Ed Miliband’s offices blockaded: Vestas solidarity
WCA | 03.08.2009 12:31 | Climate Chaos | Workers' Movements | South Coast
Ed Miliband's London offices were blockaded this morning by a coalition of "red, green and black" activists in a demonstration of solidarity for the factory workers who have been occupying the Vestas wind turbine plant on the Isle of Wight since the 20th July.
The protesters were glued from 8.30am to 10.30am
The occupation in Newport (Isle of Wight) is protesting against the Vestas management's decision to shut down the factory, cutting 600 jobs and representing a severe blow to the local community and to a green economy. The workers are currently entering their fifteenth day of occupation, calling for nationalisation and workers' control of the factory.
The activists in Whitehall, holding placards saying "take back the wind power" and wearing red, green and black as a symbol of their diverse political viewpoints, glued themselves in a chain across the entrance of the Department for Energy and Climate Change, demanding that the factory be kept open.
The action marks the development of a new alliance between socialist and autonomist environmental campaigners which has been cemented by the Vestas solidarity campaign under Workers Climate Action. (savevestas.wordpress.com)
Sophie Lewis, co-coordinator of the support network, said: "this is not the first time the world has seen an alliance between politically distinct groups under the banner of fighting climate activism. But Save Vestas is a narrative so potent that thousands nationally and internationally are rallying around it."
This action comes a day before the Vestas management attempts to obtain an injunction to evict the workers.
Molly Grayson, one of the activists glued on, said:
"Closing down the UK's only wind turbine factory is an act of madness at a time like this. Climate change has to be tackled and in a recession green jobs should be the last to go. This is an issue which is so pressing that ordinary people of all political leanings are prepared to get arrested for it. I'm here today to show up Ed Miliband's hypocrisy in promising a green revolution but falling flat at the first hurdle."
Latest news: The protesters were removed at 10.30am and arrested. The paramedics did NOT follow the correct safety procudure and use warm soapy water to remove them, they just yanked their hands apart and told them it was their own fault.
The protesters are expected to be released on bail later today
For the latest news, see also: workersclimateaction.wordpress.com
The activists in Whitehall, holding placards saying "take back the wind power" and wearing red, green and black as a symbol of their diverse political viewpoints, glued themselves in a chain across the entrance of the Department for Energy and Climate Change, demanding that the factory be kept open.
The action marks the development of a new alliance between socialist and autonomist environmental campaigners which has been cemented by the Vestas solidarity campaign under Workers Climate Action. (savevestas.wordpress.com)
Sophie Lewis, co-coordinator of the support network, said: "this is not the first time the world has seen an alliance between politically distinct groups under the banner of fighting climate activism. But Save Vestas is a narrative so potent that thousands nationally and internationally are rallying around it."
This action comes a day before the Vestas management attempts to obtain an injunction to evict the workers.
Molly Grayson, one of the activists glued on, said:
"Closing down the UK's only wind turbine factory is an act of madness at a time like this. Climate change has to be tackled and in a recession green jobs should be the last to go. This is an issue which is so pressing that ordinary people of all political leanings are prepared to get arrested for it. I'm here today to show up Ed Miliband's hypocrisy in promising a green revolution but falling flat at the first hurdle."
Latest news: The protesters were removed at 10.30am and arrested. The paramedics did NOT follow the correct safety procudure and use warm soapy water to remove them, they just yanked their hands apart and told them it was their own fault.
The protesters are expected to be released on bail later today
For the latest news, see also: workersclimateaction.wordpress.com
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