Rest of Europe – Page 49

Urgent Update – Navy arrive to protect Shell – Beach on lockdown illegaly

August 29, 2008
Urgent callout for support

In the past two hours a mass of State and Shell security has assembled in Broadhaven bay including a heavily armed navy vessel.

This is to protect the first attempt at laying the offshore section of pipe.

August 29, 2008
Urgent callout for support

In the past two hours a mass of State and Shell security has assembled in Broadhaven bay including a heavily armed navy vessel.

This is to protect the first attempt at laying the offshore section of pipe.

The Gardai sealed a section of beach beside the camp illegally for an hour before retreating and now rearriving.

The bay is awash with security vessels, gardai water units and also a large Navy vessel, possibly “The Orla” which is armed with a canon and smaller guns.

This is the largest recent attempt at crushing any resistance to the Shell project.
There is also a heavy Garda presence on land with protesters being intimidated,filmed and harassed.

Solidarity needed!

—

Today’s activity off Glengad marks yet another escalation of the state’s response to protests against the destruction of Erris and the Great Gas Robbery. The arrival in the bay of the LE Orla about 12 pm today with her 39 crew onboard may be intended to show the Irish people that the state will tolerate no protest or action by anybody, not least Ireland’s citizens, against Shell’s plans.

The involvement of the Naval Service in the ‘policing’ of Broadhaven Bay for Shell is a first for Ireland’s navy – the first time one of their ships has been called upon by the Gardai as ‘back-up’ for a police operation against protests.

According to a Defence Forces spokesman, the LE Orla (which was formerly a British naval gunship patrolling Hong Kong) ‘was requested by Gardaí as back-up at Broadhaven Bay, Co Mayo. It is there as an aid to the civil power. It was requested to assist Gardai and provide them with a platform at sea.’

When asked if an Irish naval ship had been involved in a similar operation before, he replied: ‘Not to my immediate knowledge.’

He added: “The Naval Service has been in discussions with the Gardai about this operation. Any operation we undertake will be with the Gardai. We will not be involved in any operation independently of the Gardai.’

Shell subcontractor activity in the bay has increased today, especially with the deployment of the winching barge today to somewhere near its operating position when the Solitaire comes. News this morning is that the Solitaire has left Killybegs harbour and is somewhere on the high seas between there and Broadhaven Bay. Its arrival there is expected tomorrow at the latest. Locals and Solidarity Camp residents are on high alert, and if people can come over the next 24 hours to help people in the effort to stop Shell on the beach and in the bay they will meet with a very big welcome indeed!

Defence Forces spokesman quotes via www.breakingnews.ie

—–

So heres the latest after a long and tense day here in the wild west from today.

The police presence was increased this morning in the area,both on land and water,that was the indication that something was about to happen

At around midday the dredger platform was towed in.

People then started to assemble from the various points in the area and about 40 cops then went onto the beach and said noone was allowed to go there as it was a\ “restricted area”.
The legality of this move was challenged in front of the TG4 camera and after half an hour the cops fucked off.and loitered thereafter for a few hours

The winch vessel was then towed across the bay

Just as they were about to go in the winch vessel turned around and headed back to the pier at Ballinglass – seemingly just a practice run who knows.

All this time there were about 5-7 security and Garda water unit boats patrolling the bay as well as the L.E Orla ,a Navy battleship with a big fuck off cannon on the front as well as smaller weaponry.

This is a full scale state and corporate assault on the bay,make no mistake.
The Solitaire,the main pipe-laying ship which Shell only have for a limited period etc is still in Killybegs,but is rumoured by both TG4 and RTE to be leaving Saturday morning.
Several Erris fishermen are still at sea standing guard over their lobster pots which Shell must remove to commence work.

They are facing extreme intimidation.

Hope some of ye can make it down or maybe do an action where ye are.

Solidarity.

Shell to Sea visit Shell’s boats & picket begins again in Rossport & UK actions call-out

29.8.2008

29.8.2008
Yesterday, with work in Broadhaven Bay still delayed, a small Shell to Sea marine team paid a visit to the current Shell water nerve-centre based at Ballyglass pier. Currently moored off Ballyglass is a barge containing winching cable, the recently returned Vlaanderen VII which ran aground at Glengad two weeks ago and also the Zenne which is the backhoe dredger that last Friday dropped tonnes of debris within feet of protestors. Also around the area were a number of other smaller Shell boats.

The Shell to Sea paddlers were made up of members of the Shamrock squadron (the J. Connolly, J. Larkin, M. Collins) & Emerald squadron (the Grainne) along with 2 members of the international flotilla (the Guy Fawkes of Yorkshire squadron and the Robin Hood of Nottingham squadron).

The paddlers had made their way about the 1km out to the boats before the Shell safety and security boats reacted.
After about an hour paddling around the area the Shell to Sea team headed into Ballyglass Pier to greet the Garda boat which was just launching from the RNLI slipway. The gardaí politely refused the request of a race from the J. Connolly (Shamrock squadron) after which the team then made their way to the public slipway where they were met by shore support.

Meanwhile marine training continued for the activists preparing for the Solitaire and associated boats.

——–

Shell to Sea protesters stepped up their campaign against Shell’s offshore pipe-laying operations by mounting a picket at the Shell compound, Glengad, Erris Co Mayo, Ireland.

A daily picket was maintained at the Bellanaboy refinery site from the summer of 2005 till recently. This is the first time since 2005 that a picket has been staged at the Shell ‘Security Zone’ in Glengad. The picket started at 7am and lasted till 9am, during which time Shell security, who were ready to leave after their overnight shift, remained on site for the duration. Shell workers arriving for work at the site remained outside. The picket was stood down voluntarily at 9am and the workers left and entered the compound consequently.

The original Bellanaboy picket was effectively broken by the unlawful and violent behaviour of An Garda Síochána which began on October 3rd, 2006 and continued through 2007. The Bellanaboy picket diminished significantly during that whole period and into 2008, understandably, because of a sustained assault by the State against its own citizens, resulting in much physical, emotional and psychological injury to the community and its supporters.

Today’s picket saw the return of many on the receiving end of that attack and it has to be said that the women of Erris, many of whom have been brutalised by An Garda Síochána in the past, were the first to return to the camp and the refreshed picket.

Meanwhile, a Shell to Sea marine team took to the water from Inver pier to pay a visit to some Shell & Garda boats moored off Ballyglass pier on the opposite side of that stretch of water. Apologies, no pics in this report yet of that little expedition. Maybe later.

No sign of the Solitaire yet, probably due to the following factors:

1) Bad weather.

2) The Chief Pat O’Donnell’s successful defence of his pots from Shell thieves aboard the Highland Navigator. Pat’s gear remains in the path of the Solitaire and perhaps only the ruling of a judge can resolve that dispute, unless the Solitaire steams through regardless.

3) Stiff and growing resistance.

——

Urgent Call For Actions Against Shell & Allseas

NOW IS THE TIME- Support Shell to Sea, Ireland. ANY DAY NOW the biggest pipe laying ship in the world, the Solitaire, is due to arrive. The ship is owned by ALLSEAS. Shell are attempting to illegally construct the offshore section of the high pressure raw gas pipeline. Our community are determined to resist Shell here in Mayo, Ireland…but we need your help!

Actions are ongoing and will intensify with the arrival of the Solitaire. There is a role for everyone, regardless of age, experience, availability and skill. The areas you can help with are endless and particularly in the fields of camp support, water based skills, legal, cooking, medical, media and of course direct action.

The atmosphere is resurgent in the area, with a fresh burst of confidence evident among both locals, national and international Shell to Sea activists. This is a golden opportunity to reinvigorate the fight against this project in a meaningful and effective way.

Shell can only hold onto the rented Solitaire for a limited period of time and all efforts to hinder its progress will seriously damage Shell’s plans. ANY disruption provides us with a real opportunity to delay the project significantly.

The choppy waters of Broadhaven Bay will hopefully aid us in our actions but we need you too!

Come to Erris!
Contact: email rossportsolidaritycamp@gmail.com & phone 0851141170

Or take action at home

http://www.allseas.com/uk
Allseas UK Limited
Address: Knyvett House The Causeway
City: Staines, Middlesex
Postcode: TW18 3BA
Telephone: +44 1784 898038
Fax: +44 1784 898030

Irish Embassy and Shell HQ London
Shell garages across the country.

SMASH SHELL
rossportsolidaritycamp@gmail.com
http://www.indymedia.ie/mayo,
http://www.shelltosea.com
http://www.rossportsolidaritycamp110mb.com

CLIMATE ACTION NEWS SHEET 82, AUGUST 2008

————————-
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIONS:
————————-
1) CLIMATE ACTION CAMP & NO BORDER CAMP, HAMBURG, GERMANY, 15-24.8.08
2) SHELL TO SEA WEEK OF ACTION, 17-23.08.08
3) EARTH FIRST! SUMMER GATHERING, NORFOLK, 27.8-1.9.08
4) BRISTOL ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR, BRISTOL, 13.09.08
5) TOWARDS CLIMATE ACTION IN COPENHANGEN 2009, DENMARK, 13-14.09.08
6) CLIMATE CAMP WHAT NEXT MEETING, MANCHESTER, 26-28.09.08
7) NATIONAL MEETING TO RESIST NEW COAL, MANCHESTER, 11-12.10.08
8) FOSSIL FOOLS DAY 2009, 01.04.09

—————-
RECENT HAPPENINGS:
—————-

1) CAMP FOR CLIMATE ACTION, KINGSNORTH, KENT, 3-11.08.08
2) DERBYSHIRE COAL MINE EVICTED, 14.08.08
3) US CLIMATE CAMPS, JULY/AUGUST
4) SAVING ICELAND CAMP, JULY/AUGUST
5) AIRPORT OCCUPATION, GERMANY, ONGOING
6) STICKING IT TO THE PM, LONDON, 22.07.08
7) 32 4x4s DISARMED, OXFORD, 18.07.08
8) NEW RISING TIDE LEAFLET
9) NEW REPORT: CASHING IN ON COAL

————————-
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIONS:
————————-
1) CLIMATE ACTION CAMP & NO BORDER CAMP, HAMBURG, GERMANY, 15-24.8.08
‘These camps are going to take place in or near Hamburg. It’s two different camps, but probably on the same camp site and doing together at least two mass actions like blockades: on 22nd August at the deportation airport of Hamburg and on 23rd at the harbour or at the new coal power plant. http://klimacamp08.org

2) SHELL TO SEA WEEK OF ACTION, 17-23.08.08
The Solitaire (the biggest pipe laying ship in the world) is set to begin illegally constructing the offshore section of the pipeline. It is believed that the Solitaire is on a pretty tight schedule & booked up for the next 2 years, so ANY disruption provides us with a real opportunity to delay the project significantly. Members of the ‘Great Rebel Raft Regatta’ recently deployed at the E.ON coal fired power station at Kingsnorth in
Kent, England, have made their way from Climate Camp UK to Erris, in order to assist Shell to Sea campaigners in their opposition to this pipeline construction at Glengad.

3) EARTH FIRST! SUMMER GATHERING, NORFOLK, 27.8-1.9.08
5 days of workshops, networking and planning actions in a beautiful field in Norfolk. The gathering is also a practical example of low-impact eco-living and non-hierarchical organising. www.earthfirstgathering.org.uk

4) BRISTOL ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR, BRISTOL, 13.09.08
St Werburghs Centre, 10am to 5pm, free entry. With a workshop by Bristol Rising Tide: Why direct action? Social change not climate change? www.bristolanarchistbookfair.org

5) TOWARDS CLIMATE ACTION IN COPENHANGEN 2009, DENMARK 13-14.09.08
Join the first international planning meeting in Copenhagen from the 13-14th of September 2008. The meeting aims at preparing a large mobilisation for direct action against the root causes of climate change in Copenhagen and throughout the world during the UN Climate Conference (30 Nov-11 Dec 2009). More info:
http://klimax2009.org/?p=33&langswitch_lang=en Tell them you’re coming:
sept08@klimax2009.org

6) CLIMATE CAMP WHAT NEXT MEETING, MANCHESTER 26-28.09.08
All are invited to the first Post-Climate Camp National Gathering. The gathering will offer a chance to reflect on where we are at, decide where we go from here, and provide info as to how to get involved in the ongoing direct action campaign to stop Kingsnorth.
Questions? Email process@climatecamp.org.uk

7) NATIONAL MEETING TO RESIST NEW COAL, MANCHESTER, 11-12.10.08
A meeting to bring together groups and communities resisting coal in the UK – from open cast and deep coal mines, to power stations and coal imports. Share information, plan for action, and build a strong network of resistance. www.leaveitintheground.org.uk

8) FOSSIL FOOLS DAY 2009, 01.04.2009
Four continents, 150 actions, and an April Fool’s Day with a fantastically subversive (and radically necessary) twist – we’re definitely doing that again! So Fossil Fools Day 2009 is a go – start picking your fossil fuel target now! Info and resources will be posted on the website soon, and look out for leaflets to distribute in December.

—————-
RECENT HAPPENINGS:
—————-

1) CAMP FOR CLIMATE ACTION, KINGSNORTH, KENT, 3-11.08.08
From the Heathrow Conference to the Caravan, from the workshops to beautiful camp life, from the GRRR pirates to the fence breachers to the bail breakers, and the flurry of affinity group actions before, during and after the camp, the 2008 Camp for Climate Action was a roaring success. We outsmarted 26 police forces to run the biggest climate camp ever. We covered the river in boats, filled the streets with people, covered the power station gates with banners and hit at least eight other targets with autonomous actions. We flooded the national, local and independent media with our stories and messages. E.ON and the Government threw everything they could at us, and they still couldn’t hold us back. Actions, in no particular order, included: an office invasion of mining company BHP Bilton, taking over an incinerator site in Newhaven, a blockade of Cargill over its rainforest destruction and land-grabbing, a pro-vegan roof occupation and banner drop at Smithfield Meat Market, a protest at US air base Mildenhall to highlight military CO2 emissions, a banner drop from an electricity pylon, a naked protest at DBERR, the world’s smallest protesters climbing E.ON’s smokestack (at Legoland), actions at Royal Bank of Scotland (not once but twice – students do a die-in and Rising Tiders bust out the superglue), a demo at Longannet power station in Fife, a multi-pronged attack on Gatwick by Plane Stupid, the shutting down of the South’s biggest biofuel storage facility, and in
a single day of mayhem in the City, the Climate Caravan targeted RBS and the PR firms for Shell, BAA & E.ON.
www.climatecamp.org.uk
Photo slide show: http://blip.tv/file/1167973
Video: http://www.undercurrents.org/visionon/

2) DERBYSHIRE COAL MINE EVICTED, 14.08.08
The squat in Derbyshire, a protest on the site of a proposed new open-cast coal mine, came to end with the eviction of the remaining two protesters, who had resolutely resisted attempts to clear the site by furiously digging for victory. Come to the national Leave it in the Ground meeting in October to help with the next steps. www.leaveitintheground.org.uk

3) US CLIMATE CAMPS, JULY/AUGUST
All three US Climate Camps have now wound down, with action highlights including the Southeast Climate Convergence occupying a nuclear facility in Virginia, the Billionaires for Coal striking Bank of America 4 times in 3 days and a protest at NW Natural Gas following the West Coast Convergence. And check out http://www.uncampement.net/?q=en/node/775 for
the ongoing (8-24 August) camp in Quebec, Canada.

4) SAVING ICELAND CAMP, JULY/AUGUST
Saving Iceland’s fourth action camp is now over but the fight goes on. The three-week camp was at Hellisheiði, where Reykjavík Energy is expanding their geothermal power plant, first of all to supply energy to aluminium smelters. Actions included: work on the Century Aluminum’s existing smelter as well as a steel factory were blockaded, holding up a shift
change for several hours. A Reykjavik Energy geothermal drill site at Hellisheidi, being built for Century, was completely shut down for a day as activists locked to machines, climbed the drill and occupied the power control room. The national power company Landsvirkjun had it’s office invaded, and it’s CEO Fridrik Sophusson had his home visited. Saving Iceland nailed an eviction notice to his door. www.savingiceland.org

5) AIRPORT OCCUPATION, GERMANY, ONGOING
In Germany climate activists have been squatting a woodland since the beginning of June to stop the construction of yet another new runway for the already massive Frankfurt airport. The camp continues to grow with over 30 people living on site and has the support of the community. Demos and actions are being organised together with local residents’ groups
against airport expansion. Amazing treehouses, walkways and funky ground shelters have been constructed to make life pleasant in the woods and to resist eviction as long as possible. People are welcome to join in. www.waldbesetzung.blogsport.de

6) STICKING IT TO THE PM, LONDON, 22.07.08
On 22nd July a Plane Stupid campaigner superglued himself to Prime Minister Gordon Brown in 10 Downing Street. He’d been invited to receive an award for protesting, so promptly decided to carry on in that vain! Whilst asking Gordon about refusing to meet West London
residents opposed to the construction of a third runway at Heathrow, the intrepid protester put his superglue covered hand onto Brown’s polyester suit. When Brown went to turn away he found he was stuck and for once had no option but to listen. www.planestupid.com

7) 32 4x4s DISARMED, OXFORD, 18.07.08
32 SUV owners woke up in Oxford on 18th July to discover that their environmentally destructive vehicles had been disabled using the ‘mung bean trick’ to let down their tires.

8) NEW RISING TIDE LEAFLET
At long last, Rising Tide has a new leaflet – who we are, what we do and why we do it, wrapped up in an inspiring photo collage package. Sneak a peak at , or email info@risingtide.org.uk to get a bunch posted to you for distribution in your local area.

9) NEW REPORT: CASHING IN ON COAL
High street banks are making millions by providing the financial fuel that drives the expansion of coal extraction and combustion. This report examines the role in the last two years of the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), HSBC and Barclays in providing and arranging the financial means to the coal industry to extract and burn vast quantities of coal. The report reveals that RBS has helped lend more money to the coal industry, in more deals, than any other major UK bank. www.carbonweb.org

—————–
Rising Tide UK,
c/o 62 Fieldgate Street,
London E1 1ES
www.risingtide.org.uk
www.artnotoil.org.uk
www.fossilfoolsday.org
Tel: 07708 794665

See also the Camp for Climate Action (www.climatecamp.org.uk), Network for Climate Action (www.networkforclimateaction.org.uk) and Climate Indymedia (www.climateimc.org)

———-

Please send anything you’d like included in this news sheet to:
newssheet@risingtide.org.uk

To view previous editions of the Rising Tide News Sheet, visit the News Sheet Archive at http://risingtide.org.uk/newssheet

This News Sheet was brought to you by Rising Tide, a grassroots network of groups and individuals committed to taking action and building a movement against climate change.

For more information…
email: info@risingtide.org.uk
Phone: +44 (0)845 458 8923 / +44 (0)7708 794665
Address: 62 Fieldgate St, London, E1 1ES
Web site: http://risingtide.org.uk

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Pipeline work stopped in Mayo

21.8.2008
Today at 10am, fifteen Shell to Sea activists entered the water at Glengad Beach to stop pipeline dredging work. Dinghies, surfers and swimmers surrounded the machine and stopped work.

Around three Gardai in a Garda boat began arresting the protesters and taking the boats at 10.55am. With no regard for health and safety protocols, the Gardai entered the sea to wrestle with protesters in the water. On at least one occasion they worked together with the Shell security team who grabbed one protester and held him until the Gardai reached them.

Three protesters moved onto a rock in the sea near the dredging operation. At around 11:40am work started again. The dredging machine picked up large amounts of debris from the sea bed and dumped it within inches of the protesters. Despite the clear dangers, the Gardai did not ask for the work to stop. The three were arrested at around midday.

Today’s action was part of a Shell to Sea week of action against the pipeline.

The pipe laying ship, the Solitaire, is yet to arrive in the bay so actions are likely to continue well into next week.

Come to Mayo and get involved.

Shell to Sea: Notice served on Solitaire

20.08.2008
As part of the ongoing week of action in Rossport, a letter was today delivered to the Solitaire demanding its withdrawal from the project.

Yesterday afternoon a team of kayakers braved the waters of Donegal Bay to paddle over a kilometre out to sea to deliver a letter of protest to Captain Simon Van Der Plicht of the Solitaire.

20.08.2008
As part of the ongoing week of action in Rossport, a letter was today delivered to the Solitaire demanding its withdrawal from the project.

Yesterday afternoon a team of kayakers braved the waters of Donegal Bay to paddle over a kilometre out to sea to deliver a letter of protest to Captain Simon Van Der Plicht of the Solitaire.

A crane lowered a bucket from the ship to receive the letter after the kayakers spoke to the Captain on the radio.

Representing the views of many from the communities affected by the Corrib gas project, the letter asks the Captain to reconsider his, and the ship’s, participation in the development.

The letter clearly states that if the Captain chooses to continue the ship’s involvement he will meet strong resistance. Many people have pledged to take to the water to stop this pipeline construction work.

Today’s action is part of a Shell to Sea Week of Action targeting the Solitaire.

Actions will take place all this week until the ship is forced to abandon work.

Rossport Solidarity Camp reborn…

18.08.2008
Today local residents and people from Rossport Solidarity Camp erected a marquee in Glengad overlooking Shell’s new compound.

Just a short distance away from the camps former location the new marquee will provide a base for action against early pipeline work on land and against the pipe laying ship,the Solitaire, when she arrives.

Today after the marquee had been put up people invaded the compound. Activity like this and water based actions will be ongoing over the next few weeks.

New people and a wide array of boats and other water equipment are appearing all the time. The following weeks should be interesting…

Come to Mayo and join in the fun….

Sail and Rail from anywhere in UK to Ballina (nearest town to Rossport) only £35 (aprox)

Earth First! gathering – programme and travel directions

Earth First! Summer Gathering
Ecological Direct Action without Compromise
27 Aug – 1 Sept 2008, Norfolk
Join us for 5 days of workshops and planning actions

Travel directions:

Earth First! Summer Gathering
Ecological Direct Action without Compromise
27 Aug – 1 Sept 2008, Norfolk
Join us for 5 days of workshops and planning actions

Travel directions:
The gathering this year will be held at Woolseybridge Farm – a lovely site in Norfolk with lots of trees and a little stream. It’s approximately 1.5 miles NNE of Diss. Diss has regular train services and a wholefood shop. The Grid Reference of the site is TM130819. The post code is IP22 5SY.

The site is easily accessible by public transport, you can get the train either to Diss or Norwich and then catch the bus route no 1 (Simmonds) from Diss to Norwich or vice versa – this route goes right past the site and we’ll be asking the local bus company if they will stop right outside the site on request. Or you could walk or cycle – it’s only 1.5miles away from Diss train station. Please come by public transport if at all possible! .
We will run pick-ups from the train station for anybody who can’t use the bus service or for larger groups of people. If you need a lift please let us know well in advance (and not in the middle of the night, when you’re at a train station somewhere!). Ring the Gathering mobile on 07789 331857

For a map and further details on travel including bus times and directions for drivers check out http://earthfirstgathering.org.uk/2008/where.html

Programme
This year’s programme focusses on info and planning for actions, direct action skills as well as spaces to discuss how we can respond to and deal with the widening ecological, economic and societal crises. We hope there’s something for everyone.
We recommend that you arrive Tue evening, as workshops will start on Wednesday morning and run until Sunday evening

For more info about the gathering check out our website or email us (though we won’t be able to answer email after 21 Aug, as we’ll be on site setting up)

http://www.earthfirst.org.uk, summergathering _ AT _ earthfirst.org.uk

The workshops

Wednesday

12:00
Introduction to Earth First! and the gathering
Dealing with the mainstream media – how to get your message across
Basic electrics – for squats and homes.
Capitalism and climate change – how to make the links visible in actions
Queer networking session

2:30
Self-defence – mixed practise session
Squatting FAQ – sharing tips and tricks
Action Reconnaissance for beginners
Introduction to the root causes of ecological destruction and an exploration of alternatives
Advanced Navigation

4:30
Saving Iceland – Introduction to the campaign
Nuclear waste and nuclear weapons
Consensus Decision-making
Introduction to Ecology
Confronting Abusive Behaviours within our Communities – without the police/prison.

6:00
Library Space: Negotiating Safer Sex: tips on putting the theory into practice, and making your sex life more fun as well as safer!

8:00
Cinema: Talk with video on resisting rainforest destruction in Tasmania

Thursday

10:30
Dealing with Public Order situations – understanding police tactics and how we can deal with to them/turn them to our advantage (runs until lunch)
State and corporate oppression of the Australian Aborigines
Action reconnaissance – advanced skillshare, share your most clever tips and tricks for getting info for actions
Practical plant identification (beginners)
Activist trauma and recovery

12:00
Saving Iceland – an evaluation of the camp this summer
Security for Activists Part I: Do’s and don’ts of organising action, from arranging to meet, planning and what happens after
Arrest support for actions – how to provide support for your affinity group, medium sized actions or mega camps and gatherings.
Introduction to Earth First! and the summer gathering

2:30
Women’s self-defence – introductory session
Food and Climate Action: info for action
How to plan an action
Police liaison for actions – what it is, its uses and limitations and how to make it work.
Changing light bulbs or smashing the system. Sharing +/- experiences of working within/outside the system

4:30
Opposing nuclear expansion: planning for action
How to plan and run a successful medium to long-term campaign
Night time skills Part I: introduction (followed by practise session at 8.30pm)
Legal and arrest workshop
Introduction to anarchist history/potted anarchist histories

6:00
Library space: open discussion ?Direct action or publicity stunt??
8:00

Cinema: Seashepherd film and talk
8:30

Night time skills Part II – practice your skills in the field.

Friday

10:30
Blockading tactics
Climate Camp debrief: a critical look at the climate camp, its achievements and politics
Introduction to Earth First! And the summer gathering
Computer Security for the non-technical
Prison Abolition: what’s wrong with prison? what do we mean by abolition and how can we make it happen?

12:00
Food and climate change: action and campaign planning
Self-defence mixed practise session
Squatting to resist – occupations to resist the powers of darkness
History of Earth First!

2:30
The Earth First! Action Update and website: feedback and getting involved
Resisting agrofuels – update on the situation and action planning
Sea Shepherd – an intro to its campaigns and how to support/get involved.
Grow your own food – share you skills and experience
Queer Activist Forum: Radical queers organise for the future!

4:30
Queer Self-Defence: an intro to basic self-defence skills (verbal and physical)
Setting up new direct action groups
Saving Iceland ? planning actions for the coming year
Techno-fixes and climate change ? report by Corporate Watch
Urban self-reliance and self-sufficiency

7:30
Library: Prisoner Support – An informal get together to discuss the state of prisoner support in our movements, find out news and get advice on writing to prisoners, as well as making and writing cards to send to prisoners.

8:00
Cinema: A talk and film by a tribal activist from Orissa opposing mining

Saturday

10:30
Campaigns and Actions Round-up: UK and international news (no other workshops)

12:00
Women’s self-defence practise session plus running alongside – introduction to women’s self-defence
Stopping GM test fields – discussion on future campaign/actions
Research and destroy – how to research corporations
Future models of society – finding a path to sustainable living
Introduction to Earth First! and the summer gathering
Using tripods for blockading

2:30
Leave it in the ground – building resistance to new coal mining and power stations
Facilitation of meetings
Activist Security Part III: doing actions without leaving traces
Restoration Ecology
Creating safer spaces
Visit to Burston Strike School

4:30
Regional meetings and action planning (no other workshops)

6:00
Library Space: Working without leaders – discussion about core values of anarchism

8:00
Cinema: Smash Edo film and talk

Sunday
11:00
Self defence mixed practice session
Sorting out ways of communication within EF!
Using radios on actions
Introduction to Earth First! And the summer gathering
Fences: getting over them/taking them down

12:15
The summer gathering: feedback on this year’s and getting involved in organising the next one

2:30
Condoms, capitalism and climate change
Smash Edo
Introduction to navigation
What’s new in the world of law?
Feminist Health
Climbing trees, lamp posts and anything else

4:30
Radical politics in the age of collapse
The Royal Bank of Scotland and Fossil Fuel Financing
Getting your electricity from solar power and wind
Radical Parenting
Looking after our mental health – sharing ideas and experiences

8:00
Cinema: films – climate camp footage, ready steady skip etc

Monday
Take-down: please stay for a day or two to help take down the site. If you’ve got access to a vehicle/van, it’d be great if you could help transporting marquees, recycling etc to the places they need to go. Cheers!

More info about the Earth First! Summer Gathering
EF! is about direct action to halt the destruction of the Earth. It’s about doing it yourself rather than relying on leaders, governments or industry.
Direct action is at the heart of it, whether you’re standing in front of a bulldozer, shutting down an open-cast mine or ripping up a field of GM crops.
We’re a loose network of people, groups and campaigns coming together for ecological direct action.
Join us for 5 days of workshops, networking and planning actions, run without leaders by everyone who comes along. The gathering is also a practical example of low-impact eco-living and non-hierarchical organising.

http://www.earthfirst.org.uk, summergathering _ AT _ earthfirst.org.uk

Shell to Sea Pirates begin Week of Action against Shell’s Solitaire

August 17 2008
Today at noon a flotilla of sea kayaks reclaimed Glengad beach, Pollathomas, Co Mayo; the landfall site for Shell’s offshore pipeline.

Members of the ‘Great Rebel Raft Regatta’ recently deployed at the E.ON coal fired power station at Kingsnorth in Kent, England, have made their way from Climate Camp UK to Erris, in order to assist Shell to Sea campaigners in their opposition to this pipeline construction at Glengad.

The first wave of the Rebel Regatta arrived today following Marine & Public Information Notices which announced the arrival of the world’s largest pipe-laying vessel, the Solitaire, in Broadhaven Bay, any time from today onwards.

Captain Ahab of the Rebel Crew states, “It’s unacceptable what Shell are being allowed to get away with here in Mayo. We intend to plunder Shell’s compound at Glengad and board the Solitaire when she arrives in the bay. We take no prisoners. It’s the gang-plank for these boys. This environment needs protection from these marauders of Shell’s.”

Today’s action marks the start of a Shell to Sea Week of Action targeting the Solitaire. Actions will take place all this week until the ship is forced, like in 2005, to ‘go out the same way she came in’.

Shell moved quickly onto the public beach, a Special Area of Conservation, just a few short weeks ago with diggers, fences, security personnel and Gardaí. Local residents were forcibly removed from the area and arrested for their opposition to this work. Given that no approval or permission exists for Shell’s newly proposed onshore pipeline route, which is currently under consideration by An Bord Pleanala, it beggars belief that the ‘authorities’ allow this premature pipeline construction work to go ahead at Glengad at this time. A perfect example of ‘project splitting’, sanctioned and encouraged by government and State authorities.

Shell to Sea intends to ensure that no pipeline construction takes place on or offshore at Glengad. Had the Solitaire arrived today as planned, we were ready for her. And we are ready for her whenever she decides to come, tomorrow, the next day or any day. We understand that weather has delayed the Solitaire but Shell are confident that she will arrive by midweek at the latest.

In the meantime there are some unresolved issues at the Shell Compound and ‘Security Zone’ on the beach which we intend to resolve in the meantime. In other words, there is plenty for people to be doing here when they come.

People are already travelling to Erris to support this Week of Action against Shell. All are welcome at the Rossport Solidarity House, to visit and to stay, and to join us in our plans ensure that no raw gas ever flows to Bellanaboy. Today was just the start. Let’s continue to organise together throughout the week and always.

Get your asses to Erris … and remember … we are never as strong as when we come together in the fight, on the streets, in the fields, on the beach or on the high seas!

http://www.shelltosea.com

GroenFront! Dutch & Belgian EF! gathering

22-24 August 2008, in Herent (Belgium).

Map, programme and further info at https://ssl.direkte-aktie.net/cms/groenfront.php?itemid=880

22-24 August 2008, in Herent (Belgium).

Map, programme and further info at https://ssl.direkte-aktie.net/cms/groenfront.php?itemid=880

Rath Lugh update, Ireland

August 14th 2008

August 14th 2008
Protectors were staging a Tree Protest near the Collierstown site highlighting the fact that roughly 62 bodies were removed from their sacred burial grounds to make way for the construction of the M3 Motorway. Collierstown graveyard dates from prehistoric times with burials continuing into the early medieval era.

The Tree Protest was given huge support from passing motorists. Locals also joined in coming out of their homes to give encouragement and there were plenty of volunteers to take stints to maintain a presence.