UK Promoted Newswire Archive
Grayling talk disrupted
11-06-2011 11:36
World Premier Just Do It audio Q-A
10-06-2011 21:51
This Week in Palestine week 23 2011
10-06-2011 17:01
Shell compound occupied for 9 hours – third action in two days
10-06-2011 15:02
Wednesday and Thursday saw a serious of occupations and actions against the drilling compound at Aghoos in Mayo as part of the ongoing campaign against Shell. The events culminated in an eight-hour lock-on and a nine hour occupation of machinery which stopped all work for the day. Over thirty people were involved in the events. UK and other international campaigners joined Irish activist as part of the days of action.BoS Demonstrators Protest Unlawful Arrest Of Bank Account Funds
10-06-2011 12:44
Palestine Today 06 09 2011
09-06-2011 14:22
Just Do It, chat with Emily James and James Leadbitter
08-06-2011 19:40
Here's a chat I had with the "renowned" director Emily James and the activist and editor of the film James Leadbitter.
Palestine Today 06 08 2011
08-06-2011 15:29
Success! Workfare conference cancelled due to protest
07-06-2011 17:19
Palestine Today 06 07 2011
07-06-2011 15:23
raisin a stink at the baby show
06-06-2011 21:43
Despite ridiculously high levels of security, anti arms trade activists managed to enter the recent Baby Show at the NEC in Birmingham. The backstage area of the main stage and the stands of principal sponsors were attacked with stink bombs.Justice for All day of action
06-06-2011 17:03
Demo at Barnados Head Office
06-06-2011 16:55
On June 6th 2011, activists visited Barnados HQ in Barkingside Essex to protest against their involvement with the UK Border Agency. Campaigners gave out leaflets informing Barnados staff of the work that Barnados will be doing at the soon-to-be-opened "pre-departure accommodation facility" near Gatwick and urging them to express their concerns about this to Barnados management.
On June 6th 2011, activists visited Barnados HQ in Barkingside Essex to protest against their involvement with the UK Border Agency. Campaigners gave out leaflets informing Barnados staff of the work that Barnados will be doing at the soon-to-be-opened "pre-departure accommodation facility" near Gatwick and urging them to express their concerns about this to Barnados management.
Barnardos is the UK's largest children's charity. The protesters wanted to raise awareness among Barnardos' customers about the charity's controversial new involvement with the UK Border Agency (UKBA). Barnardos has accepted a government contract to run a creche at the soon-to-be-opened "pre-departure accommodation facility" near Gatwick. This is essentially a prison where asylum-seeking families with children will be detained pending a deportation attempt by the UKBA. The security at the prison will be done by G4 Securicor - the notorious firm involved in the deadly deportation of Jimmy Mubenga in October 2010.
The government are claiming to have ended child detention, and introduced a new “compassionate approach to family removals”. Barnardos' support for this process adds a veneer of respectability to the government's deception. Indeed, at the planning application meeting for the new prison, councilors said any concerns they had about the welfare of the children were reassured by Barnardos' involvement.
The protest was greeted by Barnados' Press Team who attempted to explain away Barnados' involvement in this new facility, claiming that they were trying to make the best out of a bad situation.
Protests against Barnados will continue...
Palestine Today 06 06 2011
06-06-2011 15:52
Direct Action Against Ken Clarke
04-06-2011 17:55
Direct action was taken against Ken Clarke's constituency offices on Thursday. While doughnut eating cops were dozing near by, the Tory social club on Rectory Road, West Bridgford had its doors D-locked shut and "Tory Scum" painted on it. The offices of the Rushcliffe Conservative Association across the road were attacked with paint and the messages "Class War" and "Fuck Ken in the Head" were painted.
Why the Tories?
Because they are the political wing of the ruling class of this country.
Because they are ruthlessly exploiting the recession to dismantle public services in order to make more profits for their friends, the captains of industry. This was a small act of defiance against the class that attacks us every day. Our message to them is simple: We are everywhere. We can attack at any time.
Why Ken Clarke?
Because he is a captain of industry himself, a rich parasite who is only too happy to help the Tories in order to help himself.
Because he can make light of rape, upholding patriarchal values, whilst wielding a huge amount of power over how its victims are dealt with.
Because he is the prison governor of UK PLC, the man in charge of injustice and unfreedom. His work over the past year has involved denying legal aid to people who can't afford to pay for a solicitor and putting more prisons into private hands, such as the recent move to privatise Birmingham Prison, to make profit out of misery. This action coincided with the national day of action to defend legal aid.
This action is dedicated to all those experiencing the extreme state repression of the UK prison system for resisting the state and capitalism. In particular we express solidarity with Edward Woolward, jailed for his part in smashing the Tory HQ in Millbank and David and Little Joe Foster, jailed for resisting the corporate state in Stokes Croft.
We also dedicate it to all of the women who have been misbelieved by the patriarchal justice system and have been convicted of making "false" rape claims. This includes Gail Sherwood, accused of lying that she was raped and "Sarah" who was convicted for retracting an accusation of rape (even though she was forced to do this by the rapist's family).
Notts Uncut: Emergency Operation
04-06-2011 00:55
On Saturday 28th May, Notts Uncut organised an "emergency operation" in Nottingham city centre. They visited banks and tax dodging corporations to campaign in defence of the NHS. The protest was part of a national day of action called by UK Uncut.
People met from 12 noon outside the entrance to the Victoria Centre Boots on Parliament Street. Victoria Centre's security were out and about in force, but they were never on the list of targets and around 40 of us headed off towards Market Square via Clumber Street.
We were a diverse group with people in surgical masks and others in costumes. There were several banners with a range of demands including calls to both "tax the rich" and "eat the rich" (but not at the same time presumably).
The police presence was heavier than it's been at any previous Notts Uncut events. There were a team of around 8, including an evidence gatherer (distinguished by an orange square with the letters EG), who followed us around town throughout. In addition, there was a police guard on almost every likely target (Vodafone, HSBC, Lloyds etc.) in the city centre. At the end of the day, when many of us ensconced ourselves in he pub, the police even appeared to leave a couple of officers outside to make sure we didn't go back for another bite of the cherry.
Despite this over the top level of policing, we were still able to cause a fair amount of disruption. After a brief stop at Lush to deliver a thank you card (I was as bemused by this as the staff seemed to be) we visited Natwest on Market Square. This was shut when we arrived and remained so throughout the performance of a piece of street theatre about the threat to the NHS posed by the Health and Social Care Bill.
There was a pantomime villain Andrew Lansley (complete with devil horns and a tail), while other protesters took the roles of bankers, patients, doctors and nurses.
I'm not a huge fan of street theatre and it is not an ideal medium for conveying complicated messages. For my tastes, the performance focussed to heavily on the (very real) personal failings of the Secretary of State for Health at the expense of the wider ideological and economic forces which have brought us to the current situation. Nevertheless, I wouldn't have done any better and those involved put in their all.
From Natwest we moved onto the Topshop on the junction of Lister Gate and Low Pavement. The street theatre was repeated again, with the shop closed throughout. The performance was then repeated outside the BHS in Broadmarsh Centre (causing disruption to the Boots next door as well) and then outside Barclays on the junction of High Street and Victoria Street. Protesters made no attempt to get into the bank, but their security shut it until they were sure we'd left, leading to a large queue forming outside.
To my mind four performances was too many. It was notable that our numbers dwindled as we went on. Hopefully this is something that the group will take on board for any future actions. No doubt there's a lot to think about. It is clear that Notts Police have decided they aren't going to stand by and let people occupy shops as has happened in the past. How this impacts on future organising remains to be seen.
Morton Hall Demo
04-06-2011 00:55
This morning at Morton Hall Immigration Removal Centre in Swinderby, Lincolnshire a demonstration was held in disgust at the opening of yet another detention centre.
Our intention was to create enough noise from the inside to be heard on the inside by those imprisoned by the State. This was thought to be particularly important today, as Damien Green the minister for immigration was being shown around the prison in it's new guise as an I.R.C, he was accompanied by the usual snivelling, narcissistic and self deluded members of the press who were also treated to a grand tour.
The press members, no doubt viewing the inmates as they would animals in a zoo, were no doubt shown how modern, enlightened and friendly the prison was. The quantity and quality of relaxation, stimulation and general homeliness was undoubtedly underlined as the hacks jumped like rats for scraps.
Outside, banners and signs were raised and held expressing our unwavering solidarity with the prisoners inside (indeed with all those who have been kidnapped by state power), the damage caused by the detention and deportations industry and highlighting the UK government's insidious role in that industry.
Various absurd and circular conversations were had with both security, prison officials and police. Some conversations attempting to persuading us that it was all very nice behind the cages, that people had TV's and phones as if these things are the barometers of human freedom. Other conversations were based around deluded threats of removing or arresting us, deluded to think that we would move because they threaten. Many of us there today know full well that the police, prison, and border systems are arbitrarily enforced and will always be served in the name of the state and capitalism against all others. This enforcement is most often against the most marginalised groups who in order to survive the effects of capitalism are forced to go beyond it's legal system. In the case of Morton Hall this is presently Non UK nationals who have been arrested and will be deported because they are not perceived to play a role in the maintenance of capitalism in this country. Knowing this means that expressions of solidarity to all those imprisoned in Morton Hall, as well as all UK prisons and "immigration removal centres" such as this demonstration must continue.
Which means we will be back, not to engage in "debate" with prison authorities or the police, but to let those inside know that they have not been forgotten.
If you want to participate in future demonstrations, or have ideas of other ways in which to show solidarity to those inside Morton Hall please email NSN[at]riseup[dot]net.
There's also a vistors group currently being set up, who are planning on arranging visits to those imprisoned. Who we can put you in touch with unless they add their contacts in the comment section.
This Week in Palestine week 22 2011
03-06-2011 16:17
Welcome to this Week in Palestine, a service of the International Middle East Media Center, www.imemc.org, for May 22 through June 3rd , 2011
Palestine Today 06 01 2011
01-06-2011 16:04
UKUncut Emergency Operation
30-05-2011 14:55
On Saturday 28th local high street branches of different banks were transformed into hospitals in a 'UK Uncut's Emergency Operation'. Anti-cuts activists from several parts of London followed the call to "tell the government to leave our NHS alone; it's the banks that are sick" [read full call].
Video reports: Emergency Operation, Camden | Save Homerton hospital | Emergency Operation: Wood Green | Angel RBS Occupation |
UK Uncut's Call to Action:
"The NHS will last as long as there are folk left to fight for it."
- Nye Bevan, founder of the NHS
"Andrew Lansley. Greedy Andrew Lansley. Tosser."
- MC NxtGen
This is an emergency. The welfare state is in peril. Under the guise of ‘efficiency' and ‘reform', this government is plotting to cut the NHS and sell off what's left. Andrew Lansley has claimed the government is in a ‘listening exercise' about the proposed NHS ‘reforms'. But despite widespread outcry from doctors, nurses and the public the government isn't listening to anyone apart from private healthcare lobbyists.
Let's make Lansley listen. We want to keep our healthy NHS and fix our broken banking system. Whilst the NHS is being dismantled, the banks that caused this crisis in the first place have been left untouched. Reckless gambling, obscene bonuses and a global financial crisis are symptoms of a disease that requires a drastic intervention.
The banks are due a check-up. On Saturday May 28th, join UK Uncut's Emergency Operation and transform your local high street bank into a hospital. Tell the government to leave our NHS alone; it's the banks that are sick.
Turn HSBC into a hospital, fill Natwest with nurses, get bandaged in Barclays and operate in RBS. As usual, it's up to you to organise an action in your area - so talk to your friends, your local union branch and anti-cuts group and then list an action on our website. All the resources you'll need will be on our website, including a flyer to tell the public about the NHS emergency. Get organised, get creative and let's make Lansley listen: leave our NHS alone and make the banks pay.
See you on the high streets.
Report from Wood Green:
28 May 2011: NHS activists joined the anti-austerity campaigning group UK Uncut to occupy Lloyd's Bank in Wood Green, London this Saturday. Up to 30 campaigners dressed in doctors' and nurses' uniforms with fake blood set up an "emergency operating theatre" inside the bank. Supporters of the Defend Whittington Hospital Coalition, Haringey Alliance for Public Services and Right To Work campaign chanted "Bail out the NHS, not the banks!" Children tried to operate on a toy version of Andrew Lansley, health secretary, and passers by signed 'Save Our NHS' petitions blaming the banks and government for the financial crisis -- not the NHS.
NHS worker Terry McGrath said, "I took part because the banks, who caused the financial crisis, are still making billions in profits, whilst the NHS is being attacked. We wanted to show that people will not stand for these cuts, and I want to see Cameron buckle under the pressure of growing strikes and widespread protests."
Report from Angel:
The NHS is not for sale!
On Saturday 28 May, Angel, North London, was the site of a drop-in surgery for people worried about the bad effects of the cuts on their health. This event was called by Fight racism! Fight Imperialism as part of the UK Uncut day of action to save the NHS.
Doctors, nurses and patients set up their cuts consultation inside the Angel branch of RBS, recipient of £45 billion of bail out money -- 40% of the annual NHS budget!
The patients' recovery was assisted by ukulele players and energetic speeches, making sure that the public understood why we were there.
The banks got bailed out, and now we are being sold out. Hospitals are making swingeing cuts and the health and social care bill is about to abolish the duty of the secretary of state for health to ensure health provision for everyone.
We are being told we have to swallow this bad medicine because of the national debt. However, as one of the speakers pointed out, the national debt in post-war Britain, when the NHS was set up, was greater than it is now.
Speakers also talked about Private Finance Initiatives and the debt that hospitals are in due to the 30-60 year contracts that they have signed, which will see them paying many times over the costs of the initial investment from private firms.
The condition of the patients in the bank got worse as they heard this depressing news, however, they perked up immensely when one of the nurses took to the megaphone and talked about Cuba and their incredible achievements in health and education: their low infant mortality, their high doctor to patient ratio and their health internationalism. In fact, during the most difficult economic times of the Special Period in the 1990s, Cuba increased their health coverage, increased the numbers of doctors and nurses and didn't shut down a single health clinic, service or hospital.
The security staff and tellers in RBS seemed receptive to our words - clearly they aren't the ones getting the bonuses.
Now is the time to collectively make our voices heard and this event, along with all the other banks occupied on the day, was a very good start.