Skip to content or view screen version

UK Newswire Archive

Full article

Live Feed, Updated Reports from General Strike Unrest in Greece

15-12-2010 13:47

Here is the live feed with more detailed and constantly updated accounts of the unrest in Greece during the general strike today.
 http://www.occupiedlondon.org/blog/2010/12/15/live-feed-from-general-strike-in-greece-december-15th/

Full article

Now Athens Riots - happening riot now

15-12-2010 13:14

London last thursday, Rome yesterday and today Athens. A day of general strike across Greece sees protesters out in force and the inevitable happens - a third west European capital city sees riots in the space of a week. Cops have fired tear gas and flash grenades while rioters use molotovs and set fire to cars. A former transport minister has been stoned and protesters attempted to torch two luxury hotels near parliament. The economic blockade has paralyzed the country - grounding flights, shutting schools, halting public transport.

Full article

Battle zone at this moment in the center of Athens

15-12-2010 13:10

Battle zone is at this moment the Athens center ,
clashes of workers - unionists and Police

patrol Bombs - tear gases
all over

Full article

Solidarity with SHAC in Germany (2nd)

15-12-2010 13:09

In Wedel, a small city in the north of Germany, an arson attack took place to declare solidarity with the SHAC prisoners.

Full article

Anti-cuts song Liar Liar by Captain Ska for Christmas Number One

15-12-2010 12:42

Dark days have arrived in Britain. The coalition government and their toxic flotilla of cuts are ruthlessly hacking away jobs, damaging vulnerable lives and chipping away at the very fabric of our society. We cannot afford to stand by and let this country sail towards a future of inequality.

Fear Not! Captain SKA and his ship have arrived to fight this coalition, but more crew members are urgently required, there is strength in numbers.
Pass this link on to other potential shipmates and download the song.

Full article

EDL "jokes" about arson at mosque.

15-12-2010 11:05

A couple of "jokes" on the EDL forum show that arson is a bit of a theme for the EDL.

Full article

Nottingham Solidarity Network

15-12-2010 10:23

The Nottingham Solidarity Network will be forming soon! We are currently a group of community activists in the Forest Fields and Hyson Green area who want to form a network of local groups across the city. The aim of this network would be to support each other and show solidarity with one another. We are committed to local community ownership of our own resources, where people genuinely take back decision making for themselves. We have no party political agenda or time for the authorities.

There will be a meeting to decide how the network will take shape at the Sumac Centre on Tue 21st Dec, 7pm: http://nottingham.indymedia.org.uk/events/815

Come and join us in taking back our lives!

Have you had enough?

Fed up of politicians making us pay for their mistakes?

Tired of being told what we can and can’t do in our communities?

So are we.

The cuts the government are forcing through are the biggest threat to our way of life at the moment. None of the political parties want to take responsibility. They are stealing our public services, jobs and welfare to pay for their crisis.

Nottingham Solidarity Network is being set up by people who think that we know best about how to run our own lives – not the Council or the government. We think that the people who live in our neighbourhoods can make the best decisions about how they should be run.

It’s not enough to get angry on your own – we need to act together if we want to make things happen. By showing solidarity with each other we can fight bigger enemies than we can alone.

NSN wants to help campaigns and individuals get together to support each other and take action. We think it’s time the politicians and bosses listened to us!

We are not another political group with its own agenda. We are residents of Nottingham who are independent of the political parties. We think local people deserve much better than self-serving politicians.

We are hoping to organise a meeting in Forest Fields soon where the voices of local people will be heard. This will be an opportunity for us to find ways of working together and start dealing with the problems we face.

If you want to join other people to fight the cuts and take back our lives then get in touch. You can contact us at nsn[at]riseup[dot]net.

Full article

Urgent Action To Stop The Nuclear Power Programme

15-12-2010 10:22

CONSULTATION AND PLANNING APPLICATION
What can we do to stop the Nuclear power programme and stop the first of 8 Nuclear power Stations to be built at Hinkley (Bridgewater)?
BOYCOTT EDF
EDF owns 60% of Bristol's electricity....and they own Hinkley A and B Nuclear Power stations and 450 acres of the land surrounding...they intend to build HINKLEYC ,they have applied for planning, the decimation of trees and hedgerows and farming land...can be applied for, even before the government gives the go ahead to the Nuclear New Build...NO TIME TO HESITATE, PUT YOUR OBJECTIONS IN NOW!
Key Dates, Meetings and Links

1. EDF Preliminary Works (Site Preparation)

Now that EDF have put in their Site Preparation Application to West Somerset District Council the public have the chance to comment/object to the application.

EDF (NNB Generation Company Limited) has submitted a planning application to West Somerset Council in which it proposes to start site preparation works in association with the company's plans to construct two new nuclear reactors at Hinkley Point.

The description of development is as follows:

"The proposed development involves the following activities: site clearance (including fencing, vegetation removal, demolition of existing structures, and creation of alternative footpaths); earthworks (including soil stripping and storage, site levelling, spoil screening/storage for re-use on-site); provision of earth retaining structures; deep excavations; provision and relocation of drainage infrastructure (including culverts, outfalls, balancing ponds); the provision and operation of plant and machinery (including concrete batching); site establishment works (including layover facilities, car parks, haulage roads, site access points and roundabouts, and laying replacement and/or diversion apparatus); and other associated works, in the event that Hinkley Point C is not consented all structures would be removed and the site reinstated".
The Application Number is 3/32/10/37 and can be viewed at www.westsomersetonline.gov.uk/hinkleypoint

Final Date for objections to be sent or e- mailed to West District Council is Wednesday 12th January 2011

There are two public meetings for the public to question the West Somerset DC and EDF,

1. Stogoursey - Victory Hall : Friday 17th December 2010 : 6.30 - 9.30pm.

2. Cannington - College : Wednesday 5th January 2011 : 6.30 - 9.30pm.

Hinkley Point Case Officers at West Somerset are Andrew Goodchild, James Holbrook and Alex Bullock.
On 01984 635285

Another very useful document to relate to is Somerset County Council's very thorough report by the Arup Consultants which found EDF'S second public consultation "not fit for purpose". (16 pages but readable!)
http://www.somerset.gov.uk/irj/go/km/docs/CouncilDocume...n.pdf

2.DECC Consultation on the revised government Nuclear Policy Statement.

Final Date for comments/objection to the government's policy is the 24th January 2011.

There is a public meeting with DECC in Bridgwater, Sedgemoor District Council Offices on the Wednesday 12th January where we can question the new nuclear policy statement EN6, starting at 8pm. ( This follows their meeting with the Pylon protestors which should finish at 7.45pm.)

There is a limit to 100 places, we need to get a big turnout to challenge the government's policies on nuclear.
Crispin has been given the chance to explain Stop Hinkley's concerns after DECC has introduced the changes and then public questions will be open to the floor.

Register with Sedgemoor District Council for your place giving your name, address and e-mail at Hannah.Evans@Sedgemoor.gov.uk by 4th January 2011.

A very useful source of information about the changes in government policy can be read at the following link produced by Pete Roche which gives a a summary of the changes, with reference details for you to go further with into the government documents.

A special extended edition of NuClear News No.24 is now available online. This edition aims to give you, amongst our usual news stories, the information you need to navigate around the Energy National Policy Statement reconsultation documents.

No2nuclearpower 8th December 2010
http://www.no2nuclearpower.org.uk/nuclearnews/NuClearNe...4.pdf

All the nuclear free best Allan Jeffery.
Assistant co-ordinator Stop Hinkley.

Full article | 5 comments

"FreeJulianAssange" Solidarity by Aussies at OZ Embassy

15-12-2010 08:25

YOUTUBE (5 mins 45 secs) Armed Police Arrive as Australian academics, artists, health workers, anti-war activists, expats & Catholic Workers occupy the Australian Embassy, delivering a letter demanding pro-active steps for the immediate release of Julian Assange.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SnhnCvuwRc

Full article

Problems with debt, benefits or housing?

15-12-2010 08:22

Drop in 16th December @ Kebele from 6 - 8PM
East Bristol Debtors Alliance is holding a drop in from 6 -8 PM at Kebele Co-op, 14 Robertson Road.
If you or someone you know have problems with debt, benefits or housing then come along. Have a cup of tea and a chat about what your options are.

It might be that you just need some information to sort your own situation out, or it might be that you know a few people having the same issue and working as a group is the best solution.

If you are worried about the proposed benefit cuts and just want a chat then come along. If you have a story to tell about how the cuts are affecting you then please come along.

If you are a solicitor/advice worker and are pissed off about what is happening with the cuts then please come along as we want more people to get involved.

East Bristol Debtors Alliance (EBDA) : info@eb-da.org : www.eb-da.org : 0787 8384439 (Call us and we will return your message)

Drop in sessions: 1st Thursday of the month, 6pm to 8pm,at The Smiling Chair, 40 Stokes Croft, BS1 (next to Sprinters) and 3rd Thursdays of the month 6pm to 8pm at Kebele Co-op,14 Robertson Rd, Easton, BS5 6JY

Full article | 1 comment

Spanish air controllers :A brief wildcat strike takes the Spanish skies by storm

14-12-2010 23:31

Desscription of the recent wildcat strike staged in Spain by air controllers.

Full article

Uk Uncut - Pay Day: Take Down Tax-Dodging Topshop in Truro

14-12-2010 23:22

The fight against rich tax-dodger Phillip Green comes to Cornwall
Fight the tax-dodgers in Truro - anti-cuts activists, students and other local campaigners will be congregating on Lemon Quay at 11am this Saturday, the 18th. Let's try and close as many of Phillip Green's shops as possible! It's time Britain's rich paid up.
Across the country on December 18th, protesters will take a stand against tax evasion, which costs the government fifteen times more than benefit fraud in lost revenue (and amounts to approximately £14bn a year), and tax avoidance which amounts to over £25bn a year - a substantial proportion of total cost of the cuts that will affect the poorest and most vulnerable up and down the country. Despite these shocking statistics, the coalition have appointed Philip Green, a known tax dodger, as a government advisor on public sector cuts. This man will be overseeing the swingeing austerity measures whilst effectively stealing from the economy.

Phillip Green has siphoned off over £1bn to his wife in Monaco over the past few years. His businesses are run in her name to dodge millions of pounds in tax - despite him being the real owner and head of the Arcadia group. At a time when the government is making over £80bn in cuts to jobs and essential services, Sir Phillip is getting away with disgusting levels of tax-avoidance, tax which should be going towards protecting working people's jobs and livelihoods.

As you may have already seen, his retail group Arcadia (which encompasses Topshop, Burton, Dorothy Perkins, Evans etc) has already been targeted with occupations and protests in London, but on December 18th, this will be made into a national movement and we will aim to close his shops all over the country.

Come to Lemon Quay in Truro at 11am this Saturday and show Phillip Green that this movement is everywhere - from the heart of Cornwall to the most northern parts of Scotland. Let's shut down the tax-dodgers in our city and make the rich pay what they owe the public.

Full article

A message of Solidarity to British Students - From Iranian Students

14-12-2010 23:12

In response to a solidarity massage to Iranian students from occupant students in the universities of UCL, Manchester, Sheffield, SOAS, Brighton, Goldsmiths and Bath:
( http://blog.ucloccupation.com/2010/12/08/835/) Iranian students inside the country as well as those studying abroad have drawn up a message of solidarity to the British students who are protesting against cuts and privatisation of Education system as well as universities.

Full article

Media Lens: What Happened To Academia? - Part 1

14-12-2010 22:12

Exchanges With Piers Robinson of The University Of Manchester

What happened to academia? In 2008, Terry Eagleton, formerly Professor of English Literature at Manchester University, wrote:

"By and large, academic institutions have shifted from being the accusers of corporate capitalism to being its accomplices. They are intellectual Tescos, churning out a commodity known as graduates rather than greengroceries." (Eagleton, 'Death of the intellectual,' Red Pepper, October 2008)

He added:

"The logic of the commodity has now penetrated into the sphere of human needs and nurture, breeding pathological symptoms there. In universities, as in transnational corporations, a largely disaffected labour force confronts a finance-obsessed managerial elite."

Full article | 1 comment

14/12/2010: An account of today's protests in Italy

14-12-2010 22:02

It’s difficult to make out a clear picture of what’s been happening today, when Italian websites and blogs are still being inundated with of updates, reports, pictures and videos. While Berlusconi was narrowly winning a vote of confidence in Parliament (314 to 311…3 fucking votes!), thousands of people took to the streets to protest once again against the Gelmini reform and the government.

Full article

Newcastle Action Against The Cuts

14-12-2010 21:51

THE WALKOUTS WERE ONLY THE START!
WE WILL NOT BE SILENCED!
WE WILL STOP THE CUTS!
LET'S KEEP THE ACTION COMING!

Full article | 6 comments

Italy: Demos, blockades and riots everywhere today

14-12-2010 19:25

Rome
Today was the 2nd vote of No Confidence in the Berlusconi government. He survived by two votes. Across Italy, students, school kids and workers took the the streets to protest Berlusconi but also against the continuing neo-liberal education reforms. In Rome there were major clashes that saw the most heavy rioting seen in Italy since Genova in 2001. As well as this, economic blockades and occupations were put in place at many train stations, the port of Palermo and even on the runway of an airport in Sicily.

Full article

Guilty verdict in Ratcliffe trial

14-12-2010 18:24

After a 3 week trial and 3 days of deliberation for the jury, 20 climate activists were found guilty of conspiring to commit aggravated trespass today. The defendants were amongst 114 activists arrested at a Nottingham school in April 2009, on the verge of taking action to shut down the Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station. Over the course of the trial the jury heard evidence from a raft of experts including James Hansen, one of the world’s leading climate scientists. MPs also testified on the inadequacy of conventional political channels to prevent climate change. The 20 are clear that “Taking action on climate change is not an act of moral righteousness, but of self-defence.”

Newswire: Opening 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Prosecution 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Defence 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | Conclusion 1 | 2 | Verdict 1 | 2 | 3

Previous features: Mass Arrest of 114 Climate Activists in Raid | Ratcliffe Conspiracy Trial Begins | Ratcliffe Trial: Prosecution Opens | Ratcliffe Trial: Week 2

Defendants’ statement

As the UN climate talks finish in Cancun, and fail once again to come up with any legally binding framework to reduce emissions, the British legal system is still upholding business as usual. This can’t continue. Burning coal has no future.

We are twenty of the 114 who were targets of the biggest pre-emptive arrest in UK history, as part of the increasing drive to stifle real action on climate change. We planned not only to stop carbon emissions from Ratcliffe but to be part of a much wider movement for global social justice. Dealing with climate change means looking at its root causes and we need to question why the profits of corporations such as e.on are being prioritised over people on the front line of our changing climate and the protection of our children’s futures.

In the 3 weeks we’ve been on trial over 17,000 people have died from the effects of climate change, species have continued to disappear and a few energy CEOs have continued to line their pockets. It’s the poorest and most vulnerable communities, those least responsible for this crisis, who are being hit the hardest.

Taking action on climate change is not an act of moral righteousness, but of self-defence. History is full of ordinary people who have acted to protect their fundamental rights and we need a strong movement of people doing just that. We want to reiterate our support for everyone fighting for climate justice.

We want to thank everyone for the amazing amount of solidarity we have received during this process from within Nottingham and beyond. It has been absolutly inspiring. We are keen to publich more information, but obviously need to wait until sentencing on Friday to do this.

Our supporters have been doing an amazing job in making a blog about us and you can check out our website.

Full article | 1 comment

National Day of Protest Against Welfare & Housing Benefit Cuts - December 15th

14-12-2010 18:17

Take action now to defend the Welfare State. We will not pay for their crisis.

Full article

Palestine Today 12 14 2010

14-12-2010 17:38

Audio
Welcome to Palestine Today, a service of the International Middle East Media Center, www.imemc.org, for Tuesday, December 14th 2010.