Home | 21st June 1996 | Issue 78

WAKE UP! WAKE UP! IT'S YER SUMMER LOVIN'...

SchNEWS

ENGLAND 0
EAST TIMOR 200,000*

* DEAD

"Four of my cousins were killed in Hawk attacks near Los Palos. They are perfect for moving in and out of the mountains. They have a terrible sound when they are coming in to bomb like a voice wailing. Most people in East Timor know about the British Hawks." - Jose Amorin, East Timor

In North Wales last week activists heard the same scream of jets as Hawk fighter aircraft practiced low-flying runs through the Welsh valleys. Following the Earth First! national gathering near Llyn Gwynant in Snowdonia, 80 eco-warriors decided to turn words into deeds, and set off for a day of direct action against the British Aerospace factory at Warton in Lancashire. The factory is building twenty-four £13 million Hawk ground attack jets for the Indonesian dictatorship.

Paul from Earth First! told SchNEWS: "We have spent the last week in a beautiful part of Wales. The only interruptions came when the Hawk jets from RAF Valley in Anglesey flew overhead. The British government are not only selling these planes but are also training Indonesian pilots how to use them to kill the people of East Timor, a neighbouring country which Indonesia has invaded and illegally occupied, killing over a third of the inhabitants."

Governents worldwide are failing to prevent massive human rights violations across the globe, ignoring suffering in their search for profits. Last year alone the British government gave a subsidy of over £1 billion to arms exporters.

Pierre Sane from Amnesty International: "The international community all too often tries to wash its hands of these atrocities by claiming they are local affairs over which they have no influence. But who is arming and training those who commit the atrocities? The same governments who deny responsibility - China, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Russia and the USA - are busy promoting and organising the export of military and 'security' equipment to people who have shown time and time again that they use the weapons and devices to kill and torture their victims."

What about SDMS Security Products, who've sold Electric Shock Batons to 30 countries over the last 4 years? The batons are used on the genitals, ears, underarms and other sensitive parts of the body, and designed to inflict maximum pain without making the victim lose consciousness. In some countries the favoured method of torture is to insert the prod into the rectum. (Why not give SDMS a bell? 0171 376 4091). ??? Armoured Personnel Carriers and water cannons which 'can hit protesters within 30 metres'. They can fire high powered water mixed with various chemicals, paint and tear gas, and are currently being used against activists and protesters.

According to Amnesty: "The British government gives the impression that it is signing up to international human rights treaties, but when it comes to the export of torture equipment that act as sweeteners for big military trade deals, they do what they want."

In a country that accepts and actively promotes the sale of such equipment to overseas oppresive regimes in defence of global profits in the global economy, it can only be time before such equipment is used ainst active groups and individuals. The police response to Monday's action shows how seriously the British government takes perceived threats to the military multinationals. Small groups were ambushed down country lanes by tooled-up riot police with dogs, people were ridden down in the camp that had been set up, and some ended up in hospital. One man climbed up a telegraph pole near the base and raised the East Timorese flag. The police responded with 28 officers, two van loads of riot police, four police dogs, two police horses and two police motorbike outriders.... And if you think the general election will come along to save the day, according to the Labour Party Defence spokesperson Dr. David Clark: "A Labour government would definitely be willing to supply military equipment to Indonesia".

Shocked at such a response, SchNEWS contacted David Clarks' office to check. A spokesperson stated: "We're too busy at the moment to deal with such issues. As far as we are concerned there is no evidence that human rights violations are occurring in East Timor."

When SchNEWS pointed out that Amnesty International and other campaign groups seem to have little trouble finding evidence linking the export of military equipment with the deaths of over 200,000 East Timorese, the spokesperson stated: "We are sorry but we don't have access to such information."

* Four women activists remain imprisoned on remand after using household hammers to write off one of the £13 million Hawks at Warton. Write with love and requests for more tips on maintaining military hardware to Lotta Kronlid (VD0087) Andrea Needam (VDOOSS), Jo Wilson (VD0089), Angie Zelter (VD0184) at Risley Prison, 617 Warrington Rd, Risley, Warrington WA3 6BP

* Our very own boys in blue have been learning from torturers around thee world. Detective Chief Inspector Jobn Woods of the Met has confirmed that: "Older-style handcuffs were used to restrict the ability of a prisoner to attack an officer. The new ones [plastic quik cuffs] are designed to inflict pain to gain compliance."

* Stop The Arms Fairs where our government invites all its foreign chums to come and see all the latest ??? and nuclear death rays ??? Farnborough Arms Fair Mon Sept 2nd. Copex Arms Fair Thes Nov 5th. Details from CAAT 0171 2810297

Carry on Partyin'!

Are SchNEWS's favourite party-people busy destroying the countryside? Exodus Collective have allegedly held two parties at a Luton beauty spot in Combe Hole - an SSSI (Special Site of Scientific Interest). Damage is disputed - the National Trust told SchNEWS: "there could nave been some damage" . Nothing, we reckon, compared to the 1,259 SSSI's under 'significant threat' (of a total of 6,000 in the UK). So far the local council have refused Exodus applications for a meeting place, where regular raves and market stalls would help to pay for crèche facilities, workshops, a recording studio and a cafe.

If you do find yourself a free party here's some useful tips:
* Park sensibly, keep site roads clear
* Bury your own shit (take along a gardening trowel)
* Fires - use dead not live wood (it doesn't burn, in any case)
* Don't trash the site - take along a binbag
* Be generous - give a donation if someone asks you - the people putting on these type of parties are forking out cash so everyone can have a good time, and also risking losing their systems
* Know the law - get hold of a copy of `Sound Advice' from the Advance Party, full of spot on advice about the legalities of free parties. G'wan! Call 0181 4500929, or write with an SAE and donation to PO Box 3290, London NW2 3UJ.

Of course, SchNEWS is loath to mention so-called illegal parties - so what follows is a list of completely (mostly) legal get-togethers... if you haven't got the dosh, we suggest you get all athletic and pole-vault those fences. Otherwise keep yer ears to the ground>>>>

FASLANE FOCUS

Over a thousand people blockaded Faslane nuclear submarme base in Scotland last weekend for more than 4 hours. 20 activists were arrested for breach ot the peace CND peace boats took to the water in an attempt to gain access to where the subs are berthed, but were beaten back by MOD police, speedboats and launches. Faslane is the home of Trident, and the Faslane peace camp - a thorn in the side of the authorities for 14 years! However, a packed public meeting agreed it was time to 'change, re-new and re-energize' and turn the area into a peace garden. Local people will continue to monitor the base.

* As we are continually being told that the country's skint and we're gonna have to tighten our belts, it's worth noting that spending on keeping Britain a 'nuclear force' costs a mere £112 million a day. Trident alone is estimated to be costing around £33 billion - that's over £1,000 for everv household in the UK!

* China is expected to conduct another nuclear test any day now. Ring CND on 0171 700 2393 as soon as you hear they've done the dirty deed and fmd out what action to take.

STOP PRESS! Latest on where to party solstice-style ???. Since the powers-that-be decided that the People's Free Festival at Stonehenge was a bit too much, walkers have been leaving London every year to try to get to the stones. Latest news is that walkers are at Silbury Hill and Chardeton woods. For daily updates ring 0171 485 0694. Bands are also scheduled to be playing around Newbury Rickety Bridge, Tot Hill or Reddings Copse.....Happy Solstice.

PARTY & PROTEST!

JULY 1st Gathering at DunAdd, Argyll for 'spirit people' 01324 861627 (undead! undead!)

1-15th Tribe of Doris Drumming Celebration (£65/£45) 0117 954 0297

Sat 6th Gay Pride Festival Clapham Common, South London FREE

Trance Festival '96 Annual art and technology festival, Bordeaux, France. Call 0033 572 40112

Treason in the Park, Queens Park, Glasgow 2pm FREE...

6/7 Mela Festival. Bradford 01274 309199

Music Festival Mermald, Hedenham. Norfolk 01508 482480

6-13 Drearns, Visions & Sacred Time (Native American inspired camp for wimmin) 01884 881229

12-14 Larmer Tree Music Festival Nr. Salisbury 01722415223

African Drumming weekend in the Cotswolds 0l452 812983

Sat 13 Reclaim The Streets! Massive Pasty in London 0171 281 4621

13/14th T in the Park. Strathclyde country park. Glasgow (£45)..

Butley Music Festival, Suffolk

Sun 14 William Morris Festival, Morden Park, London (in aid of Merton Unemployed Workers Centre) 0181 646 7723

6th World Music Day (£10) 01743 365913

13/14 Butley Music Festival

18-21 Phoenix Festival, Stratford. A snip at only £65 from Mean Fiddler money-grabbers - jump the fence

19-21 Trowbridge Village Pump (£40) 01225 782647

Sat 20 Respect: Anti Racist Festival Finsbury Park, London (inc. DreadZone, Chumbawumba, Dub Warriors) 0171 467 1287

19-21 WOMAD, Rivenmead Reading (£44/£50)

Sat 20th Sunrise and Laughter Festival, Bury St. Edmunds 01359 221276

National Punks Picnic SAE 121 Bembridge Brooksdie. Telford. Shropshire. TH3 1NE

Great Brighton Water Fight North Laine 1:30pm...

Sun 21 Tolpuddle Martyrs Rally. Tolpuddle. Dorset 01202 294333...

24-28 Big Green Gathering. Wiltshire 01747 870667 (£37)...

26-28 Rossie Moor Free Festival. Scotland 01438 820910..

26-4 Aug Passages: Music & Dance. Somerset 01458 831485...

Sat 27th Summer Rites Gay festival Kennington Park. London..

Animal Awareness Rally & Fair Chamberlane Square. Birmingham 12 noon-4pm 01902 711935...

Sun 28th Rainbow Festival, West Park, Hull 10 am - 6 pm

SchNEWS in Brief

"Come friendly hike riders and fall on Slough" That well known hot-bed of radical activism Slough - is hosting its first Critical Mass bike ride on July 6th. Meet outside the train station 2pm.

*** Herbalists go hard-core. Nearly 200 herbal doctors were nicked last Friday when 2,000 of them clashed violently with police as they tried to storm the Health and Welfare Ministry in South Korea. The Ministry has now delayed measures which herbalists fear will hit their highly-lucrative business. Ahhh.

*** Britain's newest national Newspaper The Planet on Sunday, ("The Newspaper for the Future") has died a terrible death after managing just one issue last Sunday. If you blinked and missed it, it looked like the Daily Mail and read like the Environment Guardian with ethical advertising. Shame. RIP from us at SchNEWS

*** An investigation is underway after French police seized a pornographic film... and found their own officers featured in it! Officers spotted inspector Charles Sinclair directing a naked model at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, booked 'em, and took the film crew back to the station. It was red faces all round when the station's own officers were seen posing with the porn stars. The 3 coppers - two men and a women - had however kept their kit on...(Thank Goodness!)

*** Incapacity Action London is planning a picket of this year's AGM of the British Medical Association this coming Tuesday (25th) 11am. @ Metropole Hotel in Brighton. Its aim is to persuade members of the BMA to pass motions (!) to INCAPACITATE Incapacity Benefit and the "All Work" test and to oppose any suggestion or movernent towards the privatisution of medical assessments, planned for introduction next year 0181 520 4582

*** Any on-the-case folk, who want to help with organising a massive 'Stop the Clampdown: Reclaim The Future' carnival in London August time, ring Freedom Network 0171 582 3474 and get down to the meeting in London next Thursday. Promises to be as massive and large as Hyde Park...

*** Mick Marlow, banged up for 12 months for producing a book on how to grow yer own (cannabis) has had his appeal for legal aid turned down. Cash is desperately needed since representation at the High Court will cost £5500. Donations please by July 3, 1996 to TRICAMERAL SUPPORT FUND, c/o Squall Mag, PO. Box 8959, London, N19 5HW.

And Finally

Street Party fever has hit the Commons! Tory MP John Butcher has called for jugglers and acrobats to be allowed to perform on the central reservation between junctions 5 and 10 of the M6 in order to "ease tempers and prevent road rage setting in." In a letter to the Transport Secretary Sir George Young he goes on to say: "It can take anything up to an hour and a half to cover these 14 miles...there needs to be some entertainment for this captive audience". SchNEWS is looking forward to seeing the forward-thinking Coventry MP on July 13th for the London Reclaim the Streets Party.

* Meet Broadgate, next to Liverpool Street tube 12 noon, or contact RTS 0171 281 4621

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.

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Come old, come new! Justice? TWO YEARS ON @ Unemployed Centre, Carlton Hill ***7.30pm Wed July 3rd ***

Black and white hat of 'great sentimental value' lost at EF! Gathering - pls return to Justice? Taaaa!

SchNEWS, PO Box 2600, Brighton, BN2 0EF, England
Phone: +44 (0)1273 685913
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