Home | 22nd September 1995 | Issue 41

WAKE UP! WAKE UP! THE WORLD IS UNDER ATTACK!

SchNEWS

NUN-SENSE!

Congregation of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God vs Kestrel, Alex and Persons Unknown

Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand, London. Thurs Sept 28th @ 2pm

It promises to be one of the most bizarre court cases of the year - and potentially a test-case for the new 24hrs-to-get-out or face jail laws under the Criminal Justice Act.

A community of travellers and homeless people moved into St Anne's Convent, a disused 100-room Nunnery, and have set up a crèche, a gallery, a meditation room, rehearsal spaces and meeting rooms for a host of local groups. But hopes to turn it into Britain's biggest commune has been thwarted by a Order of Catholic nuns who are taking the squatters to the High Court. Many local people have joined the fight. Donations of food, furniture, clothing, toys and money have been coming in from neighbours in Hove (actually). Even the local rag is praising the initiative as "well organised" and "effective". This summer the squatters had been forcefully evicted from seafront arches and had launched 'Operation Crusty' to commandeer the derelict West Pier to highlight their plight. High profile occupations of the Milkmaid Pavilion, the Putting Green and Bedford Square were short-lived before the move to St Anne's Convent.

However, the sisters, known as the Poor Servants of the Mother of God, who have recently sold property to boxer Chris Eubank, have issued the summons for repossession. And one local rent-a-gob councillor has even called on nearby schoolgirls to mount "a St Trinian's style attack brandishing hockey sticks" to get them out.

GET THEE TO A NUNNERY!
Sunday Service @ the Convent
featuring a host of top-name bands, artists, soundsystems, SchNEWS & Conscious Cinema
Sunday, 24th Sept @ Lansdowne Rd, Hove.
Please respect the neighbours!

* Transport is available to go to the High Court. Wear a habit! Call Justice? (01273 685913)

* The SchLETS, a continually updated list of derelict properties in Brighton & London is available from Justice? Fancy squatting on Tony Blair's street or a former Bingo Hall? Help and advice is just a phone call away.

* The Courthouse, which was opened last year by Justice? as a squatted community centre in Brighton, is falling down. Our on-the-spot SchNEWS reporter discovered that the US owners Alford Developments have left the 100-yr-old former magistrates court to rot. A third of the building is flooded with severe water damage. On Tuesday, the day of the anniversary, extra security were drafted in and a police van stood nearby - some officers checking out under cars for bombs! It seems the planning application to demolish the Grade II listed building and build yet more offices and car parks (put back until Oct 10th) - even if rejected - could be pointless. Only English Heritage have a legal right to enter the dwelling - let's hope they prosecute for criminal neglect.

WHO ARE REAL CRIMINALS? SQUATTERS OR PROPERTY SPECULATORS? YOU DECIDE.

* Sadness and melancholy thoughts all round as London's most vibrant and celebrated squat, CoolTan, moves out after three great years this Sunday. Named after a sun cream lotion, the Brixton collective housed the Freedom Network - who got much of the anti-CJA ball rolling - and a million wonderful projects in the former dole office where John Major used to sign on! The Voice newspaper move in from next door on Monday and may well find some party heads emerging into the newsroom days later after Saturdays final blow-out bash ("scuse me, d'ya know where the bogs are mater?"). Go pay your respects if you are in the area. SchNEWS sends warm wishes and best hopes to all who've been involved. Watch out for Greenland!

SQUATTERS RE-OPEN ABANDONED CINEMA

With headlines like 'Carry on Squatting' you could be forgiven for thinking you we're reading The SchNEWS but believe it not these were the words from the Camden Journal! Squatters moved in to the popular art-deco gem in the centre of Camden Town four weeks ago. The building has been empty for the past three years since it was acquired by a property subsidiary of Lobo and is now falling into disrepair.

A 'person unknown' told SchNEWS: "We have won the support of the local council, community, traders, taxi firms, fire brigade - even a local bobby wished us good luck on our way to the latest court case!"

And if the owners succeed in evicting everybody? A Planning Officer has assured the squatters the cinema will stand empty for another four years, with possible demolition after that. The next court appearance is Friday 29th. Meanwhile, enjoy all-night cinema and ambient chill-out cafe every Sat.

PENALTY!

Footie Fans have made a bold bid to knock the Hunt Sabs off their long running number one spot on the Arrestometer. SchNEWS has learned that since the CJA came into force in November Liverpool Police have arrested 68 people under Section 166. This section makes it a criminal offence to sell on a match ticket, even if it's at cost price! Of those arrested 49 were prosecuted. Mike from Football Fans Against the CJA told SchNEWS "arrests in football have been going down for some time - it seems only under the CJA is there a growth area."

NOSEY PARKERS!

The Assistant Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police advised councillors last week that he could continue to pass on details of the movements of travellers, despite the Data Protection Act. He told councillors that because the data was held on vehicles, not people, it did not break the law. Operation Snapshot has databased the details of over 8,000 travellers from the Southern Intelligent Unit in Devizes, Somerset, overseen by PC Keane. He was talking at a national meeting of District and Metropolitan Councils at a seminar in London to discuss how to deal with travellers following the landmark victory in the High Court last month. Judge Sedley had ruled in the Crowborough case that the Criminal Justice Act was 'Draconian' and 'unlawful'. Weary of the cost of further court loss, the meeting concluded it would call on the government to make amendments to the new law.

* The deadline for the Government's consultation for the introduction of compulsory Identity Cards is on Sept 30th. Get ready for a full swing to the right at the Conservative Party Conference next month - this project is Michael Howard's next Big Idea. An ID card could contain more information about you than the words on this week's SchNEWS - and you wouldn't be able to read it! Owning a smart ID card would be like carrying a sealed envelope with all your personal records inside it. They could be altered without your knowledge or consent. Already many senior police chiefs have come out against the plan. For more info ring Liberty on: 0171403 3888 or send £1 to Liberty Campaigns Office, 21 Tabard St, London SE1 4LA

GET HIP!

On the 15th October the Housing Information Project have organised a celebration action event to mark the 20th anniversary of the famous Elgin Avenue squatters victory and other housing success in the mid seventies. It will include exhibitions, films and discussions at WECH Community Centre, Elgin Avenue, Harrow Road, W9 12 noon till 7 pm. 0171 277 7639. They've also produced an action pack on the new laws. 20p + SAE to 612 Old Kent Rd, London, SE15 1JB.

SchNEWS In Brief

A Great Northern Land Action is being planned for late September with the location kept secret 'til the day. Be prepared to party with a chance to reclaim the land from some nasty earth rapists: 0113 262 9365

*** Plans to build a golf course and industrial park in an ecological reserve in Mexico have come a cropper. Residents occupied the town hall, seized hostages, pelted riot police with stones and blocked sheets with barbed wire in a 12 day protest. Hostages were released in exchange for the resignation of the mayor! Developers have said their plans remain unchanged but the new seven-member council which replaced the mayor said they would revoke the planning licences

*** The Great Party and Friends of the Earth are trying to get a Road Traffic Reduction Bill on to the statute books. This would cut 1990 traffic levels by 10% by promoting public transport and other alternatives, curtailing car-centred out-of-town developments and, if necessary, an increase in petrol prices. 0171 242 4474

*** Those on-the-case people at Road Alert! have a new campaign round-up out: 01635 521770

*** The Blue Route Action Group were evicted from their last squat on Tuesday after seven hours of resistance. However it's not all doom and gloom. One Blue Router told SchNEWS: "Costs of the security fencing alone has cost £1 million and security is expected to cost Kent County Council £4million over the three years it will take to construct the road."

*** On Saturday a small protest outside Canterbury jail where the country's first CJA prisoner (in remand for seven days for breaking bail conditions) resulted in seven more arrests after the usual heavy handedness from those nasty Kent coppers

*** 12 people have been nicked for aggravated trespass at the anti-Wells relief road site. No more details yet because some of the protestors have gone to the Lib Dem conference in Glasgow to challenge Somerset Council over this and other plans that contravene their party's national policies. The Wells relief road will take out three Schools and two playgrounds, (so much for the Lib Dem interest in education!)

*** Locals in Rochdale have been getting in on the direct action tip - to stop plans to re-open a disused quarry. The company promises 125 lorries a day thundering thru' their estate with tonnes of stone from Ding Quarry. Doubtless this will be wisely used on such projects as the M66 where opposition and protest camps are flourishing 0161 627 4862

*** Home Secretary Michael Howard's 'good news tour' reached Radio BMRB in Birmingham last week, but things didn't quite go to plan. As Howard went on air praising his own policies for cracking down on crime, the front foyer was burgled! Meanwhile in Plymouth. anti-CJA demonstrators shouted loud and proud and pelted his car with eggs!

*** Tony Rebel Green on-the-case handing Arthur "direct action is the only way" Scargill a SchNEWS at last week's TUC conference in Brighton

*** Illegal gatherers in court on Oct 3rd @ Salisbury Magistrates 10am 01179 653140

***As you may have noticed SchNEWS was hit with a bad case of spellitosis dictonairia (typing errors to you and me) last week. My personal favourite was "organsising a demonstration". Is that weighing up which is the biggest prick in a blue hat?

Inside SchNEWS

Six people inside on remand for their alleged involvement in arson attacks connected with the Shoreham live animal export protests are up for committal next week - 26th and 27th September 10am Brighton Magistrates Court - when a decision will be made to prosecute or not. Michelle Ratcliffe RL1456 an epileptic who has lost a lot of weight since being inside and being given cheaper medication which is not stopping her fits really needs your support. Please send her a card! Wing B3, Holloway, Parkhurst Rd., London, N7 0NU.

SchNEWS received a letter from Phil charged with riot at the Welling demo "It's an old story but if they'd put as much effort as on us into the murderers of Steven Lawrence et al, his family wouldn't be forced into private prosecutions." Because of time spent in remand he's out in a few weeks ."I know how much just a card. or letter can brighten up your day, and let you know you're not forgotten:' As a PS :" It's worth saying that hardly anyone who was properly masked up for the whole riot got caught."

The other eight people charged with 'riot' after the anti British National Party demonstration in Welling 2 years ago began their sentences - from 18 months to 3 years - on 13th September 1995.

The following people are all at HMP Elmley, Church Road, East Church Sheerness, Kent ME12 4AY: Karl Anacoura RN0599; Sanjiv Karla RN0598; Steven Kelly RN0318. The rest of the people are at HMP Canterbury, 46 Longport, Canterbury, Kent CT1 1PJ: Mark Gay RN 0594; Paul Gay RN0593; Charles Ryder RN0595; Russell Wild RN0597; John McFeely RN0596.

For details of support for their families please contact 0171 924 0333.

Kate Witham has been charged with £21,000 damage at the US Spy station at Menwith Hill. She could face up to a year or more in prison. Help needed for raising funds and networking support. THE U.S. GOVERNMENT IS EXPANDING ITS OPERATIONS AT THIS STATION DESPITE THE END OF THE COLD WAR Contact Kate/Rachael 01706 371387.

and Finally

Q. "So you don't want to see my bottom again Wiggy," shouted Annarita Muraglia at the bemused Judge as she hitched up her red floral skirt and displayed her naked buttocks to him. The outburst from Muraglia, 24, occurred while the judge was concluding his summary of her previous offences: "In December last year. you flashed your bottom, which bore the message Merry Christmas at a high court judge. You have bashed one district judge, thrown a telephone at another and at a preliminary hearing earlier this year, you rushed towards the bench and proceeded to spray me with green paint Some of it is still visible on my wig and my robe, despite my wife's best endeavours. On that occasion I gave you a chance to purge contempt, but you have shown no remorse whatsoever and even wrote to me boasting of your previous contempts. I am now satisfied that your behaviour was calculated to interfere with the administration of justice:" She was given 15 months for contempt.

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 sit at home, watch TV, and go on endless shopping sprees filling your lives and homes with endless consumer crap... you will then feel content. Honest.

Subscribe Keep SchNEWS free! Just send 1st class stamps (eg 20 for nest 20 Issues) or. donations (payable to Justice?). Mark 'Original' if you plan to copy: SchNEWS c/o on-the-fiddle PO Box 2600 Brighton, East Sussex BN2 2DX. Tel: (01273) 685913.

Justice? meet at the new kensington, kensington gardens, every Wed @ 7pm

SchNEWS is Free to Prisoners - just send us your address

Experience is wisdom - everything else is just information

SchNEWS, PO Box 2600, Brighton, BN2 0EF, England
Phone: +44 (0)1273 685913
email: schnews@brighton.co.uk

@nti copyright - information for action - copy and distribute!