Skip to content or view screen version

UK Newswire Archive

Full article

police kettle students in clifton

05-12-2010 14:22

police have kettled the students in clifton. I saw one kettle on queens road, reports of more further up. A small demo was allowed to go through town,deliberately kept small so that the protest would look like nobody supported it.
students kettled on queens rd clifton. cops look like they mean business. they will not let a major march happen and only allowed a small group to go through centre, deliberatly small so we'd look crap.

Don't let them do this to you! Either everyone goes or nobody goes, dont let them manipulate you.

Please post further info to newswire as there is a long wait for comments to be published by which time they will be out of date.

Full article

2030 Zero Carbon Britain - Climate Change March

05-12-2010 13:22

Hundreds of climate change campaigners yesterday spelt out a giant "2030" in Hyde Park - the date by which they want a 'Zero Carbon Britain'.

The stunt kicked off the latest Campaign Against Climate Change demonstration, which was part of a Global Day of Action on climate change taking place midway through the UN Climate Talks in Cancún, Mexico.

One report detailed Caroline Lucas MP saying that she was "actually kind of bored of public meetings, of speeches, of debates (pointing out that only 12 MPs attended the debate in the House of Commons about Climate Change and the Cancún summit) and even (gasp!) of climate marches. She pointed out that time was short - we have, by most estimates, between 5 and 8 years before we have damaged our world to such an extent that catastrophic climate change is unstoppable."

Last year we saw 50,000 march through the streets of London ahead of the Cop15 conference, we saw the direct actions, demos and repression in Copenhagen, and we saw Cop15 fail. This year following the Cop15 overdose the media seems little interested in covering climate change issues and some have indeed said it's simply not a priority, whilst others repeatedly run with the 'climate change isn't happening' angle.

At a time of increasing government imposed cuts following the (ongoing) banking crisis, many politicians, campaigners and people are not focusing on environmental or climate change issues. But the truth is that all these crises have their roots in the same market based capitalism, overseen by our governments.

We desperatly need to find the links between our campaigns. The sooner we can articulate this the better.

London Pics:
http://min.us/mvkI0IQ
http://markcnewton.com/2010/12/04/climate-march-photos/
http://www.demotix.com/news/527318/national-climate-march-2010-london
http://www.demotix.com/news/526989/national-climate-march-london
http://davenash.photoshelter.com/gallery/Climate-March-2010/G00002G_j.DF5fdA/

London Demo Demands:
- A Zero Carbon Britain by 2030
- One Million Climate Jobs Now!
- Ten percent cuts in one year
- Real Cuts not offsets
- Green Energy Revolution
- Moratorium on Agrofuel use
- End Domestic Flights
- Expand Public Transport
- 55 mph speed limit

International demo call:
"We demand that world leaders take the urgent and resolute action that is needed to prevent the catastrophic destabilisation of global climate, so that the entire world can move as rapidly as possible to a stronger emissions reductions treaty which is both equitable and effective in minimising dangerous climate change.

We demand that the long-industrialised countries that have emitted most greenhouse gases currently in the atmosphere take responsibility for climate change mitigation by immediately reducing their own emissions as well as investing in a clean energy revolution in the developing world. Developed countries must take their fair share of the responsibility to pay for the adaptive measures that have to be taken, especially by low-emitting countries with limited economic resources.

Climate change will hit the poorest first and hardest. All who have the economic means to act, must therefore urgently and decisively do so."

 

Full article

Student protest, Cheltenham, Dec 8th

05-12-2010 13:22

Students at the University of Gloucestershire and Gloucestershire College are planning a Cheltenham protest against education reforms on December 8th. The following information has been copied from http://savemydegree.co.uk
The Route

The protest will start from the service yard at Pittville Campus. We will meet at 11:30AM on Wednesday 8th December. We will then move on to the main road and past UCAS and the park and ride. Once we get to the roundabout we will turn left, and follow Evesham Road in to the town center, passing Boots and on towards the Promenade. We will go past the queens hotel and gardens at the town hall. We will finish the march at Montpelier Gardens.

Theme

The theme is red for this march. Feel free to be creative. Common sense is best used here.

Start

We will be starting from the service yard at Pittville Campus. For those driving the park and ride is only 5 minutes away. To get there by bus get the “D” service to the Park and Ride or 94U to Pittville Campus. When you arrive at Pittville Campus, look for signs to the Students’ Union, and just past the Students’ Union building we shall be meeting there. Its a square surrounded with Halls of Residence.

Finish

We will be finishing at Montpelier gardens. Once we reach here, we will have a number of the press available and our own Filmer’s, so feel free to give them an interview and get yourself on our videos. Feel free to have a rest for a while here.


Full article

trainee

05-12-2010 12:22

On Wednesday 1st December the Court of Appeal in London lifted restraining orders off 12 people who blockaded the Ffos y Fran coal mine in April 2010. Miller Argent have for years been operating the noisy, polluting mine, described by the Crown Prosecution Service as "a highly controversial project", despite the strong objection of the local community, some of who live within 40 metres of the mine and have to suffer black rain and noisy machinery at antisocial hours. The full court transcripts aren't available yet but here are just some of the CPS arguments that failed to convince the judges. Be warned - the following article is written in incredibly boring legalese....
1) The CPS attempted to invoke 'that scary bit' of the SOCPA legislation, that "a person must not pursue a course of conduct by which he intends to persuade any person (i) not to do something that he is entitled or required to do, or (ii) to do something that he is not under any obligation to do". At the time of the SOCPA, amidst public outrage, we were assured that this would only be used to combat terrorism.

2) The CPS attempted to construct the lack of clarity in the Protection From Harassment Act as "deliberate" because "the behaviour intended to be guarded against is potentially very wide-ranging" - according to the CPS anything that could be "troubling and worrying" is harassment. The CPS furthermore argued that punishing the 12 by the letter of the law would not create sufficient deterrent to reoffend.

3) In order to prove a "course of conduct" the CPS claimed that the 12 "may well have been involved" in previous protests against Ffos y Fran, Aberthaw Power Station and National Rail(?!) where protesters' identities were unknown. They however did not present any examples of these protests or any evidence that these protests were in any way worthy of criticism. If a protester's identity is known it is because they weren't arrested, at which point the event has nothing to do with the CPS. Yet the CPS nonetheless inferred that the uncited protests needed to be tackled in some legal sense, claiming that the mine is repeatedly "targeted" and is constantly "at risk from protesters". So much for rhetoric about protest being a proud part of our heritage - the CPS seems convinced protest is something to be tackled with criminal law. In fact the stated intention of the CPS was to "deter protesters who have shown such persistence and determination in relation to a cause which they continue to show extreme passion towards".

Full article

Anti-McDonalds Demo

05-12-2010 11:20

A report on the latest of the regular anti-McDonalds demos

Full article

US inequality and New Zealand, a human rights perspective

05-12-2010 06:56

New Zealand has been given another chance to free itself from discriminatory collectivism while the US seems to be still battling with it. NZ was saved by the emerging truth of human rights omissions and one of life's miracles, the major Christchurch earthquake (no one killed).

Full article | 4 comments

New intl. Anarchist website : www.a-revolt.org

05-12-2010 05:16

This site is about anarchism, for and by anarchists worldwide. Hopefully it will be a resource and a community place where people can get together and organize, or just make friends with like minded people.

Full article

Wood Green Tax Dodgers - Topman & Boots targeted

05-12-2010 04:50

An angry crowd of Haringey residents marched on Wood Green Topman and Boots shops this morning (Sat 4th Dec) in protest against the corporations' tax-dodging activities and against the government's cuts. Protesters gathered outside Boots with placards, leaflets and a banner reading "Make corporations not people pay".

A tax collector from the Haringey Big Society for Revenue and Customs was amongst the protesters. He led the crowd into the shop as customers were alerted of Boots's dodgy tax practices by protesters. He then gave the store manager a bill for £86 million bill to pass on to the company's management. It was made clear to staff beforehand that the action was targeted at management not workers. The crowd only left the shop when it was agreed that the tax bill would be passed on to management.

The scene was then repeated at Topman a few yards further down the High Road. Retail billionaire Philip Green's tax bill was left to the store manager. Outside, a megaphone was used to inform the public of the corporation's tax evasion tactics, which are damaging everyone.

Rather than fighting tax avoidance, the government is making us pay for the bill by imposing cuts to all services. This morning, the Big Society for Revenue and Customs sent a clear message to corporations and politicians that we will not bow down to this!

How Boots are walking right all over us

As exposed by the media, Boots the Chemist are stealing £86 million a year from the public thanks to a tax dodge. They moved their headquarters to Switzerland to avoid paying UK taxes and the government are letting them get away with it.

Retail billionaire Philip Green, head of the Arcadia Group (Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfrdige, Burton, etc) dodged a £300m tax bill in 2005! The group is registered in the name of his wife who lives in Monaco. Despite this, David Cameron has recently appointed Philip Green as a public spending adviser!

From tax haven to public services hell

This is all happening at the same time as massive cuts are made to public services. What we are seeing is a deliberate attack on the majority of the population by corrupt politicians who work hand in hand with greedy global businesses. The rich are getting away without paying taxes while the poor, the unemployed, the disabled, students and public service workers face the brunt of the cuts.

This is no coincidence! The cuts aren't made out of economical necessity but are driven by the government's anti-working class agenda.

Resist the cuts

We say we have to fight back! The anti-Vodafone protests, the students protesters in London and striking London Underground workers have shown us the way. We have to make it quite clear to the ruling elite that we will not put up with DAYLIGHT ROBBERY from Boots, Vodafone, Bankers or any other Fat Cat criminals!

 

Full article

Topshop day of action against tax dodger Sir Philip Green

05-12-2010 01:39

Demonstrators glue their hands to the window Topshop Brighton - Cathy Jones
Across the country on one of the busiest shopping days in the run up to Christmas Topshop stores across the country were closed in protest against tax dodger Sir Philip Green.

Full article

UKUncut protest at Topshop

05-12-2010 01:22

Protests at Topshop and other shops owned by tax evaders, Oxford Street, London, Saturday 4th December 2010

When this government let Vodafone get away with not paying a £6bn tax bill earlier this year they sent a very clear message to UK citizens: we are not all in this together. Ordinary people must accept savage public spending cuts, whilst rich corporations can avoid paying billions and billions in tax.

Sir Philip Green - owner of Topshop (and other Arcadia Group stores Burton, Dorothy Perkins, Evans and Miss Selfridge) transfers profits to his wife - tax-resident in Monaco - as dividends. In 2005 alone she received £1.2bn, avoiding paying a penny of that in UK tax. UK Uncut have called for protests in response.

See http://www.ukuncut.org.uk

Full article | 1 comment

Calais update: new squats, dancing CRS, and fascists behind bars

05-12-2010 00:41

Calais Migrant Solidarity has continued the work we began a year and a half ago, giving practical solidarity in the form of aid, information and support in fighting ongoing persecution by the police.

Full article

New TSA passenger ID cards on the horizon

05-12-2010 00:34

New TSA national ID card coming

Full article

Ratcliffe Trial: Week 2

05-12-2010 00:26

Week 2 of the Ratcliffe Trial saw the defence open their case, giving some of the defendants an opportunity to explain why they took the actions they did. Among the witnesses called was NASA scientist James Hansen, former MP for Notttingham South Alan Simpson and Green Party MP Caroline Lucas.

The Manchester Airport Trial will begin next week, with 11 defendants facing charges of obstruction of the highway, for shutting off the World Freight Centre of Manchester Airport in May this year.

Newswire: Ratcliffe Trial Day 8 – Defence Calls MP's | Day 8 – Leader of the UK Green Party | Day 8 – Alan Simpson | Ratcliffe Trial Day 6 – The Defence Continues | Climate change protesters' anger was justifiable | Ratcliffe Trial Day 5 – Defence case opens | Ratcliffe Day 5 - Hansens says govt lie on climate | Ratcliffe Trial Day 5 - Cheryl Cole gets props

Previous coverage: Ratcliffe Trial: Prosecution Opens | Ratcliffe Conspiracy Trial Begins | Mass Arrest of 114 Climate Activists in Raid

The defence has called an impressive array of witnesses. James Hansen is a prominent climatologist, his testimony on climate change to congressional committees in 1988 helped raise awareness of global warming. Caroline Lucas is a former Green MEP from 1999 – 2010, and current MP for Brighton Pavilion. Alan Simpson was MP for Nottingham South from 1992 until May 2010 when he "decided to resign my seat in order to devote my time to work on climate change and renewable energy policies."

All spoke about the seriousness of the threat from climate change, the coming "tipping points" which would take the global climate to a point of no return, possibly as early as 2013-15. They also discussed the "democratic deficit" which leaves individuals unable to impress upon government the severity of the problem and allows energy companies to wield disproportionate influence.

Simpson stated “There is, in my opinion, an indisputable democratic deficit in [government] having power, but refusing to use it, even to require power stations to audit their annual carbon emissions and the energy efficiency of each power station. It is simply not coherent to argue that any of the governments commitments amount to a coherent plan for carbon emission reductions. This is particularly true within the timescale in which emissions reductions have to be made. Climate change protesters are in my view, absolutely right to argue that we cannot continue with a ‘business as usual’ approach to UK carbon emissions, without threatening the very prospects of existence for future generations."

Miss Felicity Gerry for the prosecution has sought to argue that alternative "democratic" methods of protest would be more effective, citing Paul McCartney and Coldplay’s Chris Martin as examples of effective environmentalism, through their involvement with ‘Meat Free Mondays’. Instead of closing down power stations, she suggested that the defendants would be better off searching for celebrity endorsements for the likes of ‘Turn-off Tuesdays” or “Switch-Off Sundays.” She even suggested that the money that was spent on the action would have been better off hiring Cheryl Cole to model second hand fashions.

The case continues.

Full article

Coexist Christmas Fayre

05-12-2010 00:22

Sample the varied delights of Hamilton House's creative residents at our Christmas Fayre – Saturday 18th December, 11am-6pm. The place for some truly local Christmas shopping, delicious food, workshops, musical and theatrical delights.
Unwrap the layers of winter shiver and warm yourself in the glow of festivities at the

Coexist Christmas Fayre!

We're keeping things local and lyrical with
Beautiful Handmade Christmas Creations
made by our lovely, talented tenants – ideal for last minute Christmas pressies!
With a good measure of
Live Music, Christmas Carols and Choral Singing

We’ll have plenty of Mulled Wine and Cider for the supping,
and Mince pies for the munching,
Not to mention lots of other Christmas Treats

We’ll be getting merry with Games and Workshops for one and all,

So come and get cosy on Saturday 18th December from 11am – 6pm
@ Hamilton House

Full article

Anti-cuts day of action in Nottingham

04-12-2010 23:25

Saturday 4th December was a de facto day of action against cuts in Nottingham with a demonstration against tax avoiders and a student protest running into one another.

I turned up at the Market Square at 1pm for the student demonstration, by which point the demonstration against tax avoiding corporations had already been going on for an hour (although I spoke to a couple of people who had turned up for the originally advertised start time of 12 noon and been hanging around for 2 hours). The tax avoiders demo marched in, having already visited Vodafone, and presumably others.

As the assembled throng came into the Market Square, they were chanting, "They say cutback, we say pay tax," quite possibly the single least inspiring slogan I've ever come across. There was then an extended period of milling about, before people decided to march around the Market Square. With the "Victorian Market" inhibiting our ability to do a complete circuit we ended up going down Cheapside and turning left onto Clumber Street.

Inevitably, this took us past Vodafone and begun the first chant of "pay your tax," a refrain which would be repeated - ad infinitum - over the course of the march. From their we made our way down to Parliament Street and along the side of the Victoria Centre. At this point, people went into Boots (another high profile tax avoider) and began chanting, before continuing into the Viccy Centre.

Here people went into Topshop (part of the Arcadia Group owned by government adviser Philip Green, who has put the company into his wife's name so as to avoid paying tax) for some further chanting and then onto another Vodafone store. This was closed and the target of an extended period of chanting.

From here, people made their way outside and then around the Victoria Centre, back past Boots (this time closed by staff) down to the Tory Party offices for some more shouting. Then we returned to Market Square, briefly disrupting Parliament Street and again coming past Vodafone on Clumber Street.

The march ended at Byron House with a planning meeting, although protesters were informed by the police escort who had been unable to stop anything so far that anybody who kept their banners up after they left the square would have them confiscated.

This was an interesting demonstration: sizable, militant, but also confused. I was struck by the fact that very little of the chanting was led by students with other activists controling the megaphone. They perhaps can take some blame for the unimaginative, incessantly repetitive chanting. Before the next demo, somebody should invest in a new chant sheet.

To my mind what should have been a protests against education cuts and the imposition of higher fees was dominated by the demands that companies "pay your tax." As somebody who would think nothing of tax avoidance if I thought I could get away with it, I can't help feeling this misses the point and turns a useful propaganda point (multinational corporations are getting multi-billion tax breaks while the government is slashing services) into a demand we have no chance of achieving.

Certainly, there seemed to be widespread bemusement amongts Christmas shoppers as to what we were protesting about. For all most people will know, we were simply the direct action wing of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs. Polls consistently show that people don't like the cuts but have bought the lies that they are necessary. It does us no favours to imply that if only a handful of dubious corporations paid more tax the poor Tories wouldn't have to cuts all these services. They obviously don't want to.

Despite my reservations about the demo, the meeting afterwards was positive and suggests that there is a  real comitment to take the movement forwards. Nottingham may not yet have its own Millbank, but things are definitely happening.

Full article

Student protesters on Long Row

04-12-2010 23:25

Students begin march from Market Square around Nottingham.

Full article | 4 comments

18 Arrests Brighton TopShop Tax Dodge Demo

04-12-2010 22:24

Sat 4 Dec: 8 Superglued in 'Tax Dodger' Christmas Window Display + Brighton TopShop branch closed all day!

Eight protestors arrested for superglueing themselves inside shop windows demonstrating against Sir Philip Green's tax evasion. Other protestors kettled for hours in freezing conditions leading to additional arrests and forced to give details. Part of UK Against the Cuts 'National Day of Action Against Tax Avoiders'

Full article | 5 comments

Fees Vote Protest London 9.12.10

04-12-2010 21:17

STUDENTS AND EDUCATION WORKERS TO DESCEND ON LONDON THIS THURSDAY

Full article

Sheffield Occupation and Anti-Cuts Protest

04-12-2010 21:12

Some photos from the occupation of the Richard Roberts building at Sheffield University and the start of the protest held on 4th December 2010.

Full article | 4 comments

The Latest Lie..

04-12-2010 19:19

The latest lie, the latest disappointment, the latest injustice, by the latest government.
The coalition government is imposing vicious cuts on education, welfare, and other public services. In education, especially, there has been uproar against the hike in tuition fees, a hike which is to merely plug the gap left by the Governments spending cuts and not act as extra cash for any of the universities.