at the Apple Tree pub, 45 Mount Pleasant WC1
(Chancery Lane 0.4 miles, Farringdon 0.4 miles)
Speakers: Steven Mather, Richard Solly
Eye witness report back, just returned from Colombia:
Update on the continuing struggle of farming communities forcibly displaced by a British-owned open cast coal mine in La Guajira (London-based Anglo American, BHPBilliton and Xstrata are all among the biggest and richest mining companies in the world)
Report on the international 'mining caravan' in solidarity with traditional small-scale gold miners threatened by the activities of massive multinational Anglo Gold Ashanti, 42% owned by London-based Anglo American - communities are under heavy pressure from paramilitaries and the Colombian army sent in to protect the company's interests.
PLUS
News about the struggle for trade union rights at Colombian coal mines owned by US company Drummond Coal (which sells to Britain) and against mass sackings at Swiss-based Glencore
Launch of new book, 'The People Behind Colombian Coal', edited by US academic Aviva Chomsky and including contributions from CSC member Richard Solly
Discussion on how to develop the CSC mining campaign, preparation for planned visit of Colombian mine workers' leader in late October, actions around the BHPBilliton Annual General Meeting on 25 October, and how YOU can get involved!
http://www.colombiasolidarity.org.uk