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Leeds Bradford Feature Archive

New plans for maelstrom anti-repression squat

09-11-2004 16:00

Maelstrom is Leeds' squatted infoshop, located at the old Post Office in Hyde Park Corner. After three succesful weeks of events (read the story so far) a weekly schedule has been set. Regular events will include

Tuesdays: Reading Group from 7.30pm
Wednesdays: Cafe + Discussion and/or film
Thursdays: Subvertising Workshop from 6pm

For info on irregular events or if you are interested in holding an event @ maelstrom just keep checking indymedia or the front door.

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Leeds social centre bloom

20-10-2004 19:45

Leeds' brand new infosquat, Maelstrom, opened its doors on Thursday 21st October. It is located at the old Post Office, Hyde Park Corner, Woodhouse Street. Next week's events include talks on prison and the panopticon society, prisoner writing and card making, talk and discussion on biometrics, talk on nanotechnology, discussion on slipping through the systems cracks and much, much more! (click here for a full list).

Meanwhile, the opening of Leeds' social centre is only a few weeks away. If you want to get involved, simply contact leeds arc or pop into one of the social centre meetings: the next one is at at 7.30pm on Nov 4 @ the cafe in Holy Trinity Church, Boar Lane [map]

Keep Space for Peace Week

25-09-2004 00:34

Saturday 25th saw an important demonstration at Fylingdales on the North Yorks Moors. The protest helped mark the start of Keep Space for Peace Week, raising a voice againgst Star Wars.

The demonstration moved to the entrance of the base and then took advantage of a newly discovered right of way to enter the property and walk right up to the Radar. Speakers at the entrance including Thom Yorke and CND Chair Kate Hudson.

Next Saturday there will be another demonstration, to mark the end of the week, this time at Menwith Hill. '2004 Space Oddity' Demo call

Newswire: Demo Annoucement | Report and Photos

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Hyde Park Unity Day 2004

24-07-2004 18:44

The 2004 Unity Day in Hyde Park is on Woodhouse Moor on Saturday 7th August. There will be the usual ace line up of music, entertainment and other local talents.

Get down there and support this ace, free, not for profit event!
for more information see

http://www.unityday.com/

Independence day at Menwith Hill

07-07-2004 16:52

On the 4th of July, at Menwith Hill Spy Base, protestors came to declare Independence from America. They were joined by Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army (CIRCA) and Sheffield Samba Band.

Clown Bloc were the highlight of the day, especially when we stopped at a gate, with 100 ft giant golfballs from space surrounded by razor wire, fences, fluoro police etc. The clowns formed a wall and waved us on..."Move on please, nothing to see here!"

Reports of the day were all positive, except for the complaints about the heavy handed policing. They "surround[ed] the demo with cops, not letting people leave the demo when they wanted too, and generally using their power over people to make them feel controlled and disempowered." "There were far too many police present and they were a little rough to, begin I saw a bit of pushing and shoving". "Refusing access to public footpath, which nearly kicked off at the start of the march".

Police took the names and address of drivers as they arrived, filming car number plates and passengers. The woman guiding round the base "said (after the pushing/shouting incident), that the organisers of the demo had really tried to work with the police, and as the police were being so aggressive with people, maybe they shouldn’t work with them next time."

Report, Comments and Pictures | More Pictures | Sheffield Samba's Photo Album

Clown Army Invade Leeds

04-07-2004 19:47

In the week of the 'hand over' of power in Iraq an army formed "the Clown Provisional Authority in Leeds." Stating that "Our action is a last resort. We have no quarrel with the people of Leeds. Our purpose is to ridicule, mock, tease and undermine the rich and powerful war profiteers."

On Friday they visited: the Army recruitment centre, making them close for the day.

A visit to Labour Party offices was made to offer Hilary Benn, Cabinet Minister and MP for Leeds Central, "the position of Minister for International Clowning Development. Any further signs of careerism or profiteering from government representatives will result in custard pie interrogation and severe tickling."

Reports and Pictures: 1 | 2
Sheffield IMC report

Dissent! meeting in Bradford, July 3/4

27-06-2004 11:17

Dissent!, a network of resistance against the G8, held a gathering at the 1 in 12 Club in Bradford, on the 3rd and 4th of July 2004.

'Dissent! A Network of Resistance Against the G8' was formed at the end of November 2003. Local groups and working groups are now forming to build a response to the G8 which it is hoped will exist well beyond the summer of 2005. Work has already started on producing publicity and information materials and putting together roadshows to mobilise people for action. Networking with social movements in Europe and further afield has begun, and across the UK solidarity actions were taken with those resisting the 2004 G8 Summit in the US.

The 'Dissent!' network is committed to taking a confrontational stance, calling for direct action. It is a Network without leaders or an official membership list. It is open to anyone who agrees to work under the hallmarks laid down by Peoples' Global Action (PGA) - to read them, click "read more".

See Dissent! website: www.dissent.org.uk

Jeff Luers solidarity actions in Bradford and Leeds

10-06-2004 12:03

June 12 was an International Day of Action and Solidarity with Jeff ‘Free’ Luers. There was solidarity Bradford, and there is a screening in Leeds to come.

In June 01, 23 year old forest defence activist Jeffrey ‘Free’ Luers was sentenced to 22 years and 8 months in prison for the burning of 3 Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV's) in Eugene, Oregon along with Craig ‘Critter’ Marshal, to make a statement about global warming. Both activists took measures to make sure that no one would be injured as a result of their action and scouted the location for months beforehand. An arson specialist later confirmed that the action did not pose any threat to people, based on its size and distance from any fuel source. Despite the fact that this action hurt no one, caused only $40,000 in damages and the cars were later resold, Jeff was sent to prison for a sentence considerably longer than those convicted of murder, kidnapping and rape in Oregon state.

On June 12th there was a benefit meal at the 1in12 club, Bradford. It included a talk about Jeff’s case and to watch the documentary ‘Green With a Vengance’ which includes an interview with Jeff from prison. All proceeds went towards Jeff’s defence network. [Report]

Then on the following Sunday incitement2 showed the film by Olivia Rousset, an Australian videographer and journalist. It is a video report for Dateline Australia back in 2001, containing some of the only video footage of Free in prison, as well as interviews with professor Bron Taylor, former ELF spokesperson Craig Rosebraugh and anarchist/author John Zerzan. One of the best pieces on the US ecological defence. [Report]

Global Indymedia Feature
Other Links: [Leeds EF!] [Earth Liberation Prisoners]
You can write to Jeff at:
Jeffrey Luers, 13797671, OSP, 2605 State Street, Salem, OR 97310, USA

Social Centre latest

27-05-2004 13:48

The planning for Leeds Social Centre is well underway. Another well attended meeting was held on Thursday 20th May. Discussions included possible building, the funding proposal and planning and licensing issues.

The next Social Centre planning meeting will be held on Thursday 10th June at the Packhorse Pub, Woodhouse Lane at 7pm. This will be followed by a social event including the screening of "The revolution will not be televised" - a documentary about the Venezuealan coup at 9pm.

Please come along and bring ideas and inspiration

The other topic of discussion at the last meeting were possible names for the centre. It was agreed that indymedia could be used as a space to suggest names anonymously.

Below are some names suggested at the meeting, please add your suggestions

RESPIRE
ANOTHER WORLD
PROPER GANDER

Leeds social centre update

08-05-2004 19:51

The last Leeds ARC meeting (Thursday 6th May) was dedicated to discussion about setting up a Social Centre in Leeds. Turn out was great with about 40 people coming along to Holy Trinity Church Café, Boar Lane to get involved.

Through the Dissent! network (a network of resistance against the G8 - the group of Eight most industrialised nations, whose 2005 summit will be held in Britain.) cash (max £10 K) may be available for local groups involved in the Dissent! network to set up and run a local Social Centre. Groups wishing to benefit from the cash are to submit their proposal/ideas for their social centre in about one month's time (actual
date not yet known).

A new social centre for Leeds?

03-05-2004 20:43

Do you think Leeds needs a radical space for information, to hang out and to hold meetings and events?

If so come to the next Leeds ARC (Action for Radical Change) meeting on Thursday May 6th 7.30pm at Holy Trinity Church Café on Boar Lane.

Through the Dissent! network (a network of resistance against the G8 - the Group of Eight most industrialised nations, whose 2005 summit will be held in Britain.) cash (max £10 K) may be available for local groups involved in the Dissent! network to set up and run a local Social Centre.

A number of people involved in Leeds ARC (Leeds’ Dissent! info point) have been discussing whether to open a rented social centre in Leeds. If this is to happen it will need to involve as many people as possible in the process right from the start deciding exactly what the project is, finding a building, plus organising and running of the centre. We hope for a radical space, 'owned' by many people and groups, beyond Leeds ARC, who we see as a facilitator in getting this idea off the ground.

At our last meeting we brainstormed some ideas of our vision for a social centre, which included an autonomous space, not focused on consumerism, which presents people with alternatives. It could include a café, library, info space, food coop, a large room (for meetings, gigs, workshops etc), a free shop, office space, creche, health space and garden. Obviously a lot of this will depend on the people involved and the space it ends up in.

We decided that we need a big meeting of everyone who might want to be involved in a social centre in Leeds, and decide how to move forward from here.

So come along and lets talk about what kind of a social centre you think Leeds needs and get involved...

Mayday in Bradford!

26-04-2004 00:00

Since 1997, the 1in12 Club in Bradford has been reclaiming May Day in solidarity with and in celebration of International Workers Day on May 1st. In solidarity with celebrations & protests around the world & inspired by a visit to Barcelona, the 1in12 Club has brought the spirit of May Day to Bradford through theatre, film, football, debate, dancing, music, marches and more.

This year with May 1st falling on a Saturday, a weekend of events is in the planning stretching from Thursday 29th April to Monday 3rd May. The May Day Collective hope the focal point of the weekend will be events on May Day itself, with a DIY picnic & party for workers solidarity on Infirmary Fields. There’ll be more than just humous sarnies on the menu - bring your own entertainment, games, noise, flags, kids…….etc. Once you’ve had your fill of butties, there’ll be cabaret, cocktails & dancing at the club from about 8pm till very late.

Other May Day events are:
Thursday 29th April: 1in12 Club Library launch party – drink wine and feast on nibbles in the clubs renovated and expanded Anarchist Library.
Friday 30th April: Hardcore crust/punk/metal TRAGEDY & more tbc.
Saturday 1st May: MAY DAY MAY DAY MAYHEM
-infirmary fields from 1pm
-1in12 club from 8pm, cabaret featuring comedy from Rob Newman, Duncan Millard, Steve Bobcat &more tbc.
Sunday 2nd May: Eclectic music & Film Screenings
Monday 3rd May: Peasants Collective wind down & dig in @ the allotment – BBQ & Bonfire(more details tbc nearer time)

Any other ideas & comments for events would be welcome and much appreciated. We still need more people, entertainment & action ideas for the picnic & cabaret, performers & ideas for Sunday (any workshop ideas anyone?) & general support for the whole weekend. The next May Day Collective meetings at the 1in12 Club are on 7th April & 23rd April at 8.30pm, everyone welcome. Email library@1in12.com or Tel: 01274 734160 for info/support.

Schnews tour in Leeds sun 25th at packhorse pub

20-04-2004 23:55

SchNEWS at Ten Tour - coming to a town near you - in leeds this Sunday 25th april at the Packhorse pub

As part of their 10th birthday celebrations some of the SchNEWS crew from Brighton are hitting the road again! Schnews, are a radical news and action colective, who have put out the ace news sheet Schnews for 10 years.

Scnews will be showing some short films, talking about SchNEWS and getting your message across, about the G8 coming to Britain next year (with people from Leeds ARC, the local Dissent! network associated group).

@ the packhorse pub woodhouse lane, sunday 25th april 2004 from 7.30pm

if the upstairs room is free we will use it otherwise, we will be in the bar area downstairs

Indymedia launch at Bradford with beyondtv!

14-04-2004 12:24

This Saturday, at the 1in12 club, Albion street, Bradford (click for a map)

“Hey, we are going on a tour of the North West of the Uk! Films, spoken word, musicians and mayhem.
We concentrate on short films making sure a lot of them are funny and upbeat. We show them in a social atmosphere and invite local musicians, poets and Dj’s to add to the mix
We’re planning a performance-led night of films with musical interludes by a new Manchester beat combo. They haven’t got a name yet but might be called ‘The Band of Death’
It’s experimental, we admit it, but it’ll be funny whatever happens!”

BEyONdTV eats from the hands of environmental activists and then bites the nose off the BBC. Independent Video and Audio media has never been so easy to get hold of.
Beyondtv.org is
•an open publishing site for on-line video, audio, text news, positive projects, underground events, and other interesting groups.
•a source of low-cost digital/internet video technical knowledge
•a distribution network for a wide variety of films for screenings and inspiring club visuals both on-line, and via CD-Rom and VHS.
Come & Experience Beyondtv for yourselves at

The 1in12 Club, Albion St, Bradford Saturday April 17th 2004

Workshops & indymedia from approx 5pm
Earthquake Djs & Dancing from approx 9pm, cheap

Leeds Bradford indymedia launch

01-04-2004 14:06

People from Leeds and Bradford have joined forces to create Leeds Bradfod Indymedia, the all new independent grassroots news site for the two cities and the whole of West Yorkshire.

To celebrate this, we're hosting two launch days. The first one will be in Leeds on the 8th of April. Launch day will include

a photo exhibition on life in Balata, the biggest refugee camp in the West Bank, Palestine
indymedia presentation and workshops
loads of films!
stalls, food and music

All these are happening from 12 noon till 8pm at the Wrangthorne church hall, Hyde Park Terrace (near Hyde Park Corner). Here's a map

Following that, we're having our launch party at the Fenton Pub, Woodhouse Lane (map)- from 9pm onwards.

See you on the day! the Leeds Bradford Indymedia crew

Bayer Come a Cropper

31-03-2004 11:57

Bayer have withdrawn the only GM crop with (partial) commercial approval. They blame government regulation and caution for holding up the crop which is now technologically and economically obsolete. However it has taken five years to get just one crop this far, which has been the result of the delays caused by the many crop trashings, lobbying, blockades, research and not a little consumer pressure.

When a government announces commercialisation of a GM crop, and then three weeks later, the very large multinational company responsible withdraws it from commercialisation, it would be a fair assumption that someone, somewhere, has put a spanner in the works.

Marshalls, Hands off 9 Ladies!

26-03-2004 20:13

An office occupation of a Marshalls PLC building took place on Thursday 25th March in Elland, West Yorkshire, as a group of up to 25 activists from Yorkshire, Manchester, Derbyshire and Lancashire decided to ram home the message that corporate exploitation and destruction of our woodlands will not go unchallenged (see photos). The following day people also blockaded and occupied a Marshalls depot in Mansfield Woodhouse.

Marshalls is a huge multinational company specialising in landscape and construction materials, especially stone. Marshalls is a particularly 'hot' target at the moment as its subsidiary Stancliffe Stone is behind the plan to quarry the hillside below Stanton Moor, right next to the Nine Ladies Stone Circle. This insidious plan to quarry a place of rare natural beauty in the middle of the Peak District National Park has been up to now unsuccessful due to the fight put up by the people at the Nine Ladies protest camp. Marshalls however has recently stepped up the pressure to evict the camp and go ahead with the quarrying despite objections from a whole range of actors. Read Latest Camp Update including photos (27/03/04)

Related News:
Sherwood Tree Camp: Possible Eviction Alert (week beginning 29/03/04), despite a 30 day "safe period", during which an independant survey is being conducted - read campaign report update.
A new tree occupation started on Thursday 25th March against the proposed F5 road scheme, planned for the A1159 Priory Crescent north, Southend on Sea, Essex. Meanwhile Bilston Glen Protest Site has a Free Cafe on Saturday 4th April

Older 9 Ladies feature | Nine Ladies Anti Quarry Campiagn | Marshalls PLC website

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Mar 28: Solidarity South Pacific Films and Talks

23-03-2004 14:45

Against the Death Culture, Rebellion Grows!

An afternoon of films, talks and discussion on the struggles taking place in West Papua, Bouganville and other areas in the Pacific.
Sunday 28th March at the Wrangthorne Community Hall, St Augustine's Church, Leeds- 4.30 pm onwards. Accesible venue, kids welcome.

Films:

Hell in the Pacific
The Coconut Revolution
Freedom for West Papua

Solidarity South Pacific website | e-mail

Mass blockade at Menwith Hill US base, Friday March 19th

19-03-2004 13:00

On Friday March 19th Yorkshire CND held a mass non-violent blockade at the key US military base Menwith Hill, near Harrogate, Yorkshire, UK. They blocked 3 gates completely causing tailbacks for hours and massively disturbing the shift change-over. Menwith Hill felt compelled to issue a statement which is amazing since they never, ever speak to anyone.

"BLOCK THE BASE" started in freezing driving rain by 5am in the morning with protesters who had stayed in Leeds overnight blockading the base. Many protesters were met by police waiting for them. Yet they managed to block all four gates, many locking into place. Throughout the morning the protest was joined by more people.

The shift change, between 5.30 and 7.30, was a traffic jam. Police had moved pretty fast to try and clear two gates. Reports were they were pretty brutal with dangerous use of cutting equipment. Yorkshire CND said that despite liason some of the police behaved disgracefully and there were definite cases of extreme excessive force and violence. They want as much information and pictures as possible from anyone that was there to collect evidence. [more in article]. By 7am most of the protesters at gate one had been removed and were waiting wet and cold to be arrested. In all 30 people were arrested. Others gates were still blocked. Protesters were still arriving and demonstrating all around the base.

SeeTimeline of events
Reports and Photos: [ 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 ]

Leeds Social Forum kicks off

05-03-2004 15:44

On 19th Frbruary 2004, Leeds Social Forum had its first meeting at Leeds Civic Hall. The first meeting saw an eyewitness from the World Social Forum in Mumbai, India. Prospects for a Social Forum in Leeds were then discussed. Its aims -as outlined in an IMC posting- include, among others:

"...to build a Leeds Social Forum (LSF) and a social forum movement in Britain. The LSF will provide a space to discuss ideas and issues, exchange experiences, and organise protests and direct action.

The Leeds Social Forum is open to all progressive organisations, bringing together the trade union movement, community organisations, NGO’s, faith groups, political groups, and the many campaigns against war, racism, poverty, and environmental destruction. Its aim is to connect all these issues together, allowing organisations to exchange ideas and combine their efforts so that they have a bigger impact. The LSF will also be a place where the thousands who have protested can become regularly active, along with the tens of thousands more in our neighbourhoods, schools, universities and workplaces who are frustrated with the current system and want radical change.

Next Leeds Social Forum meeting: Wednesday March 10th 7.30-9.30 pm.
All Hallows Church, just off Regent Terrace, Hyde Park.

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