June 6th - BURNING GROUND Mining, Adivasis and India’s Civil War A public forum with Arundhati Roy

The brilliant Samarendra Das
Arundhati Roy has without a shadow of a doubt been one of the most inspirational voices in my life. Samarendra is one of the most amazing organisers I have ever had the honour to meet with the commitment and tenacity to scare the absolute shit out of any planet-fucking company out there - Arundhati Roy discusses his work here

BURNING GROUND
Mining, Adivasis and India’s Civil War
A public forum with
Arundhati Roy
– whose new book Broken Republic examines the nature of progress
and development in an emerging global superpower –
in discussion with Felix Padel & Samarendra Das
– authors of Out of This Earth (2010), which reveals the hidden fi nance
and arms trade behind the aluminium industry connecting London to war-torn central India.
Moderator: Vinita Damodaran – Senior Lecturer in South Asian History
The Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre, SOAS
Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H OXG
Sunday 5th June, 3 – 5 pm

This forum is in conjunction with
‘A Disappearing World: Ancient Traditions Under Threat in Tribal India’
an exhibition open until 25 June, 2011, at the Brunei Gallery
photographs by Robert Wallis and artwork by members of the
Tribal Women’s Artist Collecive from Jharkhand, North Central India.
www.soas.ac.uk/gallery/disappearingworld
Exhibition open from 1-7 pm on Sunday 5th June

Free admission, but seating for the talk is limited.
To guarantee a place please
RSVP by email: gallery@soas.ac.uk

Anti Cuts Protest Reflection -Why are they smashing up the bank?

Photo Credit: Mini_Mouse

My favourite moment amongst the anti-cuts protest?

As sometimes happens it was the little beautiful moments which made the whole epic nature of the day that bit more powerful.....

As Lloyds TSB was being smashed up on the way to Hyde Park I overheard two old dears across the side of the road....

one said to the other, looking slightly perturbed, 'what are they doing? why are they smashing up the bank?'

the other elderly lady then said.....'don't worry dear, the suffragettes had to do the same thing a while back to bring down the state.... it's a good thing'

Absolutely brilliant. Viva la resistance one and all! X

And from the great Strange Sanum 'March 26th London Protests - What Really Happened'

The Black Gold Injustice: A Permanent Condition? *Race * Poverty * Environment Justice * Action*

Reserve tickets ASAP on Email as there are limited spaces: gcampbell@acnglasgow.org and tel: 07758253823 www.acnglasgow.org and/or sowestand@gmail.com www.sowestand.com

The Black Gold Injustice: A Permanent Condition?
*Race * Poverty * Environment Justice * Action*

Join a new series of events to explore how our daily lives connect to climate change in Africa, the Caribbean and beyond

A global economy based on fossil fuels will lead to more natural disasters, resource wars and scorched frontiers of oil & gas exploration. Across the world, it is our Black and indigenous communities who are hit hardest by climate change and pollution. But why should these groups be denied the right to livelihood, or to clean and healthy environments? Social justice movements can challenge the ‘environmental racism’ embedded in our dependence on fossil fuels.

Dates, Venues and Times

16th April – 6pm African, Caribbean Network Office, 6pm 30 Bell Street, Glasgow - Ben Amunwa of Remember SaroWiwa Project leads "No Condition is Permanent: oil politics and resistance" - a discussion-based workshop on strategies to address environmental injustice, it's race, class and gender impacts, in Africa and beyond.

19th April – Edinburgh University, Balcony Room, 12-2pm Ben Amunwa of Remember SaroWiwa Project leads "No Condition is Permanent: oil politics and resistance" - a discussion-based workshop on strategies to address environmental injustice, it's race, class and gender impacts, in Africa and beyond.

19th April Aberdeen 6-8pm – University of Aberdeen (MacRobert Building near the intersection between King Street and St Machar Drive) MacRobert Building King's College, Aberdeen, AB24 5U - Debate: '"Exploitation or Development? Oil, Politics and Human Rights in Nigeria" - Ben Amunwa of Remember SaroWiwa Project and other speakers. With a discussion on "how women's experiences of our local environments are significant in understanding the power structures that determine the global conditions of our struggles."

3rd May – Edinburgh University, Teviot Dining Room 1-3pm - Maria Adebowale – Director Capacity Global – Living in a clean and health environment is everyone's right

3rd May – 6pm Glasgow, African, Caribbean Network Office, 30 Bell Street, Glasgow -Maria Adebowale – Director Capacity Global – Living in a clean and health environment is everyone's right

Why Black is the New Green organisers are from all over the UK. We recognise the integral links between anti-racist struggle, social justice and environmental injustices. We are committed to integrating an anti-oppression framework and analysis into all of our work. This means addressing whose voices are heard, which priorities are chosen, what actions are taken, who does the work, and who gets the credit.

Our aim is to connect our communities fighting for basic human and environmental rights whom refuse to let ourselves or those close to us, live in uninhabitable conditions. We will continue to provide tools and perspectives for developing multiracial perspectives and inclusive strategies for action to defend our communities for dignity and justice in the face of growing inequality.

Watch the brilliant AfroGossip Trailer with Heather and Graham from the 'Black Gold Injustice'


Supported and Organised by:

The African and Caribbean Network Ltd (A&CN)(www.acnglasgow.org) is a voluntary sector umbrella organisation and coordination body providing surgery, advice and support services in housing, anti-poverty work, employment, group capacity building and community development for 40+ African and Caribbean community groups representing 10,000 people in Glasgow and the surrounding region.

So We Stand (www.sowestand.com ) So We Stand is a peoples movement for empowering social change building self defence strategies to better our lives and communities. We provide training, support, and solidarity to grassroots struggles for environmental, social and multi-racial justice. We engage with popular education to build a culture of creative action and self-determination connecting different local experiences of injustice to protect life.

AfroGossip (www.truegossip.co.uk) are an inspirational medium for African & Caribbean communities based in Scotland? We promote and encourage greater awareness and appreciation of the African culture through media. We showcase and create opportunities for fresh talent and already established entertainers/ performers of all backgrounds while developing Black pride to challenge wrongful stereotypical views associated with people of black origin.

AMINA - The Muslim Women's Resource Centre (http://www.mwrc.org.uk/) Amina the Muslim Women's Resource Centre is a Scotland-wide Charity works with mainstream agencies and policy makers to enhance their understanding of muslim community and of barriers preventing muslim women from accessing services and participating in the society. MWRC also provides direct helping services, community development and a listening ear to muslim women.

Remember Sarowiwa (http://www.platformlondon.org/remembersarowiwa/events.htm) Remember Saro-Wiwa is a coalition of UK-based organisations and individuals encompassing the arts and literature, human rights and environmental and development issues.
Platform London (http://www.platformlondon.org/)PLATFORM works across disciplines for social and ecological justice. It combines the transformatory power of art with the tangible goals of campaigning, the rigour of in-depth research with the vision to promote alternative futures.

Capacity Global (www.capacity.org.uk)believes that everyone has the right to live in a clean and healthy environmen. Any action, item or process infringing on this right can be described as environmental injustice. We work specifically with people and communities in urban areas, who suffer most from environmental injustice, to ensure their voices get heard and fight environmental injustice to create opportunities for environmental justice.

Scottish Ecological Design Association (SEDA) (http://www.seda.uk.net/) aims to promote the design of communities, environments, projects, systems, services, materials and products which enhance the quality of life of and are not harmful to living species and planetary ecology.

Gratefully Supported by:

Artists Project Earth (APE) (www.apeuk.org/) aims to create a better world through the power of music and the arts.

PEDAL INTO THE REVOLUTION PEDAL launch Tuesday March 15th 6.30pm

Please Pass to relevant people and lists - FREE Event – Please RSVP as only 50 spaces – please state if you need travel expenses pedal@100daystopalestine.org http://www.100daystopalestine.org/ Phone: 07506126650

PEDAL INTO THE REVOLUTION
PEDAL launch Tuesday March 15th 6.30pm
Crossroads Women's Centre on Caversham Rd, Kentish Town, North London

How can we begin to understand the complex struggle in Israel and Palestine? How does racism, justice, equality and our right to protest in the UK relate to the revolutionary spirit growing in the Middle East?

Popular Resistance Movements Environmental Justice Direct Action on B.D.S. Art & Culture Linking Stories of Struggle

P.E.D.A.L. is a group of community organisers, artists, food growers and cyclists planning to cycle from London to Palestine in 100 days in Spring 2011.

6.30pm – Hear speakers inc. Mortaza Sahibzada the managing editor of the Jewish National Fund (JNF) eBook Series (jnfebook.net) and Naomi Wimborne Idrisssi the Secretary of of Jews for boycotting Israeli goods, people actively challenging land exploitation, Wimmin of colour, anti-zionist Jewish organisers, Muslim representatives, cycle historians and freedom fighters for environmental and social justice. Presentations will include stories of struggle and hope in the UK and how they see this relating to the struggle in Palestine.

7.30pm – Discussion how we in the UK can support the struggle in the Middle East for equality and dignity. What the spread of revolutionary spirit from London to Palestine means for us, personally and politically. Facilitated using popular education interactive methods - meaning education of and by the people.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further PEDAL events including the critical mass send-off of the cyclists in London on March 21st (http://www.100daystopalestine.org/itinerary/)

PEDAL wish list (http://www.100daystopalestine.org/support-pedal/wish-list/)

If you like the sound of PEDAL and want to gain experience in social justice, community organising, media and support – we have 10 supported roles (http://www.100daystopalestine.org/support-pedal/uk-support-roles/)

All donations much appreciated – please email pedal@100daystopalestine.org with your support

PEDAL PURPOSE

P.E.D.A.L. begins its journey at Grow Heathrow in Sipson for two days of workshops on art & permaculture, environmental justice, storytelling, and discussions with Palestinian and Israeli activists on the 19th and 20th of March.

The living, breathing, cycling tool-kit leaves for the West Bank on the 21st of March to support the Boycott Divestment Sanctions movement, and share stories, skills and strategies for resistance from the UK to Palestine.

The bicycle caravan will be cycling in solidarity with Palestinian and Israeli popular resistance movements- responding to the call-out from Palestinian civil society in 2005 to support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions campaign. The ride will trace a trail of corporations complicit in the occupation, pollinate information about the campaign and support activists on trial for BDS actions.

The group will join the dots of counter-cultures resisting injustice through Europe to the Middle East sharing stories, skills and strategies of resistance to create a cultural document for those working to end the illegal Occupation and the wider Global Justice movement.

P.E.D.A.L. will focus on environmental justice issues such as access to land, water and seeds- visiting Reclaim the Fields collectives through Europe and working with farmers in the West Bank to strengthen mutual networks for food autonomy. We are also working with Stop the JNF campaign to expose the greenwashing of the JNF in maintaining Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land.

Video, photography, audio and theatre projects will make up a cultural document tracking the stories, experiences and ideas to build strong social movements that support each other in our struggles.

Our aim is to link and empower groups across our route implementing the concept of ‘dual power’; by building networks with groups who are involved in opposing oppression in Palestine as well as those creating new worlds and forms of organising in resistance to social and environmental injustice.

So We Stand (www.sowestand.com) So We Stand is a peoples movement for empowering social change building self defence strategies to better our lives and communities. We provide training, support, and solidarity to grassroots struggles for environmental, social and multi-racial justice. We engage with popular education to build a culture of creative action and self-determination connecting different local experiences of injustice to protect life.

The Crossroads Women's Centre (www.crossroadswomen.net/ ) is a lively, welcoming, anti-sexist, anti-racist centre and home to a number of grassroots organisations which highlight the needs and concerns of women who are often overlooked.

All eyes on Manchester Airport on Trial - Day 1

Well its been quite a powerful day!

The trial of six climate protesters who breached airside security at Manchester Airport began today at Trafford Magistrates Court. The six defendants will plead not guilty to the charge of aggravated trespass after they formed a human circle around the wheel of a Monarch Airline jet last May 2010. The defendants will argue that they acted to prevent death and serious injury by stopping emissions from the airport. Leading scientist Kevin Anderson, from the Tyndall Centre for climate research in Manchester spoke for the defence today.

'Airport expansion = 4 degrees increase- a fututre we contemplate our own peril' Kevin Anderson, Tyndall Centre

He further said: “Why is it fair that aviation continues to be a special case while every other sector has to reduce their emissions?”

For info and all the statements of support http://www.manchesterairportontrial.org/

Legal challenges, grassroots actions and Ideas for community self-defence in the struggle for environmental justice

Climate Crime: Who are the real criminals?

http://www.piel.org.uk/ Public Interest Environmental Law UK 1st of April in London.
Engaging Professionals, Academics and the General Public in Environmental Law

lll be there ......

The subject of the conference will be "Revisiting the Tragedy. Common Goods in the Twenty-First Century". The aim is to look at legal issues affecting the common goods from a national, European and international perspective. These will cover the illegal use of the commons, scarcity and privatisation of the commons. The four main themes being covering will be Forests, Water and Oceans, Air and Biodiversity.

How can grassroots actions engage with the law and support communities in the fight for environmental justice, rich biodiversity and equality - meaning that everyone should have the right to live in a clean and healthy environment? What tactics do we have in our toolkit?

All over the UK, from London to Nottingham to Manchester to Aberdeen, the courts are bulging. Heaving with those able and willing to put their bodies on the line to halt business-as-usual from companies polluting the air, our lungs and the rich ecosystem which surrounds us. The atmosphere has changed and people are beginning to understand the war on the poor being perpetuated on life systems all over the world. People from all walks of life are seeing the necessity in action to stop environmental injustice at its source. To take the example of the Climate9 - supporting statements generated throughout the trial showed the connections between many environmental issues – from fuel poverty to wild law to public health to climate change; Throughout the trial, in the ongoing resources and in the media, areas of justice were intimately connected to build a wide picture of environmental justice in the UK, such as police oppression, housing impacts of climate change, social, ecological and intergenerational justice and fuel poverty to support people to get to the root causes of the interconnected problems we face in 2011.

As society increasingly fails to halt disaster, taking action is no longer an exercise in finger-waggling and moral righteousness that this is simply ‘the right thing to do’ but none less than a matter of life and death. Thus, the logical response is to build a culture of environmental and community self-defence in the face of such immediate threats. Whether people care about clean air, biodiversity, increasing civil conflicts, corporate monopoly, political accountability or humanity surviving with dignity into the next century – all eyes are focused on creating a culture of communities defending themselves through a range of creative actions and community ecological governance where traditional systems of environmental governance are failing.

Listen to BBC 'Costing the Earth' a range of top lawyers, human rights and advocates for environmental justice discuss the importance grassroots actions in highlighting the environmental responsibility of the legal system http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/radio4/costearth/costearth_20101013-2130a.mp3

International Development Conference 2011 'Inequality: challenging an assumed reality'

Ill be speaking on our work with So We Stand (www.sowestand.com) and building a movement addressing climate change, poverty and inequality - and importantly - the tools we have in our armoury.
www.idcnewcastle.com

Kings Hall, Armstrong Building, Newcastle University
Saturday 26th February 2011 9am

The International Development Conference 2011 will bring together practitioners, academics, students, journalists, local politicians, and members of the public on Saturday 26th February, to discuss some of the biggest issues facing us as a global community.

Who makes the rules?
What is 'development' and who is it for?
What are you going to do?

These are all questions that will be raised throughout the day.

If you are interested in.....

Gender Studies:

Although the Millennium Development Goals demonstrate the importance of eradicating gender inequality, they are far from being met. Women are one of the most marginalised groups in the world. How can we give women a voice?

Health:

Disease is a huge burden on developing countries. Every year millions of people die from diseases like HIV/AIDS or Malaria, devasting communities and placing huge burdens on whole regions. What happens to people suffering from disease when they can't get jobs because employers don't know how long they are going to live for? What strains does this put on families? What happens when adults fall ill and children are forced to take on caring responsbiilities? If Children are thus forced out of education, what is the impact on the population's skilled workforce? What impact does this have on governments' incentives to save and build when they are losing skilled workers to disease?

Fashion:

We live in a society where fashions and trends are constantly changing. Fast fashion shops have proved a huge success, offering us multiple outfit options at a fraction of the price. What effect is this having on poorer countries? And who is being exploited in the process?

Business:

In a world increasingly globalized world with multi-national organizations dominating most industries we must consider; Why are the richer getting richer and the poorer getting poorer? Who is making these rules? What gives them the right? Where will they go from here?

What works, what doesn't, and who development is for:

Challenging mentalities and policies is a great start in establishing what is working and what isn't. It helps us to think about what we can really do to make a solid positive difference.Does aid really help the poorest? Does the money donated to charity actually get to where it is intended? Are we sending aid where it is most needed? Are we tackling the root problems?

Eviction Resistance Skillshare Saturday 8th January Heathrow

Transition Heathrow is a grassroots action group working to build resilient Heathrow communities, capable of collectively coping with the injustices and threats of climate change and peak oil.

Please forward far and wide:

CALLING THE RESISTANCE!

Occupiers, squatters, sit down strikers, protest campers, victims of social housing cuts and free party ravers. Its all kicking off and its time to get ready.

With this in mind a few seasoned eviction resistors are putting together a skillshare on Saturday the 8th of January 2011, 10am - 5pm at Grow Heathrow, Vineries Close, Sipson UB7 0JG Ex-site of the 3rd Runway.

We will be looking at how to elevate our resistance off the ground into the trees, walkways and towers. We will be exploring how to tunnel our resistance underground where bailiffs and police can't get at it. We will be investigating how communities can mobilise on the ground to defend the autonomous spaces that they've created, be it a garden, a house or a party. We would like to share tips on dealing with the emotional, physical and mental challenges involved with maintaining our resistance in the hard times and the good.

Lots of you are creating such spaces.
Spaces for movement.
Movements that create new worlds.
Worlds that Resist.
Resisting for ourselves is an act of universal solidarity.
Solidarity with all those that are fighting Empire.
Empire is stumbling so lets help it down.

To book your place or to find out more about the event please contact:
info@transitionheathrow.com or 07890751568
or call in and lend a hand at Grow Heathrow itself.

Please let us know what aspect of eviction resistance you're most interested or experienced in. Crash Space is available but think about bringing 2 sleeping bags warm clothes and a tent. Travel is easiest from Paddington or Reading to West Drayton and then the 222 bus to Sipson or Waterloo to Feltham and the 285 to the corner of Sipson Rd and the Bath Rd. More travel info at www.transitionheathrow.com.

Wed 1st December. 6.30pm. The Pearce Institute. Aluminium, Development and Human Ecology

An evening of inspirational stories, song and film exploring the impacts of the aluminium industry on Scotland, India, our society and our planet.

What are the stories behind the shiny metal that makes our ships, cans, cars and tin foil?
How was the rhetoric of 'development' used by the aluminium industry in Scotland just as it is today in India and Ghana?
What happens to a community when it is dependent on one industry?

Indian activist/writer/film-maker Samarendra Das shows film clips and launches his 'seminal' book Out of this Earth, based on 10 years research and activism to expose the clash of cultures between a destructive metals industry, an alienated western society, and indigenous people who's way of life is a model of sustainability.

Plus: Andrew Perchard- oral historian on the aluminium industry in Scotland at the Centre for Oral History, University of Strathclyde tells the evocative story of aluminium in Scotland and its lessons for us today.

Wed 1st December. 6.30pm. The Pearce Institute.
Opposite Govan subway.
840-860 Govan Road,
Govan, Glasgow,
G51 3UU.

Free entry. A light supper will be provided. Feel free to bring food to share if you wish.

Hosted by the Centre for Human Ecology.

Free E-seminar: Campaigning Futures

(photo: Kristan Buus)
http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/campaigningfutures

Free E-seminar: Campaigning Futures

3-5pm, Thursday 28th October
Register here for free by joining the group

Are you struggling to keep up with new campaigning tools? Or are you ahead of the wave and already designing campaigns with one eye on emerging trends, such as changing expectations of participation, and the growth of interactive technologies?

Co-facilitated by NCVO Campaigning Effectiveness and Third Sector Foresight, this e-seminar will be a great opportunity to access new video presentations, talk to other forward-thinking campaigners, and quiz our invited experts on what the future holds for campaigning. All from the comfort of your own desk.
Session 1: The role of co-creation in online campaigning, 3-4pm

Amy Sample Ward
Global Community Development Manager for NetSquared.
Session 2: eCampaigning in a leaderless world, 4-5pm

Liam Barrington-Bush
Co-founder and Director of Concrete Solutions C. I. C.
Dan Glass
Activist for Plane Stupid and So We Stand, and Sheila McKechnie Award winner.

Hard to Reach? Engaging Diverse Communites

28 Sept: Hard to Reach? Engaging Diverse Communites

A one day course about engaging with diverse and excluded communities on climate change and the environment the course will help you to:

Gain a wider understanding of working with diverse communities and groups on climate change and environment
Enhance your skills on engaging excluded organisations
Understand how relevant legislation and work on impact assessments afects and informs your work
Identify ways to get funding and resources for this work
Develop an engagement plan to work with diverse communities and groups
Assess and understand the demographics of an area and the implications of these figures for
your work

Location: Novas Urban Centre, 73-81 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 0NQ
Time: 10:00 - 16:30
More information or to book a place: info@capacity.org.uk