For this week's SchNEWS in full technicolour:
www.schnews.org.uk/archive/news685.htm

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WAKE UP!! WAKE UP!! IT'S YER NEVER SELL HIGH...

SchNEWS, Issue 685, Friday 24th July 2009

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BIG GREEN GATHER INC.?

AS CORPORATE BACKERS GO AFTER THE LUCRATIVE HIPPY DOLLAR...

The Big Green Gathering is and has been the leading event in the
growing number of independent, politically progressive festivals
building across the country over the past decade. But like most
others, it has been financially gouged out by growing license, police
and insurance costs. After the 2007 Big Green, the festival was broke,
and may never have returned. It's back - but how did they
do it?

It's been a well kept secret that Big Green has been bailed out
by US-funded corporate venture capitalists - KLL and AEG (see
below) - and it remains to be seen how this will affect BGG now or in
the future. It may be that this year is a bit like the first
Glastonbury after Mean Fiddler took over in 2002 - i.e. the
security is considerably beefed up, and the crowd is noticeably
missing the sort of random festie nutters who make it a proper
festival - the ones who probably jumped the fence or blagged
their way in. No doubt there are people on the BGG committee who are
horrified by this development, and AEG and KLL may have come to
understand that to make money out of this particular, er,
'market' - as opposed to a mainstream rock or sports
event - they need to screw money out of punters in an as invisible and
benign way as possible.

SchNEWS is not about sit on our stall at BGG nursing a bifter
shouting 'this festival is all shit', when the vast
majority of the people on the crews and stalls and musicians are the
real McCoy when it comes to the UK festival scene. Whatever the fate
of Big Green, the festival scene is still a vital part of the
progressive movements in Britain, and continues to thrive in many
other smaller events, regardless. This scene is embedded in the
networks of people around the country doing their bit to create a
sustainable future from renewable energy to allotments, and housing
co-ops to alternative media.

Is this the beginning of the end for Big Green? All festivals start
small, and if they're good, they grow big over the years, but,
with the burden of bureaucratic constraints, it could be that they
inevitably become victims of their own success. BBG as we knew it
effectively collapsed under its own weight in 2007, but it's
hard to see this experiment in running a 'hippy' festival
with corporate backers going any other way than the course which took
Glastonbury irrevocably away from its roots.

All we can say is that there's so many great, smaller,
festivals running all summer: turn your attention to those. Yes, all
'official' festivals need to jump through hoops and break
even, involving green - and not so green - capitalism of varying
degrees, but at least they provide a space for non-commodified
activities such as meeting like-minds and having a good laugh. And of
course let's not forget the free parties and raves that continue
up and down the country, despite the best efforts of the authorities
- and which are entirely unencumbered by meeting the demands of
'the man'.

* For festivals see www.festivaleye.com www.efestivals.co.uk and
www.schnews.org.uk/pap

** For free parties see www.partyvibe.com www.schnews.org.uk/pap
(scroll to bottom of page).

INSIDE THE GREEN MACHINE

£150,000 in debt in 2007, BGG accepted a bail-out from
Kilimanjaro Live Ltd (KLL), who are a new joint venture between AEG
- the largest sports and entertainment corporation in the US,
owning arenas, cinemas, newspapers and sports teams - and Stuart
Galbraith, former director of Live Nation, Live 8, and other
mainstream rock events.

Part of the deal involves Galbraith becoming a member of the Board of
Directors and Director of Finance to 'continue to provide his
own expertise and the accounting and ticket sales facilities of KLL on
a cost-free basis'. He initially wanted BGG to introduce
cigarette stalls and advertising to increase revenue, but met strong
resistance from other board members. Unbelievably Npower was
considered as a sponsor, before the KLL deal was set up.

For the full rundown on all this see
www.corporatewatch.org.uk/?lid=3398




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CALAIS ABOUTS

The clampdown on the migrants in Calais by French Authorities (see
SchNEWS 684, 682) is underway with migrants being stopped and detained
on the streets with intensified police raids on migrant camps and
squats - complete with tear gas, beatings and detentions. Although
there is no sign yet of flights chartered for deportations, the
situation remains tense.

Activists from France, the UK, the Netherlands and Belgium have been
arriving all week to show solidarity with the migrants and act as
legal observers. With police operations building, activists on the
ground have put a call out for more people to get down there and show
their support.

*www.calaismigrantsolidarity.wordpress.com



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BREAKING WIND

After sticking their heads out of the Westminster windows for a quick
climatic analysis, Britain's politicians have earmarked wind
power as our best option in the race to prevent climate catastrophe.
Yet, in April, when the worlds largest manufacturer of wind turbines,
Vestas, announced plans to close its sites in the Isle of Wight and
Southampton, the government remained silent - about both the loss of
Britain's most significant turbine manufacturing facilities and
the loss of hundreds of jobs. Faced with a wall of silence, apathy and
hypocrisy, the non-unionised Vestas workers on the Isle of Wight had
little option but to take action and, earlier this week, they occupied
their factory in protest.

The occupation began on Monday night (20th) when 30 workers took over
the management offices in the factory. The Vestas management
immediately locked down the site and called in the police. Workers
arriving for their last few days of work the next day were turned away
from the gates, but when they realised why, many stayed on and
established a picket outside the factory, which has since been manned
by up to 150 people.

Vestas took a hard line in response to the protest. Riot police who
turned up on the first day threatened those inside with arrest for
aggravated trespass and huffed and puffed but failed to force their
way into the offices. They also prevented people from joining the
protest or providing food to the occupiers. Although the riot shields
have since been put away, police have continued obstructing attempts
to deliver food. On Tuesday two people were arrested for breach of the
peace after protesters staged a mass walk-in, in an attempt to
resupply the workers inside.

Hoping to starve the protesters out, Vestas imposed a food ban after
the failure of their initial cunning plan of offering the workers food
as long as they came out to get it. Following the success of the
walk-in however, they changed their stance and are currently offering
to provide the workers with food, as long as they accept no more from
supporters.

The company has so far refused to negotiate - preferring threats
instead. They've told the occupiers that they faced arrest and
being fired without redundancy pay (a measly three weeks), if they
didn't leave the premises immediately. Two workers have left the
occupation but the others remain strong despite having been given four
ultimatums.

The factory on the Isle of Wight had been making turbines for the US
market, but production is moving to China and the US. Vestas, who
recently saw a 70% rise in quarterly profits, have failed to adapt
production for European wind farms, blaming a 'lack of political
initiatives' and chronic nimbyism, with a 'not in my
backyard' attitude rife in Britain.

Energy and climate change secretary, Ed Miliband, recently promised
the creation of 400,000 new 'green' jobs as part of his
plans to meet his hot air target of 'over 30%' of
Britain's energy being produced by renewable sources, most
notably wind power, by 2020. Passing wind on the Vestas situation,
Miliband, without a trace of irony, blamed insufficient orders for the
turbines and the difficulty in obtaining planning permission for wind
farms.

A similar situation arose in Scotland earlier in the year when Vestas
closed a plant in Machrihanish, Kyntyre, for similar reasons.
However, the Scottish government negotiated a takeover by another
company, (the hilariously named) Skykon, who, with the help of
government subsidies, are planning to adapt the plant to purpose
before expanding production as part of a push to meet the Scottish
government's renewable energy targets.

While the government has been happy to give the 'green'
light to airport expansion plans and the construction of new nuclear
and coal powered power stations on the premise that they will create
desperately needed jobs, not to mention pouring rivers of cash into
the failing banks and propping up the car industry, it seems that
stepping in to save 525 jobs in a hard hit island economy is out of
the question. Up to their necks in hypocrisy, Miliband's feeble
protestations have shown once again that the government's action
on climate change amounts to little more than pissing in the wind
turbine.

www.savevestas.wordpress.com

* Send messages of support to:  savevestas@googlemail.com

* The workers are calling for solidarity actions - specifically
at Vestas UK head office in Warrington at 302 Bridgewater Place,
Birchwood Park, WA3 6XG



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SAVING IT FOR AN IRAN-Y DAY

In the latest round of repression of protests against the rigged
elections in June by the Iranian authorities, security forces beat and
arrested dozens in Tehran on Tuesday.

This follows Friday's clashes when the police attacked
protesters attending an anti-Ahmadinejad rally with tear gas last
Friday. Until last Friday there had been few signs of mass dissent
after the brutal crackdown following the election, during which at
least thirty protesters were killed. The recent protests represent the
first major challenge to the Ahmadinejad regime after it declared
gatherings illegal.

Even the Saturday meetings of the 'Mourning Mothers',
which began four weeks ago in public parks between 7 and 8pm - the day
and time at which Neda Agha-Soltan, a young woman, was shot dead on
June 20th - have been targeted by security forces. The meetings have
seen several arrests, including women's rights and student
activist Zeynab Peyghambarzadeh, who is also a member of the One
Million Signatures Campaign, which is demanding an end to
discrimination against women in law.

Thousands have been detained during round-ups by the authorities
after the elections, including political activists, journalists,
academics and lawyers, many of whom are still being held. Lawyer and
human rights activist, Shadi Sadr, was violently arrested in Tehran
last Friday on her way to prayers. Shadi was walking with a group of
women's rights activists along a busy road when unidentified
plain-clothed men beat her with batons before bundling her into a
car.

A call-out has gone out from Iran Solidarity for people across the
world to stand with the
Iranian people on July 25th and subsequently for the next year in
daily 'acts of solidarity' at Trafalgar Square. They are
also calling for other actions to highlight the ongoing repression
such as flashmobs and infostalls.

* A Brighton protest is planning to meet at the Palace Pier at midday
this Saturday, 25th.

** For more visit www.iransolidarity.org.uk





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STILL CAMPING IT UP

It's summer (no, really) and time for a bit of in-tents action.
With three Climate Camps coming up, the UK Climate Camp scene is
seeing the break up of the union with separate Scottish, Welsh and
English events. The camps are the usual low impact living affairs with
renewable energy, compost toilets and grey water systems. Meals are
provided by camp kitchens and there are practical workshops, direct
action and horizontal organisation.

Running alongside all three will be police camps with all mod cons,
shiny uniforms and usual harassment.

First up is the Scottish Climate Camp (3rd-10th August), in the Firth
of Forth area which has lots of power stations, corporate HQs, gas and
oil refineries, open cast coal mines, a nuclear power station and a
cement factory. Info: www.climatecampscotland.org.uk

Wales' first climate camp will be in the south of the country
August 13-16. Info: www.climatecampcymru.org

And last is the UK (English) camp which will be near London, 27
August - 2 September. Info: www.climatecamp.org.uk



*And don't forget the other permanent camps in Scotland: Mainshill
camp in South Lanarkshire was set up oppose Scottish Coal who've been
given the go-ahead to mine 1.7 million tonnes despite 700 out of 1000
locals putting in objections to the scheme. The camp is building
defences and always appreciates more people and tat.

Info: www.coalactionedinburgh.noflag.org.uk/?page_id=415 or call
07806 926040



Long running anti-nuke weapons establishment Faslane Peace Camp is in
need of people. The peace camp, running since 1982, is down to
just one member. All the other regular residents are defending land
elsewhere in the country. There is a real need for people to move
there or visit as often as they can.

The camp is a base for direct action against nuclear weapons and
related issues it would be a great shame if the camp closed. To help
keep this 27-year-old protesting institution going get yerself up
north sharpish! Contact: 01436820901,  faslaniapeacecamp@yahoo.co.uk
and www.myspace.com/faslanepeacecamp



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STILL KEMPING IT UP

This week has seen the opening of the third corporate-run supermarket
on St James' Street in Kemptown, Brighton. In response Campaign
group Keep Brighton Unique organised a demonstration calling for a
boycott of the new Tesco store last Wednesday (22nd).

Tesco recently cancelled plans to open a 100,000 sq ft store on
London Road, Brighton, due to a locally organised action group's
campaign of opposition during the consultation. The group, Another
London Road, have been acting continuously to preserve Brighton from
multinational development. Anti-corporate campaigners were hopeful
when the St James' St Tesco was initially refused an alcohol
licence on the grounds that it was in an booze control area within
the city centre. However, magistrates bowed to the big business
bullies on appeal and granted the licence.

Kemptown, renowned for its quirky, individual and unique atmosphere
as well as its independent traders and privately run shops, now has
the dubious honour of having a Morrison's, Co-op, Tesco and
Starbucks all along one stretch of high street.

Despite a recent set back in their campaign against Starbucks, as the
council accepted the questionable evidence of 51% of products being
sold for take-out and allowed Starbucks to continue trading on a
retail licence (SchNEWS 679), Keep Brighton Unique will be continuing
to hold monthly protests outside various Starbucks in the city. To
date, this rowdy bunch have collected over 3,000 anti-Starbucks
signatures and staged weekly protests for more than a year.

The next Keep Brighton Unique demo is midday 1st August outside the
St James' Street Starbucks, then on the first Saturday of every
month.

The protesters were joined last Wednesday by another group
campaigning against a Tesco in Titnore Woods (near Worthing), where
groundwork has started without full planning permission on an area
with ancient woodland and that is at severe risk of flooding.
Protesters have been camped in the nearby woods since May 2006 (See
SchNEWS 648). Help is still needed with the camp.

* Info on the London Road campaign group:
 http://anotherlondonroad.googlepages.com

* How to get involved in the anti-Titnore Tesco campaign:
www.protectourwoodland.co.uk



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TWISTY TIERNEY

Peter Tierney, Liverpool businessman by day, so called BNP
'super activist' by night, is set to stand trial for
assault at Liverpool Magistrates Court on August 5th. After previously
being nicked twice, once for the possession of 100 wild bird eggs,
Tierney was collared in April after splitting open the head of an
Anti-Fascist protester with a camera tripod.

The Anti-Fascists had been following Tierney and his fellow BNP
Neanderthals around Liverpool city centre, foiling their attempts to
set up a stall and leaflet passers-by. After twice having to pack up
and leave, Tiernery finally flipped out and started attacking
protesters with the folded tripod. He was joined in his assault by
Steven Greenhalgh, who used an upturned table as a riot shield.


The BNP are attempting to organise a demonstration outside the Court
in support of Tierney. Liverpool Anti-Facists are calling out for a
counter-demonstration to show that Tierney and the BNP have no place
in the community.

* See www.antifa.org.uk



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TESTING TIMES

An animal rights protest was held by Gateway to Hell campaigners and
Stop Sequani Animal Testing group (See SchNEWS 646) in Ledbury,
Herefordshire last week (Wednesday 15th).

The demo, named No Holiday For The Animals Inside Sequani, was held
to stop the cruel practices of Sequani Labs in their treatment of
animals used to test pharmaceutical drugs, chemical compounds and
medical devices.

30 protesters in summer clothes with buckets and spades were joined
by 22 police officers and 7 police vehicles, while passing motorists
showed their support by sounding their horns. Some cops then took
offence and started hitting these drive-by supporters... with
£30 fines - much to the confusion of the people concerned and
the other officers.

One arrest was made of a campaigner for withholding their name,
details which were later leaked on a pro-vivisection website after the
police used painful restraint methods to extract the information.

More action is planned see www.sequani.wordpress.com or
www.gatewaytohell.net



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AND FINALLY

Pent up Pagan police are now campaigning for an officially recognised
support group - a Pagan Police Association. Well it can't
be easy concentrating on your mantras when the Chief Super is
breathing down your neck...

Pentagram-carrying Pagan police are already allowed up to eight days
annual leave which they can take off and join all the hippies at the
solstice and equinox, but presumably not to skin up a big spliff.

Pagan cop Andy Pardy, from Hertfordshire told Police Review:
'Paganism is not the new age, tree-hugging fad that some people
think it is' (Maybe you're more into pig worship).
'It is not the clandestine, horrible, evil thing that people
think it is.' (No Andy, that's MI5.)

SchNEWS wonders what is next... Satanist or Jedi Police
Associations?



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Disclaimer

SchNEWS warns all readers, if you bite the hand that feeds you too
hard, expect a backlash. Honest!

======================================================================


SchMOVIES


'ON THE VERGE' - the Smash EDO campaign film

Screenings throughout the year, or download or order a copy.

For updates and details click here
 http://www.schnews.org.uk/schmovies/index-on-the-verge.htm



TAKE THREE - SchMOVIES Collection DVD 2007
*** OUT NOW ***

This is the third SchMOVIES DVD collection featuring short direct
action films produced by SchMOVIES in 2007, covering Hill Of Tara
Protests, Smash EDO, Naked Bike Ride, The No Borders Camp at
Gatwick,
Class War plus many others. To buy a copy click here:
 http://www.schnews.org.uk/schmovies/index.html#take-three


To download (free) and watch a selection of SchMOVIES short films
click
here  http://www.schnews.org.uk/schmovies


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PARTY & PROTEST
What's On? Check out our Party and Protest guide at
www.schnews.org.uk/pap/guide.php - it's updated every week, has
sections on
regular events, local events, protest camps and more...


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