Action:Confronting the fossil fuel economy

Rising Tiders from across the UK traveled to this year’s climate camp. Our first reaction – wow the site is in the back garden of RBS HQ! (Hats off to the people who took the site). The camp was undoubtedly smaller in size than previous camps but that was made up for in the number of actions that took place and the great spirit around the camp. We all got stuck in to helping the camp run smoothly; setting up, cooking, helping in the kids space, taking shifts on the gates, helping meetings run well, and of course helping to plan actions!

On Saturday we ran a Greenwash Guerrilla workshop and action where 70 people came along to find out more about greenwash detection. After the workshop people made their own suits, collected their detection device of choice and off we set for a test run. And where better than across the footbridge to RBS HQ. After we had managed to establish that the levels of greenwash leaking from the building were at an unprecedented level, the police arrived and under a section 60 power stopped and searched most of the guerrillas. Forward Intelligence Teams took photographs and we all refused to give our details.

Eighteen people from Bristol and Bath were in court last week (July 8) to answer two charges of obstructing the railway at Ffos-y-Fran open-cast coal mine in Merthyr Tydfil. Seven people who had chained themselves to the track and six who had been acting as support and legal observers all pleaded guilty to Section 36 of the Malicious Damages Act 1861, and not guilty to Section 35 of the same act (the section carrying the infamous life penalty). Five people including a legal obvserer and drivers pleaded not guilty to both charges.

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.

See you on May 15th!

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.

MASS ACTION CALL OUT

When: Saturday, 15th May
Meet: 1PM at Oxford Circus
Bring: a zone 1-2 tube pass, noisemakers, your friends & family and your dancing shoes. Oxford Circus meeting point map

Shutting down a petrol station for 5 hours on a sunny Saturday afternoon was so much fun we’re going to do it again. Shell’s Hell – in the tar sands and beyond - is next in the firing line.

Party 1 had Samba, twin sound systems, a live Ceilidh band, face painting, free cakes and 200 people. Party 2 will be bigger and better, with activists joining us from Brighton, Oxford and beyond.
See here for a video of Party at the Pumps Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=An6-tdxd12M

And for all you cyclists out there, there will be a special Party at the Pumps Critical Mass making its way to the party. Meet 1PM at Marble Arch (under the arch).

Get ready for sunshine, music, and dancing on the forecourt!