Home | 1st March 1996 | Issue 63

WAKE UP! WAKE UP! IT'S YER UNCOMPROMISING...

MONSTER MUNCH

as Selar set to be swallowed whole!

The tree village at Selar nature reserve in South Wales was evicted this week after a three day battle involving around 200 police, security, bailiffs and professional climbers. The site was set up in May 1995 when protesters built a tree village on this Special Site of Scientific Interest near the village of Cwmgwrach, in the valleys of South Wales to prevent Celtic Energy trashing the site to make way for an open cast mining site.

Open cast mining is more profitable than the deep pit mining traditionally used but far more environmentally damaging as the whole landscape is gouged away until the coal is reached. This is particularly galling for the local community, as it is still suffering from the year long miners strike of 1984-5. Thousands of miners and their families in South Wales - the vast majority of whom have been supporting the current protest - were brutally oppressed by the police and state, simply for trying to protect their livelihoods and striking against pit closures.

The National Coal Board and Conservative government said at the time that there was no demand for coal, and that deep mine pits were uneconomical. So why this need to open cast if there is no demand? And if deep mining pits are so uneconomical why did Tower Colliery now a workers co-op and the only deep mine pit left in South Wales make a £3m profit last year? The minimal landscaping that is done afterwards fails to cover up the enormous damage done and whole areas are changed forever. The site at Selar - 88 acres - will be the biggest in Europe and will be visible from space.

There was a fierce battle to evict a similar site at Brynhenllys 15 miles away last October - this week they moved in on Selar. It was a completely full-on eviction. At dawn each morning they arrived and set to work for ten whole hours, with up to 18 climbers and bailiffs, cherrypickers and chainsaw crews. Safety guidelines were often totally ignored as tree houses were trashed. Yet again, it is a miracle that no one was killed or seriously injured. One woman was grabbed by a climber, and taken to the ground upside down.

Various ingenious schemes delayed the eviction. A quarter ton of metal was welded into a geodesic dome, which would have fallen apart if any part of it was tampered with - it eventually had to be lowered to the ground and the occupant removed. A net draped between the trees caused bailiffs some difficulty and one climber was briefly captured by protesters in the net! However by Wednesday the whole site had been evicted and another beautiful place had been trashed in the pursuit of profit...

There are numerous lessons to be learnt from the eviction of Selar. One is that the bailiffs and cops are getting good at evictions and we need to constantly be thinking up more imaginative tactics - an eviction team composed of climbers used at the evictions of Stanworth, Brymhellys and Selar, and under the command of Andrew Wilson, Undersheriff of Lancashire, has been established and is getting quite experienced at evictions. Perhaps the most important lesson is the need to build local support, involving more and more people in actively defying the vandals destroying our countryside. If we learn lessons from evictions like the one at Selar then the courage and determination of the brave individuals involved will continue to be an inspiration to us all.

Not over the MOON

Last Tuesday three people from the Black Moon Sound System became the first people in the country to fall foul of Section 63 of the Criminal Justice Act - and lose their six grand rig in the process - after being nicked at the ill-fated Mother festival in Corby last summer.

In a six hour trial they we're found guilty of "failing to leave the land as soon as reasonably practicable" after being directed to do so by the police. Two of them were given a £250 fine and the other £100 costs with a one years conditional discharge.

They were given just 1 hour and 40 minutes to pack up sound equipment, lights and generators despite being in different areas of a vast site at the time the direction was given! A copper also admitted to the court that it took at least 10 officers half an hour to pack equipment into a van.

Bruno told SchNEWS "All three of us now have criminal records and are thousands of pounds out of pocket, all for the crime of trying to provide free entertainment, on remote, disused land for people who can't afford to pay expensive club prices."

Black Moon are desperate to return to playing free parties and festivals as soon as they can replace their rig.

They are appealing to any sympathetic sound systems, clubs, lottery winners etc. for donations/benefit nights Gave 'em a bell on 01298 27475

NEWBURY UPDATE

It's a Thursday, seven weeks into the Third Battle of Newbury and the evictions have just begun. In the same week that Selar is completely trashed, the climbers move to Snelsmore - the oldest camp on the route of the Newbury Bypass. The bailiffs and climbers turned up at this beautiful camp at 4am (CHECK!) and within hours had sealed up the tunnels and cleared ground benders and nearby trees.

Weirdly, climbers cut walkways and pulled people out of the trees but didn't trash the tree houses. This could be because they didn't want to be too heavy on the first day as there was a high press presence. Or it could be so they can just move around trashing bits of different camps so protesters are spread out everywhere not knowing where work will be going on the following morning. Then again maybe, they're just stupid and they don't realise that if they leave the tree houses up, we will climb up them again.

Whatever's going on in their heads, the only thing we can do is
GET UP THERE NOW! 01635 45544

DIS-ABLE-POWERMENT

Everyone in society, save for a privileged few, are served up a pretty bum deal in society. Every week SchNEWS serves up a putrid diet of it. However, there is one sector of society who have to put up with all the usual crap, as well as a myriad of other daily mountains to climb: the 10% of the population who are disabled.

The Disabled People's Direct Action Network (DAN) raise the issues of discrimination, lack of provision and ignorance.

"Many disabled people have participated fully in the democratic process, only to be unfairly denied the opportunity of civil rights based legislation. They will continue to participate in non-violent direct action in order to bring about these necessary changes to public transport. This in turn will benefit all members of society." (DAN Newsletter)

The vehicle they use to raise awareness is the audacious publicity stunt. On the 11th March they are going to visit Tony Blair at Labour HQ (Walworth Road, London), and thumb cuff themselves to his cheesy grin. (or sound bite machine.) On the 29th-30th March is DAN's National Action for the year. Nottingham is a virtual "crip-free zone" as far as public transport is concerned. The action will have a Robin Hood theme, and if last year's action is anything to go by, it will be a great couple of days for all, disabled and able bodied alike.

The venue for 1995's Day of Action was Birmingham:

We didn't just stop a few buses and trains, we changed the perceptions of disabled people in the minds of non-disabled society. We showed we were strong and unified. A picture that is a thousand times removed from the images seen on the charitv posters We weren't being humble or grateful. We were angry and loud, and that angry voice shouting for its rights was ONE VOICE. It was music to my ears. (Paul Green, DAN activist)

The protests have been effective. National Express Coaches for one have approached DAN with a view to discussing how Britain's coach network can be made more accessible.

In the ran-up to the next General Election the main target constituency for actions will be Bury North, seat of Alistair Burt, the Minister for Disabled Rights. They are also targeting 24 other seats around the country.

DAN's merchandising is just as uncompromising as their actions. For example, they produce a poster saying: "I'm too sexy for a charity poster". Their "Piss on Pity' are a fine seller. Put bluntly, they don't take any shit.

1996 promises to be DAN's busiest year yet. Lock on to those buses, and maybe do a hit of fare dodging while you're at it!

* Contact DAN at 3 Wood Green, 3 Crawley Road, Wood Green, London N22 6AN (0181 889 1361). A list of local organisers can be obtained from them.

Cuba 4: USA 11,000,000

Four members of 'Brothers to the Rescue' (Anti-Castro Cuba gangsters living in Florida - no friends of ours) were shot down by Cuban MIG fighter planes in Cuban air space last Saturday. President Clinton demanded the immediate approval by the UN of a further tightening of the puerile, psychotic, hegemonic - inspired 37 year-old economic blockade of the island. After slight editing (removal of the really nasty bits), Clinton and the 700,000 strong Cuban exile community (ie. voters) were happy. Justice? Socialismo o Muerte!

Cuba Solidarity Campaign. Red Rose Club, 129 Seven Sisters Rd. London N7 7QG.

(SchNEWS will be publishing their 'Beginner's Guide To Cuba' in bits and bobs over the next few months.)

SIGNING ON (AGAIN)

Signing on has resumed at Brighton's Job Centres following the unsuccessful end of the strike by workers in 40 or so Employment Service offices up and down the country. But the struggle against the Job Seekers Allowance continues, now with stronger ties to the opposition on the other side of the counter. The movement is getting organised! Demonstrations are planned for April to coincide with the governments workfare (forced work for dole) pilot schemes. Let's make sure this experiment in slave labour ends in failure. Pencil these dates in now! April 9th Demonstrations against Job Seekers Allowance in London

April 13th Demonstrations in Hull and Medway to kick off a campaign to sabotage the work-for-dole schemes starting in those towns in April.

Party And Protest

WED 6th 9.45 hearing in Brighton Magistrates Court for those arrested at Valentines Day Reclaim The Streets

FRI 8th March International Womens Day 0121 235 4475/0161 234 3391

SAT 9th March Motor-car on trial! 01904415755

MSUN 10th March National Demo in support of Tibet 0171 3597573

MON 11th Mar Newbury Benefit at the Joint, Brighton DJ's Lettuce, Ugly Day & freakout.

FRI 15th March joint benefit gig for Justice for Keith Mann and MOVE. @ The Richmond. Frothy murmurs + Brian Wilson + DJ Chris Natural. Tickets £4 from JFKM or on the door

SAT 16th March ALARM UK National Conference, Nottm. info, on: 0181 983 3572

SAT 16th Green Student Network Gathering in Cambridge 01223 227187

SAT 16th Stonehenge Benefit Gig at Glastonbury Assembly Rooms 01458 834677

SAT 16th Fur Trade Hit! Meet 12 noon outside Hockleys Fur Shop Conduit St off Regent St 0171 8377557

SUN 17th National Animal Rights Coalition Gathering Conferences in North and the South of the country 01902 711935

MON 25th March l0am Lewes Crown Court Robin Webb and David Hammond A.L.F. activists arrested for alleged possession of a sawn off shotgun and 20 rounds of ammo (Bollocks!)

SchNEWS in brief

M66 - WARNING THIEVES IN THE AREA

Those evicted at the M66 protest were recently told that they could reclaim their personal belongings only to find (surprise surprise) that they were incinerated on a tip with 200 tons of household refuse. The following Tuesday they then received a letter stating that they had no knowledge of any items being taken. Tameside council are now suing the protesters for costs for removal of 10 tons of waste! The protesters are also suing but for £25,000 worth of stolen personal belongings.

A pregnant woman there had her caravan that had been crushed between two lorries and then had sledge hammers on it to finish it off. Amazingly enough she was told that it was still in good condition and could pick it up, a few days later they decided that it wasn't actually in that good a condition as it was flat packed ready to reassemble

*** Shell held a recruitment drive at Cambridge University yesterday. Naughty activists infiltrated and caused chaos. They were told to leave, and refused. Recruitment drive abandoned.

and finally

Do you know who we are?
Well we could say its been a little hectic this week but hey we here at Justice? can handle the pace. Just picture the scene - a few hours sleep after a rather drunken SchLive trip to the Green Party Conference in Dover, we decide to fax a few news agencies a story about Our Squatting Estate Agency. BANG! What followed was an avalanche of media coverage that should have led to us killing each other. And while SchNEWS has no illusions about the media that small five paragraphs of press release text has got squatting as a solution to the housing crisis back on the agenda. And as you would expect our direct deeds not words approach has wound up everyone from our rentagob MP and local rag up something chronic. We must be doing something right.

And here we are now in our brand spanking new squat. Walling for any of you homeless out there to pop in and get the low-down on the law, and find yourself an empty property out of the cold to rest your weary head. Infact anyone who wants to have a cuppa and a chat or get involved head towards the bottom of Bond Street/corner of Church Street. Seeya there.

CRAP PUB OF THE MONTH

Brighton Clamp down on lounging!
Whilst drinking in a near empty Prince George pub in Brighton Justice bod Chris was ordered by the landlady to 'sit up straight!' 'We don't tike loungers or slouchers in this pub' 'But what else do you do in a lounge bar other than lounge?' 'Clear Off'. Justice hod can now be found slouching in the Kensington.

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

Subscribe! Keep SchNEWS free! Just send 1st class stamps leg 20 for 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.

Next Justice meeting Wednesday 6th March, 7:30pm at the squatting estate agency.

SchNEWS is free to all prisoners - just send us your address

special thanks to Jarvis Cocker - direct action mate

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

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