Page 224 – Respect existence or expect resistance!

Eight arrested as Shell begin winching operation in Rossport

Late Thursday evening, Shell To Sea flotilla attempted to block the winch boat which has just arrived at Glengad. 11 small craft were launched from the Solidarity Camp. They strongly resisted the Gardaí and Navy boats who attempted to ram the Shell To Sea dinghies and knock the occupants into the sea. The resistance lasted for 2 hours and was cheered on by a huge local crowd who had gathered in support along the cliffs and beach.

Yesterday evening at Glengad, eight Shell to Sea protestors were arrested for opposing the latest work being carried out by Shell. At approximately 7pm a barge began work pulling a winching cable into the landfall area at Glengad. This is one of the most crucial stages in the offshore pipeline that can be disrupted.

Three squadrons of Shell to Sea vessels took to the water to stop the work. They were opposed by fifteen Shell, Navy and Gardaí boats. Despite this the winching work was delayed for one and a half hours while Gardaí and Navy personnel worked with Shell security in arresting seven people from the water. Subsequently an eighth Shell to Sea protestor was arrested outside the gates of the compound under the Public Order Act. All have been released without charge.

During this action all of the S2S Fleet were rammed by Garda or Shell boats, with the exception of the S2S safety boat which was threatened with ramming by the Gardaí boats before she withdrew. All of Shell’s ‘safety’ boats had Garda personnel on board and the Gardai, Navy and Shell worked togther throughout.

One of those arrested Mary Campbell stated “Despite being opposed by 9 Garda and Navy boats, we were still able to stop work for one and a half hours. Our community is taking on the might of both Shell and the State but the battle is far from over. We will continue to resist this project. There is no consent.”

The Shell to Sea vessels seized by the Gardaí and Navy during the protest were The Niamh Cinn Óir, The Maedbh, The Michael Davitt, The Luke Kelly, The Ronnie Drew, The Robin Hood and The Hypatia.

At present, the winching operation is only part completed. It can’t be predicted exactly when they will attempt to complete the work due to stormy weather conditions. Gales are forecast for the next few days. However, the work WILL happen as soon as the weather is fine. There is still time to get to Mayo! Check out www.coribsos.com for more info and www.rossportsolidaritycamp.110mb.com/ for travel and accomodation info

GRASS: The Battle For Wembley Park Sports Ground Video

On Monday 4 August 2008 the Grass Roots Alliance for Social Sports (GRASS) was forcibly evicted from the Wembley Park Sports Ground in rough scenes and under sketchy legal grounds.

Using an existing eviction order from the Tent City Occupation and an eviction order on the Sports Ground businesses, Brent Council forcibly evicted the GRASS protestors. Then the council turned on the four squatters in the house on the site, evicting them without any prior notice – something maybe the Brent Squatters Association should look into.

A video of the eviction from that morning can be found here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08mWEt6DUZM

An indepth report is here.

http://jasonnparkinson.blogspot.com/2008/09/smash-school-privatisation-battle-for.html

The day panned out causing endless disruption for Brent Council, as they grew increasingly frustrated at the protestors continuous actions to halt the start of work on the temporary accommodation for the Ark Wembley Park Academy, which is due to open at the start of term in September.

http://www.tentcityoccupation.co.uk

Irish Navy flees from Shell to Sea inflatable boats

3.09.2008
Shell to Sea protesters in inflatable Kayaks braved strong winds and rough seas whilst approaching the Irish Navy Gunboat stationed off the coast, to establish communication with it’s Captain.

Today at 1.30pm, eight Shell to Sea protesters in seven inflatable kayaks braved force 5-6 northerly winds and 6 foot waves, to attempt communication with the Irish Gun Ship, the Le Orla.

Concerned by the arrival of a second Navy vessel into Broadhaven Bay, the Shell to Sea crew of the Granuaile (part of the Emerald Squadron), attempted to speak to the Captain of the Le Orla.

Following the Captain’s failure to respond to Shell to Sea’s last attempt to establish contact on Saturday, today’s message was relayed in both Irish and English to ensure it would be understood. The Captain was asked to declare the Navy’s intentions in the bay and why a second ship had been deployed.

No response was received, instead, the ship fired up its engines, weighed anchor and fled the area.

Maebh Hall, one of the crew in the Emerald Squadron, said ” I couldn’t believe it. We approached this huge military ship in a few inflatable boats, and they ran scared. Its crazy here, there’s now two navy ships acting for Shell in our bay. Will they withdraw the army from Chad and bring them in next?”

ENDS

http://www.corribsos.com/

Direct Action Camp in the squatted forest near Frankfurt/Germany

The forest of kelsterbach near the airport of frankfurt/main is occupied now since three month. Fraport (the corporation running frankfurt airport) is planning to build a new runway on this place, cutting down every tree on 300ha of land. In total something about 100.000 trees would have to fall for the profit of an enormous international acting corporation. For the people of this region it will mean twice the flight movements per year, at least to a level of one movement every 45 sec.

In the first week of september there will be an action camp on the site of occupation, from where we´re going to start countless direct activities in the forests, the streets and the terminals.

Programme
the camp will be an DIY camp, we will provide a kitchen, food and all what is necessary to cook, but we are not enough people to cook alone, so we will do this altogether. The action camp starts monday 1.9.08 an will end on sunday 7.9.08.

Monday: 10:00-12:00 Preparation of forest excursions
13:00-17:00 Forest excursions
17:00 Info meeting
20:30 three months of forest occupation, discussion
Documentations of the resistance against
Startbahn 18 West in the 1980´s

Tuesday 10:00-12:00 action training:
different techniques and strategies
performance during actions
13:00-14:00 daily preparations for actions
13:30-14:00 ev. coordination meetings
14:00-16:00 walkabout in the camp
discussion: luxus for everybody
standards of live in a suitable world
16:00-18:00 direct action planing
different blockade techniques +
creative activism
19:00-20:30 Castor 2006 (Cine Rebelde)
mobilization for Castor 2008
20:30 nasty tricks of police and justice

Wednesday
10:00-12:00 hut building
climate protection and veganism
walkabout in the forest
paint bombs and creative beautification
13:00-14:00 daily preparations for actions
13:30-14:00 ev. coordination meetings
14:00-16:00 direct action training
lock-on´s, tri-pods, radioballet, …
16:00-18:00 open street map
19:00-20:30 Klimacamp 2006 (Cine Rebelde)
20:30 concert (?)

Thursday 10:00-12:00 intensification of our action preparations
13:00-14:00 daily preparations for actions
13:30-14:00 ev. coordination meetings
14:00-16:00 climate protection from below
16:00-18:00 poems
massage
19:00-20:30 anti-gmo field occupations
Docu, film, discussion
20:30 The fourth world war (big noise)

Friday action day meet you at the airport
20:30 Poetry slam (?)
open stage
cinema

Saturday 10:00-12:00 local and international networking
ev. founding of a rising.tide network germany
13:00-16:00 drum session against fraport
and training at the lake
16:00-18:00 antifascists forest excursions
19:00-20:30 Film about Julia Butterfly Hill
20:30 concert

Sunday 10:00-12:00 Klimacamp 2009
info about the preparations
founding of a Rhein-Main Group
13:00-15:00 Freiräume
15:00 militant resistance against big players
with examples from Startbahn West and Anti AKW
excursion to Startbahn West
19:00-20:30 evaluation
20:30 Party

There is a forest full of room for your workshops, films, music and for you!

What to bring: Sleeping stuff
Tents
climbing equipment
and all you can´t miss in a forest

How to find us:

by train
from frankfurt or mainz with the S-Bahn to kelsterbach
out of the railway station you go left following the rüsselsheimer straße about 2km with the railway on your left
at a crossing out of the city you go again left and pass under the railway, ignore the road on your right and take the next parking place on the right, follow the signs

by car
Autoroute 3 Kelsterbach
Kelsterbach Stadtmitte
pass through town direction Raunheim
first crossing after you´ve left the town you go left and take the first parking on your rigtht
follow the signs

waldbesetzung@riseup.net
http://www.waldbesetzung.blogsport.de

Earth Liberation Prisoners – September 2008

Welcome to the September 2008 edition of Spirit of Freedom. As people will soon see, ELP’s prisoner lists have grown yet again. If we exclude the Geek anarchist, Vaggelis Botzatzis, and the two Americans Richard Sills and Michael Sykes (all of whom are listed by ELP as ‘Other Prisoners’), there are now 40 listed animal & earth liberation prisoners in Europe & America.

Spirit of Freedom

Spirit of Freedom
(August 2008)

“The whole experience has been tough, but all the kind and strengthening words and wise thoughts from strangers made it much easier!”
(Former Swedish Animal Rights Prisoner)

There are also a number of non-listed prisoners, who are not listed either by their own choice, or because they betrayed their fellow activists and became informants. And remember these numbers do not include those people who are either under House Arrest or on Bail pending Trial. Nor do they include the activists whose locations are currently unknown and who are described by the police as “on the run”. Seeing so many good people removed from their families & loved ones for merely acting out of compassion and a desire to stop environmental destruction and animal abuse is heartbreaking. Some of the prisoners ELP lists are very well known, others are less well known. However ALL of them deserve our love and support. ALL of the listed prisoners welcome letters of support. Even if it’s just a card saying “Hi. I’m thinking of you”. So please, no matter where you are in the world, support the eco-prisoners. And no compromise in defence of Mother Earth.

ECO-DEFENCE PRISONERS

Tre Arrow, SWIS #640393, Multnomah County Detention Center, 1120 S.W. 3rd Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97206, USA. Awaiting sentencing of six and a half years imprisonment having reached a non-cooperation plea-bargain with the authorities who accuse him of involvement in two arsons. 1) an arson on logging trucks 2) an arson on vehicles owned by a sand & gravel company. (Tre is a raw energy vegan – He has asked that his letters of support are written on scrap paper or tree-free paper).

Grant Barnes #137563, San Carlos Correctional Facility, PO Box 3, Pueblo, CO 81002, USA. Serving 12 years for setting fire to a number of SUV vehicles. The letters ELF were spray painted onto all of the vehicles. (Grant is a vegan).

Nathan Block, #36359-086, FCI Lompoc, Federal Correctional Institution, 3600 Guard Road, Lompoc, CA 93436, USA. Serving 7 years & 8 months for an ELF arson against a Poplar Tree Farm and an ELF arson against an SUV dealership. Also admitted his role in an ELF/ALF conspiracy. (Diet unknown).

Marco Camenisch, Postfach 3143, CH-8105 Regensdorf, Switzerland. Serving 18 years. 1) Ten years for using explosives to destroy electricity pylons leading from nuclear power stations. 2) Eight years for the murder of a Swiss Boarder Guard whilst on the run. In ‘02 Marco completed a 12-year sentence in Italy for destroying electricity pylons in Italy. (Marco is a meat eater who encourages organic living).

Daniele Casalini, Casa Circondariale, Via Burla 59, 43100 Parma, Italy. Il Silvestre activist awaiting trial accused of using explosives to damage an electricity pylon in protest at nuclear energy. (Daniele is a vegan).

Rod Coronado – See details in Animal Liberation Prisoners List.

Francesco Gioia, C.C. Sollicciano, Via Girolamo Minervini 2/R, 50142 Firenze Sollicciano (FI), Italy. Il Silvestre activist awaiting trial accused of using explosives to damage an electricity pylon in protest at nuclear energy. (Francesco is a vegetarian and Straight Edge).

Paola Gori, Via delle Macchie 9, 57124 Livorno, Italy. Il Silvestre activist awaiting trial accused of allowing her house to be used to plan illegal activity. (Paola is a vegan).

Bryan Lefey #38664-086, FDC SeaTac, Federal Detention Center, P.O. Box 13900, Seattle, WA 98198, USA. On remand accused of an ELF action that saw the damaging of GM trees and the damaging of US Forestry Service vehicles. (Diet unknown).

Jeffrey Luers, # 13797671, CRCI, 9111 NE Sunderland Ave, Portland, OR 97211-1708, USA. Serving 10 years for arson on a SUV dealership & the attempted arson of an oil truck. The original sentence was 22 years & 8 months, but was reduced on appeal. (Diet unknown).

Eric McDavid, 16209-097. FCI Victorville Medium II, PO BOX 5700, Adelanto, CA 92301, USA. Serving 19 years & 7 months for planning to destroy the property of the U.S. Forestry Service, mobile phone masts and power plants. At the point of his arrest no criminal damage has actually occurred. (Eric is a vegan).

Daniel McGowan, #63794-053, FCI Terre Haute, Federal Correctional Institution, P.O. Box 33, Terre Haute, IN 47808, USA. Serving 7 years for an ELF arson against a Poplar Tree Farm and an ELF arson against an old growth logging corporation. Also admitted his role in an ELF/ALF conspiracy. At the moment Daniel is in transit as he has been ordered to appear before some Grand Juries. Daniel is refusing to answer the Grand Jury questions and is gaining additional prison time because of this (Daniel is a vegetarian).

Jonathan Paul – See details in Animal Liberation Prisoners List.

Briana Waters, 36432-086, FDC – Seatac, Federal Detention Center, P.O. Box 13900, Seattle, WA 98198, USA. Serving six years for involvement in an ELF arson on a University. (Diet unknown).

Joyanna Zacher, #36360-086, FCI Dublin, 5700 8th St.- Camp Parks- Unit F, Dublin, CA 94568, USA. Serving 7 years & 8 months for an ELF arson against a Poplar Tree Farm and an ELF arson against an SUV dealership. Also admitted her role in an ELF/ALF conspiracy. (Diet unknown).

ANIMAL LIBERATION PRISONERS
(All Animal Liberation Prisoners follow a minimum vegetarian diet and most are vegan).

Jon Ablewhite TB4885, HMP Lowdham Grange, Lowdham, Nottingham, NG14 7DA, England. Serving 12 years for attempting to blackmail a farmer who supplied guinea pigs for vivisection. (Jon is a vegan).

Dan Amos VN7818, HMP Exeter, 30 New North Road, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4EX, England. On remand having pleaded guilty to conspiracy to blackmail Huntingdon Life Sciences. (Dan is a vegan)

Gregg Avery TA7450, HMP Winchester, Romsey Road, Winchester, SO22 5DF, England. On remand having pleaded guilty to conspiracy to blackmail Huntingdon Life Sciences. (Gregg is a vegan).

Natasha Avery NR8987, HMP Bronzefield, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, Middx. TW15 3JZ, England. On remand having pleaded guilty to conspiracy to blackmail Huntingdon Life Sciences. (Nat is a vegan).

Mel Broughton TN9138, HMP Woodhill, Tattenhoe Street, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK4 4DA, England. On remand accused of involvement with an arson and blackmail campaign against an Oxford University vivisection establishment. (Mel is a vegan).

Martin Balluch, (JA Josefstadt), Justizanstalt Wr. Neustadt, Maximiliang. 3, 2700 Wr. Neustadt, Austria. One of ten Austrian’s held on remand accused of various animal rights actions. (Martin is a vegan)

Christoph, Antirep 2008, Postfach 101, 1070, Vienna, Austria. One of ten Austrian’s held on remand accused of various animal rights actions. At the moment Christopher does not wish to have his full name published. (Christoph is a vegan).

Jacob Conroy #93501-011, FCI Victorville Medium I Federal Correctional Institution, P.O. Box 5300, Adelanto, CA 92301, USA. Serving 48 months imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign. (Jake is a vegan).

Rodney Coronado #03895-000, FCI El Reno, PO Box 1500, El Reno, OK 73036, USA. Serving one-year imprisonment after he informed people how to make an incendiary device during a speech at an animal rights gathering. (Rod is a vegetarian).

Donald Currie A3660AA, HMP Parkhurst, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 5NX, England. Serving an Indeterminate Sentence, of not less than six actual years, for carrying out arsons against targets associated the vivisection industry including HLS. (Don is a vegan).

Jürgen Faulmann, Justizanstalt Wr. Neustadt, Maximiliang. 3, 2700 Wr. Neustadt, Austria. One of ten Austrian’s held on remand accused of various animal rights actions. (Jurgen is a vegan).

Lauren Gazzola #93497-011, FCI Danbury, Federal Correctional Institution, Route #37Danbury, CT 06811, USA. Serving 54 months imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign. (Lauren is a vegan).

Joshua Harper #29429-086, FCI Sheridan Federal Correctional Institution, P.O. Box 5000, Sheridan, OR 97378 USA. Serving 36 months imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign. (Josh is a vegan).

Felix Hnat (JA Eisenstadt), Justizanstalt Wr. Neustadt, Maximiliang. 3, 2700 Wr. Neustadt, Austria. One of ten Austrian’s held on remand accused of various animal rights actions. (Felix is a vegan).

Jan, Antirep 2008, Postfach 101, 1070, Vienna, Austria. One of ten Austrian ‘s held on remand accused of various animal rights actions. At the moment Jan does not wish to have his full name published. (Jan is a vegan).

Kevin Kroemmer, Antirep 2008, Postfach 101, 1070, Vienna, Austria. One of ten Austrian’s held on remand accused of various animal rights actions. (Kevin is a vegan)

Sean Kirtley WC 6977, HM Prison Blakenhurst, Hewell Lane, Redditch, B97 6QS, England. Serving four and a half years for running an anti-vivisection campaign website. (Sean is a vegan).

Kevin Kjonaas #93502-011, FCI Sandstone, PO Box 1000, Sandstone, MN 55072 USA. Serving 72 months imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign. (Kevin is a vegan).

Leo, Antirep 2008, Postfach 101, 1070, Vienna, Austria. One of ten Austrian ‘s held on remand accused of various animal rights actions. At the moment Leo does not wish to have his full name published. (Leo is a vegan).

Daniel McGowan – See details in Eco Defence Prisoners List.

Christian Moser, Justizanstalt Wr. Neustadt, Maximiliang. 3, 2700 Wr. Neustadt, Austria. One of ten Austrian’s held on remand accused of various animal rights actions. (Christian is a vegan).

Heather Nicholson VM4859, HMP Bronzefield, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, Middx. TW15 3JZ, England. On remand accused of conspiracy to blackmail, in relation to her involvement with the SHAC campaign. (Heather is a vegan).
Jonathan Paul, #07167-085, FCI Phoenix, Federal Correctional Institution, 37910 N 45th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85086, USA. Sentenced to 51 months for an ALF arson on a horse meat plant. Also admitted his role in an ELF/ALF conspiracy. (Jonathan is a vegan).

Sabine, Antirep 2008, Postfach 101, 1070, Vienna, Austria. One of ten Austrian’s held on remand accused of various animal rights actions. At the moment Sabine does not wish to have their full name published. (Sabine is a vegan).

Andrew Stepanian #26399-050, USP Marion, P.O. Box 1000 Marion, IL 62959, USA. Serving 36 months for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign. (Andrew is a vegan).

Elmar Völkl (JA Eisenstadt), Justizanstalt Wr. Neustadt, Maximiliang. 3, 2700 Wr. Neustadt, Austria. One of ten Austrian’s held on remand accused of various animal rights actions. (Elmar is a vegan).

Kerry Whitburn TB4886, HMP Lowdham Grange, Lowdham, Nottingham, NG14 7DA, England. Serving 12 years for attempting to blackmail a farmer who supplied guinea pigs for vivisection. (Kerry is a vegan).

Sarah Whitehead, VM7684, HMP Bronzefield, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, Middx, TW15 3JZ, England. Serving two years for: 1) rescuing a puppy from horrific conditions. 2) rescuing over 100 animals from a pet breeder who was later prosecuted for animal abuse. Also awaiting trial for SHAC activity. (Sarah is a vegan)

PLOUGHSHARES PRISONERS

Helen Woodson, 03231-045, FMC Carswell – Admin. Max. Unit, POB 27137, Ft. Worth, TX 76127, USA. Serving 8 years 10 months for actions that focused on the interrelationship of war & the destruction of the natural world. The actions included pouring red paint over the security desk of a federal court and making threatening communications. Previously Helen had served 20½ years for: 1) Using a hammer to disarm a nuclear missile silo. 2) Burning $25,000 on the floor of a bank whilst denouncing war, environmental destruction & economic injustice. 3) Mailing warning letters with bullets attached to Government & corporate officials. (Diet unknown).

THE LECCE FIVE
The Lecce Five have been charged with “subversive association” accused of damaging Esso petrol pumps to oppose the War on Iraq; sabotaging the cash machines of a bank which funds an immigration centre; and targeting the multinational company Benetton in support of Mapuche land rights activists in Chile. All of the defendants are currently either under house arrest or released on bail.

ANTIFA PRISONERS

Vahtang Devitlidze, ul. Libbedova 42, UO 68/2, otryad 14, brigada 142, g. Hagyshensk, Krasnodarskiy Kray, 352680 Russia. Serving 2½ years for stabbing a neo-nazi in the leg whilst defending himself from attack. (Diet unknown).

Augustin Kraus, Vazebni veznice, PP-1, Litomerice, 41 201, Czech Republic. Serving 14 months for his participation in attacks against local neo-nazis. His charge was “bodily harm”. He speaks Czech, Slovak and Polish. You can also write him short postcards in English. (Diet unknown).

Fabio Milan, C.C. via Pianezza 300, 10151 Torino, Italy. On remand accused of fighting with the police after an anti-fascist protest. (Diet unknown).

Andrea Neff, Bnr: 746/07/2, Justizvollzugsanstalt fur Frauen in Berlin, Arkonastrasse 56, 13189 Berlin, Germany. Serving 14 months for anti-fascist activity. (Diet unknown).

Christian Sümmermann, Bnr: 441/08/5, JVA Plötzensee, Lehrterstr. 61, 10557 Berlin, Germany. Serving 40 months for breaching the peace whilst serving a suspended sentence issued for anti-fascist activities. (Diet unknown).

Tomasz Wiloszewski, Zaklad Karny, Orzechowa 5, 98-200 Sieradz, Poland. Serving 15 years for accidentally killing a neo-nazi whilst defending himself. (Tomasz is a vegetarian).

Yuri Yurevich Milevskiy, SIZO #7 kamera 38, g. Brest, ul. Karla Marksa 86, 224000 Belarus. On remand for fighting with neo-nazis. (Diet unknown).

OTHER PRISONERS

Olga Aleksandrovna Nevskaya, UU163/5, 7 Otryad, pos. Dzerzhinskiy, Mozhaysk 140090 Moskovskaya oblast, Russia. Eco-activist serving 6 years for arson, criminal damage and causing explosions in protest at the war in Chechnya. Due for release in 2009. (Diet unknown).

Vaggelis Botzatzis, Komotini Juridical Prison (“Dikastikes Fylakes Komotinis”), T.K. 69100, Greece. On remand accused of setting fire to two company cars owned by a energy/power company. It is believed that the person or persons unknown who carried out the arson did so in protest at the destruction of the natural environment and in support of two workers who died at the power plant. Vaggelis is also accused of setting fire to a bank and starting a fire inside a car yard. (Meat Eater).

Richard Sills (Address Unknown, USA). Serving 15 months for bomb hoaxing a University saying they would be targeted by the ALF if they didn’t stop their animal experiments. (Diet unknown).

Michael W. Sykes, 100 East 2nd St, Monroe, Michigan 48161, USA. Youth held on remand accused of anti-sprawl arsons, criminal damage, spray-painting an anarchist sign and burning the American flag. (Diet unknown)

Fran Thompson, #1090915 HU 1C, WERDCC, PO Box 300, Vandalia, MO 63382, USA. Serving Life for killing, in self-defence, a stalker who had broken into her home. Before her imprisonment Fran was an eco, animal & anti-nuke campaigner. (Fran is a vegan).

MOVE

MOVE is an eco-revolutionary group who carried out protests in defence of all life. All move prisoners describe themselves as vegetarians. There are currently eight MOVE activists in prison each serving 100 years after been framed for the murder of a cop in 1979. 9th defendant, Merle Africa, died in prison in 1998.

Debbie Simms Africa (006307), Janet Holloway Africa (006308) and Janine Philips Africa (006309) all at: SCI Cambridge Springs, 451 Fullerton Ave, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403-1238, USA.

Michael Davis Africa (AM4973) and Charles Simms Africa (AM4975) both at SCI Graterford, PO Box 244, Graterford, PA 19426-0244, USA.

Edward Goodman Africa (AM4974), SCI Mahanoy, 301 Morea Rd, Frackville, PA 17932, USA.

William Philips Africa (AM4984) and Delbert Orr Africa (AM4985) both at SCI Dallas Drawer K, Dallas, PA 18612, USA.

Mumia Abu Jamal, (AM8335), SCI Greene, 175 Progress Drive, Waynesburg PA 15370, USA. In 1981 Mumia, former Black Panther and vocal supporter of MOVE, was framed for the murder of a cop. He was originally sentenced to death but is currently awaiting re-sentencing following a court hearing in 2001.

STATEMENT ON VIOLENCE
Some people listed in this newsletter have carried out violent actions. ‘Spirit of Freedom’ does not condone violence. But we are also against censorship & believe people can decide for themselves who they wish to support.

ABOUT E.L.P. SUPPORT NETWORK
ELP is an international eco-prisoner support network founded, in Britain, in 1993 to support jailed eco-activists. We support the prisoners by producing various regular prisoner lists:

Spirit of Freedom is ELP’s international monthly prisoner listing which is circulated by e-mail.

Urgent ELP! Bulletin is an e-mail service that distributes the names of any new eco-prisoner as soon as ELP gets their details. For more info e-mail ELP4321@hotmail.com

On-Line Newsletters – ELP has a number of websites that provide news, prisoner lists and additional info about ELP & the prisoners.

English language ELP Website
www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk

Greek language ELP Website
http://greekelp.blogspot.com

North American ELP Website
www.ecoprisoners.org

Turkish language ELP Website
www.geocities.com/yesilanarsi/elp.htm

ELP Extra is an e-mail group that circulates the details of political prisoners, ELP learns about, who do not fall within the remit for support by ELP. To subscribe to the list e-mail ELP4321@Hotmail.com

Australian ELP.SN is our Australian contact. For more info e-mail elp4321@hotmail.com

Belgium ELP.SN is our Belgium contact. For more info e-mail elp_bel@hotmail.com

German ELP.SN is a prisoner led initiative run by eco-prisoner Marco Camenisch. For more info contact Marco Camenisch, Postfach 3143, CH-8105 Regensdorf, Switzerland.

Greek ELP.SN is our Greek contact. For more info e-mail greekelp@yahoo.gr

North American ELP is our North American contact. For more information e-mail naelpsn@mutualaid.org

Turkey ELP.SN is our Turkish contact. For more info e-mail
yesilanarsi@yahoo.com

Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network
elp4321@hotmail.com
http://spiritoffreedom.org.uk

Common Ground Community Garden Celebrates Success with Party on 6 September!

After a year and half of green-fingered, community-spirited direct-action, we – the organisers of Common Ground Community Garden – are celebrating success … and we invite all our friends,

After a year and half of green-fingered, community-spirited direct-action, we – the organisers of Common Ground Community Garden – are celebrating success … and we invite all our friends, neighbours and supporters to join in the fun!

Since opening the garden in May 2007, we have resisted being criminalised while fighting for green, community-managed space in our neighbourhood. Since turning a council owned derelict plot into a beautiful community garden, we and our neighbours have ignored injunctions, protested eviction attempts and even faced arrest. But finally, we have not only definitely won new sites for at least one community garden, but Common Ground itself has been granted a legal license! Success*!

Reading Grassroots Action (RGA)** who run the garden, have been working with Katesgrove Residents Association (KRA) and have managed to agree the license for Common Ground with Reading Borough Council (RBC), which sees the garden being insured by KRA and re-opened to the public until the council demolish the existing buildings***. We have also visited three sites in Katesgrove which could be used for one or more long-term gardens. We have chosen our preferred sites and hope to agree terms as soon as possible****.

To celebrate this success, we will be holding one more community event at Common Ground Community Garden on Saturday 6th September – and this time we have the full consent of the council! The event, running from 2-9pm, will feature fun for all the family such as games including a raffle, face-painting, fresh food and drink and a live graffiti exhibition produced by local artists. In addition, we will have diverse acoustic music from acts including Londons ‘Babar Luck’ and ‘The King Blues’ as well as other local acts. And of course, visitors will be able to find out more about what else we are up to and get involved in the new community garden in Katesgrove.

We would really love to welcome everybody to the garden one last time and thank everyone who has supported the project, so we hope to see you there!

But thats not all… Supporters of Common Ground are organising an all-night after party at a nearby venue! There will be a room for band (punk, ska etc) and a room for DJ’s (hiphop, drum n bass, dubstep, techno etc) and confirmed acts include Broken Note and the Bath Dub Soundsystem. See you there!

Thanks,
‘Common Ground’, part of ’Reading Grassroots Action’.

NOTES FOR THE EDITOR:

* Whilst we are celebrating, we want to thank everyone who has supported us for making this project a serious of successes from day one. Common Ground has always been about bringing people together, mobilising people into taking action to improve our community without waiting for those in power to do it for us (we reckon you might wait for ever otherwise!). It has been about a small piece of land taken back under community control and used to benefit the neighbourhood, in contrast to the usual situation where resources are used solely to make profits and benefit bosses and shareholders. In this way, Common Ground was a success every time people joined us to ignore injunctions, each time we saw off eviction days, each time people took the initiative to work in their garden. It has been a success as it was respected by young people, as it was enjoyed by local workers and families and as diverse peoples – from squatters and anarchists to residents of all backgrounds – had conversations we wouldn’t otherwise have had. So, thank you!

** Reading Grassroots Action (RGA) aims to help increase the collective power of ordinary people like ourselves, improving our living and working conditions and creating new democratic institutions which act as examples of the world we want to see. We are guided by our hope of one day living in a society of genuine freedom and equality, with all resources commonly owned and democratically organised by everyone for everyone. Several people involved in Common Ground were already RGA members and in April 2008 the groups became one and the same, with RGA looking forwards to helping create a long-term community garden in Katesgrove and moving on to tackle other campaigns in Reading. If interested in joining or supporting RGA, people are encouraged to email us at rgacollective(AT)hotmail.co.uk.

*** The buildings from Crown Street round to the beginning of Silver Street have unfortunately been left by RBC to fall into a state of disrepair over the last few years. We would prefer them to be renovated, as we believe they could be brought back to life as good-looking and useful buildings. However, RBC wish to demolish them as soon as possible, as they hope to sell yet more publicly owned land to a private property developer.

**** RBC have offered three potential sites which could be used for green, community space in Katesgrove. Of these, the site on the corner of Southampton Street and the one on the corner of Elgar Road are our favourites. Over the next few months, RGA and KRA will work to agree terms with RBC in order to gain access one or both of these sites. We appeal to the local community, and to anybody who supports this project to get in touch, and any help with work or donations would be very welcome!

rgacollective@hotmail.co.uk
http://www.rgacollective.org.uk

Support Portuguese anti-GM activists.

All over Europe, citizens engage into civil disobedience and direct action in resistance against cultivation of genetically modified crops. Only in Portugal, people that have applied this strategy are officially labeled as terrorists. Please help pulling the Portuguese activists out of their isolated position and express your solidarity by signing the petition!

SIGN PETITION

SIGN PETITION
———————
http://gopetition.com/online/21252.html

ON WEBSITE
——————–
http://solimove.liveinfo.nl/
On our website you find articles examining closer the action of Movimento Verde Eufemia and the results it produced. We also elaborate on the question of civil disobedience and terrorism, and provide information about the shape of resistance against GM in Europe. We invite everyone, both portuguese citizens and members of the international community to participate in our discussion. Our website has portuguese and english translation.

CONTACT US
——————–
solimove@googlemail.com
If you have ideas for support or have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

BACKGROUND
———————–
One year ago, the Portuguese Movimento Verde Eufemia (MVE) went into an action of civil disobedience. In a symbolic but determined act they destroyed less than 1 hectare of the first field of genetically modified corn in the region of the Algarve, previously declared GMO Free Zone by local authorities.

In the days following the action, the wide media attention MVE received instigated a large polemic, resonating into layers of the general public, the environmental movement itself, academics and even the government. Never did any environmental action achieve so much attention in the recent history of Portugal.

The initial media highlights were not so much on the subject of the action, the presence of GMO in Portugal, but rather on the spectacular nature and the illegal aspect of it. However in a second phase attention shifted as well to the debate on GMO, and its dangers. For that reason alone, the action of MVE was considered by many people with environmental concerns as a great success.

Because of that success, the current Portuguese government responsible for a policy in favour of GMO has responded strongly in an attempt to isolate the activists of MVE and other environmental organizations struggling against GMO, through a strategy of criminalization. This strategy came to the point of even labeling the action as a terrorist act (Europol EU Terrorism Situation and Trend Report 2008). Some people that have been brought in relation to the case by the police are therefore facing the risk of being prosecuted within this context of terrorism. In general, it became harder to act against GMO in Portugal. Individuals or organizations who attempt, run a high risk of being under suspicion and surveillance by authorities.

One year later, the opportunity of the anniversary of this controversial but influential action is used to launch SoliMoVE, Grupo de Solidariedad com o Movimento Verde Eufemia. The objectives of Solimove are:

* To show all actors involved in the debate that the action of MVE is not an isolated case in the Portuguese historical context, and certainly not in the current international context, where these types of actions are common, particularly against the cultivation of GMOs.
* To build understanding of the term civil disobedience, its value as an active and engaged form of civil society participation, and its necessity in safeguarding the people and the environment from the threat of genetic contamination.
* To provide an international platform for any individual or organization, wishing to express its moral support towards MVE and its action.
* To defend the freedom of expression of all citizens against GMOs.

solimove@googlemail.com
http://solimove.liveinfo.nl/

Today’s news from Glengad, Erris, Co. Mayo

August 31, 2008
A lunchtime Garda visit to Solidarity Camp & evening blockade of Shell compound

Today’s main news events from the epicentre of resistance against Shell – a visit about lunchtime from the Garda brass (plus lackeys inc. roving video operator), later a practice run for the Shell to Sea flotilla, followed by a blockade of Shell’s Glengad compound in the evening.

Today at about 1pm a delegation of Gardai called to the Rossport Solidarity Camp, ostensibly about informing campers of section 8.1 of the Public Order Act. While annoyed by their presence on the camp, the Gardai were prevented from snooping around the marquees, though the use of a video camera by Gda. Burke (old foe) to follow young children around roused righteous ire in their parents. Once they delivered their utterly pointless message they were escorted off the site to the road and their waiting squad car and van.

In the late afternoon, S2S Flotilla exercises were held off the Glengad compound and the marine protest/action squadron used the fine weather today to sharpen their nautical skills. Exercises lasted an hour, followed by a quick shower and off to the next S2S activity.

At 6:45 pm local residents and Rossport Solidarity Campers mounted a blockade of the gates of the Shell Glengad compound. This caught the Gardai off balance, and they deployed only in sparse numbers, very slowly, and remained firmly ensconced in their vehicles. After an hour of blockading, locals and campers returned to the Solidarity Camp for tonight’s party on the foreshore (a celebration of our mutual capacity for resistance to the corporate juggernaut and a bit of R&R too!).

Still no sign of the Solitaire. The clock is well-burnt now – she remains in Killybegs harbour but she’s still a looming threat that must be met.

The need for people to come here and help in the struggle to save Erris and stop the Great Gas Robbery remains urgent. Come to Glengad if you can!

http://www.corribsos.com

BIA vans trashed

On the night of Friday 29th August the regional headquarters of the Borders and Immigration Agency in Portishead were the target for a response to the routine violence of forced removal, detention and deportation.We made life more difficult for the thugs in uniform by putting their vehicles out of operation with a volatile mix of paint stripper on bodywork, glass etching fluid on windows, locks glued, tires burst, lights spraypainted, mirrors and wipers removed, as well as some good old fashioned mechanical sabotage on all 7 vehicles in the car park. If a job’s worth doing it’s worth doing well. “Racist thugs work here” was the message painted on the building.
We stand against the state’s steadily creeping fascism of racist immigration policies designed to tighten the grip of capital over all of our lives, of trialling surveillance and control technologies such as ID cards and biometric passports first on foreigners before imposing them on everyone, of the creation of a sub class whose repression justified by media hysteria and the powers that be. In solidarity, for a response to every abuse and for fighting back in the social war.

Urgent Update – Navy arrive to protect Shell – Beach on lockdown illegaly

August 29, 2008
Urgent callout for support

In the past two hours a mass of State and Shell security has assembled in Broadhaven bay including a heavily armed navy vessel.

This is to protect the first attempt at laying the offshore section of pipe.

August 29, 2008
Urgent callout for support

In the past two hours a mass of State and Shell security has assembled in Broadhaven bay including a heavily armed navy vessel.

This is to protect the first attempt at laying the offshore section of pipe.

The Gardai sealed a section of beach beside the camp illegally for an hour before retreating and now rearriving.

The bay is awash with security vessels, gardai water units and also a large Navy vessel, possibly “The Orla” which is armed with a canon and smaller guns.

This is the largest recent attempt at crushing any resistance to the Shell project.
There is also a heavy Garda presence on land with protesters being intimidated,filmed and harassed.

Solidarity needed!

—

Today’s activity off Glengad marks yet another escalation of the state’s response to protests against the destruction of Erris and the Great Gas Robbery. The arrival in the bay of the LE Orla about 12 pm today with her 39 crew onboard may be intended to show the Irish people that the state will tolerate no protest or action by anybody, not least Ireland’s citizens, against Shell’s plans.

The involvement of the Naval Service in the ‘policing’ of Broadhaven Bay for Shell is a first for Ireland’s navy – the first time one of their ships has been called upon by the Gardai as ‘back-up’ for a police operation against protests.

According to a Defence Forces spokesman, the LE Orla (which was formerly a British naval gunship patrolling Hong Kong) ‘was requested by Gardaí as back-up at Broadhaven Bay, Co Mayo. It is there as an aid to the civil power. It was requested to assist Gardai and provide them with a platform at sea.’

When asked if an Irish naval ship had been involved in a similar operation before, he replied: ‘Not to my immediate knowledge.’

He added: “The Naval Service has been in discussions with the Gardai about this operation. Any operation we undertake will be with the Gardai. We will not be involved in any operation independently of the Gardai.’

Shell subcontractor activity in the bay has increased today, especially with the deployment of the winching barge today to somewhere near its operating position when the Solitaire comes. News this morning is that the Solitaire has left Killybegs harbour and is somewhere on the high seas between there and Broadhaven Bay. Its arrival there is expected tomorrow at the latest. Locals and Solidarity Camp residents are on high alert, and if people can come over the next 24 hours to help people in the effort to stop Shell on the beach and in the bay they will meet with a very big welcome indeed!

Defence Forces spokesman quotes via www.breakingnews.ie

—–

So heres the latest after a long and tense day here in the wild west from today.

The police presence was increased this morning in the area,both on land and water,that was the indication that something was about to happen

At around midday the dredger platform was towed in.

People then started to assemble from the various points in the area and about 40 cops then went onto the beach and said noone was allowed to go there as it was a\ “restricted area”.
The legality of this move was challenged in front of the TG4 camera and after half an hour the cops fucked off.and loitered thereafter for a few hours

The winch vessel was then towed across the bay

Just as they were about to go in the winch vessel turned around and headed back to the pier at Ballinglass – seemingly just a practice run who knows.

All this time there were about 5-7 security and Garda water unit boats patrolling the bay as well as the L.E Orla ,a Navy battleship with a big fuck off cannon on the front as well as smaller weaponry.

This is a full scale state and corporate assault on the bay,make no mistake.
The Solitaire,the main pipe-laying ship which Shell only have for a limited period etc is still in Killybegs,but is rumoured by both TG4 and RTE to be leaving Saturday morning.
Several Erris fishermen are still at sea standing guard over their lobster pots which Shell must remove to commence work.

They are facing extreme intimidation.

Hope some of ye can make it down or maybe do an action where ye are.

Solidarity.