Yorkshire & The Humber – Page 22

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

January York Critical Mass Ride Shock – Rain!

4 Jan 2008

The January ride saw the first time in fourteen months that’s it’s been raining too heavily to get a CM off the ground!

Those of us that braved the storms saw the sense of retiring to a pub for a warming pint.

4 Jan 2008

The January ride saw the first time in fourteen months that’s it’s been raining too heavily to get a CM off the ground!

Those of us that braved the storms saw the sense of retiring to a pub for a warming pint.

The moral: there’s always a reason to turn up, first Friday of the month by the Minster, 5:30 for 6.

NEW BIKE SLIPS LINK!

Prosecution collapses in Superglue Penny trial

During the Camp for Climate Action at Heathrow last year, large numbers of police invaded the site, only to be peacefully resisted by the Campers, and ejected from the site with impressive restraint. The pretext for this attack by the police was so that the Forward Intelligence Team could “do a headcount” (in spite of the face that local police officers were already patrolling the site, and were presumably perfectly capable of fulfilling this task). It is far more likely that the real reason behind the police action was their desire to provoke a riot, and thus have an excuse to destroy the camp and bang heads. After the incursion the Territorial Support Group (riot police) were ordered to kit themselves out in full gear, to prepare for a second assault on the camp.

This would have come to pass if it had not been for the swift response of an activist who superglued her hands to the gates in order to deny them access.
As a result of this action Penny Eastwood was charged with obstructing the police in the course of their duty, and she entered a plea of innocent on the grounds that the police were not acting in accordance with their duty.

After months of delay, the trial took place at Uxbridge on 8th and 9th January, at which the prosecution case collapsed. The district judge presiding rightly spotted that the police’s case was a load of rubbish, because they produced no evidence that they were prevented from carrying out a lawful duty.

This case proves (if any proof were needed), that the police are ever happy to employ violence in pursuit of their political aims. It also shows that the Met are spectacularly stupid. I suppose we should take some comfort that there are still judges in Britain who think that the provoking of riots is outside a police officer’s normal course of duty.

Penny said “I was trying to de-escalate the situation after aggressively over the top policing had created tension. There were riot police crouching behind the hedgerow. It was very scary, particularly as there were children on site”.

“I am a climate activist because I am a mother and I want to ensure that my children have a half-way decent future – that’s why I see it as my duty to oppose acts of environmental lunacy, like airport expansion. I thought that the riot police were trying to shut down the climate camp, and I didn’t think that that was right or fair. The trial has been hanging over me for several months, and it is a huge relief that my action has been vindicated by the judge.”

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

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END

York & Ainsty South Hunt Sabbed – Hunt Slash Tires Following Sab Success

26.12.2007
SABOTEURS FROM THE YORK HUNT SABS GROUP TODAY MONITORED THE YORK AND AINSTY SOUTH HUNT, SAVING LIVES AND CONFRONTING THEIR ILLEGAL ACTIONS

York & Ainsty South Hunt today met in Easingwold Market Square for their annual PR stunt and Boxing Day Hunt. The Master put on a show whilst doing a speech, trying to act welcoming to the “antis” and ranted how they should be tolerated as the hunt always welcomes opposing views. Whilst he was busy talking to the supporters, hunt sabs fed the hounds dog biscuits to make them more responsive to monitors in the field and laid a non-harmful citronella scent which stops them smelling foxes. The two police officers present had already told people they wouldn’t be following the Y&AS to enforce the ban.

As they set off, to a slow start, the master became very intolerant and raised his whip to hit a sab as more citronella was laid in front of the hounds – funny how their attitude changes when there’s no public round.

About an hour in, the hunt begun flushing covers with a full pack of hounds – something which is illegal under the hunting bill – and there was no drag anywhere in the area, nor seen throughout the day. As hounds went into cry, sabs were on the otherside of the cover ready to get between the fox and hunt pack when they broke cover and went into chase. Following this, sabs made howls (a noise made by followers if a fox is seen) to distract the hunt master who was unaware of the sabs on the otherside. He then began rallying the hounds towards the direction of the noise and encouraging them, only to be caught on video camera by the monitors when he, and the full pack of hounds, broke cover. Fox burrows in the woods were filled in – something done the morning of the hunt so no chased animals can get down the holes – this makes them easier to find, chase and kill as they have nowhere to hide. After this, the master (who coincidentally claimed to be legally hunting in his earlier speech!) was asked about the ban and points of law were put to him as he was being filmed; his reply – a middle finger and muttering of “Fuck Off”. This was then changed to pointing and saying he’ll speak later when he realised he was being filmed.

They then moved onto another, bigger cover and did the same but chased a fox. Due to sabs’ intervention and laying of citronella, two chased roe deer and foxes escaped from the hounds. Due to the covering of the scent by monitors, the pack was confused and the hunt moved on to try and avoid being filmed breaking the law. The land owner then came to escort sabs out of the cover and was confronted about his allowance of an illegal activity occurring on his land; unable to answer he began ranting on about trespass and tried grabbing the video cameras.

Later on as the Y&AS headed back towards Easingwold to pack up, hunt supporters slashed two tires on the land rover used by sabs – obviously in envy of their days lack of success and sabs disrupting their illegal hunt.

THE YORK AND AINSTY SOUTH, LIKE MANY OTHER HUNTS, ARE CLAIMING IN THE PRESS THEY CONTINUE TO HUNT WITHIN THE LAW. THIS IS NOW EXPOSED AS A LIE. WE WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR HUNTS WITHIN THE AREA AND INTERVENE, SAVE LIES AND ENFORCE THE LAW.

YORK HUNT SABS

http://www.huntsabs.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

Fossil Fools Day, April 1st 2008

Rising Tide International is calling for a day of action against the fossil fuel industry on April 1st 2008…

Rising Tide International is calling for a day of action against the fossil fuel industry on April 1st 2008…
FOSSIL FOOLS DAY!

Roll up, roll up! The climate circus is in town. Climate change threatens our very survival, but the fools at the head of the fossil fuel empire continue to plunder the earth, with governments the willing court jesters at their side.

They would have us believe that we can escape climate change with techno-fixes, market mechanisms and offset schemes – all technocratic acrobatics that distract us from the truth: the only real solution to climate change is to keep fossil fuels in the ground.

For over a century the fossil fuel industry has been fooling with our lives. From extraction to combustion they have poisoned our air, polluted our water and ruined our climate. On April 1st, 2008, we’re going to turn the tables and show them who the real fools are.

Find a local fossil fool – the coal-mining clown, the offset contortionist, the aviator tripping on the high wire, the supermarket food mile freak show, the oily strong man, or any other fool that deserves your attention – and join with thousands around the world in taking one step closer to dismantling the fossil fuel industry.

On Fossil Fools Day, bring the spirit of carnival and mischief to the fight for climate justice.

www.fossilfoolsday.org
www.risingtide.org.uk

(More info and resources coming soon… for now, put the date in your diary, spread the call-out above far and wide, and start scheming!)

Totally Immoral – A Day of Action against Total Oil

The Total out of Burma Day of Action took place on Saturday 24 November. Protests were held at 36 Total petrol stations across the UK. Some stations were blockaded and all the protests received great support from the motoring and pedestrian public.

On Saturday 24 November, protests were held at 36 Total petrol stations across the UK. The protests called upon Total Oil to pull out of Burma and stop financing the Burmese military regime. Protest locations included Bradford, Brighton, Chatham (Kent), Cardiff, Guernsey, London, Manchester, Oxford and Virgina Water (Surrey).

Blockades occurred at some stations, with several lasting for an hour or more. In Camden, London 10 protestors blocked the York Way Total station for an hour, while 15 students in Surrey blockaded the Virginia Water petrol station for more than 2 hours. Throughout the UK the protests received support from motorists and pedestrians alike. Many drivers turned away from the petrol stations upon seeing the protests, some informing protestors that they would not to buy from Total again. At all the targetted petrol stations business was noticeably slow, and in some cases virtually non-existent, during the protests.

Paul Golding, one of the protestors, said, “Total’s investment in Burma is the largest in Europe. By paying millions of dollars to the Burmese dictatorship every year they are helping keep it in power. If the West wants to help end the oppression and ongoing human rights abuses in Burma, then quite simply, we must stop our companies from funding the oppressors.”

In London, protests took place at 14 Total petrol stations during the course of the day. The final protest in London attracted over 30 supporters and took place at the Baker Street petrol station on Marylebone Rd, NW1, from 4pm to 6pm. In Guernsey, campaigners protested at all 14 Total stations on the island, and picketed the main station on the island for 3 hours. [2]

The day of action was part of a growing global campaign calling on French oil company Total to stop funding the Burmese junta:

– Boycott: Last week, the global internet advocacy website Avaaz.org launched a global boycott of Total, as well as US oil company Chevron, for their presence in Burma – with nearly 50,000 signing up in ten days [3].
– Divestment: European pension funds withdrew almost £110m in investments from Total in a matter of days in protest at the company’s involvement in Burma. [4]
– Popular protests: Since October weekly protests have taken place in London outside Total Oil’s offices. Other spontaneous protests have occurred outside Total garages around the UK. [5]

Photos are available from http://www.flickr.com/photos/toastyoneuk

For more information & photos contact:
– Jonathan Stevenson on 07818 651124, jjjstevenson@fastmail.fm
– Paul Golding on 07984 799 958 or paul@pellarin.demon.co.uk

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

[1] Total Oil has had a joint business venture with the Burmese government since 1992. Its major project is the Yadana gas project in southern Burma, which earns the military regime hundreds of millions of dollars every year. Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma’s democracy leader, has said that “Total is the biggest supporter of the military regime in Burma.” For more information about Total Oil’s investment in Burma see the Burma Campaign UK website: http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/total.php.

[2] A full list of protests on 24 November, plus further information about the campaign, can be found at: http://totaloutofburma.blogspot.com.

[3] See http://www.avaaz.org/en/burma_corporate/. Total’s products in the UK include its network of petrol stations, as well as such brands as Bostik (makers of Blu-tack) and Spontex cleaning products.

[4] See http://observer.guardian.co.uk/business/story/0,,2204744,00.html

[5] For reports, see http://totaloutofburma.blogspot.com

Buy Nothing Day reports – Leeds, Norwich, London, Edinburgh, Manchester x2…

The truth is out – buying stuff doesn’t make you happy! Central Leeds today saw a free shop sprout from the pavement to drive the message home.

Despite the cold and rain, a hardy group set up a free shop in Central Leeds this morning, offering burgers, books, records and clothes. The manifestation of people giving stuff away in the middle of consumer-land raised a few eyebrows, entertained the tired masses and got the idea across that buying loads of useless stuff is a futile activity. The assembled free-shoppers sang a variety of subvertised carols and handed out gift vouchers which were “redeemable for whatever takes your fancy” including a picnic in the park or playing your own music. All in all, a grand day out in town.

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To mark Buy Nothing Day, 12 people from Norwich Rising Tide held a Rat Race in the city centre.

Activists created a mobile rat race that stopped off at the city’s busiest malls and high streets.

People in rat costumes hurried hither and thither between the edges of the rat race maze, built out of placards reading Work Harder, Earn More Money, Buy More Things, Keep Going, while Fat Cats advised that happiness was just around the corner if the rats would only keep shopping!

At Castle Mall the rats were flummoxed by security guards who forced them to move on; after all, the rats were only telling people to buy more stuff!

A thousand leaflets were handed out (see below), and many passers-by expressed their support.

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It seems that Transport For London have bowed to activist pressure and decided to remove all the adverts from the district line.

I never would have thought that TFL would have taken part in buy nothing day, but it seems even Red Ken wanted to join in the fun.

A group of Space Hijacker agents were travelling across London when we spotted a TFL decoration team, swiftly turning all of the adverts on the District Line around so that their blank sides were facing out.

They then posted up official LondON stickers proclaiming:

“As part of TFL’s £10 Billion investment program, London Underground are removing all adverts from trains to improve the ambience of carriages and the overall travelling experience of passengers.”

We can only applaud this bold move against the constant corporate assault on our senses.

The team we saw doing it were very quick, managing to swap around entire carriages of adverts in less than the time it took the train to travel one stop. Infact so impressed were our agents that we kept an eye on the trains and spotted the advert free carriages several days after.

On the trains we overheard one of the passengers asking “but what are we going to read?”, the TFL spokesperson replied “You could try talking to each other?”

Three cheers for TFL 😉

—

80’s slogan t-shirts are back in fashion! A group of Space Hijacker agents decided to wear the very latests trend setting t-shirts on a ‘Buy Nothing Day’ jaunt around London.

A team of Space Hijackers secret agents headed into Knightsbridge in London on Saturday to celebrate Buy Nothing Day, a day of corporate chainstore chaos.

Wearing the very latest ‘Nu Rave’ slogan t-shirts our intrepid agents decided to go and have a look around some of London’s most exclusive stores. Our first stop was Harrords, and after avoiding the piles of ferrari’s, porsches and mercedes, we managed to get instore and up to the top floor.

Our trendy “EVERYTHING IN STORE HALF PRICE TODAY” t-shirts certainly raised some eyebrows from the fashion conscious customers, several even came up and started asking us for directions etc. Helpful and polite as always we directed customers, tidied up messy rails of clothes and generally played the part of good members of society as we walked around the store.

Unfortunately the security teams seemed to have other ideas, and promtly attempted to round us up and eject us from the store! Cries of the fact that our shirts were the very latest katherine hamnett designer shirts, seemed to fall on deaf ears, and we were told that we may be arrested if we entered the store again!

Oh well, never mind, onto Gucci and Louis Vuitton for some designer window shopping. Entering the Gucci boutique in Knightsbrige we quickly found out that there were more of us than actual staff present, which was an entertaining prospect. However, in a move which was obviously down to brand envy, we were once again ejected. The security even followed us across the road and into Louis Vuitton calling out “Don’t let them in, it’s a prank!” as we entered the store. Why the cheek of it!

After looking around and helping customers choose their luggage we decided to leave the store and welcome people inside from the streets. However the weather was getting rather nippy by this point, so after a swift drink we decided to head into Oxford Street and onto Nike Town and Top Shop.

The security here was rather oafish to say the least, with three of our agents being dragged down to a special Top Shop instore prison which they have behind the counters. Thankfully after threats of sueing for wrongful imprisonment, and the fact we had a lawyer and criminal barrister amongst our ranks things were soon put right.

Unfortunately after all of the excitement of dealing with the grumpy security, we forgot to actually buy any consumer goods. Oh well, best go back next year 😉

http://www.spacehijackers.org

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Buy Nothing Day – Edinburgh Action

Today was International Buy Nothing day. Activists took to the streets all across the globe to try and persuade those who can afford to live consumerist lifestyles to think about how much they need all the things they buy.

In the run up to the Christmas shop-a-thon it is easy for many people to forget that the best things in life are free. Do we really need those things we buy? Is spending money on useless crap the only way to show loved ones how much we care for them? Of course not!

Clowns from Rampant Reekies, the Edinburgh gaggle of C.I.R.C.A, played games, danced and were generally silly on the streets, entertaining people without selling products. They also joyfully invaded shops, including HNM, GAP, BHS and Schu, and “brought mirth and merriment to the dazed monotony of Christmas consumption.”

A Food Not Bombs stall gave out free food in the form of pea soup, banana smoothies, bread and apple pie. Many shoppers walked straight past the hot-dog stall and had some lovely vegan soup for lunch instead. A chalk message on the pavement read “there is such a thing as a free lunch!”

A mobile Free Shop set up on the street to give things away for free. Many people came and found useful items to take away, or gifts for people which they were otherwise going to buy. One man said simple “this is the best thing I’ve ever seen” and a passing woman exclaimed “I’ve seen jumble sales, but never this!” A passing Police Officer even inquired if there was any mobile phones, as he was going to buy one that day but couldn’t now he knew it was Buy Nothing Day.

A person claiming to be from Society for a Transformation to Imagination Not Capitalisation (S.T.I.N.C) approached the stalls and informed the BNDers that they had released non-harmful stink bombs in a fast-food stores on Princes Street to “make it clear – Capitalism stinks”, although this remains unverified.

The reception from passers by was generally quite good. While some didn’t understand the point of it, many skeptics came and had a chat a left with an understanding of what Buy Nothing Day is about, along with some free stuff. Hopefully some shoppers will decide to make gifts for Christmas instead of paying someone else to.

Many involved really enjoyed the day and felt that it was effective, so look out for more Food Not Bombs activity in Edinburgh.

The Forest Cafe (www.theforest.org.uk) is having a week long Free Shop upstairs beginning on the 14th of December.

—

On Saturday the 24th November Rhythms of Resistance Manchester and Manchester Climate Action (MCA) held a free stall where a wide range of things from plants, to clothes were well received. Even a couple of police officers joined in.

The two groups joined in the ‘Reinstate Karen’ demo which began in the Peace Gardens and marched through Manchester in support of free speech and free health care.

Several folks then went to the Arndale Centre and released a banner attached to pink helium balloons, which read: “Shopping Costs the Earth.” It floated up to the roof, right next to the giant Christmas Tree, to remind people of the social and environmental expense of purchasing.

In the Trafford Centre another activist from MCA disrupted shopping, in protest at the massive amount of car journeys it encourages in the name of profit.

For more info about free stuff and links check out www.freemanchester.org

Activists from Manchester Climate Action evacuated various parts of The Trafford Centre during this years buy nothing day, Saturday 24th of November. The sprawling palace to pointless consumerism owned by the £2bn Empire of Peel Holdings, the climate criminals who bought you such delights as Liverpool, Durham Tees Valley, Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield and Sheffield City Airports also publicly opposed the Manchester congestion charge. Camouflaged covalent campaigners in their finest designer labels moved stealthily amongst the madding crowds whilst activating fire alarms and interrupting the daily toil of tedious transactions.

Alarms in the main malls cover certain zones and not the whole complex. They are silent for 30 seconds, sounding only in the security office. This leads to lots of people in red jackets running around looking concerned. When the alarms did sound it was accompanied by a message over the P.A telling people to ignore it and approach a member of staff if concerned. However, sounding the Alarms by the exits of the large department stores such as Selfridges and John Lewis leads to the entire shop being evacuated……Oh dear!

TOTALitarian Oil Out of Burma – demos this week

This Saturday (24 November) is the UK-wide “TOTAL Out of Burma” Day of Action, supported by Burma Campaign UK.

There are 16 confirmed protests, with several more awaiting confirmation. It’s not too late to organise your own protest. Or you can join one or more of the protests listed below. And in London there will be a protest finale at the Total station on Marylebone Road (near Baker Street tube) from 4pm til 6pm, after which there will be a party. All are welcome.

And don’t forget our weekly protests on Wednesday and Thursday.

**This week only there will be an additional protest on WEDNESDAY EVENING at WEMBLEY PARK TOTAL GARAGE, to coincide with the England v Croatia football match at Wembley Stadium**.

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UPCOMING PROTESTS

Wednesday 21 November
8.30am – 10.30am
Protest at Total Oil HQ, 33 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PW
nearest tube: Oxford Circus
map: http://tinyurl.com/2oardl

Wednesday 21 November
5.30pm – 7.30pm
Protest at Wembley Park Total petrol station, Bridge Road, Wembley, London
nearest tube: Wembley Park

Directions: Turn right at the bottom of the steps out of Wembley Park tube (Metropolitan line, 20 minutes from Baker St) onto the main road (Bridge Road). The Total garage is highly visible straight ahead, on the big traffic island opposite the retail park – 3 minutes walk.

Thursday 22 November
5.00pm – 7.00pm
Protest at Total petrol station, Dorset House, 170-172 Marylebone Rd, London NW1 5AR
nearest tube: Baker Street
map: http://tinyurl.com/2zg4qf

Saturday 24 November
TOTAL OUT OF BURMA NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION

A day of action around the UK calling for Total Oil to stop funding the Burmese military regime and pull out of Burma. Protests are being organised at petrol stations around the UK. For an up-to-date list of protest locations, contact details and details of how to organise your own protest, go to
http://totaloutofburma.blogspot.com.

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1. Confirmed protests on Sat 24 Nov
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BRADFORD
Vigil against Total
5pm-7pm
meet at Centenary Square, Bradford

BRIGHTON
Kemp Town Total station
Meet at the Pavillion Bus Stop at 11.30am

GUERNSEY
Protests will be happening at Total stations across the island.
contact: Kev on burma@landofkev.com or 07911 770 017

LONDON – Baker Street
4pm-6pm
Dorset House Total station, 170-172 Marylebone Rd, Westminster NW1 5AR
nearest tube: Baker Street
contact: totaloutofburma@gmail.com
(note: this is the final London protest of the day – all welcome, with a party to follow)

LONDON – Camden
from 11.30am
Camden Town Total station, 109-113 York Way, Islington N7 9QE
nearest tube: Caledonian Rd or Kentish Town
contact: Jonathan on jjjstevenson@fastmail.fm or 07818 651 124

LONDON – Chiswick
2pm-4pm
West Four Total station,137 Chiswick High Road, Chiswick W4 2ED
nearest tube: Turnham Green
contact: totaloutofburma@gmail.com

LONDON – Hammersmith
11am-2pm
Raven Total station, 372 Goldhawk Road, Hammersmith W6 0XF
nearest tube: Stamford Brook
contact: totaloutofburma@gmail.com

LONDON – Kensal Green
1pm-3pm
Kensal Total station, 904 Harrow Rd, Kensal Green NW10 5JU
contact: Steph at fifth_state@yahoo.co.uk

LONDON – Kilburn
12.30pm-1.45pm
Kilburn Total station, 409 Kilburn High Rd, Kilburn NW6 7QG
nearest tube: Kilburn
contact: Dan at dviesnik [at] yahoo.co.uk

LONDON – Manor Park
1pm- 3pm
Manor Park Total station, 893 Romford Rd, East Ham E12 5JT
nearest tube: East Ham or (rail) Manor Park
contact: Paul on paul@riseup.net or 07939 975 085

LONDON – Newham
10.30am-12.30pm
High St North Total station, 409-419 High St North, Newham E12 6TL
nearest tube: East Ham
contact: Paul on paul@riseup.net or 07939 975 085

LONDON – Southwark
2pm-4pm
Thomas Beckett Total station, 233-247 Old Kent Road, Southwark SE1 5LU
nearest tube: Elephant & Castle or Borough
contact: Danae on papakura2000@hotmail.com or 07731 956 415

LONDON – Whitechapel
10am-12noon
Vallance Total station, 112 Vallance Rd, Tower Hamlets E1 5BW
nearest tube: Whitechapel
contact: Danae on papakura2000@hotmail.com or 07731 956 415

LONDON – Willesden
11am-12.15pm
Willesden Lane Total station, 290 Willesden Lane, Willesden NW2 5HS
nearest tube: Willesden Green
contact: Dan at dviesnik [at] yahoo.co.uk

OXFORD
from 9.30am
Cowley Total station, 44 Garsington Road, Cowley, Oxford OX4 2LG
contact: Dennis at dhambridge@btinternet.com or 07804 433 602

ST ALBANS
meets outside Barclays Bank, St Peters Street at 11am
moving on to Total garage tbc at 12noon.
contact: totaloutofburma@gmail.com

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2. Protests to be confirmed
——————————————————–

LONDON – Bermondsey
LONDON – Haringey
LONDON – Peckham
LONDON – Waltham Forest
MANCHESTER
WREXHAM

If you interested in attending any of these protests please email totaloutofburma@gmail.com

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3. Details of how to get involved
——————————————————–

There are two ways to take part in the day of action:

1. Join a garage protest (see list above). You can get in touch with the contact listed or you can just turn up on the day and offer your support. As protests are confirmed we’ll add them to the blog: http://www.totaloutofburma.blogspot.com.

2. Organise your own action – there are several hundred TOTAL petrol stations in the UK to choose from. Follow these three easy steps:

a. Find out where your local TOTAL garage is by using the handy Service Station Finder at http://www.total.co.uk or check the google map of UK TOTAL garages being created at http://tinyurl.com/2ftvdf.

b. Get some simple visual materials together, plus some leaflets or petitions, and publicise it to your friends, contacts and local press. If you want the details listed publicly (e.g. by email and on the blog) email them to totaloutofburma@gmail.com or call Paul on 07939 975 085.

c. Hold the protest! Take some pictures, post a report on Indymedia.org.uk and send the link to totaloutofburma@gmail.com. Plus write to TOTAL’s head office telling them what you’ve been up to.

Basic placard designs, petitions, leaflets and a model press release are downloadable from: http://www.totaloutofburma.blogspot.com.

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For more information go to:
http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/total.html
http://totaloutofburma.blogspot.com
Join the facebook group: “Get Total Oil out of Burma”

Further Information
————————————-
Total out of Burma blog
http://totaloutofburma.blogspot.com

Facebook group – Get Total Oil out of Burma
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6833508763

Burma Campaign UK’s info on Total Oil
http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/total.html

Thanks again for supporting the call to get Total Oil out of Burma.