Other – Page 46 – Earth First!

launch of radical newsheet – the Bath Bomb

Today, seven activists from Bath Activist Network set up shop in the middle of Bath to raise awareness and encourage people to attend the upcoming. Climate Camp

Throughout the day we gave out hundreds of leaflets, stickers, newsletters and free cake. We unfurled a banner and chalked artwork on the pavement (a community support officer threatened to get some proper cops to arrest an activist for criminal damage, but we rang the council, who told us we were welcome to chalk over as much pavement as we liked, leaving a slightly red faced cop!). We received loads of support, loads of people were voicing disgust at the injunction, and pleasure that it was crap as far as injunctions go. Everybody knew about climate camp and our arguments, and it seems to be a major talking point at the mo. All in all a good and productive day – looking forward to the camp!

We also took the opportunity to start distributing our new monthly newsletter ‘Bath Bomb’, giving a radical perspective on all the news and council sleaze in Bath! To get a copy e-mailed every month, e-mail bathbombpress@yahoo.co.uk

See y’all in the fields!

bathactivistnet@yahoo.co.uk
http://www.myspace.com/bathactivistnetwork

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The Bath Bomb is here!

The first edition of what should turn out to be our monthly alternative news sheet, right now as plain text – a work in progress!:

*The Bath Bomb * Issue 1 July/August ’07 * @nti-copyright: copy and distribute! *

“All the news the Chron didn’t choose!”

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

Bath – 1, BNP – 0

As many readers will be aware, Nick Griffin, the leader of the Nazi BNP was due to speak at Bath Uni recently. He was invited by BNP youth leader Danny Lake, a Bath Uni student.

Facing massive opposition to the speech, the Uni banned Griffin from talking. However, local Antifa (anti fascist action) members got word that Griffin was being snuck into town to give a talk to a hardcore of BNP members at a secret location. Thanks to a well placed mole, Antifa found the location, and informed the manager, who was more than happy to cancel the event (Lake had booked under the fake charity name ‘British Heritage’!).

With only 2 hours’ notice, 20 activists were scouring the streets, looking for Nazi Nick and his bonehead mates. Upon getting word that the ‘fash’ were moving toward Revolution bar, the venue was occupied by anti-fascists with the full support of the staff (one of whom was heard to say ‘do what it takes, just keep those bastards out!’). They then moved off to the Litten Tree. Antifa went in after them and after a short ‘debate’, ‘persuaded’ them to leave the pub. At this point, the old bill turned up and prevented activists from chasing the fleeing fascists. Luckily, well-placed spotters were able to follow.

They were found in Vicky Park, where, out numbered 3 to 1 by anti-fascists, they had a five minute picnic before pissing off home. An inspection of their cars revealed that none were from Bath, and had been shipped in from far and wide to give the impression of having supporters.

The BNP are a nazi organisation, led by a holocaust denying Hitler worshipper with a track record of racial violence. Bath organiser Danny Lake has been arrested twice for harassing families attending multicultural events, and has a best mate in prison for bombing a mosque. They’ve been shown once, and we can show them again – fascists are not welcome in Bath!

Diseased Liver, Anyone?

Although hushed up in the Chron, in recent months, animal rights groups in Bristol and Bath have been getting busy. ‘Paté de foie gras,’ a French import for the idle rich, is a cruel culinary treat – ducks and geese spend lifetimes trapped in cages, daily force-fed corn through painful tubes rammed down their throats, stomachs expanding to bursting point, before their livers are served on a plate. The tortured birds are often riddled with infection, and eating foie gras is linked to diseases like CJD and Alzheimer’s. Its manufacture is also banned in the UK.

Two demos persuaded Bistro No. 5 to drop it from their menu, so the campaign moved on to Le Petit Cochon, in Margaret Buildings – and what fun they had! The highly excitable staff had no problems with kicking off, scuffles inside and out, broken glass and upended tables being the order of the day. As thediners gawped on, head chefand owner Christophe charged out, pushing and shoving anyone within reach, shouting “I love ducks! I f**k ducks!” After the bestiality confessions died down, this larger-than-life character planted a kiss on one protester, and then withdrew. Two weeks later, seemingly calmed down, he claimed to have dropped foie gras. Or had he, the lying cad? Our roving reporter went undercover to discover the truth, and easily exposed the not-so-cunning ruse: the
restaurant’s still selling the putrid stuff, so watch this space for further breaking news…

Every Little (Trick in the Book) Helps

After trying to worm their way into Bath for years, Tesco’s finally seem to be getting their way. With rejection after rejection at London Road and Odd Down, yet again they were turned down at the former car showroom site John Tallis, at Bathwick Hill. But, never known for playing fair, what with all the farms and other small-scale suppliers they’ve ripped off and destroyed over the years – paying suppliers 4% less than any other supermarket – they went crying off to a government planning inspector, who overturned the council’s decision.

So, now we’ll be stuck with yet another Tesco’s Express. Whilst company spokespeople lie through their teeth, claiming that their stores give “other local businesses a boost”, the truth is that with their constant price gouging, local shops like Bathwick Stores, Tuck Time and other established small stores are likely to soon go under. Indeed, roughly 50 independent shops are squeezed out of the UK every year by big supermarkets like these. So, soon, local roads will be clogged with delivery trucks, road safety will hit blood-stained rock bottom with inadequate road-crossings, and more local jobs will be cut, because supermarkets employ two thirds less staff than smaller stores. So here’s to bigger dole queues!

Well, whilst doing our best to support local shops, when the new Tesco’s arrive, let’s make sure we give them all a big welcome: planting concrete-cracking Japanese knotweed should be just the thing!

Events Listing

Monday nights Bath Hunt Saboteur meetings 8pm back room of Bell
11th Aug Bath Free Shop @ Stall Street 12-3pm
14th—21st Aug National Camp for Climate Action nr Heathrow
5th Sept Bath Animal Action meeting back room of Bell 7.30-8.30pm
6th Sept Bath Activist Network meeting downstairs Hobgoblin 7.30-9pm
11th-14th Sept Disarm DSEI @ The Excel Centre in London
19th-24th Sept No Border Camp nr Gatwick
21st Sept Leftism benefit club night for Bristle magazine @ The Crown 9-2am

Who Are Bath Activist Network?

We are 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

Get out Yer Lifejackets for the Western Riverside Yuppie Flood!

Yup, the council have done it again and sold off the western riverside area to be turned into luxury flats.

There is major cause for concern on all fronts. A flood plain will be destroyed, making localised flooding imminent, badger, owl and kingfisher habitats will be destroyed, many Bath residents will have their views ruined by huge apartment buildings, and we’ll have to deal with an influx of more yuppies.

There are also plans to demolish the historic Bath Press to make way for a supermarket to cater for the new residents. The 200 workers of the press, many of whom had put in 30-plus years were told to get out with next to no warning to make way for the new development.

Crest Nicholson, the development company (who make a cushy sideline evicting families from houseboats to build pricey waterside flats for…. you guessed it – yuppies!) have kindly offered to make 20% of the housing ‘affordable’…cheers! That means that Bathonians from the surrounding area aren’t ever going to see inside these flats! Instead of putting effort into providing better facilities and conditions for ordinary people, the council are ignoring our needs and catering for the rich to make a quick buck.

As numerous other ‘tourist’ cities across the world have shown us, flooding our communities with rich commuters will have disastrous effects – pushing house prices up, sucking resources from the community while putting nothing back and building coffee bar after f**king coffee bar!

There are a million good arguments against this development, but the same old good reason for the councillors – profit. Actions against the development are due to start soon, we’ll keep you posted!

Flights of Fancy?

Whilst climate change is seemingly on everyone’s lips, for the British airline industry, it’s (big) business as usual. Despite hot air from Number 10 about ‘carbon emissions reduction targets’, air passenger numbers are planned to double over the next 20 years; never mind the fact that planes pollute 10 times worse than trains. This week, the British Airport Authority is desperately pushing through a new law to criminalize up to 5,000,000 members of green groups round the country. The planned injunction, lucrative work for silk-tongued lawyers, will not only ban protesters from areas inside and around Heathrow, but also from the Piccadilly line, M4 and M25.

But who are these heinous eco-terrorists that BAA is so afraid of? Earth First!? Al Qaeda? Erm, no. It’s groups like Friends of the Earth, the RSPB, The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England and No Third Runway Acton Group, based in the villages of Harmondsworth and Sipson: members include the Queen, Prince Charles and hundreds of BA staff, so they’re presumably banned, too.

All this palaver is an attempt to nip this month’s national Camp for Climate Action in the bud – a week of education, workshops and activism, set to pitch up near Heathrow. The event is expected to attract huge numbers of rent-a-cops: just like the OTT policing we saw back here in April, for the Bath Climate Camp. And if this ridiculous ban does go through, it will be yet further proof that the courts are simply hired flunkies at the corporations’ beck and call. These people are fully prepared to bulldoze over an entire village for a new runway, putting silly pipedreams like ‘economic growth’ before people’s lives.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom: other planned airport expansions up and down the country are now being beaten back: Manchester, Coventry, Luton, and Birmingham schemes were all rejected, and maybe soon Bristol Airport will join ’em!

Join the Dots – from Local Dispute to National Disaster?

Lost history, increased pollution, uninhabitable homes, not being consulted on local issues?

At the moment we may feel like a divided populace at the mercy of government, council and corporations. But if we link small local disputes over development across the country, creating networks to oppose them, we will begin to see the change we crave.

Take Bath, for example – Western Riverside Development, Tesco’s at Bathwick Hill, the recent demolition of Churchill House despite mass protest… And further from home at Heathrow, where people are fighting against the third runway, protecting the beautiful old villages they stand to lose. As a member of NOTRAG (a local group opposing the runway) says: “if it happens to us, who’s next?”

“Democracy only works if voters are active and informed” All it takes for us to be more in control, is for us to pull together locally and nationally, learning from each others’ actions and to fit campaigns into our ordinary lives, next to the washing up or getting the dinner, to remind the government that we are all part of that government too. These little bits will reap huge benefits – for you, your neighbours, your children and even the world!

Some things you could do: attend local meetings, or, if you’re part of a group, link up with other groups over a common goal, get involved in protests, create your own. If you oppose the new Tesco’s, what would you like in its place? Make that happen instead. And if the Tesco’s does get built, don’t shop there! Think neighbourhood watch on a grander scale – being aware of what’s going on in your area, supporting those around you and trying not to leave anyone out, is enough. Share the work so it doesn’t overwhelm and keep morale up by sharing the decision not to take ‘no’ for an answer.

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 are available on request

BAA climate camp Injunction: What’s Happened At Court & legal briefing

Judge’s reading (reports from first two days below) –

Delivering her ruling in a 90-speech this morning, Mrs. Justice Swift struck out most of BAA’s application, pointing out that much of their evidence was based on news reports and web sites, and ruling that, as there is a “divergence of interest” within the groups named, [with the exception of Plane Stupid], they should not be targeted.

Judge’s reading (reports from first two days below) –

She said it is regrettable that Geraldine Nicholson was ever named in the application, and that there had been no suggestion –despite participation in previous demonstrations– that Joss Garman or Leo Murray had ever harassed or intended to harass anyone.

She has therefore deleted the majority of BAA’s application, substituting wording of her own, intended to allow lawful protest, [as enshrined by right in Articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights], although preventing unlawful disruption of airport operations, [as already covered by Heathrow’s by-laws].

The wording of her draft is being studied while the court adjourns for lunch. She is prepared to fine-tune the details, when the court resumes at 2 o’clock.
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1st August –
Please note: this is an article written after telephone contact with people outside the court. Please see the other report here.

The High Court in London was the scenery of some funny encounters today as BAA put forward their case for an injunction they served individuals from certain anti-airport groups earlier last week. We’ll spare you all the boring details, so let’s jump to the exciting bits. Basically, the whole thing was badly put together from BAA’s side. Timothy Lawson Cruttenden (TLC) was representing BAA in this case, interestingly enough the same lawyers firm that tried to slap injunctions on protesters at Brighton’s weapons manufacturers EDO. This eventually failed miserably…

Anyhow, the start of the hearing was brought back to the afternoon and once in full swing, BAA put forward some evidence to give their injunction some substance. Their evidence were some articles from the Evening Standard and the Times newspapers and a chapter from the Eco Defence Handbook. Another bit of evidence was an article about last years Climate Camp in which it was said that local people had joined the protesters and mentiones were made about radical direct action tactics. Interestingly enough, the journalist who actually wrote that was in court today as well and said that some of the things in the article he had just ‘put in’ or made up. As one does…

Evidence like this is classed as ‘hearsay’ as it is no direct evidence and therefore pretty irrelevant in court.

It was unclear whether the injunction applied to the named people within the various organisations they served the papers to, or all members from those organisations. If it would apply to all members of the named organisations (over 5 million), it would probably be difficult to enforce but if it only applied to certain individuals, than the injunction wouldn’t have a lot of effect.

BAA was so unclear about this, the judge was said to be very confused and gave them until tomorrow morning to get things straight: who are you asking to be injuncted and for what reasons? The whole injunction business seems to be a total joke, poorly prepared and mainly used as a scare tactic. As things currently look, it won’t have any effect on the actual camp which is to take place from the 14th August. A spokesperson for the Camp For Climate Action was a lot clearer than BAA: ‘ This injunction is totally irrelevant to us. We won’t be intimidated or bullied. The camp is going ahead! ‘

2nd August –
BAA used most of the morning to put forward their case. It basically boiled down to a couple of things. Firstly, BAA thinks that possible disruption caused by protests may highten the risk of ‘Iraqi-style terrorism’ at the airport. One of the examples the BAA laywer Timothy Lawson-Cruttenden used was that protesters might blockade cars going to the airport which in turn could ‘exposing them to a terrorist strike’. He added: ‘of course we see that in Baghdad every day’. Right.

The defence lawyer spent the afternoon putting forward that there are already far reaching laws in place as well as a competent police force who will be able to take care of such events. An injunction would just confuse the situation, rather than add to it. The laywer for Transport for London and the London Underground, agreed, urging the court to throw out the injunction, calling it ‘neither necessary, desirable nor clear’.

Secondly, although BAA hinted yesterday that they might not seek an injunction for all members of organisations supporting the camp for climate action, it made it clear today that it is seeking to injunct the supporters besides the 4 named people on the injunction.

The judge, Mrs Justice Swift, said she will need the weekend to think things over, so a ruling can be expected on Monday morning. The hearing will continue today (Friday) in the morning, for a couple of hours.

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Heathrow’s Injunction – What it means

Everything you needed to know but didn’t have a clue what to ask about Heathrow’s injunction against protesters. Designed for the lay person, it is essential reading for climate campers.

Heathrow’s Injunction – What it actually means.

To say that Heathrow Airport have shot themselves in the foot with their misguided attempt to impose an injunction against all anti-airports protestors, not just the Camp for Climate Action, is an understatement. There is an injunction, but it is toothless. The main aim of the injunction is to scare people off from coming to the camp and from taking action at Heathrow Airport so we want to explain what the injunction really means for Climate Campers.

THE TERMS OF THE INJUNCTION

Who the injunction applies to:
As well as a few named individuals, the injunction has been granted against a nebulous group of ‘protestors’, where protestor means the anti-aviation protest group Plane Stupid, its supporters and those acting “in concert” with Plane Stupid to disrupt the operation of Heathrow airport.

What it restricts:
a) trespassing on Heathrow Airport’s land;
b) any activity impeding, obstructing or interfering with the operation of Heathrow Airport;
c) inciting or helping others to do a) or b).

Nothing in the terms of the injunction order exceeds current police powers. Mrs Justice Swift has based her order on existing laws and bye-laws, and has not permitted the wide restrictions that Heathrow wanted.

SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE CLIMATE CAMP?
Nothing of substance. The Camp for Climate Action is not covered by the injunction. The Camp for Climate Action is separate from Plane Stupid. While it may be argued that there are links between individuals in Plane Stupid and the Camp, they are separate organisations. The Camp for Climate Action existed before Plane Stupid, and is a self-organising entity controlled by no other organisation.

ARE YOU COVERED?
The key phrase which determines whether you become a ‘protestor’ or not is whether you are acting ‘in concert’ with Plane Stupid and the three named individuals (collectively called the Defendants) to disrupt operations at Heathrow Airport. Being part of the Climate Camp does not automatically make you a ‘protestor’ within the terms of this injunction. You would need to do something else in addition which would link you with the defendants. Experience with other injunctions indicates that to be acting ‘in concert’ with the Defendants would require you to:
a) be a known activist with Plane Stupid;
b) do an action explicitly organised by the Defendants for the purpose of disrupting operations at Heathrow Airport;
c) use materials produced by the Defendants in an action which either trespasses on, obstructs or interferes with Heathrow.

So to be safe we recommend that you don’t bring any banners or leaflets or other materials with any reference to Plane Stupid on them to the camp or on actions.

The injunction comes to an end on 31st August. After that it disappears altogether unless Heathrow can successfully apply to extend it.

SERVICE OF THE INJUNCTION
To be covered by the injunction you have to be served first. If you are not served then you cannot be covered by its terms even if you fall under the definition of protestor.

To prove you have been served Heathrow has to demonstrate that you were either
a) personally handed a copy of the injunction, or
b) seen / photographed / videoed reading a copy of the injunction whether on a website or the ones that are likely to be posted up on their property (this is called service by substitution).

We will deal with what to do about personal service below, but service by substitution is very difficult to prove. The injunction requires Plane Stupid, HACAN and Airport Watch to post the injunction on their websites, and no doubt Heathrow will have it on theirs as well. However, they still have to prove that you went to those websites and explicitly viewed the terms of the injunction – something very difficult to do, if not downright impossible.

Heathrow will also display the injunction around its premises, in particular on the fences and posts of its perimeter. The purpose of this is to say that you must be aware of the terms if you were in the area. But it is an argument likely to fall flat unless they have evidence to show that you actually read the notices.

The court may decide that if you have been provided with the terms of the injunction by someone telling you (eg someone shouting it over a megaphone) then you have been served. However there are any number of problems with proving this in court (as has been show to be the case with the police using megaphones to inform assemblies of sec.14 orders).

PERSONAL SERVICE
It is very likely that, despite the hollowness of their victory that BAA will attempt to serve people personally with a copy of the injunction order. The standard tactic, probably with the support of the police, is to have specially appointed individuals called ‘process servers’ whose job is to go around handing out copies of the order to people they think are likely to be ‘protestors’, and at the same time photo / video / record the fact with a description of the person served.

To be served they must give you a copy of the order, but this can amount to tapping you on the body with it and dropping it at your feet, even as you are running off. It is likely that these process servers will turn up at various protests with copies to hand out. They are also likely to be outside the climate camp attempting to serve it on people coming in or out.

You are not required to stand still and simply wait to be served. As they are officers of the court you are not supposed to actively interfere with them serving people but there is no requirement for you to make their life easy for them. If someone dodgy looking comes towards you with a sheaf of paper don’t hang around and take it, or open your window to accept it. Don’t let them into the camp – they have no right to be there. In the past people have been very creative in protecting those that have not been served, for instance, forming spontaneous group hugs around them or simply standing in a line between them and the process server – process servers are not allowed to break the law to serve the injunction order.

If a process server is being aggressive, take action and make complaints – the are not allowed to assault people or act aggressively. Video their actions (though not faces of those being served) in case there are any subsequent court cases – you have a right to video both process servers and police alike, regardless of what they say.

And if you have been served with the injunction this does not mean you are automatically covered by it – you still have to fall into the definition of ‘protestor’ given above. Simply being a climate camper or involved in a climate camp protest does not mean that.

WHAT IS A BREACH OF THE INJUNCTION
If you are a ‘protestor’ within the meaning of the injunction and you trespass on Heathrow Airport Ltd’s land (there is a map attached to the injunction) then you are in breach of the injunction. You are also in breach if you blockade any road or other form of transport for people or vehicles reaching the airport, as this would amount to interfering with or obstructing the operation of the airport. What it does not stop is action against companies involved with the airport being targeted in their own right. It does not stop leafleting or other lawful protest activities from taking place in any place not covered under the trespass clause.

It is not a criminal offence to breach the injunction as it is a civil matter only. You cannot be arrested for breaching the injunction, even if the police say otherwise. Note, however, you can still be arrested for breaking the law and local bye-laws relating to trespass, etc.

Inciting people to trespass, or to impede / interfere with Heathrow’s operation will also be considered to be breaches of the injunction, but then, only if they can prove that you were served or had knowledge that it was breaching the injunction. Note, incitement can be an offence in its own right depending on what you are inciting others to do.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU BREACH THE INJUNCTION
The injunction does not give the police any powers of arrest for breach of the injunction (of course you may still be arrested if you are suspected of committing a criminal offence). To pursue you for breach of the injunction Heathrow must get the Court’s permission, which is decided at a ‘committal’ hearing. Heathrow will need to first get your name and address in order to serve you with court papers about the committal hearing. At that hearing they will have to prove that you had been served with the injunction, and that you did something that breached the terms of the injunction.

Technically a breach is contempt of court, and can carry a variety of penalties depending on the severity of the breach, these range from a conditional discharge, through fines and jail time. But jail time in particular is very unlikely except for persistent breaches. Taking you to court for breach of the injunction is an expensive and fairly pointless route for Heathrow, and something they are unlikely to do as by the time they get you to Court the camp will be over. Most other injunctions of this sort, such as the one at the climate camp at Drax last year have proved unenforceable and have been ignored by protesters without repercussions.

The publicity generated by these injunction proceedings has been a fantastic boost for the Climate Camp itself and the campaigns against Heathrow and aviation in general. You couldn’t pay for this sort of coverage. We hope that no one will be deterred from coming to the Climate Camp by the injunction – that would be a surrender of our right to freedom of protest and expression. We can all be at the Camp, sure in our right to be there.

FINAL NOTES ON THE PROTECTION FROM HARASSMENT ACT
The outcome of these injunction proceedings is a victory for protesters in the UK and has made a laughing stock of Heathrow’s owner BAA plc, as well as their lawyer Timothy Lawson-Cruttenden, the self-declared ‘market-leader’ in these types of injunctions. Mrs Justice Swift threw out BAA’s application for an injunction under the Protection from Harassment Act (PHA) forcing BAA to fall back on the more toothless common law option, so damaging greatly the ability of corporations to use the PHA to stifle legal protest.

For the last four years corporations have been using the PHA to attack legitimate protest. Originally designed to protect people from stalkers, the Government and companies who are the target of persistent protests have been relatively successful in attempting to declare otherwise lawful forms of protest such as marches and leafleting, the use of megaphones, drums, whistles etc as amounting to harassment and therefore have been able to obtain court orders restricting or banning protests outright. The misuse of this law has lead to a draconian infringement of the rights to protest and assemble. It has also allowed corporations to obtain court orders based on lower standards of proof than would be allowed in the criminal courts, yet the penalties for breaching the orders made are criminal in nature.

As a last point, we would like to distance ourselves from the negative comments by some fighting the injunction in referring to ‘animal rights nuts’. The animal rights movement has been at the front line fighting the draconian terms of injunctions under the Protection from Harassment Act for four years now. These injunctions have never been about stopping illegal activities, but about curbing the right to lawful protest. The outcome of these current injunction proceedings is another step in that same fight.

legal.collective3@yahoo.co.uk

Parnitha fire & protests

Protest following earlier marches:

The morning of Sunday 29 July, an intervention was made in Mont Parnes (a casino in ,Mount Parnitha which was recently burned, the same casino which tries to expand to the burned grounds of the mountain): banners where opened , some slogans where shouted and red paint was thrown.

The moving of the state mechanisms was constant, many-sided and long, different than the days the mountain was burning. Riot police, under cover police and helicopters where “guarding” the burned forest of Parnitha , the “natural” source of profit. The protection of profit and the unblocked work of gamblers seems to have greater importance than the natural environment.

26 people (of the approximately 35-40 that originally went there) were arrested with the help of the casino workers and the mayor of Thrakomakedones municipality , Themis Oikodomou. The arrested where beaten up while they where hand-cuffed and then held in the GADA (Central Police Control Athens) without medical help and even without water. It is also remarkable that when they complained about the conditions of their arrest they where brutally attacked inside the police headquarters by a squat of riot police.

Immediately after their move in GADA a group of people met in front of the headquarters to express their solidarity. They stayed there until late in the night when charges where announced . Disturbance of peace and unprovoked damages. The charges where announced after the complaint of the Casino.

After the holocaust of Parnitha and the anxious rescue of the casino (while the forest was indifferent), the company Regency Εntertainment, few days before showed it’s hypocritical “ecological” feelings announcing that it will sponsor the re-foresting of the area, after though the bestowal of 62.5 acres for the expansion of Mont Parnes.

Athens, Greece

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Some historical background on the ‘protected’ forests of Parnitha:

Parnitha, with its marvelous forests, a place with rich raw flora, including a thousand species of plants and also some rich wild life (such as deers, chamoises, foxes, coyotes, bunnies, badgers, hedgehogs, squirrels, reptiles, amphibians and lots of flying creatures, including raptors such as hawks and eagles, as well as little twitting birds, such as redcaps , goldfinches and picklocks) was our favourite mountain, the one that hosted many of our walks around the hills, the tops, the rivers and the canyons.

It hasn’t been more than one year since we last referred to the danger of Parnitha being destroyed, which, despite being accredited as a protected natural forest since decades, has the tops of its hills spotted by military bases, the broadcasting centre, the tourist shelters which work in corporate interest and the well-known Mont Parness Hotel/Casino, built by the National Organisation of Tourism in 1958 on Mavrovouni top and given to the Hyatt Corporation in 2002 (and to the BC Partners in 2006), the reason for a lot of environmental destruction in a wider area where extended constructions are about to take place.

“Very close to Athens, there is the forest group of Parnitha, full of forests, which, not protected at all by the plans of the statists and the hunger of the capitalists, is waiting its destruction” (…) ” Given the momentum of the capitalists, if the carelessness and the apathy against their plans keep up, Parnitha will follow the rest of the Attica mountains which have had and keep on having lots of irreversible destructions (Anarchist Report, num 41, October 2006).

This is why hundreds friends of the forest, held a demonstration in Parnitha, against the decision for giving 3 million square meters of forest, in the heart of the protected forest, for building things as hostels, restaurants, shopping centers, resulting to an environmental disaster. (4th March 2002)

Though, there was a more serious disaster; a real holocaust was about to hapen in Parnitha, before the real plans of the Hellenic Tourist Estates co. and the BC Partners would be implemented.

It was a fire that resulted from sparkles in a high-voltage pylon of the Electricity Company, in the village Stephani in Dervenochoria, due to the overload on the network, that lead to a fire hurricane that burnt all over Parnitha. The criminal delay in facing the fire, in order to avoid an electricity black-out in Athens, let the fire climb up the mountain and go giant, swallowing the forest. More than 25 million square meters of forests, out of the 38 million square meters of the kernel of the Protected forest were burnt, along with some millions of sq meters on the surrounding area.

Although it was not the first time the fire hit Parnitha, even if it had been expected since years, as all the surrounding mountain forests have been burnt, there was neither an immediate response, nor a preparation, a basic organization and co-ordination in order to avoid the worst case and have the national park saved.

The forest of Parnitha, along with the rich wild life that lived there, are lost; they became a huge cloud of smoke and ashes above Athens, spreading a darksome and misty light of apocalypse. Millions of metropolitan residents were watching the terror, passive, in their destiny, worthy of their future, while the minister of civil order Polydoras was in a ridiculous triumph for saving the Casino.

Finally, the unprecedented ecological disaster in Parnitha is not a result just of the stupidity and the incapability of the ones responsible. It is a result of the war that the Power has declared against the human and the nature. It is a disaster with countless social and cultural aspects, while the first environmental consequences will be immediately noticeable in the following years, including the disastrous increase of the temperature, dry-outs and floods in Attica valley.

The ancient firry forest of Parnitha will never be the same, not even in 100 years; it will stay alive, as it used to be, only in our dreams and memories. An amazingly beautiful mountainous paradise, a school of nature which offered endless moments of joy, recreation, game, adventure and emotion, turned into an calvary place in one night.

As for the question on who is responsible for this crime, in this case, as in any similar case, it is no-one apart from the system of the state and the capitalist organisation of the society, where all the political and economical authorities attack the humanity and the natural environment, destroying and luting, in an effort to maximize profiteering and social control. We are as guilty, for the destruction and luting which leave behind a burnt ground (both literally and metaphorically) in the society and the nature, as long as we bend in apathy just watching.

Ora Nihil 30.6.2007
For the anarchist report “Black Flag”

Saving Iceland Blockades Hellisheidi Power Station

26.07.2007
Saving Iceland blockaded two roads to Hellisheidi Power Station in Iceland at 7am this morning.

The activists locked on to different vehicles and one climbed a crane on the worksite and unfurled a gigantic banner: “STOP PRODUCING ENERGY FOR WEAPONS”

26.07.2007
Saving Iceland blockaded two roads to Hellisheidi Power Station in Iceland at 7am this morning.

The activists locked on to different vehicles and one climbed a crane on the worksite and unfurled a gigantic banner: “STOP PRODUCING ENERGY FOR WEAPONS”
Reports have just come in saying that 8 have been arrested but that the climber in the crane is still free.

For more info please see:
http://www.savingiceland.org/hengill
http://www.savingiceland.org/node/857
http://www.savingiceland.org/node/858
http://www.savingiceland.org/vopnaveita

Out Now! Toolkit for Climate Action

Just in time for the 2007 Climate Camp – the Toolkit for Climate Action is now ready. With this toolkit we hope to inspire you to take action – at home, at school, at work, in your community. The toolkit has been put together by the Network for Climate Action, which is has grown out of and is associated with the Climate Camp.

The toolkit contains masses of useful information related to climate chaos including:
*useful contacts, *action resources, *group working, *outreach ideas, *images and graphics, *press and media, *facts and science, *positive alternatives, *flyers and posters, *films and music

You can look at it on the web:

http://www.networkforclimateaction.org.uk

It’s also available as a pack containing a DVD with all the resources on it, printed guides on direct action, legal issues, media and publicity, plus a contact list for people involved in climate action.

Pick up your pack at the Big Green Gathering or the Climate Camp.

Or if you can’t wait or aren’t going there, we can post one to you.

Donations would be great too!
Contact Details
http://www.networkforclimateaction.org.uk/toolkit/contactus.html

CONTRIBUTE!
We’d like the resource website grow and maybe we’ll even put out a second paper edition. If you are up for helping get in touch! Let us know you have any useful climate related resources that should be on it.

FEEDBACK
The pack’s been put together by just a few people and it was lots and lots of work – which means that some of it may not be as great as it could be. It’d be really good to get your comments and offers of help to improve it.

http://www.networkforclimateaction.org.uk

next Disarm DSEi Public Meeting @ rampART London 28th July

Disarm DSEi Public Meeting Saturday 28th July, 2pm-4pm
rampART centre, 15 Rampart Street, London E1 2LA
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=534642&Y=181247&A=Y&Z=1

Tube : Whitechapel, Shadwell, Aldgate, Aldgate East, Tower Gateway
Bus : 15, 115, D3, 100

There will probably be police photographers outside the meeting, don’t be intimidated. You might choose to wear a scarf in this unpredictable weather.

Disarm DSEi 11 September 2007 – One Day, Many Actions

From 11-14 September, Defence Systems and Equipment international, the world’s largest arms fair, returns to East London’s ExCeL Centre. Despite massive local opposition, and a huge bill to the taxpayer, arms dealers will once again be free to deal in death and destruction.

Against the War— Against the Arms Trade

`Stop the War’ (whichever war) is useless sloganeering unless it is accompanied by a commitment to stopping the global arms trade. War will never stop whilst weapon sales are a booming capitalist business worth in the region of $40 billion a year. There are no borders, no limitations and certainly no morals when it comes to arms trading. Whilst countries such as the US and UK pretend to restrict the sale of arms, there are enough loopholes to enable dealers to trade whatever they like, to whoever they like.

In 2005, DSEi hosted 1,100 companies, 70 official military delegation and 20,000 visitors from across the globe. Many of the countries invited were at war, some with each other. Many were dictatorships with appalling human rights records. Many had huge national debts with populations in severe states of poverty and starvation. We must not let them meet without disruption and opposition. Join us and take action. Say no to war. Say no to the arms trade.

To join the Disarm DSEi mailing list send a blank email to:
disarmdsei-subscribe@lists.riseup.net
07948 318756

——————————————————————————————————————–
Against War. Against the Arms Trade. Two Day: Many Actions. 29-30 July 2007

Blockade? Party? Destroy? March? Smash? Infiltrate? Invade? Picket? Harass? Clown? Dance? Light candles? Fight? Lock on? Vigil? Disrupt?

You Decide!

In the run up to DSEi 2007, DISARM DSEi is calling for two days of autonomous actions against the arms trade.

There were 1,201 exhibitors at the last DSEi. Find out where your nearest (see www.dsei.org for further information). Take action and say no to death and destruction on your doorstep.

info@dsei.org
http://www.dsei.org/

Iceland actions – Scotland & Iceland

Saving Iceland Blockades Century Smelter at Grundartangi
19.07.2007

News of Saving Iceland’s latest action as part of the Summer of Resistance to the aluminium industry in Iceland.

Saving Iceland Blockades Century Smelter at Grundartangi
19.07.2007

News of Saving Iceland’s latest action as part of the Summer of Resistance to the aluminium industry in Iceland.

GRUNDARTANGI – Saving Iceland has this afternoon closed the single supply road from Highway 1 to the Century/Nordural smelter on Hvalfjordur and the steel factory Elkem – Icelandic Alloys. Saving Iceland opposes the planned new Century smelter at Helguvik and the expansion of the Icelandic Alloys factory. Activists have used lock-ons (metal arm tubes) to form a human blockade on the road and have occupied a construction site crane.

Century Aluminum, a part of the recently formed Russian-Swiss RUSAL/Glencore/SUAL conglomorate, want to build a second smelter in Iceland in Helguvik with a projected capacity of at least 250.000 metric tons per annum. The planned site is designed to accommodate further expansion. Grundartangi has this year been extended to 260.000 mtpa.

Currently, an environmental impact assessment (1) is under review for the Helguvik smelter, produced by the construction consultants HRV (Honnun/Rafhonnun/VST).

“It is absurd that an engineering company with a vested interest in the smelter construction could be considered to produce an objective impact assessment. The document makes absurd claims, such as that pollution is really not a problem because Helguvik is such a windy place that the pollution will just blow away,” says Saving Iceland’s Snorri Páll Jónsson Úlfhildarson.”

“This smelter will demand new geothermal power plants at Seltún, Sandfell, Austurengjar and Trölladyngju. In addition to the Hengill area which has already been seriously damaged by Reykjavik Energy. The impact assessment does not take these into account, nor the impact of the huge amount of
power lines and pylons required. The plants will ruin the natural and scenic value of the whole peninsula. Also, the recquired capacity, 400 MW, exceeds the natural capactity of the geothermal spots, and they will cool down in three to four decades (2). And Century admits it wants the site to expand further in the next decades. So it is obvious that this smelter will not just ruin Reykjanes but also need
additional hydropower.”

The impact procedure seems to be completely irrelevant anyway, since the company has completed an equity offering worth $360 million to be deployed for partly financing the construction of the Helguvik smelter project (3). This indicates that Century already has high level assurances that the project is to continue no matter what.

This completely contradicts the claims the new government of
Iceland, and particularly it’s environment minister Þórunn
Sveinbjarnardóttir, is opposed to new smelter projects.

Icelandic Alloys wants to expand its facility for producing
ferrosilicon for the steel industry. It is in fact one of Iceland’s largest contributors to greenhouse gases and other pollutants (4).

“Expansion of Icelandic Alloys and Century considerably contribute to Iceland’s greenhouse emissions. If there are no further expansions of heavy industry beyond Grundartangi and ALCOA Fjardaal, Iceland will emit 38% more greenhouse gases than in 1990. If other expansion plans continue, levels would rise to an incredible 63% above 1990 levels. (5). That is completely irresponsible.

This shows that all the talk about ‘green energy’ from hydro and geothermal is, in reality, a lie. Icelanders have to rise up against these foreign corporations,” says Úlfhildarson.

More information:
http://www.savingiceland.org

Notes and references:
1. Environmental Impact Assesment, HRV, may 2007, http://www.hrv.is/media/files/Frummatsskýrsla_2007-05-02_low%20res.pdf
2. Landvernd, Letter to national planning agency, 28th June 2007, http://www.landvernd.is/myndir/Umsogn_Helguvik.pdf
3. Credit Suisse, June 12th 2007, http://www.newratings.com/
analyst_news/article_1548857.html
4. Icelandic Ministry of the Environment, March 2006, http://
unfccc.int/resource/docs/natc/islnc4.pdf
5. Idem.

=================================
Icelandic Embassy Targeted by Activists

On the morning of 20th July, the Icelandic embassy on Queen St, Edinburgh was targeted by members of Saving Iceland(1). Paint was thrown on the building, the lock was glued and a message was affixed to the exterior reading “The Whole World is Watching”. “Iceland Bleeds” was also painted on the steps. The action served as response to recent acts of police brutality against Saving Iceland activists in Reykjavik who continue to oppose the assault on the Icelandic wilderness by heavy industry.

Icelandic Police attacked a non-violent Reclaim the Streets protest in the centre of Reykjavik, on July 14th. Video evidence(2) shows Icelandic police violently throwing protesters to the ground while others were punched and kicked. Five peaceful protesters were held in police cells, one with a broken rib after the police attack. The Reclaim the Streets demonstration was part of a continuing action camp held near Reykjavik this summer, involving activists from across the globe, including Scotland.

The recent expansion of large-scale aluminium production in Iceland has involved a barely democratic process and a comprehensive devastation of vast natural areas on a scale unprecedented in Europe today.

The Saving Iceland activists responsible for the action against the Icelandic Embassy state:
“We are sending a clear message to the Icelandic government that the destruction of unique ecosystems has environmental implications for us all. The repression of those who are opposing these destructive mega–projects is unacceptable. In the context of the current climate crisis we must all take responsibility for the destruction of our planet by criminal corporations such as Alcoa. The whole world is watching”.

The action in Edinburgh was an expression of solidarity with the activists and Icelandic people who are attempting to stand up to the unjust rule of the aluminium industry over democracy. Saving Iceland activists state: “We will not stop until the corporate invasion of the Icelandic wilderness has ceased. The world is not dying, it is being murdered. And those who are doing it need to be held accountable.”

(1) Saving Iceland is an Icelandic based direct action group opposed to continued expansion of heavy industry in Iceland. It involves participants from all over the world in collective resistance to the Icelandic state’s “Masterplan” which includes the damming of every major glacial river in Iceland by 2020 solely for the purpose of aluminum smelting. Saving Iceland has organised three summers of international protest to halt this vast destruction. It will not cease it’s opposition until all aluminum production leaves Iceland. For more info visit www.savingiceland.org

(2) Video documentation of the police violence on Saturday 14th in Reykjavik can be found at the following link. Note the use of pressure points applied for an extended period to the man on the ground and the accompanying and prolonged screaming: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NenbTc0cQs4&mode=user&search

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

The Clown Army and Saving Iceland invade Reykjavik Energy building
20.07.2007

Clowns redecorate Reykjavik Energy O.R.s interior with banner. Strawberries were offered by the corporate scum, but the clowns were not swayed from their action.

Today 25 protestors from Saving Iceland went into Orkuveitu Reykjavíkur (Reykjavik Energy, O.R.) and hung up a banner inside stating: ‘Vopnaveita Reykjavíkur?’ (‘Reykjavik Arms-dealers?’). The banner was not hung outside as planned earlier because of weather conditions. Protestors stayed in the building from 15.15 until 16.00 hrs.

Páll Erland speaking on behalf of O.R. states that they offered strawberries to protestors and welcomed Saving Iceland to put up the banner. While Erland might be happy to discuss strawberries with their visitors, they certainly did not give permission to hang up a banner indicating that they sell energy to companies known to be involved in arms production and serious human rights violations (as documented in our earlier press release). Saving Iceland has now contacted O.R., requesting they put up the banner and discuss publicly with us the ethics of selling energy to corporate criminals such as Century-RUSAL and Alcan-RioTinto.

Activist targetted in latest arrest at EDO MBM

At a peaceful demonstration against Brighton arms company EDO MBM on July 18th 2007
a protester was arrested and a sound system seized in the latest show of
force by Sussex police. Police used an obscure council bylaw which has
never been used in a prosecution to confiscate the equipment. Last week the
same protester had charges for a public order offence dropped after having
to spend two days in court.

The weekly protest was policed by around 10 police officers including two
inspectors and an evidence gathering team filming the protest.

Sussex police have made over 40 arrests during the three-year campaign
against the US-owned bomb component manufacturer EDO MBM, the vast majority
of which have resulted in acquittals or charges being dropped. As well as
the two activists who had charges against them dropped last week, two
protesters who staged a rooftop demo at the EDO MBM factory against
Israel’s bombardment of Lebanon last year won their court case last month.

Spokeswoman Sarah Johnson said ‘ Despite Sussex Police repeatedly failing
in their attempts to criminalise peaceful protest they continue to target
activists who demonstrate against a company on their doorstep responsible
for war crimes committed across the globe. We refuse to be intimidated and
will continue our campaign against EDO MBM until they shut down.’

Overview of last week’s events in Rossport

This summer has seen the Shell to Sea campaign gain increasing momentum as construction of the proposed onshore gas refinery in County Mayo, Ireland begins.

This summer has seen the Shell to Sea campaign gain increasing momentum as construction of the proposed onshore gas refinery in County Mayo, Ireland begins. The planned refinery and the high pressure pipeline, which would supply it with unprocessed gas from the offshore Corrib gas field, have been bitterly opposed by local residents and their many national and international supporters, since it was first proposed in 2000. Shell and their partners Statoil and Marathon had hoped to have the facility in operation by 2003, but massive local resistance has meant that four years on, the development is still in its infancy.

This week resistance was stepped up following the jailing of three local fishermen accused of assaulting Gardai (Police) during a Shell to Sea picket last year. On Wednesday 11th July, two years on from the jailing of the Rossport 5, these men became County Mayo’s latest political prisoners. The judge’s verdict was met with disbelief by all involved in the campaign. The prosecutions case was based solely on contradictory testimonies from members of the Gardai. Before sentencing the Judge stated that she had reservations about this evidence. In particular, that one Guard claimed he did not know if he had been hit by ’a car or a person’, and another claimed to have been punched with the left arm of a right handed man. She also stated that the injuries detailed by the Gardai were not serious enough to warrant a section three assault charge. Despite this, she found the three men guilty of this charge. Pat O’Donnell and Enda Carey were sentenced to three months in prison, Jonathan O Donnell, four months. All also received a 500 Euro (roughly £330) fine. Experience of state and corporate corruption is now commonplace for this small community, but this overt complicity of the judiciary has still come as a shock. The injustice of the incarceration of three men with no previous convictions, based on a prosecution case with no evidence, has seen the Shell to Sea campaign once again revitalized.

The following morning the community responded with a show of strength at the daily picket outside the proposed refinery at Bellanaboy. Over 100 people came to demonstrate both their solidarity with the three men and their resolute opposition to Shell‘s project. As people attempted to use their bodies to block construction vehicles on route to the site the police responded with brutality. One woman was thrown across the road, injuring her hip, leg and arm, and a fifteen year old lad was injured when a policeman gouged his eye.

After the picket supporters drove to the fishermen’s bail hearing. Analysis that the verdict and sentence had been prejudiced, handed out by a Judge with a clear political agenda, was confirmed when she denied each of the men bail for various arbitrary reasons. She refused to accept cash as a bond, nor would she accept proof of savings from a joint bank account statement without both parties present (the person unable to attend was one of the imprisoned men!). Finally, she refused the latest statement from an individuals account for not being recent enough, despite the provision of a supporting receipt taken that day from an ATM machine.

The next day the consequences of the Judge’s decision were played out on the ground at Bellanaboy. The morning picket was well attended and clown army activists provided the picket with amusement while they held the Gardai’ attention. At 9.20am a local resident and someone from the solidarity camp locked-on to a car, blocking a bridge on the main haulage route to the refinery site. Surrounded by around 40 supporters (held behind police lines) they maintained the blockade for around 6 hours. Meanwhile, other groups of local people set up spontaneous blockades on the alternative routes to the site. They used their bodies to obstruct the road, preventing Shell vehicles from passing but allowing free movement of other traffic. Construction lorries returned to their quarries with full loads as the haulage routes were blocked for most of the working day. At 15.20 the fire brigade cut the locked-on men free and they were arrested. The men were charged with several offences and released several hours later.

In the evening around 100 cars drove to meet the three fishermen who had been granted bail that morning. In an inspiring act of solidarity they were welcomed home by a vehicle procession through nearby towns with horns blaring and hazard lights flashing. When the procession reached the proposed refinery site it stopped. Around 200 people massed at the main entrance and people at the front of the crowd began to kick in the gates. Some people scaled the gates and undid the bolts on the other side enabling the final padlock to be easily forced open by the crowd outside. Around 100 people entered and marched through the site for around 20 minutes. Taking control of the Shell site was a fitting end to a highly successful day. The community here are clearly demonstrating that in the face corporate imperialism, continued Gardai violence and a biased judiciary, their dissent is unwavering.

More about recent events can be found at :

Check out: www.shelltosea.com www.indymedia.ie/mayo

What you can do

* Visit the solidarity camp. Visitors are always welcome. The camp is set in a beautiful location and a visit provides an opportunity to learn more about the campaign and to support the community directly through joining the picket and taking part in action. Support roles are diverse and the functioning of the camp depends on this diversity. Among other things people are needed for ‘camp-sitting’, DIY and to take part in action. If you are thinking of coming to take action try coming with ideas and, if possible, a crew! For more info and travel directions: www.rossportsolidaritycamp.com

* Spread awareness of the campaign in your local area. E-mail the camp for propaganda (it should be downloadable online soon) rossportsolidaritycamp@gmail.com

* Organise a solidarity action at your local Shell garage or distribution centre -see www.shell.com for addresses.

* Organise an action or picket at the Irish embassy or Shell HQ (both in London)

Anticivilization gathering 2007

FIRST DRAFT OF PROGRAMME FOR THE 2007 ANTICIVILIZACION GATHERING

We have almost fixed the timetable for debates and the workshop.
SATURDAY 8 SEPTEMBER
Morning:
Welcome and preparing the place for the gathering. First workshops.

FIRST DRAFT OF PROGRAMME FOR THE 2007 ANTICIVILIZACION GATHERING

We have almost fixed the timetable for debates and the workshop.
SATURDAY 8 SEPTEMBER
Morning:
Welcome and preparing the place for the gathering. First workshops.
Afternoon:
Debate: ”The kaos and the wilderness” hold by XXX.
SUNDAY 9 SEPTEMBER
Morning:
Debate: “A non primitivist anticivilization” hold by Wolfi from the Willfull Desobedience.
Afternoon:
Workshops.
MONDAY 10 SEPTEMBER
Morning:
“Global change, a chance for authoritarianism”
Afternoon:
Workshops.
TUESDAY 11 SEPTEMBER
Morning:
“Post ecologism. Towards an ecology without romanticism”.
Afternoon:
Workshops.

Until now we have agreed about some workshops:
“Your health on your hands or self control of your health”
“Relaxation and body relations”
“A laughing workshop.”
“An approach to nano-technology”
“Making soap”
“A workshop about intrusion”
“Cryptography and PGP”
Also there will be the possibility of making bread.
If you want to hold a workshop or a debate, please contact us to organize it on time. We expect that people will share their abilities, theories, emotions, …

ATTENTION!!
There is more information at http://anticiv.blogspot.com and there’s a forum to discuss the 4 main debates in the gathering: kaos, non primitivist anticiv , global change and post-ecologism at www.nodo50.org/llavors for people who won’t be able to attend or which are too impatient and want to start already.

REMEMBER!!
You need to bring your tent, sleeping bag, plate, glass or cup, spoon and fork.

We would be glad about any translation of this call into other languages and the spreading of it.

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

llavors@nodo50.org