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COP OUT CAMP OUT is staying put in Trafalgar Square

Camp for Climate Action | 08.12.2009 15:27 | COP15 Climate Summit 2009 | Climate Chaos | Free Spaces | Social Struggles | World

At 4pm on Saturday, following The Wave of 40,000 concerned individuals, Climate Camp went further and occupied Trafalgar Square successfully for the planned 48 hours. However, with the doomed Copenhagen Climate Conference only just beginning its two week corporate sponsored farce, we're now not going anywhere.

The Camp will hold the space for the entire conference, reclaiming one the busiest locations in the world to push for genuine solutions to climate change. So, if you're not off to Copenhagen then this is the place you need to be. Bring your tent, warm clothes, and ideas for action!

When the tripods first shot up and the rocket stoves got burning, it wasn't long before the actions started rolling. Prior to the talks beginning, 20 Santas took over the departure lounge at London City Airport as the last flights of hypocrisy left for Copenhagen. Then on Monday, with the summit beginning, activists blockaded the European Carbon Exchange offices sending a clear message that the false solutions on the table will be stopped every step of the way. Meanwhile campers continued cooking, discussing, and plotting as requests to leave were ignored.

Surrounded by opportunity, the camp is preparing for our two week stay. We are the Christmas present under the square's enormous tree this year, already working well with community groups to collectively push for climate justice during this season of festivity. Those of us remaining in the UK need to demonstrate we are not simply sitting back and letting our "leaders" tear apart the planet, but are enacting the change we need ourselves. But this will only succeed if everyone gets involved for as little or as long as they can.

What to bring:
Simple. Just a tent, warm and waterproof clothes. Oh, and all your friends!

Wish list:
Vegan food, blankets, tarps, pallets, party/frame tents, cardboard, banners, big water bottles + anything else you think may be helpful...

We look forward to greeting you with a hot cup of tea.

Much love,
The Climate Camp Trafalgar Crew xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Camp for Climate Action
- e-mail: info@climatecamp.org.uk
- Homepage: http://www.climatecamp.org.uk

Comments

Hide the following 8 comments

Excellent!

08.12.2009 16:21

I want to get in here first to preempt all the cynical, pessimistic people on indymedia.
I have already posted most of this, so apologies if you find you're reading it for the second time. Here are reasons for it taking place and you getting involved:
- It is a base from which DIRECT ACTION is being organised and carried out on a daily basis, come and see for yourself and get involved!
- It is reclaiming space and demonstrating alternative ways of living, consensus decision making, etc.
- It is highly visible and outreach teams are talking to passers-by and so on in friendly, non-combative ways to talk about why climate change is such an important issue, why 'our global leaders'' solutions will not work, and why urgent, direct aciton is needed.
- It is an immensely fun and friendly environment. Fun things are good to do.

I think that answers most of the cynics questions, fair enough for asking, but perhaps now we can all get involved and make it threatening and radical. Even if you are cynical of it, it is a unique opportunity to have a base from which all kinds of actions can take place.

This could be a genuinely pivotal event in the future of radical organising around climate change. It may well not be, but it has great potential because of the situation. If all those who are unsure about coming, or are cynical come along it could become the start of something quite big. Let's make sure that happens.
happyanarchy

happyanarchy


FUEL POVERTY UR BEATEN IT

08.12.2009 18:14


If Trafalgar Square can be taken, then Westminster can! Viva Climate Camp, et. al.! Indeed why stop there?

There is a nice wall garden at  http://www.royal.gov.uk/ now bringing The Class War Home and Climate Change sounds fucking good to myself, and one year ago those rioters in Athens Greece gave us this


Just a thought if those at TRAFALGAR SQUARE get cold.

underclassrising.net


@happyanarchy and class struggle anarchists everywhere

08.12.2009 22:20

After the last climate camp (blackheath) there was a lot of criticism of climate camp and climate camp actions. this time around I have seen very little analysis or criticism of climate camp in trafalgar square from anarchists on indymedia or any other anarchist forums or e-lists. there has been no negative comments, in fact there has been no comment at all.
what does tis silence indicate? What do we think about the latest climate camp endeavour? Do we as class struggle anarchists support this action? Will it be an effective action? how should we support this action?
Personally i feel that climate camp and climate camp actions have lost their edge. Climate camp is no longer a threat to the status quo. Its quest for media approval has ensured that it has become the safe face of climate activism. this is state-sanctioned protest.
I commend all those who are camped in trafalgar square, your hearts are in the right place and potentially you face police harrassment, violence and incarceration, however it is time that the thousands of climate campers nationwide to step it up and take it to the next level.
We've done the workshops, we know whats at stake, its time to really make our mark.

working-class former climate camper


Working-class former climate camper

09.12.2009 08:50

Instead of criticising from the sidelines why don't you come to the camp and talk to the campers in Trafalgar Square who spent four month's camping on the Isle of Wight at the Save Vesta's campaign. They can tell you about actually putting your body on the line in the cause of class struggle! It's time to stop posturing, stop arguing, stop factionalism, and to join together in serious action. That is what is happening right now in Trafalgar Square.

Battle of Trafalgar


come on

09.12.2009 14:07

guys, if this really posed a threat to the ruling class they would never let it happen. stop pandering to media and actually take real direct action to disrupt and destroy the system!

anon


good on the campers, long may they continue

09.12.2009 20:15

for fu*k's sake. isn't it enough that they are camped in one of the most famous squares ever, even from a political sense, covering history of the "empire" and also of street struggle like poll tax, or even further into history, the suffragettes, etc? leave the campers alone and get off your arse..........lazy bastard, go and help them make it more, if thats what you want.


and as for where is the response from anarchists? im one and my response is "well fucking done, never leave and never surrender!!"


climate crime must be confronted!

anarchism and environmentalism together with feminism, animal liberation and workers and ethnic struggles.......UNITE AND FIGHT!

anarchist


cheers

11.12.2009 14:10

from the homeless day-support resources centre in the top corner of the square. A "customer".
more!

yourname


if you're in the north come to Mainshill

11.12.2009 14:16

The Mainshill Solidarity Camp is still occupying the woods six months on. The camp is still on eviction alert and work is continuing on defences. With a nice warm communal structure now in place it really is a great place to visit or live.

Community support is still strong and the camp is still stopping the open cast from going ahead so come on down and visit or stay!

treebeard
- Homepage: http://mainshill.noflag.org.uk