Home | 31st May 1996 | Issue 76

WAKE UP! WAKE UP! IT'S YER SUSTAINABLE...

SchNEWS

DEEDS NOT WORDS!

A TALKING-SHOP IN TURKEY: Habitat II Summit June 3-14th Istanbul

Last month a child was born that tipped the balance of human nature. For the first time in the history of our species we are now predominately urban-dwellers - more than 50% of the world's population lives in cities.

The last big international governmental summit of the century - the United Nations Habitat II Summit - A Future for Our Cities, starts in Istanbul on Monday for 11 days.

It will put a local aspect on global decisions made at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio, and talk about turning ideas about sustainable communities into a working reality and improving urban living conditions. It will bring together community-based and non-government organisations, Government officials and UN agencies to discuss... and talk... and hold seminars... and conferences... and discussions. Eventually they hope to provide concrete measures for implementing sustainable development.

Sure, it's good to talk. But isn't it better to DO?

Earth Summit '92

The Istanbul conference is the follow-up to the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 which produced Agenda 21, calling for radical changes in production and consumption. One chapter instructs every local authority to develop their own Local Agenda 21 (LA21) to tackle poverty in ways that don't harm the environment. It agrees that all countries should "support the shelter efforts of the urban and rural poor and the unemployed...to facilitate access to the land". And more importantly, that these plans must be drawn up "in consultation with the local community".

So what happened? You might well ask. Why do we at SchNEWS get the feeling that the Government agreed willy-nilly with Agenda 21 without realising the full consequences of the recommendations? Jim Carey at Squall said, "The large tracts of Agenda 21 [that are] concerned with the relief of poverty and homelessness through community initiatives and low impact dwellings, might then be a promise that the UK government did not know it had made, but is now obliged to keep."

1996. The Land Is Ours reclaims a patch of derelict land in Wandsworth. They build a sustainable eco-village in a matter of days and in accordance with both Agenda 21 recommendations and Clause 124 of the Housing Bill (currently charging through Parliament): by "creating a safe & attractive environment", "providing housing, and social, and recreational facilities, for the purpose of encouraging people to live or work in the area, and benefiting the people who work there, and preventing crime and reducing the fear of crime".

A writ has been served and activists have been told they can expect the bailiffs at any time. They have followed the principles of Agenda 21, using reclaimable resources, generating wind and solar powered electricity, using compost toilets and growing vegetables. Despite this, Guinness insist that they have a duty to their shareholders, and plan to continue battling with Wandsworth council over planning permission to allow Safeways to build a massive superstore.

Sustainability

Another sustainable project, Tinker's Bubble in Somerset, is an organic small-holding currently engaged in legal wrangling with the High Court after Enviro Minister John Gummer overturned planning permission for low impact dwellings at the site despite his own advice that "people everywhere need to take up the issues (raised by Habitat II) for debate and action in their communities". Wot yer saying, Gummer? That we can talk about it 'til the mad cows come home, but woe betide anyone who puts the talk into action?

Simon Fairlie at Tinker's Bubble said: "This hypocrisy is typical, but Agenda 21 will work if we, at the grass roots level, continue to feed the planners with applications for low impact dwellings."

* The King's Hill collective in Somerset have been given a year to leave their four-acre site after planning permission for their benders was refused. 'Green' Gummer again blocked sustainable development. A council spokesperson said that "the development would set an unacceptable precedent". Yet last year, planning inspector allowed a man in Kent to remain in his caravan on his permaculture plot. Although officially turned down for planning permission, he can live on the land for a three year trial period because the development in is tune with local Agenda 21 plans.

* Here's a test: Teepees or Caravans, which is the more sustainable? The Teepee Valley site in Wales has just had an unexpected result. They have been turned down planning permission for the erection of teepees, but been granted permission for a caravan. Ian Brown, Deputy Chair of Cardiff City's Environmental Services said, "There's a fairly healthy bullshit factor between what we are doing practically and Agenda 21. It's passed me by because it's things we do anyway."

How can we expect to implement Agenda 21 when corporate interests and the Government conspire to keep the people off the land? Does the Government just want to appease us by letting us talk amongst ourselves and then implement what local authorities would have, even before Agenda 21 was a mere twinkle in a bureaucrats eye? They are content to play lip service to international advice, so long as it doesn't upset the interests of any of their monied mates. Will Habitat II be just more of the same?

* Action for London are campaigning against the sale of County Hall and an adjacent walkway to a property speculator. They are planning an action to reclaim the piece of land. Contact AFL at 30, Whitehead Close, Earlsfield SW18 3BT

* Visit the Pure Genius site and see it for yourself. Call 0181 671 5936 for details.

* The Land Is Ours are planning a national No Guinness Day in the near future. Watch this space...

* Read about the history of land ownership in The True Levellers' Standard Advanced "Just Dig It!", available from The Northern Land Group, c/o One World Centre, 6 Mount Street, Manchester M2 5NS for 75p+SAE.

* The latest edition of the Squatters Handbook (May '96) is out NOW! £1+SAE from ASS, 2 St. Pauls Rd., London N1

Buddhists 1 Class War 0 !

Class War players had to be "separated and dragged off the pitch" in the semi-finals of the Hackney Anarchy Week footie tournament last Saturday. Hardcore Buddhists tried to give their opponents a dose of Enlightenment they'd never forget when a heated goal mouth incident almost turned into a fist fight. The Anarcho-referee was none too impressed. Class War eventually won in the finals - but should anarchist football matches have any winners?!?

* Class War want black and white footie fans to unite to kick out racists and fascists who will try and use Euro '96 as an excuse to stir up race hatred. Class War Hooliganz, BM Box 357, London WC1N 3XX

EURO '96

As Euro 96 approaches football friendly groups are planning to dish out 10,000 free 'Bust Cards' - listing footie fans' rights and looking at some of the problem areas. Many fans encouraged to buy tickets in advance of Euro `96 before they knew if their team had qualified may find themselves the wrong side of the law if they decide they no longer want their tickets and try to sell them on - even at cost price. This is now a criminal offence under the Criminal Justice Act. (But does not of course apply to operas, theatre, ballet, pop concerts, rugby, tennis, horse racing etc.) Mike from Football Fans against the Criminal Justice Act told SchNEWS: "The police are already boasting how they're going to 'clamp down hard' on potential violence and as if to show what fans might expect, they exercised a huge stop and search operation last week at the Wembley play-offs. But last season just 30 people were found to be carrying offensive weapons" (it should also be noted that some forces have interpreted umbrellas, coke cans and rolled up newspapers as offensive weapons!).

* A legal network of 16 friendly footie-fan solicitors has been compiled. Call 0171 274 8029

* Last Wednesday Tyneside police announced they are releasing 100 photographs of `trouble-makers' filmed as Newcastle United's last game to be reproduced in the Newcastle Evening Chronicle. Trial by video anyone'?

Town of the Month!

Manchester

(OK, it's a city)

It's been a busy month for activists in Manchester. Fresh Air Now! (FAN) had a busy two weeks of actions aimed at piling on the pressure before the local elections, to make pollution the political issue. Activities included an attempted roof invasion (the council leader's!); laying cycle lanes (over parked cars); reclaiming a piece of land in Moss Side with the help of 200 residents and building a football pitch and permaculture plot; having a critical mass bike ride: building a pedestrian crossing; holding an alternative-to-careers fair; invading the Town Hall a couple of times and visiting the No M66 road protest camps...Phew! And to end it all on a high, SchLIVE! will grace the place tonight. Manchester, so much to answer for.

Big in Belgium!

SUBSCRIBER SPOT!! Thanks for your replies to the SchNEWS survey; we have had a fantastic response so far. Keep 'em coming in. This week SchNEWS celebrates its 500th subscriber! You seem to be spread all over the UK (and the world!). Hello to Motherwell, St Austell, Hazel Grove, the Isle of Wight, etc. Hello California, Germany, Croatia, The Netherlands. Hello to the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, Big Issue, The Guardian. Hello to university professors, trade unions, citizen's advice bureau's. Hello to MI5, MI6 (although you don't officially exist) and the police (OK so you don't subscribe but we know you love it). And hello to the eight year old in Hove who reads it in the loo! AND A BIG THANK YOU for all your donations. We'll keep you SchNEWSed...

Nice One!

To everyone who made Chancellor Kenneth Clarke's visit to Nottingham Trent University an unpleasant one. The fat man was led into the hall to get an honorary degree made 'for services to the city and county'; the crowd chanted banged tables and set off the fire alarms and police reinforcements were called in to help Clarke leave the building. Yes, it hurt. Yes, it worked. Nice One!

SchNEWS in Briefs

* Summer crackdown? Those normally party-friendly Sussex Police seized a sound-system in Brighton for the first time on Saturday at an all-night party at a warehouse in Bevendean. Meanwhile Brighton Council are considering banning the West Pier Sunday drumming carnival, which grew word-of-mouth 18 months ago to become a established weekly free entertainment by the sea. Last year the Council threatened to move them on but over 600 revellers tuned out in support. Keep yer ears open...

* Splash & Grab With the summer drought crisis round the corner and Southern Water turning all green-fingered and telling people what they can and can't grow, chairman William Courtney will personally make £1 MILLION if his company is - as expected - taken over by Southem Electric. Want us to pay our bills? You can swim for it, mate.

* And you thought you were crusty? An elderly German tourist with an aversion to baths was barred from his flight home from Brazil because he smelled so bad. He'd apparently travelled for 42 days round the north-east of the country without washing or changing his clothes, arguing he was too old to wash!

* 11th anniversay Battle of the Beanfield on June 1st. See SchNEWS 25 for a reminder of the full shocker

* WANTED! A very cheap Apple Mac computer...ours has died a sad death. Can part exchange for a photocopier (needs some attention)! Please ring the Justice? office 685913.

* The expected eviction at the M66 protest camps has not happened...yet. More people are needed for the expected eviction in two weeks time. Call 0161 628 4727 / 0161 627 4862 (ansa machine)

* HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY BRIGHTON CRITICAL MASS! The monthly cycling mayhem celebrates 12 months of pollution-bustin' action with a special anniversary ride this Saturday (June 1st). Meet 12.30 St Peter's Church - and bring a picnic, allegedly. Meanwhile, one of the Brighton Critical Mass Crew arrested in January and charged with "obstructing traffic as part of an illegal demonstration" is defending himself by submitting evidence that it is not illegal as it's a regular event for which the police do not have to be notified.

* LITERALLY ANARCHY! The Hackney Central Library was occupied in protest against the closure of seven libraries in Hackney by the council. The action was carried out by the The Welfare State Network.

* RIP After 14 years anti-nuclear campaigners at Faslane Peace Camp have announced they are moving on. The camp, outside the Royal Navy's Clyde nuclear submarine base announced yesterday they are leaving "due to public apathy towards the new Trident system", adding that "the camp was set up to stop Trident and has not succeeded in doing so." The camp is due to close after CND's Trash Trident demo on June 15th. Phone for details: 01436 820901.

SchNEWS in Pants

* SchOOPS! The Leicester Reclaim The Streets is on Sunday 9th June NOT Saturday 8th as stated in last week's SchNEWS. Meet 1pm Victoria Park next to the Pavilion.

* The Campaign for Free Education are releasing a double CD fund-raiser in October. Acts include Chumbawamba, Zion Train, Dreadzone, Suede, Utah Saints, Banco de Gaia, Senser, Transglobal Underground. They're also taking the whole show on the road: CFE, PO Box 332, Huddersfield, HD1 3YB / 01484 538156

* An appeal of the first people arrested under the Criminal Justice Act back in November '94 for 'aggravated trespass' has faded and the defendents charged another £100 costs. Keen Manchester Police got the Home Office to fax them legal papers to nick four people within 24 hours of the new law after they'd occupied a Wimpey crane. The protestors are now talking to Liberty to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights. "I can't see us paying our fines," Chris told SchNEWS. "We'll take them all the way."

* Avin It FM 107.6 starts this Sunday in the Brighton area. Keep it locked!

Inside SchNEWS

SchNEWS has received a letter from Trefor Harris, sent down after the CJA riots in Hyde Park in November '94: "I'd just like to thank all at SchNEWS for the support you've given me during the last ten months while I've been a guest of Her Majesty! Thanks to everyone who has taken time to write home, everyone's been a great help." Nice one Trefor - have a pint on us!

A national organisation 'Action Against Injustice' is being set up to help framed convicted prisoners. Contact Conviction, PO Box 522, Sheffield S1 3FF for more details.

These people are still inside and could do with your support: Sky, a traveller recently given 4 years for riding over a copper's foot. Clive Dalrymdle, PB 2529, HM Prison Pentonville, Caledonian Rd, London, N7 8TT;

Satpal Ram, E94 164 inside for defending himself against racist attackers HMP Parkhurst, Newport, Isle of Wight, P030 5NX;

Barry Norton CV0221 & Tony Bush CD045 both involved in the Strangeways Prison riots of 1990. Presently protesting against stitch-up assault charges. Both at HMP Frankland, Brass Side, Durham, DH1 5YD. Remember, write to a prisoner NOT your MP.

And Finally

Ever lost your rag as you tried to squeeze past yet another car parked on the pavement? Maybe you should be following the lead of Michael Hartmann, a man who single-handedly defies the traffic of Munich. He simply walks over them! Under the slogan "people come before cars" he also refuses to wait for the little green man at crossings - a punishable offence in Germany. But after a few fines and once being committed to a mental institution classed as a "suicide risk" the cars in Munich now drive round him without even hooting!

DISCLAIMER

The SchNEWS warns all readers not to attend any illegal gatherings or take part in any criminal activities. Always stay within the law. In fact please just sit in, watch TV and go on endless Xmas shopping sprees filling your home and lives with endless consumer crap. you will then feel content. Honest.

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FOR POLICE EYES ONLY: Big shout going out to all the crew at Silver Command. Start peddling!

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