South West England – Page 30

CLIMATE ACTION NEWS SHEET 79, MAY 2008

CONTENTS:

———————————————-
UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS:
———————————————-
1) CLIMATE CAMP NATIONAL GATHERING – LONDON, 10-11.5.08
2) SAVING ICELAND IN WALES AND SCOTLAND – 7th & 9th MAY ‘08
3) TURNING UP THE HEAT – LONDON, CARDIFF, MANCHESTER & ONLINE, 8/10/13.5.08
4) BIG BLETHER 6 – GLASGOW, 9-11.5.08

CONTENTS:

———————————————-
RECENT HAPPENINGS:
———————————————-
1) ‘MAYDAY! MAYDAY! INVASION OF THE CLIMATE SNATCHERS’ – INTERNATIONAL, 1.5.08
2) M1 PUBLIC NUISANCE CASE DISMISSED – SHEFFIELD, 1.5.08
3) BANK OF AMERICA, DIRTY COAL PROTEST – CHARLOTTE (USA), 23.4.08
4) GREENWASH GUERILLAS PIE FRIEDMAN – NEW YORK, 21.4.08
5) ECO-RELATED ARSON IN GREECE – 21.4.08
6) KOORAGANG COMMUNITY WALK-IN – AUSTRALIA, 19.4.08
7) BELGIAN AGRO-GIANT BLOCKADE – 17.4.08
8) TARA UPDATES – IRELAND, APRIL 08
9) BIOFOOLS DAY – NATIONWIDE, 15.4.08
10) PLANE STUPID TAKE TO THE ROOF – EDINBURGH, 14.4.08
11) BURN THE MIDNIGHT OIL! – TASMANIA, 14.4.08
12) COLLEGE GROVE UPDATES – AUSTRALIA, APRIL ‘08
13) CHEVRON TOXICO GOLDMAN AWARD – SAN FRANCISCO, 13.4.08
14) SUBVERTISING – NEW GROUP, APRIL ‘08
15) CARBON DETOX – NEW BOOK, APRIL ‘08
16) BRING CLIMATE CRIMINALS TO JUSTICE – WEBSITE, APRIL ‘08
17) PROTEST WATCH – WEBSITE, APRIL ‘08
18) AIRPORTWATCH BULLETIN – APRIL ‘08
19) THE BATH BOMB – APRIL ‘08
20) LONDON CRITICAL MASS, 14TH ANNIVERSARY – APRIL 08

———————————————-
UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS:
———————————————-
1) CLIMATE CAMP NATIONAL GATHERING – LONDON, 10-11.5.08
Greenpeace HQ, Canonbury Villas, London, N1 2PN. 10am-6pm.
This summer the Camp for Climate Action will pitch its tents outside Kingsnorth coal-fired power station in Kent for a week of education, sustainable living and direct action. Everyone is invited to the camp, which is now part of an international movement, with eight climate camps on four continents planned for this summer. Together, we will show that the blind pursuit of economic growth at any cost is simply insane, and is
to blame for the CO2 emissions and ecosystem destruction that are causing catastrophic climate change. Come to the gathering and get involved!
www.climatecamp.org.uk

2) SAVING ICELAND IN WALES AND SCOTLAND – 7th & 9th MAY 08
Aluminium smelting, even when powered by geothermal energy, emits so much greenhouse gas emissions that Iceland now produces 18 tons of CO2 equivalent per capita, compared to the European average of 11. May 7th at 8pm – Saving Iceland will give a presentation of these issues at The Treehouse, Baker St. Aberystwyth, and will describe the international direct action campaign and plans for this summer’s camp in July. (There will be a number of vehicles going from the UK to the camp.) Come and see some of the most stunning places of beauty on earth, and help protect them with direct action!
May 9th – Vegan banquet with live music, bar and raffle! The Banquet starts at 7pm at Old St Pauls Hall, Edinburgh. £5 (unwaged / low income) and £7 (waged). All profit will go to funding the Scottish Saving Iceland Collective.
Email; savingicelandscotland@riseup.net to reserve your tickets!
More info; http://www.savingiceland.org.

3) TURNING UP THE HEAT – LONDON, CARDIFF, MANCHESTER and ONLINE, 8/10/13.5.08
Can big business save the planet? A series of interactive debates on climate change and corporate power. Attend the live events or watch online!
Thursday 8 May – Can the free market stop climate change? 7:30-9:30pm at Amnesty International Human Rights Action Centre 17-25 New Inn Yard London EC2A 3EA.
10.5.08 – ‘Will biofuels help combat climate change?’ 2:30-4:30pm Cardiff University, Main Building, Shandon Theatre, Park Place CF10 3AT.
13.5.08 – ‘Does climate change mean we should restrict aviation & tourism?’ 7:30-9:30pm, Manchester Convention Centre, Cockcroft Theatre, Sackville Street M1 3BB.
To book your free place and to register to watch online please go to http://www.wdm.org.uk/heat or call 020 7820 4900 for more information.

4) BIG BLETHER 6 – GLASGOW, 9-11.5.08
Talamh Life Centre, Near Glasgow.
BB is a meeting place for activists to bring and share ideas, information and enthusiasm and to create action out of inspiration. Everyone is welcome to participate and contribute – big or small. There will be workshops on Saturday and Sunday, including everything from climate change issues, creative campaigning and transition towns to nuclear resistance, yoga and woodland crafts. BB is a non-profit organisation and entrance will be by donation. www.bigblether.org.uk

5) CLIMATE CAMP SPEAKERS’ TRAINING – MANCHESTER, 17.5.08
If you would like to talk to people about the Climate Camp and help inspire hundreds of people to come this year, then this training is for you. The networking team in conjunction with COIN (http://coinet.org.uk/) and TRAPESE (http://trapese.clearerchannel.org/) have designed a short presentation/ workshop that anyone can give to groups interested in coming to the camp.
10:30 till 5:30pm.
Contact; speakers@climatecamp.org.uk to book your place.

6) MAKE A NOISE! – LONDON, 31.5.08
An agenda for colossal airport expansion and colossal climate change demands a colossal response. You’re invited to a carnival on Saturday 31st May, which will make its way from Hatton Cross Tube Station (Piccadilly Line, 12pm) to Sipson, the village that will be wiped out if Heathrow expansion goes ahead. At the end, you’ll have the chance to help form a great big NO! spelt out by human bodies. Organisers hope to set a new world record for the biggest and loudest NO! in the world.
http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/climate/make-a-noise-20080408

7) CLIMATE ACTION WITH A BITE! – NATIONAL, 3.6.08
The food we eat contributes up to a third of the emissions poisoning the planet. It’s time for a detox! Climate action starts on your dinner plate, at the supermarket, on your allotment and in your back yard, at the food distribution centres, down on the farm, in your high street, at the airport and the lorry park. Whatever your tastes, there’s something for everyone on this action menu! Local food markets, free food stalls, workshops and film showings, street theatre, info stalls, protests and direct action, cooking demonstrations, allotment shows. Get creative and get involved!
This Day of Action on Climate Change has been called by the Network for Climate Action in co-operation with the Rising Tide Network and the Camp for Climate Action. It has been planned to coincide with The UN Conference on World Food Security and Climate Change, which runs from 3rd to 5th June.
Please email; foodNO@SPAMdaysofclimateaction.org.uk for further info.

———————————————-
RECENT HAPPENINGS:
———————————————-
1) ‘MAYDAY! MAYDAY! INVASION OF THE CLIMATE SNATCHERS’ – INTERNATIONAL,
1.5.08
This day of action targeted false capitalist solutions to climate chaos.
There were actions in Europe and Canada:
Leamington Rising Tide visited the E.on headquarters in Coventry to expose the truth behind its greenwash and show that carbon capture is a false solution to the problem of climate change. People arrived at 8am to hand fliers to the workers, while one protester occupied the roof of the building. The day was a great success with a festive vibe and no arrests. Norwich Rising Tide got together with Earth First for a Critical Mass to Sizewell nuclear power station to highlight that nuclear is not a solution to climate change. In London, The Coal Cleaning Company launched their enterprise with E.on; according to the chatty cleaners, “There’s no mess too big! We make coal Fossil Fuel Fresh!” In York people from groups across the city and both Universities took part in a banner protest outside Royal Bank of Scotland’s central branch in the city. Leaflets were handed out summarising RBS’s climate crimes. Meanwhile, members of the Earth Liberation Front and Animal Liberation Front joined forces to carry out an action against unnecessary urban development in the south-west. A JCB and other vehicles were damaged on a road construction site.
Greenwash flyers were handed out at the Green Living Show in Toronto Canada, while in Paris “Biofuel=Danger” was chalked on the side of the French Agricultural Research institute.
http://www.daysofclimateaction.org.uk/
http://risingtide.org.uk/node/276

2) M1 PUBLIC NUISANCE CASE DISMISSED – SHEFFIELD, 1.5.08
Seven climate camp activists opposed to the widening of the M1 had the case against them dismissed from Sheffield Crown Court. The Judge resoundingly rejected the prosecution’s argument that the hanging of banners over the motorway could constitute a public nuisance.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/20611

3) BANK OF AMERICA, DIRTY COAL PROTEST – CHARLOTTE (USA), 23.4.08
Activists with Asheville Rising Tide, Rainforest Action Network, and Croatan Earth First! hit the streets of Charlotte to protest at Bank of America’s annual shareholders meeting. Bank of America has seen an escalating level of protest in the past year for its funding of the coal industry.
http://www.risingtidenorthamerica.org/wordpress/2008/04/23/asheville-rising-tide-confronts-bank-of-america-shareholders/

4) GREENWASH GUERILLAS PIE FRIEDMAN – NEW YORK, 21.4.08
Thomas Friedman, the author and NY Times columnist, was invited to Brown University to give a keynote speech on Earth Day, before a packed auditorium. His talk about how corporate environmentalism can restore America to its “natural place in the global order” was interrupted with a surprise visit from the Greenwash Guerrillas. After splattering him with two green cream pies they threw leaflets to the crowd explaining their action.
http://greenwashguerrillas.wordpress.com/
http://www.risingtidenorthamerica.org/wordpress/2008/04/22/greenwash-guerrillas-pie-thomas-friedman-on-earth-day/

5) ECO-RELATED ARSON IN GREECE – 21.4.08
Eco-related arson against the ministry of development offices in Athens was carried out in protest against the plans to build new power plants using coal. “When capitalism is self-declared environment friendly, it is only to measure and manage the symptoms of the crisis it produced itself.”
http://directactiongr.blogspot.com/

6) KOORAGANG COMMUNITY WALK-IN – AUSTRALIA, 19.4.08
A crowd of around 50 protesters walked onto the construction site for a new coal terminal on Kooragang Island in Newcastle. They stopped work at the site in protest against the expansion of the coal industry and its contribution to climate change. Georgina Woods, spokesperson for Rising Tide Newcastle said, “Historically, ordinary people have achieved extraordinary things by taking direct action to prevent immoral or
unsupportable actions…Many of us here today have never done anything like this before, but we are doing it now, because we may not get another chance.” 16 of the protesters were arrested and charged with trespass. More community direct action against coal exports will take place in July this year.
http://www.risingtide.org.au/communitywalkin

7) BELGIAN AGRO-GIANT BLOCKADE – 17.4.08
In Belguim thirty activists blocked the gates of the Cargill factory in Ghent.
This action was taken to highlight the agro-giant’s involvement in everything from biofuels to soy monoculture, GMO to pesticides…The action began at around 6h30 in the morning and lasted until after 5 p.m. During all that time, not one truck with soy could enter or leave the firm.
http://www.aseed.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=552&Itemid=211

8) TARA UPDATES – IRELAND, APRIL 08
On Thursday 17th April there was a peaceful eviction of the Rath Lugh Camp. Four Protectors who were on site were told by Gardai that they had to gather up their belongings and leave. This was not done in an aggressive manner and was complied with by the Protectors.
http://www.tarapixie.net/
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/20557
Tara trip report – A group from Brighton went over to Ireland recently to support the Irish protesters attempts to halt the work on the M3 Motorway.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/20502

9) BIOFOOLS DAY – NATIONWIDE, 15.4.08
From April 15th, all petrol forecourts will be required by law to sell only fuel which is blended with 2.5% agrofuel. Corporations like Tesco are already jumping on the new “green” bandwagon, speaking little of the greater emissions, displacement, poverty and hunger that will be left in its path. The only answer to the energy crisis is a big shift in the way in which we live, travel and eat.
Nationwide protest included; Aberdeen, Bolton, Cheltenham, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, Norwich and hundreds outside Downing Street in London.
Bristol Rising Tide and Espacio Bristol-Colombia were joined by others to inform the public about this issue at Tesco in Eastville, Bristol. A group of biofuel activists made a colourful banner and flyer tour of Brighton city centre and Sussex University. Agro-fuels protesters disabled the fuel pumps of two BP filling stations in Edinburgh. Also in Scotland, five members of the Edinburgh Clown Army were detained for questioning at a peaceful and entertaining biofuels protest in Bruntsfield, and in Glasgow a biofool banner was hung.
http://www.biofuelwatch.org.uk/
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/20546

10) PLANE STUPID TAKES TO THE ROOF – EDINBURGH, 14.4.08
Two environmental activists from the climate action group, Plane Stupid Scotland, climbed onto the roof of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh to protest against plans for expansion of Scottish airports. They unfurled a large banner which carried a parody of the Trainspotting design, “Choose Life.” The banner read, “Plane Stopping: Choose the future. Say no to airport expansion.”
http://www.planestupid.com/?q=content/plane-stupid-scotland-occupy-roof-scottish-parliament

11) BURN THE MIDNIGHT OIL! – TASMANIA, 14.4.08
Activists from Still Wild Still Threatened have welcomed a 6 metre tall Peter Garrett (MP and singer from Midnight Oil) to the Upper Florentine Valley. Activists took the ‘giant Garrett’ on a tour of coupe FO42F which is due to be burnt in the immediate future to highlight their concerns about the continued logging and burning of some of Tasmania’s most carbon dense forests.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/20536

12) COLLEGE GROVE UPDATES – AUSTRALIA, APRIL 08
29 April 2008 – Activists have set up a new camp in the College Grove forest area that is due to be destroyed in the next stage of development.
http://www.globalwarmingfg.com/
14 April 2008 – College Grove protesters stop machines for the day:
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/20535
10 April – Police Violence at treesit action in College Grove, Bunbury, Australia. Two activists were arrested with one taken to hospital after a forceful and violent push by WA Police. A spokes for the Community Independent Activists (CIA) group says it was the “most violent display by police in 15 years of forest activism.”
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/20531

13) CHEVRON TOXICO GOLDMAN AWARD – SAN FRANCISCO, 13.4.08
Two campaigners who have spearheaded a landmark class-action lawsuit against Chevron in Ecuador have been awarded the Goldman Prize, the world’s most prestigious environmental honor, for their efforts to make the company clean up what experts believe is the world’s worst oil-related disaster. The Goldman Prize Comes two weeks after these damages were estimated at up to $16 Billion. Chevron Toxico is the international campaign to hold ChevronTexaco accountable for its toxic contamination of the Ecuadorian Amazon.
http://www.amazonwatch.org/

14) SUBVERTISING – NEW GROUP, APRIL ‘08
A new group want to set up a climate-focused national subvertising network where everyone has a role and where people are well supported. If you would like to get involved, see http://www.myspace.com/subvertising

15) CARBON DETOX – NEW BOOK, APRIL ‘08
A new book by George Marshall of COIN. Mark Lynas,author of Six Degrees, says:
“Buy this book and thrust it into the hands of someone who still doesn’t believe in the climate crisis. No other book goes further in addressing people’s denial and their resistance to change.”
http://www.carbondetox.org/

16) BRING CLIMATE CRIMINALS TO JUSTICE – WEBSITE, APRIL ‘08
A campaign to establish a legal process in the UK and abroad to facilitate the criminal prosecution of Government Ministers and key business leaders whose policies and activities contribute to the mass loss of life which climate change is certain to now cause.
www.climatecriminals.co.uk

17) PROTEST WATCH – WEBSITE, APRIL ‘08
A new site which aims to become a comprehensive resource for anybody interested in actively protesting in the UK.
http://www.protestwatch.org.uk/

18) AIRPORTWATCH BULLETIN – APRIL ‘08
AirportWatch updates for April. See;
http://www.aef.org.uk/downloads//AirportWatch_bulletin_April2008.pdf

19) ‘THE BATH BOMB’ – APRIL 08
Anti-copyright: copy and distribute! Issue #9 free/donation. See;
http://www.myspace.com/bathbomb

20) LONDON CRITICAL MASS, 14TH ANNIVERSARY – APRIL ‘08
For ride reports/info. see;
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/20584
http://www.criticalmasslondon.org.uk/main.html

———-

Please send anything you’d like included in this news sheet to:
newssheet@risingtide.org.uk

To view previous editions of the Rising Tide News Sheet, visit the News Sheet Archive at http://risingtide.org.uk/newssheet

This News Sheet was brought to you by Rising Tide, a grassroots network of groups and individuals committed to taking action and building a movement against climate change.

For more information…
email: info@risingtide.org.uk
Phone: +44 (0)845 458 8923 / +44 (0)7708 794665
Address: 62 Fieldgate St, London, E1 1ES
Web site: http://risingtide.org.uk

PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO A FRIEND AND INVITE THEM TO JOIN THE LIST

Compiled and sent out by Rising Tide UK: info at risingtide.org.uk
To receive this News Sheet monthly, email news-subscribe at risingtide.org.uk
with the subject line ‘subscribe’ (without the quotes).

To subscribe or unsubscribe visit:
http://risingtide.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/rt-news

Bath Bomb #10 Out Now

The monthly outpoured bile of Bath’s idealists and misanthrope’s reaches double figures…

The Bath Bomb
Issue #10
free/donation
May 08

Shock As 200 Shoppers Freeze Solid In Town Centre!

The monthly outpoured bile of Bath’s idealists and misanthrope’s reaches double figures…

The Bath Bomb
Issue #10
free/donation
May 08

Shock As 200 Shoppers Freeze Solid In Town Centre!

Last weekend saw a break from the banality of the familiar shop-till-you-drop routine of town centre. A couple of hundred people, using Facebook, organised a flash mob in which people milling around town would freeze at a given time, and stay that way for five minutes before, at another signal, continuing on as normal. Bath Bomb sent a reporter into town to see what the fuss was about, and the results proved pretty impressive. Two hundred people, frozen in mid sandwich, conversation and dance blocked a large area of the city centre while confused onlookers laughed and speculated. At one point, a miserable shopper laden with bag upon bag of disposable culture walked past moaning to her daughter that the frozen mob was ‘probably just a bunch of protesters’. My reaction had been that this was more an arty style event than a protest, but the miserable woman straining under tonnes of plastic got me thinking. Whether intentionally or not, this was a protest, and a very meaningful one. The message was that town is ours, the streets are our playground – the staging ground for fun, adventure and frivolity. The frozen masses briefly wrested town from those neon gods of consumerism who would see our
town centre reduced to nothing more than a means to get to shops, buy things, then go home again. The freeze event gave us a brief glimpse of how we can transform and re-imagine our surroundings, turn the banal into the beautiful and do something with our town more important, fun and interesting than more f**king shopping! So let’s take a leaf out of the book of our frozen comrades and start using town as a place for meeting, frolicking, sharing and creating. Who needs capitalism, when we’ve got imagination?!

The End Of The Beginning Of Something Special In Chippenham

Remember last month we brought you news of a new squat in Chippenham? We are sad to report that the building is now back in the hands of its lawful owner – a man who has let the place rot while living miles away for over 25 years. During the brief history of The 78 as the building became known, it provided a glimpse of what a fair society could look like. As well as providing a home for some, the space was a communal meeting place, organic garden and a centre of learning, co-operation and fun. Before the eviction, The 78 was in the process of organising gardening workshops, a free shop, free child day care for young parents and a weekly vegan cafe. The building itself was considerably renovated by the occupiers and neighbours (who were entirely supportive and glad that
space was no longer wasted ) agreed that it has never looked nicer! Still, the eviction is not the end – everyone who went to the place was inspired by the passion, dedication and commitment to equality and the environment showed by the occupiers. Where one liberated space falls, another springs up and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for Chippenham. In its short history, The 78 succeeded in winning hearts and minds of people who would otherwise have negative views of squatters, radicalised and inspired a community and brought together strangers who are now friends, comrades and partners in liberation and adventure. The 78 is dead, long live The 79!

Top Shop Sweat Shop Stitch Up

A 17-strong coalition of students from Hayesfield Ethical Group and Bath Uni’s One World Society, as well as the usual rent-a-mob from B.A.N., endured the sunshine and soulless concrete on Wednesday the 24th April, to demonstrate outside Top Shop’s use of sweatshop labour. Indeed, the vast majority of UK high street fashion gets rich from the exploitation of desperate workers in the global South, but the Arcadia Group, of
which Top Shop is the leading brand, is highly influential. Whereas owner Philip Green made the record books in 2005 for netting the biggest share dividend in history, $1.2 billion, workers in Cambodia are coerced into involuntary overtime work below any living wage, suffering shocking health and safety, physical/verbal abuse from management, daily
strip-searches, and are barred from unionisation. Women are often refused employment if pregnant, and if they do become so, are still forced to do standing work in uncomfortable temperatures, until they quit. To add insult to injury, workers often contract bladder infections from lack of access to drinking water or toilet use. Demonstrators leafleted and held banners airing Topshop’s dirty laundry, asking customers to persuade their favourite brand to genuinely change its ways: like it or not, these fashion cartels have the power to change industry conditions for better as well as worse, if only they’d stop spouting empty PRomises for one second.

Hair today, gone tomorrow?

I’m not going to make this any more complicated than it needs to be – for most women to go about their daily lives feeling like their natural form, their unadulterated bodies, are at least wrong, at worst disgusting, is in itself wrong and disgusting. It’s not just women, although presently they do seem to fare worse, a significant proportion of us have problems these days feeling inadequate and ugly, as if we need to change our appearance constantly, daily, to be acceptable or even to look stunning – it is our duty to look as fabulous as we can at whatever cost. You’ve got women in their 60s with designer vaginas matching that of a 16 year old, 16 year olds having cosmetic surgery when they’re barely grown yet and 10 year olds being taken to salons to have their legs
waxed.

A healthy backlash is beginning to grow. For example, the live journal site ‘fuck shaving’, and on recent body image shows I’ve seen not one, but two women living their lives perfectly happily, with full on natural beards. I am fascinated – to me, they don’t look ugly, or wrong, or disgusting. They don’t even look like men. They just look like themselves. So, I beg of you society, can’t we just be us? This may seem like a simple thing on paper, but it is a huge step to take (or maybe lots of little ones.) But it is such a worthwhile step to take and I feel the world would be better off for it, changing many things, not just how we feel about ourselves when we look in the mirror. Cause this image stuff ain’t just vanity – it really does deeply affect, and even destroy, lives.

Mayday! Mayday! The Ducks Are Revolting!

And now for our obligatory foie gras campaign update: we’ve recently heard that good old Christophe at The Pinch, the French restaurant in St Margaret’s Buildings formerly known as Le Petit Cochon, has decided to brave the storm of controversy and put the ‘delicacy of despair’ back on the menu. When will they learn? Meanwhile, we received this anonymous report: “In the early hours of the 2nd May, in anger at Bistro Number 5’s continued sale of foie gras, Animal Liberation Front volunteers d-locked their front entrance, costing them hours of lost revenue for the following day. It’s high time they re-evaluated whether profiting from animal abuse really is good business!” If you feel moved to let the management of either of these outlets know your feelings on force-feeding and animal torture, here’s their contact details – The Pinch tel:
01225 421251, info@thepinch.biz and Bistro Number 5 tel: 01225 444 499,
fax: 01225318 668 chrome@globalnet.co.uk /ym/Compose?To= chrome@globalnet.co.uk&YY=10755&y5beta=yes&y5beta=yes&order=down&sort=date&pos=0&view=a&head=b.

And remember, The Bath Bomb in no way condones repeated phone calls or threatening behaviour, and neither does it condone spreading these companies’ details to every spammer or junk mail list you can think of.

Government gets F- As Teachers Strike

There were impressive marches and rallies in towns and cities across Britain on Thursday 24th April. More than 2000 striking teachers, lecturers and civil service workers from across Bristol, Bath, Gloucestershire and Somerset joined a lively and noisy march which brought traffic to a halt in Bristol. This march was supported by members of Bath
Activist Network. This action occurred to a background of an economic crisis where the poor are being forced to bail out the rich. Taxpayers are expected to pay £100 billion to Northern Rock, when in a time honoured fashion, the man who oversaw the collapse of his bank, walked off with a £750,000 pay off. The response of politicians to this crisis is for new labour Brown to abolish the 10p tax law, hitting the poorer workers the most and for the shadow chancellor, George Osborne, this week, to call for greater control of trades unions as a matter of urgency. With almost everything rising in price, the media warns of a ‘summer of discontent’ here and abroad. This means through riots, strikes and days of actions, workers and the poor are taking control of their own lives and not relying on politicians and bosses to sort out their problems.
This growing spirit of resistance must be supported by all those who wish to build a more just society. If you’re fired up about these issues, come to Bubbling Under on Sunday 18th May, 1-4 as usual at the porter cellar bar on George Street, where there will be a free showing of ‘The Gama Strike: A Victory For All Workers.’ This is a film about migrant workers in the Irish Republic who were supported by local workers to fight back against slave conditions.

Free Your Time-www.myfreethyme.com

Why buy when the best things in life are free? Credit cards, student loans and debt are the vices that trap us into this consumer culture. Man made money and money made man: mad. Media brainwashes us into thinking that if we work harder, earn more money and buy more things then we will be accepted. Excessive consumerism is ruining both the air we
breathe and the ground we walk on. All we need is an awareness of what we can contribute to a society of freethinkers that is simple and rewarding to become part of.

So, the website, www.myfreethyme.com, was set up with this ethos in mind, with a mission to discover alternative ways of living which help preserve the planet, inspire trust and keep change in your pocket jingling. The possibilities are endless from Freecycle, grow-your-own and nettle munching, to bin diving, couchsurfing and woofing, the ultimate aim being to create a nurturing eco-space rather than a money grabbing metropolis. There are many communities which function on human compassion, not on money; the aim is to get these voices heard and known about. As a student at Bath Spa University, I was amazed at how little the general student population knows about the ways of free living. I was
inspired by reading about the Free Economy walker, Mark Boyle, and his attempt to get to Gandhi’s birthplace without a penny in his pocket. Though angry that most of the newspapers ridiculed his journey and didn’t focus on the philosophy behind it, it led me to become part of the FreeEconomy landshare/skillshare community (justfortheloveofit.org) and I realised this was something worth shouting about.

Seeing these things in action can inspire change, and who better to help out than the Bath Activist Network. As part of the Big Green Week bonanza, a live Freecyle stall was set up at the SU and welcomed with many a “What? Free? No fee?” squawks of glee as the skint students rummaged and browsed. In a university where they charge 15p for a sachet of tomato sauce and 30p for hot water, the general reaction was welcome shock mixed with curiosity and many a student-friendly bargain picked up. All in all, it went gloriously well. If you have any free living stories, feel free and let me know at thegreensofa@yahoo.com , I’d love to hear them.
Bath FreeShop is outside Holland and Barratts the second Saturday of every month if you’ve got some a hankering to get rid of some stuff then join us for some free
Earl Grey tea.

Green Space Invaders Evaded

Congratulations are due to the residents of Twerton and surrounds, who’ve just fought off plans to destroy green space near the much-loved Bath City Farm, flooding the Council with over 1,000 objections. Somer Housing, well-known for its commitment to selling off needed social housing to unscrupulous private landlords on the cheap, whinged about the foiling of their ploy to build 30 houses on the 1.6 contested acres
between Cotswold View, The Hollow and the City Farm: where they no doubt would have done the same. Bath City Farm is manned by dedicated volunteers and provides woodcraft skills, interaction with the natural world and meaningful leisure to local youths, and need the land to both progress their work and provide residential allotments.

Boris Johnson – Mayor Or Maniac?

Boris Johnson says he’s a feminist. Actually he’s sexist. And the worst kind of sexist. He thinks that by stating he’s a feminist and saying a few pro-women things, that when he begins one of his ridiculously misguided rants about men and women and the education system, people will say, well, he can’t be sexist, the man says he’s a feminist. Truth
is, as far as this writer’s concerned anyway, as long as we carry on gender stereotyping, this idiotic tug of war that is the perpetual see saw of men on top, women on top, men on top, will continue – with casualties on both sides (domestic violence against either sex, rape, misogyny, hatred of men, unfair pay at work and general disharmony and fighting against rather than helping each other.)

Boris Johnson may be entertaining, he comes off like a character from a comedy show, and maybe that’s a nice change next to some rather boring politicians, but is this the kind of figurehead we want as mayor of London? He’s out of touch, outspoken and seems so harmless. But it seems to me, to let someone like this have such a position of power is a very dangerous thing. When are people going to wake up to the mockery our governmental system has become, from the jibes and jeers of the commons, to the buffoonery of Mr Johnson himself, and choose something different? (ps – NOT the BNP.) As for Boris – do us a favour, give the man some bells and a funny hat and call a numpty a numpty.

SHAC Attack

On Saturday 26th April, a contingent from bath went to Horsham, west sussex, for the National Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty demos against Norvartis, a company that tests on primates and supplies the notorious vivisection lab, Huntingdon Life Sciences. The protest started at Horsham park and around 500 people marched through the centre of Horsham to suburbia where the animal abusing company is located. After a few speeches some of the protesters understandably got upset and started shaking the fences. The companies body guards (police) soon stopped this however, after a brief struggle. All in all a good day, and we went back to the park where legendary vegan caterer Veggies provided vegan burgers and cake. It seems Norvartis UK got off lightly, the Spanish HQ having been vandalised at a recent demo in Barcelona.

EVENTS

Monday nights Bath Hunt Sabs Meeting, 8pm, Bell
Wednesdays 4-7pm London Rd Food Co-op, Riverside Community Centre
Saturdays 11.30am-12.30 Bath Stop The War Vigil, Abbey Courtyard
12th May, 7.45pm Greenpeace meeting, Stillpoint, Broad Street
14th May, 8.30pm Bath Green Drinks, upstairs, the Rummer
17th May, from 6pm Punk benefit gig, The Junction, Stokes Croft, Bristol
18th May, 1-4pm Bubbling Under, Poter Cellar Bar, George Street
21st May Smash EDO phone/email blockade-see www.smashedo.org.uk
29th May, from 7.30pm Talk by chair of CND, Friends Meeting House, York Street
31st May-1 June Bristol Vegan Fayre, The Waterside, Bristol
2 June, 8pm Friends of the Earth meeting, Stillpoint, Broad St
3 June, 12-3pm There is such a thing as a free lunch stall, Queen Sq
And now, to the disclaimer: As anyone is free to contribute, the opinions expressed in each article are not necessarily reflective of each contributor. Naturally, any right-wing or corporate bullshit will be binned and spat on. Needless to say, the opinions of the author of this disclaimer does not necessarily represent the views of any other contributor…

For further info on any of our stories see www.myspace.com/bathbomb

Q: Who Are Bath Activist Network? A: A local umbrella group campaigning on issues as diverse as development, environmentalism, anti-war, animal rights, workers’ rights and more. Helping to produce The Bath Bomb, we are open to anyone, and our members range from trade unionists to anarchists, liberals to greens, and people who just want to change Bath for the better. For details on meetings, demos, or just to get in touch, ring us on 07949 611912, email bathactivistnet@yahoo.co.uk , or see our website: www.myspace.com/bathactivistnetwork

GOT A STORY? WANT TO RECEIVE THE BATH BOMB BY EMAIL? HOPING TO SUE?
Contact us by e-mailing bathbombpress@yahoo.co.uk . Large print e-versions available on request.

ELF/ALF sabotage urban development

The following statement was received by this website:
“The Earth and its inhabitants are being raped of their natural resources by the Corporate-State Complex. This is why for the Day of Climate Action we sabotaged this smooth operation in the early hours of April XX.

Members of the Earth Liberation Front and Animal Liberation Front joined forces to carry out an action against unnecessary urban development in the south-west. Ecoteurs broke into the construction site that is building yet another bridge for the transport of motorized vehicles. A 4×4 was found, paintstripped, all sides completely scarred, tyres damaged, whilst a truck and JCB had logos removed and sides stripped. The flawed concept of “building our way out of congestion” will no longer be tolerated at the expense of the rivers wildlife and £8 million of tax payers money spent on this project.

No Compromise in Defence of Mother Earth. “

E.L.F. & A.L.F.

Mayday Mayday: Invasion of the climate snatchers…: day of climate action [updated again; video added]

1.5.2008
London: at 07.45 this morning E.ON offices on Pall Mall were targeted by the new upstart Coal Cleaning Company as part of a nationally co-ordinated Day of Climate Action against False Capitalist Solutions.

FOR ONSITE INTERVIEWS AND UPDATES CONTACT : 07790 430 620

The Coal Cleaning Company launched their enterprise with E.ON as their first customer. According to the chatty cleaners, “There’s no mess too big! We make coal Fossil Fuel Fresh ™”.

The climate activists targeted E.ON for their promotion of ‘false capitalist solutions’ to climate change. E.ON is exploiting the idea of a future Carbon Capture and Storage system to justify building a new coal fired power station at Kingsnorth – where the utopia of low-impact living // education // high-impact direct action that is the Climate Camp will spring up this August.

CCS requires up to 40% more coal per unit of electricity than coal generation without CCS. So more coal needs to be burnt; increasing the overall pollution caused. It also neglects to address the wider problems of over consumption or deal with coal’s other social and environmental impacts.

The Coal Cleaning Company can be contacted on 07790 430 620 for onsite interviews and updates.

www.daysofclimateaction.org.uk 07880 937511 for national updates

www.climatecamp.org.uk

Video: Coal Cleaners at E.ON – video/mp4 29M
=========

RBS Banner Protest in York

People from groups across the city and both Universities took part in a banner protest outside Royal Bank of Scotland’s central branch in the city. Leaflets were handed out sumarising RBS’s climate crimes.

If the action was unimpressive in and of itself, then the fact we’ve finally broken the inertia around actions in York was probably a success in itself. The rain managed to hold off (only just) and even the passing cops had nothing whatsoever to say on the matter.

The action was held today because, well, its Mayday and its the day of action against False Capitalist Solutions, of which investment in new oil is perhaps the dimmest idea of the lot!

=========

Green Living show Inspected in Canada

Green Living show inspected and greenwash flyers handed out yesterday in Toronto Canada.

For pictures of the stalls on display with greenwash stickers, visit here

=========

Urban development sabotaged

The Earth and its inhabitants are being raped of their natural resources by the Corporate-State Complex. This is why for the Day of Climate Action we sabotaged this smooth operation in the early hours of April XX

Members of the Earth Liberation Front and Animal Liberation Front joined forces to carry out an action against unnecessary urban development in the south-west. Ecoteurs broke into the construction site that is building yet another bridge for the transport of motorized vehicles. A 4×4 was found, paintstripped, all sides completely scarred, tyres damaged, whilst a truck and JCB had logos removed and sides stripped. The flawed concept of “building our way out of congestion” will no longer be tolerated at the expense of the rivers wildlife and £8 million of tax payers money spent on this project.

No Compromise in Defence of Mother Earth.

=========

INRA – French agricultural research – chalked about biofuels

The words AGRO-CARBURANTS = DANGER were chalked on the side of the French Agricultural Research institute, as were various cars throughout Paris.

=========

Sizewell Mayday Critical Mass

In support of the Mayday Climate Action Day, some people from Rising Tide and Earth First got together this Saturday for a Critical Mass to Sizewell nuclear power station to highlight that nuclear is not a solution to climate change.

We turned up at the meeting point – a train station in the tiny Suffolk village of Saxmundham – to be greeted by 15 police officers including some FIT from London. As we set out on a lovely sunny ride through the countryside, the extent of the over-the-top police operation became clear as we passed several unmarked cars full of FIT photographers, the entrance to Sizewell guarded by another twenty cops, and a further ten congregated at our end-point on Sizewell beach. All told we reckon there were fifty cops on hand to police our fun family day out to Sizewell. It was a great critical mass, a good time was had by all, and the local press seemed as bemused as we were by the ridiculousness of the police operation. Wonder if there are any red faces in police intelligence this weekend?

Why Sizewell on Mayday weekend?
This demo was part of a national weekend of action against false solutions to climate change. As climate change rises up the political agenda, a huge number of techno-fixes are forming a new economic sector: from biofuels to nuclear power, carbon-trading to hydrogen fuel cells, dumping urine in the ocean to carbon capture and storage. Everywhere corporations are seeking the elusive elixir which allows us to continue business as usual. All of these technologies are a distraction from the real solutions: a massive reduction in our consumption and the end to economic growth.

Let’s challenge these false solutions to climate chaos and show the real solution: far-reaching social change.

http://www.networkforclimateaction.org.uk

=========

On May 1st, Leamington Rising Tide visited the E.on headquarters at Westwood Business Park in Coventry to expose the truth behind E.on’s greenwash and show that carbon capture is a false solution to the problem of climate change.

E.on are planning to build a £1.5 bn extension to their coal fired plant in Kingsnorth. They justify this on the grounds that it will be ‘carbon capture ready’ even though the technology for carbon capture has yet to be invented and even when it does exist it will emit more pollutants trying to capture and store the carbon than if they just left the emissions unchecked. To protest against this, Leamington Rising Tide arrived at 8am to hand fliers to the workers.

Banners were erected reading “POLLUTE.ON NO MORE GREEN WASH”. There was juggling and a picnic outside the doors of the building as the protestors waited for a march of students from Warwick University People and Planet to arrive at 1.30. The marchers came with a replica model of the coal power station and a game of ‘catch the carbon’ with balloons and nets. The protesters gathered outside the building and then the sign outside was painted green to symbolise the e.ons greenwash and one protester occupied the roof of the building. The day was a great success with a positive, festive vibe and no arrests.

Court Case Victory for the Red Factory, Bristol

April 29, 2008

Portland Square squat gets reprieve in Bristol County Court

April 29, 2008

Portland Square squat gets reprieve in Bristol County Court

Bristol squatters were in Greyfriars court this morning to oppose the granting of an Interim Posession Order (IPO) against the occupiers of the Red Factory squat in Portland Square. If granted, residents would have had to leave within 24 hours or face criminal proceedings. Owners Askon estates, a large multinational based in Dublin with interests in the Middle East, failed to name a date when they knew the building had been squatted. They are required to do this under the provisions of the 1997 Criminal Justice Act (CJA) – an infamous piece of legislation bought in the last gasp of Major’s Conservative government..

The Red Factory is a large squat at the junction of Cave Street and Portland Square in St. Pauls, Bristol. Occupied in the middle of January 2008 by a pioneering group of squatters who braved pigeon dust, damp and absence of all services, it has become home to a dozen homeless people and holds regular community events including a cinema. The building has been tidied up, painted and made habitable by people who would otherwise have been sleeping on Bristol’s streets.

With a controversial open door policy the Red Factory has been, at times, a difficult squat to run but has taken into account the concerns of neighbours including the Perion Centre next door.

The Red Factory collective are committed to running the building as a community enterprise as recommended in the St. Pauls neighbourhood plan. They have contacted Askon to see if they can secure the building for community use and have made a substantial financial offer .

If Askon had won today’s case the building would become empty and lain derelict, as it has for more than twenty years. Despite taking ownership around the year 2000 Askon have done next to nothing with the building. With the onset of the current property price crash it seems unlikely they could sell it quickly, particularly because the building is grade two listed and would need up to £1m to restore.

Bristol Housing Action Movement is making an appeal for suport for the Red Factory, both financially and in any practical way possible. We believe the squatters may face another court case, and welcome any support. Contact Ben from Bham on 07833 100399 or by email at housingaction@yahoo.co.uk

The Pierian Centre :
http://www.pierian-centre.com/
A space for conferences, meetings and celebrations of all shapes and sizes.
Located in Grade 1-listed Portland Square, the Centre is an oasis of calm right in the heart of Bristol. Within easy reach of the M32, the City Centre and Temple Meads railway station, we have ample parking right here in the Square. You can book a room for your own event – and also browse the range of open events and activities on offer.

Askon Estates (UK) Limited
http://www.alacrastore.com/storecontent/experian/03489912
http://www.yourlocalpages.co.uk/business/legislative-bo…-ltd/
16 St Stephens Street
Bristol
Avon
BS1 1JR
Tel : 0117-925-4570
Fax : 0117-922-6816

Revived in 1984, Bristol Housing Action (BHAM) is a non-heirarchical collective of sqatters and their supporters. We help provide housing and other support for homeless people.

http://www.squatbristol.org.uk/

We are committed to the opening of community spaces and to solidarity with existing social centres.We campaign against the privatisation of public land and housing and for the defence of public space.

Somerset Travellers Face Second Eviction within 48 hrs

April 28, 2008

Travellers, who had been evicted from a site they had occupied for nearly two years, near Radstock, Somerset, Now face a violent eviction from a disused quarry, in the Mendips.

April 28, 2008

Travellers, who had been evicted from a site they had occupied for nearly two years, near Radstock, Somerset, Now face a violent eviction from a disused quarry, in the Mendips.

A Group of Harassed Somerset Travellers have been promised a visit from baseball bat- wielding balliffs if they don’t leave immediately. The threat was made during a child’s 4th birthday party. Having just been removed from there previous site with little notice, the group have no where to go. All they ask for is a little time. But evil quarry company Hanson, have obtained an injunction, which means that balliffs can evict at any time, with out the safeguard of a police presence.

The Travellers are appealing for support, and have made a special request for anyone with a video camera to get down there, hopefully with the effect of abating any violence.

The site, is in an old quarry, adjacent to the old protest site at the fabulously named “dead womans bottom. Also known as Whatley Quarry. Its on the A361 before you get to Wells.

—

update

after not fleeing in the face of threats of violence, seems the owners of the quarry have decided to go through the caughts, giving the travellers , a little breathing space.

Bath Bomb #9 now online (& update on Chippenham squatted social centre)

Yes, the new edition of the Bath Bomb is finally ready. Stories from the dark underbelly of lovely lovely Bath. Or something like that:

The Bath Bomb – @nti-copyright: copy and distribute!
Issue #9
free/donation
April 08

Diana Verdict: 10 Years On, Still Dead

Seattle Was A Riot…

Yes, the new edition of the Bath Bomb is finally ready. Stories from the dark underbelly of lovely lovely Bath. Or something like that:

The Bath Bomb – @nti-copyright: copy and distribute!
Issue #9
free/donation
April 08

Diana Verdict: 10 Years On, Still Dead

Seattle Was A Riot…

Sunday the 20th April at the Porter Cellar saw a screening of ‘Breaking the Spell’: an hour-long look at the 1999 Seattle WTO protests and the anarchists who travelled there to set a new precedent for militant confrontation. Showing from 1pm til 4, free admission, with a practical and fresh look at the old debate of pacifism versus political violence, the film captured a moment when world history was up for grabs. Look out for the next offering from Bubbling Under, 3rd Sunday of the month, same time, same place, always free and always fun!

www.moles.co.uk
http://www.crimethinc.com/

EDOn’t Believe It!

That’s right folks, last month saw Bath Activist Network and Bath Stop the War Coalition illicitly screening a copy of the film the cops tried to ban in that shady den of crime and subversion otherwise known as the Quakers’ Friends Meeting House. The film was ‘On The Verge’, telling the story of a dedicated crew of Brightonians who have nearly succeeded in shutting down a bomb-building factory after 4 years’ campaigning. They have suffered continual police harrassment, with over 40 arrests so far, and the bother didn’t stop when they took their new film on tour. Obviously not happy with exposing us to the idea that we have the power to change society, the police have been scurrying round the country bullying small venues to make them drop the film [telling one woman they would take away her exhibition license if she disobeyed]. The same happened in Bath – the Bell, our original venue, got a call from a sweaty-palmed worm of a human being named Alan Bartlett. Alan, acting under orders of his police overlords had threatened the pub out of showing the film. Nevertheless, the film went ahead to a packed theatre, numbers doubled due to the controversy caused by police and council bullying. The film was inspirational and the night was a great success. And as for our inept, toady friend Alan, and the wannabe film critics that constitute the thin blue line… I’m guessing they havn’y heard the last of this just yet!

Our next chance to stick it to EDO MBM will fall on the 4th of June at the ‘Carnival Against the Arms Trade’ in Brighton, where red will be this season’s fashion. For more on the demo, film and campaign, check out www.smashedo.org.

Don’t Be A Fossil Fool

The 1st of April was declared ‘Fossil Fools Day’ this year, with 35 demonstrations against gas, oil and coal companies up and down the country. Ffos-y-fran, near Merthyr Tydfil in Wales, is the site of the UK’s biggest open-cast coal mine, and, at only 36m away from the nearest house, is potentially in breach of new environmental health regs. Coal is the least efficient of fossil fuels, and with the spectre of climate change risking innocent lives the world over, activists from Bath, Bristol, Oxford and across Wales decided to take a stand. Or at least a nice lie down. Whilst some disrupted the site of the mine itself, others blockaded nearby Aberthaw power station on the 3rd, owned by RWE npower, which processes the coal from Ffos-y-fran, and produces 7.4 million tonnes of Co2 a year. It also has a shocking disregard for health and safety, workers revealed, following a death at work last June. From 5.30 am, 15 blocked the main access route with 4 locked-on to concrete-filled suitcases [!], 8 blocked the back road, and 2 scaled machinery. Operations were screwed for up to 8 hours, with no vehicle access, mass tailbacks, and 50 staff getting a free day off! 15 were eventually dragged away for aggravated trespass, but the message was clearly sent: profit from climate change, and you will have to pay!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/6746429.stm
www.daysofclimateaction.org.uk
www.stopffosyfran.co.uk

Bristol and Bath Railway Path: The Truth and the Rumours

First, the rumour that Bristol City Council were planning to support the development of part of the Bristol-Bath Cycle Path with a rapid transport bus route leaked out. Speculation followed that the mature trees cut down at Lawrence Hill had already been felled in preparation for the work. The widely reported story that the scheme was to be shelved turned a protest ride along the proposed route from Fishponds to College Green into a massive, colourful celebration. 1,500 attended this good-natured romp and parade in the spring sunshine – an unprecedented turnout for a local issue. Among them were three marching bands, a peddle-powered train, a mobile ‘consultancy wagon’ – oh and not forgetting a single gladiator. This was despite yet another rumour that the rally had been cancelled! Everyone wants better public transport but to displace the most environmentally friendly commuters and travellers – cyclists and walkers – and destroy the only green corridor for wildlife in East Bristol is ludicrous. The plan directly threatens Sustrans most successful cycle path which has been their showcase route since it was fully opened in 1986. Their response is that the bus rapid transit route is ‘the right idea in the wrong place’. Yes, we need to tempt people out of their cars with bigger, faster, stronger, cheaper, more reliable and integrated public transport. On land the (usually single-occupant) private car is the most inefficient means of transporting individuals from A to B imaginable.

As I write the council meeting to decide the fate of the plan is scheduled for Tuesday 1st April. It is now confidently predicted that councillors will scrap the proposals. However, rumours abound among sceptical constituents that the plans might reappear at a later date when the media spotlight is off the issue. Transparency and scrutiny? We’ll be watching every move.

www.railwaypath.org

Human Freedom, Animal Rights…

We run a lot of animal rights stories in this humble rag, and are often asked to justify their point: there’s more important things, aren’t there? With the anti-foie gras campaign, beyond the cruelty of force-feeding waterfowl till they burst, what about the health implications of eating diseased liver, no matter the posh nom de plume? There are 2 national anti-vivisection demos this month, in Oxford on the 19th, and Horsham on the 26th [World Day for Lab Animals!]: with no scientific studies ever being taken into the relevance of animal testing results for human medicine, and medical drug side effects being the fourth biggest killer in the UK, big pharma is lobbying hard to put profit before lives. Meat and dairy-based diets are being increasingly linked to cancer, heart disease and diabetes, whilst livestock production causes deforestation, high methane emissions, mass starvation, water pollution and shortages: so the environment is stuffed, too. Bloodsports are intrinsically linked to land enclosure and wealth inequalities, as well as being barbaric. And then when you add on repression in the UK, with animal rights activists going down for years on trumped charges and ridiculous new laws coming out every year, then worries about a police state become more and more valid… So, it’s not just all about fluffy bunnies and puppies. FFI on local animal rights activism, contact bathanimalaction@yahoo.co.uk.

Bath Activists Have Cracking Time In Chippenham

We here at the Bath Bomb are delighted to announce the opening of Chippenham’s newest squatted social centre – the 78. The following account detailing the occupation of the new centre was recieved anonymously: “After being contacted by squatters in Chippenham, several Bathonians made the rail trip to the town to see what was happening. The building they had in mind is a lovely old bungalow with loads of potential and really friendly neigbours. It had not been lived in for 30 years, but that didn’t make getting in easy. After trying several doors and windows, we came across a slightly chipped window, giving us enough room to use a twig to unhook the latch from the inside! Once in, we got busy changing the locks and tidying up the rooms and garden. The place had obviously been left in a hurry, as 1970’s tins of mushy peas and sardines greeted us in the fully-stocked kitchen! The space is open to all and operates a no-smoking, drinking or drugs policy. Some of the projects to be run from the squat include community gardening, people’s education nights, free shops, donation-based dinner evenings and much more. The 78 should be up and running soon, so keep your eyes peeled. We are only 10 minutes by train from Chippenham and trains run past midnight most nights – Bath Activist Network are looking forward to many nights of fun, food and education in our new local squat, so why not get down there and check it out for yourself?”

Fight War, Not Wars

On 15th March activists from Bath joined a 40,000-strong demonstration in London against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the repression of the Palestinians and a possible attack on Iran. It is now five years since the coalition invaded Iraq on a lie. Since then, hundreds of British and American troops and thousands of Iraqis and Afghans have been killed or injured. Torture, repression and ill-treatment have become commonplace. Loads of money that could have been better spent on hospitals, schools, benefits and pensions have been wasted on the war. At home, due to ‘the war on terror’, political, legal and civil rights built up over many years are being eroded by the state. War criminals Bush and Blair continue their careers with no apology for the death and desturction they have caused. If the coalition states like Israel, Britain and the USA attack Iran, marches, strikes and direct action must be the answer by the people, the majority who have been against these murderous military adventures from the outset.

To join the local Stop the War group, you can attend the vigil outside the front of the Abbey every Saturday 11.30-12.30

Squat’s All The Fuss About?

What do you think of when someone says ‘squatter’? Chances are, the stereotypes of drug-fuelled, special brew swilling freeloaders pops to mind, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. The principle behind squatting is simple – good buildings should not be left to rot while people have a use for them. As a rule, most squatters will only ‘crack’ a building that has been empty for some time, and is not in use. For example, Bath’s last three squats were the former Stothert and Pitt site, a church that had been disused for three, and a shop near the pump rooms that had been disused for at least as long. The latter two both operated drink and drug-free policies and provided community rescources such as free shops, cheap food, free film nights and much more. Importantly, they also provided people with a much needed place to live. This country has a proud tradition of squatting, from the Diggers in 1649, to the poor families of Bath and Corsham who moved into deserted army barracks in the 1940’s.

Squatting is not about ripping people off or giving anyone a hard time (except maybe corrupt councillors, scummy landlords and property developers) – it is about turning unused buildings into valuable community resources, taking them from the developers and speculators, and giving them back to the people they belong to – all of us. Now for the legal bit! Squatting IS legal, so long as you follow some very simple guidelines. You MUST NOT cause criminal damage when entering the building. You must have sole access to the building, so fitting your own locks is a must, and you should definitely have at least one person in the building at all times, as, in the case of squatting, possession is very much 9/10ths of the law. When the landlord finds you, he may try to get a Possession Order. Once this has been given, it is illegal to stay in the building, but if you pick the right place, that may not happen for years, if ever. http://squat.net/

50 Years And Still Fighting

On the 24th March, Bath CND and Bath Stop The War Coalition hired a coach to join 5,000 protesters to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the birth of CND. With this also being the anniversary of the first march to the nuclear facility AWE Aldermaston, they surrounded the base by peacefully linking hands. Before the surrounding of Aldermaston, there was a rally with guest speakers, including Vivienne Westwood, MPs Jeremy Corbyn and Caroline Lucas, Bruce Kent, and CND Chair Kate Hudson. The demo consisted of old, middle-aged and young. There were some veterans from the very first march back in 1958, where 4,000 gathered in London on the coldest weekend in memory, for a 600-strong march to the site, braving the snow. Fifty years on and some say ‘what has changed?’ Well, now the majority of the population are opposed to nuclear weaponry rather than it just being a minority view, and the Cold War is over. This year’s protest went well, leaving the perimeter fence strung with messages, communicating our dismay at the madness of the Government’s plans to renew the Trident nuclear weapons system, flushing £5 billion down that particular drain.

Foie Gras News

The foie gras saga continues with Beaujolais in Chapel Row targeted for selling the diseased liver of force-fed ducks. Saturday 29 March saw 5 activists braving the rain, armed with leaflets and a petition of over 500 signatures to get the vile stuff banned by Bath Council. The amiable co-owner of Beaujolais stated that she’d heard the ethical arguments but would continue to sell it. When the police turned up and she realised we weren’t about to bugger off, she claimed to have stopped selling it (despite the website listing). Changing her story several times within the space of half an hour, she later told us she’d put it on the menu “just for us.” Nice lady, bit confused. Following the demo, a statement was posted on their website claiming that they only sell ‘faux foie.’ Make up your mind, woman!

www.banfoiegras.com/page.php?module=sustained&article_id=27>
www.ciwf.org.uk/campaigns/other_campaigns/exotic_foods.html>

EVENTS

Monday nights – Bath Hunt Sabs Meeting, 8pm, Bell
Wednesdays 4-7pm – London Rd Food Co-op, Riverside Community Centre
Saturdays 11.30am-12.30 – Bath Stop The War Vigil, Abbey Courtyard
23rd April, tbc – Anti-sweatshop demo, 2.30pm til 5pm, Topshop in Bath
25th April, 9.30pm-4am – Benefit gig for Bristol No Borders & Bristol Antifa, New Trinity Hall, Trinity Road, Bristol £7 entry
26th April, 11am – National SHAC demo, Horsham Park, Horsham, W Sussex
29th April, 7.30pm – ‘Bath: An Eco-City?’ debate, Bath Abbey
1st May, 7.30-9pm – Bath Activist Network meeting, downstairs at Hobgoblin
3rd May, tbc – Anti foie-gras demo, contact bathanimalaction@yahoo.co.uk
7th May, 7.30-8.30pm – Bath Animal Action meeting, backroom of Bell
10th May, 12-3pm – Bath Freeshop, outside Pump Rooms, Stall Street
11th May – Bath Animal Action info stall, outside Pump Rooms

For further info on any of our stories see www.myspace.com/bathbomb

GOT A STORY? WANT TO RECEIVE THE BATH BOMB BY EMAIL? HOPING TO SUE?
Contact us by e-mailing bathbombpress@yahoo.co.uk. Large print e-versions available on request.

Q: Who Are Bath Activist Network? A: A local umbrella group campaigning on issues as diverse as development, environmentalism, anti-war, animal rights, workers’ rights and more. Helping to produce The Bath Bomb, we are open to anyone, and our members range from trade unionists to anarchists, liberals to greens, and people who just want to change Bath for the better. For details on meetings, demos, or just to get in touch, ring us on 07949 611912, email bathactivistnet@yahoo.co.uk, or see our website: www.myspace.com/bathactivistnetwork

And now, to the disclaimer: As anyone is free to contribute to this newsletter, the opinions expressed in each article are not necessarily reflective of each contributor. Naturally, any right-wing or corporate bullshit will be binned and spat on. Needless to say, the opinions of the author of this disclaimer does not necessarily represent the views of any other contributor…

—

update on Chippenham squat – April 24, 2008

Unfortunately, on Monday, the would-be social centre ‘the 78’ was evicted on a rushed through Interim Possession Order…

1 May Day of Climate Action -only one week to go!

1 MAY: DAY OF CLIMATE ACTION
Invasion of the climate snatchers!

Only one week to go!
We’ll keep it short: contacts, resources and ideas for action, and public actions.

If you need any info or support email us!
E: mayday@daysofclimateaction.org.uk
W: http://www.daysofclimateaction.org.uk/mayday.html

1 MAY: DAY OF CLIMATE ACTION
Invasion of the climate snatchers!

Only one week to go!
We’ll keep it short: contacts, resources and ideas for action, and public actions.

If you need any info or support email us!
E: mayday@daysofclimateaction.org.uk
W: http://www.daysofclimateaction.org.uk/mayday.html

For more info and background about the day of action please see the bottom of the posting.

TELL US WHAT YOU GET UP TO – email us or phone us on the day (07880 937511) as soon as your action is underway so we can list it on the website include it in the national press release about the day, and the actions round-up the next day. Our actions are so much more powerful when they are seen on masse!

RESOURCES
Lots of information for action/explaining the issues has gone up on our website in the last few days. Check it out and pick your favourite climate red herring: from agrofuels to nuclear power, carbon-trading to hydrogen fuel cells, carbon capture and storage, genetic engineering to nanotechnology. Uncover these techno-fixes for what they are: a distraction from the root cause of climate change and a means to carry on the status quo of endless economic growth and the exploitation of people and planet.
http://daysofclimateaction.org.uk/mayday.html

There’s also a local press release that you can adapt
http://daysofclimateaction.org.uk/mayday_actionresources.html

15 ideas for action for last-minute action planners! At
http://www.risingtide.org.uk/fossilfoolsday/resources

IDEAS FOR ACTION

There are many possibilities, from direct action, publicity stunts, talks and workshops to stalls. Whether you’re in a group or whether there’s just one or two of you, there are lots of things you can do to raise the vital issues.

Some ideas to get you started!

TAKE DIRECT ACTION. Occupy the offices of you local carbon offsetting company; Blockade your local biofuels refinery; Visit your local nuclear power station or take your cows and veg to a carbon trader and set up a real market ; Protest at your local University’s GM and Nano-tech departments; Protest at your local Tesco petrol station against biofuels

SPREAD THE WORD. Hang banners in public places; Hold talks, workshops and film nights about the issues; Leaflet town on your chosen issue; Free Giveaway stalls; Produce and distribute local-based guide on alternatives to capitalism, co-ops, alternative economies, free shops etc. Co-organise events with union members to discuss the issues around employment and climate change; Write articles and letters for papers and websites.

For inspiration check out the write-up of the actions on Fossil Fools Day
– Truly amazing!
http://www.fossilfoolsdayofaction.org/category/front-page/

PUBLIC ACTIONS
Although lots of people are keeping their plans under wraps, this public demos have been announced (If you know of a publicly announced action, let us know and we’ll list it on the website):

Critical Mass and Demo at Sizewell Nuclear Power Station
Saturday 3rd May, meet at 12 noon at Saxmundham train station for a Critical Mass bike ride to Sizewell nuclear power station.
If you don’t have a bike, get to Saxmundham station anyway and we’ll get you to the power station.
Why Sizewell on this day?

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)

http://www.daysofclimateaction.org.uk/mayday.html

Why take action on 1 May?

May 1st, international workers day, has traditionally been a day to challenge the capitalist system and a celebration of solidarity and workers’ struggle for a more just social system.

On this day we are calling on people to make the link between capitalism, economic growth, climate change and social struggle.

As climate change is starting to hit people around the world, a huge number of techno-fixes are forming a new economic sector: from biofuels to nuclear power, carbon-trading to hydrogen fuel cells, carbon capture and storage. Everywhere corporations are seeking the elusive elixir which allows us to continue business as usual. All this whilst our planet is burning and people are loosing their homes, their livelyhoods and their lives to climate chaos.

All of these technologies are a distraction from the root cause of climate change: an economic system based on endless economic growth not only at the cost of the environment we live in but also based on an exploitative social system.

Many of these technofixes are also directly counterproductive to stopping climate chaos and pose new threats to people’s livelyhoods and the survival of the planet.

Agrofuels expansion is direcly responsible for subsistence farmers being cleared of their land, food shortages and enormous price rises, whilst doing nothing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Nuclear power is heralded as a green fuel, but the environmental hazards of uranium extraction, radiation leaks during use and storage, the danger of melt-down and fatal applications in warfare are as dangerous as they have always been.

Scientists promise genetically engineered wonder plants to cope with climate changes, but people in third world countries have yet to see any benefits and fight against the patenting of the genes of traditionally used plants, whilst multinationals are lining their pockets.

The real solution to climate change must be a massive reduction in our consumption, the end to economic growth and a society based on equality and mutual aid.

Technofixes are not the answer to climate change – what we need is far reaching social and economic change!

Biofools: pumps disabled/clowns nicked, Edinburgh; banner drop, Glasgow; demos in Brighton/Bristol/London; Belgian blockade

April 15, 2008

April 15, 2008
From today, all petrol forecourts will be required by law to sell only fuel which is blended with 2.5% agrofuel. The answer to climate chaos you ask? Hardly. Corporations like Tesco are already jumping on the new “green” bandwagon, speaking little of the greater emissions, displacement, poverty and hunger that will be left in its path.

People from Bristol Rising Tide and Espacio Bristol-Colombia were joined by others to inform the public about this issue at Tesco in Eastville this afternoon. There was some interest in the issue from a number of passersby who were surprised that such a big change had been virtually unspoken about, but there’s little that consumers can do to avoid buying the product. The only answer to the energy crisis is a big shift in the way in which we live, travel and eat.

http://www.risingtide.org.uk

—————-

Biofuels protesters disable fuel pumps

Agro-fuels protesters disabled the fuel pumps of two BP filling stations early this morning in opposition to mandatory blending of biofuels into petrol and diesel. Protesters argue that biofuels will worsen climate change, and cause food shortages.
Protesters have taken this action in Edinburgh as part of a national day of action against biofuels – April Biofools day – coinciding with the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation’s (RTFO) coming into force, making it a legal requirement to mix 2.5% biofuels into all petrol and diesel.

BP was targeted since it is a major investor in biofuels.

Biofuels are more appropriately called agrofuels, as far from being connected to natural, sustainable life they are made from crops grown on unsustainable monoculture plantations.

Far from being a green solution to greenhouse gas emissions, agrofuels drive climate change. Increased use of agrofuels has been promoted by governments as a possible way of decreasing greenhouse gas emissions from transport. However, there is evidence that the process of producing agrofuels hugely increases greenhouse gas emissions when deforestation, peatland destruction and nitrogen fertiliser-use are taken into account.

The production of agrofuels is causing large-scale deforestation which is likely to lead to a tipping point of irreversible rapid destruction of forests, which could mean the release of as much as 120 billion tonnes of CO2. Similarly, the expansion of palm oil production for agrofuels is leading to an acceleration of peat draining, which is likely overall to mean the release of 40 million tonnes of CO2. In addition, increased large-scale agriculture means increased use of fertilzers which mean the release of large amounts of nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas nearly 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

Agrofuels are also a major threat to food supplies and food sovereignty. Increased demand for agrofuel crops is putting pressure on food prices, pushing more and more people below the breadline.

Agrofuel crops are being grown on monoculture plantations. The land for these is often violently seized by governments and corporations from the people who live and work on it. People displaced are forced to either go to join the growing numbers of people living in poverty on urban peripheries or, as happened in the 1970s, settle in a previously uninhabited area of rainforest, causing further ecological devastation to add to that already caused by the plantations themselves.

Agrofuels are being pursued by Western governments because they offer a non-Middle Eastern fuel source. This is unrelated to the need to combat climate change, and is instead based on maintaining neo-imperialist power.

—————-

Lothian and Borders Police Harass a Peaceful Protest

Five members of the Edinburgh Clown Army (1) were detained for questioning this afternoon at a peaceful and entertaining biofuels protest in Bruntsfield(2). They have since been arrested and charged with a breach of the peace, despite maintaining a friendly atmosphere.

Eye-witnesses state that the biofuels demonstration was peaceful, friendly and party-like atmosphere.

Witnesses also state that the Clowns were friendly and entertaining, creating a comical and amusing ambiance for the protest.

Witnesses say that the Clowns gave no grounds for the police to charge them with a breach of the peace.

Police moved in in large numbers, surrounding the Clowns, filmed them, and took them one by one into the back of a police van.

They were taken to St Leonards Police Station for questioning, at which point they were charged with a breach of the peace.

The protest was part of the biofuels day of action, and took place at the BP garage in the Bruntsfield area of Edinburgh.

People who attended the demonstration are shocked and angered by the treatment the Clowns have received from the police.

This latest move from the police is part of an ongoing campaign of harassing peaceful demonstrators over the last six months. Three environmental campaigners were detained for questioning at 7.30 in the morning last month, including one of the Clowns who were targeted by the police on Tuesday.

They are due in court tomorrow, and the friends and relatives of those arrested will be turning up to support them.

Friends and relatives of those Clowns who were arrested urge the media to provide the pictures and videos that will help prove that they have been wrongfully arrested.

Notes:

(1) A comical and entertaining activist group that use humour and ridicule to challenge the status quo. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clandestine_Insurgent_Rebel_Clown_Army
(2) The protest was called by Biofuels Watch to raise awareness about the negative impacts this fuel source has: calling for a an EU moratorium on agrofuels from large-scale monocultures. Agroenergy monocultures are linked to accelerated climate change, deforestation, the impoverishment and dispossession of local communities, bio-diversity losses, human rights abuses, water and soil degradation, loss of food sovereignty and food security. www.biofuelwatch.org.uk/

Press Contact: Alex Cabb
Telephone: 07858723742

—————-

Biofuel bannerdrop in Glasgow

Protesters against biofuels dropped a banner at Charing Cross today, to draw attention to the use of food to make petrol.

Biofuels are responsible for contributing to CO2 emissions, clearing rainforest and displacing subsistence farmers, and lead to higher food prices, causing riots in Haiti and many other parts of the world.

Turning food into fuel for cars is burning food which the world needs to feed its population, yet today a new law came into force that petrol must contain 2.5% biofuel, with this percentage rising over years. Hungry people are being sacrificed on the altar of the holy automobile.

www.biofuelwatch.org.uk

—————-

Brighton Biofools Day Protest

A group of biofuel activists made a colourful banner and flyer tour of Brighton city centre and Sussex University on Tuesday raising awareness around a new law which came into affect as of yesterday. The RTFO or “Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation” has mandated 2.5% biofuels at British fuel pumps from April 15th, and thereby hugely increased UK consumption of biofuels.

Demonstration against the RTFO, April 15th

Amongst such headlines over the last fortnight as “Food shortages threaten to become the biggest crisis of the 21st century” the U.K. government has nevertheless conceded to EU plans to mandate massive amounts of biofuels into petrol and diesel across Europe. Environmentalists have warned for years that these EU targets will wreak havoc on the climate and food supplies, and eco-systems and people in the global South. These concerns are now echoed by senior scientists and policy makers. EU targets are set to increase to 10% by 2020.

Alison Freeman chair of the Environmental Society at Sussex University stated, “Our primary concern is to break the illusion the government and corporate sector is propagating of these fuels as “renewable”, “green” and “bio” which deliberately obfuscates the issue for the general public. Our message is simple: biofuels kill. The current system’s unyielding hunger to burn nature and humanitarian recourses in the engine of the capitalist machine will pull us all over the edge! We must stop Western economies internalising these fuels before it is too late”.

The Brighton biofuel protest was part of national reaction, with groups protesting across the country including Aberdeen, Bristol, Cheltenham, Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, Norwhich and hundreds outside Downing Street in London. On the 6th of August a mass national action against agrofuels will take place as part of this year Climate Camp- see http://climatecamp.org.uk/agrofuels.php to get up date information.

—————-

Protests to UK Prime Minister – Scrap Biofuel Targets / Scrap RTFO

Hundreds of people in London and groups across the UK held protests against the introduction of mandatory biofuel blending on April Biofools Day. A protest was held later outside Downing Street, with speakers from Colombia, Campaign against Climate Change, Friends of the Earth, Global Forest Coalition, GM Freeze and Biofuelwatch condemning the government’s decision to go ahead with their biofuel policy against overwhelming evidence of catastrophic impacts on climate, communities, biodiversity and food security.

Phil Thornhill of Campaign against Climate Change and Andrew Boswell of Biofuelwatch, in a joint statement, said “The RTFO or “Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation” will mandate 2.5% biofuels at British fuel pumps from April 15th, and thereby hugely increase UK consumption of biofuels. The government is demonstrating a perverse obstinacy in ploughing ahead with this despite the overwhelming scientific evidence that far from helping in the struggle to control climate change, biofuels will accelerate climate change, and are a major cause of an emerging global food crisis that is creating starvation and food riots in several countries.”

Play the Biofuel song on Global Food Crisis at: http://www.biofuelsong.com/music

A lunchtime protest was held outside the Department for Transport, Tuesday April 15th, April Biofools Day. Other protests were held outside the constituency offices of Ruth Kelly, Secretary of State for Transport, and Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for the Environment, and at BP and Tesco fuel stations. BP and Tesco are two of the companies with significant investment in biofuels from large-scale monocultures, and which have been strongly lobbying for mandatory biofuel blending.

“The UK has chosen to ignore a vast mountain of evidence that biofuels are contributing to hunger, climate change, deforestation and human rights abuses,” said Dr. Rachel Smolker, main author of “The Real Cost of Agrofuels.” She continued, “Perhaps they are counting on new technologies using cellulose from wood and grasses, but these won’t sidestep the problems either. Whatever feedstocks are used will result in further expansion of industrial monocultures, possibly including Genetically Engineered trees. The bottom line is that there is a limited amount of land available, a large population to feed and a desperate need to preserve remaining biodiverse ecosystems. Instead of focusing on improving efficiency and reducing consumption, the UK is mandating further destruction.”

Almuth Ernsting from Biofuelwatch adds: “Protests against the agrofuel industry and this government’s biofuel policies will not end today. The government is talking about vague ‘sustainability standards’, whilst agrofuels are causing ever greater harm to the climate, to forests and other ecosystems, to communities in the global South, to biodiversity worldwide, and to food sovereignty and food security. We need a moratorium on all agrofuel incentives and targets to prevent those catastrophic impacts.”

On 8th April, 29 UK and international groups wrote to the UK government, calling for an agrofuel moratorium and demanding a suspension of the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation, and opposition to new EU biofuel targets – both the proposed 10% biofuel target in the Renewable Energy Directive, and the inclusion of biofuels in the draft new Fuel Quality Directive. Around 200 organisations from North and South have signed a call for an EU moratorium on agrofuels from large-scale monocultures, and there are separate calls for a US agrofuel moratorium and for an African agrofuel moratorium, as well as growing number of declarations from the Southern groups that are deeply concerned about the impacts which biofuel policies in Europe, including in the UK, are having on their communities, food sovereignty and environment.

Notes:

1. For a copy of the joint NGO letter to the UK government, see: http://www.biofuelwatch.org.uk/files/rtfo_letter.pdf

2. For copies of the moratorium calls and the other declarations, see
http://www.econexus.info/biofuels.html
http://www.grain.org/agrofuels/?moratoriumen
http://ga3.org/campaign/agrofuelsmoratorium
http://www.biofuelwatch.org.uk/declarations.php

3. Some other protests

Bolton (video):
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1213934526/bctid1504464364

Edinburgh:
http://scotland.indymedia.org/newswire/display/5536/index.php
http://rinf.com/alt-news/activism/police-harass-a-peaceful-protest/2969/
http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/edinburgh/Protest-clowns-arrested-after-Capital.3985990.jp
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/04/396710.html

Brighton:
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/04/396734.html

Bristol:
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/04/396663.html

—————-

Biofools day: Cargill factory blocked in Ghent (Belgium)

17.04.2008
This morning thirty activist of “agrocrisis” blocked the gates of the Cargill factory in Ghent (Belgium). Several activist are chained to the main gate blocking entrance to trucks.

According to An Maeyens, agrocrisis spokesperson, this actions means a one day block from transit. but above all a support to the struggle of thousands of small scale farmers, who are depraved of land and income and forced to migrate to slums near big cities, living in poverty, all because of the activities of big companies such as Cargill in their country,

UPDATE: cargill in the port of Ghent is completely blocked, police agreed not to intervene.

first pictures on

ovl.indymedia.org

More info & photos at http://www.aseed.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=552&Itemid=1

Video:

We’ve put the videoreport in FIVE languages on two sites. The choice is yours. This is a must see…

Politube:

Francais: http://www.politube.org/show/647
Nederlands: http://www.politube.org/show/645
English: http://www.politube.org/show/642
Espagnol: http://www.politube.org/show/648
Deutsch: http://www.politube.org/show/663

Youtube:

Francais: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=vyMMfjFQOeY
Nederlands: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=yFyA2H-8S5s
English: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=XYq8J2N2JaA
Espagnol: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=0bfDBb10IiI
Deutsch: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=qt4eC3x0Q5o

Fitwatch – Tactics Sharing Gathering – 26th April 2008 – 12:30

Room H216
London School of Economics
Connaught House,
Aldwych

What is Fitwatch?
We are tackling the use of police Forward Intelligence Teams on protests. We get in the way of cameras, take photos and gather information on officers, and are starting to reclaim our demonstrations from the police.

Do you want to Fitwatch?

Room H216
London School of Economics
Connaught House,
Aldwych

Do you want to Fitwatch?
Fitwatch is a tactic, not an organisation. Anyone can fitwatch and it can be as confrontational or as pacific as you want. The more people who start taking responsibility for dealing with FIT, the more chances we have for effective protest.

Got some ideas? Want to know more?
Come to the Tactics Sharing Gathering and let’s work out together how we can kick FIT off our protests.

Whilst support and advice will be available, this is not a training day. It is an open forum for both newcomers and experienced activists to share ideas and experiences.

For further information on FIT and what we’ve done so far, see www.fitwatch.blogspot.com

defycops(at)yahoo.co.uk