Rich avoid £25 Billion in Tax. This could cover all the cuts this year.
Class action.Stop the cuts.
Sunday, 30 September 2012
Roads to Nowhere | Campaign for Better Transport
Roads to Nowhere
We’re calling for greener, cheaper alternatives to road-building…We know that new roads don’t solve people’s transport problems. Instead, road-building generates even more traffic, damages the countryside, adds to climate change and makes cities, towns and villages less pleasant places to live for everyone.
Current road-building proposals:
Roads to Nowhere | Campaign for Better Transport
Twyford Down's Dongas return 20 years after M3 protest | World news | guardian.co.uk
They called themselves Dongas, lived outdoors through a bitter
winter, threw themselves in front of bulldozers, got beaten up by
security guards and sent to prison, and eventually failed to stop the M3
being carved through chalk downland outside Winchester. But the 15-20
urban youths who camped out to try to defend Twyford Down in 1992 are recognised to have fired up British environmental protest and kickstarted a major shift in green attitudes in both government and the public.
On Saturday, some of the Donga "tribe" – named after the Matabele word for gully, which had been given by local people to hollows above Winchester – return to the scarred hillside with hundreds of others to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the protest with a night under a full moon. They warn that the 40 or so new road schemes planned by the government will increase traffic and add to environmental destruction and carbon emissions.
They will barely recognise Twyford Down, but they accept that they too have visually changed. Instead of grungy, unemployed kids with painted faces living in squalor, most have settled down, got "proper jobs" and have married. A few have died, others are musicians, and some are professional environmental campaigners.
The downland was one of Britain's most ancient, protected landscapes, but the Conservative government of the time was prepared to sacrifice it to save motorists an estimated three minutes on the road between London and Southampton, says Becca Lush, now a mother and pillar of the corporate establishment with a cosmetics company. In 1993 she was one of seven Twyford protesters sent to prison for breaking an injunction. "We didn't know what the fuck we were doing, only that we were doing something."
"We were totally naive. We thought we would just go there and save the hill," said Alexandra Plows, now a researcher at Bangor University, who recalls how the Dongas tried everything from casting magic spells and running around naked in front of the security guards, to enacting rituals and playing music to keep the road builders away.
"I was very much on a spiritual warrior quest then. We would weave spells, use chants, incantations and rituals. Protection spells for the Down were made up on the spot during drumming and chanting sessions," she said. "We had some excellent big rituals and parties."
Much of the £12bn road programme planned by the Thatcher government in the 1980s was later abandonned as a direct result of the many road protests that followed Twyford, but the coalition is planning to build hundreds of miles of new roads, says the Campaign for Better Transport (CBT).
"They are being planned despite evidence that new roads generate more traffic and congestion and emissions. Government and local councils want to spend billions of pounds on dozens of new roads over the next few years, and new 'growth' funds and devolved spending powers for local councils threaten to add more projects to this list," said a CBT spokesman.
Of the new schemes approved in the budget by the Department of Transport, the £100m Bexhill-Hastings Link Road (BHLR) planned to start in the new year, is expected to have the most traffic, and therefore highest carbon emissions. "Runaway climate change is one of the greatest threats we face. Yet the government are sponsoring a new wave of road-building across the country, using money that would be much better spent on improving public transport," said Abby Nicol, a spokesperson for the Combe Haven Defenders, who have organised a protest camp near Hastings.
The Dongas say they have been proved right. "Everything that we warned people about 20 years ago is now happening. I remember sitting around the fire and saying that if we did not act, there would be no ice left and great changes in the weather. Well it's here now," said Plows.
Twyford Down's Dongas return 20 years after M3 protest | World news | guardian.co.uk
On Saturday, some of the Donga "tribe" – named after the Matabele word for gully, which had been given by local people to hollows above Winchester – return to the scarred hillside with hundreds of others to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the protest with a night under a full moon. They warn that the 40 or so new road schemes planned by the government will increase traffic and add to environmental destruction and carbon emissions.
They will barely recognise Twyford Down, but they accept that they too have visually changed. Instead of grungy, unemployed kids with painted faces living in squalor, most have settled down, got "proper jobs" and have married. A few have died, others are musicians, and some are professional environmental campaigners.
The downland was one of Britain's most ancient, protected landscapes, but the Conservative government of the time was prepared to sacrifice it to save motorists an estimated three minutes on the road between London and Southampton, says Becca Lush, now a mother and pillar of the corporate establishment with a cosmetics company. In 1993 she was one of seven Twyford protesters sent to prison for breaking an injunction. "We didn't know what the fuck we were doing, only that we were doing something."
"We were totally naive. We thought we would just go there and save the hill," said Alexandra Plows, now a researcher at Bangor University, who recalls how the Dongas tried everything from casting magic spells and running around naked in front of the security guards, to enacting rituals and playing music to keep the road builders away.
"I was very much on a spiritual warrior quest then. We would weave spells, use chants, incantations and rituals. Protection spells for the Down were made up on the spot during drumming and chanting sessions," she said. "We had some excellent big rituals and parties."
Much of the £12bn road programme planned by the Thatcher government in the 1980s was later abandonned as a direct result of the many road protests that followed Twyford, but the coalition is planning to build hundreds of miles of new roads, says the Campaign for Better Transport (CBT).
"They are being planned despite evidence that new roads generate more traffic and congestion and emissions. Government and local councils want to spend billions of pounds on dozens of new roads over the next few years, and new 'growth' funds and devolved spending powers for local councils threaten to add more projects to this list," said a CBT spokesman.
Of the new schemes approved in the budget by the Department of Transport, the £100m Bexhill-Hastings Link Road (BHLR) planned to start in the new year, is expected to have the most traffic, and therefore highest carbon emissions. "Runaway climate change is one of the greatest threats we face. Yet the government are sponsoring a new wave of road-building across the country, using money that would be much better spent on improving public transport," said Abby Nicol, a spokesperson for the Combe Haven Defenders, who have organised a protest camp near Hastings.
The Dongas say they have been proved right. "Everything that we warned people about 20 years ago is now happening. I remember sitting around the fire and saying that if we did not act, there would be no ice left and great changes in the weather. Well it's here now," said Plows.
Saturday, 29 September 2012
Green party Jenny jones supports Barnet occupied library
The Green Party is fully supportive of the newly opened library
This statement was issued by our GLA representative Jenny Jones AM:
STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE REOPENED FRIERN BARNET LIBRARY
As a group of Occupy activists reopen the closed Friern Barnet Library, Green Party Assembly Member Jenny Jones said:
"It's marvellous that Friern Barnet Library is open again and serving the local community in spite of Council cuts. The library was closed by Barnet Council in July, in the teeth of a mighty local campaign to keep it open. Now it's been reopened by an Occupy group.
The local people are delighted to have their library back. Activists and local volunteers are keeping the library open six days a week, and local people are streaming in to borrow and donate books, and for a rolling programme of activities including writing, yoga, foreign language conversation, talks and music.
One of the highlights of this last year for me was the night I camped with the Occupy campaign at St Paul's. Occupy breathes life into the hopes of many people not to lose their communal heritage and assets, and gives elected councillors and other politicians pause for thought as they consider the costs of austerity."
This statement was issued by our GLA representative Jenny Jones AM:
STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE REOPENED FRIERN BARNET LIBRARY
As a group of Occupy activists reopen the closed Friern Barnet Library, Green Party Assembly Member Jenny Jones said:
"It's marvellous that Friern Barnet Library is open again and serving the local community in spite of Council cuts. The library was closed by Barnet Council in July, in the teeth of a mighty local campaign to keep it open. Now it's been reopened by an Occupy group.
The local people are delighted to have their library back. Activists and local volunteers are keeping the library open six days a week, and local people are streaming in to borrow and donate books, and for a rolling programme of activities including writing, yoga, foreign language conversation, talks and music.
One of the highlights of this last year for me was the night I camped with the Occupy campaign at St Paul's. Occupy breathes life into the hopes of many people not to lose their communal heritage and assets, and gives elected councillors and other politicians pause for thought as they consider the costs of austerity."
Friday, 28 September 2012
Portugal stage biggest protest since 1974 revolution whilst international mainstream media ignores it.Agressão PSP Manifestação 15Set.mp4
http://occupynewsnetwork.co.uk/portugal-stage-biggest-protest-since-1974-revolution-whilst-international-mainstream-media-ignores-it/
Spiritual Sunday at the garden centre
Spiritual Sunday! From 12-9, dynamic yoga meditation, laughter yoga, ultralunch, neuromatic massage, breathing techniques, gong ceremony, heartchants, yay! 1 Rochester square, NW19SD, nr Camden Road Station. Also, 2mro @ famous Friern Barnet squ-Library on Friern Barnet Road spoken word workshop with professional performance poets 4-6.30 + open mic/jam session 7-10. Bring instruments, poems, good vibrations. N11 3DS. Nr Arnos Grove tube, bus 43
Mass squatting Demo Brighton October 13 Demo… | SNOB(AHA)
WHATEVER THEY SAY, SQUATTING WILL STAY!
We will resist the squatting ban by any means necessary.
The Squatter’s Network of Brighton is calling for a Mass Squatting Action
on October 13th to resist the new anti-squatting laws. This act is
draconian, unworkable, an attack on our way of living and some of
the most vulnerable in our society. We will not take it lying down.
Around the UK, while increasing numbers are forced to sleep on the
streets, hundreds of thousands of properties are lying empty, decaying and
derelict. We watch property tycoons, speculators and corrupt landlords get
richer, whilst housing benefit is cut and rent goes up.
The UK is facing a massive housing crisis only made worse by the Tory
government, and we – the homeless and insecurely housed – will not stand
for it any more.
As both the birthplace of the bill, and as one of the places where
affordable houses are most difficult to come by, Brighton and Hove has a
special significance in the national and international struggles for the
right to home.
They take our houses, so we’ll take their city!
Everyone to the streets!
Oct 13th, 2pm
Victoria Square Gardens, Brighton
SNOB: www.network23.org/snob
Twitter: www.twitter.com/snobaha
October 13 Demo… | SNOB(AHA)We will resist the squatting ban by any means necessary.
The Squatter’s Network of Brighton is calling for a Mass Squatting Action
on October 13th to resist the new anti-squatting laws. This act is
draconian, unworkable, an attack on our way of living and some of
the most vulnerable in our society. We will not take it lying down.
Around the UK, while increasing numbers are forced to sleep on the
streets, hundreds of thousands of properties are lying empty, decaying and
derelict. We watch property tycoons, speculators and corrupt landlords get
richer, whilst housing benefit is cut and rent goes up.
The UK is facing a massive housing crisis only made worse by the Tory
government, and we – the homeless and insecurely housed – will not stand
for it any more.
As both the birthplace of the bill, and as one of the places where
affordable houses are most difficult to come by, Brighton and Hove has a
special significance in the national and international struggles for the
right to home.
They take our houses, so we’ll take their city!
Everyone to the streets!
Oct 13th, 2pm
Victoria Square Gardens, Brighton
SNOB: www.network23.org/snob
Twitter: www.twitter.com/snobaha
Spanish returning to surround Parliament again on Saturday occupynewsnetwork ustream.tv/channel
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/occupynewsnetwork
Breaking News Spanish returning to surround Parliament again on Saturday
Big action is Portugal soon
Government Resignation and a New Constitution Now theres an IDEA takethesquare: Thousands surround the Parliament ...
Take the square
Thousands surround the Parliament in Spain calling for gov. resignation and a new constitution. #25s pic.twitter.com/RuHqT0K6
#Twitter / takethesquare: Thousands surround the Parliament ...
Government Resignation and a New Constitution Now theres an IDEA ,seems like a dangerous idea is spreading from Iceland to Spain.....where next Greece,UK,USA....this is what democracy looks like People Power reclaiming the power back through direct action and direct democracy.Creating the sustainable world we want to see.An action is worth a thousand words.As the power parties begin to crumble up from the ashes with the visions of the people.
The first squatter to be sentenced under the new squatting law SchNEWS - Direct Action Newsheet
The first squatter to be sentenced under the new squatting law has been
imprisoned for twelve weeks after being arrested in a long-term empty
flat in Islington, London on 2nd September.
21-year-old Alex Haigh had been living in the property for a couple of
months before the law came into force, along with other squat-mates –
two of whom are now facing the strong arm of law too. One received a
fine while the other is awaiting sentence and a possible jail term. A
long way from media caricatures of long-haired posh drop outs - Alex is
an apprentice bricklayer from Plymouth and had moved to London looking
for work.
Neighbours had been unaware of the flat being occupied, while the
owners, a London housing association, had known and independently
started civil proceedings under the old system.
This didn't stop the pigs taking it on themselves to batter down the
door and arrest the occupiers – only informing the owners afterwards.
Since the government passed the bill, ministers have been urging the Met
to come down hard on squatters to act as a 'deterrent'. The government
says it expects around 4,200 squatters to be prosecuted each year.
What's a few ruined lives when there are vacant buildings at risk of
being occupied eh?
Danny Beltane of SNOB(aha)
the Brighton squatters association. "This is a far harsher sentence
than anyone expected - this smacks of the kind of punitive sentencing
handed out after the riots. This is the real class war. How can they
justify taking someone from a situatuation where they were provoding for
themselves and forcing them into state incarceration at the cost of
thousands a week?"
STREET'S AHEAD
Alex and his friends were arrested around 24 hours before the first raid in Brighton that SchNEWS reported on,
though overall the earliest eviction we know about (so far) was of a
crew based in Street, Somerset. Despite living there for a couple of
months and not causing any problems, bored local cops decided to kick in
the door and arrest everyone inside at 9am on Saturday 1st September.
If anyone can prove they were nicked under section 144 earlier, we'll
send them a free graphics book.
With the wild variations in enforcement – stretching from a friendly
bobby asking if you'd mind leaving, to three months inside (for a guilty
plea!) – many squatters are looking towards the thousands of vacant
commercial and industrial properties. Unsurprisingly the lobbyists
behind criminalisation are already pushing for the law to be extended
and backbench Tories are lining up to lend the latest bandwagon their
support. Chatham MP Tracey Crouch snarled “it's important that we look
into [non-residential squatting] and try and outlaw it as soon as
possible” – no doubt before retreating to one of her taxpayer funded
homes.
For advice and support to help hold on to your home and keep you out of prison you could do worse than the Squatters' Legal Network.
Thursday, 27 September 2012
Friern Barnet Peoples Library events and update come and support
+++++++Friern Barnet Community Library+++++++
Open Mic in Friern Barnet Library tonight, Thursday 27th Sept - 7-9 pm
tonight, amongst others: Arnie playing jazz,
Laraine with belly dancing show
and other special guests
everyone welcome!
All performers welcome!
FANTASTIC NEWS over 3,000 books have been donated, **thank you** everyone. We also need SHELVERS! CHAIRS! TABLES! COMPUTERS!
Meeting with council officials, Friary House, Friary Park WEDNESDAY 3rd Oct 3.00pm (tbc) - all welcome. Various working groups have been set up, come into the library and join us.
Please bring food to share - evening meal every night at 7pm
Tues 6.30pm-7.30pm Pilates
Wed 6.00pm-7.00pm New Author - reading from his novel
7.00pm-8.15pm Yoga – come, enjoy some peaceful exercise
Thu 11.30am-12.15pm Teddy Bears' Picnic - stories and activities
7.00pm-9.00pm Music night - open mic
Friday 4.00pm-5.00pm French - beginners and advanced
THIS Sat 10.00am-12noon Chemistry Lesson GCSE/A level
7.00pm- 9pm Mr Reasonable and the Magic Box – one of Barnet’s famous five bloggers - tells us about "ONE BARNET" plans for privatisation + discussion
also Pete the Temp: http://www.petethetemp.co.uk/
and Catherine (Cat) Brogan: http://catherinebrogan.wordpress.com/
Get involved!
We need your help to save the library:
Sign up to the rota: the library will only be able to stay open if we have enough people to staff it. We need people to volunteer for two hour slots to check books in and out, accept donations, etc. If you can spare the time, please stop in at the library and sign up to the rota.
Make yourself heard: phone, email, text, tweet and visit Barnet Council and the media explaining why the library is important.
Spread the word: tell friends and neighbours about us.
Come and meet us: we have organising meetings each Monday at 6.00pm - 7.00pm
Date for diary - Wednesday 10th October 8.30pm - Come and hear the fabulous Digitalis group!!!
Next court date maybe 10 am 10th october as well TBC
Open Mic in Friern Barnet Library tonight, Thursday 27th Sept - 7-9 pm
tonight, amongst others: Arnie playing jazz,
Laraine with belly dancing show
and other special guests
everyone welcome!
All performers welcome!
FANTASTIC NEWS over 3,000 books have been donated, **thank you** everyone. We also need SHELVERS! CHAIRS! TABLES! COMPUTERS!
Meeting with council officials, Friary House, Friary Park WEDNESDAY 3rd Oct 3.00pm (tbc) - all welcome. Various working groups have been set up, come into the library and join us.
Please bring food to share - evening meal every night at 7pm
Tues 6.30pm-7.30pm Pilates
Wed 6.00pm-7.00pm New Author - reading from his novel
7.00pm-8.15pm Yoga – come, enjoy some peaceful exercise
Thu 11.30am-12.15pm Teddy Bears' Picnic - stories and activities
7.00pm-9.00pm Music night - open mic
Friday 4.00pm-5.00pm French - beginners and advanced
THIS Sat 10.00am-12noon Chemistry Lesson GCSE/A level
7.00pm- 9pm Mr Reasonable and the Magic Box – one of Barnet’s famous five bloggers - tells us about "ONE BARNET" plans for privatisation + discussion
also Pete the Temp: http://www.petethetemp.co.uk/
and Catherine (Cat) Brogan: http://catherinebrogan.wordpress.com/
Get involved!
We need your help to save the library:
Sign up to the rota: the library will only be able to stay open if we have enough people to staff it. We need people to volunteer for two hour slots to check books in and out, accept donations, etc. If you can spare the time, please stop in at the library and sign up to the rota.
Make yourself heard: phone, email, text, tweet and visit Barnet Council and the media explaining why the library is important.
Spread the word: tell friends and neighbours about us.
Come and meet us: we have organising meetings each Monday at 6.00pm - 7.00pm
Date for diary - Wednesday 10th October 8.30pm - Come and hear the fabulous Digitalis group!!!
Next court date maybe 10 am 10th october as well TBC
Riseup.net Riseup provides online communication tools for people and groups working on liberatory social change
Riseup provides online communication tools for people and groups working on liberatory social change. We are a project to create democratic alternatives and practice self-determination by controlling our own secure means of communications.
home - help.riseup.net
Evil Standard - London squatter first to be jailed - London - News - Evening Standard
London squatter first to be jailed - London - News - Evening Standard
Campaigners mobilising to fight 'hundreds of new roads' - UK Indymedia
Campaigners are hoping to kick-start opposition to 'hundreds of new roads' with actions in Twyford Down and Hastings this weekend.
Government and local councils are planning to spend billions of pounds on dozens of new roads over the next few years, and new 'growth' funds and devolved spending powers for local councils threaten to add hundreds more disastrous projects to this list.
In the 1990s, what was in effect a popular uprising [ 1 | 2 | 3 ] brought Tory plans for ‘the greatest road-building programme since the Romans’ to a screeching halt.
Could this weekend's actions be the beginning of a new upsurge of anti-roads protests?
Campaigners mobilising to fight 'hundreds of new roads' - UK Indymedia
Wednesday, 26 September 2012
Occupy London general assembly on the theme of 'the future of community resistance' Friday 28th sept
Occupy London general assembly on the theme of 'the future of community resistance' this Friday 28th sept 7 pm at the occupied library friern Barnet rd n11 3ds Arnos grove tube network it
Tuesday, 25 September 2012
S25 Spanish Surround thier Congress (parliament ) Now Livestream
Live broadcast by Ustream
Incredible footage hundreds of thousands of Spanish people surrounding the Congress today.
Ya basta enuf is enuf.Apparently there are reports the authorities are jamming 3g networks.To stop live streaming.Network it go global viral.Time for Direct Democracy not corporatocracy.Create the sustainable future we want to see.
Network it network it network it
Local residents camp & rally against Bexhill-Hastings link road - UK Indymedia
Local residents camp & rally against Bexhill-Hastings link road - UK Indymedia
Saturday, 22 September 2012
Illegal Eviction resistance sw6 1rp
Police threatening to illegally evict squat at 3 Seagrave Road, West Brompton SW6 1RP sometime today. Any support would be greatly appreciated. Www.evictionresistance.blogspot.co.uk
Friday, 21 September 2012
Italian Supreme Court upholds guilty verdict against 23 Americans - CNN.com
An End to all Rendition.We All have a right to a fair trial.Dismantle the secret prison complex.
Italian Supreme Court upholds guilty verdict against 23 Americans - CNN.com
Thursday, 20 September 2012
The campaign to save Friern Barnet Library | London - ITV News
The campaign to save Friern Barnet Library | London - ITV News
A row over the future of Friern Barnet Library will be decided in court after a group of squatters were told they would be allowed to present their plans for the building to a judge.
Barnet Council closed the library in April because of budget cuts. But the squatters then moved in and, thanks to books and computers donated by local people, have reopened it and are running it with the community's help. A court has now granted the squatters three weeks to work out their plans for the library to see if they can keep it going. Joanna Fryer of the Save Friern Barnet Library campaign says she is thrilled that the squatters have managed to keep the library operating.
Squatters successfully resist eviction from Hackney Squat | Demotix.com
Squatters successfully resist eviction from Hackney Squat | Demotix.com
Great pictures of a succesfull squat eviction resistance.There have been many evictions of residential squats in the last few weeks as well as a number of illegal evictions of non residential and commercial squats by police who are breaking the law.Squatting in non residential buildings is still legal.The resistance to this unjust and undemocratic law is building.Repeal the Laspo act.More info www.evictionresistance.blogspot.co.uk
Wednesday, 19 September 2012
Friern Barnet Community Library - Events
+++++++Friern Barnet Community Library+++++++
Friern Barnet Library has been reopened by activists and local volunteers and is open Monday-Saturday from 11am to 7pm. Your library is not just a place to borrow books - it is a community space which also offers a range of free activities for all.
Daily 11.00am – 1.00pm Coffee and chat mornings
Tuesday 6.30pm - 7.30pm Pilates
Wednesday 11.00am-1.00pm Make Friends With A Book
7.00pm - 8.15pm Yoga
Thursday 11.30am - 12.15pm Teddy Bears’ Picnic – stories and activities
7.00pm - 9.00pm Music night – open mic
Friday 4.00pm - 5.00pm French – beginners and advanced
Saturday 10.00am-12noon Chemistry Lesson – GCSE/A Level
7.00pm - 9pm Cabaret, poetry, music
Photo competition and exhibition
Theme: We love Friern Barnet Library!
Send your favourite photographs on the above theme. They could be photos from activities at the library over the last couple of weeks, the campaign and events over the last 18 months, or even fond photos from childhood! If we can get together a great selection and display the best in time for the next meeting with the council it would be fantastic to show off our beloved library and our people power! If you could get them to me digitally by email: emilymc2@wildmail.com or in person (just take in to the library) by 12noon Saturday 22nd, we can collect, judge the best and present the winners at the Monday action meeting.
Prize: Legendary status in Friern Barnet and maybe a bottle of something!
Get involved!
We need your help to save the library:
Bring more books: We need more books, especially for older children. We are also collecting toys, DVDs and CDs.
Sign up to the rota: the library will only be able to stay open if we have enough people to staff it. We need people to volunteer for two hour slots to check books in and out, accept donations, etc. If you can spare the time, please stop in at the library and sign up to the rota.
Make yourself heard: phone, email, text, tweet and visit Barnet Council and the media explaining why the library is important.
Spread the word: tell friends and neighbours about us.
Come and meet us: we have organising meetings each Monday at 6.00pm - 7.00pm and Saturday 1.00pm -2.00pm.
Friern Barnet Library has been reopened by activists and local volunteers and is open Monday-Saturday from 11am to 7pm. Your library is not just a place to borrow books - it is a community space which also offers a range of free activities for all.
Daily 11.00am – 1.00pm Coffee and chat mornings
Tuesday 6.30pm - 7.30pm Pilates
Wednesday 11.00am-1.00pm Make Friends With A Book
7.00pm - 8.15pm Yoga
Thursday 11.30am - 12.15pm Teddy Bears’ Picnic – stories and activities
7.00pm - 9.00pm Music night – open mic
Friday 4.00pm - 5.00pm French – beginners and advanced
Saturday 10.00am-12noon Chemistry Lesson – GCSE/A Level
7.00pm - 9pm Cabaret, poetry, music
Photo competition and exhibition
Theme: We love Friern Barnet Library!
Send your favourite photographs on the above theme. They could be photos from activities at the library over the last couple of weeks, the campaign and events over the last 18 months, or even fond photos from childhood! If we can get together a great selection and display the best in time for the next meeting with the council it would be fantastic to show off our beloved library and our people power! If you could get them to me digitally by email: emilymc2@wildmail.com or in person (just take in to the library) by 12noon Saturday 22nd, we can collect, judge the best and present the winners at the Monday action meeting.
Prize: Legendary status in Friern Barnet and maybe a bottle of something!
Get involved!
We need your help to save the library:
Bring more books: We need more books, especially for older children. We are also collecting toys, DVDs and CDs.
Sign up to the rota: the library will only be able to stay open if we have enough people to staff it. We need people to volunteer for two hour slots to check books in and out, accept donations, etc. If you can spare the time, please stop in at the library and sign up to the rota.
Make yourself heard: phone, email, text, tweet and visit Barnet Council and the media explaining why the library is important.
Spread the word: tell friends and neighbours about us.
Come and meet us: we have organising meetings each Monday at 6.00pm - 7.00pm and Saturday 1.00pm -2.00pm.
Squattastic Sun 23rd sept organising resistance to the new squat lawnetwork it
Squatastic sun 23sept at colorama, 52 lancaster st, SE1 0RY. 2pm-6pm, discussing off grid power sources and law change updates.http://squattastic.blogspot.co.uk/ more info near time network it viva the resistance
Squat wars eviction resistance
Resistance tomorrow 10 am at 63 dove row, hackney e2. County court bailiffs commercial building. Come tonite or early to help barricade, sleep over welcome. Bring all u friends and pass this on. Viva la resistance!
Squatters can occupy a part of society's architecture too | Pete Phoenix | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk
My article for Guardian Comment is free article which was heavily edited and part re-written by the guardian team,some of my original article explained some of the points in the comments section.There is already a law the Displaced Residential Occupier Law 1977 that can remove squatters immediately from an occupied residential home.You can only squat an empty building,abandoned and derelict are best as you generally get more time.
The " squatters took my home while i was on holiday/shopping story is a major media fabrication,that could be dealt with by the police immediately with the above law."
Squatters can occupy a part of society's architecture too | Pete Phoenix | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk
Legal update on National Trust Runnymede court case. by True Levellers
Today a handful of villagers from Runnymede eco-village achieved a small victory for the freedom to assemble in Slough County Court. The case related tothe National Trust site at Runnymede: the historic location where the Magna Carta was sealed by King John in 1215. Runnymede is a place associated with ideas such as: freedom through law, limitations on authority and democracy. The judge decided to remove ‘Persons Unknown’ (meaning it could apply to anyone) from an application for an injunction which would cover over 200 football pitches around the Magna Carta monument and apply to anyone the National Trust deemed to be: ‘trespassing’.
More info www.diggers2012.wordpress.com
Tuesday, 18 September 2012
Save the library Rob the Rub acoustic maestro tonight
Rob the rub come back gig tonight at 7-9 pm tonight at the occupied Barnet library friern Barnet rd n11 3ds Arnos grove tube network it , check out Fb group friern Barnet library occupied and liberated
Victory in court for Barnet community library
Victory for the people of Barnet and library lovers everywhere as judge in a packed courtroom adjourns the case for 3 weeks or more.the crowd erupted in jubilant celebration as Barnet council lawyers were left speechless, as the judge gave more time for a defence to be prepared, thus giving more time for negotiations for a community library to come to a successfull conclusion , more info soon.
Saturday, 15 September 2012
Forest party 29 th September
HaKuNa MaTaTa
"Full Moon Forest Adventure"
Sat 29th September
In a ENCHANTED FOREST!
PsyTrance/ Prog / Chill out
HUTTI HEITA / LOKE / EVP & Lots more.
+ Chill out
+ Forest Camping
+ 5 Decor crews
+ Full Lighting & Lasers show
+Chai/Coffee Hut
07583146401
07583146850
Send it to your friends! :-)
"Full Moon Forest Adventure"
Sat 29th September
In a ENCHANTED FOREST!
PsyTrance/ Prog / Chill out
HUTTI HEITA / LOKE / EVP & Lots more.
+ Chill out
+ Forest Camping
+ 5 Decor crews
+ Full Lighting & Lasers show
+Chai/Coffee Hut
07583146401
07583146850
Send it to your friends! :-)
Friday, 14 September 2012
#S17 Solidarity From the Global South: Stop Financial Speculation on Food and Climate
The fight of Occupy Wall Street is the struggle of all movements in the world. Finance capital, that created the crisis in 2008, has increased its power instead of being disciplined. At present, world GDP is 64 trillion US dollars while the derivatives market reached the incredible figure of 1,500 trillion US dollars in 2011. The speculative economy is 250 times larger than the real economy of the world. Now banks and Transnational corporations (TNCs) are moving to speculate on the impacts of the climate and environmental crises that the capitalist system has created. Prices of food are beginning to climb again because of climate change and speculation in a world where 1 billion people already suffer from hunger. The banks and TNCs like Cargill, Wal-Mart, Monsanto are seeing this situation as a new opportunity to make profits through food derivatives, natural resource grabbing, GMOs, agro-fuels, free trade agreements, structural adjustments, austerity plans and other mechanisms to increase the privileges of the 1% at the expenses of the 99% of the world and at tremendous cost to our Mother Earth.
From 15 to 17th of September, in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street, we will raise our voices and promote actions to ban derivatives in food, dismantle the power of the banks and TNCs, stop the privatization of water and public services, cancel the illegitimate debts that are strangling our sisters and brothers in Europe, achieve deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions and restore a life in harmony with nature.
Bangkok, August 31, 2012
SIGNED:
All Nepal's Peasants' Federation
Alliance of Progressive Labor, Philippines
Aniban ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (AMA-Pilipinas)
Assembly of the Poor, Thailand
ATTAC France
ATTAC Japan
Bangladesh Kishani Sabha
Bangladesh Krishok Federation
Bhartiya Kisan Union, BKU, India
Focus on the Global South
FTA Watch, Thailand
Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives
Global Forest Coalition
Indonesian Civil Society Forum for Climate Justice
Indonesian Political Economy Association
Jubilee South-Asia Pacific Movement on Debt and Development
Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, India
KIARA (The People's Coalition for Fisheries Justice), Indonesia
Kilusang Mangingisda (Fisherfolk Movement), Philippines
Koalisi Anti Utang (Anti Debt Coalition) Indonesia
KRuHA (People's coalition for the right to water), Indonesia
La Via Campesina
Mindanao Peoples' Peace Movement
Migrant Forum in Asia
MONLAR, Sri Lanka
NOUMINREN, Japan
Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement
Polaris Institute, Canada
SBI (Indonesia Labor Union)
Serikat Petani Indonesia (Indonesian Peasant Union)
SMI (Suluh Muda Indonesia) Sumut
SNI (Indonesia Fisherfolk Union)
Solidarity Workshop, Bangladesh
South Indian Coordination Committee of Farmers Movements
Thai Working Group for Climate Justice (TCJ)
To send your own messages of solidarity, news or pictures of your actions, please email: owsrevtalks@gmail.com
Thursday, 13 September 2012
Wednesday, 12 September 2012
Squatters 'to reopen London library closed in council cuts' - London - News - Evening Standard
Squatters 'to reopen London library closed in council cuts' - London - News - Evening Standard
Wow unbelievable a semi positive squatter story from the Evil Standard that spent the last year calling squatters home wreckers,invaders,home stealers,drug induced crazed,eastern european gypsy gangs.Who take your home when your on holiday.(in fact a BIG LIE as the Displaced Residential Occupier law 1977 already protects homeowners .You can only squat an empty building.
NB Squatting in non residential/commercial buildings is still LEGAL.
This may be the first article on squatting, since the law they helped to create came in.
Laws created by corporations and the media are not democratic.Its called corporatocracy....which has another name fascism.
Repeal the Laspo act dont criminalise the homeless.Save our Libraries.
Diggers 2012 camp Runymede in court Thurs 13th Sept
This Earth divided we will make whole, so it can be a common treasury for all.
Featured
Freedom under law at Runnymede?
by True Levellers
Diggers2012 and ‘Persons Unknown’ (meaning anyone in the known universe) have been served with court papers. Despite the fact that there are no tents, structures or other items on their land, The National Trust is seeking an order for possession and an injunction prohibiting trespassing from a large area of land (over 200 acres) including parts of the ‘Runnymede’ and ‘Ankerwycke’ Estates (which is managed by the National Trust). The case will be heard in Slough County Court this Thursday, 13th September at 12 Noon.
The powers that be want to discourage any peoples commemoration of the Magna Carta,especially as the rights of Habeus Corpus are being dismantled in the USA and here.
More info http://diggers2012.wordpress.com/
Reply to some of the comments in the Guardian article below.
Hi fully appreciate many of the comments above especially Rosie Canning and Ginger girl.
We have been occupying disused buildings for over 20 years to create community projects,all we can do is buy some time with direct action,so that local people can force the council to carry out its responsibilities.We are all paying for the bankers crisis and illegal foreign wars,with our public services.
Squatters are human beings who could be any of you,your chidren or cousin fallen on hard times,made redundant then out on the street.The govt last week pushed some final stages of the enclosure acts.They are now prepared they state in a recent report to round up an imprison 4,200 people per year,for the new crime of sheltering in an empty/abandoned residential building.This is Tyrrany.
There has been 1 year of propaganda and media fabricated lies to bring in this law.To bring in extreme laws the groundwork of creating scape goats and hated groups must be laid.
You can only squat an empty building.The 1977 Displaced residential Occupier law meant the police could arrest people immediately for squatting someones home.Yet MPs (Mike Freer MP for Barnet) and Govt ministers Grant Schapps lied continually to bring in this law. A law that is already causing much suffering as people wait for their doors to be kicked in in dawn raids,on abandoned properties that some have used for months or years.
The government is trying to force many onto the housing benefit system,raising rents and property prices,for their property developer friends.Who donated 3million to Tory party funds in the last 3 yeras.
Public libraries are a public resource a community centre,there is no way a voluntary system can replace the wealth of facilities provided by a properly funded library.Which the councils have a statutory obligation to run.The community librarian is the angle the journalist wanted to write it was not my words.
We need to reclaim our community spaces from this government of millionaires.Repeal the Laspo act that criminalises the homeless in a housing crisis.Take the money back from the banks and corporations and put it into our public services.Note well the people of iceland removed their government,put bankers and the government ministers in prison and wrote of their illegally created debt.Then created a new much more democratic constitution.
All are welcome at the Barnet Library to plan how we can save this vital community resource and work towards a better future.next monday 10 am we have a meeting with the council in the library and 6pm the same day we have a community organising meeting,to work on how we run the library in the interim period.Together we can win a small victory in a long campaign.
We have been occupying disused buildings for over 20 years to create community projects,all we can do is buy some time with direct action,so that local people can force the council to carry out its responsibilities.We are all paying for the bankers crisis and illegal foreign wars,with our public services.
Squatters are human beings who could be any of you,your chidren or cousin fallen on hard times,made redundant then out on the street.The govt last week pushed some final stages of the enclosure acts.They are now prepared they state in a recent report to round up an imprison 4,200 people per year,for the new crime of sheltering in an empty/abandoned residential building.This is Tyrrany.
There has been 1 year of propaganda and media fabricated lies to bring in this law.To bring in extreme laws the groundwork of creating scape goats and hated groups must be laid.
You can only squat an empty building.The 1977 Displaced residential Occupier law meant the police could arrest people immediately for squatting someones home.Yet MPs (Mike Freer MP for Barnet) and Govt ministers Grant Schapps lied continually to bring in this law. A law that is already causing much suffering as people wait for their doors to be kicked in in dawn raids,on abandoned properties that some have used for months or years.
The government is trying to force many onto the housing benefit system,raising rents and property prices,for their property developer friends.Who donated 3million to Tory party funds in the last 3 yeras.
Public libraries are a public resource a community centre,there is no way a voluntary system can replace the wealth of facilities provided by a properly funded library.Which the councils have a statutory obligation to run.The community librarian is the angle the journalist wanted to write it was not my words.
We need to reclaim our community spaces from this government of millionaires.Repeal the Laspo act that criminalises the homeless in a housing crisis.Take the money back from the banks and corporations and put it into our public services.Note well the people of iceland removed their government,put bankers and the government ministers in prison and wrote of their illegally created debt.Then created a new much more democratic constitution.
All are welcome at the Barnet Library to plan how we can save this vital community resource and work towards a better future.next monday 10 am we have a meeting with the council in the library and 6pm the same day we have a community organising meeting,to work on how we run the library in the interim period.Together we can win a small victory in a long campaign.
Tuesday, 11 September 2012
Squatters reopen Friern Barnet library after council closes service | Books | The Guardian
Squatters reopen Friern Barnet library after council closes service | Books | The Guardian
Article at http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/video/2012/sep/11/squatters-barnet-library-council-video
Article at http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/video/2012/sep/11/squatters-barnet-library-council-video
Monday, 10 September 2012
When Injustice becomes Law Resistance Becomes Duty
When Injustice becomes Law Resistance Becomes Duty.
Repeal The Laspo Act. Criminalising the Homeless in a housing crisis.
Removing our legal Aid system.Legal representation only for the Rich.
When Injustice becomes Law Resistance Becomes Duty.
Diggers 2012 camp Runnymede in court National Trust try to injuct everyone away from Magna Carta
http://diggers2012.wordpress.com/
This Earth divided we will make whole, so it can be a common treasury for all.
Freedom under law at Runnymede?
by True Levellers
Diggers2012 and ‘Persons Unknown’ (meaning anyone in the known universe) have been served with court papers. Despite the fact that there are no tents, structures or other items on their land, The National Trust is seeking an order for possession and an injunction prohibiting trespassing from a large area of land (over 200 acres) including parts of the ‘Runnymede’ and ‘Ankerwycke’ Estates (which is managed by the National Trust). The case will be heard in Slough County Court this Thursday, 13th September at 12 Noon.
We currently have no tents or structures on any National Trust land. Our Eco-village is situated on the disused land on the ex-Brunel university Runnymede campus owned by a private housing developer. As such the possession order requiring vacant possession of the land where the NT claim seems pointless. We have no tents on the piece of land that the NT are referring to. What carries greater ramifications is the fact that the NT are also requesting a ‘perpetual final injunction’ (meaning forever) to prevent Diggers2012 and ‘Persons Unknown’ from ‘trespassing further on the Runnymede Estate and the National Trust’s land at Ankerwycke’. The Runnymede Estate is home to the Magna Carta monument, marking the sealing of the Magna Carta in 1215. Consequently Runnymede is regarded as the birthplace of modern democracy. If granted this injunction would allow the National Trust to use ‘reasonable force’ to remove anyone deemed to be trespassing on or around the historic site of the Magna Carta. This is ironic when considering the association of this location with ideals of democracy, limitation of power, equality and freedom under law.
One reason the witness on behalf of the NT gives for requesting an injunction concerns an extract from our website from minutes of a ‘Diggers discussion’ that took place at the Magna Carta Memorial on Saturday 30th June 2012 (page viewable here). The witness statement states: ”On their website, the Defendants have set out plans for a three year occupation campaign to mark the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta.” What the minutes actually said was: ”strategic planning to build over the next three years towards 2015 and creating a massive event for the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta (which has inspired ‘democracy’ and civil rights across the world).” This was an idea to create a grass roots gathering at the Runnymede site in 2015 to celebrate the idea of freedom and civil liberties. It contained no specific reference to use of tents or occupation.
One only has to glimpse at the website setup by the Magna Carta Trustto see that the authorities wish to shape the commemoration of the sealing of the Magna Carta in their image. The website states: ”The 800th anniversary of the sealing af Magna Carta will be a commemoration of national and international significance… a large number of high-profile events are being planned.” Last year it was announced the Queen has agreed to become patron of the Magna Carta Trust for the commemoration of the 800th anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta at Runnymede on 15th June 2015. Perhaps the prospect of a rabble of common people turning up at the same time as dignitaries to commemorate the same event has irked the authorities and lead to this legal action. Whatever the reason, the effect of such an injunction if authorized will be to grant the National Trust the power to forcibly remove anyone who they do not want on the land at Runnymede forever.
In the Magna Carta Lecture which took place this year at Royal Holloway University, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, defined law as ”as all those protocols that stop society being run exclusively in the interests of whatever group happens to be dominant at any
moment, and that thus guarantee fairness and redress independently of status or power.” Here in Runnymede, where the notion of modern law, justice and equality are said to have sprung from, you could be forgiven for thinking that the law may reflect Rowan William’s definition. And yet the reverse appears to be true. Instead we find a minority of land owning elites hold almost total power of over access to the thing whose life we all depend on: the land.
Those of us here at Runnymede Eco-Village have become quite used to breaking the laws as a by-product of simply trying to live on disused land in a low impact and harmless way. We will carry on doing what we think is just as the primary guide over and above these laws. Stay tuned 8)
Friern Barnet Library reopens as negotiations between Barnet Council and squatters continue
http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/topstories/9920275.Library_reopens_as_negotiations_with_squatters_continue/
Friern Barnet Library was reopened to an “ecstatic” public on Saturday by a group of squatters looking to reclaim the facility for the community.
Barnet Council closed the Friern Barnet Road library in April but last week a team of activists broke in and began demanding the building be reopened.
On Saturday, more than 400 books were placed back on the library shelves as up to 50 people visited between 11am and 3pm.
The buildings inhabitants say they plan to open for at least three days a week.
Newsflash Council offer Squatters buildings Friern Barnet Library Occupation
Press release
News Flash Squatters have occupied Friern Barnet library and have been offered another building by Barnet council.
Why can't we see more reasonable solutions such as this for some of the million empty buildings in the UK to be used to create homes,employment and community projects,rather than the recently brought in criminalisation of homeless people.
This library occupation was a direct result of the new anti squatting Laspo act which criminalises homeless people who shelter in empty residential homes. NB Squatting in non residential buildings is still legal.
This Ground breaking arrangements with a council where common-sense prevails and buildings are offered to community squatting groups and the local community are the way forward rather than criminalisation of the homeless in a housing crisis.
Today a meeting was held between Barnet council ,community squatters who have occupied Friern Barnet Library and about 30 local residents including local bloggers and save the library groups. There is a massive amount of local support to save the library and re-open it. In fact it is being put forward to a vote by the Labour councillors to the Tory council with a vote on Tues evening.
Last Wednesday 5th Sept. morning a group of squatters occupied the hotly contested Friern Barnet library. The council proceeded to come the very next day and offer them use of Friary Park house as a community library. Following negotiations with the council and an exchange of emails a meeting was arranged for Monday 10th Sept. 10 AM.
This meeting was well facilitated and created much needed dialogue across council and local people, a further meeting was agreed with council representatives and the concerned citizens next Monday 17th Sept at 10 AM
The community squatters continue to call for books and people to fill out the rota and have begun to get the library open again.
Much to the great joy of many members of the local community who are regularly visiting offering support and donations
The recent BBC news items on community run libraries in Surrey and also the laureate who has written to the culture minister about urgent need for libraries,
make this along with the new Squatting law a hot story especially as a cooperative model is being developed between council squatters and concerned local groups.
Rather than criminalisation this Draconian new law is undemocratic un just ,unfair and unworkable.
Estimated to cost up to £790 million over the next five years when the government aims to save £350 million with the Laspo bill,which removes most peoples entitlement to legal aid and criminalising what has always been a civil matter.
Mike Freer MP who was one of the main architects of this new law criminalising the homeless is the representative for Barnet.
It seems ironic that as a direct result of him pushing to criminalise sheltering in abandoned derelict buildings that this library has been occupied and now will become a flagship cooperation model between squatters and councils. We hope this leads to more solutions rather than unnecessary criminalisation.
We call for the repeal of the Laspo act.
Article links
http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/topstories/9920275.Library_reopens_as_negotiations_with_squatters_continue/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-18976002 Surrey Volunteer Library plan
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19515702#.UEyIYQjNoCM.
https://sites.google.com/site/savefriernbarnetlibrary/
www.Squashcampaign.org
Advisory service for squatters :Squatter.org.uk
EvictionResistance.blogspot.co.uk
For more info contact squash campaign press 0715516105 or phoenix on 07769 791387
News Flash Squatters have occupied Friern Barnet library and have been offered another building by Barnet council.
Why can't we see more reasonable solutions such as this for some of the million empty buildings in the UK to be used to create homes,employment and community projects,rather than the recently brought in criminalisation of homeless people.
This library occupation was a direct result of the new anti squatting Laspo act which criminalises homeless people who shelter in empty residential homes. NB Squatting in non residential buildings is still legal.
This Ground breaking arrangements with a council where common-sense prevails and buildings are offered to community squatting groups and the local community are the way forward rather than criminalisation of the homeless in a housing crisis.
Today a meeting was held between Barnet council ,community squatters who have occupied Friern Barnet Library and about 30 local residents including local bloggers and save the library groups. There is a massive amount of local support to save the library and re-open it. In fact it is being put forward to a vote by the Labour councillors to the Tory council with a vote on Tues evening.
Last Wednesday 5th Sept. morning a group of squatters occupied the hotly contested Friern Barnet library. The council proceeded to come the very next day and offer them use of Friary Park house as a community library. Following negotiations with the council and an exchange of emails a meeting was arranged for Monday 10th Sept. 10 AM.
This meeting was well facilitated and created much needed dialogue across council and local people, a further meeting was agreed with council representatives and the concerned citizens next Monday 17th Sept at 10 AM
The community squatters continue to call for books and people to fill out the rota and have begun to get the library open again.
Much to the great joy of many members of the local community who are regularly visiting offering support and donations
The recent BBC news items on community run libraries in Surrey and also the laureate who has written to the culture minister about urgent need for libraries,
make this along with the new Squatting law a hot story especially as a cooperative model is being developed between council squatters and concerned local groups.
Rather than criminalisation this Draconian new law is undemocratic un just ,unfair and unworkable.
Estimated to cost up to £790 million over the next five years when the government aims to save £350 million with the Laspo bill,which removes most peoples entitlement to legal aid and criminalising what has always been a civil matter.
Mike Freer MP who was one of the main architects of this new law criminalising the homeless is the representative for Barnet.
It seems ironic that as a direct result of him pushing to criminalise sheltering in abandoned derelict buildings that this library has been occupied and now will become a flagship cooperation model between squatters and councils. We hope this leads to more solutions rather than unnecessary criminalisation.
We call for the repeal of the Laspo act.
Article links
http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/topstories/9920275.Library_reopens_as_negotiations_with_squatters_continue/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-18976002 Surrey Volunteer Library plan
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19515702#.UEyIYQjNoCM.
https://sites.google.com/site/savefriernbarnetlibrary/
www.Squashcampaign.org
Advisory service for squatters :Squatter.org.uk
EvictionResistance.blogspot.co.uk
For more info contact squash campaign press 0715516105 or phoenix on 07769 791387
Occupied Justice: Mock trial mocks judiciary - YouTube
Occupied Justice: Mock trial mocks judiciary - YouTube
Awesome show by Invisible Circus at the Occupied Court House Hackney
Sunday, 9 September 2012
Saturday, 8 September 2012
Spiritual sunday
Spiritual Sunday! Kick boxing, thai massage, laughter yoga, yummy lunch, some sort of meditation/tai chi tbc, gong ceremony! With gongs! Noon till eight this Sunday at no. 1 Rochester Square, NW19SD
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