Antiwar Protest Updates From the UK and Ireland

ANTI WAR ROUNDUP         Jan 15 2003

Anti-War Actions Against The Military

Following a series of actions, blockades and 'civillian inspections' of military bases last year in protest against a war with Iraq, the trend is continuing, with more civil disobedience expected in the coming days and weeks:

On the coldest night of the year so far, the 4/5 January, a Peace Camp was established at Shannon Airport in ireland. The Peace Camp kicked off with a 24 hour Women's Peace Camp and quickly began to draw a huge amount of attention from the National Media. The Green Party and Labour Party members are both now calling for the suspension of US military use of Shannon Airport. Debates on the legalities of US military use of Shannon got an extensive airing on National TV and Radio, and ended up on the front pages of UK and Irish Sunday Newspapers. See Ireland Indymedia for full story.

On the 7th Jan at USAF Menwith Hill, in North Yorkshire, 4 protesters carrying large flags with 'No To Star Wars' printed across the stars and stripes, from Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases (CAAB) kept up a steady and very visible presence at the gate. The weekly Tuesday night protests are part of a campaign of regular gatherings at Menwith Hill spy station. In related news the defence secretary is today expected to make a statment about the american request to expand their bases in the uk for use in their new star wars missile defence scheme. When it was first discussed around 270 backbench MPs signed a motion opposing it.

On 10th Jan two Scotland based train drivers refused to move a freight train carrying ammunition believed to be destined for British forces being deployed in the Gulf. Described as "conscientious objectors" by a supporter, said they opposed Tony Blair's threat to attack Iraq, while an EWS spokesperson declined to confirm if the train had been cancelled or not.

On Saturday 11 Jan an anti war activist was arrested whilst blockading the naval base at Portsmouth from which the Ark Royal and several other warships were due to depart for the Gulf to take part in any attack on Iraq. The blockade lasted 90 minutes, from 7.30 am-9 am. The protestors who have all pledged to engage in acts of civil disobedience against the war, also tried to board several of the warships. One of the people taking part, Rosie Bremer, said "There is still time to halt this war and that's why we are here."

Also on saturday, a total of 9 arrests were made during anti-war demonstrations at a US Air Force-run military base in Norfolk UK. 5 demonstrators were arrested after gaining access to the Royal Air Force Base at Feltwell in yet another direct action. In addition, 4 others including a person videoing for indymedia were arrested across the road from the main entrance to the base. The protest succeeded in disrupting normal operation of the base. The base at Feltwell is run by the US Air Force as part of a network of "near-space tracking facilities", and plays an important role in americas attempt to militarise space as well as being used for electronic surveillance. See Full Story.

For more info see Stop The War Coalition website

ANTI-WAR PROTEST - CAMBRIDGE         Jan 11 2003

Peace protesters arrested at US airbase in Cambridge

Fifteen Anti-war campaigners were apprehended at about 11am on the 6th after breaking into the U.S. Airbase at Mildenhall, Cambridge. The campaigners were caught on the base's main runway after breaking through a perimeter fence. An MoD spokesman "In getting on to the site there was a breach of security” and they were detained by U.S. military police, who handed them on the MoD. No charges were laid, but all 15 released on police bail to report back in 21 days.

Mildenhall houses the U.S. Air Force's 100th Air Refuelling Wing giant. Its sister base at nearby Lakenheath houses US fighter-bombers. The two bases are among the biggest U.S. airbases outside the United States mainland and are regular targets for demonstrations by peace protesters.

Read full report

TRIDENT PLOUGHSHARE ACTIVIST DEPORTED         Jan 4 2003

British peace activist deported from Israel on New Year's Eve

Angie Zelter, a prominent nonviolent peace and human rights activist from Norfolk, was detained on grounds of being a 'security risk' on Monday 30th December when arriving at Ben Gurion airport in Israel. She was placed in a holding cell at the airport police station and told that she would be immediately put on a flight back to Britain. The UK intervened to stop the deportation temporarily. Police attempted to physically put her on a plane back to London, but Zelter argued so profusely that the flight crew refused to have her on board.

On Tuesday she lost her fight against deportation in the Tel Aviv District Court, where she was supported by numerous Israeli and international citizens who were threatened with arrest for trying to prevent her forcible removal.

[Report | womenspeacepalestine.org | tridentploughshares.org | rightlivelihood.se ]

CONTAMINATION OF GM CROPS         Jan 4 2003

Genetically Modified Crops Run Wild

The final report on gene flow from oilseed rape from UK Farm Scale Trials was published on 24 December by DEFRA and shows that GM oilseed rape (canola) interbreeds with conventional rape and weeds. Between 1994 and 2002, the government has run Farm Scale Trials to study the impact of GM crops on agricultural practices and on the environment. The results are what critics have voiced long enough: The GM crops interbred with other crops and with weeds. In this case GM oilseed rapeinterbred with wild turnip, forming a herbicide resistant weed.

Other cases of GM contamination are well known, but have often been considered as not scientifically proven, despite being peer-reviewed. The most alarming so far were GM contamination of Mexican maize landraces. Another example is crop-to-crop contamination of canola (oilseed rape). It became obvious when Percy Schmeiser, a Canadian farmer, was sued by Monsanto. Since then canola plants grew that had acquired resistance to three different herbicides through cross-pollination.

The promises made about GM crops are crumbling. By now it is obvious that herbicide-tolerant GM cropsactually increase the use of herbicides, and that for example Roundup Ready soybean varieties yield less than conventional ones. Only some side-effects in the introduction of GM soybeans like different weed management currently keep yields higher at some farms.

Environmental activists and consumer organisations have continued to raise awarness. For years actions to weed fields of GM crops or to block sowing have taken place, carried out by activists and scientists, farmers and consumers fighting for their right to decide what they want to eat and for an agricultural system where sustainable, organic agriculture is possible.

Actions are taking place worldwide: in the UK [ 1 | 2 | 3 ], in Germany [ 1 | 2 | 3 ], the Netherlands [ 1| 2 ], and elsewhere.

[ GEN | Norfolk Genetic Information Network | Friends of the Earth UK ]

ARGENTINA REBELLION ANNIVERSARY         Dec 19 2002

D 19 - 21: Global Piquet

On December 19th and 20th massive mobilizations took place in Buenos Aires, throughout Argentina and around the world, to mark the 1 year anniversary of the popular rebellion in Argentina ousting former President Fernando de la Rua. During the days of the anniversary, piqueteros, popular assemblies, cacerolazos, alternative media, and human rights activists reclaimed the streets for two days of non-violent actions. Reoccupied factories and cacerolazos called for actions to celebrate a year of grassroots organizing, alternatives to capitalism, and to continue demands for an end to a system generating a deepening economic crisis. For detailed reporting in English see our Argentina middle column; for extensive reporting in Spanish see IMC Argentina

FRENCH-BRITISH NOBORDER DEMONSTRATION         Dec 17 2002

Calais: Demo Against Border Regime

Calais, December 15. About 500 people from France, UK and the Netherlands demanded freedom of movement and humanitarian support for thousands of refugees left without shelter in the Calais region since the closure of the Red Cross camp in Sangatte on November 5th.

Britain accepted 1000 Iraqui Kurds and 200 Afghans on temporary work permits, changing their status from political to economic refugees. The remaining Sangatte residents can choose between claiming asylum in France and being deported. Refugees who arrived after Nov 5th are facing dispersal, deportation is likely. Some of them occupied a church and were forcefully evicted.

From January 08, changes in the asylum system will make it harder for migrants to enter Britain and stay. The demo was called by the Calais C.SUR collective containing 30 organisations, the unemployment group AC! and immigrant supporters from GISTI. Supporters included the French Green Party, Act-up (against discrimination and social control), and libertarian anti-capitalists. Barbed Wire Britain, the Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers and noborder London mobilised on the British side.

Considering the processing of migrants in the region, Sangatte can be seen as a laboratory of social control. Consequently, the demo coincided with a day of action in France against the new terrorism and security bills. Some people from Iraq and Afghanistan joined in, but most were too scared due to pressure from French riot police. Despite rain and immigration politics, the demo was a cheerful event, a coalition between anti-racists, charities, media and noborder activists, samba bands and some of the people who risk their lives to cross borders.

Pictures| Report|
Immigration facts|Right wing media scare stories|Situation of migrants in Calais region| Refugee Council: who are the refugees|carf info|Statewatch|noborder info| migration management info]

REGIONAL ANTI-WAR DEMONSTRATION         Dec 16 2002

Weapons Inspectors refused entry to USAF Fairford

Weapons inspectors were today refused entry to USAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. A good natured 500+ crowd sang 'let us in, let us in' to the tune of frere jaque outside the main gates of the Anglo American base. Later, 12 'inspectors' cut through the fence and ran onto the the air field. Fairford airbase is currently housing American B2 Stealth bombers in preparation for the imminent bombing of Iraq.
Reports: [ 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 ] Pictures: [ 1 / 2 ]
Video: [ 1] Interview with weapons inspector: [1]

Resent actions against the war:
Glasgow Anarchist Students have today occupied the main lecture hall of the Adam Smith Building at Glasgow University. They are protesting against the war, and demanding that the University cuts all ties with the armed forces and the arms industry.

A number of peaceful protesters tried to inspect weapons in Glenrothes, Fife, Scotland.

On Saturday night a number of peace activists attacked targets within the Menwith Hill spy base causing tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage. Saying "Menwith Hill is the intelligence hub for co-ordinating the war effort against Iraq and is totally unaccountable to people in the UK"

[ Gloucestershire Weapons Inspectors | B-2 OR NOT B-2 campaign | Yorkshire CND ]

AGAINST FORTRESS EUROPE         Dec 13 2002

Protests Against EU Summit In Copenhagen

The weekend of the 13 - 14 December an EU summit took place in Copenhagen, Denmark. A coalition of grassroots movements, trade unions and left wing political parties called for a week of mobilization against the EU summit and the neo-liberal politics of the EU. High in the agenda in the summit of Heads of State was the enlargement of the EU towards the east and the regulation of civil rights.

The counter-summit and protests envisioned a Europe without privatisation, social exclusion, unemployment, environmental destruction and racism.

For full coverage, eyewitness reports, photos and videos see IMC-UK Major Reports page.

[ Coverage from Denmark-IMC (eng) | Timelines of Events from La Haine | Campaign Website ]

INDEPENDENT MEDIA CENTRE ANNIVERSARY         Dec 12 2002

Three Years Of Media Resistance

Resistance remains global. Three years into our shared experiments in open publishing, a growing number of Indymedia centers around the world continue to seek out and mobilise media forms which can dramatically alter the balance of power between multinational corporations and grassroots community organising. With a bit of coding, some cheap equipment, and the commitment of many dedicated volunteers, we have set up participatory websites providing news and commentary in eighteen languages, across six continents. Our work extends beyond the bounds of the Internet, through local media production centers, radio networks, community newspapers, film and video. Here there are also now IMC websites in Ireland and Bristol, with many other local groups developing.

On November 24, 1999, a trans-Pacific collaboration brought Indymedia into existence for the massive anti-WTO Seattle mobilisation which followed the International J18 protests in June 1999. In the three years since, Indymedia's global network has grown massively, crossing national borders without difficulty. Despite repression and political targeting of indymedia across europe and the world, IMC activists continue to challenge information monopolies based on wealth and power. Now with new mobilisations like Media Democracy Day concentrating on media issues, this certainly is only the beginning.

We'd also like to extend a welcome to the new indymedia centers who have joined the network in the last couple months:
Ambazonia, West Africa; Andorra; Chile; Croatia; Idaho, USA; Istanbul; Nice, France; Peru; Pittsburgh, USA; Poland; Prague; North Texas (Dallas), USA; Sonora, Mexico; Tallahassee, USA; and Winnipeg (nb: IMC's without links are still setting up their websites).
[ Global Indymedia | Seattle Indymedia ]

VIDEO ACTIVISM / EUROPEAN NEWSREAL         Dec 12 2002

Indymedia Cinema Launch

SCREENINGS THIS WEEK:
>> The Other Cinema (Rupert st, London) will be showing the 2nd European NewsReal on Thursday 19th December.
Followed by a (cinema) day for Argentina 1-6pm on Sunday 22nd.
>> The Forest Cafe in Edinburgh, Scotland, will be showing Rogues, Rascals and Runaways on 19th December, presented by the filmmaker and a film about the financial collapse in Argentina on the 20th.

Indymedia presented the first of a series of monthly film screenings of The European NewsReal on Thursday November 21st at the Other Cinema, London W1. The NewsReal brings together short films made by video activists across Europe in a half hour compilation. It will be published monthly and people are encouraged to hold their own screenings. The NewsReal project is network for the regional production and screenings of videos covering issues ignored or distorted by the corporate media.

Screening of other activist films happened at the Undercurrents BEyONd TV 3rd Annual Video Activist Festival in November.
[ European NewsReal | Global Indymedia Newsreel | IMCUK Video Page ]

ANTI WAR DIRECT ACTION         Dec 4 2002

Die-In Blocks 'WarZone Whitehall'

On Monday 2nd December, around 250 people, including comedians Mark Thomas and Rob Newman and Euro MP Caroline Lucas blocked off part of whitehall in London from 11 am until 4pm in a nonviolent die-in against the war and sanctions on Iraq. Entitled 'Warzone Whitehall', the action saw people dressed as war victims 'die' in the road in several places with banners, sound effects and supporters. Towards the end the police moved more forcefully to arrest around 35 protestors for obstructing the highway. Read full report; also see pre-event press release.

The action involved groups like ARROW (Active Resistance to the Roots Of War) and Iraqi sanctions busting group Voices (In the Wilderness UK). Richard Byrne, Voices spokesperson said, "This is just the start. 2000 people in the UK have signed a pledge to engage in civil disobedience if this war starts". The action also came as anti-war and peace groups step up their campaign against militarism, with more events planned including 'Embrace the Base', a women's protest at spy base Menwith Hill on 12 December with a 'Blockade the Base' action the following day supported by CND (Menwith Hill will be central to the new planned US missile defence shield scheme); a Mass Weaptons Inspection of USAF Fairford on 14th December, and a Mass Nonviolent Blockade of Northwood Military Base in London on the Gulf war anniversary in January.

[Pictures 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5] [video]
[More reports ARROW , BBC via MWAW , CamSAW Press Release ]