Nottinghamshire Feature Archive

The founder of the hardline Nazi drinking outfit known as the 'Wolf's Hook White Brotherhood' was stabbed to death at around 4.00am this morning, Monday November 22nd. The Nazi, Mick Sanderson, known as 'Belsen', of Nottingham, was stabbed to death in a drunken fight with another WHWB member, who is now under arrest. Sanderson was stabbed through the heart.

The 'Wolf's Hook White Brotherhood' have been in existence for around 2 years, running their own Hitlerite website, and being closely involved with the 'Nationalist Alliance'. Apart from hard-drinking, the gang specialise in wearing Nazi insignia, styling themselves very much on the form of an 'outlaw' motorcycle club, and sporting Hitlerite and fascist tattoos. They also claim to have been involved in violence against ethnic minorities.

External Links: Stab victim member of neo-nazi Wolf's Hook White Brotherhood | Worksop man remanded in murder case | Info on the The Wolf's Hook White Brotherhood

A black man, who was viciously assaulted whilst travelling home with his girlfriend, has been sent to prison for defending himself against his racist attackers. Aaron Bennett 24 of Beeston Nottingham was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday for causing facial scarring to two males who attacked him and his girlfriend on May 7 (superscript: th) 2005. His attackers James Morris and Jonathon Marshall both from Nottingham were not prosecuted and in a major injustice were given compensation for their injuries.

In Support of Palestine Nottingham Jenin Friendship Group present: Palestine Week in Nottingham: November 27th to 2nd December there will be a Public meeting with Eyewitnes reports, a night of Palestinian Music and Food and a Benifit Evening with Music Dance Food and Refreshments

Jenin is situated in the north of the West Bank and has a large refugee camp. The town is surrounded by fertile agricultural land where farmers co-ops produce olive oil, couscous and sundried tomatoes. Jenin is frequently subjected to attacks by the Israeli army. In 2002, bulldozers and tanks destroyed hundreds of homes and displaced thousands of people. Unemployment in Jenin is 62% with over 70% of the population living in poverty.

The Friendship Group is an ongoing project to link organisations and community groups here in Nottingham and Jenin. It’s a way of sharing ideas, experiences and showing solidarity at a grassroots level. Twinning aims to link hospitals, schools, colleges, religious and community groups, women’s organisations, trades unions, arts groups…the possibilities are endless. It might be exchanging emails, providing a venue for visiting delegations, going to visit Jenin, organising fundraising events and so on. Most importantly, the people of Jenin need to know that even though they are physically isolated, they have friends here in Nottingham.

Links: Festival and talks to rally support for twinning Nottingham with Jenin in Palestine | twinningwithpalestine.net website

There was a large turn out for the blockade of a Shell petrol station in Nottingham, in solidarity with people opressed by Shell everywhere. The blockade was successful in terms of shutting down the petrol station, unfortunatly one of the protestors was ran over by a 4x4 driver and had been taken to hospital. Later we learned that his leg, while badly grazed and bruised, is not broken.

Plenty of leaflets were given out to motorists and passers by and plenty of honks of support were heard. The boys in yellow turned up eventually, not that they were interested in the running down of a protestor, they just wanted people to stop blocking the entrance, and in fact ignored another car which tried to force its way through.

Links: Emergency Call Out Nottingham Shell action | Photos from Nottingham Shell Action | UK Indymedia Rossport Solidarity page | A Rossport solidarity video

A mass amount of banners were hung from bridges across the M1 today. From Luton to Sheffield an alliance of groups opposing widening of the M1 motorway highlighted the disastrous consequences of widening it. The No Widening M1 Alliance, which includes representatives from communities along the whole route of the M1 due to be widened, are concerned about the environmental damage of widening the motorway, particularly climate change.

The protest happened on the day the Government delivers it's report on Climate Change. Climate activist voice that the 'Stern Report' stresses seriousness of climate change but offers false solutions.

On the newswire: Anti M1 widening banner drop in Nottinghamshire | M1 action from Luton to Sheffield | Banner Protest at Motorway Widening | Rising Tide: UK Stern Report Sells Climate Short, Paves Way to Global Disaster | STERN REPORT - Climate Change activist responds. | HALT CLIMATE CHANGE - END ROADBUILDING

Links: No M1 Widening Alliance | Highways Agency | UK Indymedia Climate Choas page

A day to discuss mobilising a group from Nottingham to take part in Faslane 365. We will be going up to faslane to join a year long blockade of Britain's nuclear weapons base for two days in spring. Come along on sunday to get more information, share ideas, make banners and eat cake!

Faslane 365 is a civil resistance project aimed at the disarmarment of Britian’s nuclear weapons through a continuous peaceful blockade of the Trident base at Faslane. Faslane 365 will bring people together to witness and impede the nuclear facility where Britain's weapons of mass destruction are based. It will also enable us to draw attention to other urgent issues such as environment and NHS funding.

Nottingham CND have also organised a meeting which is on the 16th November.

Links: Faslane 365 website | Nottingham CND

Previous feature articles: Nuclear? No thanks! | Day of action as Tony Blair sets out new nuclear power policy in Nottingham | Invitation to join big peace blockade in Derby

Nottingham Against Incineration and Landfill (NAIL) has received a letter from Waste Recycling Group (WRG) announcing that they have lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate, following the refusal of their planning application to expand Nottingham's Eastcroft incinerator. Click on the link below to view the letter;

We are all obviously very disappointed and angry that WRG in taking this approach, we believe that they should accept this democratic decision and not subject tax payers to an expensive legal challenge. WRG are attempting to use their power and financial might to overrule a democratic process. The people and political parties of Nottingham have clearly said NO and this has been reinforced by the Development and Control Committee decision last month. WRG now aim to force their plans on us, however we are determined more than ever to fight on.

Links: The letter about the appeal | Previous feature article on the matter

On 9 October I was hopeful and optimistic as I set off to the Nottingham City Council's climate change debate held in the council house. Unfortunately my optimisum faded rapidly.

My day started late as the bus didn't turn up as usual. I could have cycled but there's nowhere in the city to safely leave my bike. I eventually got in by bus which cost me considerably more than the using the more polluting option of driving by car. I then walked over the refurbished area in front of the council house covered in slabs imported from Spain and China. I passed two gas-guzzling chauffeur driven Bentley's for the Lord Mayor and his deputy.

Audio of the Climate Change debate at Broadway Cinema 4.6Mb [16kbps] - mp3 4.5M

Links: Economist claims Nottingham City’s climate protection strategy is too little, too late | Nottingham city council climate protection strategy | An Inconvenient Truth: Film & regional decision makers response at the Broadway

Update: (14/10/06) Mr Al-Mugrabhi is still being detained at Dover Detention Centre, his family have been released from Yarls Wood Removal Centre, but it is feared he will still be deported very soon. A new petition has been started to stop his deportation and try to secure his release. Download, print and distribute!

The father of a family from Aspley, Nottingham is still being held in dentention in Dover and threatened with deportation after the rest of the family were released from Yarlswood Removal Centre near Bedford on Tuesday. Local activists jumped into action following a dawn raid by 12 officers last week to secure the release of the family. Officers forced entry into the property and arrested the family including 2 children and a baby. The raid happened at around 5.30am on Wednesday 4th October. Children as well as staff at Roslyn Park School in Aspley were shocked by the news. Two of the families children have been at the school for over 5 years.

Links: Nottingham Refugee Forum | Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees | Wikipedia on Jordan | Wikipedia on Refugees | UK Indymedia Migration topic page

Recent: Evening Post helps Immigration Service harass East Midlands asylum-seekers

Related articles: Glasgow - Dawn Raid Vans are Being Detained | Birmingham Women 'rescued' by police from massage parlour to be deported | Benmira Family belong to Leeds | Glasgow - Asylum Seeker Action Prevents Removal

Articles related to Yarlswood: Yarlswood: Another Death in Detention | Yarlswood: Fire Brigades Union slag Blunkett | Campaigner's statement about Yarlswood | Photos of No Borders "bubble"

Argentinian film makers including director Andres Ingoglia will visit Nottingham next week as part of the european tour of their film "i". The film is a meditation on the relationship between media and power as it is manifested by the worlds largest all volunteer network of media activists: 'Indymedia'. The feature-length documentary follows the first year of a small collective in Buenos Aires as it struggles amidst assassinations, a collapsing economy, and a whirlwind of political upheaval.

The film will be screened as a one-off in Nottingham at the Sumac Centre on Thursday 12th October, where the film's director will introduce the film and answer questions. Food will be served from 6pm and the film starts at 7.30pm at the Sumac Centre, 245 Gladstone Street, Forest Fields, Nottingham. During its UK tour the film is also screened in London, Brighton, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Report: Report and Audio from Screening

Links: "i" The Film website | Schedule UK and Europe tour | Film reviews | Argentina Indymedia | Video Indymedia | Wikipedia on Indymedia | Notts Indymedia 'Video Stuff...'

Nottingham City Council have brought in sweeping new laws that will seriously affect the distribution of free activist literature in and around the city centre. Once again - as with fly posting - laws apparently designed to tackle the unbridled activities of commercial promoters are going to have a serious affect on activism and other legitimate exercise of free speech. In certain areas (which are sure to expand as time goes on, and already include the City Centre), free printed material may only be given out with permission and a bought permit from the council.

Get out to stop the BNP! Campaign to stop the BNP in forthcoming
Loughborough Shelthorpe Ward by-election

*****Important leafleting this Sunday 1st October *****
Assemble 11am outside McDonalds on Ling Road/Shelthorpe Road roundabout

Leicester Unite Against Fascism are calling a day of action to leaflet Loughborough Shelthorpe Ward against the fascist British National Party this Sunday. The fascist British National Party(BNP) are standing in the election on Thursday 5th October in Loughborough Shelthorpe Ward. Shelthorpe is a largely white working class estate in Loughborough and the BNP have been campaigning on the issue of a recently opened East Midlands regional immigration reporting centre. The seat is a two councillor seat and both seats were won at the last election by the Labour Party. There are fears that a low turnout may provide opportunities for the fascists. The fascist BNP is relying on a low turnout in order to get elected. The vast majority of people in Shelthorpe oppose the fascist BNP and can use their vote to stop the BNP.

At 07:55am on 24 September, 2006, a group of protesters 'breached security' at the East Midlands Airport and occupied one of the operational taxi-runways. The 21 activists from Plane Stupid said they "wanted to see airport expansion plans scrapped, a tax on aviation fuel and plane tickets, and an end to short haul flights."

The method of the occupation was chaining themselves to each other, having set up tents saying 'Climate Camp 2'. Baptist minister Malcolm Carroll, who lead a memorial service for the victims of the effects of climate change, also took part in the action. Spokesman of the group, Joss Garman, said: "an estimated 150.000 people die of the effects of climate change each year. That's the equivelant of a 9-11 every week."

At midday, armed police, dog units, firebrigade and helicopter arrived and cleared the runway. 24 people were arrested for 'suspected offences under the Aviation Security Act'. Contrary to what the BBC reported, some flights leaving the airport were delayed.

Various sources have reported that most of the protesters' houses were raided by armed police while in custody. Officers have confiscated clothes, computers, diaries and other personal items, in some cases without giving out receipts for them. Some of the protesters are due in court on Friday 6th October at Loughborough Magistrates Court.

Update: Plane Stupid in court on Friday - solidarity support planned

Other media coverage: Earth First! | This Is London | BBC | Leicestershire police | UK Airport News

Links: Plane Stupid website | East Midlands Airport (EMA) website | Climate Camp 2006 on UK Indymedia

Background Info: Press release of the activists | PLANE STUPID Newsletter #4 | Goverment's Aviation White Paper | 10 Reasons to Ground the Plane… | Airport Environment Federation | Airport Watch | Climate Concern UK | Earth First! (UK) | Rising Tide | Stop Climate Chaos!

Today the Development Control Committee of Nottingham City Council unanimous agreed on rejecting the application to expand Eastcroft Incinerator, which burns most of Nottingham's waste. At the moment 150.000 tonnes of waste goes through the incinerator owned by waste giant Waste Recycling Group (WRG) each year. The expansion would bring in waste from neighbouring counties and bring capacity up to 250.000 tonnes.

Local residents who for the last year have campaigned under the banner of NAIL (Nottingham Against Incineration and Landfill) are now celebrating this massive victory. Owner WRG could appeal the decision, but the council stands a strong case that they seem to be willing to defend. Aside from stopping the expansion, NAIL is continuing its struggle to close down the facility and campaign for better management of waste and recycling facilities in the city.

Video: The NAIL film (10 min. various formats) | NAIL Slideshow (avi 9M)

Audio: NAIL Public meeting and debate (1hr 20mins - 32kbs, 19Mb) | You can't do that here! NAIL banner drop (mp3 911K)

Photo: Photos from the incinerator protest at Council House before the vote

Links: NAIL Website | View planning application | Nottingham Friends of the Earth | The Mischief Makers | Notts Indymedia health topic page | Wikipedia on Incineration

Previous feature articles: Planning Officer Recommends Rejections of Incinerator Expansion | Council backs off from incinerator expansion decision | Incinerator Public Meeting - Public Bodies pull out! | Nottingham Against Incineration and Landfill campaigners hand in petition | Planning Officer insists on wider public consultation for incinerator expansion | Campaigners meet Environment Agency over incinerator | Sneinton's Rubbish Day Out 1 - The Days Events | NAIL campaign 'banner drop' at Sneinton Boulevard | NAIL campaign hammers on... | The air that we breathe...

The situation faced by Asylum-Seekers in the UK is enough to make you realise we live in an insane society. In the East Midlands a centralised HO reporting building has been set up in the small town of Loughbrough, twenty miles from the towns where most A-Ss actually live.

The new centre is like Fort Knox. Its barred windows and security checkpoints make it clear that if they don’t want you to get out, you won’t. Many from Nottingham have been told to attend Nottingham with no indication of whether they can claim the fare back. Little or no information has been given about how to get to Loughborough, when the switch would be made, and how to get more information about it. One of the first asylum seekers to be transferred to the new office was told to sign on the fifth of every month! What if it’s a weekend? Who would invent such a system except an idiot; or a sadist trying to prevent A-S having any identity except one of dependency on the system.

Defend the NHS! March and rally - Sat 23rd Sept - 11am Forest Recreation Ground (assemble 10am) Nottingham.

This year the East Midlands faces 5,000 job losses (with 1,200 to go in Nottingham), £200 million worth of cuts, the sale of NHS Logistics, hospital ward closures, a review of NHS Direct and Patient Transport Services, and operations undertaken by private health firms run solely for the profit of shareholders. We say it's time the Government stepped in to stop thee cuts and end privatisation of our local NHS. Join us!

Links: Unison website | Download flyer | UK Indymedia health topic page | NHS England | Download 'Nottingham Trade Union Solidarity - Issue 5' | Mischief Makers build giant syringe in support of NHS march on Saturday

Today the Planning Officer made public the report and recommendations on the proposed expansion of Nottingham's controversial waste incinerator.

The report recommends rejection!!

Today the Planning Officer made public his report and recommendations into the plans to expand Eastcroft incinerator. This report will go to the Development Control Committee on the 20th September, when the report will be considered and the application voted on.

The Planning Officer is recommending that the Committee REFUSE PERMISSION on several grounds, mainly in that the proposals go against the City's plans for the River Side development and concerns on the commutative effect on emissions on people living near by.

As the vote is still very crucial, we will continue with our protest outside Nottingham council House on 20th September from 12:30am. We will greet the Councillors as they arrive and hope they vote for democracy, vote for the residents of Nottingham and vote NO.

Nottingham Refugee Campaign Group have organised a protest in solidarity with refugees on Saturday 09th September from 1pm - 2pm at St Peters Gate Nottingham. How would YOU get from here to Loughborough with no money? That is what many asylum seekers are now being forced to do!

From the 4th September, Asylum seekers who receive NO MONEY and are NOT ALLOWED TO WORK are being required to report to a new Immigration Reporting Centre in Loughborough (instead of reporting here at the central police station).

Come and join the protest and show your solidarity

Links: Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Refugee Forum website

Bicycology is a biketour which will be travelling from London to Lancaster (via Nottingham) this August. Form Lancaster it will be heading to the Climate Action Camp. It will visit Nottingham on Saturday 19th August. On their tour, the Bicycologists will be giving free bike maintainence workshops, holding Dr Bike sessions - come and get your bike fine-tuned - organising bike games and playing around with some crazy tall wobbly bikes; there will also be information and examples of alternative forms of energy, including some pedal-powered gadgets.

Watch video of Bicycology leaving London | Photos | Tash Photos of ride, passin' though Sumac Centre

Links: Bicycology website | Bicycology Wiki | Ian Gregory on Bicycology

This summer, the Camp for Climate Action will be held in ‘Megawatt Valley’ near Leeds, one of the most industrialised areas of the UK and home to the Drax, Eggborough and Ferrybridge coal-fired power stations.

From 26th August - 4th September, the camp promises education about climate change and sustainable living, with around 150 workshops scheduled, ranging from practical building and permaculture activities to the advanced science behind climate change. Workshops include analysis of the problems and causes of climate change and strategies on how to confront it - both practically on a grassroots level and politically. Those holding the workshops range from grassroots community activists to internationally-known academics, and from MPs to representatives of environmental NGOs.

During the time of the camp there will also be a Reclaim Power mass direct action against Drax power station (the UK's largest single emitter of CO2 emissions) on August 31st, as well as opportunitites to discuss resistance to nuclear power, the aviation industry, mining and road building schemes and corporate sponsored damage to the environment. The camp will be held on a legally occupied site, and aims to demonstrate practical solutions in action. Power usage will be minimised and the site will be powered by alternative energy sources.

Recently on 18th July climate change activists occupied a lighting tower at Didcot power station in Oxfordshire. Three climbers scaled the tower and unfurled a 50-foot orange and black banner with the words 'Climate Crime' [see pics]. Just prior to that, July 15th was an 'International Day of Direct Action for Climate Justice, against Climate Change and the G8' [see action roundups 1 | 2 | 3 | 4] which coincided with the G8 Summit in Russia. In London, Tulchan Communications, a public relations firm that works for Drax power station, was forced to deny it had been sacked by Drax for failing to make it look good, after a spoof press release was circulated [report]. See also: Climate Action News Sheet: June 06 | July 06 | Social Centers meeting at the climate camp

Mass callout to help build the climate camp

Links: Camp for Climate Action website | IMC Climate | Download programme PDF

Also Upcoming:
- Call for Action against G8 + 5 Climate Summit: Oct 3-4, Mexico [background]
- UK Climate Change Bill - 'Big Ask' Lobby (12 Sept - 11 Oct)
- International Climate Change Demonstrations: 4 Nov, prior to UN Climate Talks (COP 12/ MOP 2) in Nairobi (6-17 Nov). See National Climate March, London (4th Nov) | "I-Count"