South East England – Page 32

32 SUVs disabled across Oxford

18.07.2008
Up to 32 SUV owners awoke this morning to discover that their destructive vehicles had been disabled.

Using the ‘mung bean trick’, whereby a mung bean is inserted into the valve of a tyre before the cap is screwed back on, tyres were let down in Marston, Headington, and the highly affluent area of Summertown. Messages were left under windscreen wipers warning the owners not to attempt to drive their 4x4s, and explaining why it was felt that direct action had to be taken to resist their assault on this planet.

They were informed that more than a quarter of the UK’s CO2 generation is attributable to the transport sector, and that many Sports Utility Vehicles emit up to 300% more greenhouse gases than the average car.

They were also told that driving a car is not a ‘right’, and that driving an SUV is an unacceptably selfish act in the face of what may become unstoppable climate change.

This is a simple action that anyone can do, anytime or place.

Melting Point: the new frontline in eco-activism

The Ecologist Film Unit (EFU), a collaboration between the ethical investigations agency Ecostorm and the Ecologist magazine, has recently produced a short film called ‘Melting Point: the new frontline in eco-activism’. Ahead of next month’s ‘Climate Camp’ at Kingsnorth power station, Kent, the film exposes government tactics in reaction to enviromental protests.

Espionage, news manipulation, legal threats and even violence have become the knee-jerk response of Government and big business to the increasing and vocal concerns of environmental activists in the UK. This exclusive and powerful film exposes the extraordinary tactics being used to reframe concerned citizens engaging in their right to protest, as dangerous terrorists.

The film can be viewed on various websites including Green TV (www.green.tv) or the Ecologist website (www.theecologist.org/etv/).

The youtube URL is http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=I08J2BCPBDY.

Alternatively the video can be downloaded at www.ecologistfilmunit.com.

Watch it, show it at events, spread the message!

contact: anna@eco-storm.com

Oxford Climate Action Spin The Spinners!

16.07.2008

16.07.2008
Oxford Climate Action activists have today blockaded the headquarters of Edelman PR. They arrived at 9:30 to protest the PR giant’s collusion with E-On in “greenwashing” its proposed Kingsnorth power station development. Several protestors gained access to the firms offices. Others outside climbed onto the roof to unfurl a banner reading “Edelman: Spinning The Climate Out Of Control” as another colourful contingent spoke to passers by about the protest. MP John MC Donnell has also dropped by to lend his support.

Edelman have been employed by E-On to promote “E.On’s interests across the gas, coal, nuclear and renewables sectors, not just lobbying for Kingsnorth”[1]. Today, they have sponsored a climate change summit along with BMW. The protestors claim that this is a conscious tactic to become green by association without taking meaningful action to stop climate change. The protesters also aim to highlight the insanity of investing in new coal power stations like Kingsnorth, in the face of human caused climate change[2].

Protestor Debbie Locke said, “Coal is the dirtiest form of fossil fuel. Edelman are telling E-On to say that Carbon Capture and Storage can help. But CCS is an unproven technology and 20 years away at the earliest.[3][4] We’re here to reclaim the PR machine for normal people who want to see real action on climate change not another dose of corporate greenwash”.

The protestors have been inspired to take action by the Camp for Climate Action which will take place at Kingsnorth from 3-11 August this year.

Edelman have a long record of involvement with ethically questionable companies seeking to improve their image, including AstraZeneca[6], WalMart[7], Pfizer[8].

Contact: 0781 8021 298

— ENDS —

Notes For Editors

[1] Clare O’Connor, ‘EON turns to Edelman as nuclear debate rages’, PR Week, 13.03.08 prweek.com/uk/news/article/790575/EON-turns-Edelman-nuclear-debate-rages
[2] See ipcc.ch
[3] DBERR, Energy Markets Outlook states that CCS will deliver “no carbon savings in the forecast years until 2020 and then 0.3 MtC”.
http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file41995.pdf
[4] The IPCC says that it is unlikely that CCS would be deployed until the mid 21st century.
http://arch.rivm.nl/env/int/ipcc/pages_media/SRCCS-final/SRCCS_WholeReport.pdf
[5] The Camp For Climate Action believes that “large numbers of determined and well-organised people get together they can turn things around, making a historic difference.” Last year’s camp engaged several thousand people to take direct action at Heathrow Airport. http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/home
[6] http://www.prweek.com/uk/sectors/healthcare/article/825671/edelman-overhauls-team-md-leaves/
[7] “AstraZeneca, the large pharmaceutical company, pleaded guilty today to a felony charge of health care fraud and agreed to pay $355 million to settle criminal and civil accusations that it engaged in a nationwide scheme to illegally market a prostate cancer drug.”
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C07E7D8163BF932A15755C0A9659C8B63
[8] WalMart has been called “The most ruthless company in the world” due to its appalling record on human rights, contempt for communities and the environment
http://www.monbiot.com/archives/2004/03/16/low-hanging-fruit/
[9] Pfizer has been involved in price fixing, illegally testing drugs on children, blocking efforts to allow people in developing countries access to life-saving drugs and selling drugs linked to adverse side effects in pets:
http://www.corporatewatch.org.uk/?lid=330#aids

Oxford Climate Action

Spirit of Freedom (July 2008)

Produced by
EARTH LIBERATION PRISONERS SUPPORT NETWORK

“The whole experience has been tough, but all the kind and strengthening words and wise thoughts from strangers made it much easier!” (Former Swedish Animal Rights Prisoner)

Produced by
EARTH LIBERATION PRISONERS SUPPORT NETWORK

“The whole experience has been tough, but all the kind and strengthening words and wise thoughts from strangers made it much easier!” (Former Swedish Animal Rights Prisoner)

Welcome to the July 2008 edition of Spirit of Freedom. As a number of ELP supporters will be aware, ELP has traditionally dedicated our newsletters to fallen friends, who have either been killed or seriously injured as a result of their protest activities. For the past few months ELP hasn’t carried any dedication and we hoped that we would not have to dedicate another newsletter to a fallen friend again. However last month, ELP received the heartbreaking news about the death of Marie Vesco. Marie was a French activist living in England. She was involved with a number of groups including ‘Food Not Bombs’. On Wednesday the 4th of June 2008 Marie was cycling to the Carnival Against the Arms Trade when a Four Wheel Drive
vehicle (an SUV if your American) swerved across two lanes hitting Marie. A second vehicle then also hit Marie. Marie died instantly: she was just a few days away from her 20th birthday. Marie is remembered as a warm, loud, fun, vivacious figure with an infectious laugh that was always ready to help others. ELP understands that at least two Critical Mass cycle rides have already been dedicated to Marie. Likewise in memory of Marie ELP is dedicating this newsletter to her memory. The loss of Marie is a blow for the movement and our thoughts are with her family and friends.

ECO-DEFENCE PRISONERS

Tre Arrow, SWIS #640393, Multnomah County Detention Center, 1120 S.W. 3rd Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97206, USA. Awaiting sentencing of six and a half years imprisonment having reached a non-cooperation plea-bargain with the authorities who accuse him of involvement in two arsons. 1) an arson on logging trucks 2) an arson on vehicles owned by a sand & gravel company. (Tre is a raw energy vegan – He has asked that his letters of support are written on scrap paper or tree-free paper).

Grant Barnes #137563, San Carlos Correctional Facility, PO Box 3, Pueblo, CO 81002, USA. Serving 12 years for setting fire to a number of SUV vehicles. The letters ELF were spray painted onto all of the vehicles. (Grant is a vegan).

Nathan Block, #36359-086, FCI Lompoc, Federal Correctional Institution, 3600 Guard Road, Lompoc, CA 93436, USA. Serving 7 years & 8 months for an ELF arson against a Poplar Tree Farm and an ELF arson against an SUV dealership. Also admitted his role in an ELF/ALF conspiracy. (Diet unknown).

Marco Camenisch, Postfach 3143, CH-8105 Regensdorf, Switzerland. Serving 18 years. 1) Ten years for using explosives to destroy electricity pylons leading from nuclear power stations. 2) Eight years for the murder of a Swiss Boarder Guard whilst on the run. In ’02 Marco completed a 12-year sentence in Italy for destroying electricity pylons in Italy. (Marco is a meat eater who encourages organic living).

Daniele Casalini, Casa Circondariale, Via Burla 59, 43100 Parma, Italy. Il Silvestre activist awaiting trial accused of using explosives to damage an electricity pylon in protest at nuclear energy. (Daniele is a vegan).

Rod Coronado – See details in Animal Liberation Prisoners List.

Francesco Gioia, C.C. Sollicciano, Via Girolamo Minervini 2/R, 50142 Firenze Sollicciano (FI), Italy. Il Silvestre activist awaiting trial accused of using explosives to damage an electricity pylon in protest at nuclear energy. (Francesco is a vegetarian and Straight Edge).

Paola Gori, Via delle Macchie 9, 57124 Livorno, Italy. Il Silvestre activist awaiting trial accused of allowing her house to be used to plan illegal activity. (Paola is a vegan).

Jeffrey Luers, # 13797671, CRCI, 9111 NE Sunderland Ave, Portland, OR 97211-1708, USA. Serving 10 years for arson on a SUV dealership & the attempted arson of an oil truck. The original sentence was 22 years & 8 months, but was reduced on appeal. (Diet unknown).

Eric McDavid, 16209-097. FCI Victorville Medium II, PO BOX 5700, Adelanto, CA 92301, USA. Serving 19 years & 7 months for planning to destroy the property of the U.S. Forestry Service, mobile phone masts and power plants. At the point of his arrest no criminal damage has actually occurred. (Eric is a vegan).

Daniel McGowan, Columbia County Jail, 403 Jackson Street, Portage, Wisconsin 53901, USA. Serving 7 years for an ELF arson against a Poplar Tree Farm and an ELF arson against an old growth logging corporation. Also admitted his role in an ELF/ALF conspiracy. (Daniel is a vegetarian).

Jonathan Paul – See details in Animal Liberation Prisoners List.

Briana Waters, 36432-086, FDC – Seatac, Federal Detention Center, P.O. Box 13900, Seattle, WA 98198, USA. Serving six years for involvement in an ELF arson on a University. (Diet unknown).

Joyanna Zacher, #36360-086, FCI Dublin, 5700 8th St.- Camp Parks- Unit F, Dublin, CA 94568, USA. Serving 7 years & 8 months for an ELF arson against a Poplar Tree Farm and an ELF arson against an SUV dealership. Also admitted her role in an ELF/ALF conspiracy. (Diet unknown).

ANIMAL LIBERATION PRISONERS
(All Animal Liberation Prisoners follow a minimum vegetarian diet and most are vegan).

Jon Ablewhite TB4885, HMP Lowdham Grange, Lowdham, Nottingham, NG14 7DA, England. Serving 12 years for attempting to blackmail a farmer who supplied guinea pigs for vivisection. (Jon is a vegan).

Gregg Avery TA7450, HMP Winchester, Romsey Road, Winchester, SO22 5DF, England. On remand accused of conspiracy to blackmail, in relation to his involvement with the SHAC campaign. (Gregg is a vegan).

Natasha Avery NR8987, HMP Bronzefield, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, Middx. TW15 3JZ, England. Jailed for breaching her parole conditions imposed on her for telling a fox hunting murdering scum what she thought of them. Also awaiting trial accused of conspiracy to blackmail, in relation to her involvement with the SHAC campaign. (Nat is a vegan).

Mel Broughton TN9138, HMP Woodhill, Tattenhoe Street, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK4 4DA, England. On remand accused of involvement with an arson and blackmail campaign against an Oxford University vivisection establishment. (Mel is a vegan).

Martin Balluch, Antirep 2008, Postfach 101, 1070, Vienna, Austria. One of ten Austrian’s held on remand accused of various animal rights actions. (Martin is a vegan)

Christoph, Antirep 2008, Postfach 101, 1070, Vienna, Austria. One of ten Austrian’s held on remand accused of various animal rights actions. At the moment Christopher does not wish to have his full name published.

Jacob Conroy #93501-011, FCI Victorville Medium I Federal Correctional Institution, P.O. Box 5300, Adelanto, CA 92301, USA. Serving 48 months imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign. (Jake is a vegan).

Rodney Coronado #03895-000, FCI El Reno, PO Box 1500, El Reno, OK 73036, USA. Serving one-year imprisonment after he informed people how to make an incendiary device during a speech at an animal rights gathering. (Rod is a vegetarian).

Donald Currie A3660AA, HMP Parkhurst, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 5NX, England. Serving an Indeterminate Sentence, of not less than six actual years, for carrying out arsons against targets associated the vivisection industry including HLS. (Don is a vegan).

Lauren Gazzola #93497-011, FCI Danbury, Federal Correctional Institution, Route #37Danbury, CT 06811, USA. Serving 54 months imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign. (Lauren is a vegan).

Sarah Gisborne, LT5393, HMP Downview, Sutton Lane, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5PD, England. Serving 5½ years for conspiracy to cause criminal damage following the damaging of 8 vehicles owned by people linked to Huntingdon Life Science. Due for release at the end of July (Sarah is a vegan).

Joshua Harper #29429-086, FCI Sheridan Federal Correctional Institution, P.O. Box 5000, Sheridan, OR 97378 USA. Serving 36 months imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign. (Josh is a vegan).

Jan, Antirep 2008, Postfach 101, 1070, Vienna, Austria. One of ten Austrian ‘s held on remand accused of various animal rights actions. At the moment Jan does not wish to have his full name published.

Kevin Kroemmer, Antirep 2008, Postfach 101, 1070, Vienna, Austria. One of ten Austrian’s held on remand accused of various animal rights actions. (Kevin is a vegan)

Leo, Antirep 2008, Postfach 101, 1070, Vienna, Austria. One of ten Austrian’s held on remand accused of various animal rights actions. At the moment Leo does not wish to have his full name published.

Sabine, Antirep 2008, Postfach 101, 1070, Vienna, Austria. One of ten Austrian’s held on remand accused of various animal rights actions. At the moment Sabine does not wish to have their full name published.

Sean Kirtley WC 6977, HM Prison Blakenhurst, Hewell Lane, Redditch, B97 6QS, England. Serving four and a half years for running an anti-vivisection campaign website. (Sean is a vegan).

Kevin Kjonaas #93502-011, FCI Sandstone, PO Box 1000, Sandstone, MN 55072 USA. Serving 72 months imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign. (Kevin is a vegan).

Daniel McGowan – See details in Eco Defence Prisoners List.

Heather Nicholson VM4859, HMP Bronzefield, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, Middx. TW15 3JZ, England. On remand accused of conspiracy to blackmail, in relation to her involvement with the SHAC campaign. (Heather is a vegan).

Jonathan Paul, #07167-085, FCI Phoenix, Federal Correctional Institution, 37910 N 45th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85086, USA. Sentenced to 51 months for an ALF arson on a horse meat plant. Also admitted his role in an ELF/ALF conspiracy. (Jonathan is a vegan).

Andrew Stepanian #26399-050, FCI Butner Medium II Federal Correctional Institution, PO Box 1500, Butner, NC 27509 USA. Serving 36 months for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign. (Andrew is a vegan).

Kerry Whitburn TB4886, HMP Lowdham Grange, Lowdham, Nottingham, NG14 7DA, England. Serving 12 years for attempting to blackmail a farmer who supplied guinea pigs for vivisection. (Kerry is a vegan).

Sarah Whitehead, VM7684, HMP Bronzefield, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, Middx, TW15 3JZ, England. Serving two years for: 1) rescuing a puppy from horrific conditions. 2) rescuing over 100 animals from a pet breeder who was later prosecuted for animal abuse. Also awaiting trial for SHAC activity. (Sarah is a vegan)

PLOUGHSHARES PRISONERS

Helen Woodson, 03231-045, FMC Carswell – Admin. Max. Unit, POB 27137, Ft. Worth, TX 76127, USA. Serving 8 years 10 months for actions that focused on the interrelationship of war & the destruction of the natural world. The actions included pouring red paint over the security desk of a federal court and making threatening communications. Previously Helen had served 20½ years for: 1) Using a hammer to disarm a nuclear missile silo. 2) Burning $25,000 on the floor of a bank whilst denouncing war, environmental destruction & economic injustice. 3) Mailing warning letters with bullets attached to Government & corporate officials. (Diet unknown).

THE LECCE FIVE
The Lecce Five have been charged with “subversive association” accused of damaging Esso petrol pumps to oppose the War on Iraq; sabotaging the cash machines of a bank which funds an immigration centre; and targeting the multinational company Benetton in support of Mapuche land rights activists in Chile. All of the defendants are currently either under house arrest or released on bail.

ANTIFA PRISONERS

Vahtang Devitlidze, ul. Libbedova 42, UO 68/2, otryad 14, brigada 142, g. Hagyshensk, Krasnodarskiy Kray, 352680 Russia. Serving 2½ years for stabbing a neo-nazi in the leg whilst defending himself from attack. (Diet unknown).

Augustin Kraus, Vazebni veznice, PP-1, Litomerice, 41 201, Czech Republic. Serving 14 months for his participation in attacks against local neo-nazis. His charge was “bodily harm”. He speaks Czech, Slovak and Polish. You can
also write him short postcards in English. (Diet unknown).

Fabio Milan, C.C. via Pianezza 300, 10151 Torino, Italy. On remand accused of fighting with the police after an anti-fascist protest. (Diet unknown).

Andrea Neff, Bnr: 746/07/2, Justizvollzugsanstalt fur Frauen in Berlin, Arkonastrasse 56, 13189 Berlin, Germany. Serving 14 months for anti-fascist activity. (Diet unknown).

Christian Sümmermann, Bnr: 441/08/5, JVA Plötzensee, Lehrterstr. 61, 10557 Berlin, Germany. Serving 40 months for breaching the peace whilst serving a suspended sentence issued for anti-fascist activities. (Diet unknown).

Tomasz Wiloszewski, Zaklad Karny, Orzechowa 5, 98-200 Sieradz, Poland. Serving 15 years for accidentally killing a neo-nazi whilst defending himself. (Tomasz is a vegetarian).

OTHER PRISONERS

Olga Aleksandrovna Nevskaya, UU163/5, 7 Otryad, pos. Dzerzhinskiy, Mozhaysk 140090 Moskovskaya oblast, Russia. Eco-activist serving 6 years for arson, criminal damage and causing explosions in protest at the war in Chechnya. Due for release in 2009. (Diet unknown).

Vaggelis Botzatzis, Komotini Juridical Prison (“Dikastikes Fylakes Komotinis”), T.K. 69100, Greece. On remand accused of setting fire to two company cars owned by a energy/power company. It is believed that the person or persons unknown who carried out the arson did so in protest at the destruction of the natural environment and in support of two workers who
died at the power plant. Vaggelis is also accused of setting fire to a bank and starting a fire inside a car yard. (Meat Eater).

Michael W. Sykes, 100 East 2nd St, Monroe, Michigan 48161, USA. Youth held on remand accused of anti-sprawl arsons, criminal damage, spray-painting an anarchist sign and burning the American flag. (Diet unknown)

Fran Thompson, #1090915 HU 1C, WERDCC, PO Box 300, Vandalia, MO 63382, USA. Serving Life for killing, in self-defence, a stalker who had broken into her home. Before her imprisonment Fran was an eco, animal & anti-nuke campaigner. (Fran is a vegan).

MOVE
MOVE is an eco-revolutionary group who carried out protests in defence of all life. All move prisoners describe themselves as vegetarians. There are currently eight MOVE activists in prison each serving 100 years after been framed for the murder of a cop in 1979. 9th defendant, Merle Africa, died in prison in 1998.

Debbie Simms Africa (006307), Janet Holloway Africa (006308) and Janine Philips Africa (006309) all at: SCI Cambridge Springs, 451 Fullerton Ave, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403-1238, USA.

Michael Davis Africa (AM4973) and Charles Simms Africa (AM4975) both at SCI Graterford, PO Box 244, Graterford, PA 19426-0244, USA.

Edward Goodman Africa (AM4974), SCI Mahanoy, 301 Morea Rd, Frackville, PA 17932, USA.

William Philips Africa (AM4984) and Delbert Orr Africa (AM4985) both at SCI Dallas Drawer K, Dallas, PA 18612, USA.

Mumia Abu Jamal, (AM8335), SCI Greene, 175 Progress Drive, Waynesburg PA 15370, USA. In 1981 Mumia, former Black Panther and vocal supporter of MOVE, was framed for the murder of a cop. He was originally sentenced to death but is currently awaiting re-sentencing following a court hearing in 2001.

STATEMENT ON VIOLENCE
Some people listed in this newsletter have carried out violent actions. ‘Spirit of Freedom’ does not condone violence. But we are also against censorship & believe people can decide for themselves who they wish to support.

ABOUT E.L.P. SUPPORT NETWORK
ELP is an international eco-prisoner support network founded, in Britain, in 1993 to support jailed eco-activists. We support the prisoners by producing various regular prisoner lists:

Spirit of Freedom is ELP’s international monthly prisoner listing which is circulated by e-mail.

Urgent ELP! Bulletin is an e-mail service that distributes the names of any new eco-prisoner as soon as ELP gets their details. For more info e-mail ELP4321@hotmail.com

On-Line Newsletters – ELP has a number of websites that provide news, prisoner lists and additional info about ELP & the prisoners.

English language ELP Website
www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk

Greek language ELP Website
http://greekelp.blogspot.com

North American ELP Website
www.ecoprisoners.org

Turkish language ELP Website
www.geocities.com/yesilanarsi/elp.htm

ELP Extra is an e-mail group that circulates the details of political prisoners, ELP learns about, who do not fall within the remit for support by ELP. To subscribe to the list e-mail ELP4321@Hotmail.com

Australian ELP.SN is our Australian contact. For more info e-mail elp4321@hotmail.com

Belgium ELP.SN is our Belgium contact. For more info e-mail elp_bel@hotmail.com

German ELP.SN is a prisoner led initiative run by eco-prisoner Marco Camenisch. For more info contact Marco Camenisch, Postfach 3143, CH-8105 Regensdorf, Switzerland.

Greek ELP.SN is our Greek contact. For more info e-mail greekelp@yahoo.gr

North American ELP is our North American contact. For more information e-mail naelpsn@mutualaid.org

Turkey ELP.SN is our Turkish contact. For more info e-mail yesilanarsi@yahoo.com

Aldermaston Nuke Frocks and shots: on cocktail parties and builder blocking

Yet another fantastic opportunity to mix business with pleasure! Aldermaston Women’s peace camp(aign) host another fabulous women’s cocktail party at the peace camp on Saturday 12 July, while Block the Builders meet in nearby Reading the following afternoon to plot the downfall of the nuclear-industrial complex 😉

Since 2002, the Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston has been the recipient of a substantial investment programme to upgrade and develop new nuclear weapons facilities. The project is on the same scale as Heathrow’s Terminal Five. Aldermaston is where Britain researches, designs and manufactures it’s nuclear weapons. Latest news and background info on developments at the site can be found at http://www.aldermaston.net/news.

In March 2007 a parliamentary vote paved the way for a new fleet of nuclear-armed submarines to replace the existing four Trident subs, with decisions and announcements on new warheads and missiles expected to be made over the coming years (…in public … though who would buy £15bn submarines without already having committed to arming it?)

Between 2006 and 2007 new legislation was introduced aimed at limiting the right to and scope of protest at Britain’s nuclear weapons facilities (SOCPA and military lands byelaws).
Despite this, in March 2008 an estimated 5,000 people came to Aldermaston to make their voices heard in opposition to the extension of Britian’s nuclear weapons programme, and the women’s peace camp continues its 23-year tradition as a visible presence at the wire.

The camp is inviting women to come to Aldermaston on Saturday 12 July to join a celebration of the right to protest (frocks and shots optional but encouraged) and of women’s strength in the struggle against patriarchal military madness. Music, snacks, vegan cake (possibly…), ice and a twist.

Nonviolent direct action network Block the Builders are meeting the following day in Reading to discuss the ongoing builder-blocking efforts at Aldermaston, aimed at slowing and costing the construction of new weapons-related facilities. See http://www.blockthebuilders.org.uk for details.

Come and meet us, discuss the issues and have a fabulous time!

info@aldermaston.net
http://www.aldermaston.net

Camp for Climate Action: Great Rebel Raft Regatta update & newspaper launched

THE GREAT REBEL RAFT REGATTA UPDATE

Following a professional reconnaissance and Health and Safety test trip by boat last Wednesday, rebel rafters and experienced sailors gave the thumbs up for the water borne disobedience on the Mass Day of Action, August 9th. Launching with the tides and if the weather is not blowing a gale, the action was deemed totally do able and has the potential to be a spectacular success. The key will be in the number of rafts, the more rafts ( or anything that floats !) there are the more impossible it will be for the forces of darkness to stop the armada reaching it’s target. So start packing paddles, canoes,inflatables, rafts, dinghies, amphibious vehicles etc.. with your tent. Try to encourage any yacht or boat people, pirates or sailors you know to join in. All rebel rafters will be requited to attend a water safety workshop that will be run daily for the three
days leading up to the day of action, and will have to wear life jackets ( if you don’t have your own, these will be provided by the camp). A write up is available on the GRRR website.

Meanwhile many groups across the country are getting excited by the GRRR bug and planning to build rafts and get teams together. If your group has any news, pictures of rafts or ideas to share, then send it to the constantly updated news feed on www.thegrrr.net . For any further enquiries email: pirates@thegrrr.net

CLIMATE CAMP NEWSPAPER HITS THE STREETS AND FESTIVALS

Last week 30,000 newspapers, beautifully designed in black and bright cyan and not looking anything like a boring political paper, came off the printing press and began their journey around the country.

Published to inspire people to come to the camp it is filled with full pages images of last years events, portraits of hot climate campers, a stunning map of this years camp and texts that describe the politics of radical climate activism. If you would like copies to hand out in the street, festivals, drop off in cafe’s etc. contact distribution@climatecamp.org.uk with your address and how many you want, they will be sent out asap or ring Isa 07984158 108 to find out where you can pick some up. The pdf’s is now online here: http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/node/23

Support Sarah Whitehead

Sarah Whitehead is a committed vegan activist who has dedicated her life to saving animals and helping people. She worked tirelessly as a nurse whilst rescuing and rehoming abused and neglected animals, as well as campaigning against the notorious Huntingdon Life Sciences. She is not someone to sit back and let animals be tortured and abused, she stands up and fights wherever she sees injustice and never puts herself first.

Sarah had been informed about an abused beagle. It was living outside in a wooden cage, and was muzzled at all times except for when it got to eat. The dog was made to wear an electric shock collar and the neighbours informed Sarah that they had witnessed beatings from its owners. The neighbours had also heard the dog screaming on many occasions.

The RSPCA had been called numerous times, but they failed to help this dog and left it with owners who had on occasions tied it to a radiator.

All avenues had been explored in trying to lift this animal from hell. The RSPCA, despite numerous complaints and visits to the owners, did nothing; even the police had been called by neighbours, but they just told them to call the RSPCA.

What else was Sarah to do, but rescue the beagle herself? How else could this beagle be saved? Knowing how much it was suffering, could anyone just leave this beagle to live in pain?

Sarah was already on a suspended sentence for rescuing animals from a notorious puppy farmer in West Sussex, which meant that if she re-offended within two years she would be sent to prison for that “crime”. Even knowing this risk to her freedom, Sarah put the dog’s life and well-being first and lifted him to freedom.

Unknown to Sarah she was under police surveillance during the rescue as part of Operation Achilles and the campaign against Huntingdon Life Sciences. Police followed her and watched her rescue the beagle, and then watched her take the dog to its second stage of its journey to it’s new home.

However, once the beagle was handed over, instead of following the beagle in order to return it to its owner, they carried on following Sarah. Luckily this means that the beagle is still safe and living in a loving home.

Some time later once the police had finished following Sarah around she was arrested, the police weirdly tried to accuse her of stealing the dog so that she could sell it for £500 to raise money for SHAC (Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty) Where this sum of £500 came from is anyone’s guess and it shows how little the police understand the concept of animal rights!

Sarah went on trial for burglary in June 2008. She pleaded not guilty to the offence as she believed she had not committed a crime in rescuing this beagle. She told the court she believed she had acted reasonably and honest and that it was the right thing to do because the police and RSPCA had failed to save this dog. Statements from the neighbours were read in court which described the cruelty to the dog, the beatings, and the screams but bizarrely the jury took the view that Sarah should have left the dog where it was and she was found guilty.

The judge sentenced Sarah to two years in prison, nine months of this is from the suspended sentence she was on, and the extra 1 1/3 years is for rescuing the beagle.

You can write to Sarah at:

Sarah Whitehead VM7684
HMP Bronzefield,
Woodthorpe Road,
Ashford,
Middx
TW15 3JZ.
United Kingdom

Click here for Sarah’s support page

Before going to prison, Sarah campaigned for the following groups, so please check out their websites:

Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty
Southern Animal Rights Coalition
Greyhound Action
Uncaged
BUAV
Vegan Prisoners Support Group
Dr Hadwen Trust

Brighton squatted social centre eviction

88 LONDON ROAD SOCIAL CENTRE EVICTION

At 7am this morning the anarchist social centre at 88 London Road, Brighton was forcibly evicted, despite resistance. The Victorian church had been occupied since the Squatting Days of Action on the 4th and 5th of April. The space was intialy opened as part of a two day international event, committed to creating autonomous spaces and highlighting the importance of squatting and global networking.

Since then, the community at 88 London Road had successively resisted one prior eviction attempt from police. The space was being used as a social centre for grassroots movements, free cafes, workshops and a lot of other possible projects for the benefit of the local community.

Two of the occuping members of 88 were arrested when they prolonged the eviction by climbing to the rafters, clambering into a cargo net and hanging high above the injustice below. The whole eviction was over by midday and the council spent the rest of the afternoon boarding up an amazing space that held so much potential.

we will be back……..

http://www.myspace.com/88londonroadsquat

Climate Camp Bike Ride

People will be riding to the climate camp, starting from Glasgow, descending southerly picking up thousands en route.

The final leg, London to Kingsnorth is on sunday 3 August meeting under Waterloo bridge (southside) at 9am
For more info on the route and how to get involved e-mail climatecampbikeride@lists.riseup.net
Up the the velorution.

People will be riding to the climate camp, starting from Glasgow, descending southerly picking up thousands en route.

London, Brighton & Manchester Critical Masses commemorate dead cyclists

June’s Critical mass in London saw a slightly different route. As always we met at Southbank and managed to leave at 7.15pm.

Following the killing of Marie Vesco on the A23 her friends, rampART and Food Not Bombs asked people to ride to Brixton, where she served free food every Sunday afternoon with Brixton Food Not Bombs.

Approximately 600 cyclists left Waterloo going South via Lambeth North, then Elephant& Castle, going round a few times stopping the traffic. Via the Oval we went to Brixton, where we stopped at Windrush Square. By now there were maybe 300-400 cyclists left (there was a bit of North-London snobbery). Different people spoke about Marie and how they missed her. How she died and why she worked with Brixton FoodNotBombs and how giving out free food was so important to her. There was a minute’s silence for her.

Then we cycled North again, police stopped us halfway up towards Stockwell. They had tried to dictate the tempo previously, but rogue cyclists broke through, stopped the traffic ahead of the police line and in that way forced the police to let the Mass go (Health and Safety and all…).

They managed to block Stockwell Road and we didn’t quite get the momentum of breaking through. To the coppers’ surprise the tip of the Mass turned around, cycling back on themselves and turning off the main road further down (Sidney Road I think). We made our way to the Oval, cycling past the Cricket knobs, some of which were using bad language, when we came in sight. Others were supportive.

Vauxhall Bridge ended up being a bit of a splitter were we lost a few people. Going across the bridge, past Parliament we hit the square, encircling it a couple of times, until something happened with the sound system (as always) not quite sure what. music stopped. Raising bikes, blocking road, we then went to see the queen. The whole ride took about two hours and a bit. Nice atmosphere, good mix of people and bikes and so good to have some music on the way (three sound systems).

What happened with the sound system on the North side of Parliament Square was that the police stopped it playing and riders strongly objected to this ban which caused a long traffic holdup.

The cycle police keep on targeting Critical Mass sound systems in the SOCPA zone around Parliament while doing nothing to stop sound systems in cars, buses and lorries. Also the SOCPA legislation is currently under review and other police are tending not to enforce it.

video of ride.