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WAKE UP! WAKE UP! WE HAVE A CUNNING PLAN MY LORD...
Issue 222, Friday 30th July
CUNNING STUNT M'LORD
"We
have always given detailed information, put it into the public domain, about
the specific location of trials and experiments.....But you have to ask
yourself a question. If small minorities are determined by illegal methods to
impose their minority view on the situation by taking pre-meditated reckless
action in this way, we may have to reconsider that.”
- Jack Cunningham, Cabinet Enforcer
- Jack Cunningham, Cabinet Enforcer
But
you have to ask yourself a question, Jack. Are you talking about the protesters
or Monsanto?
In
the early hours of Monday morning, a secret Greenpeace action on a 6-acre GM
maize test site in Lyng, Norfolk, resulted in a bizarre ‘Carry-on
meets Monty Python’ style scene. Led by the oily Elizabethan noble Lord
Melchitt, Norfolk farmer and Executive Director of Greenpeace, and tooled up
with a mechanical mower, 30+ activists barricaded themselves into the test-site
field, for a morning of weed-pulling in the dawning Agro-Evo garden of mutant
delights.
Yet
after 20 minutes of faking crop circles, Melchitt and his band of Merry
Persons were caught green-handed by the Brigham Brothers. Likened to the modern
day rural Krays, or Phil and Grant Mitchell playing a cameo role in Emmerdale,
the 3 brothers lease the field to genetics firm AgrEvo for the maize trial.
The Brighams, long-standing local farmers who boast 4.5 eyes and more than two
metres of forehead between them, were swiftly on the scene, crying
“Genetics never did us any harm!”
All
3 brothers started their tractor rampage, ramming the Greenpeace mower and
dispersing the gardeners further into the field. Jumping off their tractors,
they even chased the activists round and round the field, by which point, over
a quarter of the site was trashed.
The
action resulted in 28 arrests for theft, criminal damage and vandalism,
including Lord Melchett, who alone was denied bail, initial police reports
citing Queenie’s displeasure. Melchett, however, laid the blame for his
detention firmly at the door of rival fictional toff, Edmund Blackadder.
“Thus private parts to the gods are we,” he bemoaned to SchNEWS,
“They play with us for their sport.”
The
only one to be kept on remand, Melchett was eventually released after two
nights in Norwich nick, with strict bail conditions. The others arrested were
bailed to appear before magistrates on 5 August. Nice-one Melch’
n’co. (SchNEWS has one request, Melch... drop the ‘Lord’
title; congratulating a Lord does nothing for our street cred.)
GENE POLLUTION
“
The
public has the right to a safe environment and a food chain free from genetic
contamination. If the authorities, in this case the government, fail to uphold
those rights it is legitimate for others to do so. We took urgent action to
defend those public rights.
”
- Sarah Burton, Greenpeace.
- Sarah Burton, Greenpeace.
Genetic
test crops are fast approaching pollination, where they can cross-contaminate
with natural crops; they are ‘living pollution’, threatening the
food chain and the purity of organic crops. As the pollen of rape can travel up
to a couple of miles, the concept of short-term ‘test sites’ is a
mutated red herring: Once the pollen takes to the air, we’re basically
fucked. Quoting Sarah Burton again “
We
already know this crop is a threat, so much so that the Swiss government.
banned it from open air trials. It is a danger to the food chain and the
environment and once the crop has flowered then the contamination is irreversible
.”
A
leaked memo from AgrEvo to the Dept. of the Environment estimates genetics
farm-scale trials could total 12,350 acres next year. Unless we do something
about it (hint)
AgrEvo
has complained that government ‘openness’ has encouraged this
disgraceful outbreak of direct action. It’s possible new test farms will
be kept secret to ensure ‘safety’.
Rio
Grande do Sul, Brazil’s southernmost state and second-largest soya grower
in Brazil, has declared itself the world’s first GM-free zone.
Overturning a government decision to hand over the country’s soya
production to Monsanto, all agricultural secretaries of Brazils 27 states
voted against such GM commercialisation. The reasons, predictably, are
primarily economic- but encouraging: Brazilian officials reckon the world
demand for GM-free soya makes it a better bet than Frankenstein muck.(so how
long till the World Trade Organisation lays its Grim Reaper hands on the
state?.....answers on a postcard.)
More
than half the soybeans in the US are now grown with Monsanto’s
genetically engineered seeds and treated with Roundup herbicide!!
More
info on Genetics and to receive their very fine ‘Update’Contact
Genetic Engineering Network (GEN) 0181 374 9516 Email: genetics@gn.apc.org
CRAP ARREST OF THE WEEK
A
woman was nicked for threatening behaviour while dancing with her 18 month old
baby at a Newcastle Reclaim The Streets party. Being a concerned mum, she asked
to take her kid with her down the station, but was told ‘If he can talk,
he’ll be OK’ and was forced to leave him there. She was held for
(an illegal) 44 hour stretch before being released – luckily some friends
had found her baby at the party and were looking after him. Meanwhile, another
bloke was pinched for tying bunting to a lamppost.
SAB VICTORY
Two
hunt sabs were celebrating this week after being found not guilty of
conspirarcy to commit violent disorder at Portsmouth Crown Court.
Martin
Palmer (40) and Nicholas Checketts (39) were two of the 42 hunt sabatours
arrested in December 1997 after clashes with the notirously violent Hursley
Hambledon Hunt. Those arrested spent up to 36 hours in the cells, and had all
their clothes,mobiles and cameras taken. Then for good measure they all had
their houses raided. Nice
The
police set up a full time CID incident room operational for over 4 months and
involving up to 30 cops. One Hunt Sab explained “The arrests had more to
do with evidence gathering for Special Branch, Scotland Yards Public Order
Intelligence Unit and Animal Rights National Index.”
A
delighted Martin told SchNEWS to thank everone for the mass of support they
received before and after the trial.
COR BLIMEY SQUALLS BACK
Great
news SQUALL magazine is back next month. The new A5 16 page monthly
‘SQUALL Download’ will present the best of the regularly updated
On-line SQUALL at http://www.squall.co.uk/ We can look forward to articles on
US trade wars, pirate radio, Cuba, the shooting of WPC Yvonne Fletcher,
Freemasonry, genetics, cannabis, fast food, CCTV, the Exodus Collective and
much more.Subscriptions are £10 for 12 issues with cheques payable to
‘SQUALL’ sent to SQUALL Download, PO Box 8959,London N19 5HW. As a
certain person used to say, if SchNEWS is the tabloid, then SQUALL is yer
broadsheet.
WRITE TO THIS MAN!
June I8th prisoner CeeJay McBride is still inside awaiting trial for affray
– write to him at Prisoner DC8504, Kestrel Wing, HMYOI&RC Feltham,
Bedfont Rd, Feltham, TW13 4ND
CAMPS IT UP
A
new protest camp to resist a proposed housing development of 66 luxury homes on
11 acres of ex-greenbelt land is under construction at Hockley near Southend.
Seeing as the adults in the area weren’t doing anything, the camp has
been put together by a group of teenagers aged between 14-16. The site’s
next to a designated wildlife area featuring great-crested newts, badgers,
adders, shrews and more. People are desperately needed, as is tat. For
directions contact 01702 206181.
JUNE 18 - THE AFTERMATH
“The
demonstration signals a new era of violent protest which has implications for
the whole country and policing at a national level.”
It
was the worst disturbance in London since the Poll Tax riots), the City
isn’t best pleased and everyone agrees the police operation was a total
cock-up. So, of course, a report was commissioned, under former Met officer and
‘public
order expert’
Tony “
whizz-kid”
Speed. In his report Speed admitted that the police were all over the gaff,
despite this, the “
gratuitous
violence and criminality
”
is blamed on, surprise, surprise, the protesters. The City police
couldn’t cope with their use of high-tech resources such as bikes and
packed lunches, especially as their own communications system collapsed under
the weight of panicking suits dialling 999 on their mobiles. All this means is
that the Met will take over the City police, whose juicy fraud and
anti-terrorism briefs it has been eyeing up for ages.
Immediately
after the day, the media, police and government line was the usual “
violent
minority ruining peaceful protest
”
bollocks, but after Jack Straw had spoken to senior coppers, the angle shifted.
Basically, grass-roots protesters are being re-branded as “
enemies
of democracy.
”
The Lord Mayor has already described the protesters as “
terrorists”
and when Straw addressed the Commons he admitted that controlling groups “
intent
on covert criminal conspiracies is extremely difficult.
”
This allowed him to hint darkly about using F Branch, the MI5 dept responsible
for monitoring and infiltrating subversive groups. Last year it was announced
that they were stopping following commies, but would “
continue
to be interested in those who pose a serious threat to public order
.”
The spooks are probably involved already, since the definition of serious crime
that MI5 can investigate includes “
conduct
by a large number of persons in pursuit of a common purpose
”.
According to the City Police Commissioner, their intention is not to nick a few
people for kicking in McDonalds, but the “
long-term
attrition of the groups involved.”
And
that’s how suddenly a bunch of crusties became the biggest threat since
Hitler, inspiring Churchillian statements of defiance. People’s Champion
Jack “The Last” Straw again
:
“nothing that took place last Friday will remove the City from its
pre-eminent position as one of the world’s financial centres.”
Of
course, there was no mention of why J18 happened, namely the extreme violence
inflicted on the planet’s people and ecosystems by the deregulated money
markets of the City. Straw claimed that “
it
appears that the protests were linked in some incoherent way to the G8 summit
in Cologne. I fail to understand the direct connection.
”
There is, according to Straw,
“no
excuse whatsoever”
for
the £2m of damage done to the City on June 18th - but as T
he
Ecologist says, “perhaps if he took a good look at the wholly deplorable
and plainly pre-meditated damage that is being inflicted on the Earth by
minority elements of the business community, he might see things in a different
light.”
Although
only 16 people got nicked on the day, the number has risen to 43 - the latest,
a bloke called Thor, found 7 pigs - 2 of them armed - trying to kick his door
in. Unfortunately, Lambeth council had just reinforced his door, so when one of
the rozzers injured his foot, he let them in, only to be held down while they
did his flat over. After being held for 12 hours he was released without charge.
SPOT THE CONTRADICTION
City
Police Commissioner Perry Nove claimed there were two main problems: firstly,
the cops didn’t know what was going on ‘cos the protesters
unsportingly refused to tell them; and secondly they published
“significant information” on the internet before the event!
SCHNEWS IN BRIEF
- The same day Great Western Train’s were fined a record £1 1/2 million under the Health and Safety Act, New Labour announced plans to semi privitise air traffic control. There were cheers and congratulations from one side of the house, but silence and attacks from the other. Unfortunately for the transport minister Helen Liddell, the cheers all came from the Tories who thanked her for ‘sound capitalist and conservative pratices’, while Labour MP’s hurled abuse. Safety service being offered up for the profit motive! One MP stormed “ Who knows best? Those who have given us the safest system in the world, or politicians and a bunch of city investors’’
- Due to 85 year old Robert Leakey who confronted workmen felling an 85ft sycamore tree prodding them with his umbrella and walking stick and warning “I’m going to damage your equipment”. He then hit a workman on the shoulder who susequently wrestled him to the ground for possesion of the stick. Mr Leakey was fined £50 for assault
- Read All about it - “The poll-tax rebellion in Haringey” a booklet recording the history of the campaign that brought down Thatcher. £1 + large SAE to Haringey Solidarity Group, PO Box 2474, London, N8 OHW
SUMMER SOLSTICE 2000
(June 21 2.45 am)
The
authorities seem to be getting all steamed up about what might happen at
Stonehenge next year. According to the Salisbury Journal a ‘reclaim our
culture’ flyer posted on the internet, is being seen “as possibly a
thinly coded invitation for a mass breach of the security cordon”.
It’s so ‘thinly coded’ SchNEWS could hardly understand the
message - ‘Stonehenge 2000 biggest ever free party summer solstice
Wednesday June 21st.’ The police, who blamed this summers
‘invasion’ on, yep you’ve guessed it “a hardcore of
troublemakers”, reckon next year “the potential for violence and
disorder will be incalculable.” Which it no doubt will, if the cops turn
up in riot gear with dogs, horses and nasty looking batons again. But
don’t worry, the Journal informs us that “Already a dedicated
intelligence team...based in Devizes are monitoring all forms of underground
commuincation..to try to stay one step ahead.” Basically, the rub is the
authorities aren’t too pleased with their four mile exclusion zone being
ruled illegal, letting all those oiks get near to the stones, even touch them,
without paying a bloody penny. ‘We need new laws’ screams local MP
Robert Key because “the police must have adequate powers to prevent a
tiny minority ruining it for everyone else.” Now where has SchNEWS heard
that one before?
There
are regular Stonehenge Campaign meetings 2nd Sept and 10th Nov at 99 Torriano
Ave, Kentish Town, London NW5 2RX 8 pm (send SAE to same address for their
newsletter)
POLICE LOSE THEIR HALO
Halo,
the Brighton Homeless and Lonely Organisation has been offering food, shelter,
and a bit of love and care for Brighton’s homeless for the past seven
years. On Tuesday mid-day they were invaded by 80 riot police citing the 1971
Misuse of Drugs Act. The entire staff and clients were dragged outside, where
they were handcuffed and videoed with detailschecked to see if they were wanted
for any offences. Sick and mentally ill patients were wrestled to the ground
and pinned down while the police passed bottles of water amongst themselves to
quench themselves in the scorching mid-day heat. The detainees however
weren’t allowed a drink.
Out
of the 40 people, a mere 5 were found in possession of a few bits of cannabis
resin. SchNEWS reckons if the cops raided any pub or club on any average night
they would get a lot more of a substantial drug seizure.
PRISONERS JUSTICE DAY
“Woodhill
remains an environment that engenders psychosis and despair”
John
Bowden long term prisoner As part of International Prisoners’ Justice
Day, there will a demonstration to close down the notorious Woodhill control
unit in Milton Keynes. Opened last year, prisoners considered too “
subversive”
to be contained in the mainstream of the prison system can be arbitarily
confined in the units until they “
progress”
with the behaviour modification programme. This ‘modification
programme’ in reality means breaking the spirit of inmates. As Domenyk
Noonan a prisoner at Woodhill explained “
Prisoners
on A and D wings are treated like animals. They are fed through door hatches,
no access to own radios or drawing materials, half hour visits, £2.50
private cash; the cell windows don’t open to prevent prisoners talking to
one another; 23 hour bang-up, one shower a week. The list is endless.”
In
reality the control unit, is merely a big stick to make so-called trouble-some
prisoners keep in line.
”In
truth, Woodhill exists as an instrument of fear and political control over long
term prisoners, and is specifically intended to isolate and destroy both
individual and collective response”
.
John Bowden.
Demonstrate!
Saturday 7th August. Meet 1.30 pm at HMP Woodhill, Tattenhoe St., Milton
Keynes. Contact London Anarchist Black Cross, 27 Old Gloucester St., London,
WC1N 3XX Email: londonabc@hotmail.com
- Tuesday 10th prisoners from around the country will be taking various forms of action in solidarity with the prisoners at Woodhill, including 24 hour work strikes and hunger strikes. Show your solidarity by phoning and faxing Governor, David Yeomans 01908 501999 fax 01908 505 417. John Gaynor is the man responsible for moving prisoners into the control unit. Tell him what you think by phoning 0171 217 6319/fax 0171 217 6664 protesting at the inhuman conditions.
AND FINALLY
SchNEWS
has had to admit that we were wrong about corporations. We had some naïve
belief that they were more interested in profits than people. However,
we’ve discovered they
do
care after finding a website sponsored by various corporations that is
dedicated to alleviating world hunger. Yes, all you have to do is log on to
them, click on the “donate free food” button, and a starving person
in the third world will be given a day’s supply of food - how caring! Not
only that, but you get a free link to the sponsors of the site, who have some
lovely products to sell. This week it was all about back pain relief - very
useful if you’re starving. There’s only one problem - you can only
do it once a day, or the system may overload! So don’t think you can
bankrupt these nice corporations by clicking on 1000 times a day (although you
could get 1000 friends to do it once a day!). You can do your bit too, by
logging on at http://www.thehungersite.com/
However,
the World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed that between one-third and a
half of emergency medical aid shipped to the tent cities of Macedonia and
Albania at the height of the Kosovo refugee crisis is useless and will have to
be destroyed. Some cynical folk have suggested that the shipments of essential
drug supplies (such as lip salve, haemorrhoid ointment, and anti-smoking packs)
donated by pharmaceutical companies were done so they could write off their
gifts as tax breaks, and were not intended to help the refugees. What a
disgrace, as we at SchNEWS now realise that multinationals only have our best
interests at heart!
DISCLAIMER
SchNEWS
warns all readers not to play with their genes otherwise....oh my god
everthing’s blurring, it’s all going dark... Arrrggghhh!!
Happy
B’day Tony “Rebel” Green., Punk’s not dead!
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Last updated 31 July 1999
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