Scotland (Central & Southern) – Page 13

Fossil Fools Day 2010

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more information see: Fossil Fools Day.

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

Faslane noise demo & Free Cafe (every first Saturday each month)

Every first Saturday of the month we’ll be holding a noise demo at the base.

With workshops, afternoon kids space, discussion groups and free cafe at the camp.

For those wanting to stay longer there will be a film-screening and action meeting on Sunday.

Anyone is welcome to come along and get involved!
Call us for information on this or other upcoming events

Every first Saturday of the month we’ll be holding a noise demo at the base.

With workshops, afternoon kids space, discussion groups and free cafe at the camp.

For those wanting to stay longer there will be a film-screening and action meeting on Sunday.

Anyone is welcome to come along and get involved!
Call us for information on this or other upcoming events
Would be good to see old friends, and is also a great way to see camp if you’ve never been before.

Directions –

The camp is situated 6 miles North of Helensburgh. Helensburgh can be reached from Glasgow by train, for £5 return, trains leave every half hour from Glasgow Queens Street (Low level station).Or the 216 from Jamaica St – Helensburgh.
You can catch the 316 bus from Helensburgh Central train station (for Coulport or Garelochead, stops outside the camp) it only costs £1:50, and you can ask to be dropped off at the peace camp.

-F.P.C. is on the east verge of the A814 road, which leads to HMNB Clyde and beyond. The Camp is therefore visible to all traffic coming towards the base from the direction of Helensburgh.

We are about 30 miles west of Glasgow, by the Gareloch, a river Clyde estuary sea loch. Faslane Naval Base is on the Gareloch.
CAMP PHONE 01436820901

Faslane peace camp
faslaniapeacecamp@yahoo.co.uk

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

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

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

“If not you, who? If not now, when?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mainshill Solidarity Camp evicted – not an end, but a beginning

30th January 2010
Yesterday was the fifth and final day of the eviction of the Mainshill Solidarity Camp – the last two arrests as the final occupiers were dragged out of the rapidly shrinking Wood. A total of 45 arrests were made over the course of the eviction with close to 70 people taking part and supporting the camp.

All five days saw the violence inflicted by the state on those who try to create positive change, and the collusion between the courts, police and corporations. But they also saw heroic acts of defiance, with people fighting off bailiffs until having their hands and feet cable-tied together and supporters maintaining a 24-hour vigil throughout the eviction.

This eviction is not an end, but the beginning of a campaign of community-based radical direct action sweeping Scotland’s central belt which can only grow in strength. From actions to stop work on opencast sites and the shutting down of a major coal rail terminal for a day (which happened for a third time on Wednesday), to community engagement and solidarity resulting in a seven-month occupation and a positive change in direction for radical environmentalism in Scotland.

But where can we go next? We’ve hit these capitalists and money-grabbers where it hurts most – in the pocket – and we can’t wait to hear how much it has cost them in total. Over 30 direct actions have taken place over the past 12 months, and that’s not including the eviction. Machines have been trashed, health studies published and bonds been made with those affected by heavy industry and the causes of climate change. We’ve dug tunnels, defended trees and climbed onto diggers.

The Mainshill Solidarity Camp has now been evicted, but the struggle continues!

mainshill@riseup.net
http://mainshill.noflag.org.uk/

Update from the ongoing Mainshill eviction, day 4

The ongoing eviction of Mainshill Solidarity Camp entered its fourth day with the struggle to clear the sycamores continuing.

Yesterday the battle for the sycamores had started with the removal of the skyraft, and one protestor being hauled out of a tree.

The ongoing eviction of Mainshill Solidarity Camp entered its fourth day with the struggle to clear the sycamores continuing.

Yesterday the battle for the sycamores had started with the removal of the skyraft, and one protestor being hauled out of a tree.

Treehouses were destroyed and the remaining anti-coal activists were left without tarps, bedding or in some cases, a way down the tree.

During the course of today, five other people were evicted from the sycamores.

The hidden treetop camp known as ‘Ewok Village’ was cleared as well with climbers tackling some tough defences.

In all, there were nine arrests.

A huge amount of heavy machinery has been moved onto site, so opportunities for actions to stop work on site are literally everywhere.

“The fight isn’t over yet”, said the almost infamous Barry Cader, recently released on bail.

Update from day 3 Mainshill eviction

Seven more protestors were arrested today, Wednesday 27th January, in the third day of resistance against the eviction of Mainshill Solidarity Camp.

As the tactics of the National Eviction Team grew increasingly aggressive and cavalier, spirits on site remained strong. Climbers attempted to evict the stand of sycamores but were met with determined resistance and succeeded in only removing one protestor. Branches have been stripped from the remaining trees and treehouses destroyed. The coal activists have been left without bedding or tarps for the night.

Bulldozers destroyed trees within 50metres of a hidden treetop camp as the locked-on protestors screamed and whistled to try and reveal themselves and stop work. The discovery of this further site has delayed the end of the eviction and raises doubts about the competency of the NET. A search helicopter had made several passes over the area but seemingly failed to find anything, despite hovering over their exact location for several minutes. As the bulldozers neared the treehouses, support folk outside site begged the NET to stop the work to secure the area and ensure the safety of those locked-on. Their whistles could clearly be heard from the front of site but the NET were stubborn in their refusal to accept the possible presence of another occupation. Work was finally stopped metres from the treehouses. The climbing team expect to start trying to clear the area, known as ‘Ewok Village’ tomorrow.

A treehouse, the net, and a skyraft were cleared of occupants. Tunnel teams continue to work through the night to clear the underground defences.

The 26 people held and charged over the last two days have all been released on bail, and are charged with either breach of the peace or section 68(1) of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

In solidarity with the Mainshill Solidarity Camp, Ravenstruther coal rail terminal was shut down for up to five hours this morning as a protestor locked on to a digger.

It is still easy to get onto site so come down and support the Mainshill crew from the inside or do some support work from the outside.

For info about the campaign see www.mainshill.noflag.org.uk

Ravenstruther coal rail terminal shut down + Mainshill eviction continues, 3rd day…

A coal terminal in South Lanarkshire was brought to a standstill this morning when a protestor locked himself to a piece of machinery.

At 9am this morning (Wed 27th) a man climbed to the top of a digger and locked himself to it by his leg, effectively shutting down Ravenstruther coal rail terminal.

A coal terminal in South Lanarkshire was brought to a standstill this morning when a protestor locked himself to a piece of machinery.

At 9am this morning (Wed 27th) a man climbed to the top of a digger and locked himself to it by his leg, effectively shutting down Ravenstruther coal rail terminal.

About 15 trucks full of coal are unable to access the terminal and have been forced to dump their load, and the coal train that was being loaded has been stopped.

Ravenstruther is where coal from the open-cast mines in South Lanarkshire is loaded onto trains and sent south to power stations such as Drax.

An hour after the action started NETCU and 6 police officers arrived.

This action was taken in solidarity with Mainshill Solidarity Camp which is in the third day of resisting eviction.

The Scottish Government is approving up to 33 new open cast coal sites. A protestor from Mainshill said: “As Climate Chaos grows exponentially worse, it is becoming more and more important to resist and obstruct the ever enlarging fossil fuel industry. We will do everything in our power to make the extraction, transport, and burning of coal as financially unviable as possible by continuing to fight against it at every step of the way, from the mines to the power stations.”

——–

Mainshill Solidarity Camp:

The eviction is still ongoing. The site perimeter cannot be secured so there is still massive scope for resisting this eviction and Scottish Coals activities generally, get yourself up to Lanarkshire and get stuck in. Four people were arrested from the camp this morning (27th).

More information about the Mainshill Solidarity Camp and how to get there is available at www.mainshill.noflag.org.uk

Forced eviction of Mainshill Solidarity Camp under way – updates

Update, 6pm, Tuesday 26th:

This morning the tunnel team succeeded in clearing the expanding foam blockading the first door, inserted a camera into the tunnel, and removed one person.

Update, 6pm, Tuesday 26th:

This morning the tunnel team succeeded in clearing the expanding foam blockading the first door, inserted a camera into the tunnel, and removed one person.
A protestor outside site was arrested for breach of the peace.
The multilayered defence known as ‘the fort’ took all day to evict, with climbers bringing down the final two occupants as dusk fell.
Three more protestors held a pine plantation all day before being removed, with one man still occupying a tree there as the climbing team left for the night.
Although exact numbers aren’t available, there are still many protestors locked-on in the canopy.
The tunnel team will be working through the night again, but there are plenty of ways on to site for those wishing to help resist the eviction from the inside, and other roles for anyone wanting to support site from the outside. A total of 9 people were arrested today.

Update, 9am, Tuesday 26th:
Bailiffs & police worked through the night with only a two hour break – get up there today if you can.

Update, 4pm, Monday 25th:
19 arrests so far, of 60 people staying on site over weekend. Floodlights up around site, though camp is not secure.
The two main barricades, the bunker, and the ‘buckfast’ communal were JCB-ed, with the underground lock-ons in the bunker proving a challenge for the bailiffs.
Three treehouses at ‘buckfast’ gave the climbing team a run for their money, as protestors occupied walkways and climbed into the very highest branches of the trees.
Behind one of the barricades a double-layered tripod with a prism shaped skyraft hanging from its apex cost the NET another three or four hours. It was eventually defeated when they built their own walkway above the raft, attached ropes around it, cut the ropes which were suspending it, and lowered it to the ground. In a spectacular fit of risky behaviour, the NET then took down the double-layered tripod structure by kicking it.
A treehouse above a bunker, and the bunker itself (positioned above a tunnel) lasted another three hours. The tunnel team worked all night but only managed to expose the entrance to the tunnel.

Twitter
The people carrying out the eviction – the ‘national eviction team’.
Other contractors at Mainshill – dirty hands list
—-
25.1.2010
This morning at 08:30am around 25 private bailiffs, supported by 10 police, began their dawn assault to evict the Mainshill Solidarity Camp in South Lanarkshire.

The bailiffs are acting on behalf of landowner Lord Home (1) who is set to profit from allowing Scottish Coal to extract 1.7 million tonnes of coal from Mainshill Wood near the village of Douglas. Despite the formidable police and bailiff operation, camp members are staying put down their tunnels and behind their barricades, fortified towers and tree houses. Numbers at the camp have swelled over the weekend with people arriving from across the country. The eviction could take weeks and cost the land owner millions (2) and it is hoped that the delay to the mine and the price of eviction will deter those who want to develop new coal projects in the UK.

The camp was occupied 7 months ago in solidarity with communities in the Douglas Valley who have been fighting the plans for ten years. As such it was well received with many supplies donated by the camp’s neighbours including a full Christmas dinner. The setting up of the camp has heralded a campaign of direct action against the mining of Mainshill, a necessary step after the 650 letters of objection to the mine were disregarded when South Lanarkshire Council which granted permission to the application.

The communities have been blighted by the detrimental health impacts of the 4 existing open casts in the immediate area (3). Harry Thompson, former chairman of the Douglas Community Council (4), said:
“Despite massive community opposition to the mine at Mainshill, Scottish Coal and South Lanarkshire Council continue to disregard the interests of those living in proximity to the mines. The particulate matter released in the open cast mining process in this area has caused unusually high rates of cancer and lung disease. Granting permission to a new mine 1000 metres from the local hospital is the final straw”.

Mining in the Douglas Valley is intended to feed Britain’s increasing reliance on coal as an energy source. Coal taken from the proposed mine at Mainshill will result in the release of 3.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere if burned. If this and the other 18 proposed mines in Scotland go ahead it will be a massive contributor to climate change, and prevent Scotland’s climate bill from succeeding.

With the recent failure of the UN Framework on Climate Change in Copenhagen to reach a deal, communities worldwide will continue to be displaced and suffer from the mining and combustion of coal. One camper, Anna Key, expressed her determination to create positive change in the face of redundant political processes:
“I can’t do anything directly about the ocean becoming more acidic or melting icebergs but those things will only continue if we keep burning fossil fuels and accepting a culture that insists on the pursuit of profit through the exploitation of people and the environment. By acting in solidarity with community struggles we can stop this – there’s nothing else to be doing but digging up roads and building barricades.”

Those occupying the site have vowed to stay as long as possible, and resist any attempts to remove them. Doug Well, who is resisting eviction in a fortified tunnel, said:
“We’ve been here for so long now, and we really don’t want to leave. If this mine goes ahead it really will be a tragedy for the local people and for the climate. I’m going to do everything I can to make it as hard as possible for them to remove me.”

The eviction will take a few days, and there is still lots to do. The camp still needs your support, so try and make it to Mainshill if you can. Contact site phone 07806926040 .

For interviews from the camp including people in defences please ring: 07500163480
Website: http://www.mainshill.noflag.net

Notes:

(1) Lord Home is Chairman of Coutt’s bank, the corporate wing of RBS, and is currently being investigated for alleged fraud. See http://www.nowpublic.com/world/coutts-bank-chairman-lord-home-named-carr…
(2) A protest camp at Dalkeith in 2006 cost £1.9 million and took 11 days to evict.
(3) Information on the health impacts of open cast mines can be found in the Douglasdale Edition of the Coal Health Study online: http://coalhealthstudy.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/douglasdale_v42.pdf
(4) The Douglas Community Council has been staunchly against the open cast and has supported the Mainshill Solidarity Camp since the start, http://www.douglascommunitycouncil.info.

http://coalactionscotland.noflag.org.uk/?page_id=415
http://www.douglascommunitycouncil.info/index.asp?pageid=60854 (including maps of Mainshill mine proposal and other opencast sites nearby)

Mainshill Eviction Date Given: Monday 25th January & research about expansion of open-cast mining in Britain

Mainshill Solidarity Camp has received a reliable tip-off that the site will be evicted on Monday the 25th of January.

We’re taking this tip-off seriously and are preparing to resist any attempts to remove us from the area. Mainshill has stood in solidarity with the local community of Douglas for seven months and we’re not about to surrender to the wishes of fat cat landlords, scottish coal, or corrupt councillors any time soon!

Please come help us defend the woods! Come to the pre-eviction Gathering and find out how to get involved

For more info: http://coalactionscotland.noflag.org.uk/

For more info about coming to site please ring 07806926040.

——

150 NEW OPENCAST MINES ON THE CARDS FOR THE UK BETWEEN NOW AND 2025 CLAIMS NEW REPORT FROM THE MINORCA OPENCAST PROTEST GROUP

To meet Britain’s energy needs between now and 2025 a new study undertaken for the Minorca Opencast Protest Group argues that they are unlikely to be the only locality in the UK to experience the prospect of an opencast mine on their doorstep. This new report “Opencast / Surface Mining: It’s Role in Providing UK Energy Security” suggests that ten new opencast sites a year will need to gain planning permission between now and 2025, making 150 sites in all, if targets to ensure Britain’s Energy Security are to be met. Using Government and Coal Industry data the report highlights the following:

• Most British coal is already produced by opencast methods.

• In future, of an expected 20m tonne British coal production, 10 -12m tonnes initially is expected to be from current and future opencast mines, possibly rising to a 100% opencast production in the 2020’s.

• However there are no current projections for the need for coal if CCS technology does not prove itself to be viable practically or commercially.

• Nor do current estimates for the demand for coal take account of the possibility of developing new technologies that use coal such as Underground Coal Gasification.

• Only seven deep mine are left working in England.

• No new deep mine is likely without a public subsidy.

• Unless new investment is undertaken the existing deep mines have a limited life and all could be closed by the end of the next decade.

• To ensure energy security, a mix of energy sources including predominately opencast British coal is needed according to the Government.

• That the Coal Authority, responsible for promoting and safeguarding coal, argued in 2006 that to ensure energy security, 10 new ‘low impact’ opencast mines would be needed a year for the foreseeable future.

• In the opinion of those opposed to opencast mining, by increasingly relying on opencast coal to provide energy security for the UK the Government are condoning the creation of new coal supplies by methods which are not only extremely environmentally destructive but will blight the lives of thousands of people over the next 15 years. Coal produced by such methods. ‘Clean’ coal? It is hardly that.

• Numerous areas of the UK are at risk of being the victims of opencast mining in the future, 9 counties in England, 10 in Scotland, 3 in Wales and 1 in Northern Ireland. In addition 21 unitary authorities across England Scotland and Wales could also be affected.

This, the second of MOPG’s Research Reports reaches these conclusions after undertaking extensive research and analysing the results. It claims to be the first report of its kind on Britain’s Energy Policy written from the perspective of those who oppose opencast mining.

Steve Leary, the Report’s author and MOPG Spokesperson said

“This report demonstrates that those opposing the Minorca application in Leicestershire are not just engaged in a ‘Nimby’ issue. Opposing the Minorca application raises significant questions about the future energy policy the Government is being locked into – a growing reliance on opencast coal production. MOPG is to ask the House of Commons Select Committee on Energy and Climate Change to enquire further on the findings of this report and to ask questions about whether current policy is worth the desecration of 10 new opencast sites a year for the foreseeable future.”
Minorca Opencast Protest Group logo
This 32 page report can be downloaded from the following web page:
http://www.leicestershirevillages.com/measham/mopg-reports.html
It will be available on the MOPG web site shortly at this site address
http://mopg.co.uk/MOPG-Research-Reports.php

Drilling-Rig Sabotaged at Mainshill Woods

In the early hours of January the 13th an Apex drilling rig at Mainshill Woods was sabotaged.

The Machine was one of two drilling rigs working on the site of another opencast coal mine planned for South Lanarkshire.
Resistance is strong with a series of actions already this year.

See and take action against a list of contractors working in Mainshill Woods here: mainshill.noflag.org.uk

In the early hours of January the 13th an Apex drilling rig at Mainshill Woods was sabotaged.

The Machine was one of two drilling rigs working on the site of another opencast coal mine planned for South Lanarkshire.
Resistance is strong with a series of actions already this year.

See and take action against a list of contractors working in Mainshill Woods here: mainshill.noflag.org.uk

This action was taken by an autonomous group of people and is in solidarity with the Mainshill Solidarity Camp.