Brighton Tubas Solidarity Group Visit to Palestine
A delegation of seven people from Brighton arrived in the Tubas region of occupied Palestine last week. The delegation is part of the project by the Brighton-Tubas Friendship and Solidarity Group. The group's aims are to highlight Israeli war crimes against Palestinians in the region, raise awareness about life under occupation and create practical solidarity links between grassroots organisations in Brighton and Tubas region.
Reports from the Delegation in Palestine: Teaching King Lear in Occupied Palestine | The Breadbasket of Palestine | Resourcefulness and Tenacity | Jordan Valley 2008 | Smashed To Pieces and Bled Dry | Day 5
Press Releases from the Brighton-Tubas Solidarity Group: Education and Resistance in Occupied Palestine | Palestinian Village Denied Water and Threatened with Demolition
Links: Brighton-Tubas Blog | Brighton-Tubas Friendship and Solidarity Group | Palestine Solidarity Campaign | International Solidarity Movement in Palestine | Boycott Israeli Goods Campaign | Stop the Wall in Palestine
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On the Verge - The Film They Tried to Ban
Police have intervened across the country to censor 'On the Verge' an independent documentary about the Smash EDO campaign to shut down the Brighton's weapons manufacturer EDO MBM. So far establishments in Southampton, Chichester, Bath and Oxford as well as Brighton have come under police pressure to cancel film showings. In Brighton police intervened to prevent a showing at the Duke of York's Cinema, just one hour prior to the scheduled premiere.
Using activist, police and CCTV footage plus interviews with those involved in the campaign, 'On The Verge' tells the story of one of the most persistent and imaginative campaigns to emerge out of the UK's anti-war movement and direct action scene. See trailers of the film here(mpg) and here (wmv). A torrent file of the film has also been created. To download a copy of the film and to know how to use bittorrent click here.
Spokesman for the production company SchMovies, Steven Bishop said "I am extremely disappointed but not entirely surprised by the police's action. There may be issues with certification but as we're not charging for entry this shouldn't be an issue. If the police really had problems over the certificate they could have approached us at a much earlier stage. Our film although focussing mainly on the rights and wrongs of protest shows a number of examples of questionable police behaviour – Perhaps this is why they left their move so late"
Meanwhile the "On the Verge" Screening Tour continues. Confirmed upcoming dates are:
24th March - Oxford. OARC
25th March - Bath. Friends' Meeting Place
18th April - Glasgow. - the Carnival Arts Center
19th April - Aberdeen. - Aberdeen University
21st April - London. - London Action Resource Center Tour's page for the latest information on screenings.
Related Links: SchNEWS report | SchNEWS podcast | Other SchMOVIES about Smash EDO campaign | SchNEWS website
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Stunning victory for wildcat strikers
AN AMAZING victory has been notched up by wildcat strikers in Brighton.
After two days on "illegal" strike, refuse workers at Brighton's Hollingdean Depot have won their fight against management bullying.
The striking bin staff had been complaining about management bullying after staff refused to double their workload due to lack of vehicles and under-staffing.
As part of what workers called management's "bully tactics", four refuse workers had been moved onto different crews sparking anger amongst the depot and leading to the wildcat action.
The GMB union had advised members to go back to work and only strike under official conditions.
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International Actions against Israeli Apartheid
The period leading up to Valentine’s day saw actions against Israeli apartheid taking place in the USA, England and Belgium. A week of action had been called against the import of Israeli flowers for Valentine’s Day. The call to action was against Carmel-Agrexco, the 50% state owned Israeli export company, and in support of a boycott of apartheid Israel.
On Friday 9th February Belgian activists blocked trucks at Agrexco’s depot in Liege, On Monday in Hayes, Middlesex, Activists blocked the entrances and exits of Agrexco’s UK headquarters. Some activists opted for another Valentine’s day target, the Israeli diamond trade: In London Architects and Planners for Justice in Palestine and Jews for Boycotting Israeli Goods picketed Lev Leviev’s new store while activists from Adalah in the US targeted Levievs’ New York branch. Leviev, an international diamond merchant, is responsible for developing illegal settlements on Palestinian land near the West Bank Villages of Bil In and Jayouss. His New York store has been targeted for several months by anti-apartheid activists.
Reports: Report of the Belgian Carmel-Agrexco action | Photos| Videos - 1 2 3 4 5 | Report of the London Carmel-Agrexco Action - 1 2
Previous: Original call to action against Agrexco | Previous Actions against Carmel-Agrexco 1 2 3 4 | London Pickett of Lev Leviev’s Store (+ Video) | Report of the US Picket (+ Video | Pictures)
Links: More info on the campaign against Leviev so far
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Growing a green future in Sussex
A NEW season of events has been announced by Brighton Permaculture Trust, including courses on growing fruit trees, creating wildlife-friendly gardens and green architecture.
Brighton Permaculture Trust is a small charitable company formed in 2000 by people interested in putting permaculture firmly 'on the map' in Brighton and the Sussex area. It offers courses, talks, socials and seminars and from time to time gets involved in larger projects, such as the Brighton Earthship. People are welcome to join as a member, but most events are open to everyone.
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Brighton fights for right to protest
A RIGHT to Protest demonstration is being held in central Brighton on Saturday January 19, meeting at 12 noon in Churchill Square.
The focus will particularly be on recent police repression at the EDO Brighton bomb factory. There have been 15 arrests since August for singing, shouting and generally expressing opinions about the presence of an arms factory in the community.
Local people in Brighton have been campaigning for the last three and a half years against a bomb factory in their back yard. EDO MBM make componants that are used in weapons deployed against the people of Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine.
Recently at the weekly noise demos at the factory police have been using archaic local by-laws to suppress people expressing their thoughts and feelings at the local weapons manufacturers.
In October five people were arrested for singing karaoke badly outside EDO MBM, they were hauled off into a police van after a particularly bad rendition of "We are the Champions". Three were arrested under Section 235 of the Local Government Act (brought in for bad buskers and street drunks) while two were arrested for breach of Section 14.
Other people have faced arrest for blowing an air horn and plugging in a PA. The town demo is aimed to show support for these people and also to safeguard the hard won rights to freedom of opinion and freedom of assembly that are being taken away at an alarming rate in this country. Bring banners, drums, air horns and voices.
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Free mapping comes to South Coast
A RADICAL new form of map has been launched in Brighton.
OpenStreetMap is a wikipedia-like project to create a free map of the entire world, open to contributions from anyone.
Most commonly used maps have legal or technical restrictions on their use, holding people back from using them in creative, productive or unexpected ways.
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Brighton Residents Visit Palestine
A delegation of ten people from Brighton arrived in the Tubas region of occupied Palestine this weekend. The delegation is part of the project by the Brighton-Tubas Friendship and Solidarity Group. The group's aims are to highlight Israeli war crimes against Palestinians in the region, raise awareness about life under occupation and create practical solidarity links between grassroots organisations in Brighton and Tubas region. The Jordan Valley, part of which is situated in Tubas region, has been de facto annexed by Israel. The Israeli occupation forces using land expropriation, house demolitions, militarisation of vast swathes of land and enforcing a system of pass laws reminscent of apartheid South Africa are attempting to make life impossible for the Palestinians. The aim is to bleed Palestinians out of the valley, leaving those who remain there to provide a workforce to serve the needs of the Israeli agricultural companies who profit from land stolen from the indigenous Palestinian population.
Daily Reports from the delegation in Palestine: This is Life in the Jordan Valley| Day 2 - Al Jiftlik| Nowhere to go |Ein Al Beide women’s group: ‘To exist in this region is resistance!’ | Settlers shoot at Internationals and Children | Life in the Women's Prison | Education in Violence | A Tale of Two Worlds | Life, Birth and Death in the Jordan Valley | Settlement Slavery | Settler Violence, Army Collusion and Justice| Palestinian Farmers Under the Occupation
Press Releases from the Delegation: Collective Punishment in Al Masra'a | British Citizen Arreted in Al Masra'a Now Released Three Brighton Residents On Trial in Jerusalem tonight for ‘Taking Part in an Illegal Demonstration’| Israeli Military and Settlers Shoot Live Ammunition at Brighton Delegation | Palestinian Farmers Denied Access to their Olive Trees| Brighton Delegation Marches in Solidarity with Imprisoned Hunger Strikers| Brighton Residents Visit Palestine|
Brighton-Tubas Friendship and Solidarity Group| Stop the Wall in Palestine | Boycott Israeli Goods Campaign |
Report of Demolition order issued on Fasayil school
Reports of recent actions against Carmel Agrexco: 1 2 3 4 .
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Singers Arrested Outside Arms Factory.
5 people were arrested after singing 'We Are the Champions' at a karaoke themed demo at EDO MBM's Brighton arms factory. The police reacted to the cringe-worthy songs by arresting some demonstrators under noise byelaws and then imposing conditions to prevent the warmongers hearing an encore. Those who didn't move along were nicked, while the sour-faced managing director looked on. | Video
This major police response to a bit of a sing-song follows a successful blockade of the factory last week. All doors into the building were glued shut and two people locked themselves to the front doors with D-locks. This forced the managing director to smash his own window to get in and delayed the manufacture of deadly bomb components, which loses the company both profit and popularity with clients. | Video | Update: 5 Protestors have been charged with 'Conspiracy to cause Criminal Damage', and face a jury trial.
As EDO's profits slide, the campaign against them is building. Campaigners are looking forward to the traditionally lively Haloween demo on the 31st October, when the ghosts of EDO' s victims (and a host of weird and wonderful beings) come to haunt them.
smashEDO protestors have observed that the police are using increasingly repressive measures to deal with the protests, and one compared police behaviour that was common prior to the attempt to injuct protests in 2005. At the hearings, it became apparent that the police had urged EDO MBM to seek the injunction. The case collapsed, costing EDO MBM much money. Since then the company's fortunes have taken a number of knocks. Campaigners have vowed to keep up the pressure until the arm's manufacturer closes the factory.
Links:
Peace Camp 2005 | Peace Camp 2007 | Student Blockade | Campaigners breach security | Court Victory for Right to Protest |
Campaign Website | Schnews Coverage
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Panic at NHS direct action call
PANIC has greeted calls for direct action by Sussex hospitals campaigners. The local newspaper has reported that "police are investigating" and a local Tory bigwig has condemned as 'dangerous' any show of public defiance at a crunch meeting on Monday October 15.
The commotion was caused by an anonymous leaflet distributed in Worthing entitled "Real democracy can save our hospitals" and calling for a "citizens' take-over" of the 7pm meeting at Worthing Pier.
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The Gatwick No Border Camp
2007 is witnessing a resurgence of No Border Camps around the world as three Camps have been announced. The first one took place in Ukraine in mid August [Pics] and another one is announced at the US/Mexico border for November. But close to home, this week the UK sees the first No Border camp near Gatwick airport. Despite weeks of constant harassment of local farmers by the police, the Camp got under way as planned with several hundred people attending workshops and discussions, and taking part in actions and demonstrations throughout the week.
The No Border Camp sought "to try and stop the building of the new detention centre, and to gather ideas for how to build up the fight against the system of migration controls". The Camp progaramme consisted of four days of workshops, protests and discussions. Various actions were announced for the week, including a Transnational Demonstration on Saturday 22nd from Crawley to the site of Brook House attended by around 500 people. Brook House is planned to be Britain's largest detention centre for migrant people, and it is being build next door to Tinsley House. Another solidarity march took place in Newcastle. There were several actions also happening during the camp on Thursday and Friday. These included the occupation of Virgin Atlantic tour operator offices and a blockade outside Group 4 near Crawley, a welcoming event in Crawley as well as demonstrations outside Lunar and Electric houses reporting centres in Croydon.
Reports
Saturday 22nd: Timeline of Events | Reports: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Pics: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Video | Press Releases: 1 | 2
Friday 21st: Timeline of Events | Reports: 1 | 2 | Pics 1 | 2 | Video | Press Releases: 1 | 2 | 3
Thursday 20th: Reports: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Pics | Video
Wednesday 19th:: report | report and pics | pics
International Reports: Holland IMC 1 | 2 | Liege IMC 1 | 2 | Switzerland IMC | Barcelona IMC | Germany IMC 1 | 2 | Estrecho IMC | CMI Galiza
Practical Info: How to get to the Camp | Local contacts for travelling | Camp's programme | Workshops | Frequently Asked Questions | Legal infos for migrants coming to the camp
For more information see the Camp's website and IMC-UK Topic Page
Links: London No Borders | Nottingham No Borders | noborder.org | Map of European migrant camps | Migrating University | Groups Endorsing the UK's Camp
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Smash EDO Action Camp: Shut down the Brighton bomb builders
From 27 to 30 August, Smash EDO held an action camp in the Wild Park, close to Mouslecoomb Station in Brighton. The camp aimed to be a time to hold creative direct actions against the arms trade and a forum to discuss the anti-arms trade movement, but on Tuesday afternoon police forcibly moved in and removed the camp's infrastructure using a nineteenth century by-law. Despite police repression most campers remained put, new provisions were brought in, and activists maintained the camp whilst carrying out a series of daily actions:
Timeline of Events:
Monday 27th: Opening and vigil (pix)
Tuesday 28th Morning: Rooftop protest | Afternoon: Police threaten camp | Tents standoff at smashEDO Camp | Camp still resisting and actions will continue! | Bikes against bomb factories
Wednesday 29th: Camp continues despite police repression | Demo at EDO 8am [Report] | Action Update at 6pm
Thursday 30th: Actions continue as camp draws to a close
Friday 31st: Final action from the camp outside EDO MBM in Moulescombe
Reports Still Coming In: Barricade Building and Attempt to Breach EDO's Security
Press Releases: Anti Arms Trade Campaigner Plan Action Camp | Smash EDO Camp Continues Despite Police Eviction Attempt
Details of the camp | Directions to the camp
Schnews Report: Tents Stand Off
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Day 4: Dept of Transport Blockaded - XL Airways Occupied
Friday 17th August: 16:30: Ten activists have occupied XL Airways offices in Crawley. One person is locked on inside the offices, a banner reads "Cheap Flights - Cheap Lives?" refering to links between the aviation industry and climate change, and XL's role in deporting people and children to the Congo on behalf of the home office. More updates on the ticker.
Photos: XL Airways Office Occupation | Travel agents targetted
8.15am: At least ten climate change campaigners have blockaded the Department of Transport headquarters in London this morning. Several have superglued themselves to the revolving doors and other doors have been chained shut. Staff inside the Marsham Street building were seen giving thumbs up to the protestors who called themselves Climate Camp supporters. Two more protestors were on the porch roof with a banner reading "No Airport Expansion". Eventualy after around two hours the activists were removed and arrested. [See Press Release | Pictures | More Pics]
The camp has been having a lot of visitors throughout the day. The local scouts group came to learn about the camp for their environment badges and someone posted photos of yesterday’s visit by the local primary school which will be demolished if the third runway is to go ahead. Many local Sipson residents also visited the camp this morning to express continued support and solidarity and exchange experiences.
On the newswire: Climate Camper Arrested Under Terrorism Act | Climate Camp Photo Portraits | Heathrow Primary School visits Camp | Detention Centres Near Heathrow | FitWatch faceup to FIT | Video: Climate Camp Clown Around
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Day 3: Private Airports Blockaded
At 7am two independent groups of campaigners from the Camp for Climate Action stopped carbon-intensive private jets fom operating at two airports in the south east. Executive flights at Biggin Hill and Farnborough airports have been brought to a standstill by climate activists concerned at the huge growth in the use of private jets by business people. At Biggin Hill Airport the activists D-locked themselves to the gates of the airports. 10 people were then arrested. The blockade lasted for just under 4 hours.
24 people took part in the blockade at Farnborough Airport with 9 people locked onto lock-on devices across the access road. After an hour the aiport staff opened up an emergancy crash exit to allow the gathered business people in. Meanwhile protesters handed out leaflets to staff, passengers and locals. Jets were delayed and after 2 hours a second emergency exit was opened. By this point the police warned people they would be arrested and it was decided to return to the camp. Although no one was arrested, the police did seize lock-on devices.
Audio: Audio Interview with Biggin Hill Airport Blockader
Video: Video of blockade at Farnborough Airport
Also on the newswire: Pics of Biggin Hill blockade | Business flights blockaded by climate activists | Video Interview with Farnborough Airport Blockaders | Bristol Airport Stunt | Audio Interviews from Camp | Renewable energy at Camp - photos report and videos | Camp under Surveillance | Happy Days Thursday Pics and Report
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Carry On Camping!
CAMPAIGNING and camping seem to be one and the same thing this summer, with a string of outdoors protest events happening across the South of England. Crucial issues such as climate change, border controls, war profiteering and destruction of woodland all be tackled with the help of tents, sleeping bags and a strong spirit of adventure.
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Lebanon War protesters - Not Guilty!
On Thursday 28th June two anti-militarist activists were found not guilty of Aggravated trespass at Brighton Magistrates Court During the bombing of Lebanon last Summer the two campaigners had entered the property of EDO MBM in Brighton, a supplier of weaponry to the Israeli military, scaled the walls and hung a banner from the roof reading '16 CHILDREN DEAD IN QANA LEBANON, EDO PROFITS FROM MURDER'
The Protest came was in response to Israel's bombing of Lebanon, which claimed over 1000 lives last Summer and devastated an entire country.
In Brighton the Smash EDO campaign held a series of protests against the invasion including a blockade of the factory, a day of rage, an art installation and a demonstration in Brighton. Activist in Brighton also held a picket of the Israeli Tennis team's match in Eastbourne.
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Ramona Africa of MOVE talks in Brighton
A POWERFUL and inspiring talk was given in Brighton by the survivor of a notorious FBI bombing of a radical black US eco group.
The packed event at the Cowley Club on Wednesday June 27 also featured a video documentary on MOVE and its dramatic history.
Ramona Africa was the only adult survivor of an attack on her family home on May 13th 1985, when the police shot 10,000 rounds of ammo, dropped three firebombs on the house and then shot at those who tried to escape. 11 members of her family were killed, including five children.
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Reporting back from the G8 protests
FIRST hand reports of the anti-G8 protests were presented at a meeting at Brighton's Cowley Club on Wednesday night, June 13.
A similar session will also be the theme of the next Worthing Alliance meeting at The Rest, Bath Place, Worthing on Thursday June 28.
The feeling from those who had been in Germany was that the protests were a big success and an empowering experience.
Although there had been some question marks over the attitude of certain "organising" groups, the determination and unity of grassroots activists from various backgrounds had overcome this.
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Happy Birthday Camp Titnore!
CAMP Titnore in Worthing, West Sussex, has this weekend been celebrating its first anniversary.
And as well as celebrating the achievement of the last year, it is looking ahead by calling for more people to join the occupation and for solidarity action against the businesses threatening to destroy the countryside location.
It was at dawn on May 28 2006 that a determined group of environmentalists moved onto ancient woodland off Titnore Lane in Durrington, near Worthing, in protest at plans for an 875-home estate, massive Tesco superstore and new access roads.
After many years of local campaigning had failed to persuade Worthing Borough Council to oppose the development, they said direct action was now the only way they could continue the fight.
They didn’t really think the camp had any chance of lasting more than a few days, or weeks at the most.
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Campaign on brink of victory
"THE CAMPAIGN stands on the brink of a major victory. The closure of the factory will send shock waves through the UK/US arms industry."That's the inspiring message from Smash EDO! activists in Brighton ahead of a big public meeting in the Sussex city featuring local and national activists fighting the arms trade.
The event is being held on Wednesday May 23, from 7.30 - 9.30pm at the Brighthelm Centre in North Street.
Speakers include:
* Jo Wilding (activist and writer who visited Iraq with some clowns)
* Milan Rai (anti-war activist and author)
* Beccie D'Cunha (Local campaigns co-ordinator for Campaign Against the Arms Trade)
* Keith Taylor (Green Party councillor/candidate for Brighton & former UN Peace Messenger)
* Speaker from the Smash EDO! campaign
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