UK Promoted Newswire Archive
#J30 Sheffield Rally at the end of the March
30-06-2011 19:52
More photos of the Manchester j30 march
30-06-2011 19:32
All pictures are Creative Commons licensed. Pinkolady would like to be credited where they are used.
Cardiff J30- BHS and Vodafone occupied
30-06-2011 19:07
In solidarity with striking workers today, Cardiff city centre hosted "Busk Against the Cuts", Food not Bombs and 3 seperate UK Uncut actionsCritical Mass 30th June 11
30-06-2011 18:55
Thursday 30th June saw the first attempt to a General Strike in Britain for more than 80 years, although it was primarily a Public Sector workers' strike.
As part of the support for the strike from people who are not necessarily public sector workers, a Critical Mass happened in South London, visiting the picket lines that had been announced and showing support.
We met at about eight in the morning in Burgess Park. About 50 people on bikes set off at about half past eight, with more and more people joining as we biked.
The first drivers showed their solidarity by tooting, and soon we reached Elephant and Castle, where we greeted the picket outside the London College of Communication. After two rounds to the roundabout, the Mass continued towards Brixton, on the way meeting another picket line. We stayed with the workers for a few minutes while the mobile sound system got fixed, and we had music from then on.
Once in Brixton Oval (the public open space where Reclaim Your Food used to give away food every Sunday) we also joined some workers demonstrating there for a few minutes, and then what look like a hundred-strong crowd appeared at the door of Lambeth Town Hall.
After a brief spell up Brixton Hill we headed East again, towards Camberwell and on to New Cross. Up to that point the cyclists had managed to deal with the traffic by doing things like corking (staying static at junctions while the mass passed safely unrammed by cars and bigger vehicles). From New Cross on we had the kind help of Police (seven vans at one point) which made a difference in terms of respect showed by motorists. Amazing what the mere presence of a well-marked police vehicle can do to motorists' behaviour. On the occasions when we lost sight of them and then they appeared behind us again, all yelling at us, insulting and generally threatening behaviour from drivers on four wheels dissapeared. So in that sense their presence had a positive effect except on one occasion when a driver almost knocked off one of the bikers and a police officer just threatened to arrest both the aggressor and the victim.
When the mass arrived outside Deptford Town Hall, at about ten, it joined the demonstration that was taking place there. Lots of flags and a banner of South London Solidarity Federation were the landmark of a brief street party interrupted by the forces of law and order. The joint demonstration became a march towards Deptford and once there, the march and the mass went their own separate ways.
Police did not seem to realise it though, and a line of police on foot started to follow the critical mass. When it was obvious they would not keep up with the bikers, they were picked up – and apparently seven vans were needed for the picking up operation.
Critical Mass then made its way to Whitehall and Parliament Square, where it melted itself in the crowd.
J30 March in Manchester
30-06-2011 18:39
Full article | 2 additions | 1 comment
#J30 Sheffield March Against Cuts
30-06-2011 18:25
#J30 Sheffield Rally at start of March
30-06-2011 16:35
J30: More Photos from Wrexham
30-06-2011 16:22
J30: Photos and Report from Wrexham
30-06-2011 16:13
Palestine Today 06 30 2011
30-06-2011 15:51
The 30th June Strikes and the Need for a New Working Class Movement
30-06-2011 14:12
Teacher and lecturers pension cuts
30-06-2011 12:38
trafalgar sq occupation - arrests & eviction
30-06-2011 10:55
the 9th peaceful anti-cuts occupation in trafalgar square began last night. during the evening there were six arrests and plenty of intimidation. this morning couple of dozen protestors were evicted by a police operation involving 150 officers. they were also told a section 60 is in force today J30.
click on image for larger version. all images are 'some rights reserved' - free for credited non-commercial use, otherwise contact author for permission
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at 6.30 yesterday evening, the anti-cuts occupation began in trafalgar square, with around 20 activists setting up a small marquee, and a ring of tents at the bottom of the steps near the olympic clock display.
as they have peacefully occupied this area on eight previous occasions, and as they had checked with the GLA that the square was not being used until friday morning, by which time they had pledged to peacefully leave, they did not expect any problems.
however, after a couple of hours, the heritage wardens, who had been filming them, were joined by police, and one of the protestors was targetted to be read the bye-laws. it was explained first by a heritage warden that he was in breach of the bye-laws and if he refused to leave he would have to submit his name and address for possible action against him. the police then added that if he didn't submit his details he would be arrested and taken to the station until he did so.
two grey suited GLA personnel seemed to be in charge of the operation, one of them continuously talking, perhaps to legal advisors, on the phone, and liaising with his wardens and the police.
the occupation group had a concensus meeting and agreed a principle of non-co-operation while leaving individuals to make their own decisions if targetted. the first arrest duly took place, and the activists was walked to the van and taken to charing cross station. there, he soon gave his details, and was allowed to leave, returning to the camp immediately.
after a while the heritage wardens approached another person and the same ritual was enacted. this time, the activist refused to walk with police and was then dragged to the next waiting van. he too returned after giving his details.
the third arrest was made all the more comical, pointless and surreal, due to the fact that the activists wore his 'v for vendetta' anonymous mask throughout the whole proceedings. the arrest was filmed, and appears to be unlawful because the police did not read him his rights, nor explain to him why he was being arrested, despite repeated requests on camera. apparently he kept his mask on throughout the encounter, eventually giving up his details and being allowed back to the square, mask intact.
the whole process occurred three more times, with the targets chosen perhaps arbitrarily or perhaps because wardens recognised them as regulars from previous occupations. also by about 11pm, a loose ring of 30 police were surrounding the camp at a distance in the square, and around half a dozen police vans littered the pavements, including a large prisoner transporter. a little before midnight they were also joined by a van of tsg riot police, and it looked like an eviction might be under consideration.
without explanation though, the police then withdrew, leaving just a few observing the occupation, and the night passed peacefully.
at around 7am this morning, they camp was again addressed by police, who told them that the area was needed to begin setting up for tomorrow's 'canada day' celebrations and that they were therefore required to leave, and would be evicted if necessary.
slowly the camp organised itself, and by 8.30 they were near the end of a concensus meeting at which they had made the decision to peacefully leave, when they were completely surrounded by more than 100 police, and they then packed up and were escorted out of the square.
the 'anonymous' mask wearer was told to remove his face covering this morning, informed that there was a section 60 in force throughout the day. are the police expecting to cause trouble with the public sector unions i wonder?
Strike gets public support across London
30-06-2011 08:55
Across the capital most schools, colleges and local authority staff join 750.000 UK workers on a one day strike to warn the govenment and capital to stay away from their pensions and wages. Pickets were established early this morning in every corner of London being fed with home made food by UK Uncut's 'Big Society breakfast'. Everyone out to show solidarity.
Critical Mass will also be touring the picket lines in support this morning starting out at Burgess Park near Elephant and Castle. A mass trade union march will be starting at 11am, meeting at Lincoln Inn Fields, on which there will be a J30 Strikers’ Assembly Bloc. The main march will end at Westminster Central Hall at 1pm where there is a call for a People's Assembly
More reports and thoughts as they come in.
There are People’s Assemblies called for that will have no leaders, so every voice counts, ensuring equality for all. Occupying streets and city squares is a natural expression of our power: real democracy now. One such Strikers’ Assembly will congregate near Westminster Central Hall at 1pm. Find them under the “People’s Assembly” banner.
Critical Mass will set off from Elephant and Castle at 8am for a fun packed glide around the capital supporting pickets and engaging with the public.
UK Uncut are supporting with a day of action stating; "The protests will highlight that the strikes by the unions are another form of direct action against the cuts being taken by people in towns and cities across the country. It’s predicted that strike action will grow rapidly towards the autumn and UK Uncut are vowing to support and build on the strike action with more direct action protest against tax avoiders and the banking system. The government are making everyone else pay for a crisis caused by the bankers. They’ve targeted students, pensioners, people with disabilities, the unemployed, NHS workers and patients, and now they are attacking teachers and other civil servants."
The PCS union states: "We have continually argued that if the £120 billion that is ‘lost’ evaded or avoided in tax every year was collected, there would be no economic crisis. That argument can now be heard across the trade unions and campaigning groups like UK Uncut have become one of the most popular movements in Britain." This is why the unions are saying enough is enough and walking out.
Further info: June 30th website | UK Uncut | Afed statement on the strikes | The Commune on the march
Other Union statements of action: NUT (National Union of Teachers) | UCU (Universitiy and College Union) | PCS (Public and Commercial Services Union) | ATL (Association of Teachers and Lecturers)
UK Uncut feed the strikers
30-06-2011 08:55
Uk Uncut activists cooking full English for striking workers outside HMRC building Euston Tower.
Responding to the call out on the UK Uncut site "Picket lines will form on the morning of the 30th. Join those on strike, bring them a mug of tea and a breakfast butty, and show them that we’re all in it together against the government." activists will be out in force today bring sustinance in solidarity.
Impromptu 2 hour tractor occupation at Shell Compound
29-06-2011 14:49
Palestine Today 06 28 2011
28-06-2011 13:59
rally against torture - trafalgar square - sunday
28-06-2011 09:55
campaigners from london guantanamo campaign and kingston peace council organised a rally in trafalgar sq on sunday afternoon in solidarity with the international day in support for the victims of torture. the rally aimed to raise awareness of torture and the collusion in its practice of states worldwide.
click on image for larger version. all images are 'some rights reserved' - free for credited non-commercial use, otherwise contact author for permission
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the rally attracted a wide range of speakers from many campaigns all linked in the struggle against torture.
after introductions from david harrold of the london guantanamo campaign, the london green mp jean lambert was the first invited speaker, and she talked about uk sales of torture equipment to states with poor human rights records. she said it was time to call for a complete ban.
next was peace activist maya evans, who works with the campaigning group 'justice not vengeance'. she talked of her human rights cases against the uk government. first, with phil shiner, the birmingham rights lawyer, she launched a judicial review into the government's treatment of deportees, and forced a change in procedure so that detainees had to be tracked when deported to suspect states to ensure that they would not be subject to torture. immediately after this ruling, the govt changed the rules on legal aid, preventing activists from bringing cases to judicial review in this way. maya challenged this action too, and the high court overthrew the new rules and castigated the government. maya also mentioned a play currently running at the tricycle theatre which is about baha mousa, the iraqi hotel receptionist beaten to death at the hands of the queen's lancashire regiment.
noah kleunman, who has worked for amnesty international for 50 years, then spoke of how america used 911 to justify torture, but reminded us of the american use of torture both abroad and in US prisons over many years prior. she noted that the abu ghraib guards learnt their dark arts in US prisons. amnesty, she said were currently involved with campaigns relating to US prisoners facing injustice, torture and execution.
andy worthington, author of the 'guantanamo files',and co-director of 'outside the law: stories from guantanamo', described the sanitation of torture in language, with terms such as 'water-boarding', 'enhanced interrogation techniques', and the guantanamo practice of sleep deprivation, waking inmates every two hours and moving them around the camp, sometimes for months, known as the 'frequent flyer programme'. he spoke about how the official line is that these techniques were 'approved by US lawyers' as 'legal', but he made the point that under international law, they are simply not allowed to 'approve' such torture, but that although they should all be prosecuted for doing so, they still continue in their high-profile jobs with impunity.
les levidov spoke about the 'campaign against criminalising communities'. he told us how the government changed the defenition of terrorism in the 2000 bill, and thus excluded the refugee status of many legitimate freedom fighters. as a result MI5 have become even bolder in their use of 'stick and carrot' techniques to turn refugees into informants. a recent example which came to light involved somalian youth workers who were threatened by MI5 agents that unless they informed on the political views of their charges, they would be labelled as terrorists and then deported to somalia. in this case the workers refused to co-operate and went public, exposing the disgusting and unlawful plot, but clearly MI5 believes it can get away with such actions, and who knows how many innocent people have been affected by similar injustices.
russian campaigners from 'speak up' told of their 8 year battle to free russian businessman mikhail khordoskovsky, who is imprisoned, they claim, after a politically motivated trial. some of their supporters were in the square celebrating mikhail's birthday with a banner and balloons.
medical justice founder, dr frank arnold, spoke from personal experience of carrying out more than 500 examinations of torture victims seeking refuge in the uk. he described some of the gruesome noticeable physical and mental signs of torture, but explained that while it's possible to document these things, it is not possible to document the lifelong damage caused. he spoke of how it is absolutely clear that you can make anyone say anything and admit to anything under torture, and that the 'ticking bomb' scenario, often used to justify such acts, is palpable nonsense. he also spoke in solidarity with the bahraini doctors currently in detention for treating protestors injured in the brutal government crackdown (aided by saudi troops), and asked why we are bombing libya but allowing bahrain to do what it wants.
simar kuar ('TARAN' - trauma rehab network) made a heartfelt plea over an appalling case in india. in 1991 professor davinderpal singh bhullar began to investigate why 42 students at his college had gone missing after being taken in by punjab police. his journey of discovery led him to become an activist and dissident, and in 1995, after intimidation and harrassment, he applied for asylum in germany, but courts there stated he was in no danger and returned him to india where he has now been imprisoned for 16 years, 8 of them in solitary confinement. the german courts reversed their decision too late for the doctor back in india, and after a confession, signed with a thumbprint and extracted under torture, he now faces the death penalty, the first in india's supreme court history where an execution is going ahead despite a split judgement. more info at www.thejournal.ie/calls-for-india-to-cancel-first-hangings-since-2004-146395-May2011/
another speaker from 'justice for aafia' told the harrowing story of dr aafia siddiqui who is facing 86 yrs in prison in america, after spending time under torture at bagram. accused of assaulting and attempting to shoot guards, her case contains lots of inconsistencies, and one of her sons seems to have been murdered by US personnel.
naomi colvin spoke on behalf of the bradley manning campaign, outlining the terrible conditions he has been held in, and the current campaign to get justice for a man who should never have been in iraq in the first place.
huci ozdemir spoke on behalf of the 'international committee against disappearances' which campaigns about this special form of violence that some states use, and which began out of the campaign to find out what happened to turkish revolutionary hasan ocak. ICAD now organises conferences in the countries where disappearances still occur.
maria gallestegui spoke on behalf of 'peace strike' in parliament square, and she urged people to use the coming strikes on june 30th to protest against the government's use of public money to fund their illegal wars. she asked everybody to just stop on thursday - no travelling, no working, no shopping - send a message to the government by shutting trade and normal society down.
finally, ray silk, spoke about the campaign to free guantanamo prisoner shaker aamer who is a uk citizen still held there. he told of the legal wrangles between different authorities, and the dodgy guantanamo inquiry held partly in secret. he described how currently the US won't allow a consular visit, but our govt doesn't seem concerned at this denial of justice to their citizen. he reminded us of the annual 4th july protest 4-6 outside US embassy, and also spoke of an apparent call from the 'stop the war coalition' to begin a permanent peace protest in trafalgar square from the 8th october.
the afternoon finished with a poem read by mr. qavi who is a well-known figure among peace activists.
although the actual turnout was poor, it was a very hot afternoon, and plenty of people passed through trafalgar square, often stopping to listen to the speakers, and picking up leaflets from the table. it was also an opportunity for many of the represented groups to network and to feel less alone in their individual struggles.
torture is banned absolutely under international law. it is always illegal. the united nations convention against torture became law in 1987, and also bans acts that facilitate torture, such as extradition or returning a person to a country where they are at risk, or even refuelling a boat or plane used to carry out such renditions. torture is so heinous that it is considered a crime against humanity.
despite all this, not only does the use of torture appear to have risen worldwide in recent history, but also western "democratic" states have been found to be involved. the UK intelligence services have been proven to have been involved in torture of british nationals abroad, especially in pakistan, and of course in iraq, and it still takes part in 'deportation with assurances', sending people to their country of origin, where they are clearly at risk.
legal aid cuts are causing more and more asylum seekers to return to the torture they are fleeing. it is time to hunt down the perpetrators and the sick politicians who collude in facilitating torture - they should all be tried and prosecuted.
'this is a day on which we pay our respects to those who have endured the unimaginable. this is an occasion for the world to speak up against the unspeakable' - kofi annan, former UN sec general
'a sad chapter in america's history' - barak obama, speaking about guantanamo during his presidential campaign
Public rally in support of victims of torture: 26 June (report and pictures)
27-06-2011 19:17
Calais: Africa House *evicted*, 'Global House' under threat
27-06-2011 17:09
