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Story Links: Rave New World? | Crap Arrest Of The Week | Titnore Woods Alert | Draxis Of Evil | SchNEWS In Brief | Party & Protest | Gutter Press | Fortress Europe | ...and finally...

Uninvited guests in the shape of the riot squad crashed a free party in Chesterford, Essex over the bank holiday weekend. All was going well for the 1,000 or so twinkle-eyed party-goers until the Saturday, when hundreds of cops from five different forces surrounded a sound system and waded into the crowd with truncheons swinging. Some indignant punters defended themselves with sticks and, showing their commitment to preventing climate change, burnt out a cop car. Police claim the revellers acted “disgracefully”, going so far as to “attack police dogs”. Any one who’s been faced with a police dog will doubt the likelihood of anyone being daft enough to attack one, no matter how many drugs they’ve taken (not that the pills are any good any more!)

Contrary to reports in the tabloid rags it was heavy handed police that kicked off all the violence and eyewitnesses report seeing police beating and injuring dangerous threats such as young girls and people chilling on the floor. Out came the CS gas and many revellers’ Saturday night out ended with bruises after a battering, and a few severe bites from police dogs which had been let off their leads into the chaos.
A number of police and ravers were hospitalised and 34 arrests were made, but this was just the most brutal in a series of busts over the weekend. In Gloucester, cops used batons and CS gas to attack and shut down another small party in a business park. Farmland in Cornwall was sealed off as cops heard wild rumours that a vicious and deadly party was to be held there.

All this repression harks back to the (not so rose-tinted) cat-and-mouse days of the early 90s, when tens of thousands of ravers engaged in a weekly battle of wits with the authorities. The Criminal Justice Act was meant to be the final nail in the coffin of the rave culture but as last weekend’s events prove, outdoor partying ain’t going nowhere - despite the pub and clubs getting ever later licences. Free parties with loud music and ever-willing dancers are going on up and down the country every weekend. The mainstream media imagines, because the Old Bill have stepped up the baton practice and got more busts in lately (overtime drive anyone?), that this indicates some kind of ‘resurgence of rave’ – ‘rave’ meaning that tabloid catch-all middle England-threatening brainwashing-cult-stealing-our-kids invention all of its own.

In fact, shortly after the smiley-faced* Acid House craze, (way back in the last century) ‘rave’ mutated and eventually splintered in to many sub-genres, all with their own dress codes, drug choices and attitudes. The truly large scale parties of the early 90s might not have been repeated. However, large numbers of people who like a bit of uncomplicated partying to their preferred choice of repetitive beats have helped build up a regular rota of successful events all over the country, all year round. What has changed is the numbers of people these ‘raves’ now attract – smaller groups of mates with their own sound systems, sometimes teaming up with others here and there to provide their own entertainment outside of the corporate sector. As usual, it’s just taken a while for the media big boys to catch on.

Cue a headrush of editorials and feature pieces, as tired hacks (like us) attempt to reclaim their youth and analyse the current ‘scene’. The London Evening Standard even points the finger at your dear old SchNEWS, as one of the ‘radical orchestrators’ of the new rave movement – just ‘cos we had a listing for the Chesterford bash on our website (Cheers for the pukka plug, though).

Recent events would seem to suggest that the police may now be turning their attention back to the dangerous subversives who see dancing in a field as having a good time, rather than the dangerous, illegal and possibly terrorist activity it really is. And in keeping with their general ‘crackdown’ remit the cops are prepared to use whatever force they fancy to remain the country’s top party poopers (handy training for the riot boys dont’cha’know). It’s handy then, for the media to be full of the frightening rave resurgence stuff, helping build up another straw man which may legitimise an even heavier clampdown by police – well they’ve got to protect the terrified vulnerable public from this evil drug-fueled, rioting menace, haven’t they? For one forum site supporting DIY partying, see www.squatjuice.com

* Sign of the times: appropriating ol’ Smiley for surveillance-Britain’s ‘You are on CCTV’ signs – oh how they must’ve all had a such a laugh at that one.

Crap Arrest Of The Week

For failing to trespass.
A peace activist got herself nicked this week, outside the premises of Carmel Agrexco (importers of fruit from illegal settlements in the Occupied Territories). How? She was dragged on to the factory forecourt by an irate copper and then nicked for aggravated trespass! Whilst down the station, the cops found a banner saying “Carmel Agrexico profits from apartheid” and began a discussion on whether this a ‘racially motivated’ offence thus inventing the new crime of racially aggravated aggravated trespass. Wary of this legal minefield the plod released her four hours later.

Crap Non-Arrests

Meanwhile on the same action, those who had actually gone to the effort of d-locking themselves by the neck to fence panels in front of the main entrance found cops refusing to make arrests. It seems that Carmel Agrexco are a little dubious about the legality of their actions and are anxious to avoid any more embarrassing court cases (see SchNEWS 529). There’s just never an arresting officer around when you need one...

For more about this action at Carmel Agrexco see www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/08/349439.html

TITNORE WOODS EVICTION ALERT

Camp Titnore lost its High Court appeal on Tuesday August 29, despite the efforts of the Advisory Service for Squatters. The camp could now be evicted at any time, and Wednesday and Thursday this week saw an increasing number of uniformed and plain-clothed visitors come to lurk around near the camp, clearly set on intimidation, with bits of machinery and equipment being spotted moving around the area. With chopper coppers hovering above, it seems the preparation for an attempted eviction is hotting up. Camp residents are urgently calling out for anybody who can get down there over the weekend to do so. The more people who make the effort to help, the longer they can keep occupying the woods and prevent their destruction.

The involvement of Tesco in the whole building 875 new houses in a greenfield site ignoring the thousands of local empty houses needing-renovation scheme is, of course, well known but further evidence of their leading role has come to light. The eviction is apparently to be handled by the same two firms used by Tesco in its eviction of the Shepton Mallet anti-Tesco protest site, and camp residents were suprised to find that their legal eviction papers turned up in special plastic bags marked ‘Tesco’! Well every little hurts...

* By the way, the bailiffs (who refused a meeting with campers to discuss safety issues) are Sherforce, based in Braintree, Essex. Tel 0845 890 9205, email enquiries@sherforce.net, website www.sherforce.net – just in case you were wondering...

For directions to the camp, see SchNEWS 546 or www.protectourwoodland.co.uk 07804 245324.

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DRAXIS OF EVIL

“Shutting down a power station isn’t enough to stop climate change but it’s a start.” - spokeswoman for climate camp protesters.

Big up to the 600 or so residing at the Camp For Climate Action, on a squatted site set against the backdrop of the Drax power station’s enormous cooling towers in north Yorkshire (See SchNEWS 546). Drax, the biggest the coal fired power station in Europe kicks out a massive 7% of the UK’s megawatts and emits as much CO2 as a quarter of Britain’s vehicle fleet.

Initially the site was eviction-proofed with a two-storey tripod, allowing the swift development of a mini eco-village, complete with compost bogs and grey water system, solar and wind power and kitchens. During the week there have been 160 workshops, including planning and training for Thursday’s mass action.

On Tuesday, activists from climate change pressure group Reclaim Power blockaded Hartlepool nuclear power station, in Teesside, for ten hours. Locking on they successfully obstructed both main and rear entrances, unfurling a large banner with the words ‘No More’. See www.reclaimpower.org.uk On the same day a group of cyclists took off to the Selby town centre, where they held bike repair workshops and distributed leaflets.

Thursday was the advertised day of mass action at Drax Power station. Making an early start, several activists broke into the station and occupied a lightning tower all day. The majority of activists were met with a huge police presence drafted in from across the country in eerie echoes of the miners strike. People from the camp formed into different groups, including a Kids Bloc and obligatory Samba Band, who then converged on the police who were busy keeping everyone off the plant’s premises. Much noise-making, banner waving and locking-on ensued, with protesters reporting reasonable treatment from local cops and (surprise, surprise) over-aggressive reactions from the London Met posse drafted in. At least 38 arrests were made (8 for criminal damage and 5 for aggravated trespass) and eagle-eyed police also confiscated a giant ostrich - the camp’s mascot. Allegedly the Trojan bird was packed full of equipment useful for locking on - another great plan gone to seed.

The camp goes on until Sept the 4th - for more info and directions see www.climatecamp.org.uk

SchNEWS in brief

* The Mildenhall Peace Camp, which was set up at the Suffolk airbase as it was used to transport weapons for Israelis in the attacks on Lebanon (see SchNEWS 556) has been closed after a month. They are urging all to come to nearby RAF Lakenheath on October 1st for a big day of action at the main gate against the air-base used to store US nuclear weapons – for more see www.lakenheathaction.org

* Congratulations to SchNEWS writer Ade and his partner Karen on the birth of their boy Camillo on August 31st.

* Firefighters in Merseyside have begun an eight day strike against £3.5 million in cuts. However because of Army commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan, there will be no military back-up. This is just one of many strikes in Liverpool this summer – for more see http://liverpool.indymedia.org.uk

* RIP Ady Fox, well known protester from Fairmile protest camp and one of the last people in trees at Newbury, sadly died last week. For more info on the memorial being arranged email Rose at rosielealikeshertea@hotmail.co.uk

Party & Protest

Sept 3rd - Northampton Green Festival - A free afternoon chilling in the park with music, eco-friendly kids rides and free craft activities, vegan/vege food etc. 12 noon -6pm, Abington Park, Northampton, free entry, www.greenfestival.org.uk

4th – The two week trial begins for Paul Milling and Margaret Jones – charged with damaging military equipment at RAF Fairford during the invasion of Iraq in 2003, with a maximum sentence of 10 years if found guilty (See SchNEWS 557). There will be a peace vigil on Sept 4th, the first day of the trial at Bristol Crown Court at 9am. For more info email nabataat@yahoo.co.uk or visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bristolsocialforum

6th - Say NO to racism and fascism in Barking and Dagenham – a protest from 5.30pm onwards outside Barking & Dagenham council meeting. Since May’s local elections, the BNP gained 12 council seats – the highest number in the country, and there has been a rise in the number of racist attacks in the borough. Barking Town Hall, Clockhouse Avenue, IG11 7LU Nearest train/tube: Barking. For more email bdaarf@yahoo.co.uk

9th – Press launch of Faslane 365, a year long peaceful blockade of the Faslane Trident nuclear submarine base which will start on October 1st, 2006. This protest will be officially launched with a civic reception hosted by Ewan Aitken, leader of Edinburgh City Council, plus representatives from the different peace groups involved. The aim is to close the base and prevent the UK Govt from committing £25 billion to replace the Trident nuclear warheads. 9-10am, Edinburgh City Chambers, High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1YJ. For more call 07733360955, web www.faslane365.org

International days of action are planned for the 1st and 15th September, in support of the Saving Iceland campaign, working to protect parts of pristine Icelandic wilderness been spoiled by ALCOA smelting works (See SchNEWS 487, 506). For more see www.savingiceland.org

GUTTER PRESS

Four wheels good, Two wheels bad - at least that’s the verdict from Telford Magistrates Court who found cyclist Daniel Cadden guilty of “Inconsiderate Riding”. He got fined £100 with £200 costs just ‘cos he cycled home on a road as opposed to a parallel cycle path on the far side of a dual carriageway. The state of the local cycle network is appalling, with broken surfaces, glass and debris littering the poorly marked out lanes, which, as any rider with experience of yer average ‘cycle network’ will know, then bizarrely stop or have gaps in for you to figure out how to cross major intersections or roundabouts unprotected.

Daniel was stopped by police on the B5072, who maintained that the juggernauts thundering past him would be ‘forced’ over the unbroken white line between the carriageway and thus illegal. They told him he should be riding in the gutter – the space between the kerb and lane marking, less than 1m wide – which they incorrectly told him was a “cycle lane”.

When the case went to court, the plod admitted under cross-examination that it would have been impossible to overtake Cadden without contravening the double white lines no matter where he had ridden, even in the gutter – so they changed tack and insisted that as Cadden had the choice of a cycle route he should not have ridden on the road at all. The judge then ruled in their favour, ignoring all arguments regarding the condition of the cycle path or the fact that inconvenience to any drivers was extremely minor considering the major junction only ¼ mile down the road.

The case is being supported by the CTC’s Cyclists Defence Fund, an independent charity who fight for bikers rights on the road and help those needing a hard shoulder to cry on after falling fall of our biased car-friendly laws. An appeal is likely, and donations to the cause are welcome.

See www.cyclistsdefencefund.org.uk for more.

FORTRESS EUROPE

Titnore woods is just one small battle amongst many fighting the corporate interests that want to strip our planet of trees. Over in Belgium, a forest is being destroyed to enable the expansion of Antwerp airport and in protest against this, action group GroenFront! (Belgian/Dutch EarthFirst!) have taken to the tree houses around the former World War I Fortress in Borsbeek, and despite three weeks of initial logging, resistance remains strong, but there’s an urgent call out for help. The forest is home to a habitat of endangered bats, but according to officials, the clear cutting of the oaks in question is nothing more than a case of much needed ‘forest maintenance’. Over the past few weeks though, activists have been delaying the ‘forest maintenance’ significantly by chaining themselves to barricades or the logging machinery and by occupying trees using walkways, platforms and swings.

Not content with trees being dangerously felled only a few metres from protesters, health and safety concious cops joined in with pepper spray, and only backed off after the media took an interest in the aggressive tactics. Early on, the same cops got a bit excited when an activist dropped a hammer from a tree house and nicked them for attempted manslaughter.

On 1st September, the International Civil Aviation Organisation will determine whether Antwerp airport is ‘safe’ and, if there are still trees standing, the airport could potentialy lose its permit to operate medium sized jet aircraft! So more people are be needed urgently to help build more barricades, walkways and treehouses and of course to occupy them during the coming weeks.

Details on how to get there and what to take at https://ssl.direkte-aktie.net/cms/groenfront.php?itemid=496

...and finally...

All those continual carbon emissions belching out of Drax Power Plant have apparently gone to the head of one particular farmer in the area, who went out his of way – literally – to crush the protests. While driving his tractor, he attempted to run over protesters on Thursday during the action at the plant in two separate incidents. In the first he drove straight at a group of protesters and a samba band, while shouting abuse at them. They were forced to take sharp evasive action, before police shouted at the man to ‘desist’. Not content with that, he later roared up to the main gate of the power station, and bypassed police lines to charge at the Kid’s Bloc protesters. After failing to stop as the police waved him down, they eventually managed to stop the tractor by jumping into the cab, disarming him of a hockey stick he was brandishing, and punching him until he was covered in blood on the ground.

It was only then that protesters noticed that the police were on first name terms with him – and his dog! It turns out the coppers were using his farm to park their vehicles. Although the man was arrested, the hockey stick was thrown back into the tractor – as opposed to being used as evidence of violent conduct – while protesters had cooking utensils confiscated as possible weapons during searches. He was taken away without being handcuffed, but it’s not yet known what he’s been charged with - if indeed anything at all, cos he might just tell em to ‘get orf moy laand’...

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