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Council Votes To Keep Environmental Services in the Public Sector

26-11-2011 18:55

Following a tense meeting of the City of Edinburgh Council today, councillors voted to keep Environmental Services provision in house. This means that waste and recycling, street cleansing, and parks maintenance services will continue to be provided by staff who are directly employed by the Council, rather than the private contractor Enterprise Managed Services.

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Today is Buy Nothing Day!

26-11-2011 18:55

No purchase necessary!

Saturday November 26th is Buy Nothing Day (UK). It's a day where you challenge yourself, your family and friends to switch off from shopping and tune into life. The rules are simple, for 24 hours you will detox from shopping and anyone can take part provided they spend a day without spending!

Everything we buy has an impact on the environment, Buy Nothing Day highlights the environmental and ethical consequences of consumerism. The developed countries - only 20% of the world population are consuming over 80% of the earth's natural resources, causing a disproportionate level of environmental damage, and an unfair distribution of wealth.

People around the UK will make a pact with themselves to take a break from consumption as a personal experiment or public statement and the best thing is - IT'S FREE!!!

For a quick start to Buy Nothing Day read the FAQ page. If you want to take part in more actively, which is far more fun, then you may want to organise an event - take a look at the TOOLKIT for info and ideas and check the EVENTS page. If there are no events near you - organise one! Get social and follow Buy Nothing Day UK on TWITTER and FACEBOOK

Of course, Buy Nothing Day isn't about changing your lifestyle for just one day - we want it to be a lasting relationship with you consumer conscience - maybe a life changing experience? We want people to make a commitment to consuming less, recycling more and challenging companies to clean up and be fair. The supermarket or shopping mall might offer great choice, but this shouldn't be at the cost of the environment or developing countries.

Around the world: Adbusters.org | Argentina | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Croatia | Denmark | Finland | France
Hong Kong | Intl. BND | Japan | Netherlands | New Zealand | Romania | Sweden | Uruguay

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'Atos Two' Trial - Press Release

26-11-2011 16:55

Trial of Nottingham 'Atos Two' from February 27th 2012

Two Nottingham residents, a retired paediatric nurse and a wheelchair user, dubbed the ‘Atos Two' have on Friday December 25th both pleaded ‘not guilty' to the charge of aggravated trespass at Nottingham Magistrates Court. Their trial will be held from Monday 27th February 2012.

This follows their arrests at a peaceful protest on September 30th at the offices of Atos ‘Healthcare' on Stoney Street in the Lace Market.

Jamie Kennedy commented on the prosecution of the ‘Atos Two': ‘This trial is an attempt to intimidate protesters and deter people from going to peaceful demonstrations. It is disgusting and a ridiculous waste of resources.'
Atos has been the subject of national protests for its role in the government's attack on disabled benefits claimants.

A well-attended protest in solidarity with the defendants was held outside the Magistrates Court before the hearing.

Contacts
Nottingham Defence Campaign
Email: nottsdefence@riseup.net
Tel: 07758867343
Twitter: http://twitter.com/NottsDefence

Notes for editors

1. Coverage of the protest, the arrests and the prosecution of the Atos Two:
nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2168

A Statement of Support for the Atos Two has been signed by more than a hundred persons and organisations, including Welfare Rights Groups, Councillors and John McDonnell MP:
nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2195

For a report on the solidarity demonstration please see:
nottingham.indymedia.org.uk/articles/2202

2. Atos Healthcare was selected by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to administer the Work Capability Assessments (WCA).

Campaigners claim that WCA are part of a deliberate policy by the coalition government designed to force as many people as possible off disability benefits regardless of their physical and/or psychological abilities.

Critics of Atos Healthcare point to the high number of successful appeals against decisions by the company. A report by BBC Inside Out East found that more than one third of appeals were successful. (http://bbc.in/ulXxMG)

Furthermore the expertise and conduct of the so called ‘healthcare professionals' undertaking the assessments has been severely questioned by campaigners. In August it emerged that twelve doctors employed by the company were being investigated by the General Medical Council over allegations of improper conduct. (http://gu.com/p/3x7jd)

 

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Interesting documentary films about anarchism in Chile & Greece

26-11-2011 16:40

Lets see interesting films about anarchist movements in Chile & Greece

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Liverpool Occupied!

26-11-2011 16:14

Occupy camp established in Liverpool

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Pay Council Tax Hove MP tells Occupy...

26-11-2011 14:53

Hove & Portslade (East Sussex) MP. Mike Weatherley suggests Occupy 'tents' in London/ Brighton etc should pay council tax...

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Workfare to be challenged in the courts.

26-11-2011 13:49

Workfare is a programme whereby anyone who has been claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) for 6 months can be sent to work for major multinational companies like Tesco, Poundland and Sainsbury’s for up to 5 weeks in order to keep their benefits. Now a legal challenge under human rights legislation is being brought against the scheme.Tessa Gregory of Public Interest Lawyers, who are representing Jonathan Shaw from Birmingham, said, “This Government scheme of forced labour unlawfully exploits individuals. The only beneficiaries are participating companies, who get their workers for free.”

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Shut down the City!

26-11-2011 10:44

occupy_30th-medium.jpg
This is an Occupy London event.
Assemble 7.00 am at Liverpool St. Station. We're going to shut down the City! If you can't make it quite that early, come as soon as you can.... twitter.com/occupylsx

Full article | 3 comments

"The clash of civilizations": Divide, conquer and rule the "New Middle East"

26-11-2011 09:39

The New Middle East (before and after)
In the past, the colonial powers of Western Europe would indoctrinate their people. Their objective was to acquire popular support for colonial conquest. This took the form of spreading Christianity and promoting Christian values with the support of armed merchants and colonial armies.

At the same time, racist ideologies were put forth. The people whose lands were colonized were portrayed as "sub-human," inferior, or soulless. Finally, the "White Man's burden" of taking on a mission of civilizing the so-called "uncivilized peoples of the world" was used. This cohesive ideological framework was used to portray colonialism as a "just cause." The latter in turn was used to provide legitimacy to the waging of "just wars" as a means to conquering and "civilizing" foreign lands.

Today, the imperialist designs of the United States, Britain, France, and Germany have not changed. What has changed is the pretext and justification for waging their neo-colonial wars of conquest. During the colonial period, the narratives and justifications for waging war were accepted by public opinion in the colonizing countries, such as Britain and France. Today's "just wars" and "just causes" are now being conducted under the banners of women's rights, human rights, humanitarianism, and democracy.

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Palestinian Film wins Awards at IDFA

26-11-2011 09:26

The winners of the various IDFA (International Doc Festival Amsterdam) competition programs were announced Friday, November 25 in Escape, during the awards ceremony of the 24th IDFA.

The Special Jury Award went to 5 Broken Cameras (Palestine/Israel) by Emad Burnat and Guy Davidi, who also won the Publieke Omroep IDFA Audience Award.

See trailer here:
 http://vimeo.com/21967570

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Listen!!!

26-11-2011 08:38

Audio
The Workers to support all!

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New book ‘The Shadow World: Inside the Global Arms Trade‘ with Andrew Feinstein

26-11-2011 01:39

Audio
BCfm’s weekly politics show
At five: discussing the big stories in Bristol, Britain and around the world
After six: straight talking and investigative reports with Martin Summers and Marina Morris

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Atos Two Supporters Demo: Trial date now set

26-11-2011 00:55

 

Friday 25 November 2011 

The "Atos Two" were due in Nottingham Magistrates Court. Bailed for 9.45am a solidarity demo had been called outside at 9.30am.

 

 

Unfortunately, on arrival, the Atos Two discovered that their case was not actually listed until 11.30am, leaving them with more than 2.5 hours to kill.

Perhaps 35-40 demonstrators turned up to show their support, a mix of disbility rights campaigners, anti-cuts activists, occupiers, anarchists and even a Labour councillor. For a weekday morning, organised at less than a fortnight's notice, this was (as the defendants noted) an astonishing turnout.

There was an array of media outside the court, print and TV. It turned out, however, that they were not there in relation to the Atos Two, but rather for something far more important - some drunken footballer.

After a brief photo opportunity with the assembled masses, the defendants took the opportunity to thank people for coming before going into court to answer bail. At this juncture, many of the supporters marched off to visit Atos as a rejoinder to the state's attempt to intimidate protesters.

quote: http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2199

+

Nottingham Defence Campagin said:

"Trial against the Atos Two to be held from Monday February 27 2012.

Following the solidarity demonstration for the Atos Two, the court hearing was rather brief and without surprises.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty. The trial will be held on Monday 27th February 2012 from 9.30 at the Magistrates Court to be continued (if necessary) on Tuesday the 28th.

Noticeable was the magistrates' remark that the prosecution might struggle to prove the allegation that Atos staff had been intimidated as he admitted that there had been no sign of any intimidation.

It was annoying that the defendants were messed around a bit regarding the time proceedings were due to start/did actually start, but such things are to be expected.

The Atos Two have asked to thank all those who supported them these last few weeks. The solidarity they experienced has been amazing and is very much appreciated."

Nottingham Defence Campaign invite you to add your support by emailing them at nottsdefence@riseup.net

Statement of Support for the 'Atos Two' 

http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2195

 

Background:

ATOS National Day of Action: Notts contribution

1 http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2051

2 http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2052

 

Nottingham protest rattles Atos [Feature]

http://nottingham.indymedia.org.uk/articles/2053

 

Notttingham's 'Atos Two' Charged [Feature]

http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2168

 

National Day of Action Against Atos 30-09 [UK Feature]

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2011/10/485679.html

 

Atos Two solidarity demo

http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2199

 

Atos Two trial in February

http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2201

 

Benefits Claimants Fight Back

http://benefitclaimantsfightback.wordpress.com

 

Disabled People Against Cuts

http://www.dpac.uk.net

 

See also NottsDefence on Twitter http://twitter.com/NottsDefence

____________________________________________

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>

 

Full article

Occupy Camp now surrounded by Winter Wonderland

26-11-2011 00:55

 

Friday 25 November 2011

Occupy Camp now surrounded by Winter Wonderland

 

 

Earlier, the Market Square was preparing for the 'lets switch on the christmas lights in Mid November shindig'! [ba humbug, really]. 

So now, the camp is bombarded by pretty christmas lights and oh so jolly tunes.

This evening ..... I wondered if this was all a plot, attacking the camp with a seasonal sound weapon. This will of course now continue for another 5 or 6 fucking weeks.

Occupation camp gets fenced in

http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2196

 

Loads of earlier postings ...... but, here are the main features

Nottingham is occupied [Feature]

http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2079

 

Nottingham Occupation Continues [2nd Feature]

http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2100

 

Occupy Notttingham: Moved but still in occupation [3rd Feature]

http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2116

 

Occupy Notttingham: Still there [4th Feature]

http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2147

 

Nottingham Occupy Nottingham: No plans for eviction. Yet. [5th Feature]

http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2193

____________________________________________

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>

 

Full article

‘Vendetta’ drives Crown Office ‘no matter the cost’ prosecution of three year, £1 Million Breach of the peace charge.

25-11-2011 22:55

‘VENDETTA’ drives Crown Office ‘no matter the cost’ prosecution of THREE YEAR, £1 MILLION Breach of the peace charge against anti-abuse campaigner

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SchNEWS: Nov 30: We're All In It Together

25-11-2011 22:22

Well, it’s been a long time coming... Wednesday 30th November will see the first mass strike in the UK for four decades. 17 unions, including the biggest ones Unite, UCU, Unison, various teaching unions and PCS, have balloted to strike on pension reform which will see an estimated 3 million off work and, hopefully, cause massive disruption. Demonstrations and pickets are planned across the country – see complete list. Amongst the strikers are some unlikely suspects: 18,000 Border Agency workers are expected to strike leaving the government having to employ sinister private security firm Serco to take over for a day. Even the National Union of Probation Officers voted to join the strike four-to-one.

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Occupy Bristol occupies main banks

25-11-2011 20:55


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Bakers' Union Betrays Strong Strike Mandate

25-11-2011 17:49

Park are using new legislation to force down wages, conditions
Four weeks ago I wrote about the situation at Park Cakes - a baking company based in the northwest of England. I raised points about how the new, trade union-backed Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) were being used as a battering ram to enforce an "equality in misery" between permanent and temporary staff in workplaces. However, now the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) are on the verge of a sell-out, so the immediacy of the situation calls for critical analysis of the union bureaucracy.

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Atos Two trial in February

25-11-2011 16:55

Trial against the Atos Two to be held from Monday February 27 2012.

Following the solidarity demonstration for the Atos Two, the court hearing was rather brief and without surprises.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty. The trial will be held on Monday 27th February 2012 from 9.30 at the Magistrates Court to be continued (if necessary) on Tuesday the 28th.

Noticeable was the magistrates' remark that the prosecution might struggle to prove the allegation that Atos staff had been intimidated as he admitted that there had been no sign of any intimidation.

It was annoying that the defendants were messed around a bit regarding the time proceedings were due to start/did actually start, but such things are to be expected.

The Atos Two have asked to thank all those who supported them these last few weeks. The solidarity they experienced has been amazing and is very much appreciated.

 

Report of the solidarity demo

https://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2199

Statement of Support for the Atos Two

https://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2195

Feature on the protest at Atos, the arrests and the prosecution

https://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2168


See also NottsDefence on Twitter http://twitter.com/NottsDefence

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There's a Hole in DECC's Bucket - NUCLEAR !

25-11-2011 16:55

The UK's premier freshwater resource - the Lake District is struggling to find enough freshwater to cool the heels of existing nuclear wastes.

The Environment Agency's suggestion to accomodate the government's pronuclear ambition is:

BUILD A DESALINATION PLANT! 


There's a hole in DECC's Bucket / Energy Policy

The nukes are too hot, dear Liza, dear Liza, the nukes are too hot, dear 
Liza, too hot.

Then cool them, dear Hendry, dear Hendry, dear Hendry, then cool them dear 
Hendry, dear Hendry, cool them.

With what shall I cool them, dear Liza, dear Liza, with what shall I 
cool them, dear Liza, with what?

With water, dear Hendry, dear Hendry, dear Hendry, with water dear 
Hendry, dear Hendry, cool them.

Where should I get it, dear Liza, dear Liza, where should I get it, dear 
Liza, from where?

From the rivers, dear Hendry, dear Hendry , dear Hendry, from the 
rivers, dear Hendry, dear Hendry, from there.

The rivers are empty, dear Liza, dear Liza, the rivers are empty, dear 
Liza, empty.

Use the sea then, dear Hendry, dear Hendry , dear Hendry, use the sea 
then dear Hendry, dear Hendry, the sea.

The sea is too salty, dear Liza, dear Liza, the sea is too salty, dear 
Liza, too salty.

Then desalinate it, dear Hendry, dear Hendry, dear Hendry, desalinate 
it, dear Hendry, desalinate it.

But how can I do that, dear Liza, dear Liza, but how can I do that, dear 
Liza, but how?

Build a plant, dear Hendry, dear Hendry, dear Hendry, build a plant, 
dear Hendry, a plant.

With what shall I power it, dear Liza, dear Liza, with what shall I 
power it, dear Liza, with what?

With nukes, dear Hendry, dear Hendry, dear Hendry, with nukes, dear 
Hendry, with nukes.

But the nukes are too hot, dear Liza, dear Liza, the nukes are too hot, 
dear Liza, too hot.

[repeat ad infinitum for the next million years]

Nuclear Hole in DECC's Bucket - by Dr Helen Wallace

MORE INFO:

FRESHWATER USE - SELLAFIELD 
http://mariannewildart.wordpress.com/2011/11/18/why-has-the-wettest-place-in-england-not-got-enough-freshwater/

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY PROPOSE A SOLUTION TO DECC's POLICY PROBLEM: DESALINATION PLANT

http://mariannewildart.wordpress.com/2011/11/21/desalination-plant/