UK UK Newswire Archive
Renewed legal action by City of London Corporation
16-11-2011 06:55
Today the City of London Corporation announced that they intend to recommence their legal action against us under the Highways Act.
As a movement, Occupy London believes in bringing divergent views together in a spirit of open discussion, with the intention of reaching consensus. We are therefore disappointed that the City of London Corporation has decided to cut off the process of dialogue at their end and go down the legal route.
Last week, Occupy London presented our formal counteroffer to the City of London Corporation. We asked the Corporation to do a few things that every other local authority does as a matter of course: to make itself accountable to the public under the Freedom of Information Act and to make certain aspects of its financial and lobbying activities more transparent. Today’s announcement is the first thing we have received in terms of a response. We cannot help but feel that the failure to engage with us constructively represents something of a missed opportunity.
We note that, in addition to discussion of the Corporation’s responsibilities as a highway authority, Stuart Fraser, the outgoing policy chair saw fit to cite “reports about vulnerable people, cases of late-night drinking and other worrying trends.” This is something we want to respond to directly.
Like occupations across the world, the sense of community Occupy London has fostered has attracted some of the more vulnerable members of our community to our camps. We have given a number of people, whom society has essentially written off, a renewed sense of purpose and self-esteem as part of a community where they are respected for the contributions they bring.
Some of those attracted to our camp come from challenging situations and bring those pre-existing difficulties with them. We have recently set up a welfare initiative to help those people where we can and to signpost them to existing service providers. We are not in a position to provide a solution to these problems – we are very much aware of this – but we are doing what we can. We are certainly not encouraging anyone who is already being provided with accommodation or support to come and join us: we just don’t have the resources to provide that kind of specialist help, as much as we’d like to.
Our camps at St Paul’s Courtyard and Finsbury Square represent hope to a great many people – some of whom don’t have all that much. If the City of London Corporation wishes to pursue this line of argument, what we would say to them is this: whatever “worrying trends” the Corporation may perceive are not actually trends. These are pre-existing problems and issues that the Corporation, as a local authority, has a responsibility to deal with. Sweeping difficult issues under the carpet, or simply seeking to move them on, will not actually solve anything.
In the spirit of the Occupy movement in London and throughout the world, we remain committed to open dialogue and will seek to continue that dialogue with the City of London Corporation, whether they feel willing to continue that process with us or not. As far as legal action goes, there is really very little to say: we are aware of our legal position and the likely timeframe for any action. We have a great legal team on board and are not in the least concerned about the road ahead.
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11th November Response from OLSX to Corporation of London
The General Assembly of Occupy London has this morning communicated the following to the City of London Corporation via its lawyer Paul Ridge of Bindmans.
Occupy London would like to emphasise that, as part of the global movement for real democracy challenging social and econonomic injustice, its interests are broader than matters pertaining to the City of London Corporation, as per the initial statement of the Occupy London Stock Exchange General Assembly. This was collectively agreed on Sunday 16th October, the second day of the occupation, at the camp based at St Paul’s Courtyard.
It is the hope of Occupy London that, in the spirit of openness and inclusivity that the Occupy movement embraces and advocates, representatives of the City of London Corporation will attend one of its General Assemblies at the Occupy London Stock Exchange camp to discuss these and other issues in a non-hierarchical democratic forum.
Response of Occupy London
We reject the proposal, as the terms are unreasonable and they serve only to establish the ground work for the City of London Corporation to bring proceedings against the Occupy London Stock Exchange occupation based at St Paul’s Churchyard.
The City of London Corporation is an undemocratic authority which is more accountable to corporations than the public. We cannot negotiate with such an institution without undermining our sister occupations across the globe, who are being violently oppressed by authorities with the same interests as the City of London Corporation.
We propose that if the following terms are met, we will wish to continue dialogue. We call on the City of London Corporation to do the following:
1. Publish full, year-by-year breakdowns of the City Cash account, future and historic.
2. Make the entirety of its activities subject to the Freedom of Information Act.
3. Detail all advocacy undertaken on behalf of the banking and finance industries, since the 2008 financial crash.
We have been working, and will continue to work, with the fire service as well as the health and safety executive to ensure the occupation remains a safe environment for ourselves and our neighbours.
We have also posted the minutes of Thursday and Wednesday’s 7pm General Assemblies, which were devoted to this subject.
Occupy Wallstreet Music on Youtube
16-11-2011 00:55
On hearing that the occupation in New York Zuccotti Park was evicted this morning, I spent a few hours browsing for more info. On youtube, I stumbled across something rather different. As one youtuber puts it: "Occupya Wall Street is trying to find its musical groove as the demonstrators show no sign of stopping their revolutionary revolt against corporate greed". I'll share some examples and wonder if the revolution will be youtubed after all.
David Harvey pointed out that apart from organising and assembling, building a social movement is fun - so looking at the music of the Occupy movements makes sense. One thing is the music that is being played in the squares, but then there is also the music people use in their hommages to the movements on youtube.
I'm not so much interested in the quality of the pieces, don't know much about music anyway - but it strikes me how many people take the time to express their political emotions on youtube via music. Some do it under the impression of an occupation, like this young guy with his guitar who sings a song he thought about while being at Occupy Los Angeles. Others turn to Youtube precisely because they can't participate physically, but want to contribute anyway, for instance this guy, very emotional, who can't go to an occupation but dedicates a song to "them who stand for all of us".
Some clips are like these fans videos made for a favourite popstar - photos lifted from the web, overlaid by some tunes. Considering the range of chosen tunes, the Occupy Wallstreet supporters must be a varied bunch.
Someone collected images found on youtube, flickr, facebook etc and combined them with The Who's "we won't get fooled again". Another one used Reggae/Rock: "Stand tall" by Rya Fraser - and got a hearty thank you from Brisbane in the comments. An "Occupy Wall Street Tribute" counters mainstream media representation of the protests by showing photos of protesting "people who are not hippie slackers", overlaid by The Beatles' "Come Together". "Talking about a revolution" can't be left out - here combined with pics and sound from Occupy Wallstreet on Oct 5th.
Sentiments of "the nation", kind of "the better America" thing, seem to be quite widespread. Radiohead's national anthem is remixed and accompanied by images of a violent police raid on Occupy Wallstreet. The uploader says: "This is the most important video that I have created thus far" and encourages massive redistribution. A rap-style piece about the occupiers agenda is dedicated "America" and "to everyone out there in the streets protesting" and mixes the US flag with audio footage from the occupations.
Some musicians used their own songs and added protest footage from occupy wallstreet, for instance Iris Eve. And there's a remix of political speeches with some techno-ish beats, directed at the "99%" and claiming that "this is our chance to restore the American dream".
Quite a few people made their own songs, like a slightly boring singer songwriter. Another one identifies the need for the movement's very own protest song and attempts to "fill the gap" with his own creation to the tune of "Give peace a chance". The singer-songwriter protest song style seems to be rather popular on youtube. Here's one by Spencer Livingstone, one by Evan Wilson, one by Square of the Roots from Springfield, Illionis, and another one about the American dream.
Many rappers/hip hoppers created new songs for the Occupy Movement, like "Better Days" by Rob Royalty & Flick Millan, or the "Regular Man" song. The rhytm is taken from peoplechanting the slogan "Occupy Wallstreet". More rap is here and here and in one of the many 99% songs, one of the few with women in it. Finally another "Anthem for the Occupiers" starts with the Anonymous trademark greeting: "We do not forgive. We do not forget" and closes with the slogan: "We come to occupy".
Occupy Nottingham on kemet FM
15-11-2011 22:55
Occupy Nottingham appeared on 97.5 kemet FM on Sunday 13th of November at 9:00PM for a 2 hour show.
Occupy Nottingham appeared on 97.5 kemet FM on the The Talk Back Show at 9PM on Sunday 13th of Novemebr. They had 2 hour lively discussion on the show with phone-ins from listeners.
Photographs By Lewis Stainer
Lowkey "Soundtrack to the Struggle" Gig Success
15-11-2011 22:55
Thursday November 10th 2011
Gathering at the Polish Eagle Club, Sherwood Rise, Nottingham, over 250 people attended the Nottingham launch of revolutionary rapper Lowkey's "Soundtrack to the Struggle" album.
The hiphop artist and activist who has traveled to Palestine and whose #1-selling album raises awareness about the arms trade, Islamophobia, the so-called "War on Terror", international U.S military bases and the hypocrisy of Western leaders including Obama, enjoyed a warm welcome from the Nottingham crowd which included students from both universities and colleges as well as local residents. Fans sang along to lyrics rejecting war and Western consumerism, promoting instead justice, equality and peace. Prior to the headline act, an open mic took place, and local artists such as El Dia (who's performing at the Sumac's Insurrection Hiphop night this Friday) and MC Drago warmed up the crowd with their politically conscious lyrics and cheers of "Free Free Palestine!" Logic, Awate, and Crazy Haze, who accompany Lowkey on tour, were also met with enthusiastic appreciation of their inspiring lyrics.
Poet and journalist Jody McIntyre then shared his critical, witty, political poetry to a receptive audience.
The stage was adorned with a large Palestinian flag and graffiti pieces created by 16-year old Lowkey fan Usamah Qaiser and the venue also hosted a diverse range of stalls from local activist organisations and campaign groups. Palestinian Solidarity Campaign was joined by Notts Uni Palestinian Society, Nottingham Students Against Fees and Cuts, Nottingham Refugee Forum, local artists and Veggies from the Sumac who provided tasty samosas and vegan cake along with relevant newspapers and pamphlets such as Peace News. Radical feminist collective Sisters of Resistance politicised the women's toilets with details of their anti-imperialist, pro-vegan hip-hop blog.
The diverse crowd engaged with the stalls, took flyers and purchased Palestinian scarfs (kuffiyehs) raising money for Palestine and becoming aware of the need for organised resistance. Members of the audience were encouraged to become actively involved in building alternatives to the exploitative, unsustainable system that the featured artists powerfully denounced. With Lowkey's soundtrack as the inspiration, the successful event saw revolutionary activists and hiphop fans, students and locals alike united in their determination to continue the struggle. text: Sofia Mason
Sisters of Resistance
http://sistersofresistance.wordpress.com
Jody McIntyre
http://jodymcintyre.wordpress.com
Lowkey's "Soundtrack to the Struggle"
http://ceasefiremagazine.co.uk/arts-culture/review-lowkey-soundtrack-struggle/
____________________________________________
ALAN LODGE
Photographer - Media: One Eye on the Road. Nottingham. UK
Email: tash@indymedia.org
Web: http://digitaljournalist.eu
Member of the National Union of Journalists [NUJ]
____________________________________________
"It is not enough to curse the darkness.
It is also necessary to light a lamp!!"
___________________________________________
<ends>
Assange seeks leave to appeal to Supreme Court over extradition ruling
15-11-2011 22:34
Update 15 November 2011: Julian Assange’s team have raised the following points of law as grounds to appeal to the Supreme Court:US Presidential Candidate Romney Bought Animal Research Corporation
15-11-2011 22:14
As the sole voting stock owner of Bain Capital for 15 years, Mitt Romney,touted as the leading Republican candidate for US president, bought
vivisection company Behring of Germany, a company which had for 100 years
inflicted pain and captivity on dogs, guinea pigs, rabbits, etc. Romney kept
brutal rodeos in the Salt Lake City rodeos, invested his company in animal
flesh mongers, vivisectors and other ecocidal ventures. His business partner
has been Goldman Sachs, itself invested in animal murder around the world.
The link is
http://www.petitiononline.com/lovepigs is related to the barbarism of Romney's Bain Capital disc jockeys to animals.
A report on Birmingham Council's budget "consultation" in Kings Heath
15-11-2011 22:11
A brief report from Birmingham City Council's budget "consultation" at Kings Heath Community Centre on 11th November 2011.‘Atos Two’ Charged With Aggravated Trespass
15-11-2011 18:55
Two Nottingham residents, a pensioner and a wheelchair user, dubbed the ‘Atos Two’ have today (Tuesday November 15th) been charged with aggravated trespass.
This follows their arrests at a peaceful protest on September 30th at the offices of Atos ‘Healthcare’ on Stoney Street in the Lace Market.
Jamie Kennedy commented on the decision by the Crown Prosecution Service to prosecute the ‘Atos Two’: ‘This is an attempt to criminalise acts of peaceful protest and civil disobedience. This is not about justice but about intimidating protesters.’
Atos has been the subject of national protests for its role in the government’s attack on disabled benefits claimants.
The defendants have been bailed to appear before Nottingham Magistrates Court on November 25th. A protest in solidarity with the defendants will be held from 9.30am.
Contacts
Nottingham Defence Campaign
Email: nottsdefence@riseup.net
Notes for editors
1. For coverage of the protest on September 30th in Nottingham see e.g. ‘Nottingham protest rattles Atos’ Nottingham Indymedia October 2nd 2011:
http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2053
2. Atos Healthcare was selected by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to administer the Work Capability Assesments (WCA).
Campaigners claim that WCA are part of a deliberate policy by the coalition government designed to force as many people as possible off disability benefits regardless of their physical and/or psychological abilities.
Critics of Atos Healthcare point to the high number of successful appeals against decisions by the company.
A report by BBC Inside Out East found that more than one third of appeals were successful. (http://bbc.in/ulXxMG)
Furthermore the expertise and conduct of the so called ‘healthcare professionals’ undertaking the assessments has been severely questioned by campaigners.
In August it emerged that twelve doctors employed by the company were being investigated by the General Medical Council over allegations of improper conduct. (http://gu.com/p/3x7jd)
Palestine Today 11 15 2011
15-11-2011 16:55
"For the Wilderness" workshop timetable
15-11-2011 14:55
For the Wilderness takes place at the Sumac Centre on Saturday November 26th and Sunday November 27th Here's the workshop timetable
The Sumac Centre, Gladstone Street, Forest Fields, NG7 6HX
https://network23.org/autonomousnottingham/
Saturday
12- Introductions and Lunch. 1- Beehive Collective presents the True Cost of Coal 3- Short Film about Tazmanian Forests. 3.30 Tea Break. 4- Coal Action Scotland talk about campainging against coal mines in the Douglas Valley. With news from the Smalley Action group regarding the Shipperly open cast site. 7- Dinner and film showing of End Civ.
"END:CIV examines our culture’s addiction to systematic violence and environmental exploitation, and probes the resulting epidemic of poisoned landscapes and shell-shocked nations. Based in part on Endgame, the best-selling book by Derrick Jensen, END:CIV asks: “If your homeland was invaded by aliens who cut down the forests, poisoned the water and air, and contaminated the food supply, would you resist?” The causes underlying the collapse of civilizations are usually traced to overuse of resources. As we write this, the world is reeling from economic chaos, peak oil, climate change, environmental degradation, and political turmoil. Every day, the headlines re-hash stories of scandal and betrayal of the public trust. We don’t have to make outraged demands for the end of the current global system — it seems to be coming apart already. But acts of courage, compassion and altruism abound, even in the most damaged places. By documenting the resilience of the people hit hardest by war and repression, and the heroism of those coming forward to confront the crisis head-on, END:CIV illuminates a way out of this all-consuming madness and into a saner future.
Sunday 11- Tree Climbing workshop. 1- Lunch 2- Wilderness education and forest schooling, 3-30- Earth First Puppet Show
6:00- Dinner and film showing 8:00 Discussion about the future of Ecological Defence.
"If a tree falls" In December 2005, Daniel McGowan was arrested by Federal agents in a nationwide sweep of radical environmentalists involved with the Earth Liberation Front-- a group the FBI has called America's "number one domestic terrorism threat." For years, the ELF—operating in separate anonymous cells without any central leadership—had launched spectacular arsons against dozens of businesses they accused of destroying the environment: timber companies, SUV dealerships, wild horse slaughterhouses, and a $12 million ski lodge at Vail, Colorado.
ith the arrest of Daniel and thirteen others, the government had cracked what was probably the largest ELF cell in America and brought down the group responsible for the very first ELF arsons in this country.
IF A TREE FALLS: A STORY OF THE EARTH LIBERATION FRONT tells the remarkable story of the rise and fall of this ELF cell, by focusing on the transformation and radicalization of one of its members.
Part coming-of-age tale, part cops-and-robbers thrilller, the film interweaves a verite chronicle of Daniel on house arrest as he faces life in prison, with a dramatic recounting of the events that led to his involvement with the group. And along the way it asks hard questions about environmentalism, activism, and the way we define terrorism.
Drawing from striking archival footage -- much of it never before seen -- and intimate interviews with ELF members, and with the prosecutor and detective who were chasing them, IF A TREE FALLS explores the tumultuous period from 1995 until early 2001 when environmentalists were clashing with timber companies and law enforcement, and the word "terrorism" had not yet been altered by 9/11.
Autonomous Nottingham presents
“For the Wilderness”
A weekend of talks, films and puppet shows about ecological discovery and defence.
The planet is being destroyed at an ever increasing rate, air polluted, food and water poisoned, land brought up and destroyed by the wealthiest few to the detriment of everybody and everything else.
They are protected by the current social system and its many tentacles. At the same time all around the world there are those who seek to defend the earth and attack those who cause the damage.
At “For the Wilderness” we’ll ask why and how people do this. There will be those who share there past experiences, those who wish to plan for the future, and those who are unsure of where to go next.
Come along share your ideas, develop new ones, and meet others who want the same things you do.
Billy Bragg at Occupy Sheffield
15-11-2011 13:37
Palestinian Freedom Riders
15-11-2011 13:03
Information on the COP17 conference Durban 28 November - 8 December 2011
15-11-2011 12:55
UKZN to accommodate alternative COP17 civil society eventsThe University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has been identified as the site of this year’s COP17 alternative space, known as the ‘People’s Space’, where national and international civil society will come together around the global issue of climate change.
Occupy Bristol & Bath Updates
15-11-2011 12:55
While the Occupy Movement is being evicted from Oakland and New York, occupiers remain in Bristol and Bath
Occupy Bath has been in Queen Square now for over two weeks. It has created a forum for change for many local residents, who have felt comfortable to come into the park and interact with us, to sit around the fire, and discuss about the issues that they are concerned about. We have had an overwhelming amount of support from almost all people that we have interacted with. There is a strong group of us who do not wish this to end, but the effects of being so heavily involved in Occupy Bath is taking its toll on a number of us, hence the people pulling their physical support out of the movement. We need more people to commit to the cause now in order to continue demonstrating and creating the positive change that we have so far.
The occupation in Bristol continues despite the low murmurs of annoyance from various city authorities. It could be in the wake of the failure of the Church to call in the rozzers to evict the protesters, so as to allow the money lenders to do business as usual' has trickled down to other places in the UK and so put the brakes on here?
Also its great to see that individual occupiers are putting out statements about what and why they are doing this - which shows that they come from a borad spectrum of backgrounds and are not just the 'usual suspects' - A view from an occupier (2 links) a-view-from-an-occupier-2 a-view-from-an-occupier
As I am sure that you are aware, Occupy Bath have now outstayed the 'initial 12 days' that the media misquoted us as being our occupation length. We are still in Queen Square, and we are still keeping our voices strong, but the nights are becoming a bit of an issue for some of us.
Quite a few people pulled their support out of Occupy Bath on the weekend, and in doing so we are now shorter on numbers of people staying overnight. Recently, almost everyone staying overnight has had to do one of the security nightwatch shifts. These shifts, combined with commitments that some of us have to fulfill elsewhere, are very tiring and result in lower numbers attending meetings and staying overnight for the next night.
My plea to you, as supporters of the Occupy movement, is to come along to Queen Square, especially to stay overnight.
We are currently working at improving our daytime profile by introducing different workshops in the day (Felicity has been the first to confirm to do regular workshops, being T'ai Chi every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings at 11am)
br>
Please, if you can spare some time/can share some skills, come to Queen Square now!
Yours,
Simon
- Occupy Bath Media Working Group
Urgent Statement From Peace Strike
15-11-2011 12:55
URGENT STATEMENT FROM PEACE STRIKE “TO END WAR – AND PREVENT WAR - THE PEOPLE MUST GO ON STRIKE”It's up to us, the grass-roots movement!
YOU CAN'T BE ARRESTED FOR “BUYING NOTHING” AND “DOING NOTHING!”
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We all know our Government is NOT listening to us and is allowing the situation in the Middle East to build up to further confrontation. We must organise and act now, if we really want a chance to stop a war with Iran.
We cannot afford to think this might not happen!
We cannot repeat the mistakes of the past and leave it until an attack on Iran is imminent or a pre-emptive strike has been made. Even if an attack were to be officially declared, by then, marches, rallies, sit-ins and protests would not be effective and would be too little, to late.
REALITY CHECK - Let’s all unite and go on strike together for all the reasons mentioned, with the aim of actually achieving our objective.
10 years of protesting, marching, campaigning and lobbying has simply not been enough!
We have NOT STOPPED ANY WAR……….THEREFORE….WE NEED TO TAKE AVASIVE ACTION NOW!
Our priority must be to bring our own troops home in order to prevent further war. The military industrial complex has the same wants and needs of mass global companies. Collectively, the military consume the most oil, therefore, they MUST secure more oil supplies, whatever the cost. Global companies buy, take over and dominate by financial power. If they can't buy or control a country, they will demonise the country and then BOMB it into submission. They are the two arms of the same beast. The military is being used as the 'armed wing' of the Global Corporate Empire. By demanding to 'Bring Our Troops Home' and prevent further war, we will directly compromise and effect the political, commercial, and military power all at the same time!
The governments of the world will always ignore the people's natural opposition to war simply because they can. The only real power the people have is to refuse to comply. While we keep working, they launch ships, submarines, fighter jets, missiles, rockets, drones, deploy soldiers,…..and ignore our wishes….
We are the ones who fund the war effort, fund the repatriations, fund the funerals, fund the rehabilitation, fund the post traumatic distress disorders, and then also pay voluntary contributions to the many charities that support our war wounded. All this, and then, if we disagree with the justification and morality of the war, we live in fear of being labelled ‘unpatriotic’ It is a clever control method that always works!
We must act now, while we still can, in order to prevent a future world based on military order and compliance. By collectively being on “Peace Strike” together, we – the ordinary people – become the most powerful that we can be. We will send a clear message to our government that we will not support any acts of aggression towards innocent citizens of any country… we will not be deceived into waging wars for ‘Global Corporate’ greed and power.
We are now organizing Pre-emptive Peace Strikes.
YOU DO NOT NEED A UNION TO CALL A 'STRIKE FOR PEACE' THE PEOPLE CALL IT THEMSELVES!
YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A WORKER TO GO ON STRIKE FOR PEACE!
Includes: students, pensioners, housewives, anyone and everyone on benefit and disability allowance.
Anyone who does any activity “within the system” is actually supporting it. Therefore we need 3 days of:
NO SHOPPING! – BUY NOTHING!
NO LABOUR ! – Only emergency workers and essential workers carry on, the rest of us shut down.
NO SCHOOL, COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY, NURSERY – To prevent death and injury to others, it is more important to register your concerns, rather than worry about a few days off.
NO TRANSPORT! Buses, underground, trains, planes.
NO TV! They sensationalise war.
*Strike does not include emergency and essential workers whose work and travel we support. Police, Fire Service, Nurses, Doctors, Ambulance, Carers and Emergency Utility Workers.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/02/uk-military-iran-attack-nuclear
http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1654188,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/nov/03/attack-iran-us-nuclear
http://www.france24.com/en/20111106-iran-israel-nuclear-iaea-preemtive-attack-shimon-peres
ABOVE ALL - TAKE COURAGE – DON’T BE FEARFUL - YOU ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING!
“TO END WAR - AND PREVENT WAR - THE PEOPLE MUST GO ON STRIKE”
Peacestrike.org
07907 233 861
facebook: Peace Strike Parliament Square
N9 Undercover Cops - More Photos, New Faces
15-11-2011 12:27
[Removed 16 images on which Declan Hunter claims copyright, demanding $35 per image licensing fee - http://flic.kr/s/aHsjwHa2ur] Following the photos and videos that appeared on You Tube, Indymedia and Fitwatch etc of undercover cops attacking Nov 9 students and electricians protests down in London, here's a new set;
SRCL Blockaded & Co-Op Contract Lost
15-11-2011 11:51
SRCL, a company which collects and incinerates beagle dogs killed at Harlan
Interfauna.
