Jyri Antero Jaakkola – February 11, 1977 - April 27, 2010

Loosely translated from Finnish:
“If by my own presence, I have the chance to prevent the violence; that would be the thing to do...” Jyri, in an interview before traveling to Mexico.

The 33-year old Jyri Jaakkola, a great friend, comrade, and ally of many in the environmental and climate justice movement lost his life recently in a violent and repressive attack on an international human rights and observation caravan in Oaxaca, Mexico. The caravan, which intended to deliver much-needed food, water, and other supplies to the autonomous municipality of San Juan Copalá, was at a certain point ambushed and fired upon; Jyri and Bety Cariño Trujillo were killed in the attack. Those responsible are said to be members of the Union of Social Welfare for the Triqui Region (UBISORT), an organization that has been said to be a paramilitary group tied to Mexico's Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI)—the party of the present governor of the state of Oaxaca, Ulises Ruiz Ortiz.

Crank up the volume and enjoy...

An action report as promised.
All cameras were seized by police - instead sketches have been drawn to document the action.

Click on read more for a detailed action report and 4 full size sketches.

Ecological Direct Action without Compromise!
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18 People from Bristol and Bath, have been charged under the Malicious Damages Act of 1861 after they blockaded the railtrack which carries coal between the controversial Open cast Mine at Fros y Fran, near Merthyr Tydfil and Aberthaw Power Station on Monday, 26th April.

The 18, who are part of the Rising Tide (UK) Network, were held for over 24 hours, and were only allowed a phone call after 11.00 am yesterday (Tuesday). The house of one of those involved was raided by 8 police officers who spent 3 hours searching their home.

Today, people involved in the Rising Tide Network have literally puts their necks on the line by chaining themselves to the rails in order to block the rail link to the Ffoss y Fran Open Cast Coal mine near Merthyr Tydfil. They are currently blocking the movement of coal trains from the mine to Aberthaw Power Station.

UPDATE - as 6 people are arrested, a second team lock on under the noses of police.

Guardian article about the action - click here.