Serial Indymedia contributer in court
17 Oct 2006
Frequent contributer and volunteer of Notts Indymedia Alan Lodge appeared at Nottingham Magistrates Court today. On the 18th March Mr. Lodge was confronted by armed officers running down the street in the area of St. Anns. He started taking pictures. One of the officers then approached him and pushed his camera away stopping him from taking pics. He was subsequently pushed over a car and arrested. Then charged with obstruction, he has several court appearences since then.Today the case was adjourned as the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has so far not given the defence access to the memory card from Mr. Lodge’s camera which was confiscated during the incident. Over 50 photos are on the memory card which could show what really took place. The magistrates now ordered the CPS to arrange access to the memory card for the defence. Until now police officers have given contradicting statements of the event. Some say Mr. Lodge was 3 foot away while others say 6 foot. Today 6 police officers attended court to give evidence in the case. Them, Mr. Lodge and all his supporters that turned up (from NUJ members, local, national and independent press to some Notts residents) will have to come back on 5th and 6th March next year when the case will be before the courts again.Links: Orginal article | Indymedia photographer arrested by armed officers | Alan Lodge’s website

Eastcroft Incinerator Expansion – WRG lodge Appeal
14 Oct 2006
Nottingham Against Incineration and Landfill (NAIL) has received a letter from Waste Recycling Group (WRG) announcing that they have lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate, following the refusal of their planning application to expand Nottingham’s Eastcroft incinerator. Click on the link below to view the letter;We are all obviously very disappointed and angry that WRG in taking this approach, we believe that they should accept this democratic decision and not subject tax payers to an expensive legal challenge. WRG are attempting to use their power and financial might to overrule a democratic process. The people and political parties of Nottingham have clearly said NO and this has been reinforced by the Development and Control Committee decision last month. WRG now aim to force their plans on us, however we are determined more than ever to fight on.Links: The letter about the appeal | Previous feature article on the matter

Nottingham City Council – Climate Change Conference
14 Oct 2006
On 9 October I was hopeful and optimistic as I set off to the Nottingham City Council’s climate change debate held in the council house. Unfortunately my optimisum faded rapidly.My day started late as the bus didn’t turn up as usual. I could have cycled but there’s nowhere in the city to safely leave my bike. I eventually got in by bus which cost me considerably more than the using the more polluting option of driving by car. I then walked over the refurbished area in front of the council house covered in slabs imported from Spain and China. I passed two gas-guzzling chauffeur driven Bentley’s for the Lord Mayor and his deputy. Audio of the Climate Change debate at Broadway Cinema 4.6Mb [16kbps] – mp3 4.5MLinks: Economist claims Nottingham City’s climate protection strategy is too little, too late | Nottingham city council climate protection strategy | An Inconvenient Truth: Film & regional decision makers response at the Broadway

Dalston Lane Faces Eviction
13 Oct 2006
The occupied theatre in Dalston Lane (Hackney) is currently facing eviction. The local council has the permission to demolish the buildings from next wednesday on. Dalston Theatre was occupied (pics 1 | 2) in february to protest the gentrification of the area and was since that has been open as a community centre hosting a variety of activities and workshops , resisting a first attempt in march to evict the building. The ocupiers ask for support to resist the eviction and the week starts with a ‘Day of Celebration’ this Sunday 15th Oct from 12pm til late. Occupation in february: 1 2 Articles at Indymedia UK: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 To The People Of Dalston (Why We Are Here) | History of Dalston

The Discriminatory Asylum Vouchers
13 Oct 2006
Over 5,000 ‘failed asylum seekers’ in the UK receive £35-a-week vouchers instead of cash for their NASS support under Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, despite concerted efforts by the Home Office to open routes of enforced and ‘voluntary’ return to get rid of them. The so-called “hard-case support” claimants are stigmatised, demeaned and discriminated against on a daily basis. Yet, the House of Commons have recently debated extending the use of vouchers for more asylum seekers, 4 years after the original Asylum Voucher Scheme was abolished following huge public pressure [1 | 2] and a lot of criticism.Read: Shaming Destitution: Citizen Advice Bureau’s report | the Home Office review of the voucher scheme (pdf) | Token Gestures: the effects of the voucher scheme on asylum seekers (pdf) | Joint parliamentary briefing (pdf)Links: Birmingham No Borders | other No Borders groups in the UK

Community under siege in Mayo
13 Oct 2006
Since late 2000 there has been an on-going attempt by multinationals and the Irish state to devastate a remote coastal area of county Mayo with a toxic refinery and a high pressure production gas pipeline. Since the summer of 2005 mass pickets shut down the refinery construction site after five residents were imprisoned for refusing to allow Shell’s sub-contractors access to their and their neighbours small farms which the pipeline is to go through.In August Shell announced that they intended to re-take the site in September, however during that month over a hundred people would gather at the gates when ever there was indications that such an attempt was to be made. Shell failed in September, but on the third of October a massive two hundred strong police unit forced a path for Shell. This week there have been sporadic sit down blockades of construction traffic and solidarity protests have taken place in locations across Britain and Ireland.Reports from Mayo: Interview with Rossport Solidarity Camper | Rossport – Shell to Sea Video Report | S2S Oct 12 – 3 arrested in Mayo, Dempsey cornered in Galway | Bellanaboy, Community Under Siege – Day 11Reports solidarity actions: Bradford | Leeds | Brighton | Dublin/Cork | Belfast | Donnybrook | Galway | ManchesterBackground links: Shell in Mayo | Rossport Solidarity Camp | Shell to Sea | Indymedia Ireland | Indymedia Mayo | Shellspeak: Media Mechanics and Financial Dynamics

The Racist ‘War on Terror’
12 Oct 2006
If the ‘war on terror’ were really about stopping terror, then you would have thought that, when the largest ever haul of bomb-making chemicals, rocket launchers and a nuclear biological suit were found by police at a house in Lancashire, the suspect would be interned for 90 days, the story would make headlines for days, and they would be assumed to be guilty. Well, that’s what you would expect if the suspects were Muslims.But in this case, they are white nationalists; one of the two was the BNP candidate for the Vivary Bridge ward of Colne last May. So the police assumed he was innocent: “He’s not a terrorist and it’s not a bomb factory”, Superintendent Neil Smith said, reassuring residents. He has been charged under the Explosives Substances Act 1883 and remanded in custody, and is due to appear in Burnley Crown Court on October 23rd. The second suspect was released without charge.Read: Genuine Terror Cell Found | The fascist bomb factory you won’t hear about | The terror plot that didn’t fit

Father of released family still in detention and threatened with deportation
10 Oct 2006
Update: (12/10/06) Mr. Al-Mugrabhi has not been released from detention. Since they released the rest of the family he has been moved from Yarlswood to removal centres in Colnbrook and then to Dover, where he is currently being held. His barrister says he has never seen this happen before as normally the whole family would have been released.The father of a family from Aspley, Nottingham is still being held in dentention in Dover and threatened with deportation after the rest of the family were released from Yarlswood Removal Centre near Bedford on Tuesday. Local activists jumped into action following a dawn raid by 12 officers last week to secure the release of the family. Officers forced entry into the property and arrested the family including 2 children and a baby. The raid happened at around 5.30am on Wednesday 4th October. Children as well as staff at Roslyn Park School in Aspley were shocked by the news. Two of the families children have been at the school for over 5 years.Within just a couple of days over 150 people signed a petition to stop the families deportation which was due to take place on Saturday 7th at around 5am. The flight was deffered and their deportation halted as the High Court decided a new barrister would be allowed to reassess their case. One of letters of support for the families current appeal states: “I feel strongly that the family should continue to reside in the United Kingdom, and that the children be allowed to continue to go to school”.Links: Nottingham Refugee Forum | Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees | Wikipedia on Jordan | Wikipedia on Refugees | UK Indymedia Migration topic pageRecent: Evening Post helps Immigration Service harass East Midlands asylum-seekersRelated articles: Glasgow – Dawn Raid Vans are Being Detained | Birmingham Women ‘rescued’ by police from massage parlour to be deported | Benmira Family belong to Leeds | Glasgow – Asylum Seeker Action Prevents RemovalArticles related to Yarlswood: Yarlswood: Another Death in Detention | Yarlswood: Fire Brigades Union slag Blunkett | Campaigner’s statement about Yarlswood | Photos of No Borders “bubble”

What’s Happening to Housing?
10 Oct 2006
Construction work seems to be taking place on every corner of Liverpool city centre, tarting up town in time for the Capital of Culture celebrations in 2008. But within easy walking distance of this rich man’s paradise project, some squalid homes are being starved of repair money, whilst other more than adequate dwellings are torn down. What is the Lib Dem(olition) council’s agenda? Why, profits of course! All the rich newcomers will need somewhere to live, so poor people have to pay with their homes! But campaigners are fighting back…

‘i’ the film – screening tour
8 Oct 2006
Touring the UK this week, ‘i’ the film expands on the explosive prequel, “Eye of the Storm” and examines the relationship between media and power as manifest by the worlds largest all volunteer network of media activists – Indymedia. Tue Oct 10 – London – RampART – 15-17 Rampart St (starts 8pm)Wed Oct 11 – Brighton – The Cowley Club – 12 London RoadThu Oct 12 – Nottingham – The Sumac Centre – 245 Gladstone Street, 7.30pm (read article)Sat Oct 14 – Glasgow – Document 4 Intl. Human Rights Film FestivalSun Oct 15 – Edinburgh – Quaker Meeting House, Victoria Terrace, 7pmMon Oct 16 – Edinburgh – Forest Café, 3 Bristo Place, 7.30 pmFurther Links: ‘i’ The Film website | European tour schedule | Film reviews | Argentina Indymedia | Wikipedia on Indymedia | Indymedia at the Camp for Climate Action 2006

Sack Parliament!
7 Oct 2006
At 1pm on Monday October 9th, up to one hundred and fifty angry and concerned people converged on the Palace of Westminster, to sack parliament. The plan was to surround parliament and cause parliamentary activities to cease. MPs, Lords and civil servants would be prevented from re-opening Parliament.As soon as protesters started to arrive, police quickly moved in stop and search everyone that was considered ‘suspicious’. Many people were turned away from reaching Parliament Square, others were singled out by police units and preentd from joining the protests. See 2pm update when around 100 protesters were surrounded by police. An NUJ photogapher was hospitalised by police after being violently thrown into a kerb [3pm update | Photo | Video]Eventually the remaining demonstrators were left out the police pen, after having been searched, photographed and identified. There are reports of several arrests, but there is no confirmation of numbers as yet.Photos: 1 | 2 | Mainstream media picsEvents on the day: Anti-authoritarian block | Critical Mass | Party@Parliament | Rehabilitation BlockMore information: Map and events over the weekend | Original call-outLinks: Sack Parliament | Evening Standard article

“Boycott Israeli Goods” Day of Action
7 Oct 2006
As the Lebanese people are reeling from Israel’s illegal bombing campaign, and the people of the West Bank and Gaza are suffering a continuous onslaught by the Israeli military, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and the Boycott Israeli Goods Campaign (BIG) activists joined a nationwide Boycott Day of Action against Israel on 7 October, 2006. A similar day of action was organised on 24 June, 2006, and a further day of action was held by the Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign.During the day of action, pickets and demonstrations took place at stores selling Israeli products across the UK. Concerned individuals took part in creative actions to persuade the public not to buy Israeli goods and demand that retailers do not stock them. Pickets, street theatre and demonstrations took place in Bradford, Camden, Whitechapel, Hackney, Brighton, East London, Oxford, Slough, Cambridge, Halifax, Exeter, Brent, Cardiff, Reading and Leeds.The actions today were part of a concerted campaign calling for boycott, divestment and sanctions against apartheid Israel. Prevous actions and campaigns include:Agrexco: Blockade of Israeli Company Carmel-Agrexco | Corporate Complicity in the Ethnic Cleansing of the Jordan Valley | Letting Apartheid Bloom | The Uxbridge Seven: Day One | Day Two | Seven Blockaders AcquittedCaterpillar: Caterpillar Manchester Protest 2005 | Anniversary of Rachel Corries’ Death | Film: Caterkiller Shut Down | Anti Caterpillar Motorcade | Rhythms of Resistance Anti Cat Shoes Protest | Caterpillar Trade Fair Action | Caterkiller Awarded Housewrecker of the Year | ESF Florence ActionSupermarket protests: Boycott Van | Marks and Spencers Stencilled | Repression of M&S ProtestersAcademic boycott: AUT Boycott | NAFTHE Boycott | CUPE Ontario | COSATU (South Africa).

Worldwide Protests Against Migration Controls
7 Oct 2006
October 7 saw many decentralised, coordinated migration-related actions and events across the world. From Warsaw to London, from Hamburg to Nouakchott, thousands of migrants and their supporters protested against the denial of their rights, against the criminalisation and scapegoating of refugees and, above all, against all immigration controls. They were demanding a European unconditional legalisation and equal rights for all migrants; the closure of all detention centres in Europe and everywhere; an end to all deportations and the ‘border externalisation’ process.Links: October7 Campaign | No Border | MakeBordersHistory | UK NoBorders groups and communication channels | UK Indymedia’s Migration topic pageDutch: All Included | French: pajol | German: no-racism.net | fluechtlingsrat-hamburg | deutschland-lagerland | Greek: socialcenter | Italian: GlobalProject | Melting Pot Radio | Spanish: Indymedia Estrecho

Oct 7: Transnational Day of Action Against Migration Controls
5 Oct 2006
Today, 7 October 2006, marks the Transnational Day of Action Against Migration Controls. The day is the 3rd of its kind [see 1st and 2nd] and was called by a broad network of migration-related initiatives during the European Social Forum in Athens earlier this year. As of 5 Oct, over 250 groups from 23 countries have signed the call, 18 of which are in the UK.The day will see an unprecedented number of protests throughout the world. In London, there will be a March for Migrants’ Rights, followed by a Social Benefit at rampART, and Sunday the 8th there will be a Conference. There will be a similar March in Glasgow organised by the Union of Asylum Seekers in Scotland (UNITY), and D-Tension event with Camcorder Guerrillas. In Birmingham, the Anti-Racist Campaign are organising a Ceremony in the City Centre. Other actions in the UK include a protest at the Communications House in London on Fri the 6th called by the Global Women’s Strike, and a “No Deportations To Iraqi Kurdistan” demo in Huddersfield on Saturday the 7th called by the International Federation of Iraqi Refugees and the Kurdish Cultural Community in Kirklees. Elsewhere in the world, tens of events and actions are taking place (see a href=”http://www.indymedia.org/en/2006/10/847944.shtml”>”>here for details).For full coverage see the action topic page | list of eventsRead: Call and Statement | Organizing group’s press release | Crossing Borders newsletter | Migrant tales from The BorderLinks: October7 Campaign | No Border | MakeBordersHistory | UK NoBorders groups and communication channels | UK Indymedia’s Migration topic pageDutch: All Included | French: pajol | German: no-racism.net | fluechtlingsrat-hamburg | deutschland-lagerland | Greek: socialcenter | Italian: GlobalProject | Melting Pot Radio | Spanish: Indymedia Estrecho

Indymedia at the Camp for Climate Action 2006: Report & Personal View
4 Oct 2006
During the Climate Camp, the field IMC media centre was open for a minimum of five hours each day (two and a half each morning and evening), with these limited opening hours primarily aimed to conserve power. Some days it was open longer, and it ran fully all day for two days until about midnight during the main day of action.Mostly the IMC ran on bio-diesel, but there was also a renewables power feed and some battery capacity. Twelve P1 laptops running via an LTSP server from Bristol Wireless provided the core public access, plus varying at different times up to five more modern laptops were running.Two tents provided the main structures, one for the main IMC / Public Access Point and one more as storage and kitchen. Chairs came from a social centre in Manchester, and table tops were donated by TRIM timber recycling of Manchester. Six tables were set up balanced on top of hay bales (looking very rustic) while another 6 table tops had very sturdy legs masterfully constructed from scrap timber. The satellite dish providing connectivity from Psand was similarly balanced on top of four hay bales, but was in fact rock solid once ratcheted down – again a nice mix of rustic charm with hi tech.Around 145 pictures were published direct from the field IMC, including two mobile phone pics (non-automated). Dispatch had over 50 phone reports on the main day of action. Several audio interviews and video clips were published. One freelance videographer was arrested and had their footage seized by cops. There was lots of good filming going on, and on the Friday night, over one hour of rushes were screened in two different tents to an appreciative audience! Several different sections of these are now fully published in IMC-UK’s Climate Camp page. A big well done to all involved in setting up, running, participating and taking down the centre!Click at the ‘Full Article” link above for a personal account, photos, and additions to this article.

B52 disarmers on trial this week
4 Oct 2006
The trial of two Oxford peace activists who attempted to disarm B52 bombers on their way to Iraq is taking place all this week. Toby Olditch and Phil Pritchard went into Fairford airbase just two days before the planes were used, hoping to disable the bombers and thus save civilian lives in Iraq and inspire others to action. They were arrested before reaching the planes but have gone on to fight a high-profile legal battle, using their case to challenge the legality of the war and raise awareness. The upshot of this has been that various courts, up to and including the House of Lords, spinelessly (but predictably) refusing to allow arguments about the legality of the war. The legal argument for the trial now focuses on Phil and Toby’s reasonable belief that they were acting to prevent war crimes. Support at court is very welcome during the trial, either to come inside or with banners etc outside; Bristol Crown Court is on Small Street, off Corn Street, in Bristol town centre. Check the trial blog for the latest updates. Margaret Jones and Paul Milling’s trial for a similiar action resulted in a hung jury recently and they are awaiting a re-trial. Meanwhile a Peace Picnic takes place this Saturday 7th October at RAF Croughton, a local US/UK spybase. B52two trial blog | B52two homepage | trial report | press release

Argentinian film makers screen Indymedia film in Nottingham
3 Oct 2006
Argentinian film makers including director Andres Ingoglia will visit Nottingham next week as part of the european tour of their film “i”. The film is a meditation on the relationship between media and power as it is manifested by the worlds largest all volunteer network of media activists: ‘Indymedia’. The feature-length documentary follows the first year of a small collective in Buenos Aires as it struggles amidst assassinations, a collapsing economy, and a whirlwind of political upheaval.The film will be screened as a one-off in Nottingham at the Sumac Centre on Thursday 12th October, where the film’s director will introduce the film and answer questions. Food will be served from 6pm and the film starts at 7.30pm at the Sumac Centre, 245 Gladstone Street, Forest Fields, Nottingham. During its UK tour the film is also screened in London, Brighton, Glasgow and Edinburgh.Links: “i” The Film website | Schedule UK and Europe tour | Film reviews | Argentina Indymedia | Video Indymedia | Wikipedia on Indymedia | Notts Indymedia ‘Video Stuff…’

Thanks to police – for not coming
3 Oct 2006
THANK YOU Sussex Police, for not turning up at our protest! That was the message from Titnore Woods protesters in Worthing, following Saturday’s protest mass walk to the tree camp, first set up on May 28.

PigBrother show comes to Oxford
3 Oct 2006
Internationally, police officers who mutilate or kill people on duty usually get off scot-free, often without the cases even making the news. The Swiss internet site PigBrother.info exposes such cases and the police weapons involved. Though often labelled “less lethal” and portrayed as “harmless”, many have proved to be fatal; others have been banned for use in war by e.g. the Geneva Convention yet still frequently used by policeforces worldwide. In a multimedia live show, Soulless and Anger (the makers of PigBrother.info) present typical cases including weapons, injuries and favourite police excuses from the UK, Ireland, Italy, France, Germany, USA and Switzerland. The show takes place on 9th October, 8pm at East Oxford Community Centre. Despite the heavy going topic and its technical aspects, the show is presented in an easy to understand and concise way, and Soulless & Anger also focus on the funnier aspects of several Police Operations making the Officers involved look only too human. They demonstrate how persistent work in this area can make a difference, forcing the police and the official media to at least sometimes act more by the book or even abolish some weapons or tactics. PigBrother.info

Is Britain ready to defend its NHS?
2 Oct 2006
The National Health Service is in a huge crisis. Crisis can be an over-used word, but in the case of the NHS it’s difficult to get across the scale of the problem without using it. Three quarters of the NHS trusts in the UK are reporting that financial deficits are forcing them to make cutbacks. Massive cutbacks that is. Wards are closed down, hospitals shut and jobs cut around the country. Billions are going to restructure the NHS along market lines, with millions going on management consultants and financial advisors, and millions more in massive PFI payments to shareholders and bankers. In one example venture capitalists have pocketed an extra £81m million in profits from the £220 million PFI scheme to build the Norfolk and Norwich hospital. Billions more are being diverted into a new, expanding private network of profit-seeking ‘Treatment Centres’, which are paid at enhanced rates, and select out the profitable treatments and patients, leaving the unprofitable behind in the NHS.Over the last few months unions, patients, activists and campaigners have hit back in a wave of protest to halt the NHS reforms around the country. Thousands of people took part in public meetings around the country: [1] [2] [3] [4]. Protestors took to the streets in

No One Is Illegal! International Day of Action on Migrant Rights
1 Oct 2006
“For Freedom of Movement and the Right to Stay”Saturday October 7th 2006 will see a march through London calling on migrants, asylum seekers and their friends, families and colleagues to act together against the criminalization of migrants and the denial of their rights; with the intention to build a transnational movement to change conditions for the better.

“Warning to distributors” makes activist leafletting impossible!
1 Oct 2006
Nottingham City Council have brought in sweeping new laws that will seriously affect the distribution of free activist literature in and around the city centre. Once again – as with fly posting – laws apparently designed to tackle the unbridled activities of commercial promoters are going to have a serious affect on activism and other legitimate exercise of free speech. In certain areas (which are sure to expand as time goes on, and already include the City Centre), free printed material may only be given out with permission and a bought permit from the council.

Campaign Against CCTV Camera Surveillance in Balsall Heath
30 Sep 2006
Following the street protest on 23 July, 2006, on Birchwood Road in Birmingham [pics], where angry residents expressed their opposition to the installation of a CCTV camera on their road without any consultation with residents, there have been ongoing activities to demand the removal of the camera and extended the protest to other CCTV cameras in the city.An anti-CCTV information leaflet was distributed to all residents shortly after the protest, then a petition was put together demanding the removal of the CCTV camera. Every house on Birchwood and Alder roads was called upon twice. Those who have been active against the camera were surprised at the number of residents opposed to the camera and their very good reasons for doing so. Almost everybody was dissatisfied that they had not been consulted about the camera going up. Moreover, activists are now trying to expose the businesses behind it.CCTV protest | Anti CCTV placards and banner | CCTV Protest in Balsall Heath Continues

BNP Action in Loughborough
29 Sep 2006
Get out to stop the BNP! Campaign to stop the BNP in forthcoming Loughborough Shelthorpe Ward by-election *****Important leafleting this Sunday 1st October ***** Assemble 11am outside McDonalds on Ling Road/Shelthorpe Road roundabout Leicester Unite Against Fascism are calling a day of action to leaflet Loughborough Shelthorpe Ward against the fascist British National Party this Sunday. The fascist British National Party(BNP) are standing in the election on Thursday 5th October in Loughborough Shelthorpe Ward. Shelthorpe is a largely white working class estate in Loughborough and the BNP have been campaigning on the issue of a recently opened East Midlands regional immigration reporting centre. The seat is a two councillor seat and both seats were won at the last election by the Labour Party. There are fears that a low turnout may provide opportunities for the fascists. The fascist BNP is relying on a low turnout in order to get elected. The vast majority of people in Shelthorpe oppose the fascist BNP and can use their vote to stop the BNP.

Protesters occupy runway at East Midlands Airport
23 Sep 2006
A group of 21 protesters have breached security at East Midlands Airport this morning (24th Sep 0755am) and occupied one of the operational taxi-runways. The group ‘Plane Stupid’ says it ‘wants to see airport expansion plans scrapped, a tax on aviation fuel and plane tickets, and an end to short haul flights.’The group has occupied the runway by being chained to each other and have set up tents saying ‘Climate Camp 2’. Baptist minister Malcolm Carroll is taking part in the action and is leading a memorial service for the victims of the effects of climate change. Spokesman Joss Garman of the group says: ‘an estimated 150.000 people die of the effects of climate change each year, that’s the equivelant of a 9-11 every week.’At midday armed police, dog units, firebrigade and helicopter were present and it was expected they would start clearing the runway. Unlike the what the BBC have been reporting, most flights leaving have the airport have been suspended.More updates to follow…Links: Plane Stupid website | PLANE STUPID Newsletter #4 | East Midlands Airport (EMA) website