UK Indymedia - South CoastSouthCoast Indymedia

30-08-2008 16:55

Starbucks leaves bitter taste in Brighton

FRAPPACINOS, that flipping ‘Friends’ sofa or how about smartening the street up? These are some of the top arguments in favour of the latest shiny, corporate addition to this city.

Starbucks, yes, shitty Starbucks! A scummy company no question about it.

A corporate vulture in fact, guilty of a friendly lil business practice known as cannibalisation where sister stores are opened to feed and compete with each others custom, slowly squeezing the local cafes out – there are worryingly now five SBs in this city alone and SB’s HQ have stated they plan to roll out another 100 stores in our lucky country this year; supplying coffee to Guantanamo Bay (to pour over the inmates no doubt); and of course, lovely homogenisation. One day we’ll all wake up to find out that blessed Brighton has overnight turned into one big shiny soulless commercialised consumer’s wet dream.

10-08-2008 12:00 | 6 additions | 14 comments

Climate Camp - Quick Links

Latest news: SMS text alerts | IMC UK Climate Camp 2008 topic | up-to-date timeline

Coverage: Climate Camp Radio | Vision On TV daily news shows | Envirospeak uploads and ongoing discussion.

Links: Camp for Climate Action website | Network for Climate Action | Days of Climate Action

28-07-2008 18:21

Activists Take Over Incinerator Site

'Stop Incineration Now!' protestors demonstrated their in the early hours of the 21st July fury now after on the highly controversial incinerator plant had begun.

Activists took over the site of the proposed new incinerator plant in Newhaven. They entered the premises under the cover of darkness last night in an organised attempt at non-violent direct action, after resistance through democratic means failed them. Several protestors formed a barricade by superglue-ing themselves to the road in an attempt to prevent vehicle access, whilst on the site itself, other members of the group 'locked-on' to machinery in order to halt further activity. They claim to be exercising their democratic right to protest non-violently in a last-ditch attempt to promote their concerns about the consequences of incinerators on public health and safety. Read more >>

23-07-2008 09:34 | 1 addition | 1 comment

Justice demanded as Binyam turns 30

Protesters gathered outside Downing Street on Thursday, 24th July, to hold a 'Birthday Party' for Britain's last Guantamo Detainee, Binyam Mohamed [Reports and pics 1 | 2 | 3]. The event was the culmination of a week long vigil which took place outside the US Embassy.

Other links: Cageprisoners | The National Guantanamo Coalition | Reprieve | Andy Worthington

01-07-2008 15:18 | 16 comments

No Salute to Israel, 60 Years of Apartheid is Nothing to Celebrate

Today, a series of non-violent protest actions disrupted the 'Salute to Israel' parade. The parade celebrated 60 years since the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948. Activists wished to remind the public that since its inception, Israel has been maintained through the constant oppression of the Palestinian people, in particular through ethnic cleansing.

The 'Salute to Israel' parade was a shameful show of support to a government engaged in war crimes. Sponsors included the Jewish National Fund, an organisation deeply involved in the colonisation of Palestinian land as well in anti-Palestinian discrimination within Israel. Activists wish to stress that the British government's authorisation, protection and support of this event is entirely unacceptable.

En route, the parade was greeted by activists with red dye on their hands to symbolise the blood of Palestinians killed by the Israeli government. In Trafalgar Square, both fountains were turned red after activists poured dye into the water and a Palestinian flag was unfurled at the entrance of the National Gallery. An activist climbed up a big screen which had to be turned off for most of the event. Also, another group attempted to get onto the roof of the National Gallery in order to unfurl a banner but were arrested in the process.

Police responded by making a series of ridiculous arrests, assaulting and detaining a woman for singing anti-zionist songs and deploying Forward Intelligence Teams to monitor and follow those attending the counter demonstrations.

Several Counter demonstrations were held by Jews for Justice for Palestinians, Action Palestine and Friends of Al Aqsa while Palestine Solidarity Campaign and others drove three double decker buses draped with Palestinian flags and black balloons around the square and Rhythms of Resistance tried to drown out the Pro-Zionist hip hop gig.

23-06-2008 13:35 | 2 additions | 6 comments

Carmel Agrexco's Depot Shut Down in Commemoration of the Nakba

In the early hours of Saturday morning, activists occupied and shut-down the HQ and only UK freight warehouse of Carmel Agrexco - Israel's largest agricultural exporter from the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The occupation held for over 6 hours until they were forcibly removed at 12 noon.

During the occupation over 10 loading trucks intended for the warehouse were sent away. British supermarkets - accounting for 60% of Carmel-Agrexco's total exports - had some of their orders affected. The Israeli government has a 50% stake in the company. Exports include flowers, avocados and herbs grown in illegal Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land.

Newswire: Israeli Owned Agrexco Warehouse Shut Down | Carmel occupied! Israeli settlement exporter shut down| Video of Police Forcibly removing Activists but Failing to Make Arrests

Previous Actions: Fortress Carmel Agrexco breached by Peace Activists | Video - Carmel Agrexco protest during Camp for Climate Action | Weekend of Action Against Carmel Agrexco | Activists Blockade Carmel-Agrexco's UK Headquarters for the Third Time | International Actions against Israeli Apartheid

Further reading: Text of letter to Carmel-Agrexco | Report on Carmel's involvement in the Jordan Valley | War on Want's report: Profiting from the Occupation

Links: Palestine Solidarity Campaign | The Big Campaign | ISM London | ISM Palestine

15-06-2008 09:32 | 1 comment

Stop the Deportation of 'Tara Aryan'

Tara Aryan is an Iranian refugee to the UK who converted to Christianity last year. The home office is trying to deport her to Iran. If they are sucessful she could face imprisonment or death for 'abandoning Islam'.

Tara has lived in Brighton for two years before being detained at Yarl's Wood Removal Centre. She was scheduled to be deported on Friday 13th June on a BMI flight from Heathrow. She was transferred to the airport but the removal was deferred after a judicial review was lodged by her solicitor. Tara is now detained again at Yarl's Wood.

Resources: Online Petition to grant Tara asylum

Links: Brighton Voices in Exile - See this site for updates on Tara's case

Media Coverage The Argus (Brighton) Christian Convert Could Face Death | The Argus - Final Plea by Woman Facing Iran Deportation

04-06-2008 11:47 | 21 additions | 30 comments

Timeline - SmashEDO Carnival Against the Arms Trade

The SmashEDO Carnival Against the Arms Trade was held in Brighton on Wednesday 4th June. Over 500 people marched from The Level to the EDO/ITT factory in Moulescombe. Police plans to contain everyone in a pen outside a neighbouring unit were foiled, and protestors managed to get to the factory. The factory gates were mysteriously opened, and a police van attempted to block the entrance to the EDO/ITT car park but protestors seized the opportunity to enter the car park and vent their rage against the arms company. A few arrests were reported.

Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Video [1] | More videos | FIT watch Video
Arrests updates: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7
Smash EDO Press Releases: 10 Still in Custody over EDO Protest | Death of Marie Vesco | All Arrested Released Without Charge | Post Carnival Message from Smash EDO

28-05-2008 23:36 | 1 addition | 3 comments

Smash EDO Carnival Against the Arms Trade

Every bomb that is dropped and every bullet that is fired in the name of this war of terror has to be made somewhere and wherever that is it can be resisted...

On the 4th June, Smash EDO, a campaign group aiming to shut down EDO MBM, a Brighton based arms manufacturer, will be holding a Carnival Against the Arms Trade aiming to highlight the level of public opposition to the factory and be an oppurtunity to take creative direct action against the arms trade.

The Carnival will include live music, a critical mass and with a unifying theme of red. Smash EDO are calling for activists to come from around the country to join the carnival and help close down EDO.

Resources: Flyer for the Critical Mass | Webpage for the carnival - Info on accomodation and transport | Press Release for the Carnival | More Info about the Smash EDO Campaign (pdf) | Info about the Merger with ITT (pdf)

Links: Smash EDO | EDO MBM | Smash EDO Indymedia topic page

13-05-2008 19:45

Camp Titnore birthday protest

CAMP TITNORE, the eco-protest site near Worthing, West Sussex, celebrated its second birthday on Saturday May 24.

To mark the occasion, a 'party' was held on the steps of Worthing Town Hall in Chapel Road.

Alongside the usual placards and banners were party hats and home-made birthday cakes, as supporters posed for press photos, gave three cheers to the eco-activists who have been protecting our countryside since May 2006 and gave a rendition of 'Happy Birthday to You', as between six and nine police watched on at a distance. There was even a spot of tree climbing.

One campaigner said: "The campaign has, of course, being going a lot more than two years, but the extraordinary achievement of those who have kept alive a continued presence in the woods since May 2006 just cannot be over-emphasised."

Less cheerful news was that Tesco's plans for its massive expansion on the West Durrington site have now been given outline planning permission by Worthing Borough Council.

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