The Camp for Climate Action started last week as hundreds of climate activists squated land near Staines under threat from Heathrows expansion. People from Scotland came down to lend a hand...
Scottish activists arived minutes after the land was taken Saturday night. Work got underway setting up the camp for the hundreds of concerned people planning on a week of climate change workshops, discussion and direct action. Scot's have been participating in camp security, food, transport, anti-FIT team action, camp structures, toilet building, and Indymedia work. The Scottish Bario containes many structures aimed at providing space and support to those living in the neighbourhood. The camp kitchen has been cooking for 80+ people, serving amazing hot vegan food.
The Met police lived up to their reputation of heavy-handed policing and confrontational attitudes, with invassions of large numbers of police forcing themselves onto the camp. On Tuesday, after a small FIT (Forward Inteligence Team) was ejected from the camp, a group of roughly twenty officers marched onto the camp lashing out at those who resisted. One peaceful protestor was punched in the face in an unprovoked assault and several people were punched in the ribs. A large number of people then peacefully resisted their intrussion and pushed them back out of the camp with hands raised in the air shouting "out". Since then the FIT have been confined to the other side of the fence, although two pairs of police have been tollerated on the camp who walk in a circit with a camp escort.
Scottish activists joined others from around the UK in a blockade of Biggins Hill Airport, a private jet runway favoured by the rich and powerful who regularly fly along in jets in one of the most unefficient methods of transport imaginable. Activists D-locked their necks to the front gate of the terminal and others used metal lock-on tubes on the road in front. The blockade lasted for roughly four hours as activists had to be cut free. Four of the ten arrested for Agravated Tresspass were from Scotland and all were held overnight for court. Despite the police saying that those arrested would not be allowed back to the camp they were all unconditionally discharged after pleading guilty. The prosecutor even started his case with comments about climate change and carbon footprint. A round of applause followed the verdict to which the Magistrate responded with a smile. All ten then returned to the camp, with a "routine" stop and search on the motorway.
Friday night two Scots were arrested under "terrorism" laws, one for carrying a key for skips, while cycling near the camp. One was released and one has been taken back to Scotland for outstanding warrents. This abuse of terrorism legislation is common place around the camp.
Today is one of the days of action set asside for direct action against the real causes of climate change. One activist, Dave Brew, said "today we will leave the camp and take action at Heathrow and the uncountable climate targets in the area. It is important people realise that they cannot continue this way of life with constant growth and consumption of fossal fuels. It has to stop, and it looks like we're the ones who are going to have to do it. We also stand in solidarity with the people in this area who will be forcible evicted from their homes all in the name of a third-runway at Heathrow. 700 homes will be demolished to provide land for BAA. We need to be reducing, if not stopping, air travel and freight, not increasing it.
The Met police lived up to their reputation of heavy-handed policing and confrontational attitudes, with invassions of large numbers of police forcing themselves onto the camp. On Tuesday, after a small FIT (Forward Inteligence Team) was ejected from the camp, a group of roughly twenty officers marched onto the camp lashing out at those who resisted. One peaceful protestor was punched in the face in an unprovoked assault and several people were punched in the ribs. A large number of people then peacefully resisted their intrussion and pushed them back out of the camp with hands raised in the air shouting "out". Since then the FIT have been confined to the other side of the fence, although two pairs of police have been tollerated on the camp who walk in a circit with a camp escort.
Scottish activists joined others from around the UK in a blockade of Biggins Hill Airport, a private jet runway favoured by the rich and powerful who regularly fly along in jets in one of the most unefficient methods of transport imaginable. Activists D-locked their necks to the front gate of the terminal and others used metal lock-on tubes on the road in front. The blockade lasted for roughly four hours as activists had to be cut free. Four of the ten arrested for Agravated Tresspass were from Scotland and all were held overnight for court. Despite the police saying that those arrested would not be allowed back to the camp they were all unconditionally discharged after pleading guilty. The prosecutor even started his case with comments about climate change and carbon footprint. A round of applause followed the verdict to which the Magistrate responded with a smile. All ten then returned to the camp, with a "routine" stop and search on the motorway.
Friday night two Scots were arrested under "terrorism" laws, one for carrying a key for skips, while cycling near the camp. One was released and one has been taken back to Scotland for outstanding warrents. This abuse of terrorism legislation is common place around the camp.
Today is one of the days of action set asside for direct action against the real causes of climate change. One activist, Dave Brew, said "today we will leave the camp and take action at Heathrow and the uncountable climate targets in the area. It is important people realise that they cannot continue this way of life with constant growth and consumption of fossal fuels. It has to stop, and it looks like we're the ones who are going to have to do it. We also stand in solidarity with the people in this area who will be forcible evicted from their homes all in the name of a third-runway at Heathrow. 700 homes will be demolished to provide land for BAA. We need to be reducing, if not stopping, air travel and freight, not increasing it.
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being bossed about
19.08.2007 16:24
on friday night, around midnight, there were a collection of about 100 people around the fire near to the main marquee, drinking, socialising, getting rid of creative energy and generaly enjoying themselves in a resonable manner. (having just watched sieze the day)
2 people were playing the violin, much to the 100 peoples pleasure.... when one angry individual confronted the musicians and shouted in their faces telling them to stop! which i found unreasonable (in a non hierachal anarchist camp.)
although i understand that power down is at 11pm and i also understand people need sleep and need to be up early etc... i think it would be a good idea to have a "quiet camp area" or a "night area" (for people who dont want to go to bed at 11pm)
i understand the camp for climate action is not a festival but it is unreasonable to expect everyone to be deadly quiet at night, and tucked up in bed! that is wholly unrealistic.
if hardcore environmentalists want "numbers" and want people to support them they need to be more flexible and less bossy
i appriciate these hardcore activists effectively made the camp happen and worked hard all year to ensure it came together.... but without the more fluffy support there would only be 100-150 people attending.
sam
noise & individualism
27.08.2007 18:44
It was clear on the camp website, in the welcome booklet & intro, that amplified music and loud noise needed to finish at Power Down. As you point out, there was a lot of work going on to keep the camp running, for workshops and actions, and that was the primary focus. Celebration is also important, hence the entertainments, and the later Power Down after the action days. It was one field, and at night sound carries - quiet camp areas have been tried and don't work.
Last year, people said it was wholly unrealistic to occupy a bit of land, stick 600 people on it for 10 days, and close a power station down, but we did it. If you think it's unrealistic to get people to respect others' needs and learn to live together, then we're doomed!
Your division between hardcore environmentalists and fluffy support is not based on reality, and is simplistic and destructive. I reckon 1,400 or 2,000 or however many people were there is a fair amount of people. And as I'm sure you know, if you want a festival, or want to sit around a fire with friends, then you can do that, but that is not the main aim of the camp.
respectfully yours, jimbo
PS you can't blame the angry person - if you've been asleep, or trying to sleep for a while and not wanting to tell people to be quiet, then by the time you put clothes on and get out of your tent, you are pretty frustrated! If you knew there were people nearby in tents, you should sort it out yourself, in the spirit of the camp.
jimbo