Oil companies left with egg on their faces
Indymedia UK , 06-11-2009 - 16:17

Both BP and Shell had their flagship recruitment events at the Randolph Hotel hijacked by protesters in the last few weeks. Linking the global issues of climate change and exploitation to local attacks on people and the environment, campaigners from Thames Valley Climate Action took over stages, heckled, asked awkward questions, unplugged display equipment, leafletted and chatted with audiences.

The actions were amongst the first in a new grassroots campaign against the extraction of Tar Sands oil in Alberta, Canada. Shell are massively involved there, whereas BP are still in the process of getting involved; it's hoped that by targetted them early on we might be able to put them off. You can find out more, and hear first-hand stories from touring indigenous activists at the talk on Monday 16th November at Science Oxford, and at the film screening of H2Oil on Sunday 22nd November at Oxford Action Resource Centre.

[ Shell action: 1 | 2 | Video ] [ BP action: 1 | 2 | Video ]
[ Tar Sands background: 1 | 2 | 3 | UK tour | film screening ]
[ Thames Valley Climate Action | Shell To Sea | Hands Off Iraqi Oil ]

Remembrance conflict
Indymedia UK , 06-11-2009 - 09:42

Symbolised by the wearing of a red poppy, every year at this time there is a brief period of remembrance for those who have given life and limb in conflict on the behest of the British state apparatus. Every year that period is itself marred by a war of words between those who see it as a chance to glorify those conflicts under the umbrella of patriotism and those who hope that remembrance might be an opportunity to learn and advance. In previous years the conflict has mostly centered on arguments over whether or not TV personalities and politicians are wearing red poppies predominantly enough, or occasionally over the rights and wrongs of wearing white poppies. The poppy appeal has become effectively sacrosanct with no dissenting views allowed. This year the predictable arguments have broadened as the Legion has 'modernised' it's appeal, adopted an 'Afghanistan Generation' campaign which focuses on the current conflict there.

A week ago reports emerged of poppy appeal billboards being subvertised to call for Tony Blair to be prosecuted for war crimes and for British troops to be bought home. Mainstream media reported outrage and the act was condemned by the Legion. The subvertising spread with reports of sightings in Norwich, Basingstoke, Bristol and London. Not long after, an open letter of apology was issued and reproduced in full or in part in the media. The Legion replied through the media saying it accepted the apology. The Afghanistan occupation has now cost 229 British soldiers lives, and thousands more injured (not to mention the tens of thousands of Afghan civilians killed since the invasion began 8 years ago). In an apparently intolerable act of remembrance, three people held a 229 minute vigil at the Cenotaph in Downing Street but with less than a week now till remembrance day the repression against dissenting voices stepped up a notch and all three were arrested under the controversial SOCPA laws.

Links: 229 Minute Afghanistan Vigil, Cenotaph, London | 3 arrests at 229 Minute Afghanistan Vigil, Cenotaph, London | New rash of subverted poppy appeal billboards across London. | Poppy appeal poster 'vandal' apologises | Support for poppy poster defacement | DIY guide | Subertising hits the big time | Bring 'em Home - first report and photo of poppy poster subvertising | Background: Afghanistan: Dying For OIL…..Unicol Corporation Feeding On Blood!

Mainstream coverage: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Reggio Emilia è antifascista
Indymedia Emilia-Romagna , 05-11-2009 - 09:50

La notte tra il 23 e il 24 ottobre un gruppo di attivisti da Casa Pound ha attaccato il centro sociale occupato Aq16, danneggiando la struttura (vetrate rotte, grondaie divelte, tentativo di sfondamento della porta) e attaccando adesivi e manifesti sui muri. Il giorno successivo un gruppo di quasi un centinaio di attivist* si è diretto in via Montefiorino, dove ha sede CPI, per restituire un po' di merda ai fascisti [Report Audio].
Ovviamente i fascisti hanno dichiarato, come al loro solito, di essere stati vittime di una predeterminata aggressione e che gli attivisti dell'Aq16 si sarebbero danneggiati il posto da soli per poi incolpare loro.

leggi tutto

Anti-vivisectionists march against Novartis after court victory
Indymedia UK , 04-11-2009 - 09:41

As part of the SHAC campaign 70 people turned out for a demonstration and march against Novartis' headquarters (an animal research centre and top HLS target) in Horsham on Saturday 31st October.

Up until 2pm the day before Sussex Action For Animals (SAFA) were not even sure that the demonstration would be able to take place. Earlier in the month Novartis had attempted to get an interim injunction using the notoriously repressive solicitor Timothy Lawson-Cruttenden, known for numerous HLS injunctions and failing to seize a protestor's assets amongst other civil liberties issues.

Novartis were seeking to prevent banners on the demonstration from bearing the words "Novartis", or carry posters showing images of animal suffering. They didn't want protesters to be able to wear masks or costumes; in particular blood stained lab coats. They did also mention something about fireworks! However, despite the best efforts to dredge up any dirt they could to support their application, the judge found in favour of the campaigners.

Related Newswire: March and Protest against Novartis in Horsham | Horsham march in tussle over freedom to protest | Novartis threaten the right to protest banners and costumes | More articles

Recent features: March against Novartis on Saturday | Newcastle March & Demo Against Sanofi-Aventis | Direct Action Withdraws HLS Loan Facilities | Largest HLS Investor Dumps All Shares As Buyout Approaches | Operation Liberation Demo at Highgate Rabbit Farm | Novartis CEO's hunting lodge destroyed | Highgate Farm Protest Camp | Largest Shareholder Barclays and Top Investors Dump HLS | More features

Una ennesima storia della violenza di stato: C.P.O.Experia sgomberato!
Indymedia Calabria , 02-11-2009 - 09:34

Comportamenti corretti
Indymedia Lombardia , 01-11-2009 - 09:36

"Non ho strumenti per dire come sono andate le cose, ma sono certo del comportamento assolutamente corretto da parte dei carabinieri in questa occasione".
Questa semplice frase accompagna l' ennesimo morto di carcere (146 solo quest' anno) e nella sue ingenua brutalità è il miglior rivelatore di quanto succede nelle patrie galere. Uccidere un ragazzo spezzandogli il coccige e rompendogli la testa non rappresenta una indicibile bestialità ma ordinaria amministrazione “comportamento corretto” appunto.

D' altronde di esempi simili è lastricata la storia recente: Aldo Bianzino, Federico Aldrovandi, Marcello Lonzi, Riccardo Rasman, Stefano Frapporti, Manuel Eliantonio, non anomalie ma il modo usuale di gestire le cose quando l' impunità è garantita, certamente alcuni protesteranno, altri forse scenderanno in piazza ma, alla fine, nella migliore delle ipotesi la teoria delle “mele marce” salverà la faccia sia alle istituzioni che agli indignati.

Di ordinaria amministrazione poi si può parlare anche per tutte quelle sentenze burla che travestono omicidi da incidenti ed assicurano la permanenza in servizio degli assassini, certamente ai problemi della galera non si risponde con anni di galera ma se la gravità delle sentenze definisce la gravità del fatto ne dobbiamo dedurre che un omicidio in divisa è poco più grave di una scritta su un muro

Links
- Rassegna stampa [1] [2] [3] [4] video: [1]
- Le foto dell'autopsia - Dossier Uccisi di carcere 2008 - Lettera di un ex detenuto

Di carcere si muore
Indymedia Roma , 30-10-2009 - 20:31

A Roma un'altra persona è morta di carcere. Stefano Cucchi, arrestato per un modesto quantitativo d’erba la notte tra il 16 e il 17 ottobre, è morto dopo una settimana in un carcere in cui non si sarebbe nemmeno dovuto trovare. Già alla prima udienza del processo per direttissima i genitori avevano notato segni sul suo volto e dopo il ricovero al Pertini per un presunto mal di schiena, Stefano è stato trovato morto.
Non è la prima volta che le cosiddette forze dell’ordine hanno ucciso.
Sono tristemente note le storie di Sorin, Niki, Aldo e delle numerose altre persone morte di carcere o
durante un fermo violento. E per chi vive, la situazione non è rosea, se persino Alfano è riuscito a dichiarare che la situazione è fuori dalla costituzione. Ma forse il problema è che è proprio il carcere a non funzionare.

Ascolta le corrispondenze di Radio Onda Rossa [1 - 2]

Altre informazioni: Rassegna stampa 01.11.09 - Pestaggi quotidiani in carcere - 8 morti solo in ottobre

*Appuntamenti*
- giovedi 5/11 ore 12 volantinaggio al Pertini.
- giovedi 5/11 ore 18 assemblea cittadina al forte prenestino.
- sabato 7/11 ore 15 corteo parco acquedotto alessandrino altezza via torpignattara.

Morti in carcere: 1200 persone morte in 7 anni, a cura dell’associazione Papillon; Sul dossier "Morire di Carcere" dall'associazione Ristretti orizzonti.

Support the EDO Decommissioners
Indymedia UK , 30-10-2009 - 20:27

The decommisioners are six activists on trial for direct action taken against the massacre in Gaza. On January 17th, as the bombs rained on Gaza, they destroyed hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of machinery owned by EDO MBM, preventing the factory from manufacturing bomb racks and arming units for Israeli F16s.

Eight people are currently on bail and one is on remand, currently in Lewes Prison. All are charged with conspiracy to cause criminal damage.

Between the 16th and the 23rd of October, actions were held across the UK and in Palestine in support of the decommissioners. On the 16th, in Manchester, a demonstration was held outside Brimar, a factory making display units for the Israeli Apache helicopter, launching a new campaign. Several of the decommissioning defendants were arrested at the demonstration for breach of bail but later released. On Monday a demonstration was held at Brighton Town Hall calling on Brighton and Hove Council to debate the presence of EDO MBM in Brighton, a petition will be handed in to the council meeting in December. On Wednesday some of the names of those killed during the Gaza massacre were read outside the EDO MBM factory in Brighton. On Thursday two pickets of the Foreign office were held and a petition calling for an end to arms exports to Israel and in support of the decommissioners was handed in. On Friday the Palestinian village of Bil In dedicated its weekly demonstration against the apartheid wall to the decommissioners.

Reports of Target Brimar Demonstration 1 | 2 | Target Brimar Campaign Statement about Arrests of Decommissioners | 3 | SCHnews - It's Brim Up North

Foreign Office Picket | Bil In Support the Decommissioners Demo | Video of Decommissioning | Decommissioners update and protest |

Links: Smash EDO | Support the Decommissioners | Bristol ABC | Anti-Militarist Network |

Click here to download 'If I had a Hammer', a 32 page booklet explaining why the decommissioning was necessary.

Noi ricordiamo ancora...
Indymedia Napoli , 29-10-2009 - 16:09

Noi resistiamo ancora, noi manifestiamo ancora, nonostante il tempo che passa, ricordiamo ancora e continueremo a mantenere intatta la nostra memoria! Passano gli anni, si susseguono le manifestazioni, e con loro gli arresti, le perquisizioni e tutti gli atti del copione "Repressione" che oramai abbiamo imparato a conoscere bene. Dopo arrivano i processi, dove la storia, quello che davvero e' successo in piazza, quello che abbiamo vissuto sulla nostra pelle, viene messo alla sbarra, e cosi', dopo 8 anni, si aggiungono ancora capitoli alla lunga storia iniziata il 17 Marzo 2001 a Piazza Municipio.

Continuare a ricordare è un dovere per chi in piazza c'era e per chi, col passare degli anni, ne ha raccolto l'eredità.
Il corteo che arriva di fronte la Zona Rossa, i primi scontri e poi le forze dell'ordine che chiudono la piazza caricando quelli che in piazza erano riusciti ad arrivare e inseguendo, in una lunga caccia all'uomo, quelli che nella piazza non erano neanche riusciti ad entrare. La giornata si concluse con 85 manifestanti portati nella caserma Raniero e sottoposti a trattamenti che abbiamo visto ripetersi anche a Genova pochi mesi dopo.

leggi tutto

No New Coal. Actions at Power Station and Open Cast Mines.
Indymedia UK , 29-10-2009 - 10:06

Update: At 4:30 am after 48 hours of protest, the remaining 10 came down from the roof of Didcot Power station and were arrested.

Early on Monday morning, activists entered a NPower coal fired plant in Didcot. A group chained themselves to the coal conveyor, and prevented coal from entering the power station, although a report indicates that those chained to the conveyor were cut loose and arrested. Others erected tents on the roof and have climbed chimneys, and have spent two nights up there.

In associated actions, work was stopped at two open cast mines on Monday. Twenty activists entered the site at Shipley which provides coal to Ratcliffe-on-Soar, and climbed onto vehicles, which they occupies, stopping work on the site for 4.5 hours. Mainshill, site of an ongoing protest camp was blockaded for seven hours. After action to stop night time felling on Monday, another blockade was mounted on Tuesday.

Imperialist Invasion of Afghanistan Enters 9th Year
Indymedia UK , 29-10-2009 - 10:06

Billboards around the country have been subtly subvertised to display anti-war messages calling for the troops to be brought home and for Tony Blair to be prosecuted. As the imperialist occupation enters its ninth year, a YouGov survey found 62% of the public want British troops pulled out this year and 48% think that victory is impossible. Countless thousands of Afghans have perished and many Western soldiers have gone to Afghanistan, only to come home in body bags.

On Saturday 24th October, thousands of people gathered in central London to protest against the continuing conflict. Organisers, 'Stop The War Coalition', claimed there is growing resentment among the lower ranks who feel locked into a military occupation with no clear justification or exit strategy. Soldiers and their families joined the estimated 5,000 marchers who gathered in Hyde Park.

Links:
London March:1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Analysis: The Risks of Regional Conflagration
From the Archives: First Oil and Gas Licensing Round | Die-in for NATO's Victims | Wedding 'Die-In' Protest | Reading the names of the dead |