South East England – Page 26

Photographers turn out in solidarity against new “terror law”.

Reposted: 16.02.2009: everyone knows Indymedia’s a copper’s favourite read, but after a couple of hundred snappers turned up outside the yard this morning they’ll be queuing up today to see whose mug’s on the wire.

Because snuck in today under the usual cover of the war against terror came Section 76 of the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008.

This criminalises anyone ‘eliciting, publishing or communicating information on members of the armed forces, intelligence services and police officers which is “likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism”.

But given the police’s regular and blatant misuse of other laws such as Section 44 of the existing Terrorism Act and Section 1 of PACE, photographers feel it’s a racing certainty that it’ll get used to suppress evidence the police don’t want used against them.

“I can see it now”, wrote photographer Marc Vallee in Thursday’s Guardian ( http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/feb/11/police-terrorism-photography-liberty-central) “If you don’t stop taking pictures of me hitting this protester on the head, I’m going to nick you under section 76 of the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008.”

At least three legal cases are currently pending relating to such police over-exuberance at last year’s Climate Camp in Kingsnorth, Kent. Almost two thousand cops from 26 forces assembled at a cost of over 6 million quid and – having first harassed and delayed the press – chose to lay in on a regular basis on campers with steel batons.

Sadly for them these attacks were nevertheless filmed and photographed and this evidence stands ready to disprove the lies they make in justification for that behaviour. Imagine how much easier life will be for them in future if those newsgatherers can be taken away from the scene under threat of a ten year stretch.

High up behind the mirrored windows of New Scotland Yard the Forward Intelligence Team will have been at work photographing the photographers for their records.

And they’ll have noticed something new – as well as the usual twenty or so photographers they always target for “reporting the news the wrong way” there were a couple of hundred new faces: working news photographers who’ve had it up to the back teeth with being pushed around illegally on threat (and sometimes the reality) of arrest.

It’s no longer just an activist minority that sees through this sham of repression presented almost as a health and safety issue (keeping us safe from the bad men). Political police intrusion is becoming ever more invasive, is affecting all our lives and fucking up the freedoms we’re supposed to believe are (were?) our right.

This new law is just one more subtle tool in the armoury of public repression and this extraordinary turnout by what is normally an apathetic and politically careless bunch of photographers sends a clear signal that the worm is finally turning.

Plane Stupid activists accuse Ed Milliband of plane hypocracy

12th Feburary 2008

12th Feburary 2008
Plane Stupid Brighton Activists have interrupted a public meeting during a speech by Ed Miliband MP, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, unveiling a banner highlighting the hypocritical actions of the government in relation to aviation and climate change. The action exposes the contradiction between the government’s stated aim to cut 80% of CO2 emissions by 2050 and their plans to massively expand the aviation sector in the UK. The banner accuses the government of becoming a “Hypocracy” – a democracy governed by hypocrites.

The Plane Stupid activists dressed in t-shirts reading ‘Ed’s Popular Mobilization Team’ referring to Miliband’s call late last year for ‘Popular Mobilization’ on the issue of Climate Change[2]. Flyers listing the 34 airports planned for expansion within the UK[1] were handed out to the audience, demonstrating the apparent lack of government resolve for tackling the environmental issues that are crucial for safe-guarding our future. Demonstrating their disapproval of the governments un-democratic pandering to corporate interests, the audience made paper aeroplanes, which took flight in the direction of Ed Miliband.

“It is all very well for Ed Miliband to request the public to take action but it is time for the government to provide real leadership in tackling climate change.” Said Larry from Plane Stupid, “passing the buck is not an option if we are to avoid the chaos and loss of life Climate Change is predicted to bring.” The activists feel that their actions demonstrate their willingness to take responsibility in mobilising around the issue of Climate Change, and expect the government to similarly accompany their rhetoric with strong action.

“The government’s farcical plans for airport expansion are incompatible with meeting the required targets for preventing runaway climate change. We are engaging with the democratic process in every way we know how, but at the same time the government has hypocritically supported continued airport expansion.” Said Clare, one of the activists Brighton Plane Stupid.

Last year Ed Miliband championed the Climate Change Bill, yet in January he undermined this by supporting a Third Runway at Heathrow. The actions of Plane Stupid at this meeting highlight the incompatibility of these two positions, and challenge not only Ed Miliband but the Labour government in general to be held accountable for their commitments. Their actions similarly challenge Nancy Platt, Labour Party candidate, who will potentially perpetuate this style of government which is so full of promises, and yet so devoid of conviction. The democratic structures in place have been worryingly bypassed not only during the government’s decision on Heathrow, but also on Stansted’s second runway; where BAA has had more say than both local councils and respected scientific organizations, who oppose the planned expansions. There is a concern that these rigged consultation procedures may become commonplace, and this is what the activists do not want.

Brighton Plane Stupid activist Lucy stated “Anyone with as much access to science as Ed Miliband knows that the aviation industry cannot continue to expand. Miliband and a host of other MP’s have failed us on Heathrow, proving their words to be as reliable as quicksand, the global environmental situation does not allow us enough time to see this track record of deceit and hypocrisy grow”.

Mr Milliband was interrupted but not obstructed from making his speech in support of the Labour Party candidate Nancy Platt at the Brighthelm Centre in Brighton.

Ends

———————————————————————————————————————————————

[1] Taken from the Government’s White Paper ‘The Future of Air Transport’ Decenmber 2003
http://www.dft.gov.uk/about/strategy/whitepapers/air/utureofairtransportwhite5694.pdf
Accessed Feb 1 2009

[2] http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/3681149/Ed-Miliband-urges-popular-mobilisation-to-tackle-climate-change.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/dec/08/ed-miliband-climate-politics-environment
Accessed Feb 1 2009

Earth First! tree planting weekend in Pennines Fri 13th-Sun 15th March

The annual and occasionally hedonistic opportunity to plant thousands of native trees on a ecologically degraded hillside is happening in March. Organised by Earth First!

The annual and occasionally hedonistic opportunity to plant thousands of native trees on a ecologically degraded hillside is happening in March. Organised by Earth First! activists in collaboration with Calderdale community group Treesponsibility we will be based in Hebden Bridge in Calderdale. If you fancy a weekend of hard but satisfying work planting native woodland combined with good food and socialising put the weekend of the 13-15th March in your diary.

Earth First! tree planting weekend…

Date: Friday 13th – Sunday 15th March

Venue: We will be staying in a camping barn with comfy beds and heating. Bring a sleeping bag.

Transport: Get yourself to Hebden Bridge train station for a pick up at 6pm or 8pm on the 13th. Pickups are available by arrangement at other times if you e-mail in advance.

Food: All food will be cooked collectively and will be vegan.

Cost: £25 for the weekend. This includes all food and accomodation. You’ll have to supply you own beer. We will be visiting the famous Blue Pig public house on the Saturday night.

Need more info? Contact: treesponsibility@yahoo.co.uk or call 07983743894

Group out in force for the final days of the shooting season + arrest report.

4.02.2009
A quick report from Gloucestershire and Cotswold hunt sabs from the fields on the last Saturday before the end of the Pheasant shooting season.

On our last walking expedition through the beautiful Cotswold two weeks ago our small group of four came into some trouble with some of the security from the Brimpsfield park estate our small group of four were pushed around and shoved until we left the public footpath which was clearly marked on the map. Apparently it is fine to assault those who use a public right of way in the countryside if shooters are having a fun day’s massacre. The attitude of those who provide security for the Brimpsfield Park shooting is far from legal, they openly admit on camera they know where we live and will be paying us a visit, the shooters have ON camera refused to break gun, leaving activists with temporary deafness as chambers are emptied within inches of the heads of the sabs.

Saturday 31st Jan saw two land rovers packed with sabs stop five shooters during a rough shoot in the Cotswolds, after deciding to move onto a driven shoot in the area our land rovers were stopped by around 10 police vehicles and the while the drivers were being questioned by police all sabs went for a nice walk along the footpaths for a stroll. Unfortunately although the drivers and vehicles were released by police they were followed by the yokels who pulled in front of the vehicles and called the police where two activists were arrested for an apparent Aggravated trespass and Section 5 Public order for causing someone to be harassed alarmed and distressed.

One of the beaters made a statement saying that the two (one male, one female) had already been told to leave the land for three months by the police back in November, and that they had caused him to feel alarmed, harassed or distressed. They probably can’t decide which of those three things they are as they are still looking in the “word meanins book” (dictionary) so they can check the definitions.

Needless to say, we will be back for the new season and will continue to fight these animal abusers in our area until every last gun is silenced. Whilst preparing for the new season we will be out with our other local fox hunts helping to protect our wildlife.

More info check our new website below!

Gloucestershire and Cotswold Hunt Sabs
warn@riseup.net
http://huntsabs.wordpress.com

Call out for solidarity anti-nuke actions on 26th April (Chernobyl Day)

A call out for common actions against the construction of a new nuclear power station

Present-day Belarus is a post soviet country, on which territory a regime, police state in form and neoliberal in essence, fortified its position. For already 14 years the country is run by one and the same person Alexander Lukashenko, a populist at the beginning of his governing and openly pursuing antisocial reforms now. The freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly is not about our country. These basic values as well as the political opposition are suppressed. Peaceful gatherings dispersions, political trials, preventive detentions all this has become a norm of political practice in Belarus.

A few years ago the ruling top started to consider another venturesome project the construction of a nuclear power station (NPS). Lukashenko took a decision regardless of the public wishes and common sense. The decision was made with the active support of the international nuclear lobby. The construction is to be undertaken by a Russian corporation Rosatom. It is to be held in a seismically active zone, in a dozen kilometers away from Lake Naroch the largest lake in Belarus, which is ecologically unique for our country and is a tourists and holiday-makers attraction. On the construction will be spent $4 billion, which otherwise could be outlaid for alternative energy means development.

But the above-listed points pale before the fact that Belarus shared 70% of radioactive contamination after Chernobyl nuclear accident. But the government and the president are absolutely not concerned about that. They want to create a delayed-action bomb in the country, where one third of the territory is unfit for farming and berries/mushrooms gathering.

We, Antinuclear resistance, an anarchy group, come out against nuclear power engineering on the whole and against the NPS construction specifically in Belarus. A part of political forces in Belarus, including opposition, supported the NPS construction. Unlike them we do not believe in NPS safety irrespective of the political regime, within which it is functioning and being constructed. Our activity is based upon non-authoritarian principles, we do not cooperate with any political parties on a regular base, but with ecological organizations and grassroots initiatives.

On 26 April, the anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear accident, an annual demonstration Charnobylski Shlah (The Chernobyl Path) takes place in commemoration of the accident and the people who fell the immediate and lingering victims of it. Starting with the year of 1996 anarchists take part in the demo with ecological and antinuclear slogans. But nowadays the demonstration, instead of just mourning and commemorative event, is
gaining a protest mood: in the country, where dozens of thousands people have died as a result of the nuclear accident aftermaths and hundreds of thousands have acquired accident-caused illnesses or become handicapped, a new NPS is to be constructed! And that is done according to the common regulations of an authoritarian police state not asking the peoples opinion, but just confronting them with the fact.

On 26 April we will again take a most active part in the Charnobylski Shlah (The Chernobyl Path), well try to pass along to everyone our clear antinuclear position, will inform as many people as possible of the approaching danger. But now it is not enough! As an instrument of struggle against the state lawlessness we rely on the international support. We urge anarchists, environmentalists, antiauthoritarians of the world to carry out solidarity actions on 26 April 2009. We call for a decentralized day of action of any form, which could help people learn something about our problem and stop the impudent authority and their sponsors from IAEA.

If you already take actions on 26 April on your local problems concerning nuclear power engineering, please put on your list the demand for abolition of the NSP construction in Belarus. You are also welcome to participate in The Chernobyl Path in Minsk and other actions in Belarus.

Together we will be able to stand up for the right for life on a clean and ecologically safe planet!

If you have any intention to make solidarity actions with the Belarussian antinuclear movement or participate in the demonstration in Belarus please contact us:

antiatombel@riseup.net

Spread out the call out through any accessible for you information channels

belarus anarchists
http://belarus.avtonom.org

Stop Incineration Now! SchNEWS Film and Roast Fundraiser !

Stop Incineration Now Film and Roast Fundraiser –
Just released:SchNEWS Film:Wasters:The quirky & inspiring story of a group of climate activists from Stop Incineration Now! & Climate Camp, who occupied the site of proposed Newhaven Incinerator last year, July 2008.
Also featured:The Story of Stuff.
Announcement of International Day of Action against Incineration: 11 July 2009

Address: The Cowley Club, 12 London Road, Brighton BN1 4JA
Directions: From frnt of Brighton Station, turn left down Trafalgar St to end, then left ont o London Road, keep walking till u come to Somerfields, the Club is just a few steps further down the same road.
Nearest Public Transport: Buses on London Road, Brighton train Station
Postcode: BN1 4JA | View Map
Time: 2pm onwards
Price: Nothing to enter, £3.50 donation for roast
Phone: 07505016362
Email: mkechnge7@wildmail.com
Web: http://stopincinerationnownetwork.wordpress.com

Not Trespassing Walk on Brighton Downs

There will be a NOT TRESPASSING guided walk on the Brighton Downs next Sunday 25th January, meeting at Housedean Farm, TQ 370 092, at 10.30am sharp.

The Farm meeting point is on the A27 halfway between Falmer/edge of Brighton and Lewes, on the north side of the road/eastbound carriageway. Layby parking is available. The meeting point is on the Brighton to Lewes Cycleway. We will be walking wonderful Downland Access Land which the farmer has so far refused to make available to the public, though he is flouting the law in so doing.

The walk will be roughly 2 miles out and 2 miles return, though we will be willing to consider a longer return route taking in more sites if walkers so wish. The route will often take in steep ground, so it is unsuitable for folk with mobility problems, and for pushchairs. Dogs cannot be brought because there are grazing sheep and cattle. We will be crossing several barbed wire fences, and carpets squares will be available to assist people across without snaring.

Bring a lunch snack and a drink, and dress for poor weather.

Walkers without cars are meeting in Brighton at the Lewes Road/Elm Grove bus stop at 10.00am sharp to catch the 28 bus. Some car drivers will also attend the bus stop at that time to offer lifts. The bus stop is about 12 mins walk from Brighton Rail station.

Buses return to Brighton from Newmarket (on the opposite side of the road from Housedean Farm) every 20 mins, or walkers can go forward to Lewes, which has a rail station.
Walkers will be asked to contribute towards walk expenses. We suggest a £3 donation for those who can afford it. Come anyway, even if you can’t.

Further walks will be organised regularly thereafter. The next walk will be on Sunday March 1st.

CLIMATE ACTION NEWS SHEET 85, December/January 2008/2009

————————-
UPCOMING/ONGOING EVENTS AND ACTIONS:
————————-

1. Camp for Climate Action Gathering, 31.01.09-01.02.09
2. Earth First! Winter Moot, 6-8.02.09
3. Mobilising for the COP, 13-15.03.09
4. Do It Yourself! Course, 22-27.03.09
5. Fossil Fools Day 2009, 01.04.09
6. Coal Caravan, April 2009

————————-
UPCOMING/ONGOING EVENTS AND ACTIONS:
————————-

—————-
RECENT HAPPENINGS:
—————-
1. Case collapses against E.On blockaders, 14.01.09
2. Heathrow’s third runway gets the go-ahead and activists respond, January 2009
3. Plane Stupid shut down Stansted Airport, 08-12.08
4. 48 hours of action against E.on and new coal, 28-29.11.08
5. Scottish coal rail terminal shut down, 15.12.08
6. E.ON forced to abandon recruitment tour, November 2008
7. Kelsterback Forest Occupation (Frankfurt Airport), ongoing

————————-
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIONS:
————————-

1) Camp for Climate Action New Year Gathering, 31.01.09 – 01.02.09
2008 saw the biggest Climate Camp to date and the most incredible array of direct action against climate change on record. But what does 2009 hold in store? Regardless of whether you’ve been to a climate camp, all are welcome to come along to this exciting weekend gathering. We will be asking ourselves whether there should be another big summer event and, if so, what it should be. Already there have been many possibilities raised, ranging from another rural camp to a singular day of action. Other ideas include an urban convergence or a climate caravan. The gathering will also provide a forum to talk http://climatecamp.org.uk/?q=node/468

2) Earth First! Winter Moot, 6-8.02.09
The Earth First! Winter Moot is a weekend to reflect on where we are as a radical ecologist movement and on where we are going. The moot will be about discussing strategy, strengthening the EF! network, security and communications, and action planning. A session is also reserved for discussing a UK mobilisation for the UN climate conference in Copenhagen late 2009. The moot will be held in Brighton (t.b.c.). Please check the website nearer to the time for further details and email any items you would like to add an item to the agenda to moot2009 at earthfirst.org.uk.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/21557

3) Mobilising for the COP, 13-15.03.09
The UN Climate Conference of Parties number 15 is set to take place in Copenhagen on the 30th of November 2009, and it will be the biggest climate summit ever to have taken place. More than 12,000 delegates – business leaders, politicians, diplomats and lobbyists – are going to be discussing an international treaty to replace the failed Kyoto Protocol.

Tens of thousands of activists and protesters will be making their way to Copenhagen for this major event. In September 2008 people from more than 23 countries met in Copenhagen and agreed on a Call to Action, calling for people to start mobilizing and to carry out actions locally as well as coming to Copenhagen for mass actions.
Another international planning meeting will take place in March (13th-15th) 2009 where the concepts and strategy for action will be discussed. http://climateaction09.org/

4) Do It Yourself! 22-27.03.09
A course exploring tools for empowerment and grassroots social change, at the Findhorn Foundation

Can we manage our own lives and communities at the grassroots rather than retreating into fear, blame and stereotypes or looking to others to solve the problems? Many people believe that the answers to the big questions lie in community empowerment, bottom up organising. This course provides a chance to become confident using a range of techniques designed to this end and to clarify our visions for the potential of these approaches. We will also put aside time to deal with the emotions and doubts raised and include a range of short films and contemporary case studies.

The main aims of the course are to share with participants tools, knowledges, and initiatives which can be used to empower themselves and their communities, and inspire positive social change, based on co-operation and solidarity. The course will draw on the book DO IT YOUSELF – A Handbook for Changing Our World edited by TRAPESE (see handbookforchange.org) Email for more info: trapese@riseup.net

5) Fossil Fools Day 2009, 01.04.09
Just in case you missed the news – Fossil Fools Day is back! On April 1st, join the global day of resistance and pull a prank that packs a punch. Call-out now available on the website, so help spread the word. If you would like leaflets and/or posters send us an email and we’ll post you some – info@risingtide.org.uk
www.risingtide.org.uk/fossilfoolsday2009

6) Coal Caravan, 17.04.09 – 04.05.09
The fabulous climate caravan lives on. This time we will be the COAL CARAVAN, walking and cycling between the sites for proposed open cast mines and new power stations in the Midlands, Yorkshire and North East. On our route we’ll be talking to local people, organising bicycled power films and events, holding public discussions and displays, and linking groups from different areas to help strengthen isolated campaigns.

Precise details of the route are to be confirmed, but put the dates in your diary now! Meet up Friday 17th April (W. Midlands), to start our journey on Saturday 18th. The Caravan will end two and a half weeks later with a grand finale on Bank Holiday Monday (4th May).
The caravan itself will not involve direct action (although we may offer training, if local groups so request).
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/21915
/caravan@climatecamp.org.uk.

7) Earth Activist Training, 11-26.07.09
Learn the skills to transform a piece of land, a community, and our political and economic systems. Spend two weeks in rural Devon learning: Nature and wilderness awareness, Diversity in ecosystems and social movements, Solutions that exist: alternative energy; organic farming; natural building; bioremediation & restoration, Soil and woodland ecology and much, much more …

On completion participants will receive a permaculture design certificate. The course will be held at Landmatters Permaculture Cooperative in Devon. Costs: £200 – £650 sliding scale according to income. http://www.landmatters.org.uk / earthactivisttraining@riseup.net

8) Nonviolence for a Change Training, 2009
Turning the Tide will offer monthly workshops in nonviolent methods and strategies for social change. You can participate as a member of the year-group (committing to all eleven sessions) or only come to those workshops which interest you.
http://www.turning-the-tide.org

—————-
RECENT HAPPENINGS:
—————-

1) Case collapses against E.On blockaders, 14.01.09
Two environmentalists, arrested following a blockade of E.On’s Nottingham offices on Fossil Fools Day 2008, had the case against them dismissed on Wednesday 14th January. The case collapsed after it emerged that the prosecution had offered no evidence to support the charge of aggravated trespass. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) were found to have been negligent in their administration of the case and were ordered to pay the defence’s costs.
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/419126.html

2) Heathrow’s third runway gets the go-ahead and activists respond,
January 2009
Both Heathrow and Manchester airports were targeted Monday 12th January with the domestic departure lounges of both airports simultaneously occupied by protesters. In London over 500 people defied airport bylaws by staging a sit-down dinner, forcing airport operator BAA to close 18 check-in desks. In Manchester police used powers under Section 14 of the Public Order Act to contain up to 100 protesters on the ground floor of Terminal 3, with one arrest.

Meanwhile, Greenpeace revealed that a plot of land within the proposed expansion site had been purchased in an attempt to delay the construction.

When the announcement came on Thursday 15th, ‘climate suffragettes’ smashed the windows of the Department of Transport (http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/418697.html) and on Saturday 17th Jan, 500 flash mobbed at Heathrows terminal 5.

For all the details, pictures, videos and more visit –
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/418105.html

3) Plane Stupid shut down Stansted Airport, 08-12.08
50 activists from Plane Stupid shut down Stansted Airport by camping on the runway and surrounding themselves with fortified security fencing. Plane Stupid announced ‘We are genuinely grateful for the level of support from people who have agreed with us that desperate times call for desperate measures. We have used this action to ask for everyone to ‘please, do something’. We hope that all those that have expressed support for today’s action will now think about what they are going to do to ensure the survival of our planet and people on it’.
http://www.planestupid.com/?q=content/plane-stupid-shuts-stansted-airport

4) 48 hours of action against E.on and new coal, 28-29.11.08
The 48 hours of action was a great first shot across the bows. E.On were rattled, local and national media took an interest, resources were gathered and are now ready to go, a new website is now up and running (http://www.e-onf-off.org.uk/), a list of targets has been compiled and E.on know that if they try to build a new coal fired power station at Kingsnorth then they will face a barrage of direct action – both towards their daily operations and their supply chain. E.on be warned. Actions took place in: London, Brighton, Bristol, Norwich, Coventry, Nottingham & Coventry and at Kingsnorth itself. http://risingtide.org.uk/node/309

Plus, ‘Green Banksy’ invades Kingsnorth during the 48 hours: An
unidentified group allegedly penetrated Kingsnorth security and switched off almost 500 megawatts of generating capacity, cutting almost 2% off the nation’s power supply for about four hours.
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/12/414463.html

5) Scottish coal rail terminal shut down, 15.12.08
30 campaigners from Coal Action Scotland together with local residents peacefully blockaded the entrance to the Scottish Coal-operated Ravenstruther coal rail terminal in South Lanarkshire for 8 hours. The protestors were acting to oppose the five open cast coal mines that deliver coal to the rail terminal and in resistance to the thirteen new open cast coal mines due to open in Scotland. Protestors erected and scaled a 15ft scaffolding tripod, blocking trucks from entering the terminal. Others locked themselves by their necks to a conveyor belt and a bulldozer, preventing coal stockpiles from being loaded onto trains. An
estimated 6,380 tonnes of coal were stopped from being transported from the coal mines to power stations, preventing the equivalent to 11,675.4 tonnes of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere.
http://coalactionedinburgh.wordpress.com/

6) E.ON forced to abandon recruitment tour, November 2008
Anti-coal protests at graduate careers fairs around the UK forced E.ON to cancel its recruitment tour. The energy company, which is planning to build a new coal power station at Kingsnorth, Kent, saw seventeen of its careers events disrupted. This was a co-ordinated national effort from students involved in People & Planet, the Coal Action Network, and the Camp for Climate Action. Leaflets, banners, fancy dress, conversations with attendees and eye-catching stunts were used to embarrass E.ON and dissuade graduates from joining the company. The Royal Bank of Scotland, one of E.ON’s main financial backers, were also targeted at the fairs over their role in providing loans to build the proposed new power station.
http://leaveitintheground.org.uk/?p=185

7) Kelsterback Forest Occupation (Frankfurt Airport), ongoing Resist Frankfurt Airport Expansion – defend the forest camp. After Heathrow, Frankfurt is the largest airport in Europe. Fraport (the company running the airport) and the German government are trying to build a new runway, to massively increase flights. To build the new runway, Fraport need to clear 250,000 m2 of protected forest. For seven months, activists have been squatting the forest, building tree platforms and floating rafts to resist attempts to chop down the forest. January 2009 is bringing threat of eviction – and they need all the help they can get.
http://waldbesetzung.blogsport.de/english-information/ or
http://waldbesetzung.blogsport.de/photos/

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

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

———-

Please send anything you’d like included in this news sheet to:
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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
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EDO smashed – Gaza solidarity action

17-01-2009
Anti-militarist activists entered the ITT/EDO MBM arms factory in Moulescombe, Brighton in the early hours of this morning, where they are believed to have caused extensive damage to the offices, and to equipment used to make arms, including the ‘zero retention force arming units’ and ‘ejector release unit 151’ which the Smash EDO/ITT campaign says are supplied to the Israeli Air Force. The campaign became aware of the action when they received a phone call from those inside the factory this morning who said that they were ‘decommissioning’ the factory in solidarity with the people of Gaza, who are currently at the receiving end of the factories products.

The arms factory has been targetted by the Smash EDO Campaign for a number of years. In 2005 EDO MBM took High Court action in an attempt to curtail protest at the factory. They lost the action, which proved to be an expensive own-goal as it gave the campaign increased exposure, and brought it to national attention. In 2008 the factory was taken over by ITT.

Weekly protests have been held outside the factory since 2004, and there have been a number of national demos, at the factory and on the streets of Brighton. On October 15th, the SHUT ITT Demo succeeded in shutting the factory for the day.

According to reports in the national media, todays action may have the effect of shutting down the factory for some time. The BBC quotes Det Ch Insp Graham Pratt as saying: “Windows had been smashed and offices turned over in what I would describe as wanton vandalism, but with machinery and equipment so targeted that it could have been done with a view of bringing business to a standstill….The damage is significant and the value substantial.”

Prior to entering the factory, the activists made a video (attached) in which they explained their reasons for the action. One commented: “Israel are committing a gross crime now in Gaza. Israel have killed hundreds of children. I think its absolutely disgusting that weapons made in our cities and in our country are being used to kill innocent women and children. They have been used indiscriminately. If the law and the police cant do anything about it its about time somebody else did.”

About 30 police are believed to have attended the factory, where they witnessed computers and office equipment being thrown out of first floor windows. Nine people are believed to have been arrested and taken to the Hollingbury and Worthing Police Stations, where police say they are being held on ‘suspicion of burglary’. One protestor is believed to have required hospital treatment.

– from IMC UK

Decommissioners – video/mpeg 127M

For other reports of direct action and protests in solidarity with the people of Gaza, see the Indymedia Palestine topic pages

Five hundred flashmob at heathrow

[London,Sat 17] Midday today, five hundred people flashmobbed Heathrow’s Terminal 5 in protest at the governments decision to give the go-ahead on building a third runway and yet another terminal. Among the mob were four naked women, lots of red ‘no expansion’ t-shirts, umbrellas and Heathrow’s largest conga dance.

The flashmob had been called for the first Saturday after the decision on the airports expansion plans and comes at the end of a packed week of protests which has already seen the domestic departures lounge of terminal three occupied by a Climate Rush dinner, a plot of land purchased by campaigners in the middle of the propose new runway and suffragettes escalating the militancy of the campaign by smashing windows at the governments Department of Transport.

The week also saw twenty four Plane Stupid activists quietly sentenced for their part in the blockading of Stansted airport late last year.

Many more actions are expected and the Climate Camp is holding a national gathering in Oxford next weekend at which proposals to shut down Heathrow airport down completely for a day are expected to be discussed.

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Attracting most press attention were four brave young ladies who had saved the ten quid for a red ‘STOP AIRPORT EXPANSION’ t-shirt and instead opted for red body paint with a black message across their midriffs, ‘Simply No Slaughter’ and a pair of strategically placed gold sticking plasters proclaiming ‘art’ and ‘port’ (port was indeed on the left.)

Among them were many of the locals who have led the long term opposition to the project, including some I photographed on the march in 2003 in Sipson and Harmondsworth, as well of course as John Stewart of HACAN and local MP John McDonnell who many were congratulating for his seizure of the mace in the House of Commons when the announcement was made.

For three-quarters of an hour the demonstrators chanted, threw red balloons in the air and red tennis balls at an ‘Aunt Sally’ of Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon and conga’ed around the area and had there pictures taken by a large squad of photographers including some from the national press and some TV crews.

They were watched by a few of those waiting to check in and rather more police and airport security staff who made a loose ring around event. But although the atmosphere before the demonstration had appeared a little tense, with police making continued patrols through the departure area presumably looking for trouble-makers, they seemed pretty relaxed – and some were clearly amused by what was happening.

Finally Stewart thanked us all for coming, and repeated the determination of all those involved to keep up the fight to ensure that despite the decision, the runway will never be built. McDonnell was given a cheer for his action in parliament and everyone was invited to take a last chance to pelt Hoon before we all slipped away to the undedrground and bus stations.