UK Newswire Archive
2012 Dirty Coal Infotour
27-01-2012 17:08
Eco-warriors are appealing against St Paul's protest camp eviction
27-01-2012 15:35
Occupy London and the eco-warriors are in the Court of Appeal RIGHT NOW applying for a stay of execution on the order to evict St Paul's protest camp and we have until 4pm to get an injunction otherwise the eviction can legally begin almost immediately.Nuclear energy fat cats targeted for fuel poverty
27-01-2012 14:55
Anti-nuclear campaign group, Boycott EDF, today targeted the UK headquarters of EDF Energy in central London as part of three national days of action called by the Climate Justice Collective’s Fuel Poverty Action campaign.
French energy giant EDF Energy is spearheading the government’s drive to build eight new nuclear power stations around England, starting with Hinkley Point in Somerset. Activists grouped outside EDF’s HQ with banners and gave out leaflets entitled: EDF Energy: exploiting the poor, polluting the planet.
Boycott EDF spokesperson Nancy Birch said:
“With the Fukushima nuclear crisis in Japan fresh in people’s minds, we firmly reject dangerous and false solutions to climate change like nuclear power.
“EDF Energy and the other five energy fat cats have almost complete control over our energy supplies in the UK. We are fed up with watching these companies put profit before people and planet.
Nancy added that a new model for energy provision is needed:
‘”It may be possible for energy dictators like EDF Energy to be persuaded (or forced) to cut their prices and switch to safer and more sustainable sources of energy, like renewables but we think that reforming the energy market can only be a partial solution to a much deeper problem.
“Control of our energy sources and supplies remains in the hands of big multinational corporations. As long as this situation continues, it will be extremely difficult for society to take the action necessary to wean itself off fossil fuels and nuclear power, and switch over to renewable and (predominantly) decentralised energy production, where the whole community benefits.
“We need a new model of energy production that provides for people’s needs without costing the earth, economically or environmentally. This can be done. Countries like Germany are starting to move in the right direction. The UK must move quickly to mobilise against the tyranny of the Big Six if we are to prevent further suffering and environmental destruction.”
“We want a future, not a disaster!”
Boycott EDF is a London-based group affiliated to the Stop Nuclear Power Network and a member of the Stop New Nuclear alliance.
Further details of these groups can be found at:
Boycott EDF: http://boycottedf.org.uk
Stop Nuclear Power Network: http://stopnuclearpoweruk.net
Stop New Nuclear alliance: http://stopnewnuclear.org.uk
Climate Justice Collective: http://climatejusticecollective.wordpress.com
Fuel Poverty Action: http://fuelpovertyaction.wordpress.com
Following a 400- strong blockade at Hinkley Point last October, Boycott EDF campaigners will be joining hundreds of other activists who are returning to the Somerset site during the weekend of 10-11 March 2012 to mark the first anniversary of the start of the Fukushima nuclear crisis in Japan.
More details: http://stopnewnuclear.org.uk
Rossport Fundraiser and Tree Occupation
27-01-2012 12:55
Last night a small group of people successfully managed to hang a net between some trees and drop a couple of banners in solidarity with Shell to Sea and Rossport Solidarity Camp. We plan to be here all day (Friday 27th) and possibly into the evening.
Last night a small group of people successfully managed to hang a
net between some trees and drop a couple of banners. We are in Waterloo
Crescent (opposite the Forest near the top of the hill if you follow the
tram lines up from noel st.)
We are in solidarity with Shell to Sea, Rossport Solidarity Camp and
all squats, occupations, strikes, campaigns and actions that are resisting
the systematic destruction of our communities and our environments.
There is a free skipped food meal (donations are welcome).
We want to be skillsharing as much as possible, and so far we have
tarpaulin sewing/patching/repairing, climbing, knots, making ropewalks
treehouse building and bender building to share. Any skills people would
like to bring and add, whatever they may be, will be very welcome.
We aren't sure how long we are going to be there but certainly all day and
possibly into the evening if it seems like a good idea.
Donations to Shell to Sea and Rossport Solidarity Camp are being collected.
Come visit, join in and show support!
Check out http://www.shelltosea.com/ and
http://www.rossportsolidaritycamp.org/ for more information on these
campaigns.
Occupy the Forest
Whither anarchism? - the state of UK anarchism
27-01-2012 11:03
Anarchists in the UK today stand at a historical crossroads. Whether we identify as students, workers, unemployed, as members of a network/organization or not, we are called upon to answer this fundamental question: what is our political relevance to the larger world in the context of the struggle against austerity and beyond?
Public meeting about Tescos store on Marston Road
27-01-2012 10:08
Public Meeting tonightJan 26 - RAP NEWS 11: Australia Day/ Invasion Day
27-01-2012 09:51
RAP NEWS 11: Australia Day (feat. Ken Oathcarn)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRhBRg-XkWY
Desert rebels fight for free Azawad
27-01-2012 08:12
DESERT rebels have launched a revolutionary war in the Sahara.#15MGlobalStrike – Italian Grassroots syndicalist general strike on 27 January
27-01-2012 02:00
We recognize that the strike on 27 January called by the USB, Unicobas, Orsa, SICobas, Snater and USI unions is an opportunity for this renewal of the ability to mobilize of the workers’ movement in Italy and as anarchist communists, we declare our solidarity with the workers of all kinds and with all those who join the strike and participate in the demonstration in Rome on Friday 27 January.police solidarity blockade of shell petrol station
27-01-2012 00:55
in many years of independent reporting, i've often seen situations where police have caused larger disruption than a handfull of protestors, closing roads, sometimes closing down businesses, and sometimes massively amplifying the power of the protestors alone (not that that's their intention). however, this evening was, i think, the first time that they so completely did the job of the activists for them, that the campaigners could sit in a nice warm pub and toast the met, instead of standing around in the cold themselves.
click on image for larger version. 'some rights reserved' - free for credited non-commercial use, otherwise contact author for permission
----
the protest this evening was called by the climate-conscious shell-bashing 'london rising tide' group, in co-ordination with the legendary activist samba band 'rhythms of resistance'.
each january, the band commemorate the life of activist, val jones, a woman who helped put the rossport county mayo struggles on the political map, and who, as a designer, produced many brilliant huge banners for the movement. she was sadly struck down with motor neurone disease and passed away two years ago. in memory of val, the commemoration takes the form of a shell garage blockade each year.
so, tonight, the call-out was for a blockade at the shell station in old street, the scene of previous blockades. around twenty people turned up to the meeting point, armed with drums, banners, and leaflets. well, actually someone forgot the leaflets, but as it turned out they weren't needed.
the usual time-line for these events is that the activists turn up at the garage, the band plays on the forecourt, the large banners are used to close the entrance to the site, and leaflets are handed out to staff, to motorists, and to passers-by. the staff then close the shop and call the police, who turn up after about half an hour. the police warn people that they might be committing aggravated trespass, and then they forcefully facilitate the continuation of the action on the pavement, so that the garage opens for business once more.
however, tonight, something was very different. even before the demo began, the garage went dark, bollards blocking its entrance, and small groups of police lurked on street corners nearby.
so the activists were confused. what to do? was there any point attempting a blockade of a garage that was already closed for business? previous estimates from blockades show that garages lose several thousands of pounds of business when they close, and this is of course part of the point of the protests. also, someone had forgotten the leaflets, so although there was a suggestion of moving to a different target, there was the concern the protest wouldn't be so effective without this element.
every now and then, someone went out to check the site, and the garage remained totally closed for business, all lights off, staff locked in their shop, and nonchalant street-corner policing. so, another drink, a bit of food, plans afoot for future actions, and as the cold wind built up, and the wet drizzle came down, the occasional check that the police were continuing to carry out the activists' mission.
an hour passed, another one, a third. wow, this was better than any previous small-scale blockade. there was fond reminiscing of the upper street blockade a few years ago, val and the band present, on a saturday. this had closed the upper street shell garage for five or six hours, and ended with loads of TSG arriving , a couple of arrests, and a lot of details taken. but it was a much larger scale event with lots of prior planning. tonight was always meant to be a small, token, and commemorative action.
after three hours, the police scaled down and appeared to leave, but the garage stayed closed for a futher two hours, until finally near 11pm it opened for business once more.
this has to have been the most successful blockade without a single activist present. maybe they should contact the guiness book of records. we have the photos, the eye-witness reports.
various theories emerged as to why this happened tonight, but none of us really know, so in the meantime, the met should be heartened that a glass or two was raised to them for their sterling work this evening in costing shell five hours-worth of business at a normally very busy london garage, and thanks to them that a couple of dozen activists stayed warm, safe and conspiratorial.
all involved hope that the met join in with even more solidarity for the big blockade on the 8th february (occupyoil).
Occupy Sheffield: High Court Judge decides protestors have a case
27-01-2012 00:11
Michael Gove Visiting Birmingham Tomorrow (Friday) – Protest 1pm
26-01-2012 23:51
Ninestiles Academy, Hartfield Crescent, Birmingham, B27 7FQ
Stratfor Intelligence Leaked by Anonymous that Reveals Spying on Occupy Movement
26-01-2012 23:36
Internet group Anonymous has leaked information from October and November 2011 suggesting that private intelligence firm STRATFOR has been working with Texas law enforcement to infiltrate the Occupy movement and spy on the Deep Green Resistance movement.Full article | 2 additions | 1 comment
Surprise legal development could undermine census trials throughout the UK
26-01-2012 19:55
The trial of a Glasgow woman accused of failing to fill in her census form properly was adjourned today at the request of the Procurator Fiscal. Barbara Dowling appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court expecting to defend herself against charges that she had committed a criminal offence by failing to fill her census form in properly in protest at the involvement in the census of defence and intelligence contractor CACI. CACI is implicated in human rights abuses at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq and has so far ducked responsibility by claiming legal immunity as a US government contractor. The Procurator Fiscal asked for the trial to be adjourned pending the outcome of a case before the UK Supreme Court which could make evidence collected by Register Office staff inadmissible.Leeds Antifascist Film Festival Programme
26-01-2012 19:33
Glasgow Solidarity Network Launch Sat. 28h Jan. 1pm
26-01-2012 18:33
SATURDAY 28TH JANAUARY
12 NOON - 1PM
NEXT TO THE CO-OP SUPERMARKET
285 GREAT WESTERN ROAD
WOODLANDS
GLASGOW G4 9HR
Citizen Show
26-01-2012 16:55
A Show About Creative Activism For All AgesPRSC New Gallery presents
CITIZEN An exhibition of Creative Activism from Newcastle, Bristol & Cumbria
A Show About Creative Activism For All Ages
The free show will run for one week
from Thursday January 26 until Thursday February 2 from 11 am - 6pm.
The Elders Council of Newcastle and Rural SOS of Cumbria
will be present at PRSC on Thursday 26th and Friday 27th.
ALL WELCOME
Newcastle anti-coal talk, 4th march
26-01-2012 14:48
at the star and shadow cinema, 4pm-6pm