Yes, the new edition of the Bath Bomb is finally ready. Stories from the dark underbelly of lovely lovely Bath. Or something like that:
The Bath Bomb – @nti-copyright: copy and distribute!
Issue #9
free/donation
April 08
Diana Verdict: 10 Years On, Still Dead
Seattle Was A Riot…
Sunday the 20th April at the Porter Cellar saw a screening of ‘Breaking the Spell’: an hour-long look at the 1999 Seattle WTO protests and the anarchists who travelled there to set a new precedent for militant confrontation. Showing from 1pm til 4, free admission, with a practical and fresh look at the old debate of pacifism versus political violence, the film captured a moment when world history was up for grabs. Look out for the next offering from Bubbling Under, 3rd Sunday of the month, same time, same place, always free and always fun!
www.moles.co.uk
http://www.crimethinc.com/
EDOn’t Believe It!
That’s right folks, last month saw Bath Activist Network and Bath Stop the War Coalition illicitly screening a copy of the film the cops tried to ban in that shady den of crime and subversion otherwise known as the Quakers’ Friends Meeting House. The film was ‘On The Verge’, telling the story of a dedicated crew of Brightonians who have nearly succeeded in shutting down a bomb-building factory after 4 years’ campaigning. They have suffered continual police harrassment, with over 40 arrests so far, and the bother didn’t stop when they took their new film on tour. Obviously not happy with exposing us to the idea that we have the power to change society, the police have been scurrying round the country bullying small venues to make them drop the film [telling one woman they would take away her exhibition license if she disobeyed]. The same happened in Bath – the Bell, our original venue, got a call from a sweaty-palmed worm of a human being named Alan Bartlett. Alan, acting under orders of his police overlords had threatened the pub out of showing the film. Nevertheless, the film went ahead to a packed theatre, numbers doubled due to the controversy caused by police and council bullying. The film was inspirational and the night was a great success. And as for our inept, toady friend Alan, and the wannabe film critics that constitute the thin blue line… I’m guessing they havn’y heard the last of this just yet!
Our next chance to stick it to EDO MBM will fall on the 4th of June at the ‘Carnival Against the Arms Trade’ in Brighton, where red will be this season’s fashion. For more on the demo, film and campaign, check out www.smashedo.org.
Don’t Be A Fossil Fool
The 1st of April was declared ‘Fossil Fools Day’ this year, with 35 demonstrations against gas, oil and coal companies up and down the country. Ffos-y-fran, near Merthyr Tydfil in Wales, is the site of the UK’s biggest open-cast coal mine, and, at only 36m away from the nearest house, is potentially in breach of new environmental health regs. Coal is the least efficient of fossil fuels, and with the spectre of climate change risking innocent lives the world over, activists from Bath, Bristol, Oxford and across Wales decided to take a stand. Or at least a nice lie down. Whilst some disrupted the site of the mine itself, others blockaded nearby Aberthaw power station on the 3rd, owned by RWE npower, which processes the coal from Ffos-y-fran, and produces 7.4 million tonnes of Co2 a year. It also has a shocking disregard for health and safety, workers revealed, following a death at work last June. From 5.30 am, 15 blocked the main access route with 4 locked-on to concrete-filled suitcases [!], 8 blocked the back road, and 2 scaled machinery. Operations were screwed for up to 8 hours, with no vehicle access, mass tailbacks, and 50 staff getting a free day off! 15 were eventually dragged away for aggravated trespass, but the message was clearly sent: profit from climate change, and you will have to pay!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/6746429.stm
www.daysofclimateaction.org.uk
www.stopffosyfran.co.uk
Bristol and Bath Railway Path: The Truth and the Rumours
First, the rumour that Bristol City Council were planning to support the development of part of the Bristol-Bath Cycle Path with a rapid transport bus route leaked out. Speculation followed that the mature trees cut down at Lawrence Hill had already been felled in preparation for the work. The widely reported story that the scheme was to be shelved turned a protest ride along the proposed route from Fishponds to College Green into a massive, colourful celebration. 1,500 attended this good-natured romp and parade in the spring sunshine – an unprecedented turnout for a local issue. Among them were three marching bands, a peddle-powered train, a mobile ‘consultancy wagon’ – oh and not forgetting a single gladiator. This was despite yet another rumour that the rally had been cancelled! Everyone wants better public transport but to displace the most environmentally friendly commuters and travellers – cyclists and walkers – and destroy the only green corridor for wildlife in East Bristol is ludicrous. The plan directly threatens Sustrans most successful cycle path which has been their showcase route since it was fully opened in 1986. Their response is that the bus rapid transit route is ‘the right idea in the wrong place’. Yes, we need to tempt people out of their cars with bigger, faster, stronger, cheaper, more reliable and integrated public transport. On land the (usually single-occupant) private car is the most inefficient means of transporting individuals from A to B imaginable.
As I write the council meeting to decide the fate of the plan is scheduled for Tuesday 1st April. It is now confidently predicted that councillors will scrap the proposals. However, rumours abound among sceptical constituents that the plans might reappear at a later date when the media spotlight is off the issue. Transparency and scrutiny? We’ll be watching every move.
www.railwaypath.org
Human Freedom, Animal Rights…
We run a lot of animal rights stories in this humble rag, and are often asked to justify their point: there’s more important things, aren’t there? With the anti-foie gras campaign, beyond the cruelty of force-feeding waterfowl till they burst, what about the health implications of eating diseased liver, no matter the posh nom de plume? There are 2 national anti-vivisection demos this month, in Oxford on the 19th, and Horsham on the 26th [World Day for Lab Animals!]: with no scientific studies ever being taken into the relevance of animal testing results for human medicine, and medical drug side effects being the fourth biggest killer in the UK, big pharma is lobbying hard to put profit before lives. Meat and dairy-based diets are being increasingly linked to cancer, heart disease and diabetes, whilst livestock production causes deforestation, high methane emissions, mass starvation, water pollution and shortages: so the environment is stuffed, too. Bloodsports are intrinsically linked to land enclosure and wealth inequalities, as well as being barbaric. And then when you add on repression in the UK, with animal rights activists going down for years on trumped charges and ridiculous new laws coming out every year, then worries about a police state become more and more valid… So, it’s not just all about fluffy bunnies and puppies. FFI on local animal rights activism, contact bathanimalaction@yahoo.co.uk.
Bath Activists Have Cracking Time In Chippenham
We here at the Bath Bomb are delighted to announce the opening of Chippenham’s newest squatted social centre – the 78. The following account detailing the occupation of the new centre was recieved anonymously: “After being contacted by squatters in Chippenham, several Bathonians made the rail trip to the town to see what was happening. The building they had in mind is a lovely old bungalow with loads of potential and really friendly neigbours. It had not been lived in for 30 years, but that didn’t make getting in easy. After trying several doors and windows, we came across a slightly chipped window, giving us enough room to use a twig to unhook the latch from the inside! Once in, we got busy changing the locks and tidying up the rooms and garden. The place had obviously been left in a hurry, as 1970’s tins of mushy peas and sardines greeted us in the fully-stocked kitchen! The space is open to all and operates a no-smoking, drinking or drugs policy. Some of the projects to be run from the squat include community gardening, people’s education nights, free shops, donation-based dinner evenings and much more. The 78 should be up and running soon, so keep your eyes peeled. We are only 10 minutes by train from Chippenham and trains run past midnight most nights – Bath Activist Network are looking forward to many nights of fun, food and education in our new local squat, so why not get down there and check it out for yourself?”
Fight War, Not Wars
On 15th March activists from Bath joined a 40,000-strong demonstration in London against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the repression of the Palestinians and a possible attack on Iran. It is now five years since the coalition invaded Iraq on a lie. Since then, hundreds of British and American troops and thousands of Iraqis and Afghans have been killed or injured. Torture, repression and ill-treatment have become commonplace. Loads of money that could have been better spent on hospitals, schools, benefits and pensions have been wasted on the war. At home, due to ‘the war on terror’, political, legal and civil rights built up over many years are being eroded by the state. War criminals Bush and Blair continue their careers with no apology for the death and desturction they have caused. If the coalition states like Israel, Britain and the USA attack Iran, marches, strikes and direct action must be the answer by the people, the majority who have been against these murderous military adventures from the outset.
To join the local Stop the War group, you can attend the vigil outside the front of the Abbey every Saturday 11.30-12.30
Squat’s All The Fuss About?
What do you think of when someone says ‘squatter’? Chances are, the stereotypes of drug-fuelled, special brew swilling freeloaders pops to mind, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. The principle behind squatting is simple – good buildings should not be left to rot while people have a use for them. As a rule, most squatters will only ‘crack’ a building that has been empty for some time, and is not in use. For example, Bath’s last three squats were the former Stothert and Pitt site, a church that had been disused for three, and a shop near the pump rooms that had been disused for at least as long. The latter two both operated drink and drug-free policies and provided community rescources such as free shops, cheap food, free film nights and much more. Importantly, they also provided people with a much needed place to live. This country has a proud tradition of squatting, from the Diggers in 1649, to the poor families of Bath and Corsham who moved into deserted army barracks in the 1940’s.
Squatting is not about ripping people off or giving anyone a hard time (except maybe corrupt councillors, scummy landlords and property developers) – it is about turning unused buildings into valuable community resources, taking them from the developers and speculators, and giving them back to the people they belong to – all of us. Now for the legal bit! Squatting IS legal, so long as you follow some very simple guidelines. You MUST NOT cause criminal damage when entering the building. You must have sole access to the building, so fitting your own locks is a must, and you should definitely have at least one person in the building at all times, as, in the case of squatting, possession is very much 9/10ths of the law. When the landlord finds you, he may try to get a Possession Order. Once this has been given, it is illegal to stay in the building, but if you pick the right place, that may not happen for years, if ever. http://squat.net/
50 Years And Still Fighting
On the 24th March, Bath CND and Bath Stop The War Coalition hired a coach to join 5,000 protesters to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the birth of CND. With this also being the anniversary of the first march to the nuclear facility AWE Aldermaston, they surrounded the base by peacefully linking hands. Before the surrounding of Aldermaston, there was a rally with guest speakers, including Vivienne Westwood, MPs Jeremy Corbyn and Caroline Lucas, Bruce Kent, and CND Chair Kate Hudson. The demo consisted of old, middle-aged and young. There were some veterans from the very first march back in 1958, where 4,000 gathered in London on the coldest weekend in memory, for a 600-strong march to the site, braving the snow. Fifty years on and some say ‘what has changed?’ Well, now the majority of the population are opposed to nuclear weaponry rather than it just being a minority view, and the Cold War is over. This year’s protest went well, leaving the perimeter fence strung with messages, communicating our dismay at the madness of the Government’s plans to renew the Trident nuclear weapons system, flushing £5 billion down that particular drain.
Foie Gras News
The foie gras saga continues with Beaujolais in Chapel Row targeted for selling the diseased liver of force-fed ducks. Saturday 29 March saw 5 activists braving the rain, armed with leaflets and a petition of over 500 signatures to get the vile stuff banned by Bath Council. The amiable co-owner of Beaujolais stated that she’d heard the ethical arguments but would continue to sell it. When the police turned up and she realised we weren’t about to bugger off, she claimed to have stopped selling it (despite the website listing). Changing her story several times within the space of half an hour, she later told us she’d put it on the menu “just for us.” Nice lady, bit confused. Following the demo, a statement was posted on their website claiming that they only sell ‘faux foie.’ Make up your mind, woman!
www.banfoiegras.com/page.php?module=sustained&article_id=27>
www.ciwf.org.uk/campaigns/other_campaigns/exotic_foods.html>
EVENTS
Monday nights – Bath Hunt Sabs Meeting, 8pm, Bell
Wednesdays 4-7pm – London Rd Food Co-op, Riverside Community Centre
Saturdays 11.30am-12.30 – Bath Stop The War Vigil, Abbey Courtyard
23rd April, tbc – Anti-sweatshop demo, 2.30pm til 5pm, Topshop in Bath
25th April, 9.30pm-4am – Benefit gig for Bristol No Borders & Bristol Antifa, New Trinity Hall, Trinity Road, Bristol £7 entry
26th April, 11am – National SHAC demo, Horsham Park, Horsham, W Sussex
29th April, 7.30pm – ‘Bath: An Eco-City?’ debate, Bath Abbey
1st May, 7.30-9pm – Bath Activist Network meeting, downstairs at Hobgoblin
3rd May, tbc – Anti foie-gras demo, contact bathanimalaction@yahoo.co.uk
7th May, 7.30-8.30pm – Bath Animal Action meeting, backroom of Bell
10th May, 12-3pm – Bath Freeshop, outside Pump Rooms, Stall Street
11th May – Bath Animal Action info stall, outside Pump Rooms
For further info on any of our stories see www.myspace.com/bathbomb
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Contact us by e-mailing bathbombpress@yahoo.co.uk. Large print e-versions available on request.
Q: Who Are Bath Activist Network? A: A local umbrella group campaigning on issues as diverse as development, environmentalism, anti-war, animal rights, workers’ rights and more. Helping to produce The Bath Bomb, we are open to anyone, and our members range from trade unionists to anarchists, liberals to greens, and people who just want to change Bath for the better. For details on meetings, demos, or just to get in touch, ring us on 07949 611912, email bathactivistnet@yahoo.co.uk, or see our website: www.myspace.com/bathactivistnetwork
And now, to the disclaimer: As anyone is free to contribute to this newsletter, the opinions expressed in each article are not necessarily reflective of each contributor. Naturally, any right-wing or corporate bullshit will be binned and spat on. Needless to say, the opinions of the author of this disclaimer does not necessarily represent the views of any other contributor…
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update on Chippenham squat – April 24, 2008
Unfortunately, on Monday, the would-be social centre ‘the 78’ was evicted on a rushed through Interim Possession Order…