EYFA News 12.07

EYFA NETWORK NEWS! DECEMBER 2007

EYFA newsletter is a tool to spread information on campaigns, actions,
meetings and convergence happening around Europe and beyond. Info is
forwarded to our network e-list and to network partners and contacts.
Please send us info eyfa@eyfa.org if you have news to be spread.

NOTE: After the summer we started with thematic newsletters and
archiving these on our website. You can find this newsletter at
http://eyfa.org/newsletter/on_overconsumerism (See also here our
September and November Newsletters). Or you can check out the version
below (without 'hyperlinks'):
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.on Over-Consumerism

(Buy Nothing) Christmas greetings from the EYFA office! As another
'biggest ever' Christmas forcefully approaches, and Santa's Sleigh seems
to have been replaced by giant container ships from China bringing
tonnes of throwaway pleasures, the December newsletter is about
over-consumerism.

**Contents
1. An Introduction...
2. Buy Nothing Day, 24th November 2007
3. Advertising
4. Over-packaging
5. A bitter taste
6. True Cost...
7. ...True Price
8. Buy Nothing Christmas
9. Further Links
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1. An introduction...
Consumerism is the achievement of personal happiness from the purchasing
of material possessions and consumption. However, the truth is that
consumerism is a pattern of behaviour that supports exploitation of
people, destroys the environment, badly affects personal health, and
decreases leisure time, creativity and critical thinking. Consumerism is
an expression of capitalism, which tries to turn everything in life into
objects and services that are sold for the purpose of generating profit
- commercialization, where the value of everything, including such
intangible things as happiness, health and beauty become measured in
commercial and materialistic terms. Consumerism is driven by the
commercialization and consumer capitalism that manipulates consumer
demand in a deliberate and coordinated way through mass-marketing that
results in an overload of information and confusion about what you
really need and spreads misinformation about consumer goods and
services. In this issue we would like to point out some of the examples
of anti-consumerism activities in Europe and give you a hint of what's
behind consumerism.
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2. Buy Nothing Day
The start of the Christmas over-shopping season, the most intense
consumer period of the year, was marked at the end of November by Buy
Nothing Day, with a slogan SHOP LESS - LIVE MORE.
In pre-industrialist times, "shopping" did not exist and consumerism was
based on necessity, though necessity in a different way to how we see it
today. Nowadays, we buy things we don't really need and won't use. Now,
what we believe to 'need' can also cover products to make our busy lives
survivable and pleasant; energy guzzling labour saving devices,
over-packaged convenience food, and so-called retail therapy. These
short-term solutions are a direct cause of a long-term problem. What we
need, in terms of making environmentally correct choices, can be a
confusing issue. Simply replacing all our household utilities and goods
with ethical or energy-saving alternatives can not only cause extra
consumerism, but create more waste from disposing of working objects.
Despite it's title, Buy Nothing Day carries a longer term message of
responsible consumerism. By not shopping for one day, we can realize the
unnecessary time we use, recognize it in the future, and make changes to
spend our time doing other things (whilst saving resources and money).
www.buynothingday.co.uk (also contains international links)

In Berlin,and many other cities, Zombie Shoppers challenged the 'real'
shoppers' perception of themselves. See a video of the action here:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1521762928736825634

In the UK, Fat Cats spread promises of future happiness, and Space
Hijackers went into stores to spread publicize false offers. More
information about these actions, and more, can be found here:
http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17851
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3. Advertising
Advertising is becoming more and more aggressive and impossible to
escape. At this time of year, it is directly aimed at the young,
encouraging the feeling of 'want' rather than 'need' at an early age.
Companies employ so-called trend researchers (or cool-hunters) to help
them design their next product range. In recent years, these companies
have noticed that revolution can be very profitable. With anti-
globalisation being one hot topic, the big companies have discovered
they can cash in on the movement working against them by advertising
their products as subversive and rebellious against issues.
[Tired of advertisements, trends, misinterpretation, misuse and abuse of
space and culture? Keep on spoofing, do it yourself, share, recycle,
cycle, reclaim, rewrite, redraw, redo, redesign, reprogram, hijack...]

A 'chase the logo' game is available on the Space Hijackers web-site,
www.spacehijackers.co.uk/html/games/logo.html, though we should warn
you... rushing to follow the brands can only result in a quick end for a
lot of sheep! More games on www.spacehijackers.co.uk/html/games.html
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4. Over-packaging – The Plastic Battle
Friends of the Earth have just announced the winners of their 'One
Minute with Meaning' short film competition with the theme of 'how we
use our planet like there is a tomorrow'. The chosen film looked at the
issue of over-packaging, which (along with the obvious drain on
resources) is designed to encourage impulse buying, and is undeniably
responsible for the resultant additional waste. The film shows the
inaccessibility, pointlessness and sheer excessiveness of packaging
designed with only quantity of sales in mind.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJaI-Ohggd4
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5. A bitter taste
Today’s consumption is undermining the environmental resource base and
exacerbates inequalities. Sandwiches wrapped in aluminium foil –
devastated landscapes in the north of Brazil. Meat between the bread –
comes from animals fed on soy that caused social and environmental
desertification in Argentina and Paraguay. The water – needed for meat
breeding per animal per day is ten times what a normal Indian family use
in one day. In the current industrialized system, for every kilo of red
meat, poultry, eggs, and milk produced – farm fields lose couple of
kilos of irreplaceable top soil. Cheap chocolate in Europe – made of
cacao picked by (often slave) child labour on cocoa plantations on the
Ivory Coast. Bananas from Latin America and the Caribbean – associated
with rainforest and community destruction. But meat, chocolate and
bananas are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of examples of negative
effects of the current consumption patters. A lot of the food produced
in poorer countries are grown not to feed local people and meet their
demands, but to be exported to cities around the world, especially in
Europe and North America. This leaves rural communities in poverty and
degrades their environment. If knowing all this results in a bitter
taste - Eat vegan, local, unpackaged, and organic!

Check: www.pig8soy.org
A chocolate link: http://vision.ucsd.edu/~kbranson/stopchocolateslavery
A banana link: www.chiquitakills.org/
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6.True cost...
It is obvious that there is no such thing as a low cost- the price is
paid for a bargain somewhere along the production line. Exploitation of
workers, toxic or non-recyclable materials, and miles of trans-
portation may lower the cost to consumers, but the injustice and
consequences they cause come at a much higher non-retail price. Not to
mention that if quantity produced exceeds demand (as often happens),
though shop prices fall further, much goes to waste.

Campaigners from the Clean Clothes Campaign and India Committee of the
Netherlands trying to expose the exploitation of workers at the Fibres
and Fabrics International (FFI) jeans factory in India now face an
international arrest warrant,together with the director of their
Internet service provider. Dutch Jeans company G-Star was the last
remaining customer of FFI until they finally gave in to public protest
on the 6th December and withdrew their contract. However, the gagging
order and arrest warrant on campaigners remains, preventing the truth
about labour practices from becoming public. See for more info on this
case www.cleanclothes.org
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7. ...True price
Post-purchase damage can be ignored just as easily as pre-retail
exploitation. Though worth of items usually go down after purchase and
use, the Adbusters project 'True cost economics' looks at how the retail
prices of commonly used good and services would be affected if they
included consequential damage caused by things such as transit hours,
taxes and insurance claims.
http://adbusters.org/metas/eco/truecosteconomics/true_cost.html

With current exchange rates against the dollar being so favourable to
Europeans, the amount of trans-Atlantic flights being made in the name
of Christmas shopping will surely rise... and the levels of our ocean
will follow. On the Global Footprint Network web page, the statistics of
our pressure on the earth are made visualized in graphs. Our global
footprint is already larger than the planet itself, and with growing
consumerism being at the root of the majority, if not all of our
environmental problems, it is set to grow at an increasingly alarming
rate until we can not survive at all.
www.footprintnetwork.org/gfn_sub.php?content=global_footprint
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8. Buy Nothing Christmas
Christmas is at the height of all consumerist badness; paper use for
cards and wrapping goes up by 25%, demand for cheap products fuels
unethical labour standards in factories, travel and transit involved in
shopping produces even more fumes and pollution, and products are likely
to be over-packaged to emphasize size and expense. Buy Nothing Christmas
is a campaign which challenges people to reconsider the importance of
money and superfluous spending. Though it may come as a shock to
so-called 'traditionalists' who see the extravagance as an essential
part of festivities, Buy Nothing Christmas does not propose to eliminate
the joy of giving, or (because it is originally a Christian-founded
campaign,) to ignore the festival. The idea is merely to look at
alternatives to the media-encouraged greed; more truly beneficial or
homemade gifts, thinking of different ways of packaging, and avoiding
the lazy 'who cares, it's Christmas' attitude to waste.

Links for a Buy Nothing Christmas:
http://makewealthhistory.org/2007/11/30/buy-nothing-christmas/
www.buynothingchristmas.org/
www.sendacowgifts.org.uk

The Dutch website dierenindecember.nl draws attention to the easily
forgotten increased use of animal products at this time of year. Part of
the CIWF - Compassion in World Farming- they draw attention to the link
between cruel farming practices, and demand for larger quantities of
cheap meat. See www.dierenindecember.nl (Dutch) or www.ciwf.org (English)
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9. Further recommended links (Please send us more!!):

Czech:
Co znamená Freegan? - http://freegan.info/?page=czech

Dutch:
“Solidaire Economie” - www.economischegroei.net
www.globalinfo.nl/content/view/1174/30
www.globalinfo.nl/content/view/1293/30/

English:
Space Hijackers- www.spacehijackers.co.uk
People and Planet- www.peopleandplanet.org
Overcoming Consumerism - www.verdant.net
Solidarity Economy - www.turbulence.org.uk/solidarityeconom.html

Finnish
Kaventajat - www.kaventajat.fi

French:
L'association Résistance à l'Agression Publicitaire -
www.antipub.org/
Brigade anti-publicitaire - www.bap.propagande.org/
®TMark - www.rtmark.com/homefr.html
La Décroissance - www.ladecroissance.net/

Portuguese:
Freeganismo (Portuguese)- http://freegan.info/?page=Portugues

Slovene:
lovek, ZBUDI SE! -
www.zbudise.net/blog/2007/11/akcija-dan-brez-nakupov/

Spanish
Qué es un freegan? - http://freegan.info/?page=Espa%F1ol
YOMANGO - www.yomango.net/
®TMark Empresarios del desorden - www.rtmark.com/homesp.html


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Published electronically by EYFA.
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Support for squat in Helsinki

hi again. our little solidarity demo is tomorrow, koningsplein 10.00 in
the morning.
xx boile




DEMO IN AMSTERDAM OP DONDERDAG 22-11

De beste en de enige gekraakte sociale centrum in Helsinki heeft je
steun nodig! Kom en laat je solidariteit zien bij de Finse consulaat;
haal je zwartgeklede kont uit je bed op donderdag 22-11 and ontmoet ons
op Koningsplein om 10.00 uur. Vodka en sauna voor iedereen als het pand
gelegaliseerd wordt!

The best and only squatted social centre in Helsinki needs your support!
Come show your solidarity at the Finnish consulate; drag your black
clothed asses out of bed on Thursday 22-11 and meet us at Koningsplein
at 10.00. Vodka and sauna for everyone when it gets legalised!

The Amsterdam Squatters for Elimäenkatu

Lets support squat in Helsinki

hi friends,

do you have anything to do on thursday morning? if not, start the day in
a demo to give support to the best and only squatted social center in
Helsinki. There has been a campaign to get a social centre in helsinki
and this building was squatted in the summer, after a whole summer of
squattings that all were evicted. This time there has been some promises
from the city to keep the house. The city council will decide on
thursday and there will be a demonstration in helsinki 16. They are
asking for international support. Thus we'll make a small action in
front of the finnish consulate which is near leidseplein, on
Leidsegracht 19. It is open from 10 to 12. I would go there at 10.00.
(Then I can still go to our office meeting almost on time, and maybe you
also need to go somewhere)

let me know if you want to
-come to the consulate at 10 (or is 11 better)
-help write something to hand out to the consulate
-help write a letter to the helsinki city council tomorrow (like the
danish did:http://www.q-olio.net/valtaus/?q=node/104)
-have ideas of how to make it more interesting (slogans, props, messages)

Amanda and me will brainstorm and make a banner tomorrow after 18 in the
Eigenaardig so welcome there. and we'd put the call-out on the internet
tomorrow, with the time and meeting place.

hope you can come,
They need to keep this house, otherwise the rest of helsinki squatters
will move to Amsterdam..and my dear city will be left to idiots

xxxX,
soile

here's their website
http://www.q-olio.net/valtaus/?q=taxonomy/term/1


%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Helsinki occupied social centre - call for solidarity 22 November

8 November 2007:

On November 22nd the City of Helsinki is going to make a decision if they
will legalize our squat. It is likely that the decision is going to be
negative, but our struggle can change that.

We appeal to all of our friends across Europe to act in our support
against the conservative and right wing politics that are being pushed
through by the officials of the City of Helsinki. Find an embassy of
Finland close to you, arrange a demo, send us regards, do what ever you
please but now is the moment we need your support.

We are very grateful for the support we received before, from Malmo,
Copenhagen and other places. One month ago we made them back of with
their plan to evict us. Now we find ourselves in the same situation
where we face risk of eviction, but also see a possibility of legalizing
our social centre. Stakes are higher this time, because we think now
city can't postpone their decision. Now we need help even more urgently
from our friends in struggle.

In Helsinki we are going to arrange a demonstration November 22nd and
you are totally welcome to come here to support us. We have
accommodation for you here, so please inform us if you re coming, to:
sosiaalikeskushki@gmail.com. We are not giving up!

+++

from Elimäenkatu 15, 3 November 2007:

Dear friends of the social centre movement, in Europe and beyond! Thank
you for your responses to our call for solidarity in defence of the
Elimäenkatu 15 squat in the Helsinki district of Vallila, Finland.
Negotiations between the users and occupiers of the house and (through the
city authorities) the owner of the house, insurance company Etera, were
threatening to end up in a deadlock and call for eviction this Thursday,
the 25th of October.

A study called for by city authorities claimed that the house is in too
poor condition to be used, and that it can not be repaired for less than
100 000 euro. This false claim was to be used as a reason to evict the
building, a 3-floor house that previously served as a bar and office space
and was squatted and turned into an occupied social centre in August 2007.

As of today, the city authorities decided to not process the issue in
their meeting, but rather delay any decision until the 22nd of November.
This may mean more time for the squatters to present their plan for how to
manage the space, and hopefully win a more permanent position.

However, the owners’ original threat to call for an eviction unless a
negotiated conclusion is reached during the month of October remains. We
hope the risk of negative publicity and actions will keep them from
carrying out their threat, but will only know after further negotiations.

Please stay tuned to the process. We feel that there have been concrete
achievements and a strengthening of our position, especially thanks to the
struggle together with the comrades in Copenhagen, last month and last
year. We wish you luck in your battles, and look forward to standing by
your side in the future. And please be ready to act again also on our
behalf if there is need. We may now have a week more, or a month more, or
a year. But at some point also we will come under the attack of capital.
Until then, and especially then, you are welcome to visit us in Helsinki!

Yours,
the squatters of E 15
http://www.q-olio.net/valtaus/?q=node/102

EYFA news 12.11.07

EYFA NETWORK NEWS! November 2007

EYFA newsletter is a tool to spread information on campaigns, actions,
meetings and convergence happening around Europe and beyond. Info is
forwarded to our network e-list and to network partners and contacts.
Please send us info if you have news to be spread.

NOTE: We have started after the summer with thematic newsletters and
archiving these on our website. You can find this newsletter (with loads
more 'hyperlinks') at http://eyfa.org/newsletter/on_borders (See also
here our September Newsletter on GMO's). Or you can check out the
version below (without all these 'hyperlinks'):
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. on Borders

While putting this newsletter together tents are still being set up on
both sides of the US/Mexico border. It's the third NoBorder Camp this
year after Camps in the Ukraine in August and UK in September. And for
today November 10 - on the 18th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin
Wall – actions will be mounted against border regimes in Mexico,
Guatemala, the United States, Canada, Israel and Palestine.
See Campamento Contra Las Fronteras http://noborderscamp.org/

**Contents
1. NoBorder Camps - intro
2. NoBorder Camp Ukraine – last August
3. NoBorder Camp UK – last September
4. European Police Congress 29th-30th, Berlin
5. Youth Crossing Borders – last August
6. Be a refugee
7. MigMap
8. Fortress Europe's death toll
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1. NoBorder Camps - intro

NoBorder Camps came up by the end of the 90s organized by a network of
groups struggling for the freedom ofmovement for all and an end to all
migration controls; calling fora radical movement against the system of
control, dividing us into citizens and non-citizens; demanding the end
of the border regime for everyone, including ourselves, to enable us to
live another way, without fear, racism and nationalism.
A space was created to gather and meet, discuss, make actions and create
connections. At first in countries that found themselves on the edges of
Fortress Europe – Poland, Romania, Spain and Italy – but in 2002
Strassbourg had a camp with a couple of thousand participants. This camp
turned out to be of great importance for the G8 protest camp Vaaag that
followed the year after in Evian, France: How to set up an infra-
structure that accommodates thousands of people, that is run non-
hierarchically, and that is a base for direct actions. After a break of
a couple of years the NoBorder Camps are back with camps this year in
Ukraine, UK and US/Mexico.
See overview early NoBorder Camps on http://www.noborder.org/
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2. NoBorder Camp Ukraine – August 11-20 2007

Organizing a NoBorder Camp is a challenge that not only deals with set-
ting up a large camp but also with the context of the nearby physical
border and the migrantphobic surroundings. The NoBorder Camp in Ukraine
was located at the eastern border region Transcarpathia. With the
enlargement of the EU, and shifting of borders, Transcarpathia became
one of the main routes for international migration. This region is known
for its unique blend of cultures and traditions and has a history build
on migration. But under EU pressure National migration policies changed
and the border regime harshened. State and popular media's use of
xenophobic rhetorics has created tension among the ancestors of migrants
and new-comers. One of the main aims of the Camp was therefore to do
outreach and spread counter-information.

The NoBorder Camp was attended by 300 activists from approximately 20
countries and also hosted a regional Food Not Bombs Gathering. A lot of
activists from the region, at first unfamiliar with NoBorder activism,
later joined the actions against the nearby detention center and
immigration offices. Besides the actions also a No Border festival was
organized in the nearby city Uzhgorod which attracted a lot of local
people with concerts, films and seminars. Borders, however, also came up
within the settings of the camp with an invisible border apparent
between the Russian and English speaking participants.

callout:
http://www.thatsaninterestingpoint.org.ua/noborders2007/callout_eng.html
EU pressure:
http://www.plotki.net/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=443&Itemid=31
action report: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/08/378802.html

(See also an extensive report in Abolishing The Borders From Below-
magazine issue #30, Oct.'07)
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3. NoBorder Camp UK – September 19-24 2007

It took some time to find a nice field to put the camp up. Police were
harassing local farmers not to host the camp on their lands. Eventually
one farmer did not give in and the camp was still located near one ofits
targets - the new detention center Brook House that is being build at
the Gatwick Airport. The UK had a summer of several protest camps - e.g.
Climatecamp . Still some 200 activists gathered at the NoBorder Camp to
discuss the situation in the UK and Europe, to exchange information and
tactics and to do actions. The participants were predominantly from the
UK and the Camp was of great importance for the growing UK NoBorder net-
work.

Two years of No Borders UK
It was before the G8 2005 in Scotland that initiatives started to
network around the issues of Freedom Of Movement in the UK again. A Make
Borders History demo took place in Glasgow during the 2005 G8 summit in
Scotland, calling at several institutions and companies involved in the
Border Regime. During the following year, No Borders groups were set up
all over the country, in London, Brighton, Cardiff, Nottingham, Leeds
and other cities. Regular demonstrations targeted immigration reporting
centers and as well as detention centers.

The year 2006 saw the first UK-wide No Borders Gathering in London and
exactly one year later, another gathering was held in Glasgow. The
initiatives naturally had different focal points, from fighting against
dawn raids, anti-deportation actions (e.g. in Leeds ), campaigning
against the point-based system, to solidarity with migrant workers (e.g.
justice for cleaners) and, of course, demonstrations at immigration
prisons. In Glasgow, people started Unity, a union of by and for asylum
seekers. In London, Harmondsworth became another focus of protests as
well as building up practical support for detainees. The October 7th
Network organized a demonstration in London as part of the Transnational
Day Of Action for migrants' rights. However, when the Home Office
disclosed plans to build a new immigration prison at Gatwick, the new
Brook House became a focus for the whole network.

check out http://noborders.org.uk/
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4. European Police Congress- January 29-30 2008, Berlin

The “European Police Congress” is a forum where politicians, police
authorities, intelligence services, the military and the security
industry meet to discuss the implementation of new measures for
prosecution. Big topic on their agenda is the policing of borders. Not
only is there the ambition to strengthen the walls of the fortress but
also to increase the control of people inside the walls. A Campaign was
initiated, demonstrations are being planned and actions in the making.
Against a “Global Security Architecture”, for more security-critical
behaviour!

check out http://info.gipfelsoli.org/Multilanguage/English/4393.html
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5. Youth Crossing Borders - August 4-19 2007, Aljezur, Portugal

EYFA organized a 14 days exchange in Aljezur that brought together
young activists from old and new EU member states to disscuss, compare
and enrich their different perspectives on migration issues. The topics
ranged from 'Environmental refugees' to 'Detention in the Netherlands.'
The participants came from countries and groups like Albania(Mjaft),
Romania(Kommunitas), Serbia(Stanipani), Montenegro(PlagusM), Croatia
(YPGD), Italy(la libellula), Portugal(Edsime) and The Netherlands(EYFA).
See http://eyfa.org/meetings/migration
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6. Be a Refugee

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) produced a
video game that 'let's you experience what it's like to be a refugee.'
Games are the way to communicate to a generation stuck with their heads
in the box, they must have thought. The game is called 'Against all
odds' and is odd indeed. http://www.playagainstallodds.com/
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7. MigMap – governing migration

MigMap is a 'Virtual Cartography of European Migration Policies' – it's
a map! Trying to get a grip on the European policy field of migration is
a horror. This map leads you along the different actors, institutions,
the discourses, the places and the practices.
http://www.transitmigration.org/migmap/
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8. Fortress Europe's death toll

Fortress Europe is tracking the numbers of people dying along the
borders of Europe. Their October 2007 Report report mentions that at
least 296 migrants and refugees have died trying to reach European Union
that month. More than 200 people were reported to be missing off Canary
Islands, in Spain, 51 migrants died in the Strait of Sicily and Calabria
(south of Italy) and 33 others were drowned in the Aegean sea, between
Turkey and Greece. At least 1,343 migrants have already died since the
beginning of the year. http://fortresseurope.blogspot.com/
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see for more links
http://eyfa.org/newsletter/on_borders

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Published electronically by EYFA.

EYFA News (next one)

EYFA newsletter is a tool to spread information on campaigns, actions,
meetings and convergence happening around Europe and beyond. Info is
forwarded to our network e-list and to network partners and contacts.
Please send us info if you have news to be spread.

--- -- -- - - - - -- - --- - - - -- --- - --- -- --- -- - - --- -- - --
. on GMOs
EYFA's summer was busy, with time spent in Portugal implementing
projects, like the annual gathering Ecotopia and also an exchange about
Migration. At the same time in Portugal, a campaign against Genetically
Modified Organisms (GMOs) brought this issue into the forefront of
Portuguese public and political debate. So we thought it would be a good
moment to focus our newsletter on the issue of GMOs. We hope this
highlights the campaigns and initiatives gaining momentum around Europe,
which attempt to educate about the dangerous development and use of GMO
agricultural models.
Read on, and please support these campaigns and struggles and spread the
information through your networks.
eyfa office


**Contents
1. Do you live in a GMO-free zone?
2. Defending a GMO-free zone in Portugal
3. La Soja Mata - Soy Kills
4. FOE's European Anti-GMO Campaign
5. “Say no to genetic engineering” Greenpeace's campaign
6. GM Watch .org
7. Links to campaigns in Europe


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1. Do you live in a GMO free zone?

What is a GMO? A GMO is a “genetically modified organism” (also called
“genetically engineered”): a plant, animal, or microorganism whose
genetic code has been altered, subtracted, or added (either from the
same species or a different species) in order to give it characteristics
that it does not have naturally. For example, genes from a fish have
been placed in strawberries and tomatoes.
GMOs have negatively affected biodiversity, the environment, farmers and
consumers around the world, while multinational companies such as
Cargill and Monsanto who created and patented GMOs gained more economic
and political power through the introduction of GMOs into our food
systems and the environment. A number of campaigns have been raising
awareness about the social and environmental injustice caused by GMOs.
These campaigns are also trying to stop further expansion of GMOs.
And maybe there is something you can do to help. Have a look at the list
of anti-GMO campaigns at the end of this newsletter. But first check if
you live in a GMO-free zone – have a look at
www.gmo-free-europe.org

--- -- -- - - - - -- - --- - - - -- --- - --- -- --- -- - - --- -- - --
2. Defending a GMO-free zone in Portugal

On 17th of August 2007, “Movimento Verde Eufémia” did a direct action
against the first GM-corn field in the GMO-free Zone of the Algarve [see
http://genet.iskra.net/en/portugal ] The action was publicly announced
and cameras were waiting. In the action less than 1 hectare of GM corn
was symbolically mowed by a group of activists. [ more about the action
on indymedia:
www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/08/379708.html
The action was first of this kind in Portugal and it provoked a
discussion on presence of GMOs in Portugal and put the spotlight on GMO
related issues. There was also quite a lot of media spin (as expected)
from mainstream media, and varying political disapproval by current
government and other political parties. Movimento Verde Eufémia is under
a lot of pressure and legal intimidation, and calls out for a support
and the creation of international solidarity network. If you are active
in GMO campaigning or know groups who are, or would simply like to help,
please contact verde.eufemia@hush.com

Visit their website http://eufemia.ecobytes.net
or for those who do not speak Portuguese, please see
http://eufemia.ecobytes.net/category/english/
and have a look at anti-GMO in Portugal www.stopogm.net

--- -- -- - - - - -- - --- - - - -- --- - --- -- --- -- - - --- -- - --
3. About La Soja Mata - Soy Kills

There is a campaign and website, "La Soja Mata" or "Soy Kills", which
provides information about the direct impacts of large scale
monocultures, specifically GM-soy, on people's lives and the
environment. La Soja Mata aims to support campaigns against such
dangerous monocultures and the soy model, which rely heavily on
"RoundupRead" or GMO crops. La Soja Mata makes information about these
issues and international campaigns accessible.
The public in 'consumer countries' have by now been extensively informed
that the advance of soy plantations causes massive destruction of
ecosystems, such as rainforests and savannahs, in countries like
Argentina and Brazil. However, the scale and speed with which land is
taken over by the production of these crops, driven by a growing demand,
is making many more victims: local communities are driven out, farmers
loose their crops because of intensive use of the herbicide Roundup on
RoundupReady (GMO) soy, and this also causes health problems on a scale
that many do not realise. In addition, soils degrade and water levels go
down, deforestation changes regional climate patterns. Soy plantations
do not generate jobs, so there is a continuous flow of people migrating
to the city slums or abroad. If people disappear, so does the market for
many other small scale economic activities. Small scale agriculture
harbours both agricultural and natural biodiversity - moncultures don't.
Resistance in producer countries is growing. La Soja Mata provides
information in English, and hopefully other languages, about campaigns
carried by farmers, landless people, rural and urban communities,
against the take over of their surroundings by (RoundupReady - GMO) soy
plantations.
www.lasojamata.org

--- -- -- - - - - -- - --- - - - -- --- - --- -- --- -- - - --- -- - --
4. Friends of the Earth - European GMO Campaign and Biotechnology Programme

Friends of the Earth's European GMO Campaign is working to safeguard
GMO-free agriculture and to ensure that European citizens have the right
to choose GMO-free food. To achieve this, Friends of the Earth's
national groups across Europe are working together to:
* actively lobby at EU and national level to strengthen GMO legislation;
* promote the creation of GMO free zones;
* increase public awareness and participation in decision-making about
GMOs, and help ensure that consumers can exercise their right to choose
about GM crops and food;
* research information and propose policy solutions.
The Friends of the Earth Europe website has many links to new
developments with European legislation about GMOs, new publications and
links to press releases and actions.
www.foeeurope.org/GMOs/Index.htm
See also www.tomatotour.org

--- -- -- - - - - -- - --- - - - -- --- - --- -- --- -- - - --- -- - --
5. Say no to genetic engineering

”Say no to genetic engineering” is a campaign against GMOs by
Greenpeace. Have a look at their webpage, which provides examples and
gives a background information on issues related to GM contamination and
other threats:
www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/genetic-engineering

--- -- -- - - - - -- - --- - - - -- --- - --- -- --- -- - - --- -- - --
6. GM Watch
www.gmwatch.org

A website with information and news on GMO related issues around the
world. To stay updated subscribe to gmwatch's newsletter
www.gmwatch.org/sub.asp
[Another useful site is www.gmo-compass.org]

--- -- -- - - - - -- - --- - - - -- --- - --- -- --- -- - - --- -- - --
7. Links to anti-GM campaigns and activities in Europe:
[sends us more links!]


BULGARIA:
www.zazemiata.org/gmo

CROATIA:
www.zelena-akcija.hr/ge

DENMARK:
www.toft.dk/gendebat
www.noah.dk/gentek/gtforside.html

FINLAND:
www.bioturva.org
www.gmovapaa.fi

FRANCE:
www.infogm.org
www.confederationpaysanne.fr

GERMANY:
www.biopiraterie.de
www.gen-ethisches-netzwerk.de

ICELAND:
www.erfdabreytt.net

ITALY:
www.rfb.it

MACEDONIA:
www.ekosvest.com.mk

PORTUGAL:
www.stopogm.net

POLAND:
www.icppc.pl

ROMANIA:
http://omg.ngo.ro
www.greenpeace.ro

SPAIN:
www.transgenicsfora.org

SWEDEN:
www.gmofri.se

THE NETHERLANDS:
http://www.aseed.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=176&Itemid=162

UK:
www.geneticsaction.org.uk



* * * * ** * * * ** * * * ** * * * ** * * * *
Published electronically by EYFA.
* * * * ** * * * ** * * * ** * * * ** * * * *
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Network mailing list
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Lets meet together !!! on groen front (earth first ) gathering

GroenFront! Gathering 2007 - Culemborg
GroenFront! Nederland en Belgie - 07.08.2007 17:32

Ook dit jaar zal er weer een grote GroenFront! gathering zijn. De gathering is het jaarlijks trefpunt van radicale eco-activisten uit Nederland en Belgie. Dit jaar zal het circus neerstrijken in het mooie buitengebied van Culemborg. De nieuwe Krimp-campagne van GroenFront! zal deze gathering centraal staan, maar ook de andere campagnes zullen uiteraard ruimschoots aan bod komen.


"Werk aan het Spoel"

De gehele gathering zal klimaatneutraal zijn. We willen uiteraard zelf het goed voorbeeld geven en laten zien dat het allemaal best mogelijk is. Dit betekent wel dat je geen volledig verzorgd pension moet verwachtten, maar een leuke en gezellige bijeenkomst waar iedereen af en toe de handen uit de mouwen moet steken. Vele handen maken licht werk....

Programma
Het programma is onderverdeeld in een 3-tal thema's: "Actievaardigheden en GroenFront!", "Krimp-campagne" en "DIY-mogelijkheden"

De linkjes achter de programma-onderdelen verwijzen naar meer inhoudelijk informatie over dat specifieke onderwerp, maar dus niet naar concrete uitleg over die workshop. Toch geeft het hopelijk alvast een beeld over de inhoud van die workshop.

Sommige workshops zijn nog onder voorbehoud. Zodra er meer duidelijkheid over is, zal dat uiteraard z.s.m. gepubliceerd worden.


Actievaardigheden en GroenFront!
* IJsland-campagne [Meer]
* Schinveld-campage [Meer]
* Entenwoud-campagne [Meer]

* Ambachtelijk lock-ons maken
* Lock-ons en beton [Meer]
* Opzetten van een campagne
* Onderzoek doen voor campagnes en acties [Meer]
* Media-interview
* Media-strategie
* Actievoeren voor beginners
* EarthFirst! en GroenFront! voor beginners [Meer]
* Computerveiligheid [Meer]
* Clowns [Meer]
* Klimmen en boomhutten bouwen [Meer]
* Traumaverwerking voor activisten
* Prisonersupport [Meer]

Krimp-campagne
* Waarom biofuels niet duurzaam zijn [Meer]
* De nut en noodzaak van economische krimp (ovb) [Meer]
* 5 Steenkolencentrales in Nederland ? [Meer]
* Krimpen of verzuipen (campagne introductie) [Meer]
* De effecten van klimaatverandering (ovb)[Meer]
* De aanstaande energiecrisis, peak fossil fuels [Meer]
* Duurzame energie nader bekeken

* Campagnes ondersteunen in het zuiden/ hot spots
* Uraniummijnen in Australie(ovb)
* Forest-campagne in Australie(ovb)

DIY-mogelijkheden
* Klimaatneutraal kraken in de praktijk
* DIY zonnecellen aanleggen
* Fietsgenerator
* Fietswasmachine
* DIY biodiesel maken
* Permacultuur

Bij programma-onderdelen van "DIY-mogelijkheden" betreft het soms geen workshop, maar een presentatie en/of tentoonstelling.


Kinderprogramma
De GroenFront-activisten van de toekomst zijn ook dit jaar weer welkom, maar we gaan er vanuit dat ouders zelf meehelpen. Meer informatie over het kinderprogramma volgt z.s.m. Geef het alsjeblieft wel van te voren aan als je kinderen mee neemt, zodat er met de planning rekening mee gehouden. Alvast bedankt daarvoor!

Green Anarchy Bibliotheek
Dit jaar zal er weer een flinke collectie boeken over (groen) anarchisme en eco-activisme zijn. Ter lering en inspiratie. Naast deze bibliotheek is er ook een uitgebreide boeken en merchandise-stand

Filmprogramma
Ook al zal er uiteraard een filmprogramma zijn. Laat je verrassen door Hollywood blockbusters en Underground actiefilms. Alles uiteraard samenhangend met de onderwerpen op deze gathering. Op het programma onder meer Energy at the Cross Roads, Our Daily Bread, en een videocompilatie van 10 jaar GroenFront!


Kom ook!
De Gathering begint op vrijdag 24 augustus, vanaf 18:00. Het programma loopt door tot zondagavond. Uiteraard kun je tot maandag blijven, zodat je rustig de tijd heb om je spullen weer in te pakken.

Er zijn in Culemborg geen grote slaapruimtes aanwezig. Wel is er alle ruimte voor veel tentjes. Dus vergeet niet om je tent (en slaapzak e.d.) mee te nemen! Vergeet je dit wel, dan kun je hopelijk onder een droge sterrenhemel slapen.

Eten en dergelijk zal verzorgd worden (6,50 per dag, bio en vegan). Voor enkele andere overige kosten zal een kleine donatie gevraagd worden aan alle deelnemers.


Locatie en adres
De GroenFront! Gathering is te gast bij de krakers van een fort op de Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie: "Het Werk aan het Spoel". Dit fort ligt ten westen van Culemborg aan de Lek. Het werk (naam voor een klein fort) wordt doorsneden door de Goilberdingerdijk tussen Culemborg en Everdingen. Werk aan het Spoel maakt deel uit van de Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie en diende ter beveiliging van de waaiersluis die de watertoevoer voor de inundatie ten oosten van de Diefdijk regelde. De oudste delen van het werk dateren van 1794. De waaiersluis is in 1978 gesloopt.

Het fort is uniek vanwege zijn ligging. Met aan de ene kant uitzicht op de Lek, omzoomd door de Goilberdingerwaard en aan de andere kant de grote nieuwbouwwijk Parijsch. Werk aan het Spoel behoort tot het meest gave deel van de waterlinie dat, aan de overkant van de Lek, het linielandschap bij Tull en ?t Waal en voorts de forten Honswijk en Everdingen omvat.

[Lees meer over de geschiedenis van "Het Werk aan het Spoel"]

Het Werk aan het Spoel
Goilberdingendijk 40 (noordzijde)
Culemborg [Kaartje]


Opgeven
Graag willen we een beetje duidelijkheid hebben over hoeveel mensen we kunnen verwachten. Dit vanwege bijvoorbeeld het verzorgen van het eten en drinken. Hierom vragen we of je je van te voren even wilt aanmelden via 2007 (at) groenfront (punt) nl. Alvast bedankt!


No Dogs, No Masters, No Nazi's
Journalisten, aanhangers van extreem rechts en politie (incl. inlichtingendiensten) zijn niet welkom. Indien jullie toch komen, maak je kans om een volledig verzorgde plons in de Lek.

En helaas: honden zijn ook niet welkom. Ze kunnen niet worden toegelaten tot het terrein.

E-Mail: 2007 (at) groenfront (punt) nl Website: http://www.groenfront.be

NIce !!

"Be who you are and say what you feel,
because those who mind don't matter
and those who matter don't mind"

Last words from my great teatcher Doc

"Science has proven that it is impossible for the bumblebee to fly, because
the bumblebee's wing area and power output are too small in relation to its
body mass.
The bumblebee, however, does not know this, so it goes ahead and flies
anyway."


Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Security does not exist in
nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger
is no safer in the long run than exposure.

Helen Keller


"I am only one.
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything
but still I can do something.
I will not refuse to do
the something I can do."
-Helen Keller

EYFA News

####################################################
EYFA NETWORK NEWS! July 2007
####################################################

Upcoming local and international activities, campaigns, calls to action
or meeting/training opportunities in and around the EYFA network.
Please keep emailing info to EYFA (to eyfaeyfa.org, subject
"newsletter") so we can spread it through the network, website or in
this monthly e-news format.

read on and take part!
eyfa office

**Contents:
1. Ecotopia Portugal
2. No Borders Camp, Ukraine
3. Feminist & Anti-Homophobic camp in Lithuania
4. Activist murdered in Siberia
5. Camp for Climate Action
6. Building Workcamp in Moldova
7. Media Workshops in the Caucuses
8. Conference on Independent Music from Central and
Eastern Europe

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************************************************************************************

1. Ecotopia Portugal, August 4-19

Come to the south of Portugal this August and participate in 19th annual
Ecotopia gathering. Ecotopia is a two-week activist camp and an open
event for everyone interested in environmental and social justice
issues. Ecotopia takes place every summer since 1989 in a different
country. It is organized by EYFA (European Youth For Action) and hosted
by local grassroots environmental organizations. This year the local
hosts, GAIA (Grupo de Acção e Intervenção Ambiental), invite you to
Portugal to give workshops, network and learn.

Ecotopia is a place for networking, learning, exchanging experiences and
spreading information about environmental, social and political issues
and campaigns. Several hundred people attend Ecotopia each year to share
skills, to discuss alternatives and to address a wide range of themes
and issues like strategies for actions and campaigns, racism,
xenophobia, homo- and queerphobia, creative dissent, alternative media,
social centers, sustainable building and infrastructure, organic/fair
trade food and farming, climate change, biological diversity, GMOs, etc.

Migration Theme
Every year a theme is suggested by the organizers, to bring a focus to
the gathering. This year the theme is "Migration" and there will be a 3
days Migration Focus on the venue from 10th to 12th of August.

Throughout these 3 days there is space to discuss the reality of a
'Fortress Europe', of detention camps and different kinds of repression
on 'illegal' people, and to share experiences in the struggle for equal
rights and global freedom of movement for all. In the setting of
Ecotopia we will also look into the reasons and effects of
urban-rural/rural-urban migrations and address the global increase of
environmental refugees.

Community
Ecotopia is horizontally and self-organized. It brings an alternative
and environmentally-friendly way of living and organizing into practice:
DIY (do-it-yourself), consensus decision-making, waste recycling, a
vegetarian/vegan organic kitchen and the usage of alternative energies
as much as possible. It is strictly forbidden to use non-ecological
stuff (soap,shampoo etc) in the camp. Everyone is asked to involve
themselves in decision-making processes, the daily creation of the
program and the running of the camp. During the 2 weeks, participants
can use Ecotopia as a platform to spread information in the area and to
organize local actions or cleanups.

Location
Aljezur is a small town in the south of Portugal situated in the
Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park in the Algarve
region. The landscape is dominated by cliffs, clear sand and dunes. It
is known for its archaeological and historical richness. Once founded by
Arabs in the 10th century, the Aljezur of today has a mixed population
of 2700 inhabitants.

Prepcamp (23rd of June - 4th of August 2007 )
Every year, before Ecotopia starts, there is a Preparation Camp of 1-2
weeks in the venue for setting up the infrastructure of the camp. This
year Ecotopia Prep-Camp will start 23rd of June 2007. If you want to
participate the PrepCamp, please mention this while filling in the
online registration forms.

Costs and Participation:
The fee is 5 ecos per day. This is just to cover the food costs, which
will be similar to the food costs in your own country. This is based on
the alternative economic system EYFA has developed called "Ecorates".
Ecorates are based on living standards and income of people rather than
financial markets.

Please register! If you plan on coming, please visit our online
registration form so we can estimate participants (for food and
logistics). You can do that here: http://informal.benn.org/?db=60

For all other information about Ecotoipa, please visit these sites:
www.ecotopiagathering.org/
www.gaia.org.pt
www.eyfa.org

Contact email: ecotopia@eyfa.org

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************************************************************************************

2. No Borders Camp, Ukraine

The camp will take place from the 11th to the 20th of August 2007 in the
main region of transit and labor migration in Ukraine: Transcarpathia.

The eastward expansion of the European Union has resulted in moving the
walls of "Fortress Europe" to the Western border of Ukraine. The
Ukrainian region of Transcarpatia, of which the biggest cities are
Uzhgorod and Mukachevo, has become a new borderline, with increasing
militarization and major concentration of detention camps for refugees
from the countries of Global South and former USSR, who try to escape
war, totalitarianism or misery to the European Union countries. It is
hard to find any "open" information about the conditions in the majority
of these camps.

The condition of the refugees in Ukraine is very unstable: freedom of
movement is restricted; it is hard to get a job or medical care, and no
social security is provided. When one gets refugee status, the only
support they get from the state is a single payment of a petty 3 euros.
In recent years Ukraine has even extradited asylum seekers to places
like Uzbekistan, where they were imprisoned for years in the notorious
authoritarian regime's gulags.

The increase of border controls makes a big impact on lives of local
people in the depressed region of Transcarpathia. The region is situated
on the intersection of borders of five countries: Ukraine, Slovakia,
Poland, Hungary, and Romania. Four of them are now in the European
Union, but Ukraine will not be its member in the near future. So
"Fortress Europe" strengthens its Eastern frontiers on the borderline of
Western Ukraine. Still, up to half of the working population of
Transcarpathia works abroad.

At the same time, Transcarpathia has been for a long time a very special
region with its unique blend of local cultures and traditions, and now
it turned out to be one of the main routes for international migration.
Therefore, local border guards, security services and media, using
xenophobic language, help to spread prejudices towards migrants among
local population, which resulted in rising tensions in the region.

We demand the right of free movement for everyone, asylum for all the
persecuted people and the right of people to migrate from depressed
areas to work in other countries, if it can make their lives better. We
demand abolishing all visa regimes. We want to tear down "Fortress
Europe" contemporary border regime, which has lead to the
state-sanctioned murder of thousands of people in its borders during
recent years. The "Global Apartheid" policy should be stopped!

We will discuss the possible ways and perhaps we will do some actions
(but not in the very region of camp; it has been advised by everybody
who's in touch with the region that any confrontational actions done by
activists from "outside" on such a sensitive issue could make the
situation worse, not better). So first of all it will not be an action
camp but a camp for communication, networking, planning and popular
education.

Another event that is going to take place in the camp is an
International Food Not Bombs gathering. There is an explosion of Food
Not Bombs activities in Eastern Europe. In Russia alone there are about
50 groups that are regularly doing actions. Also an East Europe media
activist gathering will also take place within the context of the No
Boarder camp.

We already started to form a program of workshops, discussions,
practical trainings etc. But we prefer the program of the camp to be
formed by the people who will come there. So if you've got something to
share or contribute ? please let us know now! It can be any topic you
are interested in, not only the main topic of the camp.

Please take into account that Ukraine has cancelled the visa regime for
the citizens of the European Union, the USA and some other countries, so
if you have a passport of some Western country you probably do not need
any visa to join us.

More information and contact: noborder2007@riseup.net
To subscribe/unsubscribe, change your address on the list etc. you can
find help at: http://help.riseup.net/lists/subscribers/

To register for the No Border Camp and more info:
http://www.thatsaninterestingpoint.org.ua/noborders2007/index_eng.php

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************************************************************************************

3. Feminist & Anti-Homophobic camp in Lithuania

August 3 - 5 there will be a pro/feminist, anti-homophobic camp in
Lithuania. Workshops on various topics are being offered, like:
- feminist self-defence and/or methods of domination
- Feminism in post-Soviet context
- Different historical paths of feminism(s) in the West and
Soviet/Post-Soviet space
- Social Engineering and Politics of 'Normalcy' - Who needs it? EU, NGOs,
- neoliberalism versus nationalisms, religious fundamentalism, conservatism
- and more

Translations will be available.
Please email if there are any questions and for more info:
anya_rus@yahoo.com

************************************************************************************
************************************************************************************

4. Activist murdered in Siberia

Another activist murdered, on the night of the 21st of July the
anti-nuclear protest camp in Angarsk, Siberia was attacked by a group of
Nazis. They were armed with knives, bats, cudgels, and iron pipes. While
swearing nationalist and anti-Antifa slogans they first attacked the 21
year old Ilya Borodaenko who was on guard. Ilya, an anarchist and member
of the Autonomous Action from Nakhodka, died because of a craniocerebral
trauma. Two more people are still in the hospital, one still unconscious
and the other with both legs broken. The tents were sliced to pieces and
burned. Their belongings were stolen.

The police, who only one week earlier had started their own
intimidations towards the activists, said the attack was an act of
'hooliganism', ignoring with this statement the increase of neo-Nazi
attacks in Russia on migrants, and Antifa- and human rights activists.

More background info: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/07/376699.html
First solidarity action at the Russian Embassy in the Netherlands:
http://www.indymedia.nl/nl/2007/07/46234.shtml

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************************************************************************************

5. Camp for Climate Action

14th - 21st August, Heathrow Airport UK, A week of workshops and action.

The Camp for Climate Action comes to Heathrow Airport in 2007, for a
summer of sustainability, solidarity and sanity :-
http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/location.php

Aviation is the fastest growing source of Greenhouse Gas emissions in
the United Kingdom, and all our efforts to tackle Climate Change in
other sectors will be undone by the massive growth in air travel.

Holding this year's Climate Camp at Heathrow aims to highlight the
lunacy of the Government's airport expansion plans, target industry
giants profiteering from the Climate crisis, and raise awareness of the
need to fly less.

The camp will also support local residents in their long-term struggle
against the building of a third runway and the destruction of their
communities.

There will be a day of mass direct action aiming to disrupt the
activities of the airport and the aviation industry, but in the
interests of public safety there will be no attempt to blockade runways.

Although the location is different from 2006, when we went to the Drax
coal power station to shut it down, the philosophy of the camp remains
the same : to be a space for the burgeoning network of people taking
radical action on Climate Change.

We come together for a week of low-impact living, education, debate,
networking, strategising, celebration, and direct action.

The camp will feature over 100 workshops covering topics such as Climate
Change impacts, Carbon Offsetting, Biofuels, Peak Oil, Permaculture,
practical Renewables, campaign strategy, skills for direct action, and
much more.

Run without leaders by everyone who comes along, it will be a working
ecological village using Renewable Energy, composting waste and sourcing
food locally.

It all comes down to us, now. We are the last generation that can do
anything about Climate Change. The world has less than 10 years to come
up with a workable plan. In 20 or 30 years' time, should we not change
our ways, we'll be committed to emissions increases that will see
forests burn, soils decay, oceans rise, species extinction and millions
of people die, or be displaced from their land.

If we don't get this issue right, so much else is lost too. We still
have time, but not for long. Make it count.

7 short films of Climate Camp participants :-
http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/videos.php
Camp for Climate Action, 14th - 21st August 2007 :-
http://www.climatecamp.org.uk
General questions / comments / suggestions can be sent to :-
info@climatecamp.org.uk
To subscribe to the mailing list, type "climatecamp" at :-
http://lists.riseup.net
or send an email to :-
climatecamp-subscribe@lists.riseup.net

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6. Building Workcamp in Moldova, 17.08.2007 -01.09.2007

There are still 11 places available at the international workcamp in
Moldova 17.08.2007 -01.09.2007, where we plan to renovate a small
primary school in a Roma ("Gypsy")-community, in the Center - West of
the country.

MOLDOVA, a former Soviet republic slightly bigger than Belgium, set
between Romania and Ukraine and with a population of around 3 Million
people today. The main spoken language is Romanian.

BUT HOW CAN YOU GET THERE
There are direct train services between Moldova and Belarus, Bulgaria,
Poland, Romania, Russia, Ukraine. Similarly, there are direct bus
(coach) connections between Moldova and Bulgaria, the Czech Republic,
Germany, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Ukraine. Potential volunteers
from Bulgaria, Georgia and Turkey might also consider to take a ferry to
Odessa, the Ukranian Black See-port and to continue their journey on bus
(8 hours) to the Moldovan capital, Chisinau.

We would like to recommend this workcamp also to the more experienced
and mature volunteers. There are no age restrictiosn on this camp and
we are happy to receive volunteers of what ever age above 21.

This will be the first international workcamp to take place in this
country after a number of years. A rare opportunity to visit Europe's
least known but arguably currently one of the most interesting countries.

We are waiting for your applications !

Please write to:

M.Wiersing@gmx.net and sirbu_tanja@yahoo.fr

Best wishes,
Mihai Wiersing Sudau
CPF 50:50 - Tarna Rom
Chisinau

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7. Media Workshops in the Caucuses

Media workshops with from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia
Organised by Intercultural Centre (IZ) Vienna, the Association of Youth
Non-formal Education in Lithuania (AYNEL) and the Eurasia Foundation,
Georgia

We are offering the opportunity for young people from Armenia,
Azerbaijan, and Georgia to participate in the project “South Caucasus –
a Part of Europe”. The project is starting with media workshops in
Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia carried out by an international team of
media/youth trainers. We are looking for young people aged 16-24 who:

- Want to learn how to express ideas through using media – radio, print
journalism, photography or video
- Are ready to cooperate with young people from Austria, Georgia,
Armenia, Azerbaijan and Lithuania
- Motivated to discuss with others and actively share their perspectives
of life in the participating countries
- Know one foreign language (English, Russian, German or other)
- Are willing to use knowledge and experience gained during the
workshops with other people in their community (e.g. NGO, friends,
school, other)
- Are committed to be active in the project for a one year period (Oct
2007-Oct-2008)

30 young people from each country (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia) will be
selected and trained by an international team of professional
media/youth trainers in one of the 4 media fields. The outcome of their
work will be presented to the public in Austria and Lithuania during an
information campaign with a number of exhibitions, publications and
discussions.

Workshop schedule:

- Preparatory media workshops of 6 days duration – second week of
October 2007 for young people in Georgia, first week of November 2007
for young people in Armenia and third week of November 2007 for young
people in Azerbaijan.
- 3 x 1 day follow-up workshops until July 2008 for young people in each
of the countries

Based on the commitment and active participation in the project a
delegation of 5 workshop participants from each country will be invited
to participate in the joint workshops with young people and opening of
the campaign in Austria and Lithuania in autumn of 2008.

Please visit this website for more info:
https://salto.org.pl/forum/viewtopic.php?p=81&sid=932c1f0e613a44aa49decdeb78e61eb7#81

You will find application form at the above website, to be filled in and
returned to the following e-mail address: veronica.chkadua@eurasia.org.ge


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8. Conference on Independent Music from Central and
Eastern Europe

Kultur Aktiv, located in Germany, has the pleasure to invite you/other
representatives from your organisation to the third edition of the
international Conference on Independent Music from Central and
Eastern Europe – “Storm of Change III”. The conference will take place
on 14th - 16th September in Dresden,Germany.

This international event offers all the organisations and active
individuals the perfect opportunity and environment to
• establish new contacts with organisations from over
25 countries that work in the Art, Cultural and Social
field,
• exchange knowledge on Independent Music,
• debate on current issues, and more.

Contact Kultur Aktiv e.V. for a more detailed invitation letter, which
contains information regarding the program, goals, concept, activities,
requirements, etc.

Contact:
Cristina Gutu
Kultur Aktiv e.V.
pomocnik@kulturaktiv.org

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Published electronically by EYFA.
_______________________________________________
Network mailing list
Network@lists.eyfa.org
https://lists.eyfa.org/mailman/listinfo/network

iTS WORTH TO DEVEND

Demo for animals

MARS TEGEN DIERENLEED

Donderdag 9 augustus in Amsterdam

Samen met Respect voor Dieren organiseert de
Anti Dierproeven Coalitie een mars tegen dierenleed. Een bonte stoet van dierenvrienden zal door de binnenstad van Amsterdam een luid en krachtig protest laten horen tegen het leed van dieren. We richten ons speciaal op de bonthandel en de proefdierindustrie.

De dag ziet er als volgt uit: 13.00, Beursplein - toespraken van Max Boon van Respect voor Dieren en Danny Flies van de Anti Dierproeven Coalitie. Hapjes zijn aanwezig - 14.00. Begin van de vreedzame tocht, langs o.a. Maison de Bonneterie (bont) en de Deutsche Bank (50.000 aandelen in dierproeven).

De jaarlijkse internationale dierenrechten bijeenkomst bekend als de AR gathering wordt dit jaar gehouden in Nederland. Van vrijdag 10 augustus tot en met maandag 13 augustus zal deze bijeenkomst plaatsvinden in Appelscha, gelegen in het noorden van Nederland op een prachtige plek met goede camping- en andere voorzieningen aan de rand van een bos.

Victory of Groene Front

Raad van State: Kap Schinveldse bossen verboden
redactie - 18.07.2007 11:53



Op 18 july 2007, om 10:15h deed de Raad van State een uitspraak die ze zelf vooraf als "spraakmakend" bestempelde. Ze spraken zich negatief uit over de boskap in de Schinveldse bossen. Tegen deze uitspraak is geen hoger beroep mogelijk.
"Het hoogste Nederlandse rechtsorgaan heeft gesproken. En daar heeft men zich bij neer te leggen. [....] De wet is de wet en die dient door iedereen op opgevolgd te worden." Aldus Jos Zuidgeest, de toenmalige waarnemend burgemeester van Schinveld, bij zijn toespraak vlak voor de bomenkap in januari 2006.

GroenFront! dat zich reeds opmaakte voor een nieuwe bosbezetting kraait terecht victorie, maar stelt zich toch een aantal vragen. Vooral omdat het niet voor het eerst is dat de actievoerders achteraf gelijk krijgen en er ten onrechte natuur vernietigd wordt. Ze eisen dan ook "publieke excuses" en een vliegstop.

Wat vooraf ging

Reeds bijna 30 jaar, vanaf het moment dat er sprake was van het reactiveren van de NAVO basis in Geilenkirchen (1978) zijn lokale actievoerders actief in een vereniging die sedert de, nu illegale, boskap van 6 ha, herdoopt werd tot Vereniging STOP Awacs.

Toen in 2003 duidelijk werd dat Minister Dekker van VROM en staatssecretaris van Defensie Van der Knaap via een NIMBY (not in my backyard) procedure tegen de wil van de bevolking, het lokale bestuur in de basisprincipes van de democratie ondergeschikt maakten aan het dictaat van de NAVO en aangaven toch te willen gaan kappen in natuurgebied, werd er meer ruchtbaarheid gegeven aan het verhaal. Vanaf 2005 werd Schinveld door GroenFront! als potentiële actie aangemerkt.

Vanaf eind mei 2005 begint GroenFront! samen met de vereniging STOP Awacs Overlast kleinere acties te organiseren, dit nadat een publieke vergadering op 15 mei zo'n 300 boze buurtbewoners zich bereid toonden om actie te gaan voeren. Op 3 augustus gaf Minister Dekker toch een kapvergunning af. Vanaf 2 oktober werd de campagne geïntensifieerd. Op 9 november laten activisten van GroenFront! Minister Dekker om 5 uur s' ochtends kennis maken met het helse lawaai dat een AWAC produceert.

Op 16 november diende bij de raad van State een voorlopige voorziening die de gemeente Onderbanken en de Vereniging STOP Awacs Overlast hadden aangespannen met de vraag om niet te kappen zolang alle procedures niet zijn afgelopen. Op 28 november kondigt GroenFront! een vooralarm af, op 2 december beslist de Raad van State dat er gekapt mag worden en gaat men over op alarm en beginnen activisten af te zakken naar Schinveld.

Op zondag 4 december trekt GroenFront! het bos in en bouwt er een actiekamp, waarna een intensieve campagne op gang komt, die brede steun krijgt uit de omgeving, tegen de feestdagen aan heel Nederland in de ban lijkt te houden en internationale media-aandacht krijgt.

Begin januari 2006 wordt het duidelijk dat er op 9 januari ontruimd gaat worden. Er wordt door waarnemend burgemeester Jos Zuidgeest een noodverordening uitgevaardigd die door de raad van Onderbanken unaniem verworpen wordt maar alsnog door gouverneur Frissen wordt bevestigd. De populariteit van de waarnemend burgemeester zakt naar een ongekend dieptepunt.

Ondanks de noodverordening stromen de actievoerders gedurende het weekend van 7-8 januari toe, als op zondagmiddag zo'n 2000 demonstranten het bos intrekken, worden ze toegejuicht door ruim 100 bosbezetters uit Nederland, België en Duitsland. Indymediateams uit die drie landen werken samen aan de verslaggeving

Als op 9 januari iets na 03.00u s' ochtends de ontruiming begint, moet de politie eerst nog enkele honderden Zuid-Limburgers het bos uitvegen voor ze aan het ontruimen van de boomhutten kunnen beginnen.



Lees meer over: Schinveld

aanvullingen
Summary in English
redactie - 18.07.2007 17:33

On July 18th the Dutch highest administrative court ruled that the logging of Schiveld forest is illegal. This means the ministry of defence cannot continue the logging of the forest as requested by NATO, it also means the logging of the first six hectares in January 2006 was illegal.
GroenFront! (Earth First Netherlands and Belgium) was already preparing to reoccupy, but is very happy with the verdict. They just wonder why they so often get proven right by the courts after the damage to nature has been done and demand that the politicians who are responsible make a public apology to the inhabitants of Schinveld and Brunssum. They also want the AWACS to stop flying.

Short history

For almost 30 years local action groups in Schinveld have fought against NATO, first to stop the reopening of the base, then to reduce the nuisance caused by the outdated awac planes, and, since the eviction of the action camp and the logging in 2006, to close down the base.

When NATO wanted 20 hectares of the forest cut and it looked as if the local council would be overruled by the ministries of defence (owner of the forest) and infrastructure, they contacted GroenFront! and started a campaign which got wee little Schinveld an article in the New York Times.

GroenFront! and STOP Awacs started a series of smaller actions as of the spring of 2005, the number of actions increased when the minister of infrastructure gave out a logging permit on August 3rd 2005, after a NIMBY- procedure (not in my back yard). The local council and STOp Awacs tried to stop the logging until the final ruling (the one that came today) would have been made, but the court decided against that on the 2nd of December 2005. On Sunday December 4th 2005, GroenFront! occupied the forest and started an intensive international campaign.

The camp was evicted on January 9th 2006, the afternoon before about 2000 locals walked their demo in support of the activist into the forest, in spite of a restriction order, and cheered at the international group of more than 100 activist occupying the trees at that moment. Before the police could start evicting the trees, they had to remove several hundred locals who stayed in the woods after the demo.

On January 14th 2006, the Saturday after the eviction there was another demo that was attended by several hundred people. [ 1 | 2 ]
Hundreds demonstrate against AWACS planes in Schinveld

[Dutch] Several hundred people marched on Sunday in a rememberance march through the woods at Schinveld. They remembered the occupation and the following clearing of six hectares woodland near the runway of AWACS-airfield Geilenkirchen at the start of last year. The demonstrators, residents of Brunssum and Schinveld and people that are involved with the action network GroenFront! marched by the place where eight years ago a tanker airplane of the AWACS-base crashed and by a memorial monument of the occupation of the woods.

No coca cola

Ska- p "Mc dollar"

Wake up!!! climate change!!!

but you can change it for better dirrections. Few advices by "spirit off squaters"

Anti car poster

made by "spirit off squaters"

Our program in our radio

You can listen our program in our squaters radio

More about affinity goups

http://www.gipfelsoli.org/rcms_repos/Tools/together_engl.pdf
in the book "Toghether" (achive more)

Affinity groups

Affinity Groups
Affinity groups are small groups of people, usually between three and fifteen, who come together to support one another during nonviolent actions. Sometimes the group disbands after a particular action, sometimes it carries on meeting.

We are encouraging everyone wishing to risk arrest on this action to be part of an affinity group.

Safety and support
If you’re by yourself, it is easy to get lost, especially in a police station when nobody outside knows who you are, or even that you’ve been arrested. Also, it is good to be around people you know and trust, especially when arrests begin to happen.

Strength and flexibility
Affinity groups help stop the action being a crowd which can be manipulated. Each group has an identity, as does each person within it.

Decision-making
Rather than grand debates being dominated by the few, a collection of affinity groups can use more democratic decision-making processes - in which everyone is involved. The action is unlikely to go exactly as planned, and the group may well need to make decisions on the hoof.

Support roles
An affinity group can contain one or two support people who are not risking arrest, who can witness events. Support people can give the Legal Support Unit accurate information, and wait for arrestees to be released (a vital job). You may also consider having a local press contact feeding information to your local media during the day.

Forming an affinity group
An affinity group can be a collection of friends, or it can be a group who meet for the first time at a nonviolence and legal preparation session.

Eco education from 12 years girl.

INSPIRING PROTEST POSITIVE MESSAGE'S FOR THE G8 2007

A Higher Image
The allternative hypothesis was enunciated twenty-five hundred years ago in the Bhagavad Gita, and can be found at the core of every one of the world's religious traditions: beneath the surface level of conditioned thinking in every one of us there is a single living spirit. The still small voice whispering to me in the depAths of my consciousness is saying exactly the same thing as the voice whispering to you in your consciousness. "I want an earth that is healthy, a world at peace, and a heart filled with love." It doesn't matter if your skin is brown or white or black, or whether you speak English, Japanese, or Malayalam- the voice, says the Gita, is the same in every creature, and it comes from your true self. - Environmental Activist Eknath Easwaren

An Instrument of Peace
Since war begins in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defense of peace must be constructed. -UNESCO Charter

I have learnt through bitter experience the one supreme lesson to conserve my anger, and as heat conserved is transmutted into energy, even so our anger controlled can be transmutted into a power which can move the world. - Mahatma Gandhi

Trustees of Ourselves and the Earth
The tasks facing us today are enormous, but it is the glory of human nature that there will always be those rare individuals who say, "Let there be dangers, let there be difficulties - whatever it costs, I want to live to the full height of my being, my feet still on the ground but my head crowned with the stars." This can be done only by facing difficulties that appear almost impossible. - Mahatma Gandhi

"Let man overcome anger by love...hatred does not cease by hatred at any time; hatred ceases by love - this is an old rule." - Gautama the Buddha, Dhammapada v.5

"Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you....Do unto others as ye would have them do unto you." Jesus the Christ

"You must so adjust your heart that you long for the welfare of all beings, including the happiness of your enemies...Among men who hate us, let us dwell free from hatred...With pure thoughts and fullness of love, I will do towards other what I do for myself." - Gautama the Bhudda

An Intelligent Rich Person
I don't think there is such a thing as an intelligent mega-rich person.
For who with a fine mind can look out upon this world and hoard what can nourish a thousand souls. - Poet Kabir c1140-1518

Many regard Leo Tolstoy's The Kingdom of God Is Within You [1] (1894) to be a key text in Christian anarchism. Tolstoy called for a society based on Christian love, Christian nonviolence, and freedom. His work was one of the inspirations behind Mahatma Gandhi's use of nonviolent resistance during India's struggle for independence, and the American Civil Rights Movement led by Martin Luther King, Jr.Biblical passages cited by anarchists

The Golden Rule
* Love your neighbour as yourself (Mark 12:31).
* Do to others what you would have them do to you (Matthew 7:12).
* Put your sword back in its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword (Matthew 26:52).
* Do not judge, or you too will be judged (Matthew 7:1).
* Let he who has not sinned throw the first stone (John 8:7)

Pacifism, nonviolence and nonresistance
* You shall not murder (Exodus 20:13).
* But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also (Matthew 5:39).
* Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you (Luke 6:27).
* And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well (Matthew 5:40).
* Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5).

Simple living
* If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me (Matthew 19:21).
* Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back (Luke 6:30).
* Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal (Matthew 6:19).
* Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God (Matthew 19:24).
* All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need (Acts 2:44-45).
* At the end of every seven years you shall grant a remission of debts (Deuteronomy 15:1).
* You shall not charge interest to your countrymen: interest on money, food, or anything that may be loaned at interest. You may charge interest to a foreigner, but to your countrymen you shall not charge interest, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all that you undertake in the land which you are about to enter to possess (Deuteronomy 23:18-19).

Freedom from earthly authority
* You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you (Matthew 20:24-28).
* We must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29).
* For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12).
* No king but the Lord shall rule over you (Judges 8:23).
* Is this not the fast which I choose, To loosen the bonds of wickedness, To undo the bands of the yoke, And to let the oppressed go free And break every yoke? Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry And bring the homeless poor into the house; When you see the naked, to cover him; And not to hide yourself from your own flesh? (Isaiah 58:6-7).
* This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD.(Jeremiah 17:5).
* So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God... But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. Romans 7: 4 & 6

Anarchist Biblical interpretations
* The Kingdom of God - there are no monarchs, rulers, states, borders, governors or governments, except for one, God.
* To seek rule by man is to reject the rule of God (1 Samuel 8).
* Honest people are too busy making an honest living to accept political power, so only the corruptible will accept political power (The Parable of the Trees Judges 9:7-15).
* The devil controls man-made governments (Matthew 4:8-10).
* The gentiles have rulers over them, but it shall not be so among Christians (Mark 10:42-45). (Notice that the word for rulers here in the Greek version is archos. Therefore some say Christians are by simple deduction an-archos or in English anarchists).
* So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined, let man not separate.(Matthew 19:6)
* All of the Book of Exodus can be viewed as a revolution inspired, led, and achieved by God on behalf of the oppressed.

Anarchist quotes
Petr Chelčický
* The man who obeys God needs no other authority (over him).

Ammon Hennacy
* An anarchist is anyone who doesn't need a cop to tell him what to do.
* Oh, judge, your damn laws: the good people don't need them and the bad people don't follow them, so what good are they?

Leo Tolstoy
* All violence consists in some people forcing others, under threat of suffering or death, to do what they do not want to do.
* In all history there is no war which was not hatched by the governments, the governments alone, independent of the interests of the people, to whom war is always pernicious even when successful.
* Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.
* In the name of God, stop a moment, cease your work, look around you.

Jacques Ellu
* There are different forms of anarchy and different currents in it. I must, first say very simply what anarchy I have in view. By anarchy I mean first an absolute rejection of violence.
* So I can very well say without hesitation that all those who have political power, even if they use it well have acquired it by demonic mediation and even if they are not conscious of it, they are worshippers of diabolos. (Si tu es le Fils de Dieu, 76)

Nicolas Berdyaev
* There is absolute truth in anarchism and it is to be seen in its attitude to the sovereignty of the state and to every form of state absolutism. [ . . . ] The religious truth of anarchism consists in this, that power over man is bound up with sin and evil, that a state of perfection is a state where there is no power of man over man, that is to say, anarchy. The Kingdom of God is freedom and the absence of such power . . . the Kingdom of God is anarchy. (Slavery and Freedom, 147–48)