UK UK Newswire Archive
Occupy Nottingham Press Release 06/04/12
06-04-2012 18:55
Following the hearing on 5th April Occupy Nottingham are very pleased with the result achieved so far with a three week adjournment before a three day trial begins on 30th April.
This means they will be celebrating their six month anniversary on the Market Square on 15th April.
Judge Inglis ruled that all of the Councils allegations attempting to link incidents external to the camp being associated with the protest were usubstantiated with insufficient evidence and rejected any such argument dismissing them from the case.
Occupy Nottingham Press Release 06/04/12
Following the hearing on 5th April Occupy Nottingham are very pleased with the result achieved so far with a three week adjournment before a three day trial begins on 30th April.
This means they will be celebrating their six month anniversary on the Market Square on 15th April.
The Hearing
Judge Inglis ruled that all of the Councils allegations attempting to link incidents such as urination in flowerbeds, alleyways and doorways across the City Centre, accidents, crime such as shoplifting, threatening behaviour around and damage to the Market Place, along with any businesses loss of revenue in Nottingham City Centre, claims of odour and health and safety risks external to the camp being associated with the protest were usubstantiated with insufficient evidence and rejected any such argument dismissing them from the case.
Judge Inglis accepts the Council are the land owners so therefore the case now primarily revolves around the laws and legal connotations of highway, trespass, encampments, human rights, rights of assembly and protest.
Both the Council and Public Interest Lawyers waivered any claims for costs from yesterdays hearing, however the legal aid application by the camp has failed, so therefore any defendants could potentially now face a bill for costs of up to £20-30K if the case goes against the protest.
Public Interest Lawyers have been working Pro Bono on behalf of Occupy Nottingham and have announced that they willl continue to do so in light of the legal aid commisions decision. Occupy Nottingham cannot thank or commend them enough for this and for all the dilligence and hard work that PIL have put in so far on behalf of the protest, members of Occupy Nottingham are confident that whatever the outcome, they have had the best possible legal representation through PIL.
The Council
The Council first announced they would remove the camp from the square on 1st of March and began proceedings to do so on 7th March after posting notices to the seat of a camp chair initially on 5th March before returning to post them to the camp exterior. Following that the Council announced that Occupy Nottingham would be gone from the Square by the end of the week after the initial hearing on 13th March, following that hearing that was adjourned for three weeks, again notices were initially served to the camp exterior, before Council representatives returned to serve notice to actual camp members.
The first and only time representatives of Occupy Nottingham have had an opportunity to meet with Councillors in the Council House was in a meeting on 3rd March with Graham Chapman, this meeting was at the insistance of Occupy Nottingham in a genuine attempt to reach an agreement with the Council before they went through with their threat of Court action. At no other time have the Council expressed any interest or concern over any of the issues the camp has raised, or met with members of the protest camp to discuss them despite repeated requests to do so by the camp since the occupation began. Generally the protesters have found the Council aloof and elusive to negotiate with. Since 15th of October 2011 they have been asking the Council to meet with them and sit down for a mature discussion and Q&A on the issues we have raised and wish to address, but to date this still has not occurred. Apart from John Collings visiting the camp as a PR stunt/photo opportunity and one meeting with Graham Chapman, which was entirely focused on the issue surrounding us leaving the Square there has been no dialogue with councillors. Even though the protesters have made themselves completely available to meet with the councilors for six months now, the Council have chosen not to do so. Requests to attend a council meeting have also been refused, as have all other requests to meet with councillors. The Council have provided no help in ensuring the health and safety of the camp. However, they have carried out stringent on the spot inspections with no warning. There have been several health and safety related checks which were undertaken by both a gas and also health and safety experts. During the storms in November, an inspector came and checked that the encampment would be safe and did not pose a danger in the high winds. Two separate fire safety inspections have also been undertaken. One was a general safety check for all of the encampment, the other related specifically to the wood burning stove we were using. The camp has passed all of these inspections without anything more than a little advice being given. At a liaison meeting with Richard Antcliff following a health and safety inspection at the camp he informed the representatives present that the Council had sent two of its most stringent Health and Safety inspectors who had reported that for a makeshift camp in the Market Square they were running "a very tight ship". The inspectors were right because the camp has imposed strict measures to ensure the Health and Safety of the camp and its members at all times.
Since moving the camp from the original location the Council cleaners have never cleaned close to the perimeter of the camp apart from a few sympathetic council workers, in fact the protesters have regularly litter-picked and scrubbed around the perimeter themselves, they have also regularly cleaned out the flowerbeds, as these too have been neglected. The camp members have felt that this was done on purpose, to make the camp look an eyesore with all the litter and debris primarily left by night-time revellers. They claim the cleaners ironically only began cleaning close to their barrier once the Council had served them notice.
As a result, Occupy Nottingham are dismayed with the councillors and their seeming lack of interest and care for the citizens of Nottingham and their rights. They have requested to see the original charters and deeds pertaining to the Market Square and the castle grounds, but have been refused. They want to see them, as citizens interested in their own heritage and to have their remaining rights regarding these pieces of land clarified as Citizens of the Commonality of Nottingham.
Occupy Nottingham consider that when the local and national authorities satisfactorily address the issues surrounding the financial crisis their task would be for a large part done. They are open to adapting but the Occupation is an integral part of the protest and cannot disband until the Council properly engage with them and the issues they are raising. They hoped to show that there was a way that authorities and the people could work together but the Council's main concern has not been to address the important issues theye are campaigning for but to get us off the Square.
The camp feels that the Council's attempt to remove them from Market Square will directly restrict their personal rights to freedom of political expression, freedom of speech, the right to protest, and the right of assembly. It appears that Nottingham Council and the Corporation of Nottingham are more interested in business opportunities than in the political/economical climate and Nottingham's citizens' concerns and needs. Since they have been Occupying the Market Square, not one Councillor or local representative has made themselves available to discuss the issues the have raised, even though we have been on their doorstep awaiting an audience for almost six months now. The Council's focus on evicting them rather than dealing with the complicated and vital economic and political concerns of the people of Nottingham is yet further evidence of a misguided approach. Why do they not focus these efforts on dealing with the problems and ills of society rather than on evicting a group of peaceful protesters? The protesters are upset that it has come to Court proceedings however, they are not going to get disheartened, pack up and go home just because the Council says that their protest no longer means anything to them. Their protest is still important to them and, they believe, to the people of Nottingham and the UK. There are fundamental issues facing our communities, cities and society that need addressing and dealing with rather than just brushing under the table in the hope that they will go away.
The Protest
The physical presence of Occupy in public places is the essence of the movement which is essentially a think tank of ideas seeking to find solutions to the issues we face.
This form of protest has been shown to offer solidarity with others across the globe. Thousands of cities worldwide are involved in the Occupy movement. Occupation protests have proven successful in raising awareness and allowing citizens to gather in places such as Egypt, Wall Street and across the UK. As the idea behind these protests was to bring the message straight to the people, at the heart of towns and cities, the form of the protest is ideal. The protests are always involved in, and surrounded by, the public. The occupation is a fresh form of protest in that the physical presence serves as a constant reminder of the issues the occupiers are seeking to highlight. The camp is a continual focal point for information and discussion, bringing subjects that previously were not mentioned to the fore in daily conversation. They are generating ideas on how we might better improve our communities, city, and country. They are interested in seeking ‘grassroots' solutions to the problems they are highlighting. Whereas traditional protests tend to be forgotten a few days later, they feel the issues are so fundamentally important that they must not be forgotten and there must be a continual reminder in the form of their occupation. Through the occupation they hope to raise awareness, engage the public in debate, bring people together and spread support to people and communities. They want to engage in a dialogue with the public authorities in how they might work together to improve our city. The main issues about which the occupiers are protesting are in line with those identified as being the causes of the wider Occupy movement; inequality, the dominance of corporations and big businesses; sustainable growth; advocating on behalf of growing numbers of a general public disillusioned by the way the world is being run. They also hope to have effects more locally. They hope to achieve (and this can be done working with the Council) clear understanding of and transparency in the cuts that are being made in Nottingham; what the reasoning behind the cuts is; and whether, at the same time, there are ways to cancel out the cuts or lessen their impact: for example, by working out if there are major corporations currently avoiding tax within Nottingham and what can be done about them.
The camp attach great importance to the location in the Market Square for many reasons. Firstly, King Edward II gifted the land of the 'Market Place' to the 'citizens of the city of Nottingham in around 1275 as place for markets to be held and for the citizens to meet'. It is a public space and as the citizens of Nottingham, the members of Occupy Nottingham consider that they have the right to create a small permanent civic space in which they can voice their concerns and seek to engage with the public. Public space is increasingly being privatised and they consider that it is vital that they retain a continual presence with their camp. They are developing a critical mass of protesters and supporters and they offer solidarity to other Occupy camps. If the camp were disbanded now the protesters would go home and the public would forget about the important issues they are seeking to raise.
Secondly, the Market Square was traditionally the space where the citizens of Nottinghamshire would camp while they waited to petition the authorities (then being the 'Sheriff of Nottingham' at the castle). Citizens would camp on the 'market place' often for weeks and sometimes for months whilst they awaited an audience at court. Occupy Nottingham believe they have the right, as previous citizens did, to remain camped out until the authorities properly listen and engage with their message. Finally, the Market Square is still today the central hub of the city where people gather to meet, protest, talk, hang out and relax. It is therefore the primary location for interacting with as many members of the public as possible.
Thirdly, the Market Square is the political and economic heart of Nottingham. The encampment is opposite the Council House, where Councillors have been implementing cuts to local services. Being in the centre of Nottingham has meant their attention has been drawn to the plight of many different individuals and groups affected by the cuts whether this be the closure of homeless shelters and advice groups, cuts to library services and cuts in the provision of mental health, educationand domestic violence servicesamong others. They have also seen the closure of key cultural institutions such as the Brewhouse Yard museum which is no longer generally open to the public but requires appointments in advance. Even the Tales of Robin Hood tourist attraction has closed recently and Nottingham has lost its Robin Hood logo. People feel like they are losing their culture and heritage and little is being offered in return. Indeed, all we seem to be told is that there is no money available and that cuts to vital services - the things that allow a society to function properly - are necessary. The encampment is also very close to RBS, Lloyds TSB and Natwest, three of the banks whose actions form a big part of our protest. It is also in close proximity to several other big corporations that they talk about on a daily basis.
For these reasons the Market Square is their preferred location. However, they do not want to be unreasonable and they have repeatedly stated they would be prepared to have an alternative camp location in the city centre if they retain a permanent presence in the form of (say) a stall within the Market Square. The stall would allow them to engage the public in dialogue and give them the opportunity to direct the public to the camp where they would continue to raise awareness. The camp would not ideally want the camp to be far from the city centre so that the public would not be put off from visiting them. In the camp they would, as they do now, maintain the information boards, hold talks and workshops on various subjects such as the financial crisis. They, of course, want these events to be accessible to other members of public not just camp members.
The occupiers have been working hard all winter to develop a network of support and contacts through discussion and outreach, this has been steadily growing in momentum towards the spring. They are now building up to a critical mass where they can begin to link communities, hold debates with members of the public from all backgrounds, and start to improve people's lives, rebuild and begin to find a solution to the critical problems that our society is currently facing. They have always been aware that they would not be able to find a quick fix to these issues. In fact the ‘quick fixes' embarked upon by our Government have helped compound these problems. They strongly believe that they have embarked upon a long term process of change that will take consistent continual effort to achieve the end result that they desire for everyone.
In Conclusion
In short public spaces should be used for their original intentions. Since 1275 Nottinghamshire's citizens were able to camp on the Market Place in order to petition the authorities until the issues they present are dealt with. Occupy Nottingham believe that people should still have the right to do this as it is imperative to our society that issues which the public feel important are not pushed under the table and ignored. It has been shown that one-day protests do not really achieve anything - the issues raised tend to be forgotten soon after the event. It is important therefore that citizens be able to maintain their petition of local government authorities to enable a satisfactory conclusion to the benefit of the whole of society. We have lost these rights and as a result we are losing our ability to communicate and achieve improvements for the benefit of all people not just for a few.
The protest and camp will continue no matter what the outcome of the trial the occupiers say they will not be going away. Occupy Nottingham have always been and still are fully open to negotiation with the Council, the Council have a responsibility to uphold and instead of back-tracking after making proposals for a suitable alternative they should uphold their word or else prove by their own actions the true value of such word. The Council have favoured expensive court proceedings with public funds rather than continue negotiations despite the occupiers willingness to work to a solution suitable to all involved. Of course they feel this is just a quick fix solution for the Councillors just to remove them from the Market Square, but unless at some point they return to the negotiation table it could prove an expensive venture for them, in paying for multiple eviction proceedings if this is their intended path, as Occupy Nottingham mean what they say they are here until the solutions to issues such as those in their Common Statement are found and embarked upon. They fell this is a wholesale failure on the Nottingham Councils part to engage with its own citizens, shame on them.
Carl Freeman
Spokesperson, Representative and Defendant of Occupy Nottingham.
We aim to mobilise 500,000 anti-cuts protesters during the Olympics
06-04-2012 17:55
The London 2012 Olympics will cost well over ten billions pounds in total while savage government are destroying thousands of jobs and services and reducing millions to extreme poverty. We the Occupy movement plan to mobilise hopefully up to 500,000 anti-cuts protesters during the Olympics to protest this disgusting waste of money on an event which will not benefit anyone but the capitalists.Brutal Attack Of The Police Forces On A Greek Photographer
06-04-2012 17:29
ANNOUNCEMENT – INDICTMENTFOR THE BRUTAL ATTACK OF THE POLICE FORCES ON OUR COLLEAGUES AND THE INJURY OF THE PRESIDENT OF EFE
A 77 year old retired man committed suicide in Syntagma square, Greece.
06-04-2012 17:25
A 77 year old retired man committed suicide in Syntagma square, Greece. He left a letter before he shot himself. Bellow is the link with the picture and a rough translation of the letter.Peace prisoner Barbara Dowling update - please write to her!
06-04-2012 14:30
Latest news courtesy of Janet Fenton:"Barbara is in Greenock now and is doing well and appreciating small mercies like a toilet in her cell. Release date 5th May so she still has quite a stretch. Letters are getting through and anyone wanting to visit needs to write to her first."
Please send cheerful cards and letters of solidarity to:
Barbara Dowling
HMP Greenock
Gateside
Greenock
PA16 9AH
http://www.sps.gov.uk/Prisons/Greenock/greenock.aspx
JB Spray Squat in Dire Straits
06-04-2012 12:55
Recent days have been fairly traumatic for the residents and supporters of the JB Spray factory Squat after a local organisation decided they wanted to use the space. The future of the beautiful building, which has been a long term home for many, is now uncertain.
At around 8pm on Monday 2nd April, one of the residents of the JB Spray returned to their home to find it had came under attack. As one of the residents went to let another in through the outer gate, 8 unknown people emerged from the garage at the back of the yard and 7 more appeared on the street. They had tools such as hammers, sledge-hammers and axes. Due to the fact that one of the residents was letting another in at this moment, the doors were open, which allowed this group access to the building. Not much was said but the menace of the situation spoke volumes to the two residents who experienced this initial situation. They left as soon as they could to go find help from friends and fellow squatters.
Meanwhile, some of this unknown group of people entered the building and started looking around in the dark, starting on the ground floor and working their way up, looking around in people's rooms and in the communal areas. They did not take anything. Whilst inside they encountered more residents in the darkness. Again there was not much communication. Some were putting on a lot of front. There was one guy who was a bit older than the rest, perhaps in his mid to late forties, who spoke to one of the residents, asking their name and suggesting that they would be going away now and coming back at a later time. During the time that they were inside, two more residents returned home to find this large group of people on their doorstep.
The group (about 15 people all told) then melted off into the night, some in a white van. Soon after they left a group of friends and supporters, many of whom were ex-residents and current squatters from other squats arrived on the scene. Almost immediately after arriving, the same white van pulled up outside and drove slowly past then stopped and reversed back. All they said of note was "What are you doing here?" to which the reply was "We live here." to which they replied "We'll see about that..." before they drove off. Efforts were immediately focused on barricading in the yard to make it more difficult, or at least noisy, in the circumstance that the group returned.
The residents and those supporters who could stay over that night maintained a nervous vigilance with a strong undercurrent of fear about what might occur during the night. As it went, nothing else happened that night. There was a feeling during the night and the next morning that the people who had turned up would probably not attempt to do anything during the normal working hours of the day, as there is a busy building site opposite the squat. As well many people were assuming, or at least hoping, that whatever the group of people had come for, they had been deterred by the fact that there were actually people living in what could appear, without much investigation, to be an empty building.
This turned out to be more of a hope than a reality because at around midday on Tuesday 3rd April the attcking group turned up again in force and with tools including hammers, sledge-hammers, axes. This time there was no open door for them so instead they smashed and hacked their way in through two large old double doors that are not in day to day use. The residents just about managed to get a message out, but it was very unclear what the situation was. When fellow squatters and friends arrived outside the situation remained very unclear. They found the gate open as well as the in-use front door, but could not see anyone. While continuing to scout out the perimeter, one of the residents hung out the third-floor window and shouted down repeatedly to "come back later" and that "everything is fine". Not convinced the people outside continued to wait, and while doing so a man walked past on the phone and carrying a bicycle lock. As he walked past it became clear he was talking on the phone to his people who were inside the building. It was this man, in his mid to late forties, that had spoken to and left an impression on one of the residents the night before. We asked him what was going on, to which he replied very calmly that they would be leaving soon and that he would come and explain shortly. We followed him to the gate which he quickly closed and locked with his bicycle lock. Another person was in the yard who came to the fence to talk to us. He was not giving much away except to make out like he knew the people who lived there and that we were the ones who were not welcome. When we persisted in asking him what was going on he eventually said, in a half-joking way, that we would "have to talk to the manager." At this point one of the residents came out and again said "everything is ok" and to "come back later." The resident seemed nervous and it was strange that he would only repeat the same couple of things. At this point the people outside realised that they might be making the situation less safe for the residents inside. Feeling powerless to act and worried about making the situation worse they decided to leave for the time being.
Soon after they left the police arrived in numbers. It is unclear as to who called them, though the assumption is it was some of the builders working on the building opposite. It definitely was not any of the residents or supporters of the Spray. The organised group who had invaded the Spray came outside to meet the police and about five people were arrested. The residents were told they would be "allowed to stay." (Too right, obviously, as it would have been an illegal eviction. It is not the police's prerogative due to the fact it is a civil matter and, besides, there is no current possession order on the building.)
Supporters returned to their friend's squatted home while the police were there but were not allowed in as it was a crime scene and they were waiting for the Crime Scene Investigation team. On the way over we spoke to a resident on the phone and it turns out this attack had been an attempt to start a weed growing operation in the building. It was also discovered that one of the residents had been hit round the head with a hammer and had been taken by paramedics to hospital. All in all the unknown group came across as a very confident but also quite amateur group. The fact they chose a building which was people's home and that they chose to break in during working hours when there is a busy building site opposite are both very bold but seemingly poorly informed decisions.
There is now a lot of uncertainty about what will become of the JB Spray. While the police were on the scene we also saw the well known (from previous eviction attempts) manager and employees of Portable Buildings Limited, who are representatives of the owners of the building. This incident will certainly have brought the building back to the forefront of their minds, and given them a good idea of exactly how many people live there and what the security is like. Though the police were very well behaved, their presence is always a worrying one. The association of them "being on our side" is potentially very damaging and a fallacy because we know for a fact that tomorrow they will be against us, whether its their prerogative or not.
ITALY The Fascist diplomat does not lose his job
06-04-2012 11:39
Anti Fur Action - Post Flannels Your Body Hair
06-04-2012 11:31
Holland&Barrett picket to stop workfare in Catford
06-04-2012 10:55
As part of the national day of action against workfare and the IWA days of action, South London SolFed picketed the health food shop; Holland & Barrett along with 20 other locals in solidarity with a day of action around the country. This was a protest against workfare and the way the government is forcing people into work for no or little pay.
A heavy security presence in Lewisham Shopping Centre was outwitted when protesters moved down the road to Catford where a noisy demonstration began outside the local Holland & Barrett. The store closed as 20+ SLSF and comrades chanted, sang and dished out leaflets. Many people passing supported the need to take action against forced labour, particularly in a borough which has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country.
After an hour the store was partially opened but few customers entered. Protesters vowed to keep coming back until Holland & Barrett reject workfare in all it’s insidious forms and pay their staff a proper wage.
See also:
"Communication Workers Union HQ picketed in protest against workfare at Royal Mail" on SolFed site
Red salute to Comrade Godfrey Cremer, 1943-2012
06-04-2012 10:34
The local Gazette has also published a tribute: Ealing mourns its champion of racial equality
http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/ealing-news/local-ealing-news/2012/04/04/ealing-mourns-its-champion-of-racial-equality-64767-30693975/
Animal Rights Zone's "Vegan Buddies" Programme Launch.
06-04-2012 09:17
Stop the evictions of asylum seekers: Glasgow protest Thurs 12 April
05-04-2012 22:38
Stop the evictionsNo deportations
End destitution now
Rally and protest
Red Road / Petershill Rd
Thursday 12 April 5.00 – 7.00pm
Granting of injunctions by the High Court
05-04-2012 18:55
Response from Save Leyton Marsh to yesterdays injunction and todays eviction order.
We are disappointed with the injunctions granted today and yesterday, especially as so many questions remain unanswered including why work has been allowed to continue despite the discovery of asbestos and other health and safety hazards on site. However, we are relieved that the judge has upheld our right to peacefully protest, enabling us to display banners and continue to run our website.
It must be pointed out that any camp on Leyton Marsh is there with the support of local people unlike the basketball facility. Unlike the construction, the tents do not cause long-term damage to the site nor prevent people from accessing the land. Around 70% of Porter's Field Meadow is inaccessible due the construction but this was not considered in the judgement against a small number of people camped in tents who after all are there to protect and not destroy the land.
We welcome the support of our local councillors including Ian Rathbone who said: " the ODA have broken the law, and they realise they've got caught out, I just think they are rude and arrogant walking over local people."
We are disappointed that the ODA resorted to allegations of harrassment, intimidation and even assault throughout the hearing in order to support the injunction application. If there is any sound basis for these assertions they should have been reported to the police and investigated, which has never happened despite their frequent presence on site. In reality relations with the contractors at Leyton Marsh have been friendly with many expressing support for our cause, one even saying "this is the greenest space I have ever worked on. I think it's a shame".
We will continue to campaign to save our marsh, to protect the marsh habitat and safeguard the health and safety of all despite the legal threats against us.
The Scoundrel #3
05-04-2012 16:55
It must be Spring cleaning time at The Scoundrel HQ because I’ve decided to say “Fuck it” to the usual format and have a good old rant instead. The April edition is an attempt to start critical analysis of anarchist efforts and suggest possible avenues for the future. Why do our efforts never come even close to disturbing business as usual? Why do anarchists persist in the same old failed methods time and time again? What would genuinely pro-revolutionary anarchists do? Answers on a postcard, please, or maybe in a submission for this website or May’s edition…
For the third issue of The Scoundrel it's time to do something different. Having worked out a formula that could be run with forever, it's time to break up the pattern and develop something new.
For this issue The Scoundrel will be examining the local anarchist milieu and running a critical comb through the findings. This will not be pleasant for some and The Scoundrel expects accusations of uncomradely behaviour, defamation and pessimism to be winging their way here soon.
The aim is not to ‘have a go' or to find some measure of purity that no one could ever live up to, but simply to be honest about the effectiveness of what goes on and to initiate critical debate.
The Scoundrel welcomes responses to this issue and will be using future issues and the blog as spaces to develop new theory and critical reflection.
'Save our NHS' rally - this Saturday, 7th April, Bristol!
05-04-2012 16:55
Join us this Saturday in the centre of Bristol for a protest and march against the privatisation of the NHS!
Join us this Saturday in the centre of Bristol for a protest and march against the privatisation of the NHS!
Recently, in Lansleys own words, the NHS has made efficiency savings of £8billion! The NHS has halved cancer screening turnaround times, massively reduced morbidity regarding heart disease, and improved access to dentistry. Lansley says this is about patient choice, but we believe choice can be given to patients without the need for privatisation. We don't need privatisation, we need to reinvest that money into frontline services where it's needed. Of course, this is what he says he's doing, but we think this Bill will lead to a two tier healthcare system, at a greater cost to the poorer people of society, much like America. Research has shown that if you look after the health of the poorest of society, EVERYBODY benefits, this is in your interest!
Meet us at the fountains, 13:00, bring your whistles, megaphones and make some noise about how passionate you are for these important life-saving services! There is also a theme for those that wish to dress up - resusitation!! Bring your scrubs, lab coats and wheelchairs. The protest may march at some point, to be announced.
You can see the flyer here: http://www.bristolanticutsalliance.org.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/SAVEOURNHS.pdf
Further about the cuts here: http://www.bristolanticutsalliance.org.uk/
AND a great article about what we can do next here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/apr/02/fight-for-the-nhs
These protests are NOT just about NHS pensions, they are about fighting for our right to a universal healthcare system, one of the best and efficient in the world. We cannot let this go!
SOCPA zone repealed?
05-04-2012 12:06
The Met just told me that the SOCPA zone has been repealedGFEST 2012 Open call for artists announced
05-04-2012 10:47
We are looking for submissions from artists and organisations, with a particular focus on collaboration across art form, age and cultural backgrounds. The festival accepts submissions in three categories: films, visual arts and performance.The deadline for submissions is Friday 29 June 2012.
Submissions are accepted on: www.gaywisefestival.org.uk
Gunter Grass Addresses Israel's Nuclear Threat
05-04-2012 10:46
Writer, poet, playwright, sculptor, artist, and Nobel laureate Grass is regarded as Germany's most celebrated author. Awarded the 1999 Nobel Prize in Literature, the Swedish Academy said his "frolicsome black fables portray the forgotten face of history." It credited his first novel, "The Tin Drum," with restoring honor to German literature "after decades of linguistic and moral destruction." It "comes to grips with the enormous task of reviewing contemporary history by recalling the disavowed and the forgotten: the victims, losers and lies that people wanted to forget because they had once believed in them." Published in 1959, "The Tin Drum" became one of the most admired and revealing allegories of guilt and complicity. He once said he "believe(d) it....a good thing that a writer does not sit on the side of the victors." He also called Germany a psychologically damaged society.EDO gets new Paveway IV contract – We need to step up our resistance
05-04-2012 08:34
The MoD has awarded Raytheon a new £60 million contract to replenish supplies of Paveway IV guided bombs to the British Army. EDO MBM (a unit of US arms dealers ITT Exelis) will manufacture the umbilical interconnect system and containers in Brighton. Paveway IV bombs have been used in Afghanistan and Libya and an earlier model of the Paveway was used in Iraq.The MoD claims that this will sustain hundreds of jobs at the factories concerned (see
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-17597889).
