supply in case of reactor shutdown and sudden drop in power production.

Mielczarski strongly criticizes the financial estimations of the government, according to professor:

– the cost of building the NPP estimated in government program is far too low, especially after necessary alternations to reactor design after Fukushima disaster

– as a consequence, the cost of production of power in NPP in year 2020 will be around 60% higher than in thermal plants, even if the CO2 emission fees goes up as planned

– governmental claims that the construction of the NPP will be financed by a private sources are completely unrealistic, as the chosen investor, PGE corporation, can only borrow around 4 billion Euros of capital, and the estimated cost of nuclear program is 8 times higher

From the environmental and social point of view, it’s worth to cite the report of Jan Haverkamp, the energy expert from the Netherlands who prepared the assessment of governmental Strategic Environmental Assessment of the nuclear program. According to Haverkamp, the whole document, consisting of more than 785 pages was prepared in less than one month, and doesn’t meet the international standards of professionalism for such a documents. Many of it’s content was simply copy-pasted from outdated brochures, issued by nuclear corporation, without citing the source(!!!). Assessment of the spread of nuclear contamination in case of accident was taken from a similar document, prepared for one of the NPP in UK (!!!), without any research actually being done in Poland. The document doesn’t deal at all with potential consequences of major nuclear accident or radiation leak, on the scale of Fukushima or Chernobyl, basically treating such an event as impossible. Havercamp also points out that the whole document and a procedure of its public consultation breach the rules set by Aarchus Convention on public participation in decision – making, signed by Poland: it doesn’t include any alternatives to the proposed construction of NPP and a time, set by the government for its public consultation is insufficient (21 days!).

The public perception of the nuclear programme and the support for nuclear energy changed significantly after Fukushima. According to the polls., the support for the programme has dropped from 50% in September 2009 to 40% in April 2011 (when the scale of Fukushima disaster was yet unknown).

Together with a public preferences, the policy of the government and nuclear lobby has changed as well. At the beginning of 2011, when the official introduction of the nuclear programme to the public opinion was being made, there was a strong presence both of pro-nuclear politicians and scientist from the nuclear lobby in the media, even by the time of Fukushima disaster they were still trying to defend both the programme and nuclear energy.

After Fukushima, and the initial wave of protests after it, the nuclear propaganda and the whole issue of nuclear energy disappeared from the media – pressed by the journalists or activists the politicians claim, that the whole issue is not decided yet and the further researches and discussions are needed.

Contrary to this official line, the government carries on with a programme – away from public attention two nuclear bills were hurried through parliament in one month, with no serious discussions or opposition, two months before parliamentary elections.

As far as mainstream politics is concerned, there is no serious opposition to nuclear programme, with ruling neoliberals (Civic Platform) strongly in favour of it, its allies from Popular Party officially talking about a ‘need for discussion’ and in private supporting the program, and Social Democrats calling for national referendum on nuclear energy. The right wing opposition, the Law and Order party, doesn’t present a clear stance regarding the nuclear programme. It was to be added, that as well as in many important issues in polish politics, all the mayor parties are trying to avoid a public discussion and public involvement in decision making, focusing the public attention on ideological, personal or historical conflicts instead. Because of it the nuclear programme and building the NPP is not likely to became a major point of discussion during the coming election campaign.

As for the non-parliamentary organizations, the whole environmental movement (with polish Green party – marginal in the mainstream politics), the anarchists, and a independent trade union Sierpien’80 (consisting of 10000 members – mainly coal miners…) are strongly against the nuclear programme.

On a street protest level, until 2011 the major protest group was Inicjatywa Antynuklearna (Anti–Nuclear Initiative), the coalition of grassroots environmental activists, concerned scientist and anarchists. The IAN split in early 2011 over the issue of tactics and cooperation with political parties and mainstream NGOs, and since then the Anarchist Federation started it’s own, anti–nuclear campaign.

Anarchist Federation against nuclear power

The beginning of 2011 marks the start of anti-nuclear campaign of AF – PL. The statement on that issue, adopted by the sections of FA ( http://www.federacja-anarchistyczna.pl/dokumenty/item/5-oświadczenie-fa-w-sprawie-rozwoju-w-polsce-energetyki-nuklearnej) focuses on economical and social costs of nuclear program, it also denounces the construction of NPP as a transfer of public resources to transnational corporation providing the nuclear technology. The further developments in nuclear issue unveiled the deeply undemocratic character of decision – making, with the government openly ignoring own obligations regarding public consultation of the program and avoiding and discussion on the nuclear power question. This was reflected and condemned in further statements and leaflets, issued by various local sections of AF and during the street protests organized by them – in future, this will also be the focal point of our campaign.

So far on the street level there were two major AF mobilizations against nuclear programme and a couple of local events:

– shortly after the Fukushima disaster, on 19 of March there was a demonstration against building NPP in Lodz, and similar one, two days later in Gdansk (second one was organized by broader coalition, called Pomorska Inicjatywa Antynuklearna – Pomeranian AntiNuclear Initiative)

– the 25 anniversary of Chernobyl disaster was marked with a demonstrations and public meetings in Lodz, Poznan, Gdansk, Krakow, and Czestochowa, all organized or co-organized by local AF structures

– on 8 of May in Lodz a group of anarchists disrupted a meeting with deputy prime minister W. Pawlak at the technical university unfurling the banner against nuclear energy

– on 18 of May, during the conference on nuclear power held as a part of European Economic Forum in Katowice there was a demonstration against the nuclear power organized by Silesian activists of AF

As a part of a campaign, a brochure on the nuclear energy issues will be printed, there will be also a lecture and workshops on that topic during this year summer AF-PL camp in Beskid Makowski, starting 14 of August.

Web site of Anarchist Federation of Poland:
www.federacja-anarchistyczna.pl
contact: biurofa@gmail.com

Fantastic week of blocking Shell

3rd August 2011

3rd August 2011
This week saw Shell begin the next stage of their gas project by attempting to extend and secure their compound in Aughoose in preparation to lay the onshore section of the pipeline. This entailed tractors delivering fencing, machinery and other things for them to carry out the work. If all had gone to plan would have had the compound near completion now. However, there was five days of 12 hour blockades which has slowed them down tremendously. Here’s a quick round up of the events of last week…

The week started Monday 25th July at 7am with a tripod which lasted over five hours. The protester was removed using scaffolding. The afternoon was spent causing chaos on bikes and on foot with the cops eventually needing to seize bikes in order to stop the protesters. At most ten tractors made the journey to the compound, all having been delayed. Shell made a statement on the radio that their work had been “severely impeded”. Not bad for the first day.

At 7am on Tuesday there was an arm tube lock-on which lasted well over an hour. No arrests were made. Only 2 tractors made it into the compound before midday. The rest of the day was spent hiding in ditches and jumping out in front of and onto tractors with one person spending over an hour and a half on top of a tractor before being forcibly removed and arrested. Shell had still had less than 20 deliveries to the compound so far in the week.

Wednesday saw an 8 hour lock-on from 7am. Two individuals were arrested under public order charges. The Gardai (police) had stepped up their ‘protection’ of the tractors and were providing a tight convoy for each tractor. At some points there was two paddy wagons, two squad cars, a cutting team, an IRMS jeep and detective Brett Nolan’s undercover vehicle escorting each tractor. The Gardai were being ordered to get out of their vehicles and run alongside the tractor in order to try and stop the people hopping aboard. Despite this people were able to mount most tractors that went by and less than ten tractors made their deliveries by 7pm.

On Thursday the first tractor was stopped by someone climbing onto the cab. Pleasingly this lasted for two and a half hours, with the individual managing to jump the fence and get away without being arrested. With some fine communication and coordination, as the next tractor made its journey from the refinery to the new compound a group created a decoy by appearing to attempt to get on the tractor. However unbeknown to the cops this was merely a distraction as the tripod was being set up just a couple of hundred metres up the road. After the sounds of a battle cry in the distance the group of protesters causing chaos responded and ran up the road with the Gardai looking somewhat baffled. As the tripod was established a call went out to another group who were situated over in Crossmolina (a town 45 minutes from the camp)where the scaffolding firm are based. They blockaded the scaffolding firms gates for a couple of hours. No arrests were made. The tripod was eventually dismantled at around 3pm so people gathered at the refinery gates. Numbers grew and morale was high. When the next tractor was brought out chaos ensued. One protester climbed on the cab and after 20 minutes was forcibly removed and arrested. This was followed by another protester climbing underneath the same tractor. They were removed after about 15 minutes but managed to avoid arrest. This was followed by a rolling blockade on the road with people sitting down, being removed then sitting straight back down. After about 40 minutes the tractor reversed back into the refinery. The elation among folk was amazing. The cops looking defeated got in their vehicles and left. There was real celebration with a feeling that this had been one of the strongest days of the campaign. It was 5.15pm and work wasn’t due to finish until 7pm. A group stayed at the refinery to ensure nothing came out…it didn’t. Two trucks made deliveries on Thursday.

Friday was the mass day of action. Due to this Shell had already cancelled work for the day. Protesters made their way down to the compound at around 9.30. Some protesters made it into the compound whilst others tore down fences. There was a huge Gardai presence and approximately 80 IRMS (Shell’s private security). A second attempt was made later in the day to pull down more fences which ended in several people being hurt and requiring hospital treatment. Despite this people remained at the compound , many spending the afternoon playing music and relaxing on the road. Despite the injuries it was felt it was a great day and that by having the day of action our work was already done as Shell didn’t work.

Shell’s first week of work did not go to plan. After studying their traffic management plan , which outlines their predicted truck movements over the 26 month period that they intend to complete the project, it appears that at this stage their aim was to be making 159 truck movements per day! Last week in total they had approximately 40.

There feels like a real buzz in the campaign at the moment! The Gardaí are appearing stretched and are using up a lot of their resources. They are having to change their tactics daily and despite their efforts and ludicrous protection of Shell’s vehicles protesters are still managing to cause huge disruption.

If people can come up,now really feels like the time! To maintain this strong resistance we need people and ideas. There is so much to do on camp at the moment. Not only is there protests but camp life is always busy and full of things to do.

For more information call us on 0851141170 and email rossportsolidaritycamp@gmail.com
www.rossportsolidaritycamp.org

Eviction callout from ZAD (occupied area against airport construction, France)

Call-out for support, to come, to the occupied area of Notre Dame des Landes (france) to organise against the coming evictions….

about the occupied area of Notre Dame des Landes (NDDL)
-call-out-

Call-out for support, to come, to the occupied area of Notre Dame des Landes (france) to organise against the coming evictions….

about the occupied area of Notre Dame des Landes (NDDL)
-call-out-

two years ago, in the area set aside for the construction of a new airport, we reclaimed the land and the houses left abandoned. Two years, to occupy, live, organise ourselves, think, chase off contractors, surveyors, soil-sample drillers and other ‘experts’. Two years to meet, make links, plot against the world, and see the military and helicopters pass.

Today, many of the occupied areas have been convened to appear in court in preparation of a massive eviction. If we are here, its to not leave this place free for them to destroy, control, and concrete over. To make them understand that they are not on conquered land. Whereas the evictions which are being prepared will be a martyrdom or ‘victory’ for them, for us it will be a fiesta: a fiesta because we know that they won’t chase us away with a bulldozer; that they can destroy our houses, burn our cabins, we will stay. We will stay and this struggle will continue.

about the trial….
the 11th august, many areas have been convened to appear in court in Nantes. We hope to get a delay. The 17th august, the other occupied areas will be judge in the court of Saint Nazaire. We are calling for a mass gathering / demo in front of the court house of Saint Nazaire from 8am the 17th august. Also, from the 16th to 19th august, we invite everyone to the squat ‘les planchettes’ (directions given later in text) to meet, discuss and organise.

…..and then we will be evictable….

as soon as we know the date given by the judge, we call everyone to come on mass to support the evictable areas. From the 17th, keep an eye on our website zad.nadir.org (mostly in french, we will try to keep news updated in english also, otherwise use internet translator, sorry…) to know the coming dates. we will need as many humans, energy, material, good ideas etc. as possible to defend the area and resist the evictions.

we are already organising to welcome as many people, and to create a strategy where all kinds of defence tactics can find their place.

and from now….
from now, if you are available and motivated, you can come and have a look at the area, imagine and brainstorm with your group what is possible to do, to help us skip/find as much material as possible, and to stay as long as you like. As there is a lot to think about, to discuss and organise, we will not always be as available as we’d like, but everybody is welcome, and for info there will be someone everyday to do a ‘welcome/info’, at the planchettes, from 12 – 14:00.

For all those who’d like to come see the area and what’s going on, for all those who have already been here and are linked with this struggle, its now or never. we need you.

faced with those who would destroy spaces of living and organising; faced with builders of airport and other such bollocks: organise the resistance!!

directions to squat ‘les planchettes’: hitch-hiking from Nantes: from the city centre, take the tram line 2 to the last stop, which is called Orvault Grand Val. From the tram stop, walk straight on down the hill, under the highway bridge, and you can start hitch-hiking at the roundabout directly in front of you. the first village you want is ‘Orvault Bourg’, from there take the road towards ‘La Paquelais’, once in La Paquelais, at the north end of the village you will pass through a roundabout, go straight ahead, after about 300metres is a fork in the road, take the road on your left going towards ‘Fay de Bretagne’ (D281). After about 3-4km, you will see a very obviously squatted old house on your right….for road directions, you can search ‘les planchettes, notre dame des landes, france’ on google maps. The D281 runs between the villages La Paquelais and Fay de Bretagne….

We are looking for all kinds of material to barricade and to hold out in case of long evictions…. here is a list of things which can be brought to ‘les planchettes’, between the 16th to 19th of August or any time before (and after, if we are still there, keep an eye on Nantes Indymedia or zad.nadir.org, we’ll try to keep updated in english too, otherwise in french):

*scaffolding
*concrete reinforcing steel (re-bar)
* solid metals
* steel cables
* beams * barbed wire
* metal plates
* nets
* metal grills / fencing
* metal cutters / pliers
* all kinds of rope
*banner material
* fire extinguishers
* large mirrors
* mattresses
* all kinds of saws and blades
* hammers * nails of all sizes
* gas masks
* diving goggles
* helmets
* malox, bio-lemons or lemon juice
* physiological salt solution
* pallets
* screws and nuts (any size)
* welding materials (rods, helmets…)
* megaphones
* glue
* paint
* blankets
* sleeping bags
* bicycles (whole or parts)
* vehicles which are not useful any more
* caravans
* pickaxes
* monsters
* wood plates * crowbars
* walkie talkies, cb, radios
* conserves, jam, eviction stash food…..

PLEASE SEND ON THIS TEXT….

zad@riseup.net
zad.nadir.org

Val de Susa TAV protests – resisting the destruction, Piedmont, Italy

July 29th 2011

July 29th 2011
Clashes continue between cops and protesters. At about midnight, over 300 people tried to pull down fences, and threw smoke bombs and stones at the police on two different fronts – the Maddalena Chiomonte archaeological dig and beneath the A32 Turin-Bardonecchia Ramat motorway viaduct. The police attacked with tear gas and water-cannons. It followed a march in Chiomonte. The motorway was closed for about 3 hours.

At least one person was taken to hospital after having a tear-gas cannister fired in his face. Many protesters wore helmets, gas masks, and were masked up. The protest camp was due to close the next day.

Vehicle checks have increased, and one politically active person was stopped and arrested with a car full of gas masks, catapults and more. Other people have been picked up and arrested in nearby towns, and a few people were arrested after they took camping equipment and clothes from shops a few days before.