Scotland (Central & Southern) – Page 39

Your mission, should you choose to accept it… (report from activist security gathering)

ID cards, injunctions, CCTV with voice activated alerts, national license plate monitoring, face recognition, directional microphones, network profiling, DNA databases, keylogging, phone taping, bugging and tracking, these are just some of the tools of repression being used against those battling to save the world from total domination and destruction.

This message will self destruct in 10 seconds…. 9.. 8.. 6.. 5.. 4.. 3.. 2..

One might think that this is some cloak and dagger spy thriller, or orwellian distopia – but todays world is one of overt and covert surveillance and repression. The likes of you and me are the target and this is no paranoid delussion – they really are out to get us.

This was the stark reality presented at a top secret conference on activist security that took place this month. Meeting in a quite location somewhere near the coast, dozens of campaigners from around the country came together to learn about the technology and techniques being used by the authorities and private agencies as they attempt to gathering information and disrupt and destroy campaigns.

The aim of the gathering however was not to make everyone paranoid and feel helpless in the face of the technological assaults on our privacy, but rather to equipe people with the awareness and knowledge to enable them to take steps to reduce the risk to themselves and those they associate with.

The two day conference involved a wide variety of workshops, some discussion-based, some practical or computer-based. Lessons learned by those attending included the importance of ‘need to know’, the now proven fact that switching off a mobile phone is not enough to prevent it being remotely activated as a bug or tracking device. Also discussed was how to spot and loss a tail, how to trap and expose infiltrators, issues of security for campaign groups and their offices such as maintaining a secure contacts database. Computer based skills covered included encryption of stored data and electronic communication, and ways to use the internet for research etc without leaving a trace.

Mush of the information presented during the workshops came from the document ‘Practical Security Advice for Campaigns and Activists’ and this, along with the experiences and ideas contributed by the participants of the gathering are apparently going to be put together as a printed booklet for distrubution next year. Additionally there are plans for a ‘walls have ears’ style poster outlining basic precautions which can be displace in meeting spaces and social centres etc to remind people of the need to consider security.

info@activistsecurity.org
http://www.activistsecurity.org/

21 Arrests as British Nuclear Weapon Sites Disrupted

11.12.2006

1st report: This morning the Trident submarine base at Faslane and the atomic weapons factory at Aldermaston have both been the focus of disruption as activists blockaded entrance gates.

11.12.2006

1st report: This morning the Trident submarine base at Faslane and the atomic weapons factory at Aldermaston have both been the focus of disruption as activists blockaded entrance gates.

At Faslane the North gate was blockaded by activists from the Trident Ploughshares campaign. The gateway was blocked around 7 a.m. by a group of cyclists who formed a cordon and then locked on to each other using chains and padlocks. Shortly afterwards another group on foot blockaded the gateway by lying in the road, joined to each other through tubing of plastic and other materials. Police, using specialised cutting teams, removed these blockages and made 14 arrests.

At the same time a group from Faslane Peace Camp blocked the road at the entrance to the South gate of the base, using lock-on tubes and barrels filled with concrete. It took two hours to clear the roadway. There were 7 arrests.

The Faslane protests are part of the Faslane 365 campaign which so far has led to over 350 arrests.

2nd report: Faslane Nuclear base successfully blockaded for over 2 hours

Garry | 13.12.2006 19:01 | Faslane | Anti-militarism | Scotland
Monday the 11th of December saw one of the most successful blockades of the Faslane nuclear submarine base since the start of the Faslane 365 campaign. The blockade was a joint effort between a group of Trident Ploughshares and the crew from Faslane Peace camp.

Monday the 11th of December saw one of the most successful blockades of the Faslane nuclear submarine base since the start of the Faslane 365 campaign. The blockade was a joint effort between a group of Trident Ploughshares and the crew from Faslane Peace camp. One of the roads to the base was completely blockaded for 2 hours and 10 minutes. In a day that saw 20 people being arrested and the running total rising above 365 people, 3 of the blockaders have actually been summoned to court on charges of breach of the peace.

At approximately 6:30 am a group of people from the peace camp assembled by the road leading to the base just by the south gate. After waiting for one of the patrolling police vans to drive past, they pulled part of the fence of the peace camp out into the middle of the road creating a temporary boundary between themselves and the police who were not much more than 100 metres away. Behind this fence they had hidden 2 large oil barrel lock-ons which were rolled out onto the road, 3 people locked onto them in a line then 3 others joined them with 2 tough steel lock-on tubes, and another â€œbabyâ€? oil-drum lock on creating a daisy chain of six people with 5 pretty hardcore lock-ons.

It took the police about 20 seconds to arrive on the scene by which point they had successfully blockaded the main road between Helensburgh and the base. The police called for back up and for the cutting teams and within minutes there were between 30 and 40 police on the scene. They immediately got to work cutting into the lock-ons and were as usual very concerned not to let anybody see what sort of cutting equipment they were using to the extent that they erected large visual barriers to conceal their work. Peace campers did however manage to get footage of their equipment from our birds eye observers in the trees. They had 3 separate cutting units at work on us yet it still took them 130 minutes to clear the road. 7 people were arrested at this incident 6 for blockading and one for possessing a rope and harness.

As this blockade was happening a second group blockaded the entrance to the base at the north gate. The group of Trident Ploughshares blockaded the round-about by chaining their bicycles together and locking themselves to them with D-locks around their necks. Others were arrested for simply cycling around the roundabout slowly. This blockade was successful in shutting down the road for half an hour. Both blockades together ensured that the work of the base was severely disrupted for the whole morning.

Of the 20 people arrested all have been released but 3 of the releases were under condition that they will appear in court on the 20th of December. These are the first of the 360 odd people that have been arrested to be formally charged with breach of the peace and gives an opportunity for the first time since the launch of Faslane 365 to actually bring the legality of the Trident system into question in court. Particularly important since the announcement by Blair that Trident is to be replaced despite being illegal under international law.

We are now witnessing an escalation of the campaign against the spectre of nuclear war. Expect to see much more civil society resistance throughout next year as the Faslane 365 campaign comes to a climax.

www.faslane365.org
www.tridentploughshares.org
www.cnduk.org
www.peacenews.info/
www.faslane.co.nr/

—————————————

Seven people have been arrested during an action which blocked two gates at the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston this morning.

The Aldermaston bomb factory, where preparations are being made for a new generation of nuclear weapons for the UK, has also been blockaded this morning by the Block the Builders campaign. The “Home Office” gate of the site was closed, causing a tailback of worker traffic as far as the A4.

The protest at Aldermaston was part of an ongoing campaign against the Â£5.3 billion development at Aldermaston which will not only provide information for the British nuclear programme but also for the US programme under the sharing of information under the Mutual Defence Agreement. The facilities include a new laser system which will help scientists create conditions similar to that inside a nuclear bomb to allow more accurate modelling. This allows Britain and the US to circumvent the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty which bans the actual testing of nuclear weapons.

http://www.blockthebuilders.org.uk/
http://www.cnduk.org/pages/altwhitepaper.pdf

A Trident Ploughshares spokesperson said: “Our government, far from honestly moving towards disarmament, is planning to tie us to weapons of mass destruction for the next 50 years. We must do what we can to put a spoke in the wheel of this ongoing crime. Trident, present or future, is an instrument for bullying and mindless, unrestrained violence. It belongs to a mindset of threat, hatred and fear and is the very opposite of what we need at this critical stage in the history of the human race.”

—————————————

Invitation:building support for action against climate change: 14th December, Manchester

What can we do to support and encourage radical action against climate chaos?

One of the follow-up meetings after the climate camp focused on what we can best do to support action taking place on climate change. There will be another in Manchester on Dec 14th.

What can we do to support and encourage radical action against climate chaos?

One of the follow-up meetings after the climate camp focused on what we can best do to support action taking place on climate change. There will be another in Manchester on Dec 14th.

We met at the Northern Eco-Action gathering in Bradford on November 11. At a productive and energising meeting, we came up with a list of concrete suggestions, and a whole load more questions to be answered. A report of
the meeting is attached.

We’ll be taking these questions forward at a further meeting, which will look at what we can best do to support local actions and groups taking radical action on climate change, consider how best to stay in touch and share skills and resources. Proposals from this meeting will be brought to the next gathering in Leeds in January.

We’ll be meeting in Manchester on Thursday, December 14, 11am-5pm. Bring food to share for lunch.
The venue is at Bridge-5 Mill (otherwise known as MERCi) – fully accessible & close to Manchester Piccadilly train station, details at http://www.merci.org.uk/visiting-b5m.php

We will be putting people’s thoughts and responses online in the lead-up to the meeting. Two of these are below: one a report from a workshop at the EarthFirst! Summer Gathering, one the reflections of one of the participants at the meeting in Bradford. If you have something to contribute to the debate that you would like people to read before we
meet, please email it to actionsupport@climatecamp.org.uk and we’ll circulate it to those who are coming.

If you want to read any other thoughts sent out before the meeting, or if you’re likely to arrive late or need somewhere to stay, please email actionsupport@climatecamp.org.uk to let us know you’re coming.

“Supporting radical action against climate change across the country

Report from meeting Saturday 11 November, Bradford Resource Centre
(Meeting to develop ways of supporting local climate action groups and actions, how to stay in touch and how to share skills and resources. Plus co-ordinated days of actions.)

We started by looking at what we need in order for lots of actions to be taking place.

Broadly speaking, they fell into two categories. The more abstract:

– inspiration
– buzz
– energy
– (feeling of) a critical mass taking part in actions
– sense of urgency
– hope

and the more concrete:

– people finding out about actions so they can get involved
– feeling of success (and publicising our successes)
– skills
– money
– information resources
– feeling of difference from approaches and tactics that haven’t worked in the past
– lessening/avoiding/ability to resist state oppression
– strategic reflection

We felt that the more concrete needs would follow relatively easily if the first were met: people’s energy and inspiration would mean that money is raised, information resources get researched and distributed, etc..

We identified as the main catalyst to inspiration and energy was positive reports of success from lots of actions taking place. So, the question became: where is the best place to concentrate our energy and resources to influence and establish the positive feedback loop that would lead to an escalation of direct action taking place?

As a precursor to evaluating this, we tried to list some of the more and less concrete things that would be likely to have this input, some steps that could be taken. This list is not comprehensive, but reflects the directions our thinking and discussion took on the day.

Resource packs
– briefings
– template actions
– press releases
– potential targets
– legal briefings
– reports of success stories
– leaflets
– stickers
– other merchandise: beer mats, branded condoms, lollipops etc.
– different modes of how local groups might organise
– potentially useful action tat (e.g. dinghies)

Skillsharing

Secure means of communicating and networking

Convergence
– face-to-face meetings
– parties
– big actions
– treeplanting

Publicising actions
– print media: ours
– EF! update
– schnews
– local newssheets
– print media: others’ (we provide the stories, they publish)
– liberal press (often keen for stories, sometimes sympathetic)
– more mainstream press
– cascading, decentralised methods, e.g.:
– word-of-mouth
– stickers
– graffiti
– email
– film showings
– web-based
– EF! action reports
– indymedia
– indymedia climate
– rising tide
– climate camp
(also use of email and web for distribution of paper-based media)

Ways in
– distribution of newssheets
– distribution lists
– people to help!
– friendship networks
– local groups contacts — publicised (not necessarily a group: can be person(s) up for stiff if more want to get involved)
– public meetings and gatherings
– presence on demos, at conferences, festivals
– big, advertised public actions
– stalls
– gateway actions/groups
– roadshow

Kickstart actions
– local
– bigger

Identity
– network identity rather than movement identity
– heterogeneous membership
– existing networks
– individuals
– groups
– friendship groups

Note on local organising (particularly relevant for contacts and for resource packs)
All local groups are different, and what works somewhere might not be the best way of organising in a different area. There are lots of successful ways of organising, including
– one ‘action group’ with a broadly consistent membership but changing focus, perhaps doing actions under different banners
– different groups with people who attend more than one as informal links
– different groups with a forum in which they come together
– there is no local group, but people occasionally come together to do stuff
We shouldn’t be prescriptive: there are as many sorts of local organising as there are local groups.

The way forward from here:
The main task ahead is to work out how we can best use our resources for the greatest effect. This goes both for which areas we prioritise, and how we can best tackle each area. In looking at, say, web-based publicity, we need to look at what it is we need to fulfill our aims, evaluate whether any of the existing fora meet these aims, and if not, if it would be possible to transform them into something more useful for our purposes, and the likely effort involved in this (worth comparing with, say, resources to set something up from scratch.)”

“NOTES FROM EF! Summer Gathering Workshop:
Building a movement for climate justice beyond the Camp for Climate Action

Most interesting is section 3 – HOW WOULD THE NETWORK BE ORGANISED?

1 WHAT SHOULD IT ACHIEVE?
* Dismantle the fossil fuel industry (and therefore Capitalism)
* Place CC at the center of social thinking/culture in wider society, not just us
* Provide support for each other Ã¢â‚¬â€œ knowing that others are working on the same issues
* Develop renewable energy, decentralised around the country, locally run
* Develop and set up workable alternatives
* Awareness raising and education
* Work to reduce consumption/demand Ã¢â‚¬â€œ also means reshaping how we think about economic growth/progress
* Focus on aviation/aviation as a new anti-roads movement?
* Focus on Nuclear be ready for nuclear new build with strong arguments and analysis

2 WHAT WOULD THE NETWORK DO/ HOW WOULD IT BE DIFFERENT?
* Direct action!
* Building housing co-op movement, urban/rural links to re-localisation
* Radical analysis not pissing about
* Think long term re-localisatiom (within the movment also)
* Working in communities allotments, residents groups.
* Works with NIMBY groups re aviation/nuclear.
* Links with majority world.
* Find weak points in system now increasingly info/communications rather than physical spaces.

3 HOW WOULD THE NETWORK BE ORGANISED?
* Need a group/named network to feel part of, to feel belonging and sense of support
* Setting up new network seems inefficient why not use whats already there Rising Tide Network? has basic structure in place, communication and decision making structures, news-sheet, web-hosting, etc., international element RT North America, Australia, etc
* No time for lobbying government
* Use social centres
* Gatherings for decisions making
* Regionally based support for local individuals

4 WHAT NEXT?
* Recognise that people are motivated to come together to work on a specific action or project, rather than form a group for the sake of a group
* So harness the energy coming out of the camp by calling for everyone to take part in specific upcoming actions it is this that will kick-start local groups
* Oct 3-4 Day of Action coinciding with G8 Energy and Enviro ministers meeting in Mexico (called by Rising Tide North America) soon but maybe good because there will still be a buzz on after the camp
* Oct 21st Shell sponsored Wildlife photographer of the year award RT is doing a tour of the country with people from Shell affected communities (eg. Rossport, Nigeria), along with an alternative exhibition, in the run up to the award winner being announced on Oct 21st. RT will only be able to get to a few cities people who come to the the camp could be part of/expand this?
* February 2007 possible International Day of Action against Shell (called by Rossport Solidarity)

* Another camp? Maybe local camps are more sustainable, so no big camp next year but lots of small regional camps.

* Also recognised that some new local groups will need support Rising Tide might be able to help, or at least help link up people who need skills/training with people who could provide this”

Nativity donkey arrested at Faslane North Gate

2.12.2006

A small group of protesters at Faslane Naval base were arrested at around 18:30 for holding a nativity-themed blockade at the North Gate to the base. The group of radical Christians are currently being taken to Clydebank Police Office to be held, presumably until Sunday afternoon or Monday morning.

2.12.2006

Yet another day of the Faslane 365 blockade ended as the police broke another weird and wonderful lock-on device. And tomorrow being advent Sunday, and thus, the beginning of advent, it seemed only appropriate that Mary, Joseph and the (lock-on-device-aka-) Donkey should arrive at the gate, only to be sent away again. Better put, it would be appropriate if you’re part of Prayer-i58, the radical Christian-based anti-authoritarian network.

Not getting what they wanted, they sat down and police moved in to arrest them, discovering over Â£50 worth of locks and chains holding the pair in place. After some time spent cutting them out, the police took them to the holding area just beyond the base, before beginning their journey to cells for the night.

Having phoned around, legal support can confirm that the pair are en route to Clydebank Police Office, where many other 365’ers have been held over the recent weeks. The total arrests number currently stands at 327 arrests (as shown on the F365 website). As today is a Saturday, it is possible those arrested might be inside until as late as Monday afternoon.

EF! gathering advance notice: date & contact to get involved

The Earth First Gathering 2007 is well into the planning stage.

Make space in your diary now: 18th – 22nd July 2007, somewhere in Norfolk. Please circulate this information widely.

If you want to get involved contact nexter@riseup.net.

The Earth First Gathering 2007 is well into the planning stage.

Make space in your diary now: 18th – 22nd July 2007, somewhere in Norfolk. Please circulate this information widely.

If you want to get involved contact nexter@riseup.net.

Thanx
The Collective.

The Camp for Climate Action was just the beginning! – next meeting January 13/14th, Leeds

Come and take the next steps forward and be part of a newly energised movement in the fight to avoid catastrophic climate change.

In August of this year hundreds gathered near Selby to confront the UK’s biggest CO2 emitter: Drax Coal Power Station. The Camp for Climate Action was an inspiring 10 days of learning, sustainable living and direct action to challenge the causes of climate chaos.

There is already much enthusiasm for organising another Camp, come and get involved on 13th/14th January at ‘The Common Place’ in Leeds (see www.thecommonplace.org.uk for directions). Meetings will run Saturday 11am-5pm and Sunday 10am-6pm.

This project is still at its early stages and details such as when, where and how to organise the next Camp are to be decided at this meeting. Food and crash pad accommodation will be provided. Everyone will be asked for a donation of around Â£10 to cover costs. If you have particular access or childcare needs, or if would like more information contact leeds@climatecamp.org.uk.

Please spread the news far and wide. You can download a rather nice poster here: http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/resources.htm

Some of the neighbourhoods from last yearâ€™s camp are meeting in the meantime to generate ideas for the next camp and organise locally.

London Neighbourhood Meeting
London Action Resource Centre
Dec 2nd 1.00pm

Yorkshire Neighbourhood Meeting
The Common Place
Dec 6th 7.00-9.00pm

Manchester Neighbourhood Meeting/Social
The Basement 24 Lever St, Manchester
4th December 7:30 ( http://thebasement.clearerchannel.org/ for
directions). Please email: mcragainstclimatechange@lists.riseup.net to confirm

Local groups

Some of these are specifically Climate Camp, Rising Tide or Plane Stupid groups, some are local groups involved in taking direct action against climate change that don’t necessarily see themselves as belonging to a national group.

Nottingham: nottingham[at]climatecamp.org.uk
Oxford: oxford[at]climatecamp.org.uk
Manchester: manchester[at]climatecamp.org.uk
London Rising Tide: london[at]risingtide.org.uk
South Penines: potzo8[at] yahoo.com
South West: caromac20032000[at]yahoo.com
Leeds/Bradford: katieplum75[at]yahoo.co.uk
Scotland and Ireland: scotland[at]climatecamp.org.uk
Cambridge Action Network: cambridge[at]lists.riseup.net
Birmingham: flatline[at]aktivix.org
Reading: climatejustice[at]postmaster.co.uk
York Rising Tide: yorks[at]risingtide.org.uk
Scotland Rising Tide: scotland[at]risingtide.org.uk
London Plane Stupid: london[at]planestupid.com
Manchester Plane Stupid: manchester[at]planestupid.com
Cambridge Plane Stupid: cambridge[at]planestupid.com
Oxford Plane Stupid: oxford[at]planestupid.com
Sheffield Plane Stupid: sheffield[at]planestupid.com
Sussex Plane Stupid: sussex[at]planestupid.com
Reading Plane Stupid: reading[at]planestupid.com

leeds@climatecamp.org.uk
http://www.climatecamp.org.uk

Trees Felled on Middle Meadow Walk, Edinburgh

28 Nov 2006 Fully grown trees are being felled on Middle Meadow Walk right now for Quarter Mile developments – urgent action needed As if the injustice in closing down a city-centre hospital to redevelop into offices, shops and luxury flats wasn’t bad enough, now trees are being felled in the name of private prosperity. … Continue reading “Trees Felled on Middle Meadow Walk, Edinburgh”

28 Nov 2006

Fully grown trees are being felled on Middle Meadow Walk right now for Quarter Mile developments – urgent action needed

As if the injustice in closing down a city-centre hospital to redevelop into offices, shops and luxury flats wasn’t bad enough, now trees are being felled in the name of private prosperity. Edinburgh City Council have given permission for the Quarter Mile developers to fell 10 trees (7 fully mature – one lime, and the rest Scotch Elm & Sycamore and 3 sapplings which will be replanted) along the Quarter Mile side of North Middle Meadow Walk. The felled trees, 6 so far and counting, will make way for pipelines to the development, shop fronts and a plaza.

Alarm bells were raised yesterday when it was noticed that Middle Meadow Walk had been closed for tree felling – 4 mature trees were cut down with one stump being at least a metre in diameter. This morning action was taken by a group of around 13 concerned residents who disrupted the felling by refusing to leave the area and linking arms around the trees to be felled. The felling was held up for an hour before the protestors were moved on by police. The last-minute nature of the protest and low turn-out meant that firmer action could not be taken.

Removing fully mature, healthy trees on public land to further corporate interests is wrong and adds insult to injury regarding the Quarter Mile disgrace. It was apparent however, that neither the tree fellers, building contractors nor police were happy about the trees being felled – but with their jobs and income at stake they felt obliged to continue.

It was unclear if all of the remaining trees would be felled today – if felling is continuing tomorrow take action, before all of our remaining green spaces are replaced by shop fronts and non-afordable housing.

eco-prisoners – Spirit of Freedom November 2006

Spirit of Freedom
(November 2006)
Produced by
EARTH LIBERATION PRISONERS SUPPORT NETWORK

“I thank you all dearly for writing”

Spirit of Freedom
(November 2006)
Produced by
EARTH LIBERATION PRISONERS SUPPORT NETWORK

“I thank you all dearly for writing”
(Jon Ablewhite, Animal Rights Prisoner)

Welcome to the November 2006 edition of Spirit of Freedom. First off I’d like to appologise for this edition of the newsletter being late. As people may be aware the USA-SHAC 7 where all due to start their prison sentences this month and we were awaiting to hear where they were before we went to print. Sadly all of the USA-SHAC 7 defendants are now in jail so we urge everyone to please write to them. They have been jailed for merely reporting the news, so please do support them. However, whilst supporting the USA-SHAC 7, please don’t forget the other prisoners. They also need our support. So please, no matter where you are in the world, please support the eco-prisoners and no compromise in defence of Mother Earth!

COURT REPORTS & LEGAL UPDATES

OREGON UPDATE
In early November 2006, it was announced that four Americans, Jonathan Paul, Daniel McGowan, Nathan Frazer Block and Joyanna Zacher, who are all defendants in the Oregon Case, had entered Guilty pleas to various charges against them.

When entering their Guilty Pleas these four remained true to their principles and although admitting their own guilt refused to name any
others. It is unclear what length of sentences the four will receive but it is clear they no longer face the possible ‘Life imprisonment without the possibility of parole’, which they were facing if they’d gone to trial. All four are due to be sentenced in mid-December 06.

Also in early November, Grand Jury prisoner, Jeff Hogg, was released from prison. Jeff had always refused to testify against anyone in the Oregon case and was serving an indefinite prison sentence as a result. ELP celebrates Jeff’s release and praise him for his moral stance.

With other news in this investigation, in early October 2006, two of the police informants in the University of Washington arson case, Lacey Phillabaum and Jennifer Lynn Kolar (also known as Jen), pleaded guilty to their roles in the arson which occured in 2001. Kolar also admitted to an arson against a gun club. Following their guilty pleas Kolar is expected to receive a sentence of between 5-7years imprisonment, whilst Phullabaum is expected to received 3-5 years imprisonment.

As soon as any of the sentences, of any of the defendants in this case, are known ELP will bring you the news. However we would like to remind everyone that we do not support police informants and therefore, although reporting their sentences, we will not be listing the prison details of any of the police informants in this case. We do offer our total support to those who have pleaded guilty to their personal charges but not cooperated with the authorities whilst doing so.

Also, despite the various guilty pleas ELP would like to remind everyone that this case is not over. There are still at least three defendants in this case who locations are unknown to the FBI. And also, Briana Waters has formally pleaded not guilty to the University of Washington fire and is scheduled for trial in May 2007. ELP will keep you informed as to all the developments in Briana’s trial.

NADIA WINSTEAD
In mid-October 2006, American animal rights activist, Nadia Winstead, was found Guilty of contempt of court after she refused to testify before a Grand Jury which is investigating a series of Animal and Earth Liberation actions. Nadia was granted leave to appeal her conviction and that appeal hearing is due later on this month. ELP will bring you more news just as soon as we have it.

IL SILVESTRE UPDATE
In early November 2006, Giuseppe Bonamici, was released from prison under house arrest. Giuseppe is one of ten Il Silvestre members, arrested in May 2006, who has been charged with using explosives to destroy an electricity pylon in protest against nuclear power. Following Giuseppe’s release this means that six of the ten defendants are now under house arrest, but four remain imprisoned.

The remaining four are all said to be doing well and remaining strong. One of the four Benedetta Galante, initially after her imprisonment found herself subject to strict mail censorship and only received a few letters within the first four months of her imprisonment. However, her mail now does appear to be reaching her and is described as “flooding in”, so much so that the prison doesn’t have enough mail censors to keep up with her post!!!

Besides the four Il Silvestre prisoners awaiting trial following the May 06 arrests, ELP would like to remind everyone that a fifth Il Silvestre activist is also currently imprisoned. Francesco Gioia is serving 5 years and 2 months for promoting & participating in COR direct action. He is also awaiting trial for escaping from house arrest.

JOE HARRIS
On 20/09/06 British Animal Rights activist, Joe Harris, was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment for taking direct action against Huntingdon Life Sciences targets. His tactics included gluing locks and slashing car tyres.

MADELINE BUCKLER
On 22/09/06 British Animal Rights activist, Madeline Buckler, was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment for sending hate mail to the Hall family, who use to supply guinea pigs to the vivisection industry.

ECO-DEFENCE PRISONERS

Fadalla Idris Alajaimy (address unknown). Sudan anti-dam protester on remand accused of Waging War against the State for protesting against the construction of a dam. The sentence for this crime is Death.

Mohamed Ahmed Alajaimy (address unknown). Sudan anti-dam protester on remand accused of Waging War against the State for protesting against the construction of a dam. The sentence for this crime is Death.

Tre Arrow, CS# 05850722, Vancouver Island Regional Correction Center, 4216 Wilkinson Rd., Victoria, BC, V8Z 5B2, Canada. On remand accused of involvement with an arson on logging trucks and an arson on vehicles owned by a sand & gravel company. Both arsons occurred in the USA. Tre is fighting his extradition to the USA.

Nathan Block, #1663667, Lane County Jail, 101 W 5th Ave., Eugene, OR 97401, USA. On remand accused of involvement in an arson against a Poplar Tree Farm and an arson against an SUV dealership. Also charged with involvement in a conspiracy to carry out direct action in Oregon.

Federico Bonamici, Casa di Reclusione, ia Nuova Poggioreale 177, 80143 Napolo Poggioreale (NA), Italy. Il Silvestre member on remand accused of using explosives to damage an electricity pylon. Also accused of planning to overthrow the State.

Marco Camenisch, Postfach 3143, CH-8105 Regensdorf, Switzerland. Serving 27 years. 1) Ten years for using explosives to destroy electricity pylons leading from nuclear power stations. 2) Seventeen years for the murder of a Swiss Boarder Guard whilst on the run. In ’02 Marco completed a 12-year sentence in Italy for destroying electricity pylons in Italy.

Ibai Ederra, Carcel de Pamplona, C/San Roque. Apdo. 250, 31080 – IruÃ±ez – Pamplona, Navarra (EspaÃ±a), Spain. Serving just under 5 years for sabotaging machinery at the controversial Itoiz dam construction site.

Rodney Coronado #03895-000, FCI Tucson, 8901 South Wilmot Rd, Tucson, AZ 85705, USA. Serving 8 months for his role in an Earth First! hunt sabotage against a mountain lion hunt. Rod is also facing additional charges relating to a speech he made at an animal rights gathering in 2003.

William Frediani (currently under house arrest). Il Silvestre activist sentenced to 6 years imprisonment for promoting & participating in COR direct action.

Benedetta Galante, Casa Circondariale, Contrada Capo di Monte, 82100 – Benevento (BN), Italy. Il Silvestre activist sentenced to 3 years 6 months for promoting & participating in COR direct action. Also awaiting trial accused of using explosives to damage an electricity pylon in protest at nuclear energy.

Francesco Gioia, Via Maiano, 10, 06049 Spoleto, Italy. Il Silvestre activist sentenced to 5 years 2 months for promoting & participating in COR direct action. Also awaiting trial for escaping from house arrest.

Silvia Guerini, Carcere “La Dozza”, Via Del Gomito 2, 40127 Bologna, Italy.
Il Silvestre member on remand accused of using explosives to damage an electricity pylon.

Leonardo Landi (currently under house arrest). Il Silvestre activist sentenced to 3 years 6 months imprisonment for promoting & participating in COR direct action.

Jeffrey Luers, #13797671, OSP, 2605 State St. Salem, OR 97310, USA. Serving 22 years & 8 months for arson on a SUV dealership & the attempted arson of an oil truck.

Ali Mohamed Alhassen Massad (address unknown). Sudan anti-dam protester on remand accused of Waging War against the State for protesting against the construction of a dam. The sentence for this crime is Death.

Eric McDavid X-2972521 4E 231A, Sacramento County Main Jail, 651 “I” Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA. On Remand accused of planning to destroy the property of the U.S. Forestry Service, mobile phone masts and power plants.

Christopher McIntosh 30512-013, USP Hazelton, US Penitentiary, PO Box 2000, Bruceton Mills, WV 26525, USA. Serving 8 years for a joint ELF/ALF arson attack on a McDonalds restaurant.

Alessio Perondi (currently under house arrest). Il Silvestre activist sentenced to 3 years 8 months imprisonment for promoting & participating in COR direct action.

Costantino Ragusa, Casa Circondariale, Via Prati Nuovi 7, 27058 Voghera (PV), Italy. Il Silvestre activist sentenced to 5 years for promoting & participating in COR direct action. Also awaiting trial accused of using explosives to damage an electricity pylon in protest at nuclear energy.

John Wade #38548-083, FCI Petersburg Low, Satellite Camp, PO Box 90027, Petersburg, VA 23804, USA. Serving 37 months for a series of ELF actions against a number of targets including McDonalds & Burger King; urban sprawl; the construction industry; and an SUV dealership.

Joyanna Zacher #1662550, Lane County Jail, 101 W 5th Ave, Eugene, OR 97401, USA. On remand accused of involvement in an arson against a Poplar Tree Farm and an SUV dealership. Also charged with involvement in a conspiracy to carry out direct action in Oregon.

ANIMAL LIBERATION PRISONERS

Jon Ablewhite TB4885, HMP Lowdham Grange, Lowdham, Nottingham, NG14 7DA, England. Serving 12 years for attempting to blackmail a farmer who supplied guinea pigs for vivisection.

Natasha Avery NR8987, HMP Bronzefield, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, Middlesex, TW15 3JZ, England. Serving 16 months for a public order offence after telling a fox hunting murder what she thought of them.

Dave Blenkinsop EM7899, HMP Rye Hill, Onley, Warwickshire, CV23 8AN, England. Serving 10 years. 1) Three years for a stave attack on the Managing Director of HLS. 2) 18 months for rescuing 600 guinea pigs from a lab supplier. 3) 51â?„2 years for planting incendiary devices under an abattoirs vehicles.

Madeline Buckler PR7492, HMP Morton Hall, Swinderby, Lincoln, LN6 9PT, England. Serving 2 years for sending hate mail to a family who supplied guinea pigs for vivisection.

Jacob Conroy #93501-011, FCI Victorville Medium I Federal Correctional Institution, P.O. Box 5300, Adelanto, CA 92301, USA. Serving 48 months imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.

Rodney Coronado. Serving 8 months for his role in an Earth First! hunt sabotage against a mountain lion hunt. See his details in the Eco-Defence Prisoners list.

Donald Currie TN 4593, HMP Woodhill, Tattenhoe Street, Milton Keynes, MK4 4DA, England. On remand accused of arson against a courier company with links to the vivisection industry including HLS.

Josh Demmitt 12314-081, FCI Safford, Federal Correctional Institution, P.O. Box 9000, Safford, AZ 85548, USA. Serving 30 months for an ALF arson on a University animal testing facility.

Darius Fullmer #26397-050, FCI Fort Dix Satellite Camp, P.O. Box 1000, Fort Dix, NJ 08640 USA. Serving 12 months for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.

Garfield Marcus Gabbard TB 4271, HMP Moorland (Closed), Bawtry Road, Hatfield Woodhouse, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN7 6BW, England. Serving 36 months for Affray during an animal rights demo where he jumped onto a car and kicked a security guard who pulled him off the car.

Lauren Gazzola #93497-011, FCI Danbury Route #37, 33 1/2 Pembroke Road, Danbury, CT 06811 USA. Serving 54 months imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.

Sarah Gisborne, LT5393, HMP Cookham Wood, Rochester, Kent, ME1 3LU, England.
Serving 51â?„2 years for conspiracy to cause criminal damage following the damaging of 8 vehicles owned by people linked to Huntingdon Life Science.

Joshua Harper #29429-086, FCI Sheridan Federal Correctional Institution, P.O. Box 5000, Sheridan, OR 97378 USA. Serving 36 months imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.

Joseph Harris, TN5728, HMP Lewes, Brighton Road, East Sussex, BN7 1EA, England. Serving 3 years for damaging the property of people associated with Huntingdon Life Sciences.

Kevin Kjonaas #93502-011, FCI Sandstone, PO Box 1000, Sandstone, MN 55072 USA. Serving 72 months imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.

Chris McIntosh. Serving 8 years for a joint ALF/ELF arson on a McDonalds.
See his details in the Eco-Defence Prisoners list.

Josephine Mayo PR6508, HMP Drake Hall, Eccleshall, Staffordshire, ST21 6LQ, England. Serving 4 years for attempting to blackmail a farmer who supplied guinea pigs for vivisection.

John Smith TB4887, HMP Lowdham Grange, Lowdham, Nottingham, NG14 7DA, England. Serving 12 years for attempting to blackmail a farmer who supplied guinea pigs for vivisection.

Andrew Stepanian #26399-050, FCI Butner Medium II Federal Correctional Institution, PO Box 1500, Butner, NC 27509 USA. Serving 36 months for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.

Daniel Wadham TF5524, HMP Rochester, Kent. ME1 3QS, England. Serving 12 months for a public order offence after telling a fox hunting murder what he thought of them.

Kerry Whitburn TB4886, HMP Lowdham Grange, Lowdham, Nottingham, NG14 7DA, England. Serving 12 years for attempting to blackmail a farmer who supplied guinea pigs for vivisection.

Peter Daniel Young, #10269-111, FCI Vitorvill Medium II, Federal Correctional Institution, PO Box 5700, Adelanto, CA 92301, USA. Serving two years for releasing mink and foxes from six different fur farms. Also awaiting trial for his alleged involvement in a raid on a fur farm in South Dakota.

PLOUGHSHARES PRISONERS

Helen Woodson, 03231-045, FMC Carswell – Admin. Max. Unit, POB 27137, Ft. Worth, TX 76127, USA. Serving 8 years 10 months for actions that focused on the interrelationship of war & the destruction of the natural world. The actions included pouring red paint over the security desk of a federal court and making threatening communications. Previously Helen had served 201â?„2 years for: 1) Using a hammer to disarm a nuclear missile silo. 2) Burning $25,000 on the floor of a bank whilst denouncing war, environmental destruction & economic injustice. 3) Mailing warning letters with bullets attached to Government & corporate officials.

OTHER ANTI-WAR PRISONERS

Brendan Walsh, 12473-052, FCI Allenwood Low, PO Box 1000, White Deer, PA 17887, USA. Serving 5 years for an arson on an army recruitment office in protest at the War on Iraq.

THE LECCE FIVE
The Lecce Five have been charged with “subversive association” accused of damaging Esso petrol pumps to oppose the War on Iraq; sabotaging the cash machines of a bank which funds an immigration centre; and targeting the multinational company Benetton in support of Mapuche land rights activists in Chile. All of the defendants are currently under house arrest.

ANTIFA PRISONERS

Lasandra Burwell W063658, Ohio Reformatory for Women, 1479 Collins Ave. Marysville, OH 43040, USA. Serving 5 years for taking part in an
anti-fascist demonstration which turned into a riot.

Igor Kisielewicz, syn Aleksandra, A.S. Bialystok, Kopernika 21, 15-377 Bialystok, Poland. Serving 3 months for failing to do his community service imposed for antifa activity.

Tomasz Wiloszewski, Zaklad Karny, Orzechowa 5, 98-200 Sieradz, Poland.
Serving 15 years for accidentally killing a neo-nazi whilst defending himself.

PARTY & PROTEST
Around the world there have been several massive protests against global capitalism and its environmental impact. The following have all been jailed in connection with the protests.

Jonathan Philip Robert, Crisp County Detention Center, 197 Ga. Hwy. 300 South, Cordele, GA 31015, USA (12 months)

OTHER PRISONERS

Ted Kaczynski (04475-046), US Pen – admin Max Facility, PO Box 8500, Florence Colorado 81226, USA. Serving multiple life sentences for the infamous ‘Unabomber’ anti-technology bombing & murder campaign.

Olga Aleksandrovna Nevskaya, UU163/5, 7 Otryad, pos. Dzerzhinskiy, Mozhaysk 140090 Moskovskaya oblast, Russia. Eco-activist serving 6 years for arson, criminal damage and causing explosions in protest at the war in Chechnya. Due for release in 2009.

Fran Thompson, #1090915 HU 1C, WERDCC, PO Box 300, Vandalia, MO 63382, USA.
Serving Life for killing, in self-defence, a stalker who had broken into her home. Before her imprisonment Fran was an eco, animal & anti-nuke campaigner.

MOVE
MOVE is an eco-revolutionary group who carried out protests in defence of all life. There are currently eight MOVE activists in prison each serving 100 years after been framed for the murder of a cop in 1979. 9th defendant, Merle Africa, died in prison in 1998.

Debbie Simms Africa (006307), Janet Holloway Africa (006308) and Janine Philips Africa (006309) all at: SCI Cambridge Springs, 451 Fullerton Ave, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403-1238, USA.

Michael Davis Africa (AM4973) and Charles Simms Africa (AM4975) both at SCI Grateford, PO Box 244, Grateford, PA 19426-0244, USA.

Edward Goodman Africa (AM4974), 301 Morea Rd, Frackville, PA 17932, USA.

William Philips Africa (AM4984) and Delbert Orr Africa (AM4985) both at SCI Dallas Drawer K, Dallas, PA 18612, USA.

Mumia Abu Jamal, (AM8335), SCI Greene, 175 Progress Drive, Waynesburg PA 15370, USA. In 1981 Mumia, former Black Panther and vocal supporter of MOVE, was framed for the murder of a cop. He was originally sentenced to death but is currently awaiting re-sentencing following a court hearing in 2001.

MAPUCHE PRISONERS & OTHER LAND RIGHTS PRISONERS
Due to space limitation we cannot publish the names & addresses of the Mapuche & Land Rights prisoners in this edition of Spirit of Freedom, however if you would like a list please contact Spirit of Freedom.

STATEMENT ON VIOLENCE
Some people listed in this newsletter have carried out violent actions.
‘Spirit of Freedom’ does not condone violence. But we are also against censorship & believe people can decide for themselves who they wish to support.

ABOUT E.L.P. SUPPORT NETWORK
ELP is an international eco-prisoner support network founded, in Britain, in 1993 to support jailed eco-activists. We support the prisoners by producing various regular prisoner lists:

Spirit of Freedom is ELP’s international bimonthly publication (available via e-mail or in a paper version). If you would like to receive a copy contact Spirit of Freedom, BM Box 2407, London, WC1N 3XX, England. Or e-mail ELP4321@hotmail.com

Urgent ELP! Bulletin is an e-mail service that distributes the names of any new eco-prisoner as soon as ELP gets their details. For more info e-mail ELP4321@hotmail.com

On-Line Newsletters – ELP has a number of websites that provide news, prisoner lists and additional info about ELP & the prisoners.

English language ELP Website
www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk

North American ELP Website
www.ecoprisoners.org

Turkish language ELP Website
www.geocities.com/yesilanarsi/elp.htm

ELP Extra is an e-mail group that circulates the details of political prisoners, ELP learns about, who do not fall within the remit for support by ELP. To subscribe to the list e-mail ELP4321@Hotmail.com

Belgium ELP.SN is our Belgium contact. For more info e-mail elp_bel@hotmail.com

German ELP.SN is a prisoner led initiative run by eco-prisoner Marco Camenisch. For more info contact Marco Camenisch, Postfach 3143, CH-8105 Regensdorf, Switzerland.

North American ELP is our North American contact. For more information e-mail naelpsn@mutualaid.org

Turkey ELP.SN is our Turkish contact. For more info e-mail yesilanarsi@yahoo.com

North American ELP Prisoner Fund. The North American ELP group has set up a fund where people can pay money, for North American Eco-Defence and Animal Rights prisoners, which will then be distributed to the North American prisoners. For information about the Fund and how to make a donation please contact naelpsn@mutualaid.org

DEDICATION
ELP feels it its important to remember those who have died defending Mother Earth. We use Samhain (a traditional time to remember the dead) as our opportunity to honour all our fallen friends who have died over the years.

Due to space limitation we can only list EF! & ELF style fallen friends.
But for a full list of all Animal & Earth Liberation activists who’ve died in defence of the planet check out our full memorial list on our website
www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk

This edition of Spirit of Freedom is jointly dedicated to American David “Gypsy” Chain, who was crushed to death in September 1998 when a tree was felled on top of him whilst he defended the forests; Italian activists Maria Rosas & Edoardo Massari who died in custody, in 1999, whilst awaiting trial for their alleged involvement in the sabotaging of a high speed rail line construction site in the Northern Italian Alps; Brazilian Jose Marlucio da Silva who was shot dead by police in July 2000 whilst attempting to storm & occupy a bank during an anti-GM protest; British activist ‘Jo’ whose body was found in her burnt out hut at the Nine Ladies anti-quarry protest camp
in March 2002; American Beth O’Brien, who died in April 2002 after falling from a tree she was sitting in whilst trying to defend the forests; Brazilian Bartolomeu Morais da Silva (aka “Brasilia”) who led the struggle against illegal logging, land fraud and destructive large-scale infrastructure projects was found murdered in July 2002 from shot gun wounds and his legs broken; American Robert “Naya” Bryan, died October 2002 after falling from a tree he was sitting in whilst trying to defend the forests; French activist SÃ©bastian B., who, in November 2004, was run by a train carrying nuclear waste after SÃ©bastian had tied himself to the tracks; American William “Bill” Rodgers who ended his own life in December 2005 following his arrest for a series of ELF & ALF actions.

If you know of someone who should be on this list, but isn’t, please let ELP know.
“ELP Support Network”

Steal Something Day, a shameless 24-hour stealing spree!

The 24 hour moratorium on spending, ‘Buy Nothing Day’ is this Saturday 26th November in the UK. 6 years ago some Canadian anarchists came up with a critique of ‘Buy Nothing Day’ and called for a new initiative, ‘Steal Something Day’.

As their original article seems to have virtually disappeared into the unrecoverable bowels of the digital archive of the internet, I thought I’d reproduce their critique along with it’s graphic and help document it. Hopefully it’ll help maintain their initiative for this ‘Buy Nothing Day’ and help people reflect on some of Adbuster’s problematic claims.

November 26, 1999 – Participate by participating!
(Press release from http://tao.ca/~lombrenoire)

For the past eight years, a few self-described “culture jammers” from Adbusters Magazine have dubbed the last Friday in November “Buy Nothing Day.”

From their stylish home base in Vancouver’s upscale suburb of Kitsilano, the Adbusters’ brain trust has encouraged conscientious citizens worldwide to “relish [their] power as a consumer to change the economic environment.” In their words, Buy Nothing Day “proves how empowering it is to step out of the consumption stream for even a day.”

The geniuses at Adbusters have managed to create the perfect feel-good, liberal, middle-class activist non-happening. A day when the more money you make, the more influence you have (like every other day). A day which, by definition, is insulting to the millions of people worldwide who are too poor or marginalized to be considered “consumers.”

It’s supposed to be a 24-hour moratorium on spending, but ends up being a moralistic false-debate about whether or not you should really buy that loaf of bread today or … wait for it … tomorrow!

Well, this year, while the Adbusters cult enjoys yet another Buy Nothing Day, accompanied by their fancy posters, stickers, TV and radio advertisements and slick webpages, a few self-described anarcho-situationists from Montreal’s East End are inaugurating Steal Something Day.

Unlike Buy Nothing Day, when people are asked to “participate by not participating,” Steal Something Day demands that we “participate by participating.” Instead of downplaying or ignoring the capitalists, CEOs, landlords, small business tyrants, bosses, PR hacks, yuppies, media lapdogs, corporate bureaucrats, politicians and cops who are primarily responsible for misery and exploitation in this world, Steal Something Day demands that we steal from them, without discrimination.

The Adbusters’ intellegentsia tell us that they’re neither “left nor right,” and have proclaimed a non-ideological crusade against overconsumption. Steal Something Day, on the other hand, identifies with the historic and contemporary resistance against the causes of capitalist exploitation, not its symptoms. If you think overconsumption is scary, wait until you hear about capitalism and imperialism.

Unlike the misplaced Buy Nothing Day notion of consumer empowerment, Steal Something Day promotes empowerment by urging us to collectively identify the greedy bastards who are actually responsible for promoting misery and boredom in this world. Instead of ignoring them, Steal Something Day encourages us to make their lives as uncomfortable as possible.

As we like to say in Montreal: diranger les riches dans leurs niches!

And remember, we’re talking about stealing, not theft. Stealing is just. Theft is exploitative. Stealing is when you take a yuppie’s BMW for a joyride, and crash into a parked Mercedes just for the hell of it. Theft is when you take candy from a baby’s mouth.

Stealing is the re-distribution of wealth from rich to poor Theft is making profits at the expense of the disadvantaged and the natural environment. Stealing is an unwritten a tax on the rich. Theft is taxing the poor to subsidize the rich. Stealing is nothing more than a tax on the rich. There is solidarity in stealing, but property is nothing but theft.

So, don’t pay for that corporate newspaper, but steal all of them from the box. Get some friends together and go on a “shoplifting “spree at the local chain supermarket or upscale mall. With an even larger mob, get together and steal from the local chain book or record store. Pilfer purses and wallets from easily identified yuppies and business persons. Skip out on rent. Get a credit card under a fake name and don’t pay. Keep what you can use, and give away everything else in the spirit of mutual aid that is the hallmark of Steal Something Day.

Download our detourned poster http://tao.ca/~lombrenoire, make copies and stick it up wherever you can. And don’t forget, send your scamming and stealing tips to us at lombrenoire@tao.ca.

See you next Steal Something Day which, unlike Buy Nothing, happens every day of the year.

Edinburgh Buy Nothing Day

World Buy Nothing Day is on saturday the 25th of November, we will be celebrating it on the east end of Princes street in Edinburgh.
To challenge the rampant consumerism that overshadows the festive season we will be celebrating WORLD BUY NOTHING DAY in Edinburgh. On saturday the 25th of November at the east end of Prince’s street we will be having a FOOD NOT BOMBS stall, along with festive musicians, and carnival. We will also have a Green Santa’s grotto with face painting and a space for kids to make their own presents and cristmas cards.

This event hopes to promote a reduction in the amount of things we buy and more ethical consideration about the impacts upon our planet and its people of our consumption. We also want to help people discover a more fun way to celebrate the festive season than simply buying stuff. So bring along your kids for a fun day out from 11 until 4.

http://www.buynothingday.co.uk/
http://www.consumermonster.com/