South East England – Page 30

Good news from Titnore + stalls, tidy-ups and open day/tours

Further success for the inspiring Titnore Woods campaigners reported in todays press

Trees saved from axe
Sunday 24th August 2008

A controversial housing development has been revised to save hundreds of trees.

Plans to build 875 homes on green fields at West Durrington, Worthing, sparked fury among environmentalists when they were unveiled in 2003.

Further success for the inspiring Titnore Woods campaigners reported in todays press

Trees saved from axe
Sunday 24th August 2008

A controversial housing development has been revised to save hundreds of trees.

Plans to build 875 homes on green fields at West Durrington, Worthing, sparked fury among environmentalists when they were unveiled in 2003.

Around 275 trees would have been axed under the original proposals as Titnore Lane, a winding country road, was straightened.

But the proposal led to protesters setting set up a permanent tree camp in woods near Titnore Lane.

Now the West Durrington Consortium, which consists of building firms with a stake in the development, has revised its design so that only 75 trees will be chopped.

It said around 2,350 trees would also be planted on the site.

The new planning application will be considered by Worthing Borough Council later this year.

—-

That’s really good news about the plans not to cut the trees, but really it’s no time to celebrate. This is by no means a victory as the question of ecology in the area goes far beyond the very small patch of woodland that was planning to be cut down. If these houses are built then the area is fucked.

That is also only looking at it from an ecological point of veiw, when really this, as with other housing developments goes far beyond the ecological issues. The building of 600 unaffordable houses (along with the 200 set aside for “key workers”) has many effects on the area, it is another act of gentrification, this battle is about more then trees and nature (for some involved) but part of an anti capitalist struggle.

Not to mention it is fucking pointless building more houses to rot and be unsold, except that we have more to squat in 10 years time.

They are nice trees though, I would be lying if i would say it didn’t make smile to think at least some them might remain.

—–

WHEN is a wood not a wood? When it has a road running right through it!

The “new” planning application for the West Durrington development in Worthing, West Sussex, is being sold to the Worthing public as a “response to public opinion” that will spare many of the Titnore trees.

But, like the original plans, it includes access roads that will cut right through the beautiful ancient woodland currently occupied by the protest camp. A wood is no longer a viable bio-system with a road cutting it in half. Wildlife like dormice and crested newts will not survive in what will be no more than roadside clumps of trees surrounded by tarmac and executive homes.

The developers do not mention that the lack of road widening was forced on them through legal pressure, rather than dreamt up out of the goodness of their hearts. And they do not mention what would be likely to happen in a few years’ time, when the massive increase in traffic to the new estate and the mega-Tesco would no doubt be expected to force a re-think on Titnore Lane for the usual “safety” reasons.

Needless to say, the battle against the destruction of our countryside in West Durrington goes on! We are urging everyone to send in their letters of objection to planning application WB/04/00040/OUT as soon as possible – October 9 is the very latest deadline. Write to James Appleton, Development Control Manager, at Worthing Borough Council, Portland House, Richmond Road, Worthing BN11 1LF or email planning@worthing.gov.uk

There will also be stalls in Worthing town centre, the first being next Saturday, September 6, from 11am at Holder’s Corner, Montague Street (near Liverpool Gardens).

And, of course, the camp is still going strong. There is, however, an urgent need for repairs to the infrastructure and defences, which have degraded over the last couple of years. Polyprop rope is badly wanted – as well as financial contributions.

If you can spare an hour or two to help at the camp, a tidy-up day is being held on Sunday September 21, from 10am. And then on Sunday September 28 there will be an Open Day, from 2pm. This will included guided tours, showing where the roads and housing are planned to destroy the area. Bring food to share.

More info: www.protectourwoodland.co.uk

Earth First! gathering – programme and travel directions

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

Travel directions:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The workshops

Wednesday

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

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

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

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

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

Thursday

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

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

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

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

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

Cinema: Seashepherd film and talk
8:30

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

Friday

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

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

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

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

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

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

Saturday

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

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

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

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

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

8:00
Cinema: Smash Edo film and talk

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Foie Gras Restaurant Attacked in Solidarity with Climate Camp & Pheasant Shoot Sabotaged

“The Devonshire Arms in Bolton Abbey is notorious for its persistent use of foie gras and other ‘delicacies’ that require animals to suffer acutely. This time the posh Devonshire landrover had its four tyres slashed and was treated to some paint stripper.

This action is dedicated to the Camp for Climate Action in Kingsnorth.

North Yorkshire ALF”

reported anonymously by Bite Back

—-

“Deep in rural Surrey we came across pheasant shooting equipment so decided to take some action.

Equipment was trashed, pens had holes cut in and hundreds of pounds worth of grain was left all over the floor to get wrecked.

In solidarity with the Ilkley Moor attacks*.

ALF”

anonymous report from Bite Back
*Ilkley moor shoot postponed

Day of action at Kingsnorth Camp for Climate Action

The day of action against Kingsnorth took different forms: the Orange group negotiated with the police to take a route to the power station, suitable for kids and parents amongst others; the Green group went direct for the fences; the Blue group took to the water and the Silver group was airborne(ish).

>>>E.ON’s Defences Breached Following Olympic Efforts by Protesters<<<

>>>E.ON’s Defences Breached Following Olympic Efforts by Protesters<<<
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Saturday 09/08/08

Protesters Evade 26 Police Forces To Enter Power Station Site

The Climate Camp at Kingsnorth was celebrating today as protesters succeeded in breaching the perimeter fence and inner 10,000 volt electric fence to enter the power station site despite the best efforts of 26 police forces with over 1,500 police.

The day started early with a flotilla of boats – the Blue group – sailing towards Kingsnorth in the sun. Over twenty crafts made their way up the Medway to converge on the coal loading jetty. Three people occupied the ledge above the power station’s water inlet tunnel while a banner proclaiming ‘CO2AL: Starter Gun for Climate Chaos’ was hung from Darnet Fort on an island in the Medway directly opposite the power station.

Kent Police have been claiming that they had to rescue rafters from the Medway, but the participants have stated that the safety precautions they had taken were entirely sufficient and at no point were they in any danger. “Its a bit cheeky for the police to say that we had to be rescued when for starters we weren’t in any danger, and secondly, they were the ones who had confiscated our safety boat this morning,” said Rebel Rafter Harold Cryer. “The River Police were very professional and courteous, unlike their landlubbing equivalents.”

Meanwhile, around 1,000 people from the Orange group headed from the Camp directly to the main gates at Kingsnorth, led by a colourful carnival dragon made by children during the camp. At the gates the Camp’s Christian Cafe crew held a service giving the power station its last rites. The group blocked the main entrance even after a police helicopter circling above had demanded the marchers disperse.

The few hundred strong Green group made it to the perimeter fence of the power station. Some used a section of fencing to make a ladder to breach both the outer and the inner electric fence. Others climbed a nearby pylon to hang a banner reading ‘Shut Down Kingsnorth'(2).

Spokeswoman Emily Davies said, “It shows how serious we are about stopping climate change that people from all walks of life were prepared, despite blatantly intimidatory policing, to take direct action to disrupt E.ON. This Olympic effort certainly deserves a gold medal.”

Campers have been signing pledges to return to Kingsnorth if Minister for Business John Hutton gives E.ON the go-ahead to build the first coal-fired power station in the UK for 30 years. They promise to take action against E.ON and other companies until they abandon all such plans. Elsewhere in the country people are currently down in tunnels resisting eviction of a protest camp on the site of a proposed open-cast coal mine in Derbyshire.

“It’s been a great today, but a real victory for us will be when we have conclusively scuppered E.ON’s coal-fuelled mania. If Hutton gives the green light to this power plant, E.ON can expect to be seeing a lot more of us in the future,” said Ewa Steckel, who has signed one of the pledges to stop the plant.

Bizarrely, Malcolm Wicks, Energy Minister stated yesterday that we need Kingsnorth to counter catastrophic climate change. (1). Campers reacted furiously, “Malcolm Wicks’ claim that building an unabated coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth is necessary to save us from climate change shows him to be delusional and dangerously scientifically illiterate.” said camper Ania Kemp.

ENDS

Contacts:
07772 861 099 and 07932 096 677

(1) See interview in today’s Guardian.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/aug/08/carboncapturestorage.fossilfuels
Q Patrick Wintour, Guardian: But why does the government not set a cut off point, such as 2020, by which time coal stations such as Kingsnorth would be shut if the clean coal technology was not in use?
A: Malcolm Wicks: “I think if we did that at the moment, when we do not know 100% that CCS is going to work, the engineering has not yet been tested and no one is fully aware of what the costs might be, then that would put an end to coal-fired power stations and demonstration plant and people would build gas again.”

(2) photos are available from www.indymedia.org.uk

———-

Orange:

Little video clip of orange march – video/avi 1.4M

Orange Block marches to Power Station. Arrives. Speeches. Police say go back. They march back to camp. Some people stay. They are all arrested.

—

The Children’s Revolution joined together with the Orange march to Kingsnorth power station on the day of mass action and combined with the children of local residents to help form a huge blockade which attracted the attention of all the international news media.

The Children of the Eco Warriors marched alongside the Kingsnorth dragon created by Raga the well known Quaker peace activist, and they were led by Kristoff the clown and the Carbon Town Cryer band.

The march itself was fairly uneventful with a number of arrests – there were mounted police at the front of the march and a snatch squad grabbed (only just, he nearly got back into crowd) someone for rolling up the ‘POLICE LINE DO NOT CROSS’ tape that was doing no good as we were in both lanes of the dual carriagewy, as the Orange group meeting agreed to do despite the Police insistence that the march, containing families and children, use one lane while lorries could zoom past in the fast lane. No way Jose!

At the power station banners were erected on the gates, and the police kept a watchful eye on the speakers using the Bicycology sound system microphone.

At one pm a police helicopter announced that the protest was over and that anyone who stayed in the vicinity would be arrested under section 14 of the Public Order Act.

Most of the climate campers drifted off back to the Camp for Climate Action but many stayed outside the power station gates and the Rhythms of Resistance samba band continued their drumming at the nearby roundabout.

Eventually the police started to push and shove a group of teenagers who had been part of the flotilla of little boats, and several police horses were also used to try to force them to move back to the camp site.

One young girl appeared to be snatched from behind by the police and the rest of the group were shouted at and bullied for about twenty minutes before the police finally gave up and left them alone.

———-

Green group:

There were several breaches of the perimeter fence. Activists used extra fencing that had been errected in advance of the protests as make shift ladders to scale the interior fence. Some also used them on the inner electric fence (the fence being turned off), with a small number of activists entering Kingsnorth itself.

———-

Silver group:
As part of the Silver Group actions, Pasty the CCS pig became airborne at around 11.03 for a short flight, but due to adverse weather conditions the CCS pig never flew far – boooooo!
Keep an eye out for future appearances 🙂
———-

Blue group:

Eco Hero Kayak Crew splash out on the Medway

A daring crew of 8 climate campers in inflatable kayaks kept police boats busy for 3 hours this morning heading towards Kingsnorth Power station on the Medway.

The fleet of 8 craft and 1 safety boat dropped into the water at around 9am this morning at a secret launch point near Rochester. They paddled towards Kingsnorth power station to join the protest against E-on and the building of the first new coal fired power station in 34 years. Their mobile craft allowed them to evade police capture for some time. The crew were picked up one by one by marine division officers finally ending up in a stand off on the Hoo mudflats close to the power station. All 8 kayakers were finally picked up at around 12.30pm, turned over to the Harbour Master and released without charge.
“The local papers say we’re crazy,” said one of the crew ” but what’s really crazy is that government and business are not seriously committed to combating climate change.”
All activist involved have signed a camp wide pledge to campaign to stop the building of the new power station.

—

8.30am and RAF Search and Rescue is hovering overhead. Pirates are hiding in the bushes at Upnor beach, timbers a’shivering. Police believed they’d be constructing rafts at the camp, but the reality is they’d been built and buried in the woods two weeks before.

The helicopter flies off upstream, and crews pour out of the woods. The inflatables got off easily, the IKEAs (build it yourself rafts) had a little bit more trouble and two, sadly, were intercepted by police launches almost immediately.

Others got away fine though, and sailed happily down the Medway towards Kingsnorth.

One crew stopped off on the way at an old fort to make a banner drop “Coal – Starting Gun for Climate Chaos” before ploughing on against a falling tide and getting stuck in the mud.

Afterwards we met up with the Coastguard. They were very friendly and complimented the crews on their attention to safety. But they were scathing about police activity earlier in the week. “When we heard they’d raided the camp and seized life jackets our hearts dropped” they said. “It was irresponsible and could have put lives at risk”.

—-

On Saturday the 9th of august four activists using great skill and dexterity managed to gain access to the water inlet area of Kingsnorth power station and sat on a ledge above the water.

While the protesters sat calmly getting to know one another and making phone calls to the local press the riot police behind the razor wired fence began to cut holes using bolt croppers to allow climbing specialists rigged with all their equipment to come from either side surrounding the protesters. The police removed a large sign from behind and another hole was cut in order to allow the police to pull the peaceful protesters through to the other side of the fence where barking dogs and riot police awaited. All four protesters remained calm and decided to link arms with one another. As the police struggled to pull them free they held on tightly and managed to remain there whilst more police joined in the task of removing the peaceful static protesters using all the force and tactics they could. Eventually after much effort from the police one by one the protesters were removed, after being handcuffed and searched (again) they were put in to the back of a police van this was the first of many as they went through at least three different vehicle on the way to the station. Three of the protesters were released later on that night and the fourth was charged in the early hours of Sunday morning where she then found out that unbeknown to her e’on had instructed “the water inlet cooling system to be shut down” thus causing major disruption to the entire running of the plant. The fourth activist was remanded and after attending court on the monday morning she was granted bail.

Well done to everyone that took part weather in the action itself (green, blue, silver and orange groups) or in climate camp in general (food, workshops, setting up and securing the camp) your input has been greatly appreciated and this success would have not been possible without you, thank you.

———-

Pylon-action:

This morning, climate camp activists scaled high voltage transmission pylons carrying electricity from the power station. As some activists began to scale the pylons, others made phone calls to the relevant bodies. They have now ascended past barbed-wire anti-climb devices and have hung a banner reading ‘Shut down Kingsnorth’.

Jo, one of the climbers, said: “We weighed up the risks and researched this carefully before deciding on this peaceful action to shut down Kingsnorth today. The threat posed to our climate change targets by the Government’s proposed new generation of coal-fired power stations is so great that we are prepared to do this occupation to ensure Kingsnorth is shut for the day. Climate change, driven by carbon dinosaurs such as Kingsnorth, already kills 160,000 people a year, according to the World Health Organisation. It is utter madness to build new coal-burning plants when we need urgent and deep cuts in our carbon emissions”.

The protestors are set to remain for the rest of the day as other protests against Kingsnorth and E.ON coal expansion plans gather pace.

The protestors are from this year’s ‘Camp for climate action’ at Kingsnorth in Kent. The week-long camp has been holding workshops on climate change and show-casing practical low – or zero – carbon alternatives. At the same time, it has been building up to today: a day of action to shut down Kingsnorth.

E.ON, the German-owned energy company, plans to build the first of a new series of coal-burning plants in the UK. The company argues the plant will be ‘carbon capture ready’, But the overwhelming majority of experts agree the technology won’t be technically or economically viable for at least a decade, if ever. Should the technology not be proven as a viable option, there is currently no obligation on the utility to fit carbon capture technology at all. In other words, there’s a very strong chance we could end up with a standard coal plant belching out millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide for half a century to come.

The pylons are sited on the Hoo peninsular at post code DA12 3HU which can be reached by road and which has parking. OS grid reference is TQ 694 737

Jo, one of those occupying the pylons, can be reached on 07879283517
Another climate camp spokesperson at the scene: Richard 07956163272
Available for media interviews: James 07964618657
Photos available at AP and other outlets

—

Update:
3 people, including the two climbers, were arrested around lunchtime under a section of PACE as the police were unable to verify their addresses (yeh, right). 4 hours later and the police have yet to confirm which police station they have been taken to.

This was one of the actions that have led to 1261 news articles generated by today’s actions, so far. Amazing, huge respect.

Direct actions by people from the Camp for Climate Action

Climate activists at Longannet call for closure date
6.08.2008
One-night mini Scottish camp outside UK’s dirtiest power station. SNP Government urged to set early closure date for plant and guarantee green jobs for coal workers in the growing renewables revolution.

A group of climate protestors were at Longannet power station in Fife this morning in solidarity with the Camp for Climate Action near to Kingsnorth power station in England.

Longannet coal plant, which produces a quarter of Scotland’s electricity, produces around 10 million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year – roughly equivalent to the annual emissions of 2.5 million cars.

Eight sciences students from the University of Edinburgh presented Scottish Power representatives with the recent respected ‘Zero Carbon Britain’ report from CAT.

Daniel Abrahams, a physics student, told Scottish Power, who run the plant:
‘Any talk of ‘clean coal’ or carbon capture is a total distraction. We need to radically reduce emissions in less than a decade and we just don’t have the time to wait for unproven technology when we already have renewable solutions ready to roll. Longannet must close by 2015.’

Sarah Holliday, a chemistry student from the Isle of Tiree said:
‘The SNP must urgently fund a transition deal for all those in the coal industry. All those employed in the carbon sector must be guaranteed green jobs in the renewables revolution.’

Notes to editors:

1. Longannet ranked as the UK’s dirtiest power station in a 2007 WWF report:
http://assets.panda.org/downloads/european_dirty_thirty_may_2007.pdf

2. The Scottish Climate Bill will bind Ministers to a target of an 80% in greenhouse gases by 2050. An 80% cut in carbon dioxide would mean total emissions for the whole nation of 10-13 million tonnes a year. Longannet produces 10 million tonnes now.

3. Alex Salmond recently described coal as a ‘fuel of the future’
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7487184.stm

————

Climate Activists Shut Down South’s Biggest Biofuel Base, Thurrock

7.08.2008
This morning climate activists from around the country have shut down the South’s biggest agrofuel depot.

The campaigners, who say that agrofuels will cause runaway climate change if left unchecked, have dropped a 35 foot banner from the top of one of the site’s biggest oil containers and are blocking fuel lorries from leaving or entering the base.

Dean Rivers, who is currently chained to the roof of the oil depot said: “companies like Greenergy and Tescos who use Thurrock are profiteering out of the rush to biofuels causing food price rises, hunger for millions, ecosystem destruction and accelerated Climate Change. These are crimes against humanity and the earth from which we may never recover.” The protest is currently stopping one truck from leaving the Thurrock site every 90 seconds.

George Monbiot, who is at the Climate Camp said “far from being a solution to Climate Change, agrofuels are so damaging they make petroleum look green. They threaten both to accelerate Climate Change and to trigger a global humanitarian disaster. I’m delighted that this depot has been blockaded and I hope it sends a strong signal that agrofuels are a part of the problem not of the solution.”

Last month, it was revealed that the US had buried a report from the World Bank which shows that agrofuels are responsible for 75% of recent food price rises. Despite this, both Europe and the USA continue to invest billions into the fuels, which under UK and EU law continue to make up 2.5% of the UK fuel mix at the pump.

Julia Brownlow, who is blocking lorries from entering or leaving the site said “Agrofuels are destroying the very ecosystems which can stabilise the climate – with the collapse of the Amazon possibly just a few years away I am left with no choice but to take action.”

The protest will continue for the rest of the day.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Agrofuels are biofuels derived from plant material grown in extensive monocultures.

what happened & biofuels explained – audio/x-wav 7.0M
————

Another climate camp action – Students Killed at Royal Bank of Scotland’s HQ.
7.08.2008
Fifteen dead bodies are currently lying in a pool of oil blocking the entrance to RBS London HQ at Liverpool Street [1]. Students are staging a ‘die-in’ blockade to highlight the devastating effects of climate change. The protesters are demanding RBS stop funding destructive fossil fuel projects which will create climate catastrophe. The action is taking place as part of the climate camp and is co-ordinated by the student action network PANDA [1].

A report released today by a coalition of environmental NGOs [2] reveals that RBS is estimated to have been involved in providing loans of over $20 billion to coal-related companies in the last two years – including the energy company E.ON.

Head of Climate Change Campaigns at People & Planet, Bronwen Thomas said

“Thousands of climate change activists are currently gathered at the Climate Camp in Kingsnorth to oppose E.ON’s plans to build the first coal-fired power station in the country for 33 years. Coal is the dirtiest fuel there is. Opening coal fired power stations is madness – We should be stopping climate change not making it worse”

PANDA student activist Alex Wood, 22, is currently chained to other activists in front of RBS. He explained his reasons: “I’m risking arrest today because RBS must take responsibility for the emissions caused by their investments. Climate change causes the death of 150, 000 people per year – each one of the fifteen bodies lying outside RBS represents 10, 000 deaths. To stop this number increasing RBS must act now.”

RBS, who refer to themselves as ‘the oil and gas bank’ has also loaned money to companies like Arch Coal, who are involved in the controversial technique of coal mining called Mountain Top Removal. This destroys the tops of entire mountains and produces large quantities of toxic sludge.

PHOTOS ON REQUEST: pandapress@hushmail.com

NOTES:

[1] RBS London HQ address is 250 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 4NR

[2] PANDA is People & Planet’s Associated Network for Direct Action. For more details see:
http://peopleandplanet.org/ditchdirtydevelopment

[3] The coalition of groups consists of Friends of the Earth Scotland, People & Planet, Platform, BankTrack, Stop Climate Chaos and Scottish Education and Action for Development.

[4] For more info on the Climate Camp visit www.climatecamp.org.uk

[5] For more info on the Royal Bank of Scotland’s financing of fossil fuel extraction see: www.peopleandplanet.org/ditchdirtydevelopment

————

Plane Stupid leaves Camp for Climate Action for protest at Gatwick
7.08.2008
Nine protestors from the anti-aviation group ‘Plane Stupid’ have left the Kingsnorth Climate Camp to mount a protest against short-haul flights from the nearby Gatwick Airport. The nine climate activists had been planning to protest against the government’s plans to expand Kingsnorth coal fire power station. However continual police intimidation and violence forced them to leave the camp, choosing instead to protest against the popularity of short-haul flights, especially during the Edinburgh Festival, from Gatwick airport.

The nine activists arrived at the airport at 7.50am. They then split into three groups. The first group scaled the wall next to the escalator above the train station, occupying the roof structure and dropping a banner: ‘SHORT-HAUL FLIGHT? LET THE TRAIN TAKE THE STRAIN.’ The second group mounted the mezzanine above the arrivals lounge, handcuffed themselves to a railing and dropped a banner: ‘STOP SHORT-HAUL’. The third group, dressed as ‘information points’, with t-shirts asking, ‘can I hinder?, leafleted the surprised crowd with information about the ecological cost of aviation and the irresponsibility of those who fly short-haul.

Lotti Rutter, one of those handcuffed to the railing, said:

‘It’s terrifying – we’re approaching a climate catastrophe yet the Department for Transport do absolutely nothing to provide us with a low carbon transport policy – there are a total of 139 flights from London to Edinburgh as opposed to just 22 trains. We’re here today to protest against short-haul flights. We’re well aware that a lot of people will be choosing to go to the Edinburgh Festival and we’re here to ask them to make the right decision – to take the train. In a time of climate crisis anything else is more than irresponsible: it’s Plane Stupid.’

Gatwick flies 26 times daily to Edinburgh. The same route is covered by a four hour train ride from London King’s Cross. However there are only 22 trains per day. The route from London to Edinburgh (by air) is also covered by Heathrow (66 flights), Stansted (31 flights), Luton (12 flights) and London City Airport (4 flights).

The activists are presently at Gatwick continuing their protest, after which those not arrested will return to the Climate Camp to continue their environmental action.

http://www.planestupid.com

————

World’s smallest campaigners scale Kingsnorth smokestack
7.08.2008
E.ON’s replica of the Kingsnorth coal-fired power station has been occupied by one inch tall climate change campaigners. The drama unfolded at the Legoland park in Windsor – sponsored by E.ON – where the Lego Kingsnorth is given pride of place next to Big Ben and Canary Wharf.

The Lego campaigners struck as hundreds of people gather at this year’s Climate Camp to protest the planned new coal plant at Kingsnorth in Kent.

The six campaigners appeared at the top of the construction at around 11am this morning, before unveiling a banner saying STOP CLIMATE CHANGE down the length of the tower. Lego police are in attendance at the foot of the tower, along with a Lego police helicopter.

E.ON proudly announced the construction of Britain’s newest coal-fired station at Legoland in 2006. The German utility giant is Britain’s single biggest greenhouse gas polluter. The company is aiming to have Kingsnorth 2 built by 2012. Despite claims that the new plant will be more efficient, it is estimated that it will emit 8.4 million tonnes of climate changing pollutants every year, compared to the 8.7 million tonnes the existing plant releases annually, and nowhere near the 80% reductions needed to combat global warming.

Neither the campaigners nor the police would comment, because they’re made of Lego and therefore can’t talk.

legoactivist@googlemail.com
http://www.youtube.com/user/legoactivist

————

Climate Camp activists superglue themselves to RBS
8.08.2008
This morning at 8.30 AM, activists from the Camp for Climate Action superglued themselves to the front doors of the Royal Bank of Scotland’s Oil and Gas Division in Bishopsgate, Central London wielding a banner reading “RBS: Cashing In On Coal”.

The following is taken from the Camp’s press release:

“Location: 199 Broadgate Court, Bishop’s Gate, near Liverpool Street station.

Royal Bank Of Scotland Targeted By Climate Camp Activists For The Second Day Running

Activists from the Camp for Climate Action have superglued themselves to the front doors of the Royal Bank of Scotland’s Oil and Gas Division in Central London [1]. Wielding a banner reading “RBS: Cashing In On Coal”, the campaigners are staging this protest to highlight the links between the financial sector, the fossil fuel industry, and disastrous climate change.

This action follows the protest at RBS’s headquarters yesterday, when 15 students staged a “die-in” blockade [2] to demand that the bank stop funding fossil fuel projects including the proposed new coal power station at Kingsnorth. Today’s action, which takes place as part of the climate camp and involves members of the climate action network Rising Tide [3], will show the bank that this campaign pressure is not going to go away.

In 2007, projects financed by RBS were responsible for more emissions that the whole of Scotland. Along with other banks, RBS participated in financing E.ON – the owners of Kingsnorth coal-fired power station – $70 billion over the course of 2007 [4]. RBS has financed companies like Arch Coal, who are engaging in controversial mountain top removal mining in the US [5], and are also financing companies like Dynegy [6] who are looking to roll out new coal power stations across America.

Sarah Horne, who is at the Climate Camp in Kent, said:
“The Climate Camp has always been about far more than just stopping a new power station at Kingsnorth. The fact that the Royal Bank of Scotland has been targeted twice in as many days highlights the intimate involvement of well-known high street banks in the destruction of our climate, thanks to the billions of pounds they invest in fossil fuel projects each year. We need to shift to a different kind of economy – one that doesn’t rely on endless economic growth at all costs, and respects the natural limits of the planet.”

Sam Harrison, who is currently superglued to the entrance of RBS’s oil and gas division, said “The fact that RBS have a special office dedicated entirely to funding oil and gas projects shows exactly where their priorities lie. We need to radically reduce our use of fossil fuels to have any chance of avoiding disastrous climate change, so it is completely perverse for RBS to keep pouring so much money into oil, gas and coal. We’re here to make them to take responsibility for their actions.”

PHOTOS ON REQUEST: press@climatecamp.org.uk.

For updates and interviews about the action contact Sam Harrison on 07939 142072. For information about the Camp for Climate Action, call 07531396232 or see www.climatecamp.org.uk.

NOTES:

[1] RBS London’s Oil and Gas Division address is at 199 Broadgate Court, Bishop’s Gate, near Liverpool Street station.

[2] The students posed as oil-covered dead bodies to block the entrance to RBS’s HQ. For more details on yesterday’s RBS action, contact Richard Roaf on 07801140192

[3] For more information about Rising Tide see www.risingtide.org.uk

[4] Project Finance, Issue No. 287, February 2008

[5] Bank Track, Mind The Gap, 2007, pp 124-5

[6] www.banktrack.org”

————

Naked protest at BERR

Photographs of protesters superglued to the sign of the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, 1 Victoria Street, London. August 8, 2008.

————

Climate campers target mining corporation
11.08.2008
An affinity group from Thames Valley Climate Action, inspired by this year’s climate camp, occupied the lobby of BHP Billiton today, supergluing themselves to the doors and windows and climbing onto part of the architecture. After several hours, they managed to negotiate leaving without any arrests.

BHP are the world’s biggest mining corporation. Based in Australia, they are responsible for mining hundreds of tonnes of coal, as well as for human rights abuses worldwide. One example is their involvement in Cerrejón, the world’s biggest opencast mine, in Colombia, which has displaced 14’000 people.

With all this in mind we decided to disrupt business as usual at BHP’s head offices in London. We scattered coal in the lobby, glued to the revolving doors and nearby windows, while a second door nearby was D-locked. Meanwhile a team of mischievous ferrets slipped upstairs in suits to see what else could be done, while others held a banner outside saying ‘BHP: Undermining the future’ (a play on their vacuous corporate slogan) and leafleted the intrigued passers-by.

When the ‘ferrets’ were dragged back down to the lobby, they joined the rest of us. One of them also glued to the revolving door, while the other held a ‘Coal Hearted Killers’ banner and eventually managed to scramble up onto a bit of the structure.

A couple of cops eventually showed up, but there was a tangible reluctance on the part of BHP to escalate the situation; they seemed to want to do anything necessary to get us to quietly go away! It was mainly because of this (and because they didn’t have any easy way of getting the climber down) that we were able to negotiate getting everyone away without arrest, after the glued on folk had been unglued by the police using a special chemical solution.

We adjourned to a nearby pub where we sat in mild shock at having done what we planned to do without the expected hassle of arrests..

We can heartily recommend paying them a visit! The massive plate glass windows provide a good view for passers-by, media etc.

BHP Billiton Plc
Neathouse Place
Victoria
London SW1V 1BH

There are also plenty of other similarly evil outfits around central London – do your own research!

http://tvca.atspace.com/
http://leaveitintheground.org.uk/
http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/

————

Climate Campaigners Target Military Base
11.08.2008
At USAF Mildenhall today, activists linked to the climate camp made a surprise appearance. Dressed as military aircraft and traffic jam both with CO2 technicians. They attempted to entertain whilst defiantly educating the troops and passers by. They said they where there to raise awareness of the large CO2 emissions created by Military aircraft.

A single KC135 plane uses 44 gallons of fuel per minute, emitting approximately the same amount of CO2 as 2000 cars. The planes are used for air-to-air refuelling and can carry 30,000 gallons of fuel – enough to drive a car over 30 times around the earth.

One of the activists, Mell Harrison said ‘We are here to show that military aircraft are not only committing war crimes, but climate crimes also. You very rarely hear about the vast amounts of CO2 emitted by the military and at a time when all should be accountable for their carbon footprint now is the time to put our efforts and resources into tackling climate change not fighting wars over oil resources. ’

Richard Jackson dressed as KC-135 58-0036 said, ‘Nweeeeeeeeearhhhhhhh phut phut phut phut’

Whilst dressed as an ‘alluring’ car sales girl, Pete Lux said, “Even if you do not believe that the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are counter productive as we do, there is still the large amount of unnecessary flying. Often the planes will do ‘touch and goes’ where they land and then take off several times. This is a needless emission of carbon dioxide, in fact during the 2 hours of our presence here we have had the same two aircraft taking off and landing continually. ”

Mildenhall is one of the major logistic bases for US Air Force and plays a major role in supporting combat aircraft in both Afghanistan and Iraq. US planes carry out about 40 ‘close air support’ missions every day in Iraq and a similar number in Afghanistan. Each KC-135 flies on average, for 435 hours each year. There are 15 KC -135s at this US base alone. This results in over 160 million Kg of CO2 per year.

Whilst at the US air base somebody with the group was told by a female Suffolk police officer that if she did not tell them who they were, how long they would be there and numbers expected, she, as the ‘nice police’ , would have to call in ‘ the ones with shields and dogs’. So looks like the police tactics of the last few days continue……
We did not see any puppies though.

As Climate Camp finishes, the group say that the campaign against climate criminals will continue all year round.

The KC-135 uses 2650 gallons per hour = 44.16666667 gallons per minute
Carries 90700 kg of aviation fuel = 126000 litres = 27800 gallons.
Average new car creates 140g CO2 per km = 12.6 kg CO2 per hour = 0.21 Kg CO2 per minute.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/kc-135e.htm
http://www.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=110
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avgas

————
Climate camp activists target environmentally ‘irresponsible’ meat industry
This morning, 11th August 2008, six Climate Camp activists climbed the roof of Smithfield meat market to highlight the links between climate change and meat consumption. The activists dropped a banner bearing the message “Fight climate change – Go Vegan”.

The activists also quoted the 2007 UN Food and Agriculture report that found that 18% of global greenhouse emissions are caused by animal farming – more than the entire transport sector worldwide. The protestors argue that all major political parties have failed to address this serious problem and as a consequence the public have not been encouraged to adopt an environmentally responsible diet.

The group is calling for more people to choose a vegan diet, which excludes all animal products including meat, eggs and dairy, in order to massively reduce climate altering emissions. “An animal-based diet is no longer sustainable with climate change threatening the planet, its ecosystems, and the people who depend on them,” said Clare Whitney, one of the activists.

The fossil fuel input to produce a day’s food for a vegan is just under 10,000 calories, compared to 34,000 calories for a meat eater – the equivalent of nearly 1.5 tonnes more carbon dioxide per person per year. As such, the climate camp protestors maintain, changing the way we eat is one of the most powerful ways for individuals to reduce their carbon footprint.

Smithfield market is one of the largest wholesale trading places for meat products in the UK. Eighty-five thousand tonnes of produce pass through it each year including meat, poultry and cheese.

Phil Murray, 22, noted: “the meat industry is up there with short-haul flights as one of the most environmentally irresponsible sectors.”

The action took place as part of the Camp for Climate Action, a week-long protest against the building of a new coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth in Kent, which, if built, will emit between 6 and 8 million tons of CO2 every year.

(This is actually just our press release but since the back light on our laptop just vanished we’re going to have to leave it as that…)

Climate Camp Vegan Action Group
angelo.b@talk21.com

URGENT CALL OUT: MAYO NEEDS YOU! NOW IS THE TIME

During the next 2 weeks, the Solitaire (the biggest pipe laying ship in the world) is set to begin illegally constructing the offshore section of the pipeline. It is believed that the Solitaire is on a pretty tight schedule & booked up for the next 2 years, so ANY disruption provides us with a real opportunity to delay the project significantly.

After the success of Climate Camp, come over to Ireland and support a community determined to resist Shell…but they need your help!
Although local resistance has been ongoing, the police and a hired security force have meant it is incredibly difficult. A few weeks ago 13 people were arrested in Glengad (1 man remains in hospital). However the police are now just escorting people from the site and not arresting people.

Therefore there is a real need for clever actions to help delay current construction at the landfall area in Glengad and the planned offshore pipe laying. The local people are calling for your assistance at this time.

It is expected that once the off-shore pipe laying is done, there will be another quiet period for several months before construction is due on the onshore section possibly next spring or summer, so NOW IS THE TIME TO COME!

If you cannot come over please do what you can from home …organise Rossport film nights, protest at Shell garages & offices, contact the Irish Embassy & media.

Travel details on camp website www.rossportsolidaritycamp.110mb.com
The cheapest and easiest way to travel from England-Ireland is to get a coach or train ticket that includes ferry too. www.sailandrail.com – 08705 455 455 www.coachacross.com
Accomodation is avaliable at the camp house
we can win but we need you
e-mail: rossportsolidaritycamp@gmail.com
Homepage: http://www.shelltosea.com, www.rossportsolidaritycamp.110mb.com, www.indymedia.ie/mayo

Spirit of Freedom (August 2008)

Produced by EARTH LIBERATION PRISONERS SUPPORT NETWORK

“The whole experience has been tough, but all the kind and strengthening words
and wise thoughts from strangers made it much easier!” (Former Swedish Animal Rights Prisoner)

Produced by EARTH LIBERATION PRISONERS SUPPORT NETWORK

“The whole experience has been tough, but all the kind and strengthening words
and wise thoughts from strangers made it much easier!” (Former Swedish Animal Rights Prisoner)

Welcome to the August 2008 edition of Spirit of Freedom. As people will soon see, ELP’s prisoner lists have grown yet again. If we exclude the Geek anarchist, Vaggelis Botzatzis, and the two Americans Richard Sills and Michael Sykes (all of whom are listed by ELP as ‘Other Prisoners’), there are now 40 listed animal & earth liberation prisoners in Europe & America.
There are also a number of non-listed prisoners, who are not listed either by their own choice, or because they betrayed their fellow activists and became informants. And remember these numbers do not include those people who are either under House Arrest or on Bail pending Trial. Nor do they include the activists whose locations are currently unknown and who are described by the police as “on the run”. Seeing so many good people removed from their families & loved ones for merely acting out of compassion and a desire to stop environmental destruction and animal abuse is heartbreaking.
Some of the prisoners ELP lists are very well known, others are less well known. However ALL of them deserve our love and support. ALL of the listed prisoners welcome letters of support. Even if it’s just a card saying “Hi. I’m thinking of you”. So please, no matter where you are in the world, support the eco-prisoners. And no compromise in defence of Mother Earth.

ECO-DEFENCE PRISONERS

Tre Arrow, SWIS #640393, Multnomah County Detention Center, 1120 S.W. 3rd Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97206, USA. Awaiting sentencing of six and a half years imprisonment having reached a non-cooperation plea-bargain with the authorities who accuse him of involvement in two arsons. 1) an arson on logging trucks 2) an arson on vehicles owned by a sand & gravel company. (Tre is a raw energy vegan – He has asked that his letters of support are written on scrap paper or tree-free paper).

Grant Barnes #137563, San Carlos Correctional Facility, PO Box 3, Pueblo, CO 81002, USA. Serving 12 years for setting fire to a number of SUV vehicles. The letters ELF were spray painted onto all of the vehicles. (Grant is a vegan).

Nathan Block, #36359-086, FCI Lompoc, Federal Correctional Institution, 3600 Guard Road, Lompoc, CA 93436, USA. Serving 7 years & 8 months for an ELF arson against a Poplar Tree Farm and an ELF arson against an SUV dealership. Also admitted his role in an ELF/ALF conspiracy. (Diet unknown).

Marco Camenisch, Postfach 3143, CH-8105 Regensdorf, Switzerland. Serving 18 years. 1) Ten years for using explosives to destroy electricity pylons leading from nuclear power stations. 2) Eight 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. (Marco is a meat eater who encourages organic living).

Daniele Casalini, Casa Circondariale, Via Burla 59, 43100 Parma, Italy. Il Silvestre activist awaiting trial accused of using explosives to damage an electricity pylon in protest at nuclear energy. (Daniele is a vegan).

Rod Coronado – See details in Animal Liberation Prisoners List.

Francesco Gioia, C.C. Sollicciano, Via Girolamo Minervini 2/R, 50142 Firenze Sollicciano (FI), Italy. Il Silvestre activist awaiting trial accused of using explosives to damage an electricity pylon in protest at nuclear energy. (Francesco is a vegetarian and Straight Edge).

Paola Gori, Via delle Macchie 9, 57124 Livorno, Italy. Il Silvestre activist awaiting trial accused of allowing her house to be used to plan illegal activity. (Paola is a vegan).

Bryan Lefey #38664-086, FDC SeaTac, Federal Detention Center, P.O. Box 13900, Seattle, WA 98198, USA. On remand accused of an ELF action that saw the damaging of GM trees and the damaging of US Forestry Service vehicles. (Diet unknown).

Jeffrey Luers, # 13797671, CRCI, 9111 NE Sunderland Ave, Portland, OR 97211-1708, USA. Serving 10 years for arson on a SUV dealership & the attempted arson of an oil truck. The original sentence was 22 years & 8 months, but was reduced on appeal. (Diet unknown).

Eric McDavid, 16209-097. FCI Victorville Medium II, PO BOX 5700, Adelanto, CA 92301, USA. Serving 19 years & 7 months for planning to destroy the property of the U.S. Forestry Service, mobile phone masts and power plants. At the point of his arrest no criminal damage has actually occurred. (Eric is a vegan).

Daniel McGowan, #63794-053, FCI Terre Haute, Federal Correctional Institution, P.O. Box 33, Terre Haute, IN 47808, USA. Serving 7 years for an ELF arson against a Poplar Tree Farm and an ELF arson against an old growth logging corporation. Also admitted his role in an ELF/ALF conspiracy. At the moment Daniel is in transit as he has been ordered to appear before some Grand Juries. Daniel is refusing to answer the Grand Jury questions and is gaining additional prison time because of this (Daniel is a vegetarian).

Jonathan Paul – See details in Animal Liberation Prisoners List.

Briana Waters, 36432-086, FDC – Seatac, Federal Detention Center, P.O. Box 13900, Seattle, WA 98198, USA. Serving six years for involvement in an ELF arson on a University. (Diet unknown).

Joyanna Zacher, #36360-086, FCI Dublin, 5700 8th St.- Camp Parks- Unit F, Dublin, CA 94568, USA. Serving 7 years & 8 months for an ELF arson against a Poplar Tree Farm and an ELF arson against an SUV dealership. Also admitted her role in an ELF/ALF conspiracy. (Diet unknown).

ANIMAL LIBERATION PRISONERS
(All Animal Liberation Prisoners follow a minimum vegetarian diet and most are vegan).

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. (Jon is a vegan).

Dan Amos VN7818, HMP Exeter, 30 New North Road, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4EX, England. On remand having pleaded guilty to conspiracy to blackmail Huntingdon Life Sciences. (Dan is a vegan)

Gregg Avery TA7450, HMP Winchester, Romsey Road, Winchester, SO22 5DF, England. On remand having pleaded guilty to conspiracy to blackmail Huntingdon Life Sciences. (Gregg is a vegan).

Natasha Avery NR8987, HMP Bronzefield, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, Middx. TW15 3JZ, England. On remand having pleaded guilty to conspiracy to blackmail Huntingdon Life Sciences. (Nat is a vegan).

Mel Broughton TN9138, HMP Woodhill, Tattenhoe Street, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK4 4DA, England. On remand accused of involvement with an arson and blackmail campaign against an Oxford University vivisection establishment.
(Mel is a vegan).

Martin Balluch, (JA Josefstadt), Justizanstalt Wr. Neustadt, Maximiliang. 3, 2700 Wr. Neustadt, Austria. One of ten Austrian’s held on remand accused of various animal rights actions. (Martin is a vegan)

Christoph, Antirep 2008, Postfach 101, 1070, Vienna, Austria. One of ten Austrian’s held on remand accused of various animal rights actions. At the moment Christopher does not wish to have his full name published. (Christoph is a vegan).

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. (Jake is a vegan).

Rodney Coronado #03895-000, FCI El Reno, PO Box 1500, El Reno, OK 73036, USA. Serving one-year imprisonment after he informed people how to make an incendiary device during a speech at an animal rights gathering. (Rod is a vegetarian).

Donald Currie A3660AA, HMP Parkhurst, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 5NX, England. Serving an Indeterminate Sentence, of not less than six actual years, for carrying out arsons against targets associated the vivisection industry including HLS. (Don is a vegan).

Jürgen Faulmann, Justizanstalt Wr. Neustadt, Maximiliang. 3, 2700 Wr. Neustadt, Austria. One of ten Austrian’s held on remand accused of various animal rights actions. (Jurgen is a vegan).

Lauren Gazzola #93497-011, FCI Danbury, Federal Correctional Institution, Route #37Danbury, CT 06811, USA. Serving 54 months imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign. (Lauren is a vegan).

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. (Josh is a vegan).

Felix Hnat (JA Eisenstadt), Justizanstalt Wr. Neustadt, Maximiliang. 3, 2700 Wr. Neustadt, Austria. One of ten Austrian’s held on remand accused of various animal rights actions. (Felix is a vegan).

Jan, Antirep 2008, Postfach 101, 1070, Vienna, Austria. One of ten Austrian’s held on remand accused of various animal rights actions. At the moment Jan does not wish to have his full name published. (Jan is a vegan).

Kevin Kroemmer, Antirep 2008, Postfach 101, 1070, Vienna, Austria. One of ten Austrian’s held on remand accused of various animal rights actions. (Kevin is a vegan)

Sean Kirtley WC 6977, HM Prison Blakenhurst, Hewell Lane, Redditch, B97 6QS, England. Serving four and a half years for running an anti-vivisection campaign website. (Sean is a vegan).

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

Leo, Antirep 2008, Postfach 101, 1070, Vienna, Austria. One of ten Austrian’s held on remand accused of various animal rights actions. At the moment Leo does not wish to have his full name published. (Leo is a vegan).

Daniel McGowan – See details in Eco Defence Prisoners List.

Christian Moser, Justizanstalt Wr. Neustadt, Maximiliang. 3, 2700 Wr. Neustadt, Austria. One of ten Austrian’s held on remand accused of various animal rights actions. (Christian is a vegan).

Heather Nicholson VM4859, HMP Bronzefield, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, Middx. TW15 3JZ, England. On remand accused of conspiracy to blackmail, in relation to her involvement with the SHAC campaign. (Heather is a vegan).

Jonathan Paul, #07167-085, FCI Phoenix, Federal Correctional Institution, 37910 N 45th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85086, USA. Sentenced to 51 months for an ALF arson on a horse meat plant. Also admitted his role in an ELF/ALF conspiracy. (Jonathan is a vegan).

Sabine, Antirep 2008, Postfach 101, 1070, Vienna, Austria. One of ten Austrian’s held on remand accused of various animal rights actions. At the moment Sabine does not wish to have their full name published. (Sabine is a vegan).

Andrew Stepanian #26399-050, USP Marion, P.O. Box 1000 Marion, IL 62959, USA. Serving 36 months for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign. (Andrew is a vegan).

Elmar Völkl (JA Eisenstadt), Justizanstalt Wr. Neustadt, Maximiliang. 3, 2700 Wr. Neustadt, Austria. One of ten Austrian’s held on remand accused of various animal rights actions. (Elmar is a vegan).

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. (Kerry is a vegan).

Sarah Whitehead, VM7684, HMP Bronzefield, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, Middx, TW15 3JZ, England. Serving two years for: 1) rescuing a puppy from horrific conditions. 2) rescuing over 100 animals from a pet breeder who was later prosecuted for animal abuse. Also awaiting trial for SHAC activity. (Sarah is a vegan)

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 20½ 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. (Diet unknown).

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 either under house arrest or released on bail.

ANTIFA PRISONERS

Vahtang Devitlidze, ul. Libbedova 42, UO 68/2, otryad 14, brigada 142, g. Hagyshensk, Krasnodarskiy Kray, 352680 Russia. Serving 2½ years for stabbing a neo-nazi in the leg whilst defending himself from attack. (Diet unknown).

Augustin Kraus, Vazebni veznice, PP-1, Litomerice, 41 201, Czech Republic.
Serving 14 months for his participation in attacks against local neo-nazis. His charge was “bodily harm”. He speaks Czech, Slovak and Polish. You can also write him short postcards in English. (Diet unknown).

Fabio Milan, C.C. via Pianezza 300, 10151 Torino, Italy. On remand accused of fighting with the police after an anti-fascist protest. (Diet unknown).

Andrea Neff, Bnr: 746/07/2, Justizvollzugsanstalt fur Frauen in Berlin, Arkonastrasse 56, 13189 Berlin, Germany. Serving 14 months for anti-fascist activity. (Diet unknown).

Christian Sümmermann, Bnr: 441/08/5, JVA Plötzensee, Lehrterstr. 61, 10557 Berlin, Germany. Serving 40 months for breaching the peace whilst serving a suspended sentence issued for anti-fascist activities. (Diet unknown).

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

Yuri Yurevich Milevskiy, SIZO #7 kamera 38, g. Brest, ul. Karla Marksa 86, 224000 Belarus. On remand for fighting with neo-nazis. (Diet unknown).

OTHER PRISONERS

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. (Diet unknown).

Vaggelis Botzatzis, Komotini Juridical Prison (“Dikastikes Fylakes Komotinis”), T.K. 69100, Greece. On remand accused of setting fire to two company cars owned by a energy/power company. It is believed that the person or persons unknown who carried out the arson did so in protest at the destruction of the natural environment and in support of two workers who died at the power plant. Vaggelis is also accused of setting fire to a bank and starting a fire inside a car yard. (Meat Eater).

Richard Sills (Address Unknown, USA). Serving 15 months for bomb hoaxing a University saying they would be targeted by the ALF if they didn’t stop their animal experiments. (Diet unknown).

Michael W. Sykes, 100 East 2nd St, Monroe, Michigan 48161, USA. Youth held on remand accused of anti-sprawl arsons, criminal damage, spray-painting an anarchist sign and burning the American flag. (Diet unknown)

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. (Fran is a vegan).

MOVE
MOVE is an eco-revolutionary group who carried out protests in defence of all life. All move prisoners describe themselves as vegetarians. 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 Graterford, PO Box 244, Graterford, PA 19426-0244, USA.

Edward Goodman Africa (AM4974), SCI Mahanoy, 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.

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 monthly prisoner listing which is circulated by e-mail.

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

Greek language ELP Website
http://greekelp.blogspot.com

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

Australian ELP.SN is our Australian contact. For more info 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.

Greek ELP.SN is our Greek contact. For more info e-mail greekelp@yahoo.gr

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

Cobham, Surrey : Activists Blockade Cargill Europe Head Office

1.08.2008
Since 7.50 am this morning, 20 participants in this year’s Camp for Climate Action and members of Action Against Agrofuels have been blockading the only access gate to Cargill’s European regional head office in Cobham, Surrey. 8 activists have locked on to the gates closing the site down completely. Agrobusiness giant Cargill are being targeted by the protesters for their role in rainforest destruction and land-grabbing as well as for profiteering from the food crisis.

Hannah Ritchie from the group says: “Cargill is using the boom in agrofuels to expand soya, palm oil and sugar plantations, displacing communities, food crops and destroying ecosystems. Destroying rainforests and other biodiverse ecosystems, including healthy soils, is one of the quickest ways of heating the planet. This is why we are blockading the Cargill office two days before the official start of the Climate Camp at Kingsnorth.”

According to the UN World Food Programme, 100 million more people are going hungry as food prices have risen by 83% in three years. At the same time, Cargill’s profits have risen to record levels, going up by 86% in just nine months, since the company is profiteering from high food prices.

Jordan Craig says: “For companies like Cargill, agrofuels are an opportunity to make more profits from food, to take over more land from small farmers and communities and to further destroy local food production. This is why we need an immediate halt to government policies such as the mandatory blending of petrol and diesel with biofuels in the UK, as well as an end to ‘free trade’ food and agricultural policies which solely boost the power and the profits of agribusinesses like Cargill. Instead of agrofuels, we need to have policies that support Food Sovereignty, i.e. which put people’s right to food first and support small-scale, biodiverse, organic farming, instead of energy-intensive agriculture.”

Contacts:

Participants in the action can be contacted at the following numbers 07527-124478 or 07964-068147

Notes:

1. Agrofuels are biofuels made from crops and trees grown on monocultures for that purpose.

2. Cargill owns 25% of shares in the UK’s biggest biofuel supplier, Greenergy International. They have major investments in US corn ethanol, Brazilian sugar cane ethanol, as well as palm oil and soya, and they are involved in joint ventures to develop GM agrofuels. Cargill is the world’s biggest grain trader, the biggest exporter of sugar cane and soybean from Brazil, the biggest soybean crusher in Paraguay and one of the world’s five largest palm oil traders.

3. For more information about the harm which Cargill is causing to communities and ecosystems in Brazil, Paraguay and Papua New Guinea, see http://understory.ran.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/cargill_letter1.pdf

www.biofuelwatch.org.uk

Cambridge Mill Road Social Centre evicted but car-park squatted

On Friday 1st around 9AM, police and bailiffs kicked down the door to the social centre and started evicting people from the premises. No advance warning was given. It goes to show that Tesco can never be trusted, as they reneged on their promise not to take possession of the building before they needed to start building.

Tesco were obviously very confident that the previous night’s planning meeting (to allow them to build waste and airco facilities) would find in their favour. As it turned out, their application was turned down. No doubt Mill Road’s Broadway will soon sport a set of shiny metal window boards.

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We cordoned off part of the car park behind the evicted mill road social centre, and are now squatting the site.

At 3:15pm today (Friday) we cordoned off part of the car park behind the evicted mill road social center, so at to make a clear boundary, and are now squatting the site. Please feel free to come and join us. As it is open air, accommodation is camping. If anyone has any spare tarpaulin they could give/lend us this would be useful.

Police invade Climate Camp – and FIT are ejected

2.08.2008
The Forward Intelligence Team made a foray onto the field today but were ejected from the field by campers.

2.08.2008
The Forward Intelligence Team made a foray onto the field today but were ejected from the field by campers.

Police still feel confident to wander about the site in pairs – followed and escorted, natch – but the arrival of the FIT with cameras proved too much.

Accordingly they were surrounded and ejected from the field today by the camp.

Numbers are swelling – the clmate camp info line is very busy with last minute requests for directions – and we will soon be empowered to reclaim absolute ownership of the site.

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Activists dove under police vans and formed human chains to prevent them from getting on site, and people scrambled up the double tripods – but campers were outnumbered 3 to 1 by the police.

Although police claimed to be searching for materials that could be used on the 9th August day of action, they also seized items such as guy-ropes for safely securing marquees, radios used in medical emergencies, and building materials essential for the construction of compost toilets. The seizures went as far as the confiscation of such ridiculous items as a bicycle repair kit, three board games and a pack of children’s crayons.

But the real stand off took place over water pipes and wood for the kitchens. In a twist of supreme irony, as the council dug a pipeline to deliver fresh water, activists had to engage in a tug of war with the police to keep the water pipes on site – which they did successfully. And as the police brought in a flat-bed lorry to remove wood for the kitchens, activists climbed onto the woodpile and prevented it from being taken away.

As the police gave in and the lorry drove away, a cheer went up and campers immediately formed a human chain to carry the wood up to the kitchens. Unfortunately, there is for the time being a small police presence on site.

Everything is now calm on site, but the raid has put the set-up back by half a day, so more people on site are needed to get the camp ready for this Sunday. The big push will be happening over Friday and Saturday as the majority of materials arrive, and there’s plenty of work to be done – so come on down!

31.07.2008
This afternoon over 100 police officers invaded the Climate Camp, claiming to search for material that could be used for criminal damage. Since there are only around 150 people currently on site, more people are urgently needed to make the site more secure. There are reports that several people were arrested.

Activists who blocked police vehicles were removed in a very heavy handed manner. The names and details of many people were taken. Materials were removed from site, including a wet suit. All the while, a police helicopter was in the sky over the camp.

Police have now left.

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IMC timeline:

19:10 – Police numbers on site are now substantially reduced but they have installed a mobile police station at the entrance to the camp and there is talk of a permanent patrol. Campers currently negotiating the return of the property stolen by police, much of which is essential to setting up the camp infrastructure.

18.36 – The wood pile has been saved. People sat on the woodpile protecting it and eventually the police gave up and sent the recovery vehicle away. The seizure of water pipe was also attempted but stopped by people sitting on it.

18.15 – Currently the police are removing the pile of construction wood using a 24 hour recovery vehicle. Other confiscated items now include: lots of rope, lots of tools, 3 boardgames, a ladder, boiler suits, flares. Police have emptied entire vans. Half of the police have gone off-site, the other half stopped the search but are still on-site. So far 2 people have been arrested, 1 for stopping police from going into their tent (obstruction).

16.40 – Over 200 police officers have entered the site with vehicles and a police helicopter is hovering overhead. Police were issued with a warrant for the searching and seizing of articles for use in criminal damage. Confiscated items have included: planks of wood, carpet and a war-on-terror boardgame. Every tent is being searched. People are up in the tripods. Some officers are reported acting aggressively towards people trying to resist the search. Forward Intelligence Teams (FIT) are walking around the site photographing and filming people.

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Any materials relating to the Day of Action, including things that appear to be innocuous (oars, inflatables, pumps, D-locks for bikes and so on) may be seized by the police.

You may like to store such items offsite for collection at a later date.