A lot has happened during the past few months: Scottish Coal and Strathclyde Police busted through barricades with a JCB and removed machinery, the Camp for Climate Action in Scotland set up in the field next to the camp, actions have happened, and finally an issue has been made of coal expansion in Scotland. Amazing work and research has been done into the health impacts of open cast coal mining for surrounding communities (see  http://coalhealthstudy.org/) – an issue that Scottish Coal, Lord Home (the land owner) and South Lanarkshire Council can no longer silence.

So why have a group of people decided to live on the site of a relatively small open cast coal mine, that is mostly plantation forest and surrounded by only a few small communities, and why is this so important? Because it is places such as Douglas that direct action, rooted in community struggle, can be at its most effective. At Mainshill, the fight is against feudal land ownership and a fat-cat Lord, a corrupt Council that has removed local democratic processes, a multi-million pound mining company that stops at nothing for profit and government policy that prioritises cheap coal over community health and the environment.

Now the campaign is firmly established and is winning a lot of ground, pressure and momentum must be kept up and the struggle must be brought to other communities facing similar injustices as Douglas.
The camp will defend this liberated space and stand in solidarity with communities until the Wood is saved!

How you can help:
- Visit and stay at the camp! Even if its just for a day we’d love to have you
- Donations – both financial and anything from our wishlist here are much appreciated
- Spread the word – help distribute flyers, send emails and tell people about the struggle
- Take action – central Scotland is littered with coal infrastructure, corporate HQs, open cast mines and power stations