South West England – Page 34

Mayo Shell blockade & 15-17th March London demo & action call-out

Blockade of Shell site, thurs morning, 24/1/8, approx 100 cars blocked for 45 mins

This morning, local residents’ yet again braved the bitterly cold wind to show Shell that it will never have their consent. Knowing that only they can protect the health and safety of their community and environment, people peacefully held banners at the gates, shutting down the site and preventing approx. 100 Shell cars from entering. There were no Gardai for approx. 45 mins!
Yesterday, people were stood by the side of gate 2, not blocking the cars, but were forcibly removed by the Gardai, who refused to give a reason. As usual, there was disagreement between the Gardai themselves on why we were being removed and some were clearly uncomfortable with their colleagues’ unreasonable behaviour (‘public order act’ ‘Trespass’ ‘miscellaneous housing act’ and my personal favourite, ‘you are causing a destruction’). The morning pickets are still happening and there are frequent blockades, so come and support the Kilcommon Parish who are simply calling for the gas to be refined at sea and to renegotiate the deal to benefit the people of Ireland. Shell to Sea!
Who’s cops?
It came as no surprise to see the recent Shell Project Monitoring Committee praising Supt Gannon for his work in the locality.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

hey all, hope you can join us in London to bring the pipeline back to Shell – 15-17th March.

Gluaiseacht are mobilising people from all over Ireland to travel to Shell Headquarters in London on St Patrick’s Day to protest the giveaway and mismanagement of our national resources. We will be carrying a 200ft pipeline to Shell’s front door.

The Irish people will not benefit from the Corrib Gas Project. We will have to buy back any gas that Shell will sell to us at the ever increasing full market value. As well as this, Shell will destroy a pristine environment and the health and safety of the local community.

If you can’t get to London, there’s a call out for solidarity actions to happen at St Paddy’s Day parades, Shell offices & garages and Irish Embassies all over the world during this weekend.

What is Gluaiseacht?
Gluaiseacht is a non-hierarchical environmental and social justice movement bringing together grassroots organisations, concerned individuals and student groups from all over Ireland to take action on social, environmental and political issues.

For more information, please email back. many thanks!

http://gluaiseacht.nologic.org/

Prefabs Stolen from the Poor – Bristol fights back

The hummingbird is the logo of Bovis Homes but dont let rapid wingbeats blur your memory. Lest we forget…..

Bovis took over all prefab sites in Bristol, and the old and poor were moved out to make way for new luxury apartment homes. Bovis lie when they say they meet the legal requirement of 17% social housing. They dont.

The hummingbird is the logo of Bovis Homes but dont let rapid wingbeats blur your memory. Lest we forget…..

Recently the speedwell sites were visited, earth movers were decomisioned, windows smashed, and bulldozers put out of action.

The hoarding boards surrounding the site give the illusion of wealth and happiness. We shatter the illusion with spray paint and use them as a political message board to alert the community:

Prefabs Stolen from the Poor!

Biofuel week of action – 26th January-2nd February 2008

Biofuelwatch are calling for a national week of local action on agrofuels between 26th January and 2nd February 2008. Rather than organising one central protest, UK groups and campaigns are encouraged to organise local protests and actions – which could involve a banner protest outside a Tesco or BP petrol station or outside an agrofuel refinery (click for map of biofuel refineries), leafleting and/or street theatre in the city centre, a press release, a public film show, etc. Please email us at info[at]biofuelwatch.org.uk if you can help in any way, or if you would like to find out if anything is already planned in your area.

If you are planning a local event and would like us to put the details on our website, then please email us at info[at]biofuelwatch.org.uk.

Click here for details of events in London, Teeside, Cheltenham and Aberdeen.

Click here for resources!

Saving Iceland Update 2008 – Mini-gathering – Friday 22nd February 2008, Sumac Centre, Nottingham

Saving Iceland Update 2008
Mini-gathering

A day of talks and film showings to pass on information about the on-going international campaign and the current situation in Iceland

Friday 22nd February 2008, Sumac Centre, Nottingham

Saving Iceland Update 2008
Mini-gathering

A day of talks and film showings to pass on information about the on-going international campaign and the current situation in Iceland

Friday 22nd February 2008, Sumac Centre, Nottingham

The event is aimed at:
Activists who have been involved with Saving Iceland in the past, have parted company for whatever reason, but would like to know what’s happening now
UK-based Saving Iceland activists who were unable to make it to the recent organising gatherings abroad and would like an update
People who are new to the issue but are interested to find out about this great ecological threat to our relatively local wilderness.
Anyone with questions about the campaign

Please book in advance (email savingiceland@riseup.org, subject heading “UK mini-gathering”) so we have some idea of catering requirements, and let us know if you need accommodation. We will be asking for a small donation to cover costs of food and venue.

We will start at 10 a.m. with an introduction to the issues. If you already know the basics, aim to arrive by 11a.m.

* * *

www.savingiceland.org

Climate Camp– Open invite to a UK wide decision making meeting – Leeds 26-27 Jan

The Climate Camp on its own didn’t stop climate change – but it’s part of a growing social movement that can! Come and take the next steps forward at the upcoming UK-wide meeting on Jan 26-27 in Leeds. Everyone is welcome, whether you came to the camp, or were simply inspired by it.

The Camp’s at Drax and Heathrow had 4 key aims: popular education, direct action, sustainable living, and building a social movement to collectively tackle climate change. Regional meetings have been happening up and down the country, and the last national meeting was in Oxford .We will meet in Leeds to collectively share all our ideas for taking our aims into 2008.

The meeting will start at 11am on Saturday morning and end at 4pm on the Sunday- although if you can’t stay for the whole weekend you are still welcome!

If you are planning to arrive on the Saturday morning please head straight down to the venue which is The Common Place, 23-25 Warf Street, LS2 7EQ
www.thecommonplace.org.uk – you can find a map at
http://www.multimap.com/maps/?hloc=GB|LS2%207EQ and you will notice that it is walking distance from the train and bus stations.

If you are planning on arriving the Friday night – before the gathering- please email process@climatecamp.org.uk so we know! There will be accommodation available for the Friday night – but at a community centre called Oblong ( http://oblongleeds.org.uk) rather than at the Common Place.
Food will be served at the Common Place over the weekend- so please bring about £10 to contribute towards the food and accommodation costs if you stay the whole weekend. Of course if you really can not afford it then you are none the less very welcome!

There will also be a travel pool (whereby people who live nearby and who have minimal travel costs will be asked to make donations to off set the expense for those who had to make much longer journeys to attend). Accommodation is simply floor space- so please bring a camping mat and sleeping bag. If you have particular access needs, and/or if sleeping on the floor is not suitable for you please email us as soon as possible so we can make appropriate arrangements.

If you are planning to bring children who will need child care facilities please let us at process@climatecamp.org.uk know as soon as possible. The agenda for this meeting has not yet been set – if you have any ideas about topics you think it is important for us to discuss, please email
process@climatecamp.org.uk- by Friday the 19th January
Hope to see you there!

camp for climate action networking group
networking@climatecamp.org.uk
http://www.climatecamp.org.uk

CLIMATE ACTION NEWS SHEET 75, JANUARY 2008

CONTENTS:

———————————————-
UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS:
———————————————-
1) FOSSIL FOOLS DAY – NATIONAL, 1.4.08
2) LONDON RISING TIDE BENEFIT – LONDON, 11.1.08

CONTENTS:

———————————————-
UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS:
———————————————-
1) FOSSIL FOOLS DAY – NATIONAL, 1.4.08
2) LONDON RISING TIDE BENEFIT – LONDON, 11.1.08
3) NEWQUAY AIRPORT EXPANSION, PUBLIC DEBATE – CORNWALL, 12.1.08
4) RADICAL ACTION VS. CLIMATE CHAOS, NATIONAL MEET – NOTTINGHAM, 12.1.08
5) CLIMATE CAMP NATIONAL GATHERING – LEEDS, 26-27.1.08
6) BIOFUELWATCH WEEK OF ACTION – NATIONAL, 26.1.08 – 1.2.08
7) MANCHESTER CLIMATE FORUM – 1.3.08
8) DAY OF ACTION VS. GLOBAL AGRIBUSINESS – INTERNATIONAL, 26.1.08
9) LOW-IMPACT SMALLHOLDING – BUCKS, 11-13.1.08
———————————————-
RECENT HAPPENINGS:
———————————————-
1) NEWQUAY AIRPORT ROOFTOP OCCUPATION – 15.12.07
2) SANTAS AGAINST EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION – NORWICH & LONDON, 15.12.07
3) BRISTOL RISING TIDE TAKES ACTION VS. SHELL GREENWASH – DECEMBER 2007
4) SHELL TO SEA SCALE GOVERNMENT OFFICE – IRELAND, 19.12.07
5) NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE MARCH AND ACTIONS – 8.12.07
6) DUTCH COAL ACTION – 8.12.07
7) FLIGHT CENTRES SHUT FOR BUSINESS – MANCHESTER, 7.12.07
8) CHEADLE-HIGH-STREET AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE – DECEMBER 2007
9) SUBVERTISEMENTS IN LONDON AND MANCHESTER – DECEMBER 2007
10) WOMEN’S BLOCKADE OF DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT – 7.12.07
11) THE TIDE IS RISING! – 7.12.07
12) CLIMATE ACTIVISTS STOP WORK AT COAL MINE – SOUTH WALES, 5.12.07
13) INTERNATIONAL RT HOAX TARGETS BIG CARBON – 3.12.07
14) HOMELESS POLAR BEARS IN COURT – BRISTOL, 14.11.07
15) KEEP OIL UNDERGROUND – DECEMBER 2007
16) SIZEWELL NUCLEAR CLIMATE ACTION – 1.12.07
17) MANIAC MOTORIST MARS MASS – GLASGOW, NOVEMBER 2007
18) VIVA’S ‘HOT!’ CAMPAIGN – DECEMBER 2007
19) WHAT BETTER TIME? – DECEMBER 2007
20) BATH BOMB, ISSUE 5 – DECEMBER 2007
21) PACIFIC CURRENTS – DECEMBER 2007
22) A HOUSE OF CARDS – DECEMBER 2007
23) SOUTH WEST AIR ACTION – DECEMBER 2007
24) RISING TIDE LEAMINGTON SPA – DECEMBER 2007
25) RISING TIDE ON YOU TUBE

———————————————-
UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS:
———————————————-
1) FOSSIL FOOLS DAY – NATIONAL, 1.4.08
Just three months to go – are you out practising your routines? rehearsing your songs? building your props yet? I should get out more over Christmas…
However, it will soon be time to hatch your mischievous scheme, so get your friends round and start plotting!
http://www.fossilfoolsday.org/

2) LONDON RISING TIDE BENEFIT – LONDON, 11.1.08
In support of London Rising Tide, AMP is organising a night of live music at The Others, Manor Road, Stoke Newington. Entrance £5.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=38074566

3) NEWQUAY AIRPORT EXPANSION, PUBLIC DEBATE – CORNWALL, 12.1.08
Organised by Rising Tide with speakers from Groundswell and Plane Stupid.
7pm St. Mawgan Community Hall, Nr. Newquay, Cornwall. For more info. email; kernow@risingtide.org.uk

4) RADICAL ACTION VS. CLIMATE CHAOS, NATIONAL MEET – NOTTINGHAM, 12.1.08
11am – 6pm at The Sumac Centre, 245 Gladstone Street, Forest Fields, Nottingham.
This meeting came out of the last Climate Camp gathering in November. It is focussed on growing our movement – how can we encourage more groups to form and more actions/campaigns to happen? What things do we want to do to help build a vibrant network of regional action groups doing actions locally and nationally?
For instruction on how to get there: http://www.veggies.org.uk/sumac/map.html
Also, 11 people are going to trial in Nottingham on Monday 14th for ‘shutting down’ the local coal power station, If anyone wants to stay to support them that would be great!

5) CLIMATE CAMP NATIONAL GATHERING – LEEDS, 26-27.1.08
The Climate Camp on its own didn’t stop climate change – but it’s part of a growing social movement that can! Come and take the next steps forward at the upcoming UK-wide meeting on Jan 26-27 in Leeds. Everyone is welcome, whether you came to the camp, or were simply inspired by it.
http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/nextmeeting.php

6) BIOFUELWATCH WEEK OF ACTION – NATIONAL, 26.1.08 – 1.2.08
Biofuelwatch are calling for a national week of local action on agrofuels between 26th January and 1st February 2008. We will shortly update our website to provide more background information about the UK agrofuel industry and policies, as well as a draft leaflet and other resources. If you would like to get involved or find out more, please email us at info[at]biofuelwatch.org.uk.
http://biofuelwatch.org.uk/

7) MANCHESTER CLIMATE FORUM – 1.3.08
Manchester Climate Forum “Climate Change: it’s time to prepare”
9.15am at the Methodist Hall, Oldham St, Central Manchester
http://www.manchesterclimateforum.org.uk/index.html

8) DAY OF ACTION VS. GLOBAL AGRIBUSINESS – INTERNATIONAL, 26.1.08
On January 26 self-organized groups from all around the world will take creative action in their community. This will manifest in many ways, from nonviolent direct action, civil disobedience, street theatre, convergences, teach-ins and other activities and events. Grassroots movements around the world are making their voices heard and saying “Another World is Possible”. In coordination with the World Social Forum.
http://www.risingtidenorthamerica.org/wordpress/category/front-page/

9) LOW-IMPACT SMALLHOLDING – BUCKS, 11-13.1.08
Next course by the Low-Impact Living Initiative;
http://www.lowimpact.org/courseoutlinelowimpactsmallholding.htm

———————————————-
RECENT HAPPENINGS:
———————————————-
1) NEWQUAY AIRPORT ROOFTOP OCCUPATION – 15.12.07
For the recently formed Kernow and Plymouth Rising Tide groups, this action marked an escalation in their fight against climate change and for environmental justice. However the planned rooftop protest at Newquay airport was given an unlikely boost when builders at the airport left a ladder propped up!
http://risingtide.org.uk/node/248
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/7146159.stm

2) SANTAS AGAINST EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION – NORWICH AND LONDON, 15.12.07
Subversive Singing Santas Spread Seasonal Sanity in London and Norwich On one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Rising Tide activists in both London and Norwich dressed up as Santas Against Excessive Consumption and hit the high streets to sing a different tune to the usual buy, buy,
buy madness of the holiday season.
http://risingtide.org.uk/node/247

3) BRISTOL RISING TIDE TAKES ACTION VS. SHELL GREENWASH – DECEMBER 2007
A series of actions is being taken against the organisers of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award and Bristol Museum, in protest at the sponsorship of the event by Shell. A grumpy polar bear visited the offices of BBC Wildlife magazine, then activists disrupted Bristol Museum’s posh reception to kick off the exhibition with a Yes Men-style intervention. And on the opening morning, dozens of humans, polar bears, a snow leopard and a tiger gathered (complete with the Shell’s Wild Lie counter-exhibition) in front of the museum. They handed out leaflets and created quite a spectacle. Protests are expected to continue through Jan. 13th.
http://risingtide.org.uk/bristol

4) SHELL TO SEA SCALE GOVERNMENT OFFICE – IRELAND, 19.12.07
A special prayer and carol service was held on 16th December at Bellanaboy, County Mayo, marking the end of another year of community struggle against Shell’s proposed raw gas pipeline and inland refinery.
On the 19th, a small group of Shell to Sea activists scaled the heights of the Department of Natural Resources to place a banner reading PROTECT IRISH NATURAL RESOURCES on the balcony outside Eamon Ryan’s office.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17942
http://www.corribsos.com/

5) NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE MARCH AND ACTIONS – 8.12.07
Over 10,000 climate campaigners took to the streets to take part in marches in London and Glasgow over the weekend, despite pouring rain. Protesters braved the weather in one the biggest demonstrations calling for climate justice the UK has ever seen.
http://www.campaigncc.org/
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/12/387497.html
Environmental activists from direct action group Plane Stupid shut down travel agents and airline offices along the route of the Climate March in London.
http://www.planestupid.com/
Meanwhile, in Manchester airline billboards advertising cheap flights to European cities were subverted.

6) DUTCH COAL ACTION – 8.12.07
A collective of twenty Dutch EarthFirst! activists blocked the coal conveyor- belt to a plant owned by the German energy giant E.on on the Maasvlakte near Rotterdam.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17893

7) FLIGHT CENTRES SHUT FOR BUSINESS – MANCHESTER, 7.12.07
All Flight Centre branches in Manchester city centre were super-glued shut in time for Saturday trading and to coincide with the climate march in London. They were pasted with notices saying: “Closed – we want your kids to have a planet” The UK’s only Hummer dealership, Bauer Millett, was also D-locked shut.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17887

8) CHEADLE-HIGH-STREET AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE – DECEMBER 2007
Activists from Cheadle-High-Street Against Climate Change held a “A planet is not just for Xmas” campaign for a sustainable Xmas.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17917

9) SUBVERTISEMENTS IN LONDON AND MANCHESTER – DECEMBER 2007
Two adverts promoting DVD’s by Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson now have large stickers stuck on declaring “This causes climate change”. Also, FlyBe appears to have spotted the errors of their ways and cancelled their short-haul summer routes. Bravo FlyBe!
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17937

10) WOMEN’S BLOCKADE OF DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT – 7.12.07
Women climate activists blockaded the Department for Transport preventing staff from getting to work and carrying out their policies which are catapulting us towards dangerous run-away climate change. This action comes in response to the Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly confirming the government’s intentions to build a third runway and a sixth terminal at Heathrow and coincides with the opening of their first “consultation”.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17883

11) THE TIDE IS RISING! – 7.12.07
A banner with this warning/statement was dropped to welcome all those entering the city of Manchester on the Princess parkway.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17886

12) CLIMATE ACTIVISTS STOP WORK AT COAL MINE – SOUTH WALES, 5.12.07
More than thirty climate activists, including members of the Rising Tide network, joined with local residents from Merthyr Tydfil in stopping excavation work for a full day on Britain’s biggest ever open-cast coal mine at Ffos-y-fran in South Wales. Activists evaded police and security before taking over the 1,000 acre site on a hilltop near Cardiff. Dressed as clowns and polar bears, they chained themselves to bulldozers and other heavy machinery to prevent work on the mine.
http://risingtide.org.uk/node/242

13) INTERNATIONAL RT HOAX TARGETS BIG CARBON – 3.12.07
Climate activists with the international Rising Tide network embarrassed the U.S. Climate Action Partnership (USCAP), a lobby group composed of 33 prominent businesses and organizations, by distributing a spoof press release declaring that the consortium’s members had committed to a 90
percent reduction in their greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In addition, the spoof release called for an immediate moratorium on the construction of all new coal-fired power plants.
http://risingtide.org.uk/node/240
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2007/dec/03/oil.bp

14) HOMELESS POLAR BEARS IN COURT – BRISTOL, 14.11.07
Four homeless polar bears appeared before Bristol Magistrates Court on 14th November. They were arrested after blockading the Royal Bank of Scotland corporate offices on Avon St. during the Rising Tide national day of action. After pleading guilty to charges of “wilfully obstructing the public highway with a non motor vehicle” (i.e. a suit case) they were given a conditional discharge and went on to picket the RBS branch on Baldwin Street!
http://risingtide.org.uk/node/243

15) KEEP OIL UNDERGROUND – DECEMBER 2007
The only way to fight climate change. A new report by OilWatch.
http://www.oilwatch.org/doc/documentos/Keep_oil_underground.pdf
http://www.oilwatch.org/

16) SIZEWELL NUCLEAR CLIMATE ACTION – 1.12.07
What else would you do at this time in the morning at a nuclear power station, other than lay on the road, lock yourselves together, unfurl your banner reading “nuclear power is not the answer to climate chaos” and wait 15 minutes for the security to notice you.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17868

17) MANIAC MOTORIST MARS MASS – GLASGOW, NOVEMBER 2007
Unburdened with festive spirit, a middle-aged woman leant out of her car and pulled a cyclist off his bike.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17889

18) VIVA’S ‘HOT!’ CAMPAIGN – DECEMBER 2007
“Livestock’s contribution to environmental problems is on a massive scale. The impact is so significant that it needs to be addressed with urgency.” United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation 2006
find out more at
http://www.viva.org.uk/campaigns/hot/index.php

19) WHAT BETTER TIME? – DECEMBER 2007
A free news sheet from the Scottish Climate Activist Network.
http://whatbettertime.livejournal.com/

20) BATH BOMB, ISSUE 5 – DECEMBER 2007
Christmas edition of the monthly Bathonian rabblerousiness.
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17905

21) PACIFIC CURRENTS – DECEMBER 2007
For updates on the work of Pacific Environment, a non-profit organisation that protects the Pacific Rim’s wild places and wildlife, see;
http://www.pacificenvironment.org/article.php?id=2658

22) A HOUSE OF CARDS – DECEMBER 2007
From fantasy finance to global crash.
Your guide to understanding the crisis that is sweeping through the global financial system and what it means for ordinary people.
Endorsed by Kevin Smith of Carbon Trade Watch and filmmaker Ken Loach.
http://www.aworldtowin.net/about/HouseOfCards.html

23) SOUTH WEST AIR ACTION – DECEMBER 2007
A new website.
http://www.swairaction.org.uk/

24) RISING TIDE LEAMINGTON SPA is born – DECEMBER 2007
The group had its first meeting on 3rd January and is now swinging into action. If you live in the area and want to find out more or get involved contact becqke@riseup.net

25) RISING TIDE ON YOU TUBE
Rising Tide action footage has been springing up all over youtube – check out http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=RisingTideNetwork for some RT films, some of the latest actions and links to other’s videos of RT actions.

———-

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

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

END

Squatters Needed!

A new Social Centre in Wiltshire requires volounteers. Accommodation is of course free.

Happy Januyear!

So we’re looking at setting up a social centre in wiltshire, busy town so we should be good but i think some added support for the first few days would be greatly appreciated. Do you know anyone who might be interested? We’ll be decorating, celebrating, gardening, having a film night, foraging and cooking etc! fun times for all. If you can help please email yarrow@mail.com.

A new Social Centre in Wiltshire requires volounteers. Accommodation is of course free.

Happy Januyear!

Thanks!

Shell Oil and the Institutions Greenwashing Them Feel the ‘Heat’ on Climate Change, in Bristol

Saturday, December 15th 2007

Effective Direct Action and Public Protests Mark Exhibition’s Release in Bristol

Saturday, December 15th 2007

Effective Direct Action and Public Protests Mark Exhibition’s Release in Bristol

It hasn’t been an easy week for the organisers of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award and the Bristol Museum, or their sponsor and proud wildlife destroyer— sugardaddy Shell Oil Company. All week, concerned individuals from around Bristol have been exposing the truth about Shell and the public institutions who are helping to greenwash them.

On Tuesday, activists staged a protest in the national offices of the BBC Wildlife Magazine in Broadmead, bringing work to a halt and reviving controversy within the organization about their relationship with the oil industry. See further details of this action in previous article

On Friday evening, Bristol Museum hosted a private, posh wine and cheese reception to kick off their hosting of Shell’s exhibit, with attendees including Dawn Primarola, Labour MP from South Bristol and Helen Holland, leader of the Bristol City Council, who were all patting themselves on the back for caring about wildlife. Bristol Rising Tide activists, dressed up to the nines, were admitted to the event under fake names, with one activist gaining access to the mic, and posing as the Shell public relations director. He then launched into a two minute speech (in the style of the yes men) thanking the city council and museum for helping to allow Shell’s destruction of wildlife to continue and calling the melting of the Arctic ice cap a “tremendous business opportunity” by allowing access to millions of barrels of oil under the ice cap. Amazingly the mic was kept on through the entirety of the speech. (Full text of speech and video below)

Saturday saw a highly successful and well-attended protest, marking the opening of the SHELL sponsored Wildlife photographer of the year exhibition. Dozens of humans, about a dozen polar bears, a snow leopard, and a tiger gathered, complete with the Wild Lie counter-exhibit. Protesters gathered in front of the museum, handed out leaflets, creating quite a spectacle. Some eventually made their way into the exhibition hall, where Shell’s crimes were recounted, and a die-in took place to symbolize all the wildlife who have been killed because of oil greed, and who continue to suffer the effects of climate change. The protest, organized by Bristol Rising Tide, Friends of the Earth, and People and Planet, showed that Bristolians will not be quiet in the face of corporate greenwash in our public institutions.

Protests are expected to continue at the museum through Jan. 13, in an effort to educate the public about the true nature of Shell’s activities, and to maintain pressure on the BBC Wildlife Magazine and Natural History Museum to drop Shell as a sponsor. People are encouraged to go and see the photographs and let the museum know about their displeasure about allowing a Shell sponsored exhibit space in a city-owned museum.

The protest today also coincided with a shocking report in this weekend’s Financial Times. It highlights Shell’s role in the imminent devastation of the athabasca tar sands.
See http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/53058af8-aaaf-11dc-a779-0000779fd2ac.html?nclick_check=1

Brian Straub, Shell Canada’s vice-president for oil sands makes the companies position very clear: “We’re clearly putting all we have across the Shell world toward developing this resource. If we weren’t here it would just be woods”

Take action:

If you want to protest about Bristol Museum and the BBC Wildlife Magazine greenwashing Shell then please write briefly to each of these organisations. There will be many within each organisation sympathetic to our stance – letters will support their position.

Bristol Council: customer.services@bristol.gov.uk

Bristol Museum: general.museum@bristol.gov.uk

BBC Wildlife Magazine: wildlifemagazine@bbcmagazinesbristol.com

Editor Evening Post: http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=144933&command=newPage

Read more about Shell’s horrific environmental record and the controversy surrounding oil company sponsorship of cultural events:

“Shell Wildlife Destroyer of the Year”, Friends of the Earth,
October 2006
http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefings/shell_wildlife_destroyer.pdf

Arctic Ice Free by 2013: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7139797.stm

Tragic History Museum: http://www.shelloiledwildlife.org.uk/

Art Not Oil: http://www.artnotoil.org.uk/gallery/v/shell

Full text of speech read by Derrick Leavussum, “public relations director for Shell”

Good evening my name is Derek Leavussum, public relations director for Shell. I want to welcome you all to the 2007 Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award. As you can imagine- I don’t have an easy job, what with all this fuss about melting glaciers, extreme weather and wildlife extinctions. I’d like to thank the Bristol City Council, BBC Wildlife Magazine and the Natural History Museum for making my job all that much easier by allowing us to sponsor your wild lie- I mean wildlife- exhibition.

We prefer not to see the melting of the Arctic ice cap as a threat to human civilization. We see it as a business opportunity. After all, there are millions of barrels of oil under there just waiting to be extracted. And we’ll need all the energy we can get since we’ve just abandoned our solar program. When you see the Shell logo, we don’t want you to think about the whale habitat we’re destroying in Siberia and Ireland, human rights violations in Nigeria, and especially not climate change. This may all be true but the fact is that the world needs oil and this is simply the price of progress.

Some say it’s ironic that the world’s second largest oil company is sponsoring a wildlife photography exhibition- but Shell is truly committed to preservation of the polar bear and other wildlife- in photographs if not in the real world. Some say it’s the end of the oil age- but we say it’s just the beginning- we’re thrilled about digging into Canada’s oil sands and with your help we can continue to deceive the public into thinking we’re a responsible corporate citizen. Thank you all for coming tonight and we hope you enjoy viewing these amazing photographs of wildlife that Shell is destroying- I mean conserving.

Also a special thanks to Dawn Primarola and the Labour party for supporting a third runway at Heathrow and ensuring that there remains a healthy demand for our products.

The revolution will not be motorised!

Video of Derrick Leavussome, Shell “public relations director” speaks to the posh reception at Bristol Museum.

http://risingtide.org.uk/bristol

Rising Tide Rooftop Protest at Newquay airport 15.12.07

Sometimes you’re lucky…

For the recently formed Kernow and Plymouth Rising Tide groups, yesterday marked an escalation in their fight against climate change and for environmental justice. However the planned rooftop protest at Newquay airport was given an unlikely boost when builders at the airport left a ladder propped up…which was just as well because ours broke!

Sometimes you’re lucky…

Newquay airport specialises in climate-wrecking short haul flights and is an obvious legitimate target for environmental action. However, we were also raising the issue of a recent report into the airport which shows that the economic case for expansion is unsound.
http://www.groundswellcornwall.org/newquayairport

Yesterday we arrived at the airport on the bus. We weren’t the most likely looking bunch, but as usual the place was pretty deserted and we were able to reach our chosen point to access the roof. However our ladder ( from a kid’s bunk-bed ) broke, leaving our birdman dangling comically. Luckily for us, the builders’ shiny new ladder was unattended, so we used that one instead! The birdman regained his footing and five activists occupied the roof. We had two big banners reading; NO PUBLIC DEBATE, NO PUBLIC DEMAND, ALL PRIVATE GAIN and NO MORE HOT AIR ON CLIMATE CHANGE.

We managed to get the press there before the police. When the police did arrive they were happy to let us have some coverage and even complete a TV slot before asking us to get down or get arrested. The five activists on the roof were supported with music, dancing and puppetry from the ground. We also had a media team and legal observer present.

We made local TV and radio headlines and expect good coverage in the local papers. All in all it was a fantastic day, if a bit nippy! For the groups involved it was an energising, empowering experience.

We are also arranging a public meeting about the expansion plans ( St. Mawgan Community Hall 12.1.08 at 7pm. ) and are hoping to get representatives from Grounswell and the airport alongside ourselves.
Here’s a link to a BBC report on the action; http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/7146159.stm

15.12.2007
PRESS RELEASE

Climate Activists Spotlight Newquay Airport

Climate activists from Rising Tide[1] have occupied Newquay airport today. The demonstrators are calling for an immediate halt to expansion of the airport[2] and a public debate on its future. With banners, leaflets and costumes – the peaceful protest calls attention to the airport as an obstacle to sustainable development in the County.

Aviation currently accounts for 13% of the UK’s contribution to climate change and is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions[3]. Newquay airport offers only domestic and short haul flights[4], condemned by MPs[5]. Flying does ten times more damage to the climate than taking the train[6], while destinations served from Newquay are easy to reach by train or coach[7].

This year we have seen the worst flooding in decades, from central Africa and South Asia to Yorkshire and Gloucestershire. Meanwhile, Greece, Italy and California have struggled with bush-fires in tinder-dry conditions. Despite these warnings, delegates at the UN climate talks in Bali continued to resist meaningful cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.

Today’s demonstrators are also alarmed following the conclusions of a recent report[8] commissioned by Groundswell[9], which refutes the County Council’s claim that Cornwall’s future development depends upon expansion of the airport. The report concludes that the economic case for expansion of the airport is weak and that the airport’s current operating deficit of around one million pounds per year is met by Cornwall County Council[10], through higher council tax or cuts in services.

In light of the imminent problems of climate change and peak oil it is crucial that local government invest in sustainable public transport. A recent report by Visit Scotland concludes: “A tourism economy without a sustainable transport policy and system means less tourism in the long term” [11]

Substantial public funds must not be invested in a project which would increase Cornwall’s CO2 emissions and damage the local environment, under a plan which takes no account of rising oil prices. The expansion of Newquay airport must be stopped.

Notes:

1. Rising tide is a global network of local groups, taking action against climate change and building a movement based on social and environmental justice.
2. Expansion plans, backed by…
3. 13% – from Answer to Commons Parliamentary Question 2 May 2007.
http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/tags/emissions
4. http://www.flightmapping.com/UK/Newquay/
http://www.newquaycornwallairport.com/index.cfm?articleid=40516
5. The Battle of Newquay: Green lobby launches war to curb domestic flights
By Jonathan Brown and Ian Herbert
http://environment.independent.co.uk/climate_change/article2366512.ece
6. http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/tags/emissions
7. http://www.seat61.com
8. Newquay Airport Expansion The Case Examined
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?9dytjtz5n2v
9. Groundswell is an independent group of Cornish decision makers
http://www.groundswellcornwall.org/who
10. Newquay Airport Expansion: The Case Examined, Elizabeth Baines,
Commissioned by Groundswell Cornwall. Page 40.
11. Visit Scotland Research ( http://www.visitscotland.org),
Tomorrow’s World: Consumer and Tourist, vol. 2, no. 1, May 2006, page 12:
http://www.scotexchange.net/tomorrow_s_newsheet_180506.pdf

NB: Cornwall County Council became sole owners of the airport in 2004… Newquay Airport Expansion: The Case Examined, Elizabeth Baines, Commissioned by Groundswell Cornwall. Page 5.

NB: Rising Tide activists in Cornwall also took part in a recent national day of action to highlight the climate impact of RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland) investments, RBS branded itself The Oil and Gas bank. The activists appeared with banners and leaflets outside the RBS branch in Truro.

kernow [at] risingtide.org.uk
http://www.risingtide.org.uk

National Squatters Meeting 9-10 February 2008 Leeds

So we are inviting people involved in all squatted autonomous spaces around the UK to meet and discuss the squatting situation and some preparation for the days of action in April.

So we are inviting people involved in all squatted autonomous spaces around the UK to meet and discuss the squatting situation and some preparation for the days of action in April. The idea for this meeting is inspired by the recent international meeting in Dijon.

Some of the ideas of what could be discussed at this meeting are…
• Building a stronger network between the squats/Autonomous spaces throughout the UK.
• Initial planning for the days of action.
• The repression and resistance facing Autonomous spaces in the UK.
• How we can make better use of Autonomous spaces in terms of connecting them to issues such as increased surveillance, housing problems, gentrification and the fundamental issue of who owns and controls our land, space and lives.
• The impact of non squatted Autonomous spaces on the squatting movement.
• Breaking out of the “squatting scene”.
• The impact of drugs on the movement.

This is just some ideas of what could come out of this meeting, obviously there is no set agenda as this is decentralized so we want to make a collective decision about what will be discussed at the start of the meeting.
We feel this could be a really positive weekend; we’d like to see loads of you there. We’ve chosen Leeds as a location even though not all of us live there, because although it might not feel like it to you down south but it’s a central location on this island!
Please get in touch if you’re gonna come along, our e-mail is below. It is important for us to know how many people to expect. Please also get in touch if you want help set up or get involved in any other way… Hope to see you all in February….

Squat Network
squatmeetup@googlemail.com