Home | 13th October 1995 | Issue 44

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

RIGHT ROYAL VIC-TREE!

AS PEOPLE POWER WINS THE DAY

Monday saw a major victory for direct action after trees threatened in Windsor Great Park - peacefully occupied for the past two months - were saved from the chainsaw.

Originally an avenue of 300 year old oaks were for the chop - because Crown Estates didn't like the way they looked! The trees are apparently not in a straight line, which met the disapproval of the Duke of Edinburgh. He wanted them cut down - a fine thought from the man who is Chief Ranger of Windsor Wild Park and President of the World Wide Fund for Nature! He would have been able to do this as he has feudal powers of Crown Immunity which mean that traditional protective measures didn't count.

However on August 7 a group of protesters occupied three of the ancient oaks on St Anne's Ride - the area due to be felled. Workers who turned up that day were prevented from carrying out their job, and instead settled for an extended tea break and a friendly exchange of cigarettes! There followed an upsurge in public support for the protest, which was backed by prominent local residents and conservationists. They argued that the oaks, together with some lime trees, also due for the chop, are valuable as a stable habitat for the complex and diverse wildlife communities that thrive there. One local retired doctor claimed that the Crown Commission talked "unbelievable twaddle to justify cutting down the trees." Apparently, even old big ears himself Prince Charming wasn't too happy with his old man's decision!

The Crown Estate launched a review and the outcome was relayed in a press release this week on Monday. The 20 remaining oaks are to be saved, and 40 others are to be re-planted. Young oaks will be planted in the ride where 64 others had been felled. Campaigners and tree pixies alike were well chuffed! One of the pixies, Heather James, told SchNEWS:" This campaign shows the effectiveness of peaceful direct action by ordinary people. People who care enough about their environment to take a stance against destructive policies imposed for the sake of symmetry. Symmetry is a mathematical statement and has very little to do with nature, art, design or oak trees."

But the Royal Oak tribe added that they were unhappy that the Crown Estate have not given assurances about the number of lime trees that will be felled. They added that they would like to "seek confirmation from the Crown Estate that the trees will be allowed to live out their natural lives."

Nevertheless, this is a great victory for the direct action movement. More and more people are realising that their future and the future of generations to come depends on how we act now. Environmental destruction must be halted if there is to be any future at all!!!!

LOONY LABOUR

New Labour again showed their true colours on Wednesday when labour controlled Glasgow City Council gave the go ahead for a ten lane motorway thru' the south side of the city.

Ignoring their own manifesto commitments to 'an integrated public transport policy', councillors voted 9-4 in favour of the 4.8 mile road costing a staggering £250 million!

While Transport Secretary George Younger was telling the Conservative Conference "The key is not to build more roads but to make more intelligent use of the ones we have" Labour councillors congratulated themselves on 'a far sighted decision.... a bold decision in the Absence of a clear Government transport policy" using the same old tired arguments for giving the motorway the thumbs up - arguments even the government's own Royal Commission have dismissed. 

Angry campaigners against the M74 told SchNEWS "The council has not only stabbed the people of Glasgow in the back - but also in the lungs, chest and throat. The labour councillors main concern seems to be promoting tourism and big business rather than the interests of the people. Well we have news for Pat and his pals. Tourists don't visit war zones. The M74 will be the biggest embarrassment this City administration will ever face. If they want Glasgow to be on the European stage in 1999 they will have it - for all the wrong reasons. Instead the City of Architect it will be known as the City of Agitators. The only overseas visitors this city will have will be environmental protestors and journalists who we are now calling on to join the largest Scottish land agitation since the eighteen century." 0141 424 1797

* National Asthma week... 1 in 7 kids in the country now have asthma thanks to the lethal cocktail of chemicals cars belch out.

* In Manchester the new tram system (with a service every six minutes) has proved to be a winner. A survey has shown a 10 per cent reduction in traffic at peak times along its route.

* Brighton's Critical Mass seems to be getting right up the noses of the local constabulary. Last Saturdays bike ride attracted nearly 100 police including two surveillance units and a helicopter! Just how much was spent on harassing and videoing people whose only crime is to ask for car-free space and air we can breathe is anyone's guess....

News just in from the camp at the proposed Newbury Bypass Site - Possible eviction on Monday... They need people down there now... Especially as there is no camp where it looks like they are going to start clearing... SUPPORT NEEDED IMMEDIATELY!!!!! (01635) 521 770

GOB SWAB!

Britain's first database of DNA samples has "caught" its first crook! After only four months in operation too! Imagine the scene... Blood found at the site of an unsolved burglary in Derbyshire. Police take samples... and lo! The DNA patterns match the saliva of someone who'd been a suspect two months previously! The DNA database is run in Birmingham by the Forensic Science Services and stocked with DNA samples of anyone who is arrested. The police are enthusiastic about the case as it could mean that up to five million people, or one in six adults will be recorded and documented. And for those of you who enjoy the safe feeling this engenders, check this out... Cardiff police were hunting the murder of a young girl they asked every male on a housing estate to volunteer for DNA testing. Anyone who refused was instantly considered a suspect, and therefore compulsorily tested under - yes, you've guessed it - the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, 1994.

COPPER CAPERS

Our boisterous police force have been getting, a bit over-zealous this past week. One officer, thinking he was dealing with some scummy football fan, truncheoned substitute striker Kevin Phillips ran on the pitch to congratulate his victorious team! More police who could possibly be accused of taking their powers a tad too far, broke up a birthday party in Devon a couple of weeks ago. Darren and Paula Richards had organised an outdoor barbecue and disco for Paula's 32nd birthday. There were possibly a 100 guests at the party, with entry being strictly by invitation only but Devon coppers thought it was a bit of a 'rave' and set up road blocks and threatened to confiscate sound equipment! 

Not all the recent antics of the persons in blue have been entirely well-meaning. There's been a bit of anarchy in the ranks, with two Lancashire police women sent down for dealing E's, speed and weed to friends. Meanwhile Plymouth officers who were out racing their cop cars one night collided into each other and then to make matters worse, lied to their chief constable by making up an elaborate story about a car chase which resulted in their cars crashing. Needless to say, they were severely disciplined.

INSIDE SchNEWS

On 16th November 1986, Satpal Ram went for a meal at the SkyBlue Restaurant in Birmingham. While he was eating a group of six whites began to racially abuse the staff and then attacked Satpal, - one of the males stabbing him twice in the face and arms with a broken glass. After being stabbed he defended himself with a small knife (which he used at work to open packages). Satpal's attacker died after refusing medical treatment. During the trial, vital evidence from defence witnesses was not understood by the all-white jury as no interpreter was provided to translate Bengali! Most of the prosecution evidence against him came from the group that attacked. Because of bad legal advice Satpal did not receive a fair trial, the jury never able to consider that he acted in self-defence. He has now spent over eight and a half years in prison. His appeal hearing will be his last chance for freedom and justice. Picket the appeal court, Strand in London 9.30 am. More info 0121 507 1618

In December 1994 animal rights activists KEITH MANN was jailed for 14 years. His crime? Possession of explosive substances under suspicious circumstances (common garden weed killer), incitement (allegedly writing animal rights literature), economic damage to meat vehicles (£6,000 worth of damage), and escaping from custody - after 20 months without a trial Keith never hurt a fly, but his sentence was harsher than some people who commit murder. There is a demonstration on 25th October outside the Royal Courts of Justice. Strand in London (nearest tube Holborn) 10 am and his appeal is on the 17th November. If you want to help the Justice for Keith Mann Campaign write to 2 Mallard Lane, Birchwood, Warrington, WA3 6NZ.

SchNEWS IN BRIEF

FREEDOM NETWORK the people who got the anti CJA ball rolling have a new phone number. 0171 582 3474 (General) and 0171793 7343 (Action line)

*** 3 members of the Black Moon soundsystem, the first people in the country to be charged under the rave sections of the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) have had their case adjourned - again! Next date? 01298 27475 

*** McDickheads have as good as admitted that their food is a danger to the public. They've given £750 to a bloke who was suing them because he burnt himself with a hot apple pie.

*** Prison officers can now count themselves among one of the minorities discriminated against by the CJA. A spokesperson for Winchester Prison Officers Association said "It has taken away our fundamental right to take industrial action". 38 of the Act's 127 clauses are aimed at prison officers. Whether SchNEWS is shedding any tears for them is another matter...

*** Richard PurseIl, aka Fudge, got off court last week after being stitched up at the Reclaim The Streets action in July when the Met Police forcibly cleared the streets at the end of a great car-free day. He was accused of swearing and assault. Video evidence in the court showed however this was rubbish - Fudge told SchNEWS: "Keep fighting your cases, don't accept cautions and don't let them deter you from doing what you think is right" He's now suing the police

*** 'How To Defend Yourself In Court' by Michael Rankle is for people who want to take control of their own cases. Available for £5.50 inc.p+p from The Civil Liberties Trust 21 Tabard St., London, SE1 4LA

*** Wealden councillors who lost the battle to evict travellers from a site in Crowborough are to lobby the government for reform of the CJA. Despite being designed to be 'tough on travellers' the Act is having the opposite effect. After the historic High Court decision where the judge called the CJA 'Draconian and unlawful' see SchNEWS 38) councils now have to interview all travellers on site to check what education, social services and housing needs they have. As one council officer commented; "We feel the legislation is unworkable" Shame!

*** Another 8 pieces of highly radioactive metal have been found around the nuclear facility at Dournreay in Caithness. Workers were told about the radiation hot spots (now numbering 150!) and warned to keep well clear. Kind bosses have even offered to have staff homes swept for radiation!

*** While the European Commission has been warned that it faces the sack unless it takes action in the European Court to halt French nuclear tests in the South Pacific, Jacques Le Blanc, French ambassador to New Zealand, was busy buttering up local journalists. He told New Zealand's National Press Club: "I do not like this word 'bomb'. It is not a bomb, it is a device which is exploding" (!)....eh? ***

e-SchNEWS e-mail: Justice@intermedia.co.uk
Check out the new SchNEWS Web site: http://www.mistral.co.uk/cbuzz

Party and Protest

MON 16th Worldwide Day of Action against McDonalds. Picket your local store (leaflets £15 per 1,000 from Veggies, 180 Mansfield Rd., Nottingham, NG1 3HW). Demonstrate 4.30 - 6.30 pm at McDonalds HQ, East Finchley High Road, London N2 (E. Finchley tube) 0171 713 1269

19-29 MotorShow Mayhem! Ring Reclaim The Streets 0171 713 5874 for details of actions

19 - 20th Rural Issues Conference. Industrial Common Ownership Movement. 0113 246 1738

SAT 21st Classical Music concert for Peace with MANA (Musicians Against Nuclear Arms) St James Church, Piccadilly, London, W1 0181 455 1030

SAT 21st Reclaim the Streets in Manchester 0161 232 1598

SAT 21st Giant Free Party celebrating year of protests against CJA George Square, Glasgow 0141 226 5066

SAT 21st Artists for the Environment - Earth Love Fund performance, Colston Hall, Bristol, 01865 511 297

21-22 Campaign Against Arms Trade Student & Youth Gathering Univ. of Central Lancashire 0171 281 0297

MON 23rd Students Day of Action against the Hawk Deal 0171 281 0297

24-26 Meeting on Coastal Pollution 01531 890415

WED 25th Appeal for Keith Mann - animal rights activist jailed for 14 years

SAT 28th Anti-Corporations Fayre - Reclaim our World! Called by London Greenpeace and the Mclibel Support Campaign. 11 am - 8pm Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London, WC1 (Holborn tube) Stalls, discussions,workshops,networking, vegan food, creche... 0171 713 1269

SAT 28th Reclaim The Streets in Bristol Meet 12.30 pm Arnolfini, Bristol. Music + Street entertainment - bring a bright brolly!

SAT 28th Scotland's biggest ever anti-foxhunt protest 0141 226 5066

* CJA Birthday Bash Friday November 3rd @ Rocket, Holloway Rd., London, N7 8 pm - 6 am Benefit for Wango Riley Travelling Stage and SQUALL magazine. Astralasia, Children of the Bong, Immersion, Pain, Manumaya, Tofu Love Frogs, Citizen Fish, Back to the Planet, Pashm, Bellyvision, Doo the Moog, Tragik, Joi, Liberator, Sunnyside, DiY, Indisfunction, Tribal Energy, Circosis DJs, soundsystems etc. £9/£6 concessions... SchNEWS big birthday party on 13th Nov, details to follow... Everyone invited!!!

* Justice? Direct Action Conference happening soon (well December probably) Workshops - Speakers - Debates - Stalls - and anything else you want to see going on. If you've got any ideas, time, money.... then contact the office.

and Finally

It's guess the publication time... Bridlington councillor Malcolm Milns has criticised the Levellers for distributing a leaflet which gave information on cannabis and urged people to break the Criminal Justice Act! Councillor Milms told the New Musical Express "I'm a music fan myself, I've spent many a night on the pavement waiting to get tickets for the Beatles. When the Levellers played they distributed a booklet which incited youngsters to break the CJA. It also contained a page on cannabis, and I don't want young people associated with drugs. Most bands are fine, but some are very irresponsible."

* Following all the lovely lolly Justice? and Conscious Cinema got from the tour we have accounts available to show you all that we've not spent it all on beer. Send an SAE if you don't believe us.

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 shopping sprees filling your home and lives with endless consumer crap. you will then feel content. Honest.

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