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Published in Brighton by Justice? - Brighton's Direct Action collective
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Published in Brighton by Justice? - Brighton's Direct Action collective
ISSUE 310, FRIDAY 22nd May, 2001
SEND IN THE CLOWNS
"An anarchists' travelling circus that goes from summit to summit with the sole purpose of causing as much mayhem as possible" - Tony Blair. It's the Euro Big Top and the main attraction is 'mayhem causing anarchists'. Step right up and try your luck at the 'decipher the EU political bullshit' stall. See three protesters shot with live ammo. Applaud European leaders with their 'time to get tough' on protesters announcements. Boo and hiss the anti capitalist critics and ignore the mostly peaceful rally on the Saturday. Still, that's the name of the game.
Before the European Union Summit had even begun in Gothenburg police had surrounded one of the Convergence Centres - rented from the local council for people to sleep in, organise actions and take part in 'For Another Europe' Conference. One person who was trapped inside told SchNEWS "They barricaded about 400 activists in by putting up huge freight containers all around the school. They didn't let anyone in or out and said they would arrest everyone in there, which in the end they did." Inge Johansson of the International Noise Conspiracy added "Everybody involved in the protest saw this as something very provocative and it was clear that the police had set the tone for how they wanted the rest of the weekend to be."
After that, anytime people gathered to demonstrate they were either arrested en masse or attacked with police batons, dogs and horses. Some cops threw rocks and some of the angry protestors replied in kind and kicked in stores like McDonalds for good measure. But it was during a Reclaim The City street party that the police fired shots into the crowd - injuring three people, one of them critically. At the last update, the protestor was in 'critical, but stable condition', however there has been a blackout on official information about him. Finally on the Saturday 25,000 people gathered in a peaceful demonstration. But that isn't really newsworthy now is it.
WOT A BIG 'UN
From Stockholm came words that European leaders hoped would be music to environmentalists ears, with them boasting that Europe will become the most sustainable society in the world. There's just one slight problem with this - the EU's over-riding priority remains ever-increasing international trade and competitiveness. At the Lisbon 'Jobs Summit'in March last year, European leaders talked about "greater regulatory freedom" for corporations, asking the European Commission to find ways of simplifying all those bloody rules and environmental regulations that are burdening business.
Meanwhile, thirteen countries mainly from Central Europe want a piece of the EU action - but joining will come at a price with the Polish Prime Minister talking about selling "difficult measures to the people." That's because the price is all about getting their economies 'harmonised'; y'know public services slashed and privatised, dismantling social services, removing restrictions on the purchase of land by foreign companies etc. In fact you could call it the European version of the Structural Adjustment Programmes that is forced onto the 'Third World.' (SchNEWS 287).
Pushing for these reforms are powerful business lobby groups. The most powerful of which is the European Roundtable of Industrialists (ERT), made up of 45 'captains of industry'. Its former secretary-general boasted about phoning European leaders whenever he wanted policy changes and its web-site says "every six months the ERT makes contact with the government that holds the EU presidency to discuss priorities." They usually get their way. Take a paper published in the eighties demanding a tunnel under the English Channel, a roadbridge connecting Denmark to Sweden, a European high speed train system, and a new Europe wide roadbuilding programme. Hey presto - they got the lot.
Now they've got all guns blazing for "a minimal regulatory system with the maximum of flexibility." Which roughly translates as sod the environment, sod workers rights, where's the cash.
So when Blair goes on about this 'undemocratic. travelling circus' let's point the finger at big business pulling the strings behind the scenes and going from country to country causing mayhem in their quest for more profits.
* Keep up to date with European Union going's on with the excellent Corporate Europe Observatory, Paulus Potterstraat 20, 1071 DA Amsterdam, Holland Tel +31 20 612 7023 www.xs4all.nl/~ceo
* "From Seattle to Nice - Challenging the Free Trade Agenda at the Heart of Enlargement" by Caroline Lucas Green MEP. A4 SAE to 58 The Hop Exchange, 24 Southwark St., London, SE1 1TY
* To get up-to-date information on the situation in Gothenburg and the status of the wounded protestor, visit sweden.indymedia.org
* To get the latest on what will happen in Genoa check out the Party and Protest section on the SchNEWS website. * In the biggest action in the city since S26,700 people partied on the streets of Prague to protest against the privatisation of public space, against new repressive laws and in solidarity with the protests in Gothenburg. www.ulicelidem.cz
GLOBALISE THIS
Well kids, it looks like globalisation is here to stay. SchNEWS got the low down from a few "experts" on the topic, and here's what they had to say: Mike Moore, Director General of the World Trade Organisation reckons that, "Globalisation is with us. It cannot be uninvented." For Bill Clinton, globalisation is "not a policy choice, it's a fact." In the UK, Tony Blair has called it "irreversible and inevitable." And according to Renato Ruggiero, former head of the WTO, trying to stop globalisation is "tantamount to trying to stop the rotation of the earth." Um, excuse us? What is it with these clowns??! It's clear that these descriptions of globalisation are deliberately designed to try to stop us from analysing, criticizing, or finding alternatives to the phenomenon. But alternatives do exist! (gasp!) Globalisation is NOT driven by irrefutable economic laws; it is NOT governed by inevitable market forces. It has NOT happened by accident of nature or divine intervention. (No George Dub'Ya, God didn't invent free trade). To the contrary, globalisation has been driven over the past 3 decades by the world's leading business and government elites. But there are alternatives to environmental degradation, economic exploitation, and all the other "inevitabilities" that come along with the G word. You'll just have to keep reading the Positive SchNEWS column to find out what some of them are.
PLANNING DISSENT
In a week when Tony Blair complained about "undemocratic anarchy" on the streets of Gothenburg his own Government is pressing ahead with changes to the planning system to make it harder to object to things such as motorways, airports and nuclear power stations. Under new proposals ministers will have the right to give the go ahead for controversial projects with little parliamentary debate. At a public enquiry you'll be able to discuss trivial things such as how projects are landscaped, but not to discuss if it's needed. So you can't object to a waste incinerator in your back garden on the grounds that it is bad for your health and an unsustainable approach to waste management, but you can ask them to paint it a nice shade of green!
And who is behind these proposals? SchNEWS is shocked to hear that its Tony Blair's big business friends, the Confederation of British Industry, who have been whinging about the time it takes for projects to be approved. The Campaign for Planning Sanity has promised: "We will fight these proposals at the ballot box, in the courts, on the streets, and in the trees and tunnels." To get involved call 0161-959 0999, www.onlincam.freeserve.co.uk.
* The Government is also thinking about building new nuclear power stations to replace old coal fired power stations. Rather than putting investment into renewables such as solar, wave and wind power it wants to use outdated, polluting technology. The new planning rules would help the government push through the proposals against objections that are bound to surface.
WOMBLES CAMP IT UP
"Corporations cross borders all the time in search of people to exploit for profit and no one stops them. They call this process Globalisation. On the other hand, the victims of corporate domination are told they cannot cross borders in search of better lives."
While the G8 meet in Genoa to discuss expanding free trade and profit, thousands of people are forced to leave their homes and seek asylum just to survive. On arrival they get detained. Campsfield is the UK's flagship Immigration Detention Centre. Its inmates are escaping from oppressive states like Iraq, Turkey and Afghanistan. Opened in 1993, it is privately run by Group 4 for profit. A permanent camp (with the aim of closing the centre down for good) has already been opened near Campsfield and the happy campers have already made several incursions into the centre, but there is still more to be done! During the G8 meeting (20-22 July) Ya Basta! will open a "No Borders" camp in Italy. Here in the UK, The Wombles are calling for actions in solidarity with those in Italy and those locked inside Campsfield. Actions at Campsfield will commence on 18 July and will demand the closure of the centre. Bring your mates, white overalls, helmets, padding, fun, food, banners, tents, ladders, bolt croppers, siege equipment. Site mobile: 0781 3552570 www.closecampsfield.org.uk or www.wombleaction.mrnice.net
* Following on from last years 'Reshape Urban Space' event Edinburgh will host The 'Foot & Mouth' festival from 14-22 July which isn't to do with the mild illness animals get. The name comes from the idea they will 'foot it around Edinburgh' in a street party called Reshape Urban Space 2 on July 14th then 'mouth off' about it at Studio 24 for a day of workshops and discussions the following weekend. This coincide's with the G8 summit in Genoa and is being held in solidarity with the planned protests there. www.mouthoff.org.uk
FRIENDS & FAMILIES
In 1969 David Oluwale became the first black person to die in police custody in the UK. Little has changed since; hundreds have died in suspicous and often brutal circumstances. Oddly, no police officers involved have ever been convicted. Even when unlawful killing verdicts are returned, charges against the police never seem to follow. The classic 'he fell on my truncheon' must be a tired line now. So The United Families & Friends Campaign, have been set up demanding the police force be made accountable, as well as all deaths to be investigated independently. How can the police investigate the police objectively?
The UFFC are holding a tribunal (11&12 July) where the Government and police will be "on trial" for human rights abuses. The findings will be presented to international bodies, urging intervention and support. Tel: 07770 432 439. www.appleonline.net/justiceuk/jus.html
(I)RAMBLE
On Tuesday, workers from Tehran's Chit-e-Rey factory, once called the 'mother of Iran's textile industry', held the manager of their privatised company hostage for 3 hours. They were protesting at non-payment of their wages and the sale of the factory to dodgy private investors who just wanted to sell off the land. Hours later it appeared that their long struggle for $20,000 of unpaid wages and against privatisation had finally succeeded. This was achieved without a union and the right to strike or protest. www.etehadchap.com
* In General Mosconi, north Argentina, police broke up a two-week picket, with tear gas and rubber bullets, two people were killed and many were hospitalised. Demonstrators included the unemployed demanding benefits and construction workers demanding a living wage. The police entered the town and cut services like electricity, gas and water and access to the press, while they battled with civil rights activists. Interior Minister Ramón Mestre said that a "state of siege" could be declared in the area if violence continues. Similar protests were held in May and November last year. On November 10, a police crackdown on pickets in Tartagal unleashed an angry rampage by protestors who set fire to public buildings and looted shops. www.indymedia.org
CRAP ARREST OF THE WEEK
For being Foxy! A protestor dressed as a fox was arrested at Burstow
Kennels near East Grinstead in March for having his face covered. Within half
an hour more protestors were nicked for wrapping up against the cold and refusing
to unmask. The dangerous terrorists refused to subject themselves to catching
the flu and were arrested under the 'don't worry we'll keep you warm in our
nice police cells Act.'
INSIDE SchNEWS
* British librarian Paul Robinson was arrested in Gothenburg and has been charged with violent rioting and battery, which carries a maximum 4-year sentence. He's on remand in a Swedish prison pending trial in a few weeks. He'd welcome letters (please be careful what you say), and newspapers and magazines would be much appreciated. It's also his birthday on 4th July so send him a card!! Write to: Paul Robinson Goteburg Remand Centre (Haktet), Goteburg Polis Headquarters, (Polis Huset), Box 429, 40126 Goteburg, SWEDEN. Friends of Paul are asking people to email the Swedish ambassador to condemn the shooting of three protestors, and to voice concerns that Paul has not been allowed any telephone calls, has received no medical treatment for injuries sustained by police, and is being denied the right to change his court-appointed solicitor for one of his own choosing. Artem Chlenov is a 32 year old ecologist from the city of Kasimov, member of Rainbow Keepers movement and International Socio-Ecological Union, imprisoned in the Swedish city of Gothenburg after protest actions against summit of European Union organized from 15th to 17th of June 2001. He is accused of throwing a stone against a policeman - a crime which no-one saw him committing. Artem is known to be a peace-loving man who has never used any aggression. Email the Swedish Ambassador Mats Bergquist about these issues at: ambassaden.london@foreign.ministry.se, or embassy@swednet.org.uk
* In 1992 Eddie Gilfoyle was arrested for the murder of his wife. His case has been covered by Channel 4's "Trial and Error"programme , and the Cheshire and Lancashire police and the Home Office have all concluded that his wife did in fact tragically commit suicide. But last December he lost his appeal, and he remains behind bars. Things got worse when, as his case was being prepared for the European Court, his solicitor was sent to prison for stealing nearly £70,000 from past clients. His new lawyer Campbell Malone is calling for an overhaul of all the evidence against him. Malone wants to get campaigners and lawyers to unite to fight the injustice of the appeal court system. There's a public meeting, Wednesday 4th July 6pm at Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London WC1. Speakers include Michael Mansfield QC, and solicitor Jim Nichol who handled cases of the Bridgewater 4. Info: PO Box 1845, Stoke on Trent, ST7 4EG or email: Paul.Caddick@btinternet.com
SchNEWS in brief
- RIP. Andrew Wayman (Wez) died recently while working on an organic farm in Costa Rica. Wez helped set up Greenwich Organics, a shop in south London, and was involved in many actions and parties including Claremont Rd and Newbury.
- The protest against Countryside Residential in Hockley continues in cyberspace. The campaign and evictions have cost Countryside £3 million and they've been forced to sell some of their land to get some money back. www.plumberow.org.uk
- About 200 people picketed the entrance of the new MOD National procurement centre in Bristol in the first national protest against the purchase of depleted uranium and other radioactive weaponry. www.access.lowtech.org/collectableanorak.
- Calvin Klein was creamed by pie-throwing anti-fur protestors at the recent American Fashion awards.
- This Saturday (23) 11am-4.30pm 'Open Borders- Is it time?' Film, discussion, art, story telling and food. @ The Friends meeting house, Brighton followed by the 'Boombastic refugee party' @ The Joint, West street, Brighton. Carnival collective etc. 10pm-2am £5. Free to Asylum seekers
- Our long serving mail out crew need a helping hand or two. We also need people to deliver SchNEWS around Kemptown. So if you've a couple of spare hours on a Friday afternoon, please get in touch.
...and finally...
Last Friday some of the SchNEWS crew picked up the last boxes of our new book from the printer in East London. Just as we entered the 'ring of steel' near Liverpool St Station, police pulled us over saying that surveillance cameras, which check every number plate entering the city, showed that ours had a query. The problem was with the previous owner of the van, but before we knew it seven over-eager cops opened it up. Seeing the book with the word 'terrorist' on the cover and thinking they had uncovered some sinister plot, they asked if we were at Mayday. Getting quite excited they said, 'Did you know that under the Terrorism Act it could be illegal to be carrying such literature?' Urmm. Then they had an even better idea: 'Under the Terrorism Act we can search your van without reason'. The cops told us later that we had fitted the bill as terrorists - two guys, an old white van, boxes in the back, entering the city, and apparently in the four hours our van sat in Bishopsgate looking suspicious, there were 15 calls to the station about it! The City Of London is a security 'ring of steel' best avoided.
PS. A chance to plug our book again - get your copy quick before the office is raided. £8.50 including postage, cheques payable to Justice?. Just don't wave your copy around in the ring of steel.
disclaimer
SchNEWS warns all hardcore capitalist ringmasters, stop clowning around
'cos we know summits up. Honest.
Cor-blimley-they’re-practically-giving-them-away book offer SchNEWS Round issues 51 - 100 £4.50 inc. postage. SchNEWS Annual issues 101 - 150 £4.50 inc. postage. SchNEWS Survival Guide issues 151 - 200 and a whole lot more £5.50 inc. postage (US Postage £4.00 for individual books, £13 for all four). The SchQUALL book at only £6.50 inc postage. In the UK you can get 2, 3, 4 & 5 for £20 inc. postage. In addition to 50 issues of SchNEWS, each book contains articles, photos, cartoons, a “yellow pages” list of contacts, comedy etc. All the above books are available from the Brighton Peace Centre, saving postage yer tight gits. SchNEWS and SQUALL's YEARBOOK 2001 is out soon. 280 pages of adventures from the direct action frontline. With issues 251-300 of SchNEWS, the best of SQUALL, lots of photos, cartoons, subverts and a comprehensive contacts database. Copies of Yearbook 2001 can be ordered from SchNEWS for £7 + £1.50 p&p. You can order the book from a bookshop or your library, quote the ISBN 09529748 4 3. Available from the beginning of June.
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Last updated 22nd June 2001
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