Rest of Europe – Page 57

Earth First! summer gathering date change & contact details

The dates of the EF! Summer Gathering have been changed, to work better with other events happening over the summer such as the Saving Iceland protest camp and the Camp for Climate Action.

The new dates are Wednesday 27th August to Monday 1st September 2008.

This should give us all the space to recover & reflect, and to plot & plan onwards and upwards.

The dates of the EF! Summer Gathering have been changed, to work better with other events happening over the summer such as the Saving Iceland protest camp and the Camp for Climate Action.

The new dates are Wednesday 27th August to Monday 1st September 2008.

This should give us all the space to recover & reflect, and to plot & plan onwards and upwards.

The new contact details for the EF!SG collective is summergathering@earthfirst.org.uk

You can download publicity – 2 posters & leaflet all in one: (front & back)

Watch this space for more info nearer the time.

Building Works near Tara Threaten Irish National Monument – protest tunneling

These are two statements released by the Save Tara Campaign on behalf of the Rath Lugh Direct Action Camp outlining the emergency situation at the Rath Lugh National Monument near the Hill of Tara:

Statement on behalf of the Rath Lugh Direct Action Camp: 7th March 2008

These are two statements released by the Save Tara Campaign on behalf of the Rath Lugh Direct Action Camp outlining the emergency situation at the Rath Lugh National Monument near the Hill of Tara:

Statement on behalf of the Rath Lugh Direct Action Camp: 7th March 2008
(For direct contacts see phone numbers below)

Rath Lugh Monument near the Hill of Tara under direct threat from M3 Motorway building works.

“The Protectors at Rath Lugh have planned a Direct Action method used for the first time on protest sites in Ireland. They have dug a tunnel under the route of the M3 directly in front of the Rath Lugh promontory fort in the Gabhra Valley, Co Meath in Ireland.

The Protectors intend to occupy this tunnel and seal themselves inside indefinitely to prevent construction traffic from passing overhead.

They are laying their very lives on the line to protect and preserve Tara’s landscape from the destruction wrought by their own Government.

The Protectors said: “We want to draw attention to the continued erosion of the esker by passing construction traffic, hence damaging the base and foundation of the Rath.”

This is a continuation of their non-violent direct action. The tunnel acts like a souterrain giving the occupant protection and making it very difficult for the enemy to enter.”

Rath Lugh Direct Action Camp
For further information ring Derek on +353 86-845 9279 or Lou on 086-
3600478

http://www.tarapixie.net

Link to the video of events 5-6 March at Rath Lugh, Lismullin, Co
Meath

http://www.livevideo.com/video/4819A5371FDA46BAB4A42CA1D60B2A1F/rathlugh-down-under. aspx?m_tkc=11224420

Update: Press Release – Save Tara campaign: 09 Mar 2008

M3 Protesters warn Gardai tunnel ‘Will Collapse’

“A young woman has vowed to seal herself into the tunnel under the proposed route of the M3 near the Hill of Tara in Co. Meath.

Protesters were today frantically trying to communicate to the Gardai, the fragile nature of the soil in the Rath Lugh area, and that any movement of heavy machinery in the vicinity of the Rath will collapse the tunnel, with possible fatal consequences.

Minister Gormley issued a permanent protection order on the Monument last week. However, neither the Department of the Environment nor the Land Registry have been able to supply detailed maps of the protected zone. Protesters claim that the ongoing site works associated with construction of the M3 Motorway are endangering the stability of the esker upon which Rath Lugh is built.

The Gardai were today asked by senior figures in the Save Tara campaign, to do all they could to protect the welfare of the young female protester, and in no circumstances allow the NRA or any of their contractors move heavy machinery in the vicinity.

‘Any eviction attempt by unqualified and inexperienced personnel is likely to end in failure, with possible catastrophic consequences. There are specialist tunnel rescue crews that need to be consulted before any attempt is made to end this protest.’ Claimed Michael Canney today.”

For further information please contact; Dr. Muireann Ni Bhrolchain of the Save Tara Campaign: +353 87-9249510

From the Rath Lugh Camp Website: http://www.tarapixie.net/

“The Rath Lugh Direct Action Camp is situated two and a half kilometres from the Hill of Tara, on the Front Line of the proposed M3 between Lismullen and Baronstown. We are a diverse and international group of activists working together in a non-hierarchal way with the aim of putting a stop to the proposed M3. Currently we are hoping to obtain Gaeltacht Status, as Irish is spoken and taught in the camp on a daily basis……

…We participate in Non Violent Direct Action tactics in order to halt the ongoing destruction of the Tara complex. The camp works with an emphasis on the preservation of our heritage and our culture predating Christianity for future generations to appreciate and learn from. This involves blockading the key routes, hence stopping as much machinery and construction as possible on the sites…

…Rath Lugh Direct Action Camp welcomes all friends of Tara. We need people urgently to halt the Valley’s destruction. Everyone has a skill or talent they can lend to this protest. Bring wellies, raingear, sleeping bags, torch, lighter, plenty of warm clothing, and good spirits. The protest is only going to get stronger, we will continue to oppose the motorway until it is moved, so come to Rath Lugh as quickly as you can. WE NEED YOU ALL NOW BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. Tara is calling, don’t ignore the call.”

On March 1st, Dr Jonathan Foyle, British chief executive of the World Monuments Fund, which placed Tara on its endangered sites list last year, likened the M3 motorway near the Hill of Tara to the destruction by Afghanistan’s Taliban regime in 2001 of the Bamiyan Buddhas.

Sources: Rath Lugh Direct Action Camp Website:
http://www.tarapixie.net/

Save Tara: http://www.savetara.com/
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/frontpage/2008/0301/1204240357176.html

With Thanks to the Rath Lugh Direct Action Camp and the Save Tara Campaign.

The Tara Foundation:
http://www.tara-foundation.org
mail@tara-foundation.org

International Anti Nuclear Festival

Invitation to join International Anti Nuclear Festival –
– FINLAND – Midsummer – June 2008 –

Due to the increasing nuclear threat developing in Finland and indeed globally, a coalition has formed to promote discussion, networking, education, skill development, and action for international civil society to oppose and resist nuclear power developments.

Invitation to join International Anti Nuclear Festival –
– FINLAND – Midsummer – June 2008 –

We are in the initial stages of planning the first Finnish International Anti Nuclear Festival, to be held during Midsummer (mid to late June) 2008, in the vicinity of Olkiluoto, construction site of the world’s largest nuclear reactor.

Finland is currently setting a president for Europe and the world. After years of denial and inaction on climate change, governments and industry are now promoting nuclear power as the solution to ‘clean’ energy production and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. We believe civil society must also set a president by opposing the construction of this prototype reactor, thus send a message to policy makers that we will not allow our world and our future to be contaminated by a dangerous
radioactive legacy.

Our objectives are numerous. We wish to bring people together to speak, learn and act about problems associated with the nuclear power process – from mining on indigenous people’s lands, to ore processing and its use in reactors, to waste disposal and military applications. We seek to learn of other people’s struggles, victories and setbacks.

We also seek to develop a coordinated international strategy. Increase skills; in civil democracy / consensus decision making, research, media, fundraising, sustainable living, non-violent communication, action and civil disobedience. We hope to involve ourselves in the decisions which affect our lives and those of future generations, from consumer choice to climate change, Chernobyl to Hiroshima.

Most of all, we want to invite you to a festival to celebrate the beautiful possibilities of life, to dance, sing and share…and to make it very, very difficult for them to keep building nuclear death machines. We would hope that anybody possibly affected by the growing nuclear threat would feel inspired to participate, indeed help organise this festival.

We are inviting speakers, trainers, logistical and monetary support, musicians, medics, clowns and others.

More information at www.olkiluoto.info and www.nuclearmadness.info

if you would like to get involved, have ideas or want to be updated, e-mail camp@olkiluoto.info or jsun@rbgi.net

Fossil Fools Day – 1 Month to Go!

Whether you’ve been plotting for months or have just been inspired, there’s plenty of time left to plan your action. Read on for loads of resources and support…

With one month to go until April 1st, actions are being plotted up and down the country and around the world, ranging from street theatre and town centre demonstrations to high profile direct actions targeting industry operations and headquarters. Networks from Earth First! to People and Planet have got on board in helping to spread the word. National press have been in touch and are planning to cover the day. People are emailing from around the country asking for more info on planning their prank, and looking for local actions to get involved in.

We are in the middle of an unstoppable rise of creative, radical, necessary direct action against climate change… be part of it, on Fossil Fools Day and beyond.

Whether you’ve been plotting for months or have just been inspired, there’s plenty of time left to plan your action. Read on for loads of resources and support… and whatever you do, make sure to call or email us on the day so we can add your action to our end-of-day round up, and show the world what grassroots action against the fossil fuel industry can achieve.

Happy Fossil Fools Day everyone!

CONTACTS
www.risingtide.org.uk/fossilfoolsday
info@risingtide.org.uk
0796 191 7535

RESOURCES AND SUPPORT

Resources available at www.risingtide.org.uk/fossilfoolsday (get in touch if you’d like anything mailed to you in hard copy):
-actions booklet with 15 ideas for action against the fossil fuel industry, including planning tips, target locations, examples of successful actions and more
-posters, leaflets and graphics to make your own materials
-coming soon: a generic leaflet you can adapt to hand out on the day and a Q&A sheet for answering media questions

Want to find an action to get involved in?
If you’re looking to get involved where you live, get in touch and we may be able to link you up with something in your local area… or give you advice on getting your own action off the ground… or put you in touch with a local group for future actions!

Publicity
If you’re planning a publicly announced action, let us know ASAP and we can help spread the word.

Media
We’ll be sending out a national press release and may be able to direct journalists to you on the day if you wish, so any info you can let us know in advance will be really helpful – and/or a phone number to contact you on the day if that’s possible. And call or email us as soon as your action’s happened so we can include it in the end-of-day actions round-up, which we’ll be press releasing as well. Get in touch if you’d like help writing and/or sending your own press release – there’s a great guide here:
http://www.networkforclimateaction.org.uk/toolkit/press_and_media/guides_for_using_the_mainstream_media/short_guide_to_the_media.pdf

And if your action’s all sorted and you just can’t get enough of FFD… Help spread the word!
• Send an email or letter to everyone who might be interested, or who supports your group, letting them know about Fossil Fools Day and where to find out more.
• Post a Fossil Fools Day link or event description on your website, or to any other lists, blogs or websites you can think of.
• Distribute Fossil Fools Day leaflets and put up posters wherever you can – mailed to your local groups, in your community centre, office, pubs, bookshops, cafes, library, wherever you can think of. Just let us know how many you need and we’ll send them out to you!

And one last time… the call-out:

FOSSIL FOOLS DAY, April 1st 2008
Pull a prank that packs a punch.

Roll up, roll up! The climate circus is in town. Climate change threatens our very survival, but the fools at the head of the fossil fuel empire continue to plunder the earth, with governments the willing court jesters at their side.

They would have us believe that we can escape climate change with techno-fixes, market mechanisms and offset schemes – all technocratic acrobatics that distract us from the truth: the only real solution to climate change is to keep fossil fuels in the ground.

For over a century the fossil fuel industry has been fooling with our lives. From extraction to combustion they have poisoned our air, polluted our water and ruined our climate. On April 1st, 2008, we’re going to turn the tables and show them who the real fools are.

Find a local fossil fool – the coal-mining clown, the offset contortionist, the aviator tripping on the high wire, the supermarket food mile freak show, the oily strong man, or any other fool that deserves your attention – and take direct action to end the fossil fuel empire.

On Fossil Fools Day, bring the spirit of carnival and mischief to the fight for climate justice.

PS. Don’t forget, Fossil Fools Day kicks off a season of action…
3 MONTHS, 3 DAYS OF ACTION
April 1st: Fossil Fuels
May 1st: False Capitalist Solutions
June 3rd: Food and Climate Change
www.networkforclimateaction.org.uk
www.daysofclimateaction.org.uk

and…
August 4-11: Camp for Climate Action 2008
www.climatecamp.org.uk

CLIMATE ACTION NEWS SHEET 77, MARCH 2008

CONTENTS:
———————————————-
UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS:
———————————————-
1) FOSSIL FOOLS DAY – INTERNATIONAL, 1.4.08
2) MAYDAY! MAYDAY! INVASION OF THE CLIMATE SNATCHERS – INT’L, 1.5.08
3) CLIMATE ACTION WITH A BITE! – INTERNATIONAL, 3.6.08
4) “PEOPLE ARE STILL THE SAME” – BRECON, 8.3.08
5) PADDY’S DAY OF ACTION AGAINST SHELL – IRELAND AND BEYOND, 17.3.08
6) BIKES NOT BOMBS TOUR – LONDON TO ALDERMASTON, 22-24.3.08
7) TERMINAL 5 FLASHMOB – HEATHROW, 27.3.08
8) CLIMATE BILL PUBLIC MEETING – LONDON, 22.4.08
9) COIN WORKSHOPS – NATIONAL, MARCH-APRIL 2008
10) NATIONAL CLIMATE FORUM – LONDON, 14-15.6.08
11) EARTH ACTIVIST TRAINING – GLOUCESTERSHIRE, 12-26.7.08
12) ENVIRONMENT CAMPAIGNER AWARD – 2008
13) LILI COURSES IN APRIL – BUCKS/LONDON/SHEFFIELD

———————————————-
RECENT HAPPENINGS:
———————————————-
1) CLIMATE EMERGENCY AT HEATHROW, THEN WESTMINSTER – 25.2.08 / 27.2.08
2) RATCLIFFE ACTION VERDICT – NOTTINGHAM, 25.2.08
3) BP AMERICA, EXXON MOBIL AND CO. IN THE DOCK – ALASKA, 27.2.08
4) HANDS OFF IRAQI OIL! ACTIONS – UK AND NETHERLANDS, 23.2.08
5) EARTH FIRST! BLOCKADES POWER PLANT CONSTRUCTION – FLORIDA, 18.2.08
6) RTNA/EARTHFIRST! PIPELINE ACTION – PORTLAND, U.S. 23.1.08
7) SABOTAGE AT GLENSANDA – YORKSHIRE, FEBRUARY 2008
8) PLANKTOS DUMPING SCHEME DEFEATED BY ANTI-WHALERS – MADEIRA, 14.2.08
9) COMMUNITY HALTS SHELL – IRELAND, 12.2.08
10) CRITICAL MASS HERO CLEARED – BRISTOL, 7.2.08
11) KLIMAX SURGE ON! – SWEDEN, JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2008
12) TARA CAMPAIGN UPDATE – FEBRUARY 2008
13) 15 ACTIONS TO TOPPLE THE FOSSIL FUEL EMPIRE – FEBRUARY 2008
14) RISING TIDE POP-ED RESOURCE PACK – FEBRUARY 2008
15) “RISING TO THE CLIMATE CHALLENGE” BOOKLET – FEBRUARY 2008
16) “BURNING CAPITAL” – FEBRUARY 2008
17) SPIRIT OF FREEDOM – FEBRUARY 2008
18) CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS CENTRE – FEBRUARY UPDATE 2008
19) “THE AGE OF STUPID” – FEBRUARY 2008
20) AIRPORT WATCH BULLETIN – FEBRUARY 2008
21) CAUSE CLIMATE CHANGE – WEBSITE 2008

———————————————-
UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS:
———————————————-
1) FOSSIL FOOLS DAY – INTERNATIONAL, 1.4.08
Roll up, roll up…the circus is coming to town, and it’s going to be big!
For over a century the fossil fuel industry has been fooling with our lives. From extraction to combustion they have poisoned our air, polluted
our water and ruined our climate. On April 1st, we’re going to turn the
tables and show them who the real fools are. Rising Tide’s call has been
backed by Network for Climate Action, Global Exchange and Rainforest
Action Network. There are actions planned across the country and around
the world – let us know what you get up to! (Or tell us in advance if you
can and we’ll help spread the word, get media attention, etc.) Contact
local groups or just do it yourself. Show the fossil fool clowns what you
think of their freakshow – It’s time to Pull a Prank that Packs a Punch!
Resources and ideas are available from;
http://risingtide.org.uk/fossilfoolsday/resources
http://www.networkforclimateaction.org.uk/
Also see; http://www.fossilfoolsday.org/
and; http://risingtide.org.uk/node/241
Contact no: 07961 917 535

2) MAYDAY! MAYDAY! INVASION OF THE CLIMATE SNATCHERS – INTERNATIONAL, 1.5.08
From biofuels to nuclear power, carbon-trading to hydrogen fuel cells,
dumping urine in the ocean to carbon capture – everywhere corporations are
seeking the elusive elixir which allows them to continue with business as
usual. All these technologies are a distraction from the real solutions –
a massive reduction in our consumption and far-reaching social change. On
May 1st, International Workers Day, we will challenge these false
solutions to climate chaos.
http://networkforclimateaction.org.uk

3) CLIMATE ACTION WITH A BITE! – INTERNATIONAL, 3.6.08
Climate action starts on your dinner plate, in the supermarket, at the
food processing and distribution centres, on the farm, in your allotment
or your back yard. The foods we eat are responsible for about a third of
our greenhouse emissions. It’s time for us to switch to plant-based,
organic, seasonal and locally produced food. Whether you’re into local
food, permaculture, animal rights, allotments, humanitarian issues, food
politics or transport campaigning, make the links and take action to
highlight the role of the food industry in climate chaos.
http://networkforclimateaction.org.uk

4) “PEOPLE ARE STILL THE SAME” – BRECON, 8.3.08
A one-day event showcasing artworks created in response to interviews,
dialogues and documentation of the construction of the South Wales gas
pipeline.
From 3pm till dusk: Current State Dystopia – a video projection in the
tunnel underneath the A40 road and: Books – a sound and slide installation
in Dingle Wood. 6pm: Going Home – projection and music in Penpont Church.
RSVP morag@cooptel.net or telephone 01874 636269 www.penpont.com

5) PADDY’S DAY OF ACTION AGAINST SHELL – IRELAND AND BEYOND, 17.3.08
This year´s St Paddy´s day, 17th March, has been called as an
International day of action against shell, in solidarity with the people
of Rossport. People from all over Ireland are set to join forces and show
their united strength by going all the way to London to demonstrate on
Shell´s front door step.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/20124
http://gluaiseacht.nologic.org/wordpress

6) BIKES NOT BOMBS TOUR – LONDON TO ALDERMASTON, 22-24.3.08
Bikes not bombs are planning a bicycology bike tour from London to
Aldermaston Atomic Weapons Establishment to mark the 50th anniversary of
the Aldermaston Peace March. The ride is expected to take 3 days
(22nd-24th March). More than 5000 people are expected to attend the
“Surround The Base” event at Aldermaston on the 24th. If you are
interested please email; info@bikesnotbombs.org.uk
Also see www.cnduk.org/aldermaston

7) TERMINAL 5 FLASHMOB – HEATHROW, 27.3.08
Be at T5 International Arrivals at 11am to put on (or strip to reveal)
your brightly coloured “Stop Airport Expansion” t-shirt: a visible
presence of public opposition to the madness of airport expansion. Wander
round for a bit, have a coffee, leave when you like. Wearing a t-shirt is
not (yet) a crime!
Order your free T-shirt today: stopairportexpansion@gmail.com or 0845 458
2564.
The Government/BAA see the opening day of Terminal Five (the biggest
terminal ever built in the UK, and the subject of the longest Public
Inquiry in British history) as an opportunity to put the case for further
airport expansion. Join the flash mob to highlight the real problems that
airport expansion causes: climate change, noise, air pollution and
community destruction.
http://www.t5flashmob.com/

8) CLIMATE BILL PUBLIC MEETING – LONDON, 22.4.08
Friends Meeting House, Euston, London, 7.30pm. A chance to attend a public
meeting with Hilary Benn MP (Environment Secretary) and Peter Ainsworth
(Shadow Environment Secretary) and join the calls for a strong climate
change law.
More info: howard.whitehead@foe.co.uk

9) COIN WORKSHOPS – NATIONAL, MARCH-APRIL 2008
(a) Climate Change Condensed will be happening in Cheltenham on the 6th
March.
(b) Climate Action Groups matchmaker evening, Tue 11th March 4:30 –
7:30pm, The Environment Council, London. Anyone who has attended any of
the COIN/TEC series of trainings can attend this for free.
(c) Do you work for the NHS? COIN is offering a tailored Climate Change
Speaker Training in London on March 14th. See;
www.healthandsustainability.net
(d) Communicating Climate Change, a one-day workshop, in partnership with
Vale
Royal Borough Council on Friday, April 11th.
Further trainings coming soon in Birmingham, Manchester and Scotland.
Would you like COIN to run trainings in your local area? – give Mim a call
on 01865 727911 or email mim@coinet.org.uk
See the COIN website for details on all the above; www.coinet.org.uk

10) NATIONAL CLIMATE FORUM – LONDON, 14-15.6.08
This event offers a wide range of workshops and seminars all dealing with
different aspects of the climate change crisis, probable solutions and
future developments in national and international climate policies. Venue;
South Camden Community School, London. Follow the link below to look at
the program and speakers from last year climate conference.
http://www.campaigncc.org/conference.shtml

11) EARTH ACTIVIST TRAINING – GLOUCESTERSHIRE, 12-26.7.08
A permaculture design course and more for activists! Learn the skills to
transform a piece of land, a community, and our political and economic
systems.
COSTS: (Including tuition, two weeks accommodation and all meals) £150 –
£500 sliding scale according to income. If you are interested in taking
part in the course, download an application form from:
http://www.earthactivisttraining.org/
Or write to: Earth Activist Training, c/o 59 Chelsea Park, Bristol, BS5 6AH.

12) ENVIRONMENT CAMPAIGNER AWARD
The Environment Awards (organised by the Sheila McKechnie Foundation) are
an opportunity for grassroots campaigners to receive a bespoke programme
of support and skills development designed to help them take their
campaign to the next level. See www.sheilamckechnie.org.uk for details of
how to apply.

13) LILI COURSES IN APRIL – BUCKS/LONDON/SHEFFIELD
Low-Impact Living Initiative: (01296) 714184 www.lowimpact.org

———————————————-
RECENT HAPPENINGS:
———————————————-
1) CLIMATE EMERGENCY AT HEATHROW, AND THEN WESTMINSTER – 25.2.08 / 27.2.08
On the 27th, campaigners opposed to Heathrow expansion scaled the roof of
the Houses of Parliament and hung protest banners from the building. The
protesters also made paper aeroplanes out of confidential Whitehall
documents and flew them into the MPs’ car park below! The documents –
obtained under the Freedom of Information Act – prove that airport
operator BAA wrote parts of the consultation document and that the
government has already decided to build a 3rd runway and 6th terminal at
the world’s biggest international airport.
http://www.planestupid.com/?q=content/plane-stupid-scales-parliament
Two days earlier Greenpeace campaigners had climbed on to one of
Heathrow’s short-haul flights and covered the tailfin of the plane with a
huge protest banner that read “CLIMATE EMERGENCY – NO 3rd RUNWAY”.
http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/climate/climate-campaigners-bring-peaceful-protest-to-heathrow-20080225
Also on the 25th, the Heathrow end-of-consultation rally at Westminster
was a packed-out success, with thousands of residents, politicians and
environmental campaigners pledging to resist plans to extend Heathrow –
http://www.airportwatch.org.uk/
The distribution of 50,000 leaflets and the actions of anarchist art troop
Weird Load helped make the rally such a success:
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/20050

2) RATCLIFFE ACTION VERDICT – NOTTINGHAM, 25.2.08
Following their attempts to halt operations and thus diminish CO2
emissions at the Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station last April, 10 activists
were recently back in court. Unfortunately the defendants’ defence of
environmental necessity was rejected and they were found guilty. The judge
had earlier said that he wished to compliment all the defendants on the
presentation of their case.
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/02/392323.html

3) BP AMERICA, EXXON MOBIL AND CO. IN THE DOCK – ALASKA, 27.2.08
Meanwhile, in Alaska, lawyers for the native coastal village of Kivalina
have filed a suit arguing that 5 oil companies, 14 electric utilities and
the country’s largest coal company were responsible for the relocation of
villagers because of flooding caused by the changing Arctic climate.
“There has been a long campaign by power, coal and oil companies to
mislead the public about the science of global warming,” the suit says.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/27/us/27alaska.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=Flooded+Village+Files+Suit%2C+Citing+Corporate+Link+to+Climate+Change+&st=nyt&oref=slogin

4) HANDS OFF IRAQI OIL! ACTIONS – UK AND NETHERLANDS, 23.2.08
In solidarity with the Iraqi peoples’ struggle against the plunder of
their oil reserves, there were actions in Birmingham, London, Liverpool,
Wrexham, Coventry and Amsterdam.
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/02/392315.html

5) EARTH FIRST! BLOCKADES POWER PLANT CONSTRUCTION – FLORIDA, 18.2.08
Dozens of concerned community members from Palm Beach County and across
the States put their bodies on the line to halt construction of a massive
gas-fired power plant. A dozen activists locked themselves together
through metal pipes as 200 supporters rallied around them. The blockade
stopped work on the construction site for six hours before a total of 27
people were arrested.
http://www.risingtidenorthamerica.org/wordpress/2008/02/19/blockade-shuts-down-south-florida-power-plant-construction-27-arrested/
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/20038

6) RTNA/EARTHFIRST! PIPELINE ACTION – PORTLAND, U.S. 23.1.08
The above blockade followed another combined action where Cascadia Rising
Tide joined forces with Stumptown Earth First! to hold an action and rally
at the Portland office of NW Natural in protest at their involvement in
Liquefied Natural Gas pipelines, which threaten to clear-cut strips of
forest throughout Oregon for new fossil fuel infrastructure. Activists
piled trees around the office entrance and hung a large banner which read
– “There’s nothing Green about Clear-cuts, No new pipelines”.
http://www.risingtidenorthamerica.org/wordpress/2008/01/23/cascadia-rt-organizes-anti-lng-action-at-nw-natural/

7) SABOTAGE AT GLENSANDA – YORKSHIRE, FEBRUARY 2008
An aggregates processing plant on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National
Park has been sabotaged. 20% of the stone extracted will go to major road
network construction across Europe. The plant in Yorkshire was entered and
vehicles, including all bulldozers, had holes drilled in vital parts of
their engines and their tires. Both control rooms were broken into and all
computers and instrument panels were smashed. Keys to all buildings and
machinery were removed from the site. The message “Stop Glensanda” was
left.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/20043

8) PLANKTOS DUMPING SCHEME DEFEATED BY ANTI-WHALERS – MADEIRA, 14.2.08
Planktos, the California company trying to turn a profit by fertilizing
the ocean with iron dust, has pulled the plug on planned field tests. On
the company’s web-site, a simple notice blamed the shutdown on a “highly
effective disinformation campaign waged by anti-offset crusaders.” In
November 2007, the anti-whaling ship Sea Shepherd confronted the Planktos
vessel and forced it to move onto Madeira. And there it stayed until its
recall last month.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19989

9) COMMUNITY HALTS SHELL – IRELAND, 12.2.08
The Erris community continues to protect the land – survey work was
stopped and trucks were blocked. Local people prevented Shell from illegal
work for 4 hours until Gardai forced through workers, injuring protesters.
http://www.corribsos.com/index.php?id=1686
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19977

10) CRITICAL MASS HERO CLEARED – BRISTOL, 7.2.08
In May last year, someone stood in the road and tried to stop a car that
had hit a Critical Mass cyclist, from driving away. For that he was
arrested for obstructing the highway, thrown to the floor by his neck
whilst handcuffed, and then – surprise surprise – also arrested for
assaulting a police officer.
After 9 months of nervous waiting, he was finally cleared of all charges,
as Bristol Magistrates Court accepted a submission that the police
evidence was at best ‘severely flawed’ and at worst, fabricated, and the
trial was stopped.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19971

11) KLIMAX SURGE ON! – SWEDEN, JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2008
Groups of activists connected to Klimax, Sweden’s direct action movement
against the root causes of climate change, struck repeatedly last month.
At Malmö Airport, seven activists were apprehended when trying to break
into the runway, some of them dressed as polar bears. Some 30 activists
put up a blockade in the middle of the highway running through Umeå, the
largest city in northern Sweden.
A similar number staged a protest outside the office of Swedish Meat, a
major meat corporation, to highlight the severe effects the industry is
having on our climate. Another 50 activists marched into the traffic on
one of the major streets in inner city Stockholm, seizing it for 15
minutes. The action was directed against a planned mega-highway, to be
built in the western parts of the capital.
http://klimatet.org/2008/02/17/action-report/
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/20019
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/20035

12) TARA CAMPAIGN UPDATE – FEBRUARY 2008
Lock-ons and digger-diving, plus protest camp contact.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19996
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/20126

13) 15 ACTIONS TO TOPPLE THE FOSSIL FUEL EMPIRE – FEBRUARY 2008
Rising Tide’s newest resource, on why and how to take direct action
against the fossil fuel industry… including planning tips, target
locations, examples of successful actions and more. Email us for a hard
copy or download it here:
http://risingtide.org.uk/resources/other

14) RISING TIDE POP-ED RESOURCE PACK – FEBRUARY 2008
A popular education resource packed with tools to help you run engaging,
interactive workshops on all aspects of climate change for a wide range of
people. Download it here: http://risingtide.org.uk/resources/other

15) “RISING TO THE CLIMATE CHALLENGE” BOOKLET – FEBRUARY 2008
Climate change myth-busting booklet designed to help people cut through
the fog of confusion and mixed messages about climate change and to be a
useful resource for community groups and individuals all over Scotland.
Download from the website at www.sead.org.uk

16) “BURNING CAPITAL” – FEBRUARY 2008
This compelling series of short films explores the role of Britain’s
largest corporation in the growing climate crisis. Burning Capital is a
video voyage through the murky world of oil giant BP, who kindly delivered
1.3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere last year.
Watch the films now at; http://www.platformlondon.org/burning

17) SPIRIT OF FREEDOM – FEBRUARY 2008
Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network newsletter. They’re in there
for us out here – Please write!
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/19960

18) CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS CENTRE – FEBRUARY UPDATE 2008
A group of environmental and community-based organisations in the South
West have made a bid to found an independent, inter-disciplinary ‘Climate
Change Solutions Centre’, on the site of an ex-agricultural college
currently owned by Plymouth University. For more details, and information
on how to support the plans, please see; www.climatechangecentre.co.uk

19) “THE AGE OF STUPID” – FEBRUARY 2008
A climate change documentary for the big screen from Franny Armstrong
(McLibel) and John Battsek (One Day In September). Mixing documentary
footage, drama and cutting-edge animation, and starring Pete Postlethwaite
as an old man living in the devastated world of 2055. As he watches
‘archive’ footage from 2007, he asks himself: Why didn’t we stop climate
change when we had the chance? http://www.ageofstupid.net

20) AIRPORT WATCH BULLETIN – FEBRUARY 2008
For information about the campaigns against suicidal expansion at
Heathrow, Bristol, London City, Lydd, Carlisle, Newquay and other airports
see; www.airportwatch.org.uk

21) ‘CAUSES CLIMATE CHANGE’ WEBSITE
Subvertising ideas and resources.
http://www.causesclimatechange.blogspot.com/

———-

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newssheet@risingtide.org.uk

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Sheet Archive at http://risingtide.org.uk/newssheet

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of groups and individuals committed to taking action and building a
movement against climate change.

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Limagrain Moves GM Tests To The US due to French ban & decontaminations

FRANCE: February 29, 2008
PARIS – Europe’s largest seed cooperative Limagrain said on Thursday it had moved its research tests into genetically modified (GM) crops to the United States, put off by France’s hostility to GMs and the destruction of test fields.

Chairman Pierre Pagesse said Biogemma, Limagrain’s grain and oilseed research unit, would carry around 1,000 tests on GM crops this year in Illinois, in the US corn belt.

Limagrain has a 70 percent stake in the world’s fourth-largest seed maker Vilmorin.

“We have decided to transfer our tests to the United States this year,” Pagesse told Reuters in an interview at the Paris farm show.

“It is with a heavy heart,” he added. “For the first time we will move outside France and even outside the European Union to carry out our tests and this due to the current situation in our country,” Pagesse said.

While GM crops are common in the United States, France and other European countries are dubious about using the new genetic technology in agriculture.

France decided in December to suspend the cultivation of the sole GM crop grown in the European Union, a maize developed by US biotech giant Monsanto, and notified the European Commission earlier this month that it was extending the ban.

Pagesse said the expatriation of the GM tests to the United States, was also prompted by the repetitive attacks carried out by anti-GM activists on Biogemma’s test fields.

CONTRADICTION

The decision, although not irreversible, will inevitably affect the working of Limagrain, which owns 55 percent of Biogemma and totally relies on the company for its GM research, he said.

“I know that to move the intellectual part of the group is to move the group’s epicentre in time,” he said, stressing that the company had probably waited too long to make the move.

Limagrain would keep doing non-GM tests in France but all biotech research, carried out through Biogemma, would be done in the United States, which in the end could penalise Europe as seeds may not be adapted to European soil and pests, he said.

“The company keeps its knowledge but it’s the French peasants who are going to lose out,” he said.

Pagesse argued there was a contradiction between the French ban on the growing of GM maize and massively importing genetically modified animal feed.

“Either it is bad and we should hurry banning imports or we consider that it’s good for consumers, including through animal feed, then we should let French farmers use the technologies that we think are better adapted,” he said.

A government-appointed committee of scientists, farmers, politicians and non-governmental organisations said in January “serious doubts” remained over whether the MON 810 was safe.

The main worry mentioned in the report, which triggered the government’s decision on the ban, concerned dissemination to other crops and biodiversity, not human health.

On site reports from the trenches at Rath Lugh

Monday 25th February:
There are fences across the proposed route each side of the Rath Lugh woods. At around 8am this morning a member of the Rath Lugh camp heard machinery passing by the rath. 6 of us went out and saw 2 dump trucks and 2 diggers outside the fence, coming from the Baronstown direction. Each digger was 40 tonnes, and wanted to drive though at the same time! A large crowd of SIAC, Ferrovial and Wills Bros workers were present, 2 members of the Garda Siochana were also present, both in incomplete uniforms; they didn’t wear hats, one of them wasn’t displaying his ID number on his shoulder. We explained no machinery would be passing by Rath Lugh, that the area is preserved and it is a criminal offence to interfere with or damage a national monument. The weight and vibrations of the machinery will affect the monument on the esker, and so endanger all of Rath Lugh. The workers took absolutely no heed of anything we told them.

Protesters climbed onto the machinery to peacefully blockade their path. The rest of us stood in front of the machines. The Gardai took our names and addresses. acThe protesters on the machinery climbed off the machines, because one construction worker tried to forcably pull a male protester off the digger. The female protester was walking towards the Rath, when she was manhandled by the Garda with no hat, car or ID number on his shoulder. The Gardai didn’t give her a caution but arrested her straight away. He handcuffed her and when we questioned him, he mentioned OPERATION BEDROCK. He then attempted to drag her to Mark Cleary’s jeep, as there was no squad car to be seen. We immediately objected to this illegal arrest, but the Gardai kept pulling her, even through she was visibly upset. There were no female Gardai present, we expressed our concerns about a young female being taken off site by 2 extremely unprofessional Gardai and driven off in a violent man’s jeep (Mark Cleary’s. Photos of this man can be seen on this site, or Indymedia.ie, his drives a white jeep and his registration plate is 07 D 60531).

The Gardai finally seemed to understand our worries about this illegal arrest, and decided to walk her off the site and take her to Navan Garda Station in their squad car, which for some unknown reason was parked down the route near Baronstown. I walked with the female protester and the 2 Gardai towards Baronstown. She was handcuffed behind her back, and when the wind was blowing dust in her eyes, they wouldn’t free her so she could wipe the dust out. It’s worth noting that this site has had its topsoil removed and is compacted earth with lime to dry out the ground. They joked rather insensitively I should wipe her eyes instead! When I asked the Garda with no ID why he mentioned OPERATION BEDROCK, he refused to comment. Finally we arrived at their squad car, but a Paddy Wagon was there, and around 8 men in plain clothes wearing Garda Siochana wind cheater jackets. When I asked them why they weren’t in full uniform they explained they were plain clothes Gardai. I again expressed my concerns about this dodgy crowd taking one of our young female protesters away, and requested I come with her, for her own health and safety. They refused immediately, one Bean Garda was extremely snappy, explaining the female protester would be safe with her. I said this was exactly what I was worried about and asked would they handcuff me so I could accompany my colleage. The same Bean Garda said I have often made my own way to Navan in the past when needed be. The Garda didn’t uncuff my colleage in the back of the car, so when they braked suddenly she hurt her back and now needs medical attention.

We made our way back to the front line at Rath Lugh and were about to head into the Garda Station in Navan when we got an urgent phone call from the front line. A dozer was at the left fence, coming from Baronstown direction. A smaller digger was working on a spoil heap a few feet away from the esker. We immediately blockaded the machinery peacefully to prevent them working. All of the SIAC, Ferrovial and Wills Bros were sitting in their jeeps as it was hailstoning and extremely windy. A Garda jeep approached from Lismullen, with the same 2 Gardai who arrested my colleage an hour earlier. The bald Garda without his ID number earlier now had his ID displayed, obviously he realised he made an illegal arrest earlier. We handed them the Rath Lugh Preservation Order, which they accepted. The Garda who displayed his ID number explained the dozer would be passing throught to Lismullen, but he was stopping the digger from working until the matter of the Preservation Order is clearer. We blocked the esker from being harmed as the dozer passed by s to the Lismullen site. When asked about the plain clothes Gardai, the Garda denied their existence. When I reminded hiym I spoke to the plain clothes Gardai myself, he corrected himself. He said they were on standby. On standby for what we asked, explaining our own health and safety is of paramount importance. He refused to comment further.

6 construction workers approached the front line bender, took measurements around the perimeter fence of the bender, using surveying equipment. Construction workers in jeeps attempted to drive past Rath Lugh again from Baronstown to Lismullen, but the Gardai refused them permission, until the Preservation Order matter is clearer.

I am now on going to bring the female protester who got released to hospital for medical attention.

————-

Update lunchtime:

Situation Critical as more machinery is arriving. 4 machines were allowed pass Rath Lugh in single file earlier en route to Lismullin. They have chosen this route to enter onto the Henge. Now 3 machines are stationed at Rath Lugh threatening to begin work in that area. There has been no reply from Gormley’s office despite several requests this morning in regard to the Temporary Preservation Order and for confirmation of the boundaries of same ,which seem now to be unclear.

Please support , BE PRESENT, contact all interested bodies, make complaints, spread the word, do what you can but do it Now!

The female Protector has been released. No details of charges yet.

Rath Lugh Camp Phone : 0861537146

Vigil Camp Phone: 0861758557

————-

Video of Standoff at Rathlugh today and the arrest of a protestor.

Paddy´s Day of Action Against Shell

This year´s St Paddy´s day, 17th March, has been called as an International day of action against shell, in solidarity with the people of Rossport.

People from all over Ireland are set to join forces and show their united strength by going all the way to London to demonstrate on shell´s front door step.

This year´s St Paddy´s day, 17th March, has been called as an International day of action against shell, in solidarity with the people of Rossport.

People from all over Ireland are set to join forces and show their united strength by going all the way to London to demonstrate on shell´s front door step.

Gluaiseacht, the Irish environmental network organising the trip, are calling for people to join them at the shell head office in London, or there is also a call out to take solidarity actions at shell garages and offices, St Paddy´s day parades and Irish embassies all over the world to coincide with the visit from 15th-17th March.

The shell centre is located on the South Bank in front of Jubilee Gardens (SE1)
right next to Waterloo train station and across from the London Eye.

What´s Wrong With shell? – The Corrib Pipeline Project

Since 2000 the small rural community of Rossport, County Mayo, Ireland have been engaged in an epic battle trying to prevent Shell, Statoil, and Marathon from building a potentially devastating toxic onshore gas refinery and high pressure pipeline in their remote and environmentally sensitive region.

Shell are the biggest stakeholder and beneficiary of the project, so have therefore been the main target of protest.

Community Strength

From the summer of 2005 mass pickets shut down the refinery construction site after five Rossport residents were imprisoned for refusing to allow Shell’s
sub-contractors access to their and their neighbours’ small farms which the pipeline is to go through. But in October 2006 the Irish state came to the aid of shell by bringing in a massive two hundred strong police unit to physically force a path for Shell to commence work. A large police presence, consisting of Gardai (Irish police) from all over Ireland, has stayed at the site to aid the work to continue undisrupted.

The costs to the Environment, Community & Health

Since shell started building the refinery, Carrowmore Lake, which is a Special Area of Conservation as well as the local water supply to 10,000 people, has been polluted with dangerously high levels of aluminium coming from the building site.

The gas pipeline is to operate at such high pressure that according to the
government’s safety study if ruptured could potentially kill people and destroy buildings for hundreds of metres around.

The waste from the refinery is to be dumped into Broadhaven bay, where 220 sightings of seven whale and dolphin species, plus sightings of two seal species have been recorded.

This is all not to mention the irreparable damage fossil fuels, like gas, are having on destabilising the global climate.

Although the resistance to shell in County Mayo is strong, the Irish state & shell´s tactics of brutality, repression and intimidation has paid a price on the people fighting the pipeline project.

So mark St Paddy´s day by showing solidarity with their fight!

For more info:

http://www.indymedia.ie/mayo – Reports of news and actions about the pipeline
http://www.struggle.ws/rsc – Rossport Solidarity Camp setup to aid the campaign against shell
http://www.corribsos.com – Campaign group Shell to Sea

http://gluaiseacht.nologic.org/wordpress – Gluaiseacht website

Swedish climate action update

Climate activists in detention after trying to break into airport

On Friday, groups of activists connected to Klimax, Sweden’s direct action movement against the root causes of climate change, struck against the country’s domestic aviation industry. At Malmö Airport, seven activists were apprehended when trying to brake into the runway, some of them dressed as polar bears. They were transferred to a detention centre in another city in southern Sweden and kept in solitary confinement for more than 60 hours. The seven activists were interrogated throughout the days, charged with “intent to sabotage air traffic” and threatened with four years in prison if convicted.

Climate activists in detention after trying to break into airport

– It’s totally absurd to place people in solitary confinement for more than two days when they’ve done nothing but attempting to cross a fence, in a peaceful, symbolic action. The activists did what everyone should do: they tried to stop climate change from accelerating. With their heavy-handed repression, the police are trying to deter us from further direct action, but we vow to step up our struggle. Since the police succeeded in nabbing the activists in Malmö this time, we will have to be more creative when planning our next actions, says Shora Esmailian, media spokesperson for Klimax.

Also on Friday, scores of activists entered the terminals at Bromma Airport in Stockholm and Landvetter Airport outside of Gothenburg. Many were dressed as polar bears and penguins. The demonstrations were followed by die-ins in front of queuing passengers. In Uppsala, a city north of Stockholm, yet another Klimax group staged a protest against a planned local airport. Pictures from the actions can be found at this website.

On Saturday, activists in Stockholm broke into a police station to demand the immediate release of their comrades in Malmö, and a solidarity manifestation was held in Gothenburg. All in all, more than a hundred activists were involved in the coordinated activities over the weekend.

On late Sunday, the last remaining Malmö-activist was released from the detention centre. All seven activists will face trial, as will another group of activists who successfully seized the runway at Bromma Airport in April last year.

Klimax is a rapidly growing movement in Sweden. In Stockholm, the group has focused on an upcoming decision to extend the premises of Bromma Airport to the year 2038, allowing it to increase traffic with at least 20 percent. The contract, due for final approval in March, will be impossible to abrogate if politicians elected in Stockholm in the coming decades wish to do so: it can only be annulled by the national government. This is considered deeply undemocratic by Klimax, but even worse, Bromma Airport is now poised to continue propelling domestic flights to Gothenburg, Malmö and other destinations well covered by railway connections, thus increasing unnecessary carbon emissions at a time when they have to be slashed. Already at this date, the aviation industry accounts for at least 10 percent of Sweden’s carbon emissions, according to estimates from the Royal Institute of Technology, and the share is growing. Klimax is determined to fight this wholly irrational development until Sweden’s domestic aviation is abolished in its entirety, as a first necessary step to a fossil-free society

Stop the Swedish “Triangle of Death” Seven polar bears held for attempted air travel

Climate activist group Klimax in Sweden are tired of unnecessary short haul and national flights. Especially between the major cities of Gothenburg, Stockholm and Malmo/Copenhagen, all directly coupled by the nearest thing Sweden has to a high speed train. That’s why that on Friday the 15th of February strange things started happening at airports around Sweden.

Time might be money but how much climate change is ten minutes worth? If you don’t have any luggage and check in on-line that’s about how much time you can save by flying between Sweden’s major cities. Considering that the Swedish trains run on renewable electric energy, that’s a hell of a lot of climate change for ten minutes. Ok, it’s not that simple. Why would any sane person without a climate conscience or a fat wallet take the train when it’s cheaper to fly? A railway system that makes the UK’s look modern could also help weigh the balance when it comes to choosing how to get there.

Here’s a round up of the different actions around the country:

Malmo http://svt.se/svt/play/video.jsp?a=1057410
At the time of writing seven activists are being held in custody. It seems that the crime of running about the countryside dressed as a polar bear is frowned upon in the south of Sweden. The seven were arrested running towards the perimeter fence of Sturup airport outside of Malmo by the large police presence. It seems that the boys in blue were out on a mass training exercise at the time. The police should be happy to get a bit of real life training. Attempting to get onto runways whilst dressed as a polar bear is definitely one of the fastest going crimes of our time. An interesting high publicity court case seems to be in the pipe line. At least one solidarity demonstration (Gothenburg 2pm Gustaf Adolfs Torg) is planned on Saturday in Sweden to demand the release of the Malmo seven.

Stockholm
The polar bears of Stockholm were treated to ice cream by the airport authorities at Bromma. A pleasant gesture but hardly making up for helping to destroy the bears northerly habitat. Sorry you family drowned but here’s a raspberry ripple to make up for it,sort of thing. A die in was staged as other peaceful protesters with banners and flyers roamed the terminal raising awareness of the environmental harm caused by air travel. There are presently plans to enlarge Bromma airport in Stockholm. The question is what are the politicians and planners thinking. In a time and a country where every nine year old knows about global warming and its causes, the authorities get the idea of expanding airports. It might be time to let the kids take over the power. They could hardly do a worse job than the climate criminals doing the job now. But then the kids are selfishly more worried about their future than in the honest business of making short term financial gains.

Gothenburg
A die in was staged in front of the security gate at Landvetter airport outside of Gothenburg. Twenty activists arrived at the airport to stage the protest on Friday evening. The die in was for the benefit of passengers on their way to emit the largest possible amount of greenhouse gases whilst covering the 300 or so miles to Stockholm. After miraculously reviving themselves the activists formed a banner wall to welcome three plane loads of arrivals from the capital. The whole thing went down peacefully with the massive police presence (at least three coppers for every climate crusader) standing around looking bored.

Uppsala
The university town of Uppsala north of Stockholm doesn’t have a nice warm passenger airport to stage an action in. The company Uppsala Air is doing its best to change this. They want to provide a pleasant passenger terminal so that local climate activists would have somewhere warm to stage protests. In the best “make do with what you’ve got spirit“, the Uppsala activist created their own runway in the city center to illustrate how pleasantly an airport can convert a boring piece of countryside into noisy polluting climate challenging strip of asfalt.

This is just the start of the Swedish resistance against climate criminality. Watch this space for the next move. We think cars are also plane stupid. Honest!

http://klimatet.org/