UK Newswire Archive
Letter to Male Activists
21-03-2011 13:36
This letter arose from a specific set of experiences in the activist community and we are aware of the fact that many men will find it difficult to read. However, we publish it here in the hope it will provoke some critical self-reflection among those who need it.In London On 26/03? Remember Ed Woollard!
21-03-2011 13:02
Don't forget the victims of politicised sentencing.#541 - Outing Prison 1 (Mass Incarceration Is The New Jim Crow)
21-03-2011 12:55
Reasons to oppose the attack on Libya
21-03-2011 12:45
This is the text of a leaflet suggesting some reasons for opposition to the attack on Libya.Vigil in Wrexham for Bradley Manning, for Japan, Iraq and Libya
21-03-2011 12:37
Attending the Ian Tomlinson Inquest: Information for the public
21-03-2011 12:30
The inquest into the death of Ian Tomlinson, who died during the G20 protests in 2009, will commence on Monday 28 March 2011 and is expected to last for of 5-6 weeks.In YEMEN top army commanders defect to the revolution !!
21-03-2011 11:25
Every little hurts? Tesco green-wash exposed
21-03-2011 11:22
To coincide with Tesco’s sponsoring of National Climate Week, Climate Rush, a suffragette-inspired environmental action group, altered approximately 30 stores in central London to highlight the company’s hypocrisy on climate change. The fascias now read TESCO2.
Tesco have always liked to present themselves as active agents in the fight against climate change. They recently launched “green clubcard points” and state on their website that “ [they] believe that climate change is the greatest strategic threat to humanity”.
Whilst keen to support any business that cuts carbon, Climate Rush feels that there are some inconvenient truths that make Tesco an inappropriate sponsor for such an awareness-raising event.
- Since they started monitoring them, Tesco’s carbon emissions have risen ever year bar one[i]
- From 2009 to 2010, during which time emissions fell in the UK and elsewhere, Tesco’s carbon emissions increased by 3.7%[ii]
- When measuring their “Direct Carbon Footprint”, which is the figure they report on,Tesco ignores international freight, production of goods , waste disposal and consumption and disposal of Goods. [iii]
- Despite impressive sounding claims like being a “zero carbon business” by 2050[iv], Tesco does not give itself interim targets to ensure it achieves this. This differs from major international competitors such as Walmart[v].
Tamsin Omond, founder of Climate Rush, says “for all their talk about ‘Doing The Right Thing’, few companies are more committed to the status quo than Tesco. Rather than set itself ambitious short-term targets, matched with holistic, honest reporting, Tesco spends its energy on token gestures like sponsoring Climate Week and Green Clubcard points. Fighting climate change isn’t the responsibility of the PR department; it’s time Tesco committed to delivering real, long-term value for its shareholders and the communities on which it depends. You can’t make money on a dead planet. “
National Climate Week runs from 21st to 27th March, and aims to showcase real-life examples of businesses and communities fighting climate change. Other supporters include RBS, who have lent £20bn to the oil and gas industry since nationalisation[vi], and EDF energy, who provide 25% of the UK’s energy from non-renewable sources[vii]. Whilst these companies are also engaged in activities that directly threaten the health of the planet, as they are not key sponsors, they have escaped the specific attention of Climate Rush
-Ends-
For press enquiries please email info@climaterush.co.uk or call 07792 660 569
[i] Taken by looking at Tesco PLC corporate responsibility reports, 2007 to present.
[ii] Tesco 2010 Corporate Responsibility Report, page 9
[iii] www.tesco.com/climatechange/CarbonFootprint.asp
[iv] www.cr2010.Tescoplc.com/environment/climate-change/leading-by-example/our-own-direct-footprint.aspx
[v] www.walmartstores.com/sustainlability/8141.aspx
[vi] RBS Sustainability Briefing Document, October 2010
[vii] www.edfenergy.com/about-us/energy-generation-power-generation/index.shtml
http://www.climaterush.co.uk/archives/374
global sustainability forum piss take
21-03-2011 10:22
there's a 'global sustainability forum' in rio for two days starting 24th march, too early for april fools day. check out the speakers: bill clinton, arnold schwarzenigger and fucking richard branson. I don't know much about the first twos environmental credentials but what the fuck is bitchard branson doing there?
Census by Arms Manufacturer Lockheed Martin
21-03-2011 10:07
Rotherham BNP Candidate Resigns
21-03-2011 03:00
Rotherham Fascist Tom Holmes has resigned from the far-right British National Party. The following article is not libel; fictitious; contains personal information nor is it a personal attack (partly an apology!). SheffieldLib is a peaceful, localised anti-fascist movement of mostly students several of whom live within Tom Holmes' ward and such would never knowingly breach any policy/rules. Revised/snipped article as below.Anti-Benefit Cuts Leafleting Glasgow Thurs. 24th Mar. 1.30-2.30pm
21-03-2011 00:22
ANTI-BENEFIT CUTS LEAFLETINGGLASGOW
THURSDAY 24TH MARCH
1.30-2.30PM
westminster homeless bye-law protest - report + pics
20-03-2011 23:22
several hundred people from all walks of life came together at the westminster cathedral piazza in victoria this afternoon, to protest and campaign against a proposed new westminster bye-law which aims to criminalise soup runs for homeless people
at a time when the government is creating huge cuts in services, and cameron is plugging his 'big society' agenda of volunteer provision, it seems bizarre that westminster council should be considering introducing a bye-law to specifically ban providing food for the homeless in the area.
but with a consultation in progress this month, westminster is hoping to introduce the new bye-law soon, and certainly before the royal wedding at the end of april.
one group most affected by the new law would be the volunteer-run charity 'street souls', which for two years has been providing a soup run outside the westminster cathedral on the first and third friday of each month. spokesman david coombe has promised to defy the law even if it means jail.
the new bye-law proposes a £500 fine for feeding homeless people in the area, and a ban on sleeping rough or putting down bedding in the area. at present, sandwich shops like 'pret a manger' hand out unsold stock, and homeless volunteers collect and redistribute the food among their peers. the shops will not be allowed to do this any longer, instead throwing the food away, and the volunteers would face fines for their efforts.
the council claims that the soup runs attract people who aren't genuinely homeless, and complains that residents feel unsafe walking down certain streets, intimidated by street drinking and "fed up of exposure to the associated detritus".
campaigners point out that they have strict policies, respect the neighbourhood, sweep and wash the area after soup runs, and have had zero incidents. they also point to the number of incidents caused by suited drinkers leaving pubs and clubs late at night, and tell of incidents where homeless sleepers have been urinated on by drunken besuited mobs.
the charity 'housing justice' which co-ordinates soup runs in london, points out that apart from the food aspect, the events are invaluable for providing links, companionship, and entry to other help among people who are very vulnerable and sometimes distrustful of other intervention. even the charity which chairs the london mayor's round table on homelessness (homeless link) have said that although they don't agree the soup runs are helpful they don't think banning them is any solution.
this afternoon's protest was a good-natured affair, with food provided by local hare krishna groups, who also provided some music. there was entertainment too from the drum band "maracatu". many street people attended, and chatted with visitors.
at 4pm there was a flash mob sleep-in, and dozens of people suddenly lay down in the piazza. the flash mob was organised by the group 'sock mob' who have started a scheme to empower street people by training them to conduct walking/talking tours of their area. paying visitors get a new perspective on parts of london, and the business model is extending and aiming to be self-sufficient, with street people introducing others into it, giving them a source of income, a way to engage with mainstream society, and a means to remove the stigma around marginalised groups which often prevent them from participating meaningfully, socially and culturally.
campaigners call the westminster legislation cruel, heartless, ill-conceived and flawed, but the council is still touting its 'consultation' process which closes at the end of the month. they are buoyed by support from two local service providers, st mungo's and thamesreach. on the face of it, these organisations are well-placed to comment sensibly on the proposals, however, the announcement of support has been met with alarm by many of their own outreach workers, and the suspicion is that both organisations stand to gain from grants to run services, and so want to maximise attendance. but many street people are highly suspicious of institutionalised help, and they are much more amenable to the small-scale volunteer projects.
as well as protest, a campaign to flood the consultation with 'no' votes, and the threat of civil disobedience, there may also be a legal route to challenge any such bye-law. 'rough sleepers' are recognised, along with gypsy travellers and other such groups, as 'alternative lifestyles', and so any legislation targetting such a group and singling it out might be challenged under human rights law, for criminalising people for their views and lifestyle.
London Solidarity in Day of Action for Bradley Manning
20-03-2011 21:59
Libya, Hypocrisy and Betrayal by the United Nations
20-03-2011 19:42
The bombing of Libya will begin on or nearly to the day, of the eighth anniversary of the beginning of the destruction of Iraq, 19th March, in Europe. Libya too will be destroyed - its schools, education system, water, infrastructure, hospitals, municipal buildings. There will be numerous "tragic mistakes", "collateral damage", mothers, fathers, children, babies, grandparents, blind and deaf schools and on and on. And the wonders of the Roman remains and earlier, largely enduring and revered in all history's turmoils as Iraq, the nation's history - and humanity's, again as Iraq and Afghanistan, will be gone, for ever.The 5th I Bike MCR Festival starts next week
20-03-2011 19:22
A month long DIY bike festival in Manchester
Rossport Solidarity Camp is Up!
20-03-2011 19:07
Today 20 people helped set up the foundations of the 2011 Rossport Solidarity CampObama's Women Pushed War Against Libya
20-03-2011 18:29
We’d like to think that women in power would somehow be less prowar, but in the Obama administration at least it appears that the bellicosity is worst among Hillary Clinton, Susan Rice and Samantha Power.
