UK Newswire Archive
If you're not religious, for God's sake say so
10-03-2011 12:45
British Humanist Association Campaign regarding the UK national censusunrepentant bankers at NHS Day X demo
10-03-2011 10:29
deutsche bank workers waved money at protestors outside their bank on last night's demo
more than 500 people joined the march from london hospital to st. bartholemew's. they included many medical staff concerned at NHS cuts which will close hospitals, and privatise the NHS by stealth.
while some bankers appeared to be sheepish about their role in the issue, protestors were met outside the deutsche bank by heckling ("get a job" etc), and by men waving wads of money at them from the windows.
this photo was made available to me by someone on the protest.
London Ash Wednesday 2011
10-03-2011 10:10
Report by Ciaron O'Reilly
Photos by Mirjam Johansson
How The So-Called Guardians Of Free Speech Are Silencing The Messenger
10-03-2011 09:59
As the United States and Britain look for an excuse to invade another oil-rich Arab country, the hypocrisy is familiar. Colonel Gaddafi is “delusional” and “blood-drenched” while the authors of an invasion that killed a million Iraqis, who have kidnapped and tortured in our name, are entirely sane, never blood-drenched and once again the arbiters of “stability”.YOUTUBE(3mins)-Going to Jail Speech afterVerdict U.S.activist Tim DeChristopher
10-03-2011 09:40
On Thursday, a jury in Salt Lake City declared climate activist Tim DeChristopher guilty for his interference with an oil and gas auction held at the end of the Bush administration. He faces a sentence of up to 10 years, to be determined by a judge:YOUTUBE (3 mins) Speech by Tim DeChristopher after guilty verdit delivered.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cae5Pr7CHgk&feature=player_embedded#at=10 NHS Day X photos (2)
10-03-2011 09:22
Photos from the Day X for the NHS demo in London on Wednesday, 9th March 2011
There were 500+ people on the demonstration who marched peacefully from the Royal London Hospital to St Bartholomew's Hospital (the oldest hospital in the country - first established in 1189 by Rahere, and now under threat once again). Bankers, meanwhile, hid in their offices or ran out the back door so as not to be seen.
NHS Day X photos (1)
10-03-2011 09:22
Photos from the Day X for the NHS demo in London on Wednesday, 9th March 2011
There were 500+ people on the demonstration who marched peacefully from the Royal London Hospital to St Bartholomew's Hospital (the oldest hospital in the country - first established in 1189 by Rahere, and now under threat once again). Bankers, meanwhile, hid in their offices or ran out the back door so as not to be seen.
Civil Disobedience for 9/11 Justice at Downing Street II
10-03-2011 08:46
http://londontruthaction.org on the second civil disobedience for 9/11 Justice at Downing Street. A report of the first action + an interview with Gareth http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2011/02/473483.html Come and meet the TSG in Wimbledon on 10 April
10-03-2011 07:16
On 10 April Wimbledon Police Station has an ‘Open Day’.Manchester Council Budget Meeting
10-03-2011 00:22
Manchester City Council's budget meeting, at which Labour councillors planned to vote through £109 million cuts to adult services, was very nearly prevented by a noise demonstration from the public which stopped the meeting twice. But the Labour-controlled council was determined to implement the cuts, and ignore the results of their own public consultation which had produced mass expressions of opposition to them. It was not clear whether they actually 'voted' on the cuts, but simply assumed that all the Labour councillors, who form the majority group, agreed with them. By that stage of the meeting, the mayor could not make himself heard to take an individual poll of the councillors.
Standing up to Surveillance Conference
09-03-2011 23:24
Sunday 17th April. 10.30am – 5pm.
Venue : Rich Mix 35 – 47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA
Entry: Suggested Donation £5 (unwaged) £10 (waged) . This includes tea, coffee and a light lunch.
Prior registration is essential.>/p>
Nttm City Council Budget Meeting : Demo Inside
09-03-2011 22:40
Monday 7th March
People gathered at 1.00pm in the Market Square to protest at Nottingham City council about to meet to approve budget cuts.
People gathered at 1.00pm in the Market Square to protest at Nottingham City council about to meet to approve budget cuts.
Various groups that will be affected had gathered. Some councillors came out to listen to folks concerns and to state their own positions about it all.
At 2.00pm The meeting commenced and after the initial business, Nottingham Council House was then occupied after a council meeting tried to eject members of the public there. People tried to attend a meeting discussing / to approve the budget cuts, but after some heckling and their attempts to ask questions, they were asked to leave.
Security then got a bit pysical with some. Later, they were then offered a private meeting on the condition they left the building immediately. They refused, and the Council House public galleries were then occupied for about an hour.
Police [and the wardens] were called, threatened arrest for breach of the peace ..... then escorting the protesters from the building.
Later, the Labour Leader cllr. John Collins came out and argued his position to those assembled, watched over by assorted uniformed officers.
Some hours later, the Council then met to do their business, excluding all member of the public from witnessing the proceedings.
UK Uncut
http://www.ukuncut.org.uk
Notts SOS
http://www.nottssos.org.uk
Rally & protests against City Council cuts
http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/1016
Unison anti-cuts protest
http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/978
Notts County Council Strike: 1 The March
http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/987
Notts County Council Strike: 2 Rally & Speeches
http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/988
____________________________________________
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>
Shells Work Stopped twice in two days
09-03-2011 22:25
Sizewell Camp 2011.
09-03-2011 21:38
Skill Share, Networking and Protest
Power for the People-Not Profits for the Few
Friday 22rd – Monday 25th April
Spend Easter weekend camping on the beach at Sizewell and show
your opposition to new nuclear power and the need for sustainable
energy solutions. This weekend also marks the 25th anniversary of
the Chernobyl Disaster. The weekend includes a protest at the
nuclear power station entrance, A public meeting, workshops and
skill shares, woodland and beach walks, vegan grub and
networking.Now is the time to take action against new build – come
join us to say
‘Nuclear power – No thanks!’
Nttm City Council Budget Meeting : Demo Outside
09-03-2011 21:23
Monday 7th March
People gathered at 1.00pm in the Market Square to protest at Nottingham City council about to meet to approve budget cuts.
People gathered at 1.00pm in the Market Square to protest at Nottingham City council about to meet to approve budget cuts.
Various groups that will be affected had gathered. Some councillors came out to listen to folks concerns and to state their own positions about it all.
At 2.00pm The meeting commenced and after the initial business, Nottingham Council House was then occupied after a council meeting tried to eject members of the public there. People tried to attend a meeting discussing / to approve the budget cuts, but after some heckling and their attempts to ask questions, they were asked to leave.
Security then got a bit pysical with some. Later, they were then offered a private meeting on the condition they left the building immediately. They refused, and the Council House public galleries were then occupied for about an hour.
Police [and the wardens] were called, threatened arrest for breach of the peace ..... then escorting the protesters from the building.
Later, the Labour Leader cllr. John Collins came out and argued his position to those assembled, watched over by assorted uniformed officers.
Some hours later, the Council then met to do their business, excluding all member of the public from witnessing the proceedings.
UK Uncut
http://www.ukuncut.org.uk
Notts SOS
http://www.nottssos.org.uk
Rally & protests against City Council cuts
http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/1016
Unison anti-cuts protest
http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/978
Notts County Council Strike: 1 The March
http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/987
Notts County Council Strike: 2 Rally & Speeches
http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/988
____________________________________________
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!!"
___________________________________________
Int'l Womens' Day: Public Meeting
09-03-2011 20:23
Tuesday March 8th 2011 was the centenary of International Womens' Day. To mark this anniversary, Notts TUC organised a public meeting at the offices of Thompsons Solicitors, to discuss the impact of the cuts on services for women, particularly domestic violence services.
The event followed a demonstration in front of the Council House and this slightly delayed the start time as people made their way up to the office on City Gate from the Market Square.
The first speakers was Cheryl Pidgeon, regional secretary of Midlands TUC. Cheryl presented a wide ranging exploration of the connections between patriarchy and the economy, particularly in times of economic crisis. She described the current government as the "most anti-women in living memory," but the talk was not entirely negative. She argued that bad times are always also an opportunity and that in the anti-cuts movement, "Women will be leading from the front."
The second speaker was Melanie Jeffs from Nottingham Community and Voluntary Service, which represents many voluntary groups in the city. Melanie noted that voluntary groups were experiencing cuts of around £18m in Nottingham City alone. She was dubious about the Tories' "Big Society" talk, pointing out that volunteers already give 1m hours a year in Nottingham and may not be able to do much more. She pointed particularly to the closure of Noelle House, the only women only homelessness shelter in the city. This is to be shut, despite evidence that women only shelters are often much better for women on the streets.
Melanie suggested that equality impact assessments were a possible point of challenge, noting that last June's budget was not assessed for its impact on women. She also pointed to the sell-off of the forests as evidence that the government could be swayed.
Caroline from Unite then gave a brief talk about her involvement in domestic violence services in Walsall, which are now being seriously cut.
The final speaker was Chris Knight from Women's Aid Nottingham (who had earlier spoken in Market Square). Chris noted that 1 in 4 women suffer domestic abuse (which is not always actual violence), with 1 in 10 suffering such abuse at any time. In fact Nottingham has the highest reported rates of such abuse, although she suggested this might actually be a good thing as it indicated people were reporting it.
In other places domestic violences services have been seriously hit with Devon cutting all its funding and Hull heading in the same direction. In Nottingham, the picture is more complicated and Chris described a "sleight of hand" happening in the city. This is possible because funding comes from various bodies. The council is claiming that its budget (set the previous day) wasn't cutting anymore refuges. This is true, but ignores the fact that 3 have already gone this year, reducing spaces in the city from 48-31.
The Crime and Drugs Partnership (CDP) meanwhile has slashed 80% of its domestic violence budget. This it emerges is not a public body so does not have to publish its minutes. (Chris didn't mention this, but according to the CDP's website, its acting chair is currently Jon Collins, leader of Nottingham City Council.)
Chris echoed many of Melanie's sentiments about the Big Society, noting that while volunteers do much important work within Women's Aid, their is a need for specialist with continuous knowledge.
After the speakers, there was an opportunity to take advantage of the food laid on (presumably) by the Notts TUC.
Overall this was an interesting meeting, although it wasn't terribly well-attended. Many of the people there appeared to be staff at Thompsons and most of the remainder were drawn from the "usual faces." This is unfortunate, as it was a good meeting on an important issue.
Int'l Womens' Day: Protest
09-03-2011 19:23
Tuesday March 8th 2011 was the centenary of International Womens' Day. In Nottingham, campaigners marked this by holding a demonstration in the Market Square to highlight the impact of the cuts on women.
The demonstration involved a ballot in which participants could utilise their suffrage to vote, chosing between bankers, tax avoiders and ordinary people. There were also speeches highlighting the damage the cuts are likely to do.
The organisers also distributed balloons to people attending the demo which was an interesting touch and helped to distinguish it from any other demonstration in the Market Square. These had been provided by Unison and were in the union's colours (violent, green and white), which conveniently were also the colours of the suffragettes.
The demonstration lasted for around an hour, at which point many of those who had come along went to the TUC organised meeting at the offices of Thompsons Solicitors.
Resistance to Nottingham City Cuts
09-03-2011 19:23
On Monday March 7th, Nottingham City Council met to set its budget, slashing millions of pounds from vital services. Local anti-cuts campaigners rallied against this, holding protests on the previous Saturday and the day itself. They occupied the viewing galleries, holding up the meeting for an hour and later disrupted a BBC interview with council leader Jon Collins.
On the newswire: More photos from Council budget protest | Nottingham City Council ‘cuts budget’ day protests | Banner Drop – ‘Fight the Cuts’ | Nottingham City budget protest: Photos | Direct Action Against Nottingham City Cuts Budget | Council house occupied | Vodafone & Philip Green stores visited by anti-cut | Rally & protests against City Council cuts | Protest against city council cuts: March 5th | Unison anti-cuts public protest
Videos: Inside the Council House (YouTube) | Inside the Council House 2 (YouTube)
Previous feature: No Cuts in Nottingham!
Saturday 5th March
The Saturday before the budget was set, campaigners held a demonstration in the Market Square. Despite persistent rain, organisers claimed a turnout of around 150.
Demonstrators were addressed by speakers including campaigners, trade unionists, service users and community activists.
After the demo finished, protesters returned to Vodafone, which has been targeted on numerous occasions for its attempt to avoid billions in tax.
Monday 7th March
On the day of the budget a banner was dropped from the multi-storey car park on Maid Marian Way which read ‘Fight the Cuts: We Won’t Pay For Their Crisis’.
Campaigners rallied outside the Council House from 1pm, for the meeting to start at 2pm. A petition was presented to deputy leader Graham Chapman (once it was impressed upon him that not accepting the petition would look bad in front of the assembled press) and a number of councillors went around glad-handing the assembled protesters.
The meeting was disrupted for around an hour by hecklers, before the viewing galleries were closed. Those protesting eventually had to be removed by the police.
Musician Billy Bragg, who previously visited the occupation at the University of Nottingham, sent a message of support to protesters in their demand that the council set a needs based budget. Hesaid, "The big society that I want to live in should to be driven by compassion, not market forces."
A second demonstration from 5pm for those leaving work, coincided with the BBC’s East Midlands Today bulletin. When the BBC refused to interview anti-cuts campaigners they proceeded to disrupt an interview with council leader Jon Collins.
After once returning to the Council House, Jon Collins came out again and was harangued at length by protesters who blocked the doors, preventing him getting back in.
Inevitably, the council demonstrated its spinelessness and passed its cuts budget, but anti-cuts activists are clear that this is the beginning of the campaign, not the end.