UK Promoted Newswire Archive
Escalation Day for the Cambridge Students' Occupation.
03-12-2010 21:41
Day 8 – Morning session former-MP Alan Simpson tes
03-12-2010 11:23
Taken from: http://ratcliffeontrial.org/2010/12/day-8-%E2%80%93-morning-session-former-mp-alan-simpson-testifies-in-support-of-the-ratcliffe-defendants/
After two days' court time snowed off, we were back in today for a packed schedule, with two politicians testifying to the failure of government to tackle climate change.
Alan Simpson took the stand for the morning session and pointed the finger at the Big Six energy companies in the UK as key culprits pushing their profit-driven agenda at the expense of the planet.
Alan Simpson was MP for Nottingham South from 1992 until May 2010 when he "decided to resign my seat in order to devote my time to work on climate change and renewable energy policies." In his testimony he detailed how E.ON, the German energy giant that controls Ratcliffe on Soar power station, had attempted to undermine community controlled renewable projects in Germany at EU policy level - and been flat-out rejected by the EU court. Simpson described the power and resources of Big Six lobbying teams to "defend regimes that have as few restrictions as possible...If you want to change government policies then you have to stand up to big vested interests." The government didn't have the courage, and ordinary people not the resources, to stand up to the "cartel" of energy companies.
In response to the prosecution's endeavour to hold up the Climate Change Act as evidence of government response, Simpson pointed out that the UK was 3rd from the bottom of the European Renewable Energy League in 2008 saying that the Act "didn't change reality on the ground - our practical performance in renewable energy was only marginally better than our performance in the Eurovision Song Contest."
In support of the defendants he commented in his written testimony that "Climate Change protestors are in my view absolutely right to argue that we cannot continue with a ‘business as usual' approach to UK carbon emissions without threatening the very prospects of existence for future generations."
This morning the jury heard a local, established politician testify to the democratic deficit in the current system that allows the Big Six energy companies to maintain control in their pursuit of maximum profits. Will they begin to see the necessity of political protest and direct action in the face of unabated climate change?
Taken from: http://ratcliffeontrial.org/2010/12/day-8-%E2%80%93-morning-session-former-mp-alan-simpson-testifies-in-support-of-the-ratcliffe-defendants/
Day 8 – Leader of the UK Green Party
03-12-2010 11:23
Taken from http://ratcliffeontrial.org/2010/12/day-8-leader-of-the-uk-green-party-explains-the-eu-democratic-deficit/
This afternoon the much anticipated video-link with Caroline Lucas commenced. Former Green MEP from 1999 - 2010, and current MP for Brighton Pavilion, Lucas had a wealth of experience with the reality of the ‘democratic deficit'. The leader of the UK Green Party began her testimony by addressing the issue of targets and how the current targets set do not match up to the scale of the crisis we are facing. She stated a 90% reduction of emissions would be necessary to have any hope of stopping the global temperature rise at 2 degrees, with the current targets only as high as 80%.
In terms of her EU experience, Lucas aired her frustrations at the large amount of unelected power - both from the Commission, which has the power of initiation despite being unelected, and the equally undemocratic power given to corporate lobbyists, whom she claimed had better access to those in power than the elected officials themselves. This included, for examples, energy companies who lobbied against measures to reduce emissions, thwarting any attempts to improve the situation.
She also discussed the failure of the EU to prioritise realistic ways to reduce emissions, instead primarily focussing on flawed schemes such as carbon trading, which she stated was open to large amounts of abuse.
In regard to the British Parliament, the complete lack of interest in the climate was clear when Lucas stated that a recent debate on the Cancun Climate Summit had only been attended by 12 MPs, with the Prime Minister failing to attend the summit in favour of the World Cup bid. It was evident from Lucas's testimony that at both a national and supranational level, politicians were failing in their duty to protect the public from the effects of climate change.
The trial will continue from Monday, with more experts and defendants giving evidence.
News from the Great Hall Occupation
03-12-2010 00:23
News from the occupation in the Great Hall, Trent Buildng, University of Nottingham.
News from the Occupation
Latin and Ball Room Society enjoy pedal powered class! While the University failed to address Latin and Ball Room Society’s concerns that there is no electricity being supplied to the Great Hall, the peaceful occupiers were only too happy to supply the impressive dancers with pedal powered speakers! Latin and Ball Room Society can now be added to the list of student groups that have successfully enjoyed the space being occupied by Nottingham Student’s Against Fee’s and Cuts. Educational activities and events taking place in the occupied Great Hall Yesterday saw Dance Society use the space, while also borrowing speakers, and since the occupation began a number of seminars and lectures from the departments of Sociology, Politics, Critical Theory, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Latin America have taken place. In addition, two Venezuela activities visited the occupation to express solidarity and support. Joel Linares and Marco Manresa sang Venezuelan protest songs while also sharing their experiences of student and community organising in Venezuela. The workshop with the Venezuelan’s was referred to by many as “inspirational” as the two explained how students were instrumental in the attainment of free higher education in Venezuela. While the occupiers are busy facilitating learning through seminars, lectures, discussions, workshops and other educational events and activities, the registrar, Paul Geatrix, interrupted a Politics lecturer to make his brief, false and ineffective statement which has been officially responded to by the occupiers. Billy Brag supports Great Hall Occupation While performing in Rock City, the rock musician and activist Billy Bragg commended the Great Hall occupation. Two members of the occupation were allowed into Rock City in order to flyer the concert-goers about the occupation. If Billy Bragg is able, he will visit the occupation on Saturday the 4th of December. This is also the day of the joint demonstration between the University of Nottingham, Trent, college and school students across Nottingham. It has been suggested that the students wanting to fight the cuts, come to the Great Hall for a meeting to discuss how to further unite and organise.
UEL Students in Occupation Get Creative
02-12-2010 18:07
End of the first week of occupation at University of East London and still going strong
Talks, teach-ins and guitar lessons every day. Everyone welcome
Palestine Today 12 02 2010
02-12-2010 16:50
UEA students occupy!
02-12-2010 09:15
At approximately 8.15am a group of UEA students rushed into the council building of the University of East Anglia and began a peaceful occupation to protest the government’s plans to raise tuition fees and cut funding to higher education.'Nothing' snapped up by Oxford street shoppers
02-12-2010 03:35
On a chilly Saturday afternoon on 27th of November, Oxford street shoppers
were distracted by the launch of London Rising Tide's sales and advertising
team's new product, Nothing(c).
We decided to mark the annual Buy Nothing Day this year by giving out a
thousand free samples of '˜Nothing' to the desperate shoppers scrabbling for the latest must-have item. On our stall we had Nothing for everyone: “ Nothing for Men, Nothing for Women, Nothing Lite, Nothing for Those who have Everything and Nothing - Now with even Less. A cheeky flyer explaining
the authenticity of our product and giving a link to the Buy Nothing Day website was given out along with the box of Nothing.
Half-way through the action on a hectic Oxford Street the security guards came to our sleek product launch with an intention to move us on, as apparently it is illegal to give out Nothing on Oxford Street. The police were quick to join the security and to avoid wasting our time we decided to visit shoppers on Carnaby street, where 'Nothing' found same rate of popularity.
The reaction of passers-by was generally very positive, from questions of was our action art to genuine interest of what our product was all about i.e. what are we trying to sell. Quite a few people even said that they will be giving our little box of '˜Nothing' to their loved ones for Christmas. Now that's a successful Buy Nothing Day action! The action was thought-provoking for passers-by, and much enjoyed by us.
http://www.londonrisingtide.org.uk/
Text on the flyer:
Front Side:
NOTHING
Certificate of Authenticity
Congratulations on choosing Nothing. Whether at today’s product launch you received Nothing ‘for Men’ or Nothing ‘for Women’, Nothing ‘Now with even Less’ or Nothing ‘Lite’ this certificate guarantees that the product you have in your hands is 100% genuine Nothing.
Consumer benefits of Nothing
We all know the joyous feeling we get when we buy something new and shiny… Nothing goes one step further. From designing to testing, market research to sales analysis we have brought you the perfect product, and as much as any other product, Nothing can provide you with:
*Happiness
*Confidence
*Love
*Beauty
*Self-worth
*Success
We in the Nothing sales and advertising team have only your best interests at heart, and we hope that this product gives you hours of satisfaction. Should this product prove defective, damaging your mind, body or world, we will happily sell you another one.
The gift of Nothing
If you enjoy your free trial of Nothing, why not give Nothing as a gift to friends and family this Christmas? Get 50% off your next purchase of Nothing with this certificate. Do be aware however that just after you’ve received a Nothing Christmas gift, we’ll be launching the New and Improved Nothing… “now with even LESS”.
Nothing: for those who have everything.
Connect with other fans of Nothing on Twitter
Reverse side:
When you get home tonight and unpack your bags, we hope it’s our little box of ‘Nothing’ that brings you the biggest smile.
Curious? Find out more:
Voices from occupied Nottingham
01-12-2010 18:23
I popped down to the University of Nottingham today to see how the student occupiers were getting on. I found a well organised group making use of the space for workshops, meetings and catching up with their coursework. In between these activities a few of the occupiers found time to chat about what it's all about.
As soon as I arrived at the Trent Building the enhanced security presence was obvious. Two guards were stood outside the main entrance (near the VC's office) and a few more were prowling about.
In spite of the snow some of the occupiers were enthusiastically handing out flyers for their 1pm general meeting and encouraging groups of students to come and check out the space.
The Great Hall is a great space for the students to have taken. It is just down the corridor from the offices of the main administrators of the university, including the Vice Chancellors office. It is also mainly used for corporate functions so a) the students aren't disrupting much teaching and b) they're hitting the university where it hurts, in the pocket.
The occupiers are well organised, taking it in turns to do door duty, which mainly involves keeping security away. Security seem to be keeping a low profile at the moment, although one guy did turn up when he saw some lads from Beeston come in for food. He seemed very concerned that they were going to nick all of the occupiers' stuff!
The occupation is well stocked for food and other provisions. Apparently one lecturer turned up with a shopping trolley full of stuff for them. They say they have had a mixed reception from the student body, who are mostly apathetic, but have had a great reception from members of staff.
There is a whiteboard on the wall which is being used to timetable events. While I was there there were a number of workshops scheduled including a speaker from Venezuela, activism and the media and one about staff involvement with the campaign. There was also a general meeting planned which was to be a decision making forum about how to continue the protests and the occupation.
Yesterday the students had a march and rally before starting the occupation. They said it was several hundred strong and included local sixth formers and students from Nottingham Trent.
The occupiers would really like more people to come and support them, so please come along and keep the space occupied!
Uni of Nottingham Occupation: Update
01-12-2010 18:23
‘Nottingham Students defy the freeze to continue their fight for Higher Education’
Despite the snow and the heating being turned off, Nottingham Students are occupying the Great Hall in the Trent Building of Nottingham University, for a second day since Tuesday afternoon. Following a general meeting at 1pm today, the students are organising a programme of alternative education, film screenings, workshops and talks, while encouraging regular classes to continue within the space. The occupiers claim that they have doubled in number over the past 24 hours.
This action is part of a larger national student campaign taking place on campuses across the country, against proposed cuts to HE funding and fee hikes. The students are demanding that their university lobby the Russell Group and the government to change their stance and to issue a statement condemning all cuts to Higher Education, EMA and the rise in tuition fees. They have also demanded that The University implement a complete open book policy with regards to existing budget constraints, and ensure no redundancies for teaching, research or support staff.
After an unsuccessful attempt by the campaign to have a face to face meeting with university management last week, the students decided that they had no alternative but to pursue further action in an effort to defend Higher Education and the right to education for all. Since the Registrar made a statement yesterday, no further communication from the university management has been received, despite ongoing attempts by the students to initiate a dialogue.
They have been joined by students from Nottingham Trent University, Bilborough College, Djanogly City Academy and Sixth Form, and New College Nottingham. Tom Anderton from Bilborough College said that he is here because “I’ve received hundreds of emails from students on EMA who are afraid that without it, they will be unable to go to college and tuition fee rises to £9,000 would make it impossible to go to university.”
Ends
Email: nsafac@gmail.com
Website: nsafc.wordpress.com
Facebook: Nottingham Students Against Cuts and Fees
Twitter: @nsafc
Newcastle students take direct action to make themselves heard
01-12-2010 17:41
Today, students from the Newcastle University Occupation took peaceful direct action in the finance building of the university.Hundreds take to the streets of Cambridge on Tuesday (Part 2)
01-12-2010 17:24
Hundreds take to the streets of Cambridge on Tuesday (Part 1)
01-12-2010 17:03
It is a tale of two opposing, elemental forces, one of a ruling elite who thinks they know what is best for their subjects, and then there is a select few of their 'subjects', who have other ideas about what is best for them.
What I saw yesterday in Cambridge was the overwhelmingly creative, but also angry response to the decisions that the ruling elite are currently making.
Palestine Today 12 01 2010
01-12-2010 16:48
Students Defy Police to Take Streets
01-12-2010 12:25
Thousands of students and austerity cuts protestors took to the streets of London on DayX2 in another national day of action [uk reports]. Refusing to be stopped by hundreds of police officers [1,2] they took their protest mobile, marching miles across the capital city chanting slogans, chased by a police force playing catch up [report + pics]. Later having returned to Trafalgar Square clashes saw one woman knocked unconscious. Mass arrests followed with around 140 people arrested for breach of the peace in an apparent new policing tactic [report + pics].
SEE: Full Account, Pics + Upcoming Demos | Timeline | Tumblewire | Videos [1,2,3,4,5,6] Kings Occupied | Slade Occupied | Cuts Wire | Legal Support 07946541511
Second Lecture - University For Strategic Optimism
Boots branch occupied in search for missing 86 million quid
01-12-2010 11:15
Bradford Students Day of Action Against Cuts
01-12-2010 04:23
Students take to the streets in Bradford; Trade unionists, pensioners and priests join forces to combat impending attack on education and public services.
X2 30th november student protests (part 1)
01-12-2010 04:22
police forced students to change their plans quickly this afternoon. although organisers had furnished and agreed the route of their march from trafalgar square to parliament, within minutes of the start, police began attempting a kettle of peaceful demonstrators. in response, students changed their plans and ran around central london while police tried to contain them. eventually the focus was back at trafalgar square.
both UCL occupation and NCAFC (national campaign against funding cuts) have released statements condemning police actions at the very start of today's protests.
the original plan was to rally at trafalgar square, and then march to parliament square. police had been informed of this plan and according to the statements, agreement had been reached. however, within minutes of the rally beginning, police moved in to try to kettle the protest in trafalgar square, and not wanting to be held in freezing and wet conditions like the week before, the students quickly escaped and ran through st james' park.
groups split off, and while some arrived in parliament square, they soon saw that the square was like some sort of military zone, and barriers had been erected to keep them well away from parliament, so they headed off for a jaunt round london.
i followed one group through st james park, where i met MP john mcdonnell, who told me he thought indymedia was "brilliant".
the students i was with, made it up to oxford circus, but i heard others went via the mall with some serious skirmishes with police, and past buckingham palace and hyde park. another group of more than a thousand were seen heading along the embankment towards the city.
at oxford circus, several hundred people blocked the junction and danced to samba, but as police arrived and tried to contain the crowd, skirmishes again broke out as students rushed to escape a kettle, and some police lashed out at them. one young man was brutally arrested on regent street by members of the TSG.
by keeping to back streets and splitting up further, this group eventually made it down to trafalgar square which seemed to have become a focal point for the protest after all.
thousands of students stood on nelson's plinth, and milled aound the square, while police built up huge numbers at every road exit and brought central london to a halt.
a well-prepared group of protestors erected a small marquee tent and served hot food, while a sound sytem and a samba band provided music.
X2 30th november student protests (part two)
01-12-2010 04:22
as the light faded in trafalgar square, the crowd tested two or three of the exits and more fighting broke out. at one point, police in the north-west corner made a charge into an angry crowd, and in the process a young woman was knocked unconscious. police refused to allow medics in, claiming they feared for their officers safety, even though students offered to stand well back. arguments went on for some time while the woman laid there, until eventually a group of police and medics moved forward, picked her up (without a brace or any check on her condition) and ran her behind police lines.
NB if you didn't realise, you can see larger versions of pics on indymedia london by clicking on them
some petty pilfering at tescos gave the police the excuse to close it down, and some fighting occured and a window was damaged. as riot police flooded that area, one particular inspector, pictured, lashed out at someone simply because they were "too close" (not having much room to move back because of others behind him). again, there was a serious injury as the protestor fell back and was wounded. some people screamed for medics and then carried the wounded man to the police line, also shouting at the inspector that he had done this.
this police operation eventually stood down. during it, press were not allowed in or out of cordons even with press cards.
riot police then removed protestors from the plinths, sometimes aggressively, and making at least two arrests. this large group of police guarding the plinth were taunted by the crowd who shouted "you're kettled".
again, these police withdrew, but not for long.
suddenly, hundreds of police charged across the square in full riot gear from several directions. backed up by mounted police, they formed an impenetrable kettle at the entrance to the strand, capturing probably around a couple of hundred protestors (and passers-by).
there were certainly far more police than there were students, but the students remained unfazed, shouting slogans, doing the hokey-cokey, singing carols, or just sitting under the heavy sleet and snow.
police made occasional snatches to arrest individuals alleged to have been involve in criminal damage.
i was disturbed once again (having seen a medic using fire extinguishers in the faces of protestors last week) to see medics acting like bully boys. one completely lost control at someone outside the kettle who he said was standing too close to him. other officers had to actually restrain the medic to stop him attacking the by-stander!
over the next couple of hours, police began allowing people to leave one at a time.
customarily, kettles are employed when a section 60 has been enforced, and as people leave, they are photographed with any face-coverings removed, and they can be searched for any offensive weapons, although police often use the search as an excuse to go through any identifying documents even though strictly this is not allowed in law. however, there is no legal requirement to provide a name and address.
this evening though, police used a new technique. as each person was escorted out, they were placed in front of one of three forward intelligence teams, who interviewed them in front a bright light and video camera. they were told they were being arrested for breach of the peace, and that they therefore had to give their name and address. some were loaded into vans - others were, after giving all their details and being photographed and videoed from every angle, told they were now de-arrested and allowed to leave - many of these were under-18.
this is a worrying mass addition to the police database of young people not guilty or suspected of any crime, but simply protesting about ideological and political education cuts by an undemocratic and unelected government.
i aslo saw a line of police writing up their note-books and openly chatting and collaborating while doing so.
mainstream media are quoting around 150 arrests, although i think this includes the mock and temporary arrests as people left the kettle. however, dozens were taken away in vans and there had been several arrests earlier during the course of the day.
Film: DAY X2 - Birmingham youth and students take to the streets..
01-12-2010 03:27
Web Link to Video