UK Promoted Newswire Archive
Palestine Today 08 02 2010
02-08-2010 15:41
Possession Order granted to legal owner of JBSpray
02-08-2010 13:25
A judge granted a Posession Order for the JB Spray factory in Radford this morning. The order gives the legal right for David Andrew Philips, the legal owner, to evict squatters from the building which has been occupied since last Spring. This will make the current occupants homeless, and place a wonderful building back in the hands of someone who has left it to rot for many years. The occupants want help resisting eviction so get down there if you can.
The case was heard in Nottingham's County Court. Several occupants and their supporters turned up to defend themselves. Representing Mr Philips was a representative of the company that 'manages' the building on his behalf, a Miss Tracy Mallet. Miss Mallet is none other than the person who falsely claimed to be the owner of the building during a previous illegal eviction of squatters in 2006: http://nottinghamshire.indymedia.org.uk/2006/07/344121.html - Miss Mallet is pictured in the first photo. She was accompanied by a man who did not participate in the proceedings.
The occupiers were served with a photocopy of a page from the Squat Lobster website which 'proved they were squatters' and an invoice from Hire Station for equipment used by the occupants to secure the leaking roof of the building. The judge referred to neither document.
The owner had submitted a statement saying the current occupants had not been granted a license to use the building, although one of the occupiers expressed doubt as to whether it was Mr Philips who had signed the statement. The defence case rested on statements from occupiers that they had been informed that the group living in the building had been granted a license. The judge quickly ruled that, on the balance of probability, Mr Philips was entitled to a Possession Order.
Miss Mallet did not pursue the occupiers for costs because 'they don't have jobs so probably don't have any money'. When the defence representative raised the concern that occupiers would be made homeless by an eviction, hte judge rebuffed him saying that they should have realised that a Possession Order was sought. However, she did say that those in exceptional circumstances should petition the courts for an extension of stay in the building.
The occupiers were not surprised by the decision but are resolute in their intention to resist eviction from the building. They request help from anyone who sees the injustice of their situation. If you want to help the JB Spray occupiers get down there soon before the bailiffs do.
Nottingham Pride 2010
01-08-2010 14:24
Nottingham Pride is now in its eighth year. Apparently going from success to success, this year's event was for the first time held at the Forest Recreation Ground, a step-up from the Arboretum where it has been held previously. Following on from last year, the event was preceded by a well-attended march. Encouragingly this year, there was an explicitly political fringe event, although politics also intruded on the festivities with the appearance of a small group of Islamic fundamentalists.
This year's march followed the same route as last year's albeit in the opposite direction. Marchers formed up in the Arboretum, near the bandstand, from 10.30am and set-off, with a punctuality unfamiliar to seasoned activists, shortly before 11am. The weather had not looked promising while people were arriving at the Arboretum and there had been a brief shower at about 10.45, but this didn't last and the rain held off for most of the day.
The march was led by a marching band (returning from last year) playing unique covers of pop classics. Although the Arboretum had looked fairly empty while people were gettting ready, the numbers seemed to swell once it got started with getting on for 1,000 people taking part by my estimate. Snaking its way down North Sherwood Street, left onto Shakespeare Street and then onto Mansfield Road and up to the Forest Rec, the protest was a colourful event with banners from assorted local organisations.
Homophobic stickers had appeared in the city in the run-up to this year's Pride and following appearances at the recent Derby Pride, there was an expectation that Islamic fundamentalists would show their face. With an additional rumour that the EDl might also show up the police were out in force, with the march led by police horses and with the CCTV van and dirt bikes also available.
The fundamentalists had ensconced themselves at the entrance to the Forest Rec, opposite the Forest Lodge, under the watchful eye of Inspector Andy Townsend and a police evidence gathering team. To my mind the small group (there were only about 12 of them) recalled the characters in Chris Morris' Four Lions (particularly Barry), but were apparently unaware of their own descent into cliche. As marchers approached the Islamists began a chant of "Shame on you," which was greeted by a mass of people giving them the finger, jeering and even waving. Although they had apparently been in place from about 10am, the group headed off within minutes of the march coming past them, presumably returning to whichever other city they'd travelled from, my suspicions being that they were the same group who showed up in Derby and not local. If this is the worst that the Islamic fundamentalist movement in the East Midlands can muster I'm not sure we have much to worry about.
The main Pride event was in the middle of the Forest Recreation Ground, surrounded by an unwelcoming fence. There were two stages, with stalls running diagonally across the site between them. For the first time this year there was a "speaker's corner" area for political discussions, although this had pointedly been placed in a distant corner to ensure nobody stumbled across it by accident. Far be it that politics get in the way of people's enjoyment of this year's headliners, the Cheeky Girls.
As in previous years the stalls were dominated by organisations looking to up their credentials as equal opportunities employers, among them Nottingham City Council, Nottinghamshire County Council Registrars, Nottinghamshire Police, British Transport Police, Nottingham City Homes and even Her Majesty's revenue and Customs. There were also a splattering of unions (RCN, Unison, Unite) and a few local LGBT organisations. The Co-Operative were particularly prominent for some reason. They had a large banner on the march and a huge stall promoting membership of the Co-Op, the plight of honey bees and their motoring group. Unlike previous years there was no general activist presence, apparently because the cost of stalls had been increased.
Alongside the official events, a fringe meeting had been organised in the nearby Djanogly Leisure Centre in an attempt to up the political content of Pride, all too often seen as little more than a big party. The meeting was addressed by Claire, a trans activist and vice-chair of the NUT LGBT advisory group; Skye Chirape, a Zimbabwean lesbian activist, former asylum seeker and founding member of NOIZY Image; and Peter Tatchell, well-known human rights activist and co-founder of Outrage! Ali Hili of Iragi LGBT has also hoped to speak, but was unfortunately too ill to do so.
Clare began the meeting by describing the situation of trans people across the world. As might be expected, in many places the situation is not good and it is often the police and authorities who are responsible for much of the abuse. Even in the UK she suggested that gender non-conformity was often treated as a mental condition and that this needed to be challenged.
A letter was then read from Ali Hili apologising for his non-attendance. In it he noted that while Iraq had been a relatively safe place for LGBTI people under Saddam Hussein, more than 750 LGBTI people had been murdered or gone missing since the invasion, many of them as part of an orchestrated campaign by Shia leaders. The role of foreign intervention in the spreading of homophobia was a theme which continued in Skye Chirape's talk. She noted the influence of colonialism, pointing to the existence of same sex unions in traditional societies. Colonialism had imposed a number of homophobic laws which remained in place. Skye described the the invisibility of LGBTI people in Zimbabwean society. This fits into a perception that people cannot be gay and black. She noted that in the Stonewall riots a sizeable proportion of the rioters had been from an ethnic minority, but that now Pride had become predominantly white.
At this point there was an opportunity for some questions. This led to a discussion about the police's engagement with Pride and whether it should be taken seriously. Skye noted her own very negative experiences with the immigration services who she described as racist and homophobic. Richard McCance, the chair and organiser of the meeting, also took this opportunity to draw attention to the city council's decision to cut the funding for the Outburst youth group which supports LGBTI young people.
Peter Tatchell was in someways the big draw at the event. Described by Richard McCance as the "scourge of the tabloids," Tatchell has been a longstanding human rights activist famous for his direct action protests. He began by expressing his support for the campaign against cuts by a Labour council. He talked about the the fact that no international convention explicitly protects the rights of LGBTI people. Around 80 countries continued to ban homosexuality, including 46 of the 54 Commonwealth states. Despite, or perhaps, because of this the Commonwealth refuses to speak out against the abuses perpetrated against LGBTI individuals by its members, something Tatchell has tried to change. He was clear that these homophobic laws, were not authentic expressions of traditional cultures as they had been imposed by colonial powers and never repealed.
Despite the bleak situation Tatchell was clear that there is hope and pointed to the heterosexuals who had spoken out against homophobia, often at great risk to themselves. This he suggested had helped ensure the release of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, imprisoned for 14 years in Malawi after celebrating their engagement. Despite the problems, Tatchell finished by suggesting that the tide of history was flowing in our direction and that we just needed to give it a bit of a push.
At this point there was a further opportunity for contributions from the floor. This presented an opportunity for the party lines to be trotted out by the local lefties. Hence we had a critique of "clerical fascism" from an AWL member and a call for a "new workers' party" from a Socialist Party comrade. (The SWP - who had been out and about earlier in the day for the march - were notable by their absence.) There was also a contribution from a woman at the back who revealed herself to be a member of the police and trotted out their official line as a counterpoint. There was also a discussion about how best to deal with fundamentalists of whatever stripe and a suggestion from Tatchell that people ensure they engage with local muslim communities.
This was a positive meeting which served to inject some much needed politics back into Pride. Grappling not only with the politics of homophobia, but also with the issues around immigration and asylum it is to be hoped that this will become a feature of future Prides.
Nottingham Pride - Political Speakers
01-08-2010 12:25
To coincide with Nottingham's Pride event, which ended on the Forest Rec, local LGBT activists organised a public meeting to discuss the political freedom and human rights of the LGBT community across the world. Peter Tatchell, Skye Chirape (lesbian activist and artist from Zimbabwe) and Claire Jenkins (trans-activist) spoke about LGBT struggles for recognition and freedom in different parts of the world, the experiences of LGBT asylum seekers in Britain and cuts to funding for LGBT people in Nottingham. Ali Hili (Iraqi gay activist) was unable to attend through ill health, but a message from him was read out.
Recordings of the speeches are included below (apologies for the poor quality - there was a problem with the microphone).
The meeting was chaired by Richard McCance, a veteran Nottingham LGBT activist who expressed dismay at council cuts of funding to Outburst, an outreach group for isolated LGBT youths across Nottinghamshire. He referred to a recent case in Derby where a teenage gay boy, spurned by his boyfriend, threatened to jump from a tall building. Emergency services had started coaxing him down when a crowd of people who'd gathered goaded him to jump to his death. It was people like this lad who were so desperately in need of services like Outburst.
In the discussion that followed a member of the audience expressed concern about a small handful of Islamists who had turned up to protest Pride. Peter Tatchell was quick to point out the importance of dialogue between the LGBT community and local Muslims, recounting very positive experiences he'd had in the past.
All of the speakers were clear in pointing out that much of the homophobia that exists in the post-colonial world has its roots in imported Victorian colonial values and an extremist missionary Christianity. This makes claims by macho African leaders that homosexuality is 'un-African' false. The struggle for LGBT rights in Africa was described as the continuation of African liberation.
The meeting was well attended - extra mats had to be brought into the room so that people could sit on the floor because all the seats were filled - and there were calls for it to be made an annual event. Let's hope it happens again next year.
Critical Mass Edinburgh
31-07-2010 09:23
Nice one everyone that turned out for July Critical Mass, it was apparent unfortunately that the Police's heavy handed tactics last time succeeded in scaring a lot of people away.
Speaking from the Heart
30-07-2010 23:22
Sadly I didn't catch the beginning of this one.Vegan Food Giveaway Outside McDonald's
30-07-2010 22:56
Vegan Food Give Away Outside McDonald's
30-07-2010 20:24
12pm 30th July 2010
outside the McDonald's, St Peters Gate
There was a free food give-away in Nottingham City Centre, outside the McDonald's at St Peters Gate.
There was a free food give-away in Nottingham City Centre, outside the McDonald's at St Peters Gate.
Free vegan food samples was given out to passers by, along with recipe books compiled by Nottingham Vegan Campaigns.
See reports of previous events:
http://www.veggies.org.uk/event.php?ref=1400
The 'give-away' included a range of sweet and savoury foods for people to try, including food made by volunteers at the previous day's cookery skill share at the Sumac Centre.
I an interesting development. Instead of some the past antagonism from managers and staff from within McDonald's .... this time a couple of staff member were at their door, giving out their own leaflets !!!
*****
.... and a bit more, related stuff.
Nottingham: Another Anti-G8/McDonalds event
http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2004/06/293277.html
McDonalds, Nottingham. :: Celebrating the McLibel Two
http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/02/305441.html
Day of Action against McDonald's in Nottingham
http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/10/325892.html
Nottingham's part of the Worldwide Day of Action Against McDonalds
http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/10/353559.html
Day of Action on Food and Climate Change: food giveaway & anti-Tesco demo
http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2008/06/400226.html
2005 East Midlands Vegan Festival, Nottingham Council House
http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2005/12/329787.html
2007 East Midlands Vegan Festival, Nottingham Council House
http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2007/12/387387.html
Tash on food 'collected'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tash/sets/72157603274353832
____________________________________________
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>
No Justice No Peace...
30-07-2010 20:22
About 200 people rallied today at Rose Court after it was announced that there will be no prosecution of Ian Tomlinson's murderers. Quite a few people took the opportunity to express their anger and grief, about Ian Tomlinson and everyone who has died at the hands of the police. Then the crowd took to the streets and after a short halt at Bank went to Cornhill to have a minute of silence in memory of Ian Tomlinson.
This is only the first installment, wait for more...
Marching into the City
30-07-2010 17:28
AROUND 200 protesters gathered outside the DPP's office in London on Friday and then staged a spontaneous march to the spot where Ian Tomlinson died in April 2009.Newcastle Protest Against Police Violence
30-07-2010 16:44
Waders tie down Shell testing rig in Mayo, Republic of Ireland
30-07-2010 16:39
10 people from the Rossport solidarity camp delayed Shell’s survey work for the dangerous and experimental Corrib gas pipeline yesterday. The campaigners waded out to one of the rigs drilling boreholes in the Sruwaddacon estuarythe rig at high tide, fixed rope around the legs of the rig, and occupied the space underneath it to prevent the being moved to a new site. Work was delayed for around two hours.Manchester Antifascist Alliance (MAFA) news, events and actions.
30-07-2010 16:23
MAFA continues the fight against fascism through the summer and beyond.This Week in Palestine – Week 30 2010
30-07-2010 16:13
Anti Arms Trade Activists sticker Barclays Bikes
30-07-2010 14:22
Tesco anti community actions and local authority c
30-07-2010 13:24
As Tesco submits its panning application campaigners are hampered by the local authority
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The people of Keyworth heard last week that Tesco had submitted a planning application for the much opposed store in their village. Tesco followed form and waited until the first week of the school holidays, when people will be away, to submit the application. The submission comes after several private meetings between Tesco and Rushcliffe Borough Council’s (RBC) planners who say that the community has only 21 days for consultation!
So it is Tesco and RBC on one side and the community of the Keyworth on the other. The undermining of the community’s campaign by RBC is shocking and some examples demonstrate this.
At the start of the campaign an RBC planning officer requested that people to not write individually to them to object as they do not have the resources to deal with this. They recommended that a petition should be sent instead. This is a complete deception: a petition, even with thousands of signatures, on carries the same weight as one objection!
The most damning and worrying evidence of RBC’s collusion/incompetence is in a shocking letter sent by Rushcliffe’s Head of Planning to the campaign recently : -
“A site the size of Selby Lane would not necessarily have been one where developers would consult with the local community and I am pleased that TESCO have held a public exhibition. The purpose of developers in engaging with the local community is for the developers to understand the local views and where feasible to take on board changes to their schemes to reflect those views rather than for letters to be sent to the Council. I would anticipate that any application they may submit would include a statement about the views expressed to them.
Ms S D Harley
Head of Planning and Place Shaping”
Note that the letter refers to the purpose of Tesco’s exhibition. RBC cannot know Tesco’s purpose, only what Tesco claim was their purpose. Uncritical parroting of Tesco’s claims displays blatant bias.
But even worse, the letter states that RBC planners are happy to listen to Tesco’s account of the community’s views and save the community the bother of writing to the Council to object !
Tesco had a mini exit questionnaire at their exhibition but admitted on three separate occasions that the results would not be independently audited, nor was the survey independently designed or administered.
It is not possible to know whether RBC’s actions and attitude is due to incompetence or collusion although until we obtain further evidence we should give the benefit of the doubt and suspect the former.
The trouble is Tesco are not incompetent at what they do – they are very, very good.
It is just a pity that our local authority has neither the will nor skill to remain impartial.
Update: RBC report they found technical problems with Tesco’s initial planning application and have asked them to resubmit. We will have to speculate about what is behind this – it is not as if Tesco don’t; know how to put together a planning application!
Palestine Today 07 29 2010
29-07-2010 15:58
Calais update
28-07-2010 16:33
Plenty of activists are currently on the ground in Calais, which has enabled us to effectively intervene in a number of raids. We have also been distributing supplies such as tents and sleeping bags, doing water runs, and cooking large vegan meals with the migrants as one of the charities is on holiday. Here is an update of yesterday's events.Palestine Today 07 28 2010
28-07-2010 15:42
Earth First! gathering, 4-9 August, programme & location announced
28-07-2010 11:29
The full details of the Earth First! summer gathering is up on the website, how to get there, progamme and all.