Eyfa News

EYFA NETWORK NEWS! February 2008

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 at
www.eyfa.org/newsletter/militarization. Or you can check out the
version below:
--- -- -- - - - - -- - --- - - - -- --- - --- -- --- -- - - --- -- - --
. on Militarization

In case you wonder what happened to the January Newsletter: There
wasn't one. In January we had meetings in Ljubljana and Berlin, new
funding applications to finish, and actions to do (and spending time in
jail accordingly). With big anti-NATO protests coming up and the 5th
anniversary of the Iraq war, and with tension rising between Russia and
the EU, we thought it was time for a newsletter on 'Militarization'.
So here we go:

**Contents
1. Stop Wars Block NATO! - March 22, Brussels
2. Stop the Shield - March 29, Slupsk - Poland
3. Anti-NATO Days - April 2nd-4th , Bucharest
4. On the Verge - The Smash EDO campaign film
5. Frontex - the militarization of EU's borders
6. The Iraq body count

--- -- -- - - - - -- - --- - - - -- --- - --- -- --- -- - - --- -- - --
1. Stop Wars Block NATO! - March 22 Brussels

Europe serves as a staging ground for military interventions world-
wide. The framework can differ: NATO, EU, US coalition of the
willing, UN. The target as well: Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, ....
But the departure points not: military bases, airports and harbors in
Europe. Europe hosts a large military intervention machinery protecting
economic interests and sustaining the existing global order.

Brussels hosts NATO's European headquarters. Peace activists from all
over Europe will join on March 22 2008 for the first edition of 'NATO,
Game Over'. Five years after the Iraq war started, we'll go to NATO's
headquarters and close them. Literally. We'll close the gates and
entries. Nonviolently and resolutely. At the same time, Bombspotters
will enter and inspect NATO for evidence of war preparations

'NATO-game over' is not a demonstration. Neither is it a game. Up till
today, every nonviolent direct action at or around NATO's headquarters
was met with large numbers of police, miles of barbed wire, prohibi-
tions,... This will not stop us. Through nonviolent direct action we
prevent wars and stop war crimes.

Join by contacting international@bombspotting.be
or check www.bomspotting.be
--- -- -- - - - - -- - --- - - - -- --- - --- -- --- -- - - --- -- - --
2. Stop the Shield, March 29 Slupsk - Poland

The Campaign against Militarism, Poles for a Referendum, the Anarchist
Federation and other groups are calling for a large-scale mobilization
against the installation of missiles and the building of the US base in
Poland. The action, called for March 29, can be seen as part of a larger
anti-militarist struggle which is taking place throughout Europe (see
Brussels and Bucharest).

The action in Poland will take place mainly in the city of Slupsk, near
the Baltic Sea Coast. They want to build the base in Redzikowo, 4 kms.
from the city. We will go to this town for some direct actions but also
will do some things in Slupsk. To follow up, we would like to hold some
public and activist meetings in other, larger cities nearby Slupsk,
namely Szczecin and Gdansk.

Currently, the situation with the Polish base in Redzikowo is up in the
air, which increases our chances of getting the message across. There is
still a chance that the base will not get build and a determined opposi-
tion to it will only help those chances.

See www.m29.bzzz.net
--- -- -- - - - - -- - --- - - - -- --- - --- -- --- -- - - --- -- - --
3. Anti-NATO Days April 2nd- 4th Bucharest

In March 2004 Romania became a NATO member. Romania now has military
troops in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq.There are 4
US military bases in Romania, hosting more than 2.000 American soldiers.
This April Romania will be the host of the 20th NATO summit which will
be the largest in the history of NATO. The organizational costs will be
circa 35 million dollars. Some of the topics will include: NATO exten-
sion (new member might be Croatia, Macedonia and Albania), the anti-
missile defense system, information systems security, energy security...

There will be a range of events in Bucharest and other places. Those
coming from the north, can for example stop by at the Anti-NATO info-
point in Iasi (at the Ukrainian and Moldovan border) before continuing
their way to Bucharest. If you are coming from the south you might be
interested in joining the preparation for the Anti-NATO bike tour and
the critical mass, to be contacted over katarzis@riseup.net. In
Bucharest are plenty of opportunities to join into the Anti-NATO Days: a
legal march, direct actions, and many more.

Still you should keep in mind, especially if coming from the west, that
the 'scene' is not as big and equipped as you might be used to. So try
to be as self-organized as possible: bring a sleeping bag, try to
organize food (dumpster diving is not so common, but you can still find
some stuff) or even join the local FNB group (or bring in your local
group for joint actions). Organizing legal sleeping spaces on mass still
requires money, so every soli-action is welcome. But also you might want
to check out one of the plenty abandoned houses in Bucharest, waiting
for a better use.

For flyer see: www.contra-doxa.com
For more detailed info copy this link in your browser:
www.contra-doxa.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25
&Itemid=44
For future updates see also www.romania.indymedia.org
--- -- -- - - - - -- - --- - - - -- --- - --- -- --- -- - - --- -- - --
4. On the Verge - The Smash EDO campaign film

In 2004 a group of Brighton peace campaigners began to bang pot and pans
outside their local arms manufacturers EDO MBM in disgust of their part
in the Iraq war. This has grown into the Smash EDO campaign, which has
cost the company millions, been the subject of large scale police opera-
tions and has tested the right to protest in the UK.

Using activist, police and CCTV footage plus interviews with those
involved in the campaign, 'On The Verge' tells the story of one of the
most persistent and imaginative campaigns to emerge out of the UK's
anti-war movement and direct action scene.

check out www.schnews.org.uk/schmovies/index-on-the-verge.htm
and for the campaign www.smashedo.org.uk/news.htm
--- -- -- - - - - -- - --- - - - -- --- - --- -- --- -- - - --- -- - --
5. Frontex - the militarization of EU's borders

What's Frontex? Frontex is the French abbreviation for 'frontieres
extérieures'(external borders). The full name says more: Frontex is the
'European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the
External Borders of the Member States of the European Union'.

The Warszaw-based agency became operative in 2005 and has since then
been functioning as the bouncer at the gates of Fortress Europe.
Equipped with aeroplanes, helicopters and vessels it is patrolling
along the borderline and prohibits migrants from entering. The right to
seek asylum is being contested here and, furthermore, organizations
supporting refugees estimate that with the arrival of Frontex, the rate
of refugee deaths, among those who leave Africa by the sea, has grown -
meaning by drowning, hunger and/or thirst.

Read www.no-racism.net/article/2401/
See www.frontex.europa.eu
And the German site Frontexwatch www.frontex.antira.info
--- -- -- - - - - -- - --- - - - -- --- - --- -- --- -- - - --- -- - --
6. The Iraq body count

The worldwide update on civilians killed in the Iraq war and occupation.
www.iraqbodycount.org

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

Izraeli cruelty

These IDF soldiers have faces... I can clearly see them...Cant you? Why are they not being prosecuted? Because it is systematic process that is driven by the government designed to force the people of Palestine into exile so Israel can claim all the land and resources.


This where my American tax dollars are going, do you know where your tax dollars are at? TAKE THE TIME TO FIND THE TRUTH. So many lives depend on it. I, like so many Americans, am Caucasian, non-Arab, and religious. I can no longer sit back with good conscience and do nothing while my government is supporting the types of terrorist actions that we have condemned Muslim Fundamentalist for. Call your Congressman and Senator, send an email to the White House and demand that our government negotiate FAIRLY with both sides and bring a fair and just solution to Palestine and Israel .

MObile telephones - ears from big brother

..
Mobile phones, the stealth ID card, bug and tracking device in your pocket
Resources | Social Control | Technology / Hacklabs
repost >>> Earlier this month it emerged that the FBI had been remotely activating a mobile phone's microphone and using it to eavesdrop on nearby conversations. The surveillance technique, which "functioned whether the phone was powered on or off." came to light as a result of a ruling by U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan on the legality of the "roving bug".

[For extra information on this topic, see Privacy, Email and Activism, a brief intro >>>]

It had been approved by U.S. Department of Justice officials for use against members of a New York organized crime family who were wary of conventional surveillance techniques such as tailing a suspect or wiretapping.

Cell phones owned by two alleged mobsters, John Ardito and his attorney Peter Peluso, were used by the FBI to listen in on nearby conversations.

The news that the FBI had been remotely activating mobile phones as eaves dropping devices confirms what many activists have been saying for years.

"A cellular telephone can be turned into a microphone and transmitter for the purpose of listening to conversations in the vicinity of the phone. This is done by transmitting to the cell phone a maintenance command on the control channel. This command places the cellular telephone in the 'diagnostic mode.' When this is done, conversations in the immediate area of the telephone can be monitored over the voice channel." - National Reconnaissance Organization newsletter,1997.

As long as I can remember there has been a kind of unspoken rule among activists about taking batteries out of mobile phones during meetings to prevent bugging - along with occasional arguments about it being paranoid. While it has long been know to be a theoretical possibility, the mafia court case confirms it is actually a practical technique and is being used.

It is not clear exactly how the FBI achieve their remote activation but it is known that it is possible to update the software on a mobile phone by sending an unnoticeable SMS message to a particular cell phone. Changes to the phones software than make it possible to spy on the user around the clock, as long as the phone has power. All SMS messages can be read and all calls and conversations can be listened to, including those taking place in the vacinity of the phone. It would also be possible to access and copy address books and other information stored on the phone.

It should be fairly obvious to anyone that simply 'switching off' a mobile phone could not prevent the software from reactivating the phone at will. Like most computers, the on/off switch on a mobile phone is simply a button that requests the software to do something, ie.. turn the phone on or off - or more acturately, switch the phone between standby and normal operations. Many have an alarm feature which can operate when the phone is apparently 'switched off'.

Some of the vunerabilities of mobile phones may only be exploitable by the state or private interests with financial muscle to obtain access to the records of mobile phone networks. Others however are much easier to exploit and well within the capabilities of private investigators. One example is the ability to read mobile phone numbers from all phones in a room as those phone routinely poll and communicate with the nearest cell phone repeater.

And lets not forget the ability to track cell phones (again, potentially even when they are turned off). With the data retention laws requiring mobile phone networks to keep this data for a year or so, it is easy for the authorities (or private agencies with influence) to not only monitor somebodies movements but also cross reference that with other people and build up acturate pictures of networks of association.

As repression on dissent increases, it is vital that we are all aware of the information we provide our enemies and what steps we can take to limit the damage.

What advice might you consider?

Don't take any mobile phone to a meeting and if you must, remove the battery.
Don't take your personal mobile phone with you on actions.
Remove the battery if making journeys others should not know about.
Better yet, don't take the phone or send it out on a walk in the park with a friend.
Don't power up you 'clean' action phone in any building you don't want assocaited with an action.
Never use 'clean' action phones to call comrades personal phone numbers.
Don't call a 'clean' action phone from any 'non clean' phone.
Don't continue to use the same set of action phones on future actions.
Only pay cash for phone credit and not from places with CCTV (difficult).
[For extra information on this topic, see Privacy, Email and Activism, a brief intro >>>]

Some positive advices

Mental Feng Shui



This is without a doubt one of the nicest good luck forwards I have received. Hope it works for you -- and me!


Lotus Touts: You have 6 minutes

There's some mighty fine advice in these words, even if you're not superstitious. This Lotus Touts has been sent to you for good luck from the Anthony Robbins organization. It has been sent around the world ten times so far.


Do not keep this message.

The Lotus Touts must leave your hands in 6 MINUTES. Otherwise you will get a very unpleasant surprise. This is true, even if you are not superstitious, agnostic, or otherwise faith impaired.


ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.


TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.


THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.



FOUR. When you say, 'I love you,' mean it.



FIVE. When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in the eye.


SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.



SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.



EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.



NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

TEN..
In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.


ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.



TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.




THIRTEEN! ..
When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'


FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

FIFTE EN. Say 'bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.


SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.


SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.


EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.



NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.


TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone.The caller will hear it in your voice.

TWENTY- ONE. Spend some time alone




Now, here's the FUN part!
Send this to at least 5 people and your life will improve. 1-4 people: Your life will improve slightly.
5-9 people: Your life will improve to your liking.
9-14 people: You will have at least 5 surprises in the next 3 weeks


15 and above: Your life will improve drastically and everything you ever dreamed of will begin to take shape.


A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.






Do not keep this message
.

squaters video archivum

http://video.squat.net/ - lot off videos mainly from amsterdam but not only

GMO civil disobedience - Aug. 2007 - Portugal

GMO civil disobedience - Aug. 2007 - Portugal
Video wysłane przez parasitemotion

The action of the Movimento Verde Eufémia in Silves, on August 17, 2007, brought attention to the problem of growing transgenic in Portuguese agriculture. However, in general, the media presented only a partial view of this political action, classifying it as an act of violence and vandalism against a farmer without defense.

A video released today on the Internet shows a different view of the action. On the images one can see activists preventing attacks of farmers and trying to pacify the conflicts that were created. These images are a reflection of the two principles that the activists announced: the non-violence on people and an attitude that seeks to mitigate the conflicts.

The film also shows that there are several activists who participated in the action without covering the face, assuming their act publicly in defense of the common good, in a political act to be considered as fair as necessary.

The final images are proof of symbolism of the act of civil disobedience in Silves, which affected less than 1 hectare of a property with more than 70 hectares of intensive monoculture of corn (of which 51 hectares were of transgenic corn). Unlike the image that the media transmitted, the way of living of the farmer Jose Menezes was not at all threatened. Moreover, at the time of the action, participants in the protest made an offer of organic corn sufficient to re cultivate the 51 hectares of transgenic corn, and this proposal was rejected by the owner.

The film is available in Portuguese and English for streaming and download at http:// ogm.blip.tv / The video is published under a license CreativeCommons - NonCommercial that does not allow reprint, but allows free distribution and exhibition for non-commercial purposes.

More informations on:
http://eufemia.ecobytes.net/category/english/
www.gmofree-europe.org
www.gmwatch.org
www.stopogm.net
www.gaia.org.pt/ogm
www.greenpeace.org
www.foeeurope.org/GMOs
www.corporatewatch.org.uk

Draft invitation for videoactivist evening

Hi,
a copy of the ealier flyer is on http://joesgarage.nl/node/52

Do you think you can do something with it?

meeting on wednesday, ????.
Filmevening with short films from/about amsterdam - bring your own to include
inthe screening

and afterwards borrel for filmmakers to see whether we can do some more things
together.

right?