UK Newswire Archive
Meeting with UWE VC Steve West
24-11-2010 01:22
An overview of UWE occupation groups meeting with the Vice ChancellorStudents from the Frenchay occupation group attended a UWE board of governors meeting, followed by a meeting with the VC. We took with us an open letter that we had created based on meetings within the occupation group.
Students from the Frenchay occupation group attended a UWE board of governors meeting, followed by a meeting with the VC. We took with us an open letter that we had created based on meetings within the occupation group.
The letter outlined the reasons for the occupation and its objectives. At the end of it were a list of demands. One specific demand, that we wanted to emphasise and try to resolve during the meeting called for UWE management to "immediately acknowledge the dispute with UCU (University and Colleges Union) rather than engaging in legalistic wrangles over whether the dispute exists or not.
The point of this demand was to move towards a resolution of the "problem" of what is meant by "dispute". This "problem" has been created by UWE management to stall and disrupt the progress of the UCU in their pursuit of a swift resolution regarding the disagreement over the downgrading and pay cutting of 80 professors and readers at UWE. Tactics like this are used to de-moralise the members of the union and keep the process of resolution from even getting off the ground.
A UCU spokesperson told me, "we believe that not only is this bad management as such, but it also seems to contravene the University's own disputes procedure."
When called upon by a student member of the occupation group to end this counterproductive and frankly puerile avoidance of the issues brought up by the UCU, vice chancellor Steve West replied, simply "I am not accountable to you".
This is a demonstration of the attitude UWE management take towards the students of the university. The Vice Chancellor is prepared to "listen" to the opinions of union members and students on a superficial level, which benefits him because it makes him appear democratic. We have to remember that, in some way, our occupation could be of use to him and the board of governors because they can be seen to be allowing it and, apparently, appear to be engaging with students over the matters of concern.
However, despite the rhetoric of UWE about the student experience, at last management admit they are "not accountable" to us. Us, the very fabric of the university and the foundation of their business plan.
Without us the University is nothing. Without the students the Board of Governors doesn't have a function. And yet the decisions these people make about the University are not influenced by the people who attend it, make use of its resources, and create the vibrant academic atmosphere that Steve West and the governors then take credit for.
Essentially we have no say over the "product" we are being "sold". This situation is not concurrent with a democracy, but then universities are becoming increasingly corporatised, and corporations are specifically not democracies. They are private businesses that cannot be held to account by the general public.
This further proves that it is the task of students to create democratic structures within the university in order to fight the unfair decisions made by a Board of Governors who won't let these pesky students get in the way of their profits.
For instance: It was suggested to the Vice Chancellor that, since the government expects some universities to close down, one way of avoiding the downgrading to lecturers and their pay would be to decrease the number of students UWE takes on an annual basis. This would decrease the workload of the lecturers, making it easier for them to give quality lectures and have more face to face time with students. This would in turn benefit UWE management, since it may even lead to the dismissal of lecturers on the grounds that there are not enough students to teach. Furthermore, it would benefit the students who, being less in number have more time with the resources of the university, and with lecturers. Everyone's a winner.
Just a suggestion, then. The Vice Chancellor responded that decreasing the number of students admitted to UWE would "narrow the gate", creating a kind of elitism, whereas his objective was to "widen participation".
It is not necessarily true that decreasing the number of university students per year would create an elitism. If this proposed course of action were taken measures could be put in place to ensure that people from all classes get a chance to attend university. This might include the creation of waiting lists, which would mean that if a student did not get to the university their of choice first time round, they could get in on the second. Sure, some people would be dissapointed at the prospect of having to take a year out, but the assuredness of an affordable quality education after a year would surely soften the blow.
This is just a possible, debatable solution to the problem of education cuts: UWE management do not have to cut academic staff in order to cope. They can cut down on financial expenditure by taking fewer students per year, thus having to spend less, and being able to spread the existing resources over a smaller area. This would also ensure the quality of education for students when they did get into University.
The argument against this was a nice little piece of rhetoric: "elitism", which is obviously a bad thing. It occurred to us, however, that reducing the number of students would reduce the amount of profits an increasingly corporate University would make. It would also take away their need for expansion, and excuse for becoming large, impersonal, education supermarkets selling poor quality goods for an increasingly large amount of money.
However, it was dismissed simply as "elitism", a rhetorical buzzword loaded with bad connotations. This is one example of the University avoiding accountability to the students by giving one word dismissals to arguments and doing nothing more than superficially listening.
I suppose we can expect nothing more from a group of people that are "not accountable" to us in the decisions they make.
Ratcliffe Trial Day 2 - Prosecution’s Opening
24-11-2010 00:23
23 November 2010 Nottingham Crown Court
After yesterdays administrations and argument, today started with the jury being introduced to the prosecutions main elements of the case.
The indictment reads:
The Queen V 20x names. are charged as follows:
Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Trespass, Contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977.
That .. between the 1st day of January 2009 and the 15th day of April 2009 conspired together and with others unknown to commit aggravated trespass.
Opening for the Prosecution, Miss Felicity Gerry invited the jury to write down "conspiracy, trespass, disruption, lawful activity". Suggesting that if they find the defendants to have done this, then they are guilty of offence.
During the Easter weekend on 13th April 2009, 114 people were gathered together at the Iona School, Sneinton, Nottingham to plan and engage in a conspiracy to trespass at Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station.
Executing search warrants, Nottinghamshire Police mounted a major action Operation Aeroscope. Resulting in the arrest of all present. People had travelled from all over the country. Documents recovered at the scene showed there was an agreed plan. To drive to the Ratcliffe power station, to climb the plant there and to display banners. Thus they would disrupt the 'lawful activity' of the plant, it was hoped, for a week. The crown claim the planned disruption was plainly a conspiracy. The police had recovered a press release prepared in advance demonstrating the intention of the defendants involved in this conspiracy. Other documents found referred to food and supplies for the weeks occupation.
At this time the [then] Secretary of State for Energy Ed Milliband had application on his deck from companies wishing to build another power station.
This group had no intention of engaging in a democratic discussion on these issues and thus became involved in unreasonable direct action. The press release included journalist contact list, thus to derive the maximum possible publicity for their actions. Further, other document were found to be distributed to workers on the site to explain the groups actions in restricting to power stations operations.
The crown claim it is admitted by all, what their motives and intentions were. specialist equipment seized included
10 vehicles
D-lock and steel rope cycle locks
climbing ropes and slings
heavy duty plastic carriers for food supplies etc
hard hats, Hi-vis vests
face masks
ladders
power tools
rucksacks
4x banners
Miss Gerry was critical saying defendant should address their remarks to MP's on not in direct action with banners. Legal briefing were also discovered at the school, showing they knew they were committing crime. All defendants admit to being there. There is no dispute between the parties.
Many believe the burning of fossil fuel is putting the planet in jeopardy. Bu that is not what the trial is about. It's about what is a reasonable way to express their beliefs. When arrested, they didn't say that, but largely remained silent.
During her opening speech to the jury Miss Gerry kept eluding to the thought that direct action might be more fun than democracy. There are many ways to disagree with policy.
“Is it really necessary to close down a power station when there are so many democratic means available?” – referencing a political process that has allowed the first member of the Green Party to become a Member of Parliament. 'Was it more fun' she asked, to plan this action or to vote for Zac Goldsmith? Did the defendants do all this, because they didn’t have a Glastonbury ticket?
At this point – a member of jury passed a note with three questions to the Judge. The prosecution finished their opening and the Judge left it to the Defence Counsel to answer.
Opening for the defence barrister, Edward Rees QC said: “Zac Goldsmith? Man Utd? Glastonbury? What is the relevance of these?” asked the Jury. The Mr Rees answered that there was none!!
The Defence referred back to the Prosecution’s 'fighting talk'. I won’t go as far to say that the Prosecution’s remarks about the defendants were offensive – but to allege that the defendants don’t engage with the democratic process is not the case.
Ratcliffe-on-Soar was responsible for over 9 million tonnes of CO2 in 2007 and that this amount continues to rise. Don't worry ... politicians and energy companies have it all in hand.
They haven't. The defendants believe authorities were failing to deal with the issue. In their view there was inadequacy in the processes of dealing with climate change. It is agreed the the protesters had a well ordered plan, suggesting that during the period of the planned occupation 150,000 tons of CO2 emissions would have been prevented.
The issue here is whether what they planned and intended to do, was in fact a crime.. The test is that action was reasonable in all the circumstances. The jury are not to be asked to decide on competing climate change facts themselves. As a matter of law, looking at what the defendants believed to be reasonably true.
There are matters such as tipping points that we simply don't know the facts. The defendant wish to err on the side of caution on these matters. There is in fact, a ‘democratic deficit’ in any action on climate change. Looking at the test of reasonableness, it was necessary to act. In fact it might be considered that the discharge of CO2 is itself a crime. The defence of necessity [duress of circumstances] is about preventing a greater damage. It is not for the defendants to prove that they were reasonable, but for the crown to prove it was not.
Starting with the prosecution evidence, Miss Gerry takes the jury through the contents the bundle they had each been given. It contained assorted papers, plans, photographs, vehicle routes and catering arrangements. A special mention of a company called 'Veggies' that had been contacted, asking for high calorific foods to be supplied.
She then went on to give a 10 min very basic description of the technical operation of a coal-fired power station and how it produces electricity.
She then called the first witness. Mr Raymond Henry Smith. At that time, he was plant manager of the Ratcliffe power station, employed by E-on. He said he was called by police at 3am on 13th April 2009 to say that a police operation had prevented the arrives of the demonstrators at the plant. Asked if they had arrived, what would the effect have been? He said the plant may have operated at reduced power or shut down, This was the decision of the plant or duty manager on what to do in the circumstances.
Beginning his questioning, defence barrister, Edward Rees QC asks if the plant was in fact offline at that time. Mr Smith said it was. He was questioned about E-on company decisions in its operations regarding market conditions, system demands, price of coal, all trying to elicit the idea that it was largely profit considerations in the companies operations. Mr Smith said he couldn't answer as he was not qualified in these aspects. Mr Rees keeps suggesting that he does in fact know about such market conditions. E-on also owns a number of gas turbine stations, and it was commercial considerations for the company to consider on which to operate for its best economy. Its coal or gas stations could thus maintain supply as it likes. Mr Rees does get Mr Smith to agree that it is largely market conditions dictating its operations and profitability but within current legislation.
Then questioned about carbon capture. It was suggested to him that E-on had pulled out of competition stating that it was not profitable. In fact 30 of the most polluting stations, half were located in the UK. But Mr Smith doesn't know. He also wouldn't say if he or the company believes that CO2 emission result in the effect of global warming.
Ratcliffe built in 1968 / 42 years old. But £ millions have been invested to improve efficiency. However Ratcliffe emissions had continued to rise. Mr Smith says that although efficiency has improved, more generation does result in still greater emissions.
Mr Smith said he had previously been aware at least 5 days before the activist planned actions. But he didn't know if an injunction had been sought. The witness stands down
For the prosecution again Miss Gerry introduces a video shot by police after all the defendant had been removed and the building had been searched. Now in daylight, we were shown room after room with some outside shots to give a sense of place and to demonstrate the buildings layout. the jury had a map, correlating to the references on the video. The place looked well disheveled and I thought, were trying to show mess, damage and a lack of care of the building. A door hanging off the hinges, holes in walls and doors etc. Papers and property were displayed. I have to say that it was one of the most boring videos I've seen in a while! Some of the jury yawned ... the judges' eyes seemed to me to get heavier.
After this view, I found it hugely encouraging when the jury passed a note to the judge. When read out, they asked was the mess and damage to the door building etc caused by the protesters, or, the police during the conduct of the operation. Prosecution agreed that yes, it was the police!!
She then went onto photos in the bundle, of food supplies in vehicles, more equipment, sleeping bags etc.
the case continues etc ........
+++
Ratcliffe Conspiracy Trial Begins [feature]
http://notts.indymedia.org.uk/articles/701
Ratcliffe conspiracy to trespass trial opens today
http://notts.indymedia.org.uk/articles/693
http://ratcliffeontrial.org/blog
____________________________________________
ALAN LODGE
Photographer - Media: One Eye on the Road. Nottingham. UK
Email: tash@indymedia.org
Web: http://digitaljournalist.eu
Member of the National Union of Journalists [NUJ]
____________________________________________
"It is not enough to curse the darkness.
It is also necessary to light a lamp!!"
___________________________________________
<ends>
Bristol freemasons' annual open day
24-11-2010 00:22
Be sure you ask to visit the Royal Arch templeIt's that time of year again and the annual oportunity to see what you make of the world's biggest Deist religious cult.
Sat 27th November 2010
Craft Fair & Open Day (Everyone welcome)
Freemasons' Hall, 31 Park Street, Bristol BS1 5NH,
Email prov.sec@provinceofbristol.org
Telephone on 0117 954 9840
Office hours 0900 & 1230 hours Monday and Thursday.
Check out this previous article for a preview
Religious cult's annual open day in Park Street
cannot include ANY URLs because BIMC keeps giiving 'publish request cancelled' if I do!
Student Protets Across the UK - All the Details...
24-11-2010 00:13
ANTICUTS.ORG.UKnick clegg lecture met by protests
23-11-2010 23:22
nick clegg was invited to give the 7th 'hugo young' lecture by the electoral and parliamentary reform campaigning group 'unlock democracy'.
his appearance attracted a protest of more than a hundred people angry at mr clegg's complete about turn on his electoral promises relating to education cuts.
nick clegg was due to appear at the king's place hall behind king's cross at 7pm tonight. the lecture was organised by 'unlock democracy', which campaigns for an elected upper house, a written constitution, a review and changes to the voting system, and more accountability and scrutiny of prerogative powers. the campaign is a successor to the 'charter 88' group who helped set the agenda for reforms to the human rights act, freedom of information, and scottish devolution.
from 6pm a crowd gathered outside to protest at the complete abandonment of lib-dem policies now that the party has seized a share of power in the con-dem coalition. some of the protestors were organisers from the 'coalition of resistance' campaign which is holding a day-long conference in camden on saturday.
at the front of the building, a dozen or so police watched over the crowd as they chanted, set off a smoke bomb, and hanged an effigy of nick clegg.
however, round the corner there were several vans of tsg police, and a back way in to the hall. at about half past six, two jaguar cars slipped in the back entrance and nick clegg emerged from one of the cars as the gates closed.
too late, the protestors ran round to the back of the building, to be greeted by a dozen tsg officers guarding the gates. more spirited chanting continued.
meanwhile, those attending the lecture walked through the front entrance and into the building without hindrance.
Jock Palfreeman Solidarity - West Yorkhite
23-11-2010 22:10
Banner drop in Leeds and Film Day in Bradford in solidarity with Jock Palfreeman - Antifascist imprisoned in Bulgaria.The empire fights back!
23-11-2010 22:07
To survive europe must through of the domination of finance capital, particularly emanating from the city of LondonText of leaflet for Zapatista Solidarity International Day of Action November 27
23-11-2010 21:39
¡THE ZAPATISTA COMMUNITIES LIVE!In 1994 the Zapatistas reclaimed land in Chiapas Mexico from greedy and absentee landlords, because they believe that the land belongs to those who work it. The last 18 months has seen a new phase of attacks against the Zapatista communities aimed at retaking their land and resources for exploitation by corporations. The attacks have also been aimed at adherents to the Zapatista initiated ‘Other Campaign’ made up of communities struggling from the left and from below. Today all over the world people are demonstrating to highlight the repression as part of the 1000 Rages, One Heart Campaign.
Lakeland Tales - Potter re-written....
23-11-2010 21:22
A retelling of Beatrix Potter’s Lakeland tales with a distinctly anti nuclear theme are being created to mark the dubiously named ‘Managing Radioactive Waste Safely ‘Drop In’ meetings taking place in Lakeland towns and villages over the next two weeks.
Full details of Reimagine the University Event
23-11-2010 20:54
Full details of the Reimagine the University event are now available at:
http://reimaginetheuniversity.org.uk
Zapatista Solidarity International Day of Action Nov. 27
23-11-2010 20:53
Join us on a international day of action for the Campaign Thousand Rages One Heart, The Zapatistas Communities Live! ( http://milesderabias.blogspot.com)
Student Protest on Campus At Southampton University
23-11-2010 20:43
Protest tomorrow at 12 outside SUSU building on University of Southampton Campus.Students Against Cuts Occupy Room 008 Roland Levinsky at University of Plymouth
23-11-2010 19:40
updates to the squatting ban in the netherlands
23-11-2010 19:22
A timeline of actions in Amsterdam and elsewhere in the Netherlands during the squatting ban
THE CUTZ: Corporates and copper vs the people
23-11-2010 19:22
The corporate cretins who've bankrupted us are now being invited by the coppers to grass up students tomorrow ...... The battle lines are being drawn ...
Royal Holloway Have Occupied
23-11-2010 18:59
UCA Maidstone Walkout Tomorrow
23-11-2010 18:53
http://anticuts.org.uk/?page_id=778
Ratcliffe Conspiracy Trial Begins
23-11-2010 18:14
A year and a half after being pre-emptively arrested alongside more than 100 other people, 20 climate change activists began a month-long trial at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday.
On the newswire: Ratcliffe conspiracy to trespass trial opens today | Ratcliffe on Trial - Day 1 - cheap pix | Defendants & Supporters outside Nottingham Crown Court ahead of the Ratcliffe Trial today | Ratcliffe on Trial - Day 1 - the trial begins
Supporters gathered outside Nottingham Crown Court holding signs which read, "I would stop emissions too".
Anyone in the Nottingham area who would like to meet the defendants or help out can come along to the SUMAC centre (NG7 6HX) each evening after the trial at 7pm for dinner at People's Kitchen.
The arrests were thought to be the biggest ever pre-emptive arrest of environmental activists. The defendants are charged with Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Trespass for planning to safely shut down Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station for a week and in doing so stopping 150,000 tonnes of CO2 from being emitted. While they admit the intent, they maintain that they are not guilty of of a crime.
The defence will show that the activists acted out of necessity, to prevent death and serious injury. According to official sources, 300,000 people per year already lose their lives due to the effects of climate change and half a billion are at "extreme risk". (http://www.preventionweb.net/)
Rebecca Quinn, 32, who was one of those arrested in April but later had the charges dropped, said, "Climate Change is hitting those least responsible for it the hardest. Low-lying island nations are already seeing salt water encroach on their farm land, and in recent years we have seen an increasing frequency of extreme weather events. Coal is the dirtiest method of electricity generation, and must be stopped. To avoid a climate crisis, we must put people before profit. In the face of government apathy and the failure of the Copenhagen conference, it is ordinary people taking direct action who are desperately trying to avoid a bleak future of flooding, drought, crop failure and water shortages."
James Hansen, the high profile scientist who is the Head of NASA's Goddard Institute, is one of the many expert witnesses who will testify during the trial at Nottingham Crown Court. The leading climatologist will guide the jury through the complexities of climate science and explain how coal burning is jeopardizing the lives of millions.
Caroline Lucas MP, Leader of the Green Party will give expert evidence about the failure to achieve action on climate change domestically and within the EU parliament through more conventional political means. It will be argued that the defendants had no alternative but to physically stop the power station emitting CO2, having exhausted other channels such as lobbying, campaigning, and attending marches.
The defendants are a diverse mix of people of varying ages from 21 to 45. Living across the UK, they work in teaching, science, computing, and many other areas. 114 people were originally arrested on 13th April 2009, but most subsequently had their charges dropped.
Cantona calls everybody to take her/his money off banks on 7 December
23-11-2010 18:04
take your money of the banks on 7 december.spread the wordPolice on 'tightrope' at protests
23-11-2010 17:42
Police are working harder than ever to identify violent activists aiming to disrupt legitimate political protest, the head of a controversial police intelligence unit has said.