Skip to content or view screen version

UK Newswire Archive

Full article

Letter writing night for Jock Palfreeman

07-10-2010 22:22

and other prisoners...
Bristol ABC's monthly letter writing night features this time on the nasty case of Jock Palfreeman, an Australian anti-fascist condemned to 20 years in prison in Bulgaria after defending himself when attacked by up to 16 right-wing hooligans. Jock is known to some people in Bristol, having lived here and been active for a while.

Venue for tonight: 28 Portland Square, St Pauls, Bristol BS2 8RU (ring bell at green side door). From 7 to 9pm. A chance to write to Jock, and to the Bulgarian authorities.

We host a monthly letter-writing night, and encourage comrades and other activists, and those with friends/family inside, to come along and send letters or cards of support to political prisoners. We provide lists of political, class struggle and other and radical prisoners in the UK and abroad.

At some monthly sessions we feature on a specific prisoner, or group of prisoners, or even a country with a particularly bad recod in relation to prisoners. This month we feature on the case of Jock Palfreeman, for the simple reason he has an appeal coming up on 21 October in Bulgaria, and putting pressure on the Bulgarian authorities now may be his only real chance of getting out in the near future (he has over 17 years left on his sentence).

We believe that in Jock's case self-defence is no offence, and that he has to all intents and purposes been fitted up by the Bulgarian state, not least because the people he fought with have very powerful friends.

Read our blog articles on his case here http://bristolabc.wordpress.com/tag/bulgaria/
Read Jock's campaign website here http://www.freejock.net/

Full article | 2 comments

Call for International Solidarity: International Week of Action Against Fonterro

07-10-2010 21:45

We are calling for an international week of actions against Fonterra and the international dairy industry from November 8th to November 14th.

Full article | 3 comments

U.S. and NATO to wage 15-year war in Afghanistan and Pakistan

07-10-2010 20:31

October 7 will mark the advent of the tenth year of the war waged by Washington in South Asia, the longest continuous combat operations in U.S. history. By invoking its Article 5 collective military assistance clause on September 12, 2001, NATO also joined the war effort and officially took over the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in August of 2003. Not only are American and NATO military forces not leaving Afghanistan in the foreseeable future, they are expanding their nine-year-old war into Pakistan.

Full article

Dialect - Kicking off Bristol's Black History Month

07-10-2010 20:23

plus report fron French anti cuts demo in Dunquerque
Dialect Radio is a Bristol (UK) podcast produced by volunteers. Our main activity is our weekly current affairs and arts magazine programme Dialect, which is recorded at our Queen's Square studios and posted for download every week on Friday morning. Want to volunteer? Volunteering Bristol, Royal Oak House, Royal Oak Avenue, Bristol. BS1 4GB Tel: 0117 989 7733. Listen on air: 93.2 FM (BCFM), Sundays at 12 noon. Or listen live on the internet at http://www.bcfm.org.uk/
hi-fi listen
http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/46036

hi-fi download
http://www.radio4all.net/files/tony@cultureshop.org.uk/2149-1-Dialect-20101010.mp3

TIMINGS ON THE MP3 FILE
00:00 - Introduction
01:00 - Anthea Page reports from anti cuts demo in Dunquerque
13:00 - Cut and Thrust Games Old Market wargaming centre part 1
21:00 - Simon Nelson from Bristol City Council talks about Black History Month
27:45 - Somerset musician and author Chris Betts talks about his new book on the New World Order
http://www.theconnectionmusic.co.uk
37:00 - Secrets and Lies by David Southwell read by Malcolm Grieve - Epilogue and discussion
51:00 - Jeff Sparkes What's On Guide
54:00 - Credits

CREDITS
Presenters: John Peters-Coleman & Michaela Dennis
Reporters: Anthea Page & Tony Gosling
Studio Engineer: Lee Duffield
Producer: Tony Gosling

Full article

Men Confronting Patriarchy

07-10-2010 20:23

All genders welcome
6 til 8 every Friday at No.28 Portland Square.

Full article

Subvert 2010 - opening night

07-10-2010 20:23

food, film and discussion...
SUBVERT 2010 a festival of resistance

October 8 to 10th, Bristol, south-west U.K, brought to you by the Bastard Squad Collective

Friday 8th: Film showing, with vegan cafe, from 8pm @ 28 Portland Square, St Pauls, Bristol BS2 8RU (ring bell at green side door)

"Behind the Screams" - a documentary by Martin Sorrondeguy (of hardcore bands LOS CRUDOS and LIMP WRIST) about the U.S Latino/Chicago punk scene, politicized by racism and poverty, their relationship with South American bands, the D.I.Y ethic and the social issues tying them in with broader communities. Leads into an open discussion;

“More Than Music? - subculture and movement”, a discussion where we hope to share perspectives on how we can best use subversive currents to participate in social struggles.

Check http://bastardsquadcollective.wordpress.com for a map of the venues, any further updates, and other Bastard Squad Collective projects. Any questions email the B/squad.

Please forward widely! See you there!!!
South-West Punks for Social Change

Full article | 4 comments

Report of actions during the No Border

07-10-2010 19:30

The No Border camp in Brussels has been subject to harsh punishment, this repression prevented the majority of public actions (such as Wednesday and Friday demos or the "game-action" on Thursday) and a lot of others. Despite this repression and the violence in the police stations, a few actions took place during the week. This is an attempt to list it... To be completed?

Full article

Crude Awakening; more info revealed

07-10-2010 19:26

The countdown is on… 10 days to go!

If you don’t have time to read the newsletter: the most important thing is SIGN UP NOW for your bloc at http://www.crudeawakening.org.uk/node/1

In this newsletter:

1.         Bloc updates
2.         Practicalities: what to bring and legal info
3.         10 targets… that just missed our short-list
4.         Why oil?
5.         Build up events
6.         New videos: the why and how of direct action
7.         Facebook

1. Bloc updates

The Body Bloc is morphing, and bodies and stilts are being joined by a whole lot more… check out all the latest (and sign up!):

A carnival of life, death, fun and resistance; turning the world upside down and making the impossible possible.

This bloc will be home to day of the dead stilt walkers, the Giant Chalk Army, the Noise Brigade, Rhythms of Resistance and a team of colourful web weavers.

This bloc welcomes anyone and everyone who has the imagination to envisage a world beyond oil, everyone who loves carnival and everyone who is prepared to use their bodies, linked together, to reclaim space. Bring carnival, circus, creativity, costume and a healthy does of mischief!

All you have to bring is your body – everyone is welcome.

Bloc pages are being updated regularly, so keep your eyes peeled on the website and if you haven’t already, choose your bloc and sign up! http://crudeawakening.org.uk/node/12


2. Practicalities

What to bring:

* A pre-bought zone 1-2 travelcard, or an Oyster card (although if you have a registered card, and if you mind that your journeys are tracked on that card, you might want to consider getting an unregistered one)

* Check the weather forecast. We’ll be outside at least some of the time so if you want to stay dry bring waterproofs and warm clothes.

* Central London is a big rip off so think about bringing your own food, water and a tenner for emergencies.

* Things to contribute to your bloc. This is entirely up to you – you can just bring yourself, as you are; or perhaps something that fits with the bloc’s theme (totally optional and totally up to you!); or bring materials to create, decorate, and hold space. Check out the bloc pages for suggestions (remember, you need to be able to walk with whatever it is and bring it on the tube!), think about how the police might respond to what you’re carrying, and don’t bring things that could be construed (however wrongly) as a weapon. And check out the…

Legal brief -  http://crudeawakening.org.uk/node/20

Is now up on the website. It has essential info and sound advice. Read it. ‘Nuff said.

 

3. 10 targets… that just missed our short-list

London is a petropolis: a city running on oil. From slickers in the city to London’s clogged up streets; from the hundreds of petrol stations to the headquarters of Big Oil. Around every corner is another target in the struggle to kick our oil addiction.

There are so many possible targets that inevitably some places didn’t make the cut. But to give you a flavour of London’s oil web, the Crude Awakening presents: the 10 targets which just missed our short list.

Here’s the list – see the website for more: http://www.crudeawakening.org.uk/node/24

  1. The British Museum
  2. 3i Private Equity
  3. Nexen Energy
  4. Export Credit Guarantee Department
  5. HSBC Headquarters
  6. Chevron’s London HQ
  7. Park Lane car dealerships
  8. Ministry of Defence
  9. Legal and General
  10. Petrol stations across London

 

4.         Why oil?

Why are we doing all this anyway? Some thoughts here:

http://www.crudeawakening.org.uk/node/7

 

5.         Build up events

*Edinburgh*

Planning meeting for the Edinburgh Crude Awakening: Thursday, 7 October, 5.30 – 7PM, 48a Lower, Pleasance

Edinburgh is organising its own Crude Awakening on the 16th – come along and get involved in making it happen. We want as many people and organisations to be involved in planning the Edinburgh based action as possible, so everyone and anyone welcome at the planning meeting! More info: Email Francesco at evneb87@gmail.com

*London*

Monkey Business Training

Saturday, 9 October, 2pm (starting promptly) – 4pm

London Fields (Southern end near Broadway market)

Inspired by a mischievous monkey from Brighton (http://www.blip.tv/file/4158517) we are planning an open training to learn how to erect his exciting new toy! Come and spend a couple of hours building, playing and limbering up for the day of crude awakening action to halt the flow of oil across this city. Even if you’re not interested in the monkey tactic, the afternoon will be a good moment to meet others and build confidence in working and playing together. Wear suitable clothes and footwear that won’t interfere with monkeying around.

And finally – if your a fan of radical psychogeography (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychogeography), London Fields is a perfect location. It was here that, back in the 90s, folk from Reclaim the Streets set up and tested the world’s first scaffold pole tripod - a tool that was then seen sprouting up across the world. The psychogeographical links of land and history may give us luck for the day of action!

This training is brought to you by an affinity group that is planning to join up with the Building Bloc, so if that’s the bloc that rocks your branch, then the training is also a good place to meet other affinity groups from that bloc.

Get ready to go APE and see you in the Park!

 

Capture the Flag at the Shell Centre

Sunday, 10 October, 8:00pm - 10:00pm

ATTENTION | Calling all comrades

PRESENTING | A Crude Awakening Rabble Rouser: BOSSES vs. WORKERS vs. SKELETONS

Come one, come all to this physical and mental warm-up for urban escapades, incursions into forbidden territory, defending space and affinity from buddy to bloc level. As night falls, we will bring our laughter, ingenuity and affinity to the dehumanised space of a dehumanised company. As Shell bosses slip into oily dreams, we will train for resistance together. As we play, we will learn to reclaim what is ours.

BRING | lovers/brothers/mothers and all other non-rhyming comrades

 

*Lewes*

Crude Awakening Creation Weekend
10 AM on Sat 9 October to 7PM on Sun 10 October

Weekend of mass creation – Banner making and visual artillery for the Crude Awakening. Bring ideas, energy and art materials you may need tho we also have some… A crafty and resourceful space to co-align, design, and rehearse the activities and props that can be part of the “Body Bloc” and “Dirty Money Bloc” for the Crude Awakening
+ Twilight game of Capture the Flag through the cobbled terrain of Lewes. (But dependent on weather and numbers)
+ Direct Action training on Sun afternoon.
Crash space available on Saturday night.
Venue: POP UP STUDIOS, North Street, Lewes, East Sussex (pretty near the bus and
train station). Invite your friends to the Facebook event:
facebook.com/event.php?eid=13040968...
More info: 07894 153 584

 

*Manchester*

Direct Action Training

Saturday 9th October, 12 – 6PM, Manchester Students Union.

Public ’dis’order training. Prepare for the Crude Awakening by doing your own action! Learn why and how to do mass direct action with workshops and affinity group building

 

6.         New videos

Two new videos, fresh from last weekend’s planning workshops in London. The why and the how of direct action – good to get us thinking about why we choose direct action as a tactic, and how we can use various techniques to hold space.

http://crudeawakening.org.uk/node/9

 

7.            Facebook

Don’t forget to sign up to the Crude Awakening Facebook page and invite all your friends… and if you’re feeling all fired up, why not change your profile pic for this week to something pink and Crude-y? Sign up and grab the graphic at:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Crude-Awakening/142738315766233

That’s all for this week!

PS. Did we mention sign up sign up sign up sign up sign up sign up to your bloc? ;)

http://crudeawakening.org.uk/node/12

Full article | 10 comments

One day before Sheffield Free School a tail of homelessness in Sheffield

07-10-2010 18:58

This is a scan of a letter given to a homeless person in Sheffield..

Full article

Gamu update

07-10-2010 18:23

I just wanted to post a link to a more accurate article about the situation of Gamu Nhengu, the x-factor entrant, who is possibly facing having her visa refused.

http://www.newzimbabwe.com/blog/index.php/2010/10/tnyawanza/gamu-nhengus...

Full article

Call for "Procedure of registration for Gypsy/Travellers".

07-10-2010 18:23

Aberdeen Press and Journal reader calls for "A procedure of registration for Gypsy/Travellers".

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1951853?UserKey&UserKey=

Full article

Public Consultation on open cast mining in Cossall

07-10-2010 17:24

UK Coal to hold public consultation meeting on plans to open cast coal in Nottinghamshire.  Meetings will be at Trowell Parish Hall 17th October 10am till 2pm and 21st October Awsworth Village Hall 4pm till 8pm 

Last year the Evening Post ran an article based on information gathered by a Freedom of Information request that UK Coal were intending to put an application to open cast mine for coal in Cossall (between Trowell and IKEA).  The article was a bit previous since nothing happened.  Howevewr it was not wrong.  Yesterday I got a phone call from the local MP to say that UK Coal are holding a public consultation meeting to show us all how really open cast mining is nothing to worry about and all the stories about lorries, pollution and health effects are just scaremongering.  This is the first step.  After that comes (techy jargon alert) a scoping report and an environmental impact assessment - this has to be submitted with the planning application.  So, we need loads of people at the public consultation meetings to show that UK Coal are not welcome in Nottinghamshire.

Dates are: Sunday 17th Oct Trowell Parish Hall, Stapleford Road  10am till 2pm

Thursday 21st October Awsworth Village Hall, The Lane, Awsworth 4pm till 8pm

Full article

Freeskilling Tuesday 12 October - Meditations for Inner & Outer Peace

07-10-2010 17:22

7pm Better Food Company, Sevier Street, St Werburghs, Bristol, BS2 9QS.
Hi all,

Next week's freeskilling is 'Meditations for Inner & Outer Peace', with Kelsan Chonden.

Kelsan has practised Kadampa Buddhism for 19 years, and teaches at the Amitabha Buddhist Centre at Old Vicarage, Gloucester Road, Bishopston. He has offerred to share with us the basics of how to meditate, and how to apply meditation to solving our human problems.

All welcome.

Future freeskills:

19 October Car Sharing
Set up and manage a car share with your own car, limit your car use and share running costs. Understand the logistics, pit falls, benefits and responsibilities. There will be a car-share match making service during the evening where you could find your perfect partner. With car sharers Sarah Pugh, Hannah Fearnley & Adele Watt.

26 October Bach Flower Remedies for Pets
Learn more about the Bach Flower Remedies and how you can use them to help your pets with emotional problems such as fear of fireworks, anxieties, bullying, grief, and re-homing. With holistic vet Holly Mash

If you have a skill you'd like to learn, or one you'd like to share, please email freeskilling@gmail.com or post a message on www.justfortheloveofit.org We'd love to hear from you.


Full article

HAMMER TIME - Bristol Transport

07-10-2010 17:22

transport will be going from bristol for the event
for more information check www.bristolagainstarmstrade.wordpress.com
transport will be going from bristol for the event
£10 unwaged £15/£20 waged

EDO make weapons components vital for the waging of aerial war. EDO's technology is used to attack people from Palestine to Iraq, from Afghanistan to Pakistan. They arm F-16s, build components for Paveway bombs and help develop technology for Predator and Reaper drones.

During Israel's 2009 massacre in Gaza the 'decommissioners' broke into EDO and by causing hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage shut down the production line. Their defence was that theyu were acting to prevent war crimes. Sixteen months later they were found not guilty by a unanimous jury verdict.

The question after all this is, how long can EDO sustain their bloody business in Brighton? Now it's time for a final push to remove the factory from Brighton.

Our action comes at a time when the people of Afghanistan are being targetted by remote control. Unmanned drones piloted by mercenaries on the other side of the globe are used to maintain aerial supremacy in Afghan skies. Tens of thousands of Afghans have died in the nine year assault. Now is the time to attack the industries which are propping upthe occupation.

It's Hammertime! We are calling for people from around the UK, and beyond, to join us in besieging EDO. We aim to shut the factory for the day through the creativity and diversity of our actions.

Full article

SMASH EDO - Bristol Transport

07-10-2010 17:22

transport will be going from bristol for the event
for more information check www.bristolagainstarmstrade.wordpress.com

transport will be going from bristol for the event
£10 unwaged £15/£20 waged

EDO make weapons components vital for the waging of aerial war. EDO's technology is used to attack people from Palestine to Iraq, from Afghanistan to Pakistan. They arm F-16s, build components for Paveway bombs and help develop technology for Predator and Reaper drones.

During Israel's 2009 massacre in Gaza the 'decommissioners' broke into EDO and by causing hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage shut down the production line. Their defence was that theyu were acting to prevent war crimes. Sixteen months later they were found not guilty by a unanimous jury verdict.

The question after all this is, how long can EDO sustain their bloody business in Brighton? Now it's time for a final push to remove the factory from Brighton.

Our action comes at a time when the people of Afghanistan are being targetted by remote control. Unmanned drones piloted by mercenaries on the other side of the globe are used to maintain aerial supremacy in Afghan skies. Tens of thousands of Afghans have died in the nine year assault. Now is the time to attack the industries which are propping upthe occupation.

It's Hammertime! We are calling for people from around the UK, and beyond, to join us in besieging EDO. We aim to shut the factory for the day through the creativity and diversity of our actions.
Related Link: http://www.bristolagainstarmstrade

Full article

Palestine Today 10 07 2010

07-10-2010 17:03

Audio
Welcome to Palestine Today, a service of the International Middle East Media Center, www.imemc.org, for Thursday, October 7, 2010

Full article

Crude Awakening; more info announced

07-10-2010 16:26

The countdown is on… 10 days to go!



If you don’t have time to read the newsletter: the most important thing is SIGN UP NOW for your bloc at  http://www.crudeawakening.org.uk/node/12



In this newsletter



1. Bloc updates

2. Practicalities: what to bring and legal info

3. 10 targets… that just missed our short-list

4. Why oil?

5. Build up events

6. New videos: the why and how of direct action

7. Facebook

Full article

Palestine solidarity tour report back - Easton community centre

07-10-2010 16:23

A report back from the Easton cowboys and cowgirls recent tour of the West Bank.
The easton cowgirls and cowboys returned to the west bank in May this year to show solidarity with Palestinians living under the illegal occupation. Come and hear how we got on (we lost!) and about the difficulties faced by Palestinians living in the west bank. Plus a chance to put our heads together to work out what we can all do to oppose the occupation.

Full article

Birmingham Tory Party Conference demo - in photos (continued)

07-10-2010 15:44

Photos of the march that took place Sunday the 3rd of October in Birmingham to protest the Tory Party Conference

Full article

Birmingham Tory Party Conference demo - in photos

07-10-2010 15:34

This one says it all
Photos of the march that took place Sunday the 3rd of October in Birmingham to protest the Tory Party Conference