UK Newswire Archive
Anti nuclear protesters brand government consultation a con
25-11-2010 21:22
call to protest outside Bristol public meeting on Monday (29th Nov)Anti-nuclear activists are urging people to join them in a protest outside an 'undemocratic' government consultation on nuclear power.
West country members of the Stop Nuclear Power Network are urging people to join them in a protest against an ‘undemocratic’ meeting to discuss the government’s National Policy Statements on energy (1) – which includes the role of nuclear power in the UK’s future energy mix. The event is one of only three that will take place around the country.
“This so-called public meeting is highly undemocratic and has all the hallmarks of the secrecy (2) that the nuclear industry is renowned for,” said Nikki Clark, a campaigner who lives near Hinkley Point. “It has not been widely publicised and only 100 people have been allowed to attend.” The protest will take place this Monday (29th) outside the Armada House Conference & Events, Armada House, Telephone Avenue, Bristol at 1pm.
Local Stop Nuclear Power Network campaigners argue that the consultation does not acknowledge that nuclear power is dangerous, undemocratic and unaffordable. “The high-level waste from nuclear power stations cannot be safely stored,’ says Nikki. ‘The government has no clue how to deal with it - except for deep storage which is a solution that is deeply flawed, leaving the problem for future generations to deal with.”
“Nuclear power originated as a way of producing atomic weapons and it has never lost its link with the arms industry and war,” adds Nikki. “Depleted uranium from nuclear powers stations is used in weapons that cause cancers and birth defects in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
Nikki says the Bristol meeting is being held during the day, making it difficult for working people to attend. Scheduled for two and a half hours, campaigners say the event will not allow enough time for attendees to question the extensive range of documents included in this consultation (a staggering 168 documents in total - of which 148 of these relate to the governments plans for new nuclear.)
Campaigners say the true costs of producing energy by the nuclear route have never been honestly calculated and put before the public: for instance, the costs of decommissioning are not included. “This consultation exercise is a sham. The government has no interest in what we have to say. It’s simply a box-ticking exercise so that it can avoid legal challenges in the future.”
Susan Newland another member of the Stop Nuclear Power Network says, “ We are going to be protesting about the government’s proposal to build a new generation of nuclear power stations, starting with Hinkley Point.”
“This proposal, if carried through, will pose a threat to our health and the health of future generations. Nuclear power stations will poison the environment with radioactive waste. Even if the government says it will not use public subsidies for the next generation of power plants, you can be sure the public will be paying for it one way or another.’
Caroline Lucas, our only green MP, has slammed nuclear new build as unsafe and unnecessary.(4)( 5) ‘We say that it's a strategy that the British people can't afford,” adds Nikki.
ENDS
=========================================================
Photo opportunity for attendees of meeting between 1:00 – 1:30pm
Further photo opportunities outside the venue at 16:30pm.
Notes for editors
1 - Power trip (article by paul Dorfman on government consultation in 2007)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2007/may/23/nuclearin...fairs
2 – Brown given drubbing over nuclear (Greenpeace)
http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/nuclear/brown-gets-a-...80103
3 – Sustainable Development Position Paper
http://www.sd-commission.org.uk/publications/downloads/...6.pdf
4 – caroline lucas on new nuclear
http://www.carolinelucasmep.org.uk/2008/01/10/green-eur...ment/
5 - nuclear power is not the solution to climate change http://www.nuclearpolicy.info/docs/nuclearmonitor/c4h.pdf
Demo against new nuclear power
25-11-2010 21:22
Call for protest against 'undemocratic' government consultationWest country members of the Stop Nuclear Power Network are calling for people to join them in a protest outside Armada House, Telegraph Avenue, Bristol on Monday 29th Nov.
West country members of the Stop Nuclear Power Network are urging the public to join them in a protest against an ‘undemocratic’ meeting to discuss the government’s National Policy Statements on energy (1) – which includes the role of nuclear power in the UK’s future energy mix. The event is one of only three that will take place around the country.
The protest will take place this Monday (29th) outside the Armada House Conference & Events, Armada House, Telephone Avenue, Bristol at 1pm. “This so-called public meeting is highly undemocratic and has all the hallmarks of the secrecy (2) that the nuclear industry is renowned for,” said Nikki Clark, a campaigner who lives near Hinkley Point. “It has not been widely publicised and only 100 people have been allowed to attend.”
Local Stop Nuclear Power Network campaigners argue that the consultation does not acknowledge that nuclear power is dangerous, undemocratic and unaffordable. “The high-level waste from nuclear power stations cannot be safely stored,’ says Nikki. ‘The government has no clue how to deal with it - except for deep storage which is a solution that is deeply flawed, leaving the problem for future generations to deal with.”
“Nuclear power originated as a way of producing atomic weapons and it has never lost its link with the arms industry and war,” adds Nikki. “Depleted uranium from nuclear powers stations is used in weapons that cause cancers and birth defects in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
Nikki says the Bristol meeting is being held during the day, making it difficult for working people to attend. She adds that numbers are limited and anyone who wants to speak has to register in advance, providing photo ID on the door.
Scheduled for two and a half hours, campaigners say the event will not allow enough time for attendees to question the extensive range of documents included in this consultation (a staggering 168 documents in total - of which 148 of these relate to the governments plans for new nuclear.)
Campaigners say the true costs of producing energy by the nuclear route have never been honestly calculated and put before the public: for instance, the costs of decommissioning are not included. “This consultation exercise is a sham. The government has no interest in what we have to say. It’s simply a box-ticking exercise so that it can avoid legal challenges in the future.”
Susan Newland another member of the Stop Nuclear Power Network says, “ We are going to be protesting about the government’s proposal to build a new generation of nuclear power stations, starting with Hinkley Point.”
“This proposal, if carried through, will pose a threat to our health and the health of future generations. Nuclear power stations will poison the environment with radioactive waste. Even if the government says it will not use public subsidies for the next generation of power plants, you can be sure the public will be paying for it one way or another.’
Caroline Lucas, our only green MP, has slammed nuclear new build as unsafe and unnecessary.(4)( 5) ‘We say that it's a strategy that the British people can't afford,” adds Nikki.
ENDS
=========================================================
References:
1 - Power trip (article by paul Dorfman on government consultation in 2007)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2007/may/23/nuclearin...fairs
2 – Brown given drubbing over nuclear (Greenpeace)
http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/nuclear/brown-gets-a-...80103
3 – Sustainable Development Position Paper
http://www.sd-commission.org.uk/publications/downloads/...6.pdf
4 – caroline lucas on new nuclear
http://www.carolinelucasmep.org.uk/2008/01/10/green-eur...ment/
5 - nuclear power is not the solution to climate change http://www.nuclearpolicy.info/docs/nuclearmonitor/c4h.pdf
Dec 7th Support Vigil as Disarm Now Plowshares activists face trial:
25-11-2010 20:35
!!Squalidarity!!
25-11-2010 20:22
benefit night at "the frowning motorcycle"bands and dj's
A benefit night in stokes crofts' newest event space, all cash going towards a cause, the Stop Hinkley C campaign aims to raise funds and awareness against nuclear power plant plans, Bristol Against Arms Trade - highlight our forward-thinking city's deep roots in dodgy business and the Save our Freeshop campaign is self explanatory.
They'll be an eclectic mix of bands and DJ throughout the night
and it'll be going on all night
£3
DAYX2 Student Protests - Nottingham Tuesday 30.11.10
25-11-2010 20:15
Ratcliffe Trial: Prosecution Opens
25-11-2010 19:23
After Monday's administrations and argument, the trial of 20 activists accused of "conspiracy to commit aggravated trespass" at Ratcliffe power station got underway properly on Tuesday, with the jury being introduced to the prosecution's main elements of the case.
On the newswire: BBC coverage of Ratcliffe Trial | First witness called for the Ratcliffe Trial | Day 2 – Prosecution’s Opening Statement | Ratcliffe Trial Day 2 - Prosecution’s Opening
The prosecution barrister asked the jury to hold four words in their heads: 'trespass', 'conspiracy', 'disruption' and 'lawful activity'. She stated that the facts of the case showed there clearly was an agreement by the defendants to disrupt the lawful activity of Ratcliffe on Soar – namely the generation of electricity by burning coal. She alluded to key documents found including a catering sheet provisioning enough supplies to last a week – which was how long the action would have been lasted if it had gone ahead.
Some summary details of the press release enititled, "Activists shut down UK’s second largest source of CO2 emissions" were also mentioned.
Several times during the thirty minute speech the Proscution suggested that the activists planned this complex and expensive operation because they were unwilling to engage in other forms of communication, such as "giving a talk to the W.I" (Women's Institute) or "a local scout group". She said it was more "fun" and "exciting" for the defendants to “abseil down a chimney flue" than to "talk to Manchester United fans about the dangers of burning coal".
Moreover, the prosecution asked, "Is it really necessary to close down a power station when there are so many democratic means available?" – referencing a political process that has allowed the first member of the Green Party to become a Member of Parliament. "Was it more fun," she asked, "to plan this action or to vote for Zac Goldsmith?" "Did the defendants do all this, because they didn’t have a Glastonbury ticket?"
At this point – a member of the jury passed a note with three questions to the Judge. The prosecution finished their opening and the Judge left it to the Defence Counsel to answer.
"Zac Goldsmith? Man Utd? Glastonbury? What is the relevance of these?" asked the Jury. The Defence barrister, Ed Rees answered that there was none – before continuing with his planned opening statements.
The Defence referred back to the Prosecution’s “fighting talk". "I won’t go as far to say that the Prosecution’s remarks about the defendants were offensive – but to allege that the defendants don’t engage with the democratic process is not the case."
The defence pointed out that Ratcliffe on Soar was responsible for over 9 million tonnes of CO2 in 2007 and that politicians and energy companies were failing to deal with the issue – that there existed a 'democratic deficit'.
"You’re not going to hear about forlorn looking polar bears floating on dwindling ice sheets. This case, if anything, is about getting real."
Jock Palfreeman Solidarity
25-11-2010 19:22
Thanks Leeds - nice oneAs some of you will know jock lived and partyed in Bristol and Easton in particular.
Now he's not here which makes me unhappy.
So when I saw this great effort I felt a little better.
Jock Palfreeman Solidarity - West Yorkhite
Leeds Antifash | 23.11.2010 22:10 | Anti-racism
Banner drop in Leeds and Film Day in Bradford in solidarity with Jock Palfreeman - Antifascist imprisoned in Bulgaria.
A banner has been placed over the ring road in Leeds, seen by thousands every day. Pictures below.
Antifascist film day in Bradford - December 4 at the 1 in 12 club.
JOCK PALFREEMAN
Jock Palfreeman is a 23 year-old Australian Anarchist and antifascist, who in December 2007 went to the aid of two Roma boys being attacked by 16 fascists in Sofia, Bulgaria. The boys managed to escape, but the gang then turned on Jock, and he was viciously attacked. Jock fought back in self-defence, and one of the gang was injured and another killed. Since then Jock has been held in Sofia Prison, where he could be for years if pressure is not brought to bear on the Bulgarian authorities.. He urgently needs our support and solidarity.
Write to Jock at:
Jock Palfreeman
Sofia Central Prison
21 General Stoletov Boulevard
Sofia 1309
Bulgaria
http://www.freejock.com/
Leeds Antifash
audio atmospheres from the 24th demo
25-11-2010 19:22
relive the fun of 24thIts features girls singing 'fuck the police', boys singing 'build a bonfire', everyone singing 'your jobs next' at the cops, 'no ifs no buts no education cuts'.
There is a bangin and rattling and then a roar as the mob break into the student union building and finally a lament of 'fck the police' followed by 'here's a message for the FEDS - you're abusing your fucking horses you dickheads!'
Looks like there's a follow up planned for next week.
Our youth have inspired the italians to occupy the leaning tower of pisa , who knows it might not be long before the adults in this country get into it too.
x
300 years of fossil fuel addiction
25-11-2010 18:22
Just saw this on the you tubes and thought it may be of interest to fellow Bristolians.Watch the video and then do something.
Join the Transition network
http://www.transitionbristol.net/
Grow some stuff
http://www.eastsideroots.org.uk/volunteer.html
Hell write some letters to a politician if you really want to. Just dosomething this week
Alright now! Won't you listen?
25-11-2010 18:22
Legalize ItNow this is a subject I’ve wanted to raise for discussion for some time now.
I think they (feds & politicians) are wrong.
I say legalize it
And not just for medical use but for general enjoyment for all.
Anyone disagree?
Just know I was looking on http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/
for news of yesterdays student protest. I read a load of propaganda about the police not treating their horses badly during the protest and that the numerous complaints they received about a horse being hit with a batten where nothing to be worried about. Lets face it – the feds regard hitting out with their battens as no big thing.
Anyway, sickened by this I moved on and came across this item:
Police are renewing their war against drug dealers in Avon and Somerset with a revived campaign to target cannabis factories.
Operation Viscount, which begins on Monday Nov 22, aims to execute as many warrants as possible over the next four weeks.
Alright now!
Won't you listen?
When I first met you, you didn't realize
I can't forget you or your surprise
You introduced me to my mind
And left me wanting, you and your kind
I love you, Oh you know it
My life was empty, forever on a down
Until you took me, showed me around
My life is free now, my life is clear
I love you sweet leaf, though you can't hear
Come on now, try it out
Straight people don't know, what you're about
They put you down and shut you out
You gave to me a new belief
And soon the world will love you sweet leaf
Drugs strategy manager Paul Bunt said: "We will disrupt and dismantle this type of criminal activity and send a clear message that the cultivation of drugs will not be tolerated in the Avon and Somerset force area."
Over 12 weeks this summer, police seized cannabis worth more than six million pounds. They found more than 7,000 cannabis plants in houses, disused shops and empty factories and confiscated more than £70,000 is cash, plus cocaine, cannabis resin and cannabis bush. Officers also arrested 68 people suspected of growing and selling the drug.
"Cannabis is seen by some as a lower level drug, but we take it very seriously," said Mr Bunt.
"The cannabis trade itself is illegal, but it can also bring other crime to an area if a factory is located there. We execute cannabis warrants on an ongoing basis but this sustained three-month campaign provided additional impetus to really raise awareness of this type of crime and drive home the message that we won't tolerate it."
Mr Bunt said that the police find that many large cannabis factories have been set up by Vietnamese or Chinese gangs who install several "gardeners" – often illegal immigrants – in rented properties to grow and harvest the plants.
Mr Bunt said many of the Viscount warrants followed information from the public. Police also used heat-seeking cameras in the force helicopter, and officers on the ground have used hand-held thermal imaging devices to check suspect properties for abnormal amounts of heat – a tell-tale sign of a cannabis factory. Western Power Distribution funded the hand-held devices to the tune of £6,000 each.
Mr Bunt said: "We would also like to thank the public for their continued support. We continue to encourage people to contact us if they believe there is a cannabis factory in their area."
Apparently this crap is named – Operation Viscount.
Now this is a subject I’ve wanted to raise for discussion for some time now.
I think they (feds & politicians) are wrong.
I say legalize it
And not just for medical use but for general enjoyment for all.
Anyone disagree?
LSE students Occupy Simon Hugues office
25-11-2010 18:22
Recent Student Protests news:
20 LSE students are currently occupying the offices of Simon Hughes, LieDem Deputy Leader at the Blue in Southwark.See pic below ...
Also, the SOAS occupation got an injunction and bailiffs are expected to move in this afternoon at around 7pm. The occupiers are asking people to head down to SOAS's Brunei Gallery and defend the occupation by stopping the bailiffs.
More information about the occupation here and here.
Oxford occupation evicted
25-11-2010 17:57
The occupiers of the Radcliffe Camera have been evicted by police smashing their way in and dragging everyone out.Royal Holloway Occupation a Success!
25-11-2010 17:45
After 48 hours the Royal Holloway Anti Cuts Alliance occupation has been a success - public management meetings in the pipeline!Students occupying UEL Docklands
25-11-2010 17:22
Students occupying a room in the East Building join rally in solidarity with UEL contract cleaners.
A group of students have occupied a room on the University of East London Docklands Campus demanding that the university pledge not to introduce tuition fee increases, not to implement cuts, staff redundancies or wage reductions and that the London Living Wage must be immediately implemented for all staff including contracted workers. Students are also demanding that the Vice Chancellor issues a statement against fees and cuts as well as pressurising other members of the Million Plus group to do the same and that there must be absolutely no victimisation or disciplinary action taken against any of the students, staff and representatives involved in the occupation
Students hanging out of the windows of the aptly named room 101 on the first floor of the East Building joined in a rally in support of UEL cleaners who management have agreed should be paid the London Living Wage. However, they have have not committed themselves to a timetable, other than a vague promise that the rise would be insisted on 'when contracts are renewed'
Palestine Today 11 25 2010
25-11-2010 16:58
Brian McCarvill In The Hole – Letter Appeal
25-11-2010 16:40
Brian McCarvill is a long time anarchist, prisoner rights activist and jail house lawyer in Oregon, USA. He is serving an absurd 30+ year sentence, because he refused to accept a five year plea deal before trial, related to a custody battle and a violent altercation with the Child Services Department. Brian recently wrote that he is in the hole and doesn't yet know how long he will be held there. He says he was set up, will now loose his jail house lawyer job and will suffer the consequences for a long time.Dear Student Anti-Cuts Protesters (A Plea for Solidarity)
25-11-2010 16:22
Dear Student Anti-Cuts Protesters,
Thank you. You are an inspiration. You have lit the blue touch paper. But now is not the time to stand back.
Glasgow Student Protest Direct Action thwarted by Self-appointed Police.
25-11-2010 16:22
If you are wondering what happened in Glasgow yesterday:
There was an occupation of part of the Strathclyde Uni building on Ingram St.
SWP types at Glasgow Uni openly liasied with the cops and prevented students from gaining access to the university administrative offices, Physically barring the way. (Photographic evidence coming in a report from other sources).
The University of Strategic Optimism - 1st Lecture
25-11-2010 16:22
Welcome, welcome to the University For Strategic Optimism. Below is the script for our first lecture which was communally discussed and collectively written. The lecture will be performed in a bank on Wednesday the 24 of Nov (location to be announced). If you want to take part in taking our university to a bank please do come to Laurie Grove Baths, Laurie Grove, New Cross at 10:30am this Wednesday for the briefing.
“Welcome to the University for Strategic Optimism, a university based on the principal of free and open education, a return of politics to the public, and the politicisation of public space. As our university buildings are being boarded up we inhabit the bank as public space. Not just a public space but the proper and poignant place for the introductory lecture to our course entitled ‘Higher Education, Neo-Liberalism and the State’. We will take up only five minutes of your time for our inaugural lecture but will reconvene in different locations on the dates to be found on the syllabus that should be circulating. Please do check the website for further information and for details about assessment.
How much was spent on the bank bailout?
- £850 billion
Who’s paying for this?
- students
- workers
- pensioners
- the unemployed
We at the University for Strategic Optimism reject the false antagonisms set up by the media between these groups and declare our solidarity with them. We are told that we must tighten our belts and sharpen our elbows so that the markets might be appeased, the collapse of society staved off. Along with Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel-prize-winning economist, we puzzle over a world in which the poor subsidise the rich.
Coach to the National Climate March - 4 December
25-11-2010 15:34
Join the National Climate March in London
Coach leaves Salutation at 8:00am
Tickets £10 (waged) £6 (student/unwaged)
The UN Climate Talks start on Monday 29 November in Cancun, Mexico. After the disappointments of Copenhagen it is crucial to demonstrate our concerns about climate change and keep the pressure on our Government negotiators. Synchronised demonstrations around the world will be taking place on Saturday 4 December to call on world leaders to take urgent action on climate change - see http://www.globalclimatecampaign.org/
Urgent action on climate change provides a massive opportunity for new jobs - one million in the first year - see http://www.campaigncc.org/greenjobs. The recent publication of Zero Carbon Britain 2030 by the Centre for Alternative Technology gives further insight into what is possible - see http://www.zerocarbonbritain.com/
At a time of uncertainty and austerity urgent action on climate change has the potential to give some measure of security about the prospects for our common future and to open the possibilites of an exodus from the violence, greed and corruption that have brought us to where we are at present.
We hope that the coach might catalyse a new Nottm & Notts Climate Alliance that will be able to focus attention on Jobs, Climate and Communities through broad based grass roots activity.
The coach is jointly sponsored by the Notts TUC and Health in Your Environment.
For further information see the attached flyer and www.hiye.org.uk/drupal6
