UK UK Newswire Archive
Imagining a world without EDO: Smash EDO Summer of Resistance week six
06-06-2012 20:16
Palestine Plce to join Coalition of Protesters opposing G4S
06-06-2012 19:28
Activist across london from groups including No Borders, will tomorrow converge on Paternoster square for a demonstration against the G4S agm, and Palestine Place has pledged it's support.In US, Republicans Through Voting Machine Fraud Stole A Governor Recall Election
06-06-2012 17:58
voting machine fraud in the USMarie Vesco - 4th anniversary
06-06-2012 16:55
For the fourth year after the death of Marie Vesco, her family and friends visited the site on the A23 where she was killed, to put flowers and a picture on her at the site, and to remember her.
They also had the chance to inform a few cyclists about the cycle path that runs parallel to the road. The cyclists were riding along the very spot where Marie got killed. They had followed the signs trying to reach the cycle path, but said signs only led them back North.
On the 4th of June 2008, Marie Vesco was cycling in a group of ten to a demonstration against the Arms Fair in Brighton, when she was killed by two cars whose drivers were not respecting the highway code. None of them was charged or faced with prosecution.
After a faulty investigation which included the loss of video footage of the cyclists, taken by police minutes before the crash, the Crown Prosecution Service decided that there was not enough evidence to prosecute any of the drivers.
The family had only six months after the crash to initiate private court action, but they were not notified of this fact in time and vital information they needed to initiate such action was not made available to them until six months and one day after the crash. Furthermore, they were required to pay approximately a £1000 for access to the police report.
At the inquest, the fact that both drivers were in breach of a number of the highway code rules at the time of the crash, was dismissed (“all drivers do that”). More attention was given to the cyclists' unfamiliarity with the road (“did you not check your route on the internet before heading off?” than on the car drivers' lack of due care.
During the months that followed the crash, friends and family of Marie tirelessly campaigned for proper signage for cyclists from Crawley to Brighton, and also on the A23, to direct them to available alternatives. With the cost of signage for cyclists not being covered by tax revenues, as signage of cars is, it took more than a year for the relevant authorities to put up the requested signs.
On the first anniversary, in 2009, friends and family of Marie placed a ghost bike at the site of the crash. It was removed by the local authorities a day later on “security grounds”.
On the second anniversary, a two-day bike ride remembered Marie and served as an audit of the signs that Marie's family and friends had been campaigning for. The family wanted to see for themselves the flashy bike lane the local authorities had showed them pictures of, only to discover that the new paving they had seen in pictures was present in only a few metres of the route. The rest of it consisted mainly of on-road routes, pavements and horse trails advertised as practicable from May to September where, in wet spots, were hard to negotiate even in June.
On the third anniversary, the family had to replace the picture of Marie they had put up on a lamp post on the A23 where she was killed, which seemed to have been removed, alongside a poster of RoadPeace, organisation that has greatly helped Marie's friend and family in their ordeal.
This year, as well as putting a new picture and flowers at the lamp post, a small garden was initiated, with compost to which Marie had contributed when she lived in London.
The presence of cyclists who found no option but to end up on the A23 after trying to use alternative routes proves that the routes and signage for a safe cycle journey in the area still leaves much to be desired.
From the site, family and friends left, to exchange presents, to tour Europe.
Here are some of her friends' tributes: blog, poem, dialogue site.
And a cyclists' obituary.
More pictures in network23
April/ May sorta Critical Mass ride report
06-06-2012 14:55
The ride last Friday (25th May 12) was pretty huge. The first ride of the summer always seems to go like this. So, last month - April - was rainy and grim and only a few hundred turned out. The April ride was semi-highjacked by a greenwash political group distributing pink high viz vests. It was also directed by solidarity with an anti-abortion protest. It was basically kind of square party. Not many sound systems and it was just a little trog around the centre of town. No issue. Politeness. A little bit of getting lost due to the protest at the clinic. But this May ride was kind of huge. That meant there was a range of differing people. People who wanted to fast, others slow. Some were there to party, others protest. When the ride is this big the group mind breaks down. The ride will stretch out over very long distances. When there is a problem at the back it is not always noticed. I was in the middle of the pack going down Charing Cross Road and started racing ahead to find the vanguard. When found it was agreed to loop back around. We had gone most the way down Tottenham court road and looped back down Gower onto Shaftesbury avenue to find the mass. As we did so we found packs of pigs charging down the street in the direction we headed down Shaftesbury. They were a little snobby, but we were legion! They had no chance. Once we got back to Cambridge Circus we discovered the dregs of the rearguard, miserable and oppressed by the fist of The Man. It would flatter us to think that the reinforcements changed the game. Our reinforcements were greater than theirs! They turned tail, we gathered our people and headed back north. If you look at the video carefully you can see how few people are there. Question, what happened to the middle guard? Because after this incident it all seemed to disappear. Where did the majority of the number go? I heard rumor that the cause of the incident was a beer can thrown at the latter day Norman Baron on his horse in the middle of the city. Is this just gossip? Possibly. Failed to get accurate intel due to other riders 'rescuing' me when I spoke to the filth. Which shows A-OK community spirit, but leaves mystery alive. Please also watch the video and notice the pretentious Gestapo officer stepping out of the crowd. Please notice his boring and spotless white trainers. Notice his nerdiness. On the whole this was an excellent ride, all sound systems out, good vibes going on. High Vibrations. However, we had the typical summer problem - it is difficult to cork the road for 15 minutes. When the ride is wintery and small it is easy to get around without issue. But in this summer situation it is much more noisome. Especially when large gaps develop and the road is being corked for an empty space. Too many 'free riders' - that is people who are taking and not giving to the mass. I especially enjoyed our early forays which took us north up to Euston road, etc. and along up towards the Westway! This month our primary vanguard consisted of very eager racing cyclists who were charging ahead on the clear roads. The effect was that the A404/501 was all ours! Wicked cool. The mass dissented with the plan to go as far as possible on the freeway and we cut through into Westbourne Park and Ladbrooke Grove. Most excellent! We did some great outreach into the cadres of ordinary Londoners and got many good responses for future reinforcements. I love going to the neighbourhoods, it's awesome. People on the doorstep, folk leaning out of the pub. A magical moment of weirdness to behold. Then we looped about, headed along the North and East sides of the park, down Grosvenor Place, onto Parliament square, Whitehall, Trafalgar square etc. What can I say? Lame! The 12 year old French school kid tours enjoyed it. But, like, whatever. After the altercation the mass went down Oxford Street, a bike raise at the circus. Still several hundred strong. About 10pm. Bored. Going.https://london.indymedia.org/other_medias/12312
Students at Universities are being listed for political purposes and abuse
06-06-2012 10:35
According to Police Intelligence PET, Kivimäki would had named Danish Scientists, Experts and Talented Students to Russia Diplomats, which they (Russia) might recruit for agents. CIA financed Finnish SDP after II war. Did they financed Nazis instead and at what extend did this happen?playing redwatch at their own game
06-06-2012 10:24
Lying Prison Social Worker In Fire Risk Shock!
06-06-2012 10:08
http://leedsabc.org/another-attempt-to-sabotage-john-bowdens-parole-by-prison-hired-social-worker/ , http://leedsabc.org/update-from-john-bowden-about-lies-written-by-prison-hired-social -worker-2/ , http://leedsabc.org/support-for-john-bowden/ , http://leedsabc.org/corrupt-social-workers-attempt-to-rid-themselves-of-prisoner-john-bowden/ , http://leedsabc.org/end-lies-and-corruption-in-edinburgh-criminal-justice- services/ , http://leedsabc.org/lying-prison-social-worker-invited-to-audition-for-pinocchio/, http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2012/06/496617/html
Save Lambeth Women's Project
05-06-2012 16:55
Lambeth Women's Project is an umbrella organisation that provides space and other resources to a variety of other women's groups. We currently house 11 groups that will be affected by a looming eviction. LWP had sole use of the building at 166a Stockwell Road from 1979- 2010. When Stockwell Primary School were made managers of the building a 5 year lease was given to LWP in order for the two organisations to share the building. We still have 3 years left on this lease and are being pushed out on totally unfounded grounds with a completely unrealistic timescale of two weeks. Lambeth have offered no alternative space for LWP to move to.
LWP is organising nightly protests in Brixton [video] and a public meeting to plan actions [details]
Even in these times of struggle - with less space and virtually no funding - approx 150 women walk through our doors each month. Many other women benefit from our community outreach work and one off events.
Groups currently at LWP work in the following areas:
- Advisory services
- Art and music
- BAME women
- Counselling
- Domestic violence
- Gang related
- Green issues
- Health incl. sexual health
- Mentoring
- Young women's service
Nightly pot banging protests to save the Lambeth Women's Project:
Angry about the looming eviction of Lambeth Women's Project?
Angry about the systematic stripping of women's services across the country?
Lets make some noise then!
Inspired by the Casseroles movement of pot banging protests in Montreal we propose a nightly meet up with our pots and pans. As we understand it the police need 6 days notice for any march so once that is approved we can stroll from Windrush Square to Lambeth Women's Project on Stockwell Road each night. Until then we will meet either at Windrush Square or LWP or both.
Join us at 7pm. Bring pots and pans. Tell your friends.
We will meet nightly until the proposed eviction date of 15th June. For latest details, keep an eye on the Facebook event page.
Watch the Montreal protesters here: http://vimeo.com/42848523
If you can help make fliers, be a point of contact, write about this, help organise future protests, donate anything useful etc please be in touch with LWP via Facebook (see below) or email lambethwomensproject@gmail.com.
We are also holding a public meeting to plan actions on Sunday 10th June, 5pm - full details here.
Support needed:
Please get in touch if you can offer legal advice, printing, press, food, music, banners, etc.
Find us online:
Blog: http://savelambethwomensproject.wordpress.com/
Twitter: @SaveLWP
Nightly pots and pans Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/392095100826230/
LWP Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lambethwomensproject
Abolish the IPCC' Campaign your support wanted
05-06-2012 13:32
SEE
http://www.facebook.com/Campaign4Justice4SmileyCulture
To the UN Security Council and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:
05-06-2012 13:10
Petition calling for more UN action in SyriaHM the Queen invites Sri-Lankan war criminal to tea
05-06-2012 12:03
Tamil and human rights activists to protest tommorrow outside Commonwealth Economic Forum at Mansion House against attendance of Sri Lankan War Criminal President Rajapaksa, who is speaking at the eventProtests are ongoing outsidePark Lane Hilton Hotel where he is reported to be staying (address: 22 Park Lane, London, W1K 1BE).
Streetmap url:
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=528481&y=180140&z=0&sv=W1K+1BE&st=2&pc=W1K+1BE&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf
Notts Solidarity Network- A new fight
05-06-2012 10:55
A few weeks ago Nottingham Solidarity Network were contacted by James Coll, he informed us that he had been recieving demand letters from the Lowell Group a debt recovery company based in Leeds. They had brought a debt from Shop Direct and were now intent on collecting the money from Mr.Coll. The account had not been opened up or used by Mr. Coll, he had not signed for anything, and was both unwilling and unable to pay the debt. The Lowell Group are now threatening litigation in order to collect the debt. Nottingham Solidarity Network and James Coll ask you to email the Lowell Group the letter drafted below their email is post@lowellgroup.co.uk or write a letter to them at PO Box 172, Leeds, LS11 9WS. The letter is addressed to Mr. Andrew Bartle the company director of the Lowell Group and the signatory of the demand letters.
To Andrew Bartle, We are writing to you regarding account number 94884193, as you know this is a debt purchased from Marshall Ward and their company Shop Direct. At present you are sending Mr. Coll letters threatening litigation due to an outstanding balance of £1541.27. We ask you to desist with these threats immediately. Mr.Coll has been in touch with you via Aid Uk, who informed you that the original Shop Direct account was not opened up by Mr. Coll, but a third party. We believe that you know of this third party, and that you have been in contact with them, but as they were unable to work out a payment plan you have continued to direct your focus on Mr.Coll. Mr. Coll was in hospital at the time undergoing treatment for cancer, treatment which is still on going. The account was not opened with his blessing nor knowledge. He did not sign for the account nor knew about it until the letters that you have sent to him. Furthermore, Mr. Coll does not have the means nor the inclination to pay for a debt built by a third party, and believes that you are unfairly targeting him at a time in his life where he needs to be focusing all his energies on dealing with the cancer treatment his doctors are providing him with. We believe that you would be gravely mistaken to pursue further action against a man who is seriously ill and who had nothing to do with the account to begin with. We are members of Mr.Coll’s community, and will be supporting him throughout this process. If this matter is not dropped we will take further action. We hope that this letter finds open ears and sensible minds. Sincerely James Coll and Nottingham Solidarity Network nottinghamsolidarity.noblogs.org 07423631681
Bristol Unemployed Bussed to Jubilee to Work For Free
05-06-2012 10:55
At 2300 Saturday 2nd of June 2012, a coachload of Tired, untrained and ill equipped people left Bristol by coach for London and the Queens Jubilee.At around 0240 they were dropped off by the side of a road with their Baggage and Tents and left stood for more than an hour along with 80 other people.
Having Had no sleep at 0415 these people were told that at 0500 they would be starting a 16 hour shift.
No these are not migrant workers, these are Security Staff for the Queen.
Ages ranging from 16 to 50 with one thing in common. Unpaid and on “work experience”.
Zippos Circus Comes To The Durham
05-06-2012 04:15
Zippos Circus Is a Disgusting animal circus that is currently touring the countryits now visiting Durham
we are asking everyone to take action against Zippos circus
Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Centre, Murton, Co Durham, SR7 9HU
atyourservice@dalton-park.co.uk
Bark & Co Solicitors - Working Together With The Met Police To Screw Clients
04-06-2012 23:29
6-8 June: Vigils for Bradley Manning in London, Chester and Brisbane
04-06-2012 22:52
Bradley Manning is back in court in Fort Meade, Maryland, US this week for a further motions (pre-trial) hearing. Solidarity vigils will be held on 6 June in Chester, England and in Brisbane, Australia and on 8 June in London (and possibly Exeter, to be confirmed). There will also be vigils at Fort Meade and elsewhere around the world. Consider holding a 'Free Bradley Manning' vigil wherever you are.