Other – Page 36 – Earth First!

Stuck for something to do!? Uninspired & lacklustre..? The all new singing dancing EF!AU is here to lift your spirits

As if putting the boot into the genetics industry, filling empty spaces with joy & creativity, and fooling the fossil-heads wasn’t enough, people have been busy washing lumps of coal and covering themselves with paint…we kid you not…all in aid of halting the trashing of the planet!

Parliaments have been climbed, airport terminals flash(mobb)ed, fields & various other sites occupied, building stormed & blockaded, pipelines blockaded & destroyed…

Parliaments have been climbed, airport terminals flash(mobb)ed, fields & various other sites occupied, building stormed & blockaded, pipelines blockaded & destroyed…

Throw into the mix ye oldie Reclaim the Streets, the tried and tested eeeeevil Mr/Ms Sabotage, the launch of a new campaign ‘Leave it in the Ground’, plus a summer-full of dates, new contacts list, it’s a wonder we’ve fitted in a brand new sexy EF! summer gathering poster (front & back). Download the latest EF!AU to share with others, subscribe or check out some past issues. The next issue will come out at the beginning of August.

And of course, this year’s EF! Summer Gathering (or follow the link to the left) is from Wednesday 27th August to Monday 1st September 2008, if you want to plot & plan, and laugh & chat with old friends & new.

Phew, what a scorcher!

Local residents protest blocking power plant supply (Kozani, Greece, 9/5/2008)

After a decision of the Environment and Unemployment Association of Akrini, Kozani, dozens of residents occupied since 10 in the morning, the northern gate of the Agios Dimitrios Power Plant, cutting the cinder supply of the belt-conveyer. They protest against environmental degradation and unemployment, and for the translocation of their village outside the plant’s polluted area. “Spartakos” a Public Power Company’s workers association announced they supports the protest.

Source:
http://www.prlogos.gr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3651&Itemid=27

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.

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London InterACTIVE diners club / radical assembly – 14th May

This week sees the second Interactive Diners Club, an initiative relaunched for the 21st century. Those who experienced the original pre Criminal Justice Act Interactive Diners Clubs in the early nineties, the RTS meetings of the mid 90’s, or the late 90’s London Underground meetings etc. will know what kind of thing to expect. The idea is to inspire and re-energise each other, form new links, strengthen old alliances, share skills and resources, raise awareness and get people involved.

This is a social and networking event for activists and campaigners in London (or beyond). It’s an opportunity to network with other activists, speak about campaigns you are involved in and learn about other projects taking place. It takes the form of a go-round where everybody present gets to introduce themselves and the campaigns or projects they are involved in. Food is then served and everyone gets to chat, plot and conspire.

It takes place on WED 14TH MAY, 7pm at the new squatted social centre in Shoreditch. The address is 6 Bowl Court, off Plough Yard which is next to the Drunken Monkey at the junction of Great Eastern Street and Shoreditch High Street. Nearest tubes are Old Street and Liverpool Street.

Please bring (vegan) food to share along with leaflets, flyers, posters etc for upcoming events.

It is hoped that these assemblies will happen every month at different autonomous spaces around London. Please network this widely to make it happen.

Date: 14th May 2008
Time: 7pm
Address: 6 Bowl Court, EC2A 3LJ
Tubes: Old St or Liverpool St

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.

Sucessful street party, London [& videos]

1.05.2008
The Space Hijackers Mayday street party is being held in Shepherd Market, Mayfair.

Lots of fun had by all despite heavy police presence. Several sound systems. Dancing. Acting. Boozing. Maypole.

Although the police surrounded the revellers in Shepherd Market they didn’t stop individuals coming and going and I didn’t see any arrests.

—-

Original call-out:

Mayday Meeting Point – 1708 revisited

Come and join us for a celebration and re-enactment of the state’s oppression of the traditional May Fayre in Mayfair. A collaboration between Space Hijackers and The Metropolitan Police Players….

MAYDAY MEETING POINTS

1) Space Hijackers, Peasants, Aristocracy, Performers, Merchants, Peddlers, Strumpets and Virgins Meet in Green Park by Green Park tube, we will then head off to the May Fayre at 2:03pm promptly

2) Metropolitan Police, Fools, Soldiers and Vagabonds Meet outside Bond Street tube station, we will then head off to the May Fayre at 2:34 promptly

Please note it is very important you do not join the wrong meeting point, otherwise you will look like a total fool!

Call this number for live updates of where we will be – 07513335777

Things to bring:

Musical Instruments, Corsets, Hay, Farm Animals, Food to share, Drinks, Manure, Stocks, Maypoles, Venetian Masks, Mummers, Police, Flags, Revolutionary Fervour, Barricades, Mead, Babies and Royalty

x x x x x

Mayday 2008 is the 300th anniversary of the last free Mayday before the Grand Jury suppression of the traditional May Fayre in central London; a riotous, raucous celebration of fertility and freedom. From the 1st of May each year, and for up to two weeks afterwards, the people stopped working, rejected their normal routines then danced, drank, laughed and made love in the streets, jeering at the controlling figures of the Church and State, and turning everything they could upside down.

It was known as such “a nursery of vice and debauchery”, that after 1708 the authorities, having had enough of this dangerous freedom and subversion, shut it down. Although there were some attempts at reviving it, the creeping spectre of gentrification made sure it couldn’t continue, as the area of the fayre was gradually built over with palaces and playgrounds for the rich.

To commemorate this significant anniversary, and the still thriving tradition of over the top state control, the Space Hijackers and the Metropolitan Police proudly present a collaborative re-enactment of the end of this traditional May Fayre. Our modern-day interpretation of the cycle of uprising and suppression is in keeping with the attempted repression of parties, protests and gatherings enacted by the state throughout the ages.

In act one, the Space Hijackers will be inviting people to join a mayday street party in it’s traditional home, with music, bands, food and revelry. This will be later followed by the Metropolitan Police Players, who will be re-enacting a classic clamping down on civil liberties and freedom of the people.

All are welcome to this celebration, bring food, bands, mead, rum, codpieces, bales of hay, 18th century prostitutes, music, laughter, wonky teeth, corsets, bustles, spit roasts and virgins dancing around poles.

The exact location of the fayre is still a closely guarded secret, however it will be revealed closer to the date here on our website.

STUFF YOU SHOULD TO KNOW

COSTUME IDEAS:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1700-1750_in_fashion

http://www.marquise.de/en/1700/pics/1700a.shtml

http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/fashion/round/18th_century_men/formal_wool/index.html

http://www.freewebs.com/fashionmuseum/1700.htm

MAYDAY HISTORY:

http://libcom.org/library/a-history-of-mayday

http://www.urban75.org/mayday02/history.html

http://www.infopt.demon.co.uk/grub/mayfair.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/news/may/mayday/mayday_history.shtml

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Robin_Goodfellow

—

http://www.spacehijackers.org

—

Watch this video or this one.

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…

Oil price rises: Nigerian militants attack & seek peace; Scottish strike; Exxon strike in Nigeria – updated

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Militants said they blew up two more oil pipelines Monday in southern Nigeria and called for former President Jimmy Carter and actor George Clooney to help mediate an end to the crisis. [27th April 2008 updated at bottom]

Military policemen patrol the creeks of the Omadino community in Warri South district of the Niger Delta.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, or MEND, said in a statement that fighters hit two pipelines it believes are operated by Chevron Corp. and a Royal Dutch Shell PLC joint venture in southern Rivers state.

Shell officials had no immediate information on any attack, and the Nigerian military battle group that patrols the oil region’s waterways said it had no reports of overnight violence. Officials from Chevron could not immediately be reached for comment.

The militants last week claimed a separate attack on a pipeline operated by a Shell joint venture that the company said shut down a small amount of oil production. Video Watch how Nigeria attacks help hike gas prices »

The militants say they are stepping up their activities after the arrest of one of their leaders, Henry Okah, who is on trial for terrorism and treason.

The militants also called for mediation by Carter with the aim of ending the long-running crisis that government-led peace parleys have so far failed to control. The militants have also asked President Bush and Clooney for their involvement, but said they have received no reply.

“MEND expressed its willingness to embrace a genuine and transparent peace program without getting any response. The ripple effect of this attack will touch your economy and people one way or the other and hope we now have your attention,” it said.

The militant group emerged in early 2006, launching bombing attacks on Nigeria’s oil infrastructure that cut about one quarter of the usual oil output in Africa’s biggest crude producer. That has helped send oil prices to all-time highs.

The militants want the release of their leaders from prison, and for more oil industry revenue for their areas, which remain deeply poor despite the natural bounty.

But crime and militancy are closely interwoven in the southern Niger Delta where the crude is pumped. Many of the various armed groups in the region have had links to local politicians, who helped arm and direct the gunmen in their efforts to rig elections.

Both militants and government officials are suspected of heavy involvement in the theft and resale of crude oil, which oil industry officials brings revenues that run into the millions of dollars per day.
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Nigeria’s vast network of oil pipelines crisscross the swamps and creeks in the Niger Delta and are easily sabotaged. But the militants haven’t recently shown the sophisticated, military-style raids on staffed oil infrastructure that made them the most potent-ever militant group in southern Nigeria.

The militants’ activities appear to have moved further into the propaganda realm, with demands on international figures linked to external news events. Carter was in the Middle East on Monday.

– from mainstream media source (also below).

—–

Oil prices headed toward $117 a barrel as oil giant BP prepared to shut down a key North Sea pipeline and a strike at Exxon in Nigeria disrupted production.

BP’s Forties pipeline, which provides a third of the UK’s daily oil output, will close if a two-day strike by refinery workers goes ahead.

Rebels in Nigeria also claimed another attack on a Royal Dutch Shell pipeline.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta has repeatedly tried to sabotage Shell’s production in recent weeks.

A strike by workers at Exxon Mobil, Nigeria’s biggest foreign oil producer, has further disrupted production in the African country. It said it had been forced to halt its output of crude oil, estimated at 200,000 barrels per day.

In the UK, workers at the Grangemouth plant are due to take part in a two-day strike from Sunday in a row over pensions.

The BP-run pipeline from the Forties oil fields in the North Sea, relies on steam and electricity from the Ineos refinery at Grangemouth in central Scotland.

A BP spokesman said that closing Grangemouth would cause up to 70 platforms in the North Sea to either shut down or reduce production of oil.

BP said the pipeline would close when the provision of steam and electricity from Grangemouth runs out.

The company added that it would keep the pipeline open as long as possible, but anticipated shutting it late on Saturday, if strike action goes ahead.

======
Fri Apr, 25 2008

Nigerian main rebel group, The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), today said it blew up another oil pipeline belonging to Shell in it renewed attack against oil infrastructures in the region.

MEND said the late Thursday night attack occurred at Kula River in Rivers state of Nigeria.

MEND says it is fighting to force the federal government to direct more oil industry revenues to the region, which remains deeply poor despite four decades of oil production in the area.

The militant group said military officials who were supposed to protect the pipelines actually assisted the fighters when they ran into them during the attack.

“After the blast, the fighters ran into a docked joint military patrol boat but were astonished that instead of a confrontation, the soldiers in the patrol boat urged them on and lamented about having to defend what is unjust.

“MEND uses this opportunity to thank its numerous sympathizers inside the military, oil industry and oil producing communities for facilitating the success of the on-going Operation Cyclone (the
crippling of the entire Nigerian oil export industry).

“This attack is dedicated to the Rivers state governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi who boasted to the Financial Times that our past successes were attributed to the absence of patrol boats undergoing servicing. We waited for the patrol boats to return back in service before carrying
out this attack to proof a point.

“Our candid advice to the oil majors is that they should not waste their time repairing any lines as we will continue to sabotage them. We have time on our side and there is so much to be destroyed. The only time we will stop is when we receive a direct order from our Shepherd.” The
group said in an email sent by Jomo Gbomo to The Times of Nigeria.

Shell confirmed three attacks over the past week, and announced it may not be able to meet its obligations to ship some 169,000 barrels per day from Nigeria over the next few weeks. The company, one of the main operators in the country, has yet to report any production outages from
the other attacks.

Those attacks have helped send crude prices to historic highs on international markets.

The militants have stepped up activities as one of the group’s reputed leaders, Henry Okah, faces trial on terrorism and treason charges. The group emerged two years ago and quickly established itself as the region’s most effective militant organization.

Since Okah’s arrest, the group has not launched any of the coordinated, military-style armed raids on staffed facilities that originally made it notable.

Success for DAN at the DWP‏

D.A.N Action Report – 17th April 2008.

Today more than twenty disabled activists occupied the foyer of Adelphi
House, where the Department of Work and Pensions is based. At 1.30 p.m.
campaigners breezed in, taking over the foyer, leafleting and asking to hand
deliver a letter to James Purnell, Secretary of State for the Department of
Work and Pensions. Members of D.A.N. the Disabled people’s Direct Action
Network refused to leave until a meeting was arranged with James Purnell to
discuss Incapacity Benefit and the changes which are forcing one million
disabled people into poverty and unpaid work placements. James Purnell was
out of the country, so D.A.N. activists met with representatives from the
DWP and Sally Witcher from the Office for Disability Issues and held long
discussions.

The result of these discussions is, D.A.N. have been promised a meeting
with James Purnell, the date of which is to be confirmed. We are very
confident that the meeting will happen as we have promised to come back for
another visit if it doesn’t.

Best Wishes.

Mike Higgins
(On behalf of the DAN Press Team)

E-mail: danpress@blueyonder.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)114 225 8676
Mob: +44 (0)7956 856060

Here is the letter from the meeting/action on the 17th April…..

DWP
Department for Work and Pensions
Our address
Level 2
The Ade1phi
1-11 John Adam Street London
WC2N 6HT
Our phone number 020 7962 8361
Our fax number 020 7712 2235
Website www.dwp.gov.uk

17 April 2008

To the Disabled People’s Direct Action Network (DAN)

This is to confirm that I met with DAN representatives at The Ade1phi today. In discussion with DAN, I confirmed that:

• DWP will respond to DAN’s letter to the Secretary of State within two weeks, confirming that the Secretary of State will meet with DAN

• DWP will arrange for that meeting to take place within one month of today

I have noted DAN’s request that the meeting should be scheduled for an afternoon and would also appreciate it if DAN would inform us of any further access requirements.

Yours faithfully

Stephen Martin
Welfare to Work Director
Email stephen.martin1@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

INVESTOR IN PEOPLE

=======================

DISABLED PEOPLES’ DIRECT ACTION NETWORK – PRESS RELEASE

DISABLED CAMPAIGNERS – RESISTING POLITICAL INCAPACITY AND DEMANDING AN END
TO HARASSMENT

ACTION: Disabled Campaigners are planning to protest against the DWP (Adelphi House, 1 to 10 John Adams Street, WC2) at lunchtime today (17th April). We will be delivering the attached letter for James Purnell (Work and Pensions Secretary) and will be requesting a meeting with him.

WE ARE SICK OF: Politicians who attack minorities – perceived as easy targets – for public spending cuts.

THE GOVERNMENT SAYS: Do as we say, or risk losing benefits.
OUR RESPONSE: We call on all Disabled Claimants to defend their needs, and DWP Staff / Trade Unions not to cooperate with this harassment of Disabled People.

THE GOVERNMENT SAYS: They want to re-test all claims for IB (Incapacity Benefit).
OUR RESPONSE: Claimants are already regularly tested in relation to their claims through questionnaires and physical assessments by Benefits Agencies / Medical Services.

THE GOVERNMENT SAYS: Replace “Sick-Notes” with “Well-Notes”.
OUR RESPONSE: This cynical exercise won’t halt discrimination against Disabled People in the work place, or increase our chances of employment. It will however, force more Disabled People into poverty.

PRESS CONTACTS:
DAN Press Officer for this Action:
Mike Higgins (0114 225 8676 / danpress@blueyonder.co.uk)

Live on the Action:
Barry Schaufer (07508 634 228)
Nick Saunders (07956 682 830)

Pictures from the Action by:
Sid Baility (07951 050 153)
Hugh Hill ( hughiehill@hotmail.com)
Mozaz (Indymedia: 07816 572 505)

Some affected IB claimants:
Clair Lewis (07970 959 791)
Colin Revell (07518 350133)
Stella Ryan (07904 935 413)

RELATED POINTS / ISSUES:
. A one-off assessment only gives a snapshot of a Disabled Claimant’s condition at that moment.
. Welfare Reform ignores the reality of invisible and fluctuating impairments and contributes to discrimination against all Disabled People.
. Political and media coverage suggesting there has been a significant increase in IB claims since the 1980s is misleading. IB was actually introduced in 1995.
. A much higher percentage, than previously, of Disabled People are now living in the community and claiming benefits, rather than being institutionalised.
. A “long hours / short breaks” work culture makes it harder for Disabled People to cope with employment. Rather than attacking Disabled People as work-shy and lazy, the government could provide incentives which change workplace culture to encouraging flexi-time or working from home for example.
. There is a lack of access to meaningful workplace education and training. This leads to many Disabled People lacking qualifications, job skills and therefore decent jobs with adequate incomes.
. Instead of attacking Disabled People, the Government should prosecute employers who repeatedly break the law by discriminating against Disabled People
. For more details about the background to DAN’s concerns, see the attached leaflet, which we will be distributing at today’s event.

Swanner
sheffieldwelfare_an@yahoo.co.uk
http://www.swansheffield.org.uk

==================================

The Leaflet being handed out by DAN at today’s Action‏

DAN’S SICK NOTE

The Disabled Peoples’ Direct Action Network are protesting at the Department
for Work and Pensions in central London today.

We are delivering a letter for James Purnell (Work and Pensions Secretary)
and will be demanding a meeting with him today.

WE ARE SICK OF:

. Politicians who attack minorities – that they see as easy targets – for
public spending cuts, and biased media / press coverage that negatively
portrays Disabled People as lazy scroungers and benefit cheats.

. Lack of access to meaningful education and training, leading to a lack of
qualifications and job skills.

. Work in hostile environments where employers continue to discriminate;
i.e. can’t tolerate disabled employees that need part time and flexi-time
work due to their impairments and don’t have mechanisms that allow Disabled
People to be absent without prior notification, for their condition /
impairment.

. The lack of support to help us get to work and function in the work place;
eg, regular breaks, shorter hours and a working week that can be adapted to
suit our needs.

DAN SAYS

DISABLED PEOPLE WANT:

. Politicians, press and media to wake up to the damage their words do.

. Access to meaningful education and training, leading to proper
qualifications and job skills.

. Justice in the workplace with real penalties for discriminatory employers.

. A positive approach to the inclusion of Disabled People, especially those
with invisible and fluctuating impairments / conditions.

. Solutions to poverty rather than policies that compound it.

. An end to the discriminatory practices of the Work Capability Assessment
for Incapacity Benefit.

. A fair and just system that enables Disabled People who seek work and a
non-punitive system for those Disabled People who cannot currently work.

. Decent jobs with adequate incomes.

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