Earth First! Action Udpate
Number 23 December '95 & January '96
We Shut Whatley!
The `national' Earth First! action to shut down Whatley Quarry in
Somerset on Monday December 4th, was an even greater success than
expected. The aim of the action was to highlight the destruction of the
Mendip Hills and the quarry's proposed expansion. A week later the
owners (Amey Roadstone Corporation, ARC) hadn't managed to restart work!
At 5.30am, 400 activists descended on the quarry. Small teams ensured
gates were blockaded and all plant and machinery occupied. Most groups
were fully prepared due to workshops held the previous day, at a camp
several miles from Whatley. Detailed maps and a predetermined plan
ensured police and security were out manoeuvred.Tripods were carried 9
miles over night and set up on the quarry's rail line whilst lorries
were turned away. Drummers, colourful costumes and bagpipes kept spirits
high.
By midday police sent security to drag down a large group that had
occupied a spoil heap. 50 were arrested - until police vans were full.
Scuffles broke out as people blocked the vans. One protesters leg was
run over. It was badly bruised, not broken as first thought.
Others ensured ARC paid a more realistic price for Mendip stone
(presently sold between 2 and 3/tonne). Press reports state that
250,000 worth of damage was caused - not counting the cost of one weeks
lost production, for a quarry normally selling 11,000 tonnes per day!
Twenty metres of railway track leading out of the quarry `disappeared';
the control panel for video monitoring of the plant fell apart; a 2
story crane pulled itself to bits; 3 control rooms dismantled
themselves; and several diggers and conveyor belts `broke down'. Media
reports centred on an oil spill from a storage tank, but this was not
caused by protesters. The oil had leaked out before their arrival.
64 people were arrested, filling every nearby police station. Most of
the arrests were for aggravated trespass (CJA) while a couple were for
alleged criminal damage and assault. Cases are due to be heard on
January 10th and 17th in Frome. Charges resulting from a 1993 action
have been dropped. 27 people are now suing the police.
In 1993, 32 people attended a national EF! action at Whatley. Lord
Hanson (owner of ARC) take heed. We're growing and we'll be back!
SHELL!
The Nigerian government has murdered nine environmental activists,
including writer Ken Saro-Wiwa. Nineteen more are awaiting trial for
alleged murder and face the death penalty. The activists were framed for
their role in resisting Shell Oils' destruction of Ogoniland in Nigeria.
Shell and Chevron (an American oil company) have extracted oil in
Ogoniland since 1958. This has resulted in the loss of agricultural land
to oil wells, spillages, pipelines and blowouts. Ken Anderson, head of
Shell Nigeria, offered to use the companies influence if leaders in
Ogoniland called off protests against Shell. They refused.
Ken Saro-Wiwa's closing statement at his trial was, "...the ecological
war that the company (Shell) has waged in the Delta will be called to
question sooner than later and the crimes of that war duly punished."
Protests against Shell have erupted round the world, starting to make
his words reality. There have been hundreds of blockades of Shell
garages in: York, Newbury, Norwich, Aberdeen, Cardiff, Cambridge,
Oxford, Manchester, Leicester, London, Edinburgh, Loughborough,
Lemington Spa, Aberystwyth, Swansea, Brighton... to name but a few.
Tactics have varied including York EF! successfully applying for
planning permission to put a monument to Ken Saro - Wiwa on a Shell
forecourt!
Apart from garages, they have loads of oil depots and offices to do with
the rest of their trade. Stop them functioning. Send something heavy
like a brick to their freepost address: Shellsmart, Freepost 437,
Warrington, Cheshire WA4 6ZZ. Also target the UK Government, one of the
largest shareholders.
There is a gathering in Oxford to discuss further actions against Shell,
Dec 16th and 17th. A coordinating group may be set up. Contact 0116
2553223 for further info.
Also contact: The Ogoni Community Association - UK, 7 Naseby Tower, 47
Desmond Street, London, SE14 6JS.
M66
On December 10th a meeting and route walk was held at Oldham near
Manchester. Plans against the next stage of the road are under way. A
court date for the eviction of the camps is set for Thursday, December
14th. On November 28th, work started on the drainage tunnel. This will
be three quarters of a mile long, and will drain surface water away.
There is no filter system, spillages and other shite will pour into the
River Medlock. As workers were turned away, portacabins were sneakily
moved in at 1am. Work went slowly as actions continued throughout the
day. A couple of trees under preservation orders have had their branches
torn off. Council Officials have promised to follow through with fines.
`Burns Security Company' who are not usually associated with roads
programmes are being used. Target their offices.
Write to the camp -it's a morale booster and a legal demonstration of an
established dwelling: No M66 Campaign, The Woods, Lumb Lane, Droylesden,
Tameside, Greater Manchester.
Give this campaign the support it deserves. Evictions are feared in
January/February. People and experienced tree climbers are needed - more
walkways & tree houses need erecting. 0161 627 4862, 0161 628 4727.
Holtsfield
Holtsfield - a peaceful community of low impact homes near Swansea -
faces destruction by the landowner Tim Jones. The residents own the
homes but not the land. If evicted, Tim Jones can't use the land as the
local council won't grant planning permission - this is purely a
personal vendetta.
On November 22nd, Holtsfield was caught by surprise as the first home
was evicted almost immediately. They claimed to evict the second, but
they didn't remove a person who was locked on - they simply placed
floorboards over him and claimed he was outside the building! The local
Vicar was locked on in the third home, which they failed to evict. Much
brutality and damage occurred, but since then the homes have been
renovated and squatted. The original family are still living in the
third home. Six more homes have received eviction orders. It is expected
that Sheriffs and security will come in and evict all the homes in one
go. A 24 hour guard has been set up. Committed people required to fit in
with the community and help out. Contact: 01792 234027, 233596, 234059,
232643.
Newbury Show Down
At the time of going to press, clearance work on the route of the
Newbury-By-Pass hasn't yet started, but is imminent at any day. If
you're not on the destruction hotline ring 01635 45544 and leave your
number so you can be contacted to help stop work. Camps along the route
are rapidly growing, with around 100 people there already. If work
starts, a safe camp has been established to put people up.
Newbury is one of the few road schemes to survive the budget cuts.
Probably because the roads lobby are one of the major funders of the
Tory party and would pull their funding if Newbury was to be scrapped.
Mott McDonald are the consultant engineers and Costain are likely to do
the `clearance' work. They'll get 6 million for it. Occupy their sites.
Contact `Third Battle of Newbury' for details. 01635 45544.
Climbers against Pollution
Nottingham based Climbers Against Pollution, successfully stopped work
for a day on a car park being built. Construction is under way on what
was the old railway station, abandoned for twenty years. The one acre
site, slap bang in the city centre will provide parking for 400 cars.
This is rather ironic considering proposals for a Terminus Light Rapid
Transport System were rejected on the grounds that it would generate too
much traffic. 8 people occupied and abseiled down tower cranes. 25
others sat on diggers and protested around the site. There was a great
deal of public support, and no arrests on the day. 0115 9822609
The Budget
77 road schemes have been scrapped in the Budget (November 28th) and 100
have been `deprioritised'. Many controversial schemes which have been
fought for years have gone! This means that only 5 Department of
Transport funded roads are planned for the next financial year. 3 of
these are already experiencing major direct action campaigns (Newbury,
M11 and M66). Anyone for the A40 and A13? A worrying trend is the
announcement of 5 more privately funded (Cars Mean Cash) roads, set for
97/98.
Camp Roundup
Winter weather proofing is now under way at most camps around the
country. Tarps, rope and bedding needed.
The contract for clearance work on the A30, near Exeter, will be awarded
in the Spring. Three camps have been set up - Fairmile, Allercombe and
Fort Trollheim. 01404 815 729 for directions.
Celtic Energy have been seen filming tree houses and defences at Selar,
the site of a proposed opencast mine in South Wales. Threat of eviction
looms constantly. 0589 114899, 01685 873993.
Action will continue in the New Year at Faslane Peace Camp, Scotland.
01436 820901.
Other established camps needing help are Newbury, Thanet Way and Daisy
Nook on the M66. If you visit, please treat camps and locals with
respect. They are not a free lunch offer!
Residents Against The M74
Community Campaigning against the M74, Glasgow is going well. On
November 15th, fifty people from various groups turned up at Glasgow's
City Chambers, depositing what was allegedly chromium and arsenic
polluted soil. The aim was to highlight the fact that the TEN LANE
motorway will disturb dangerous toxic waste dumps. Ten police and two
vans were present for an hour.
On November 20th, action shifted to `Govern Hill Park" - 100 yards from
the proposed route. Workers intended to cut down 25 trees. Locals got in
the way of the chainsaws, saving 18 trees. The architectural plan was to
cut down the trees, then to make the park look `nice'. Sound familiar?
Glasgow is to become the `City of Culture' in 1999. Nobody's asking the
communities what they want - just getting them used to the destruction.
Get involved in this `funky' campaign - 0141 4241797, 0141 423078. 0141
5501745, 0141 2265066. Write to the Sec of State for Scotland to object
- they have the final say on the development: Secretary of State for
Scotland, New St Andrews House, Edinburgh, EH1 3TA.
Stewart Street Appeal: Glasgow
On November 18th, the trial of the "Hope Street 11" finally ended. They
had chained themselves across Hope Street, Glasgow, demonstrating
against the high levels of transport originated pollution for the May
Climate Action. The 11 day trial spread across a month cost half a
million pounds! Nine people were found guilty of breach of the peace and
charged 50. Two others charged received `not proven' verdicts.
The eleven were taken to Stewart Street Cop Shop and are keen to
highlight the dodgy conditions of this place - a man died there last
year. Calls welcome from people needing evidence of conditions in
Stewart St Police Station. 0141 4241797.
Aldermaston Nuke Factory
The `Women Crossing Paths' weekend at Aldermaston Women's Peace Camp was
a great success. 30 women were present to share information and to
network. Workshops included `Racism in the European Union' with speakers
from S.C.O.R.E. `Women's Aid To Former Yugoslavia' - a meeting and
report from Bosnia, as well as a report from `The Beijing Womens
Conference'. A leafleting and 'white poppies for peace sesh' was held on
the Saturday, and a `Women in Black Against War' vigil on the Sunday.
The women's peace camp is held on the second weekend of the month: 01734
724021, 0117 9246157.
Mott McDonald Occupation
The International HQ of Mott McDonald in Cambridge was recently
occupied and shut down for an hour. Mott McDonald designed the Newbury
bypass and were responsible for Twyford Down and the M3 extension.
Twelve people occupied the Cambridge HQ, hanging banners, locking on and
having a bit of a good time. Fire alarms were set off and protesters
were assaulted by 'have a go junior executives.' Police and the Fire
Brigade turned up, no arrests, no fire. The entire staff were out for
the whole hour as the building was checked out. Viva Newbury!
M11
A week of direct action, was held from November 27 - December 2nd. This
was to commemorate the eviction of Claremont Road. Work was stopped on
three days. Actions to continue in the New Year. The action phone tree
is being re - vamped. Committed people are needed during the days. If
your free during `working hours' call: actions 0181 5188222, Information
0181 5322811
Menwith Women's Peace Camp
On December 2nd - 4th, thirty people were present for actions at Menwith
Hill US Spy Base. These supporting actions were to encourage the
Australian government not to renew leases on war bases. Three inner
gates were locked and the A59 was blocked as protestors marched against
these renewal plans. Workers were prevented from entering and leaving
the base. There were no arrests. These actions were for a nuclear free
and independent pacific. Actions continue: 01706 371387.
Kate Witham, who was charged with 21,000 damage to a radome for
painting on it `Peace, Truth, Justice, Freedom' will be in court on
January 22nd. Support the defence fund. A `sentence sweepstake' has been
set up to fund the campaign. 50p a guess, entries so far range from case
dismissed to 25 years. Cheques payable to: `Peace House' at: 5 New Rd,
Littleborough, Lancs, OL15 8PJ.
Helen John has been released. She was sent down for three months for one
count of theft - a 5 hammer - and three counts of damage to drilling
equipment.
The third weekend gathering and Solstice party will run from December
15th - 17th. 0585 329313.
`Peace Prisoner Support' issue 1, is now out and available c/o16
Sholebroke Ave, Leeds, LS7 3HB. 0113 2629365.
E-mail: cornerstone@gn.apc.org
Green Student Network
The Green Student Networks' gathering in York, attracted around 70
students from around the UK. The Green Student Movement and other
campaigns were discussed with information shared. Workshops / talks
ranged from the Zapatistas in Mexico to DIY culture. A party complete
with drumming band topped things off.
The green student movement is presently very active, organising Shell
garage blockades and Critical Mass cycle rides. Contact via email:
`jonivar@th.ph.ed.ac.uk' Phone: 01332 601871. Get on their network.
Don't work in isolation - get linked up!
The next GSN gathering will be held in Cambridge on March 16th & 17th.
Contact Hamish Downer 01223 336176 (term time) if you intend to go, or
to offer to run a workshop.
Thanet Way
Preparations for winter are under way at the camp near the flat oak in
Convicts wood. People and materials are needed to continue the battle
against Kent County Council. Kent police have now set up `operation eco
- warrior,' true folks! Access to the site is now more difficult due to
the erection of a 12km perimeter fence. It cost them 1.3 million.
Iggy, who was held on remand for aggravated trespass and last month
feared imprisonment, was sentenced to 120 hours community service.
Support welcome 01227 463368.
Campaign Against The Arms Trade.
The 4th anniversary of the East Timor massacre by the Indonesian
government was marked by a number of local actions on November 11th.
Twelve British Aerospace factories were occupied, targeting the bosses
for `citizens arrest' for supplying arms to Indonesia. Inspection visits
and enforcement visits will follow to ensure that British Aerospace have
stopped production of the Hawks. Legal Action may follow. Lobby
Parliament on December 7th. 0171 281 0297.
The McLibel Trial
On Monday 11th of December the McLibel trial became the longest civil
case of any kind in British history. Dave and Helen, two unemployed
members of London Greenpeace are being sued for libel by McDonalds,
after distributing a leaflet about their unethical practices. Dave and
Helen have nothing to loose. McDonalds have already lost millions and
have experienced world wide publicity about the case. It is set to grind
on well into next year.
Recent evidence includes: a former manager of the 1987 McDonald's `Store
of the Year' telling of the reality of McDonald's unethical, illegal and
oppressive practices; testimonies on incidents of harassment for union
activity; dictatorial management; illegally long hours (20 hour shifts);
and a bizarre anti-union campaign (in Ontario, Canada) which included
getting some of the workers to lie outside in the snow forming the word
`NO' !? McLibel Support Campaign 0171 713 1269. The trial restarts 11th
January.
M65 Lancashire
The Stanworth Valley eviction court cases have been adjourned until
January 22nd, a 2 day pre-trial review is set for January 16th. Actions
are planned. On November 6th, the case against Group 4, Tarmac etc. was
lost on a couple of ridiculous technicalities. There was a cock-up in
the court office as the court order was incorrectly worded. On November
7th, the Chairman of Group 4 - Mr Harrower, stood in the dock and swore
that he never ever knew of the undertakings. Bizarre that the chairman
of the company doesn't know what his board of directors are up to! The
case has been appealed, there is no date set for the hearing as yet.
An activist at the M65 who was crushed and injured in a digger during a
protest looks likely to win his case. This is one of only 3 prosecutions
that have come to court during the campaign. 0161 273 8338, 01254 582027
Garforth Opencast
On January 16th, 19 Garforth opencast protesters will go to trial. The
activists were arrested mainly on charges of aggravated trespass, at the
site owned by H G Banks mining company. The trial is expected to last at
least a week. There will be demonstrations outside the court throughout
the trial. The campaign continues, residents for the tree houses are
needed. 0113 2629365.
M1 Nottingham
The Conservation Area in Annesley, Nottingham, and the ancient woodland
surrounding it are about to be decimated by, surprise, a road! The
proposed M1 link road is part of a huge development which will include a
new enterprise park. Local people oppose the plans. There are walks
along the suspected route every Saturday. Actions will kick off when the
county council confirm the exact route of the road. Info via Nottingham
Rainbow 01159 585666
Prisoner Support
Jim Chambers from the M11 link campaign has been released. Stuart
Edwards is still inside. Keith Mann's sentence has been reduced from 14
to 11 years.
Mumia Abu Jamal and hundreds of others remain on death row. The
coalition to free Mumia, based in New York aim to deliver a million
letters to attorney general Janet Reno demanding an investigation into
Mumia's case. Write to `Honourable Janet Reno', Attorney General US
Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20530, USA. Contact: Friends of
Move, 0181 519 9228 for info on other things you can do.
There are many excellent prisoner support groups. Get in touch and get
involved: **Earth Liberation Prisoners: c/o Mid-Somerset EF!, PO Box 23,
5 High St, Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 9PU. **Anarchist Black Cross: c/o
121 Railton Rd, Brixton, London. **ALF Supporters Group: BCM 1160,
London WC1N 3XX. **Conviction: PO Box 522, Sheffield, S1 3FF. **Peace
Prisoners Support: c/o Sholebroke Av, Leeds LS7 3HB
Black Mountain Rescue in Belfast
Saturday October 21st, 35 activists from "Black Mountain Rescue" turned
up at the premises of White Mountain quarries protesting at the
destruction of the Black Mountain. On their way to the quarry `Mr
Exploitation' threw dust pollution (white flour) as a warning of what
the quarry would bring.
Then marching into the city centre, rocks from the quarry were presented
to the DOE. At the first DOE office, the door was pelted with
polystyrene rocks. At the second DOE office real rocks were piled up
outside. The RUC, unable to cope with an "autonomous collective"
escorted the demo through the city centre, disrupting shoppers: 1 - 5
Donegall Lane, Belfast BT1 2LZ.
Liverpool Dockers
500 striking Liverpool dockers have been sacked. They have a long
history of supporting other campaigns. They've allowed Greenpeace to
picket their vessels and have refused to handle nuclear waste, expected
on a contract between Mersey Docks & Harbour Company and Japan. Goods
were refused from S. Africa and Namibia when they were ruled by
apartheid, and Chile, when thousands of workers and students were
imprisoned and put to death by the dictatorship.
They're now being punished for fighting casualisation, part time work
and the right to trades unions. Five community marches and rallies have
been set up, and a 36,000 tonne ship prevented from docking in Liverpool
in solidarity. Support is needed and deserved. 0171 627 8666, 0171 387
0564.
Diary Dates
December
9 Sat: Reclaim the Streets, Picket & Vigil at Shell Centre, London 0181
9609960
9 Sat: Benefit for the Ogoni 7pm onwards at the Kebele Project, 14
Robertston Road, Easton, Bristol. Music, Video's & African Food. 3
waged & 1.50 unwaged.
9 Sat: Direct Action Conference, Brighton 01273 685913
10 Sun: `Womens Rights are Human Rights' Local Action Day. Info - A SEED
Europe, Postbus 92066, 1090 AB, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
10 Sun: No M66 walk of the route and planning meeting. 0161 6274862
12 Tue: Sustainable Wales `Futures' Forum. Ty Llen Restaurant, Swansea
7.30pm 4, 3 con. 01656 783405
15 - 17: Menwith Hill Womens Peace Camp, third weekend gathering &
Solstice party. 0585 329313
16 Sat: Reclaim the Streets, Leeds. Victoria Gardens 12 pm. 0113 262
9365
16 Sat: Aberystwyth Shell Demo: Meet at 1 o'clock outside the Railway
Station.
17 Sun: Street Party & Pantomine! Manchester 1:30pm Albert Square. 0161
274 4665
16 - 17: Earth First! & Grassroots gathering, discussing issues on Shell
- Nigeria. Oxford 0116 255 3223 & 01865 721898
18 Mon: National Day of Action Against Shell.
21 Thurs: West Midlands Groups Eco - Christmas Party, at XL's night
club, Auchinleck Sq. Five Ways, Birmingham 4.50 unwaged, 5.50 waged.
0121 378 5558.
21 - 23: Oxford Winter Solstice Rainbow Gathering. Edward 01865 310253.
25 Mon: Action against low flying reindeer, Lapland.
January
9 Tue: Demonstration against the Yukon Wolf Kill, Canada House London.
01373 473711.
9 Tue: No M66 - Actions in response to tree felling starting at
Lumblane, Droylsden and Daisy Nook. 0161 6274862. 01457 834355
10 Weds: Whatley Court Appearances in Frome. 01935 825074
16 Tue: National Day of Action against Celtic Energy.
16 Tue: Demo at court appearance of Garforth opencast protesters. 0113
262 9365.
17 Weds: Whatley Court Appearances in Frome 01935 825074
22 Mon: Kate Witham in Court, charged with 21,000 damage to a Radome at
Menwith Spy Station. 01706 371387
27 Sat: Sellafield Womens Peace Camp. 01706 371387
March
16 - 17: Green Student Network Gathering, Cambridge. Contact Hamish
Downer 01223 336176.
29 -31: Sellafield Womens Peace Camp. 01706 371387.
The Editorial
Great to see so many of you at Whatley. Most agree that Whatley
represents a new stage in our ability to organise national actions,
without any one group being in charge. It sets a new level of
cooperation between groups to work on single issues and hopefully will
see many other campaigns receiving the same treatment. Especially the
hot food and warm, dry benders!
On a slightly serious note, we are still looking for someone to take on
the compilation of Action Update. The March issue will be the last one
produced in Cardiff so someone needs to offer to take it on or there
will be no forum for advertising campaigns. There is also a need for a
publication within the eco-direct action community, that airs peoples
opinions and views. This cannot easily be done in the AU which is simply
a compilation of actions that have, or will, occur. The rapid growth of
campaigns over the last year also means that regional networks to
publicise news and views should be considered (i.e. a SchNews or Action
Update for every region). This needs to be discussed at the next
gathering.
See ya next year. The next AU is out in February. Have a good solstice
and don't fall off your bike!
Disclaimer: We don't know nothin' cos we're (apparently) dead. It was
Father Christmas and his Elves!
How to contact Action Update.
By phone: 01222 383363; by post: Action Update, PO Box 7, Cardiff, CF2
4XX; by fax: 01222 640666; or finally by email to
`actionupdate@gn.apc.org'. Please ring for the next issues deadline -
we're taking a bit of a break! For replies please enclose a SAE.
Send subscriptions/requests for bulk copies/ distribution enquiries to
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