UK Indymedia | Leeds Bradford Feature Archive

Bradford Climate Change Action

07-04-2007 14:36

Today Bradford witnessed the unusual sight of a placard-waving polar bear. The placard, with the simple message; “You fly, I die”, was aimed at the selfish minority who continue to fly despite this being a major contributor to climate change – and the fastest rising source of carbon dioxide emissions in Western Europe.

The bear and his human friends visited a variety of travel agents in the city centre with a letter asking that the climate criminals stop destroying the Arctic. After that, he made his way to the Tomas Cook call centre on Godwin Street, where several local residents had erected a banner and were busy posting the windows with “You Fly, They Die” stickers.

See also the original newswire post and a previous Bradford climate change action

Ladyfest Leeds - 10th-15th April 2007

04-04-2007 12:00

Celebrating creativity, diversity and gender equality in Leeds, Ladyfest Leeds will showcase female artists and performers in a number of venues across the city centre from 10th-15th April 2007.

Ladyfest Leeds is set to be the biggest Ladyfest the UK has ever seen with well over one hundred events across all the arts- spoken word, comedy, dance, theatre, visual arts, film, performance art, live music and workshops. As Amy Brachi, one of the organisers comments:

"Since we started preparations for Ladyfest Leeds, we have been amazed at the interest and support which we have received. Over 50 people are already involved in the festival as organisers, helping to secure venues, artists and to manage what looks like will be one of the largest events in Leeds in 2007. It is really fantastic to see many of our organisers learning new skills as well as others mentoring fellow volunteers.”

For further information, either read more or visit the event website.

Sticking Together For Peace

23-03-2007 13:06

This morning Bradford students took part in one of the most daring and creative acts of civil disobedience ever seen at Faslane Naval base. Ten of them superglued themselves together outside the North Gate whilst another four chained themselves together outside the South Gate, effectively shutting the base.

It was one of the longest-lasting blockades since Faslane 365 started their year-long campaign of blockades, and is believed to be the first time activists have glued themselves together.

The students from Bradford and Leeds universities and a lecturer went to the base after the government voted to renew the UK's Trident system.

Earlier in the week Bradford students went to visit the university's careers department to invite the royal navy to join them in this blockade. They sadly declined.

See also the original newswire post with more photos and this video.

Yorkshire Anti-Trident Actions

15-03-2007 00:20

With the Government making a decision on replacing the Trident nuclear weapons system, Yorkshire activists have been busy having their say.

Demonstrators from all across the country, including York, made their way to London for a national demonstration on February 24th. The vote date was then announced as being March 14th, and so activity was stepped up a gear with Leeds Quakers joining a larger group of Quakers, including four from York, in a blockade of Faslane on March 3rd/4th/5th.

About 40 people held a Meeting for Worship outside Faslane nuclear base. After this, 10 Friends were arrested whilst upholding Peace Testimony by non-violently blocking the road. All protesters were subsequently released with the usual warning letters.

Then on March 11th/12th Leeds University sent a small group up to Faslane. But despite these small numbers and the wet weather, a very visible presence was maintained on both days.

On the day of the vote, a number of actions were called for across the country, including a rally in Bradford and a benefit gig in York. The Bradford rally saw the samba band play, the usual speeches from politicians and then sitting around watching the results of the vote on the big screen.

A twelve strong group from York dressed as Vikings successfully blockaded both entrances to the Faslane nuclear submarine base on March 18th. One of the protesters Richard Lane said "The Vikings slaughtered tens of thousands of people but they did so over half a millennium. Trident could do the same in a minute."

Bradford students have also been busy talking to the Royal Navy before superglueing themselves together outside the Faslane naval base.

Bradford Climate Criminals Reproached

27-02-2007 17:27

On Wednesday evening, a number of concerned Leeds and Bradford residents decided to draw attention to the activities of a number of climate criminals in Bradford city centre. Advertisements for damaging air flights were modified to tell the truth; that flying is the fastest growing cause of climate change, the "single greatest threat to human-kind" according to the government's chief scientist.

Feminist Health Gathering January 2007 Leeds

20-12-2006 11:09

A weekend long gathering, looking at health in the broadest sense from a feminist angle will take place in Leeds jan 19th - 21st 2007.

There are going to be loads of exciting and inspiring workshops including diy gynaecology, female ejaculation, mental health, queer health, first aid, self defence, autonomous health, working in the nhs, future after the NHS and alternatives too. For a full list of workshops see the website. There will also be social events - still to be decided, films, speed dating, gig or cabaret!!!

For further information see the original callout for help

Faslane 365 Blockades

21-11-2006 11:59

Over 50 Anti Nuclear protesters from Leeds and Bradford took part in a mass blockade of the Faslane Nuclear Naval Base in Scotland last week. Twenty seven of the protesters were arrested for their role in the blockade, which included 'locking on' to a giant peace symbol outside the main gates of the base.

A group of women were also arrested after successfully blocking the second gate of the base. They were dressed as lollipop ladies and carried 'Stop Trident' signs.

Protesters managed to cause disruption to traffic trying to enter the base for almost an hour whilst police removed protesters lying in the road and used cutting equipment to remove the 'lock ons'.

The blockade was part of 'Faslane 365', a year-long campaign set up to oppose the existence of Trident, the British nuclear submarine programme and to oppose the introduction of any replacement to Trident.

'i' the film - screening tour

09-10-2006 22:14

Touring the UK this week, 'i' the film expands on the explosive prequel, "Eye of the Storm" and examines the relationship between media and power as manifest by the worlds largest all volunteer network of media activists - Indymedia.

Tue Oct 10 - London - RampART - 15-17 Rampart St (starts 8pm)
Wed Oct 11 - Brighton - The Cowley Club - 12 London Road
Thu Oct 12 - Nottingham - The Sumac Centre - 245 Gladstone Street, 7.30pm (read article | report and audio from screening)
Sat Oct 14 - Glasgow - Document 4 Intl. Human Rights Film Festival
Sun Oct 15 - Edinburgh - Quaker Meeting House, Victoria Terrace, 7pm
Mon Oct 16 - Edinburgh - Forest Café, 3 Bristo Place, 7.30 pm

Hundreds demonstrate in Leeds against Zimbabwean deportations

15-09-2006 13:39

Zimbabweans from across the UK led a huge demonstration in Leeds on Saturday 16 September against the resumption of deportations of refused asylum seekers back to Mugabe's regime in Zimbabwe [see report]. The protest, called by the Zimbabwe Refugee Community Organisation with the backing of the Refugee Council (Yorkshire and Humberside) and campaign group Leeds No Borders, began outside Leeds Central Library at 12pm. It was addressed by, among others Mafungasei Maikokera, one of the famous Yarls Wood hunger strikers who resisted deportation on a plane bound for Harare. Hundreds of people then spontaneously marched into the main shopping precinct to the sound of samba and song.

The demonstration was called in response to a legal ruling in August that 'refused' asylum seekers no longer automatically face persecution if returned to Zimbabwe - despite the UK government's own very public condemnation of human rights abuses by the Mugagbe regime. These Zimbabweans now face the possibility of imminent deportation. Only last Wednesday in Zimbabwe, the country's main trade union leader was arrested by police for attempting to hold a demonstration which the government had earlier banned. Wellington Chibebe was beaten with batons and rifle butts as the police arrested him and 15 others. Zimbabweans are not alone - the Home Office has recently stepped up its efforts to forcibly remove asylum seekers en masse back to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Photos: 1 2

You Must Be Choking! - Day of Action Against Drax Power Station

31-08-2006 23:00

Actions against Drax Power Station started early on Thursday morning (31st of August) and continued all day, with the Drax perimeter being breached several times. Up to 600 campaigners against climate change participated in the Reclaim Power mass action. Four main blocs gathered at the centre of the Climate Camp before splitting off into different groups, with some heading towards Drax across fields to avoid police road blocks [Early report | Photos 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Videos 1 | 2 | Protestors Audio Interview]

Meanwhile, other smaller actions had already begun - just after 4.30am seven activists occupied a Drax lighting tower. Later nearby roads were blocked by different affinity groups and another Drax lighting tower was also occupied with a banner reading "No Future For You". More perimeter penetrations occured as more groups arrived at the fence to be met with police in riot gear, horses and dogs. The total number of arrests on the day's actions was 38 people, some of whom were violently attacked by police.

In the early hours of Friday 1st of September the actions around Drax continued. Reports came in of people attempting to breach the perimeter of the fence overnight. On the other hand, the Legal Team informed that all of the 38 people arested in yesterday's mass action were released throughout the day, some of which having spent about 28 hours in police custody. There was also one confirmed arrest that took place on Friday morning. Two more arrests took place on Saturday 2nd September near the field were the Climate Camp was taking place.

For full details, see the full timeline of events and individual reports that have been posted to IMC-UK Climate Camp page.

Climate Camp News, Wed 30th August: "If not Tomorrow, then When?"

30-08-2006 19:06

The Camp for Climate Action has been hailed as a success, with an impressive collective commitment to organising the camp in an environmentally-friendly way, and with hundreds of people just over half way through a packed programme of workshops. One statement said:

"What has really struck me is the way in which everyone who has come to the camp is getting involved. People from all walks of life and with all sorts of previous experiences are here, and everyone is doing their bit to make the camp tick. From action planning to compost toilet building, everyone is getting involved..." [read more]
See also Life at the Camp - a personal perspective | todays pics from inside the camp.

Thursday sees the Reclaim Power mass day of action against Drax Power Station, and preparations are underway with people making banners, puppets and other props.

Meanwhile throughout the day the police have been using Section 60 powers to stop and search all people entering or leaving the Climate Camp [report and pictures 1 | 2] Undeterred, people continue coming and going, some taking tours around the increasingly guarded perimeter of Drax power station [pics]. Later in the afternoon at around 2.30pm the police were denied entry to the camp [report and pictures] in a peaceful but strong reaction by camp residents, with similar scenes repeated again at around 5.30pm [report].

Seel also: Drax Shares Take A Slide | Drax to Stop Smoking | Power Line Pole Allegedly Cut | Oldbury Nuclear Power Reactors to Close | Feminism and Climate Change [more] | Green Spirituality workshop | Greenwashing Climate Change | City Harvest workshop | (Some) Workshops at the Camp for Climate Action | Feedback from Green Spirituality Workshop.

Hartlepool Nuclear Power Station Blockaded For Ten Hours

29-08-2006 07:48

Climate Action News: Tues 29th August:
From 8am a group of nine climate change campaigners blockaded the front and back gates of Hartlepool Nuclear Power Station, sending out the message that nuclear power is not the solution to climate change. The blockade was in place for ten hours until the last person was cut out of the arm tubes they had locked themselves into to form the blockade. Police arrested a total of twenty people including non-blockading supporters and a freelance journalist.
[see Blockade Reports + Updates | Reclaim Power Press Release | Mobile Photos | More Photos + Report]

Climate Camp News:
The comprehensive programme of workshops continues at the camp, with sessions on practical steps individuals can make to reduce their impact upon the environment, across to debates about biofuels and carbon trading schemes. See Workshop Audio Interviews [1 | 2]

A Bicycology cycle caravan left en masse from the Climate Camp to establish a presence in nearby Selby town centre, holding bicycle maintenance workshops and promoting sustainable energy [Report and Pics | video].

During the day the police were allowed onto the site for a walking tour around the camp, as well as the fire brigade [see Reports + Pics]. Meanwhile in the evening people at the camp continued preparing for the day of mass action on thursday.

Camp For Climate Action Established

28-08-2006 22:32

More than 100 climate activists spent all Wednesday night erecting marquees in the shadow of Drax power station, establishing the Camp for Climate Action [see report and location | first pictures and call out]. For more information and background on the camp which starts officially on Saturday 26th see the climate camp special reports section.

Independence From America

07-07-2006 17:56

On 4th July 2006, American Independence Day, the annual Independence from America demonstration was held at NSA Menwith Hill [ Photos: 1 | 2 ]. It was a hot and sunny Tuesday and the 100 or so protestors were outnumbered by the massive police presence, after drumming, songs from Tom Neilson and some speeches there was a circumnavigation of the expanding spy base. One woman was arrested and later released after a 'caution', see the report from Lindis and Anni for the full story.

The National Security Agency (NSA) base at Menwith Hill, near Harrogate, is the biggest US spy base outside America and it plays a key role in the interception of electronic communications — it is a part of ECHELON (Euskera article | the hardware behind Echelon), missile defence and star wars. The Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases (CAAB), the organisers of the demonstration, evolved out of the long campaign of protest at Menwith Hill, which have been going on since the 1950s, read on for links to reports of events held there over the last few years.

Leeds, City of Asylum Shame

17-05-2006 23:40

Leeds No Borders, a group of campaigners working to support refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in Leeds, including those who are detained and destitute, conducted an 'alternative' guided tour of the city on Saturday 6 May entitled 'Leeds, City of Asylum Shame'. The purpose of the tour was to educate local people about key Leeds institutions involved in the appalling treatment, destitution, detention and deportation of asylum seekers and to dispel the myths pedalled in the media about housing, employment and other issues.

Campaigners gear up to save Little London from gentrification

12-03-2006 18:44

After four contested ballots, £millions of taxpayers money spent and five years of resistance to Leeds City Council's drive to demolish 435 council homes and replace them with private housing, the moment of truth has finally arrived for tenants of the Little London housing estate. The Council has just announced in a press statement that tenants have overwhelmingly backed controversial plans for an £85m regeneration scheme under the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) after a highly disputed door-to-door consultation process in February. Despite consistent opposition from both the Little London Tenants and Residents Association and the Save Little London Campaign, Council officers are now expected to make their recommendation to the Council Executive in April to go ahead with the controversial 'Comprehensive Regeneration Option'.

But the PFI scheme is far from a done deal. At a community action day last Sunday (5 March), local residents and campaigners vowed ‘to fight on and win’ regardless of the Council’s decision. Possible courses of action include standing independent candidates in the May local elections, a legal challenge to the alleged irregularities and bias of the Council's consultation process, and alternative proposals for regenerating the area. As part of the fightback, this Tuesday (14 March) at midday, a lobby of tenants and campaigners will march from Little London Community Centre to Leeds Town Hall to make their voices heard outside a Stakeholders Meeting between the Council and tenants representatives.

Full Story and background
Short campaign film 'Little London - the story so far'
Eye witness account of biased consultation
Campaign reports: January Picket of Council and Call out; Save Little London Community Day, 5 March
Anger of Leeds Council tenants at alleged corruption
Mainstream media reports: Council accuses 'left-wingers of misleading tenants'; Campaigners reply 'Tenants misled over Little London'
Related stories about Leeds City Gentrification: 'City Flats to Become Height of Fashion'

Leeds Fascist Mailbox Picketed

12-01-2006 10:39

Providers of postal addresses to Fascist organisations in Leeds Mail Boxes Etc (UK) Ltd (MBE), were picketed on Tuesday.

The picket encouraged many people to challenge the management of Leeds City MBE. Several people who were collecting mail also said they would be cancelling their contract with MBE, rather than share an address with Nazis. There was one short disruption when two thugs tried to disrupt the picket. Through the time more than 300 leaflets were distributed.

Recently MBE branches in both Belfast and Brighton have taken a welcome decision not to play host to fascists, but so far the Leeds branch have refused to reconsider their position, despite being shown documentation on the British Peoples Party and their fascist activities. The 635 Group, who organised the picket, will be organising further protests.

[Full report and text of leaflet disributed]
Update 16 Jan 2006 BPP Loose Leeds Mailbox

Huddersfield defends NHS

18-12-2005 00:00

Proposals in Huddersfield to close a Hospital and several wards at another were condemed by protestors. The demonstration Called for the 10th December opposed the closures, and the wider privitisation of health care in the country.

The number of protestors who turned up outside the Royal Infirmary was larger than organisers had hoped, drawing support from passers-by. The protest is continuing to build a petition to make the council have a referendum on the issue.

Article with Photos

Site update to display of comments

20-11-2005 16:47

You may notice we have changed the way comments to articles are displayed. If you want to know why and how, please read the full article.

West Yorks against the Fascism

06-11-2005 12:38

Coinciding with the court case of Nick Griffin leader of the BNP a large demonstration against the Fascists was organised in Leeds. The anti-fascists turning up, upwards of 600 people, well out numbered the larger than usual BNP presence outside the court. Griffin and fellow party hack Collett, who are up for inciting to racial hatred, were pelted with eggs and flour as they entered the building. [Report: Huge anti-fascist march in Leeds humiliates the 'master-race'] [Pictures and Report: BNP morons hold 'national demo'] [Pictures: Protest against the fascist BNP in Leeds]

Later in the week there was another protest planned in Keighley [Announcement] to counter more racially inflammatory actions by the 'British Nationalists'. This was called off as the BNP march was banned by the Home Secretary. 'Unite Against Fascism' who called the demo are promoting this as a 'big victory for the campaign against the BNP'.

There are also anti-fascist benifit gigs planned. The first in Leeds on the 11th at Hanover Square the second a rearranged event at the 1 in 12 Club, Bradford [Details].

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