Solidarity - Fri Sep 29, 2017 05:08 (en)

Following the publication of a communiqué claiming responsibility for a fire in a garage at a Grenoble police depot (gendarmerie) during the night of September 20th/21st, Indymedia Grenoble and Indymedia Nantes have been threatened by the French police. The administrators of these sites received emails from the Central Office for the Fight Against Crime Linked to Information Technology and Communication (OCLCTIC) demanding that the concerned articles be removed from the sites in under 24 hours, otherwise rendering the sites liable to blocking and dereferencing.

The communiqué?s authors explained that the garage fire had been carried out as "part of a wave of attacks in solidarity with people currently under trial" such as the Quai de Valmy police car arson. In this Grenoble arson attack, several dozen police vehicles were burned (torched).

Here is the communiqué itself:

Incendiary Solidarity

This Thursday, at three in the morning, second day of the blazing car trial.

We penetrated the police barracks at Vigny-Musset. Set fire to six intervention vans and two logistics trucks. Over 1,500 square meters of the garage and the depot were ravaged.

This act is part of a wave of attacks in solidarity with people currently under trial.

Big hugs to Kara and Krem.

Thoughts are with Damien, recently beaten up by the cops.

Whatever the trial?s outcome, we?ll keep lashing out at the police and the justice system.

Our hostility is a spreading blaze.

Nocturnes.


This communiqué was also published by mainstream media outlets such as Le Dauphiné Libéré and BFM-TV, who, apparently, remained unconcerned...

"Provocation leading to acts of terrorism"

As the team at Indymedia Grenoble has pointed out in a communiqué, "this request (...) directly echoes the attack which took place in Germany on the 25th of August against Indymedia Linksunten, an attack which resulted in the police raid of four households and a self-administered social service center, citing similar pretexts." In both cases, the notion of 'terrorism' has been exploited by governments for the censorship of free media outlets. This is especially the case since the French police has based their decisions on the law of November 13th, 2014, which reinforces measures relative to the fight against terrorism, and evokes a "provocation leading to acts of terrorism or apology for such acts".

Although the notions of terrorism and provocation are not defined, since February 2015 French law has been allowing the disappearing of sites or of texts without due process, based upon a simple request by police administration. To our knowledge, it?s the first time that these measures are being wielded against alternative media outlets belonging to anti-authoritarian circles. Both sites targeted by the authorities? threats decided to take down the incriminated responsibility claim. The moderating collectives of each of the two sites explain themselves in two distinct texts:

- Following Indymedia Linksunten, Indymedia Grenoble and Nantes (Indymedia Grenoble)

- Police Depot Ablaze, What's left of Internet Freedom? (Indymedia Nantes)

The use of anti-terrorism laws to specifically attack independent information sites hearkens back to the violence of the sentencing against the people accused in the Quai Valmy Car Arson Affair. It aims to dissuade activists just as much as it does to depoliticize acts.

For years, the sites in the Indymedia network have, among other things, lent visibility to the political nature of direct action. This new attack against free media outlets seeks to silence radical political opposition, and to criminalize the collectives and individuals who would communicate their political objectives without the distorting filter of traditional media outlets. This attack must also be viewed in light of the raids that, this week, targeted the anti-nuclear activists at Bure. Their computers, along with the photocopier that they had been using to print flyers were seized by the police. All means seem to have been mobilized to repress the autonomous expression of movements of struggle.

As we said in May 2015, following pursuits targeting the Toulousan site IAATA.info, "Against repression, information is a weapon." Despite the new forms of censorship being deployed, we will continue to facilitate and multiply spaces of autonomous expression. Support for Indy Nantes and Indy Grenoble. Solidarity with the accused from the Quai de Valmy Trial, and with those who throw a wrench in the works of the repressive machine.

First signatures: Rebellyon, La Rotative, Paris Luttes info, Expansive, Renversé, Rennes-info, Brest Médias libres, Marseille Infos Autonomes, Manif?Est, CQFD, Lundi-matin, Squat!net, Iaata, le Jura Libertaire, Jef Klak, Barrikade, zad.nadir, Enough is Enough ...

To sign this text, individually or as an organization (or simply to tell your support), you can contact this mail:
soutien-indymedia@mediaslibres.org

Solidarity - Tue Sep 05, 2017 04:54 (en)
Linksunten.indymedia.org, the main independent media website in Germany, was banned by the German government's Ministry of Interior on August 25. Maintaining the website and using its logo are now considered criminal offenses in the country. Linksunten volunteers are being prosecuted as a "club," which means that administrators are considered responsible for everything that has been published. Administrators are also being accused of being members of a terrorist association.

Coordination des Groupes Anarchistes writes: This represents a new step in the repression of our activities and ideas in Europe. The last time something of this significance occurred was in 1995, when the German central power banned the newspaper "Radikal", which sparked many demonstrations all over the country, especially in Hamburg. In France, even though some music bands and anti-authoritarian information websites have been threatened for their lyrics or articles, we have never experienced such brutal repression against our means of expression and communication. This attack against a radical and anti-authoritarian information platform should remind us of the need to pay special attention to the defense of our means of communication in front of State repression.

Germany Indymedia is collecting donations in support of Linksunten Indymedia.

Not in Germany, Not Anywhere Else: Repression Can?t Silence Us! | Call for Donations and Demonstrations in Support of Linksunten Indymedia

Related Feature: German Government Shuts Down Linksunten Indymedia: What It Means and What to Do

We are all Linksunten!

International Demonstration: September 9, 2017, 7:00 PM (19:00) at Bertoldsbrunnen in Freiburg, Germany.

Donate to support Linksunten Indymedia

Germany Indymedia calls for donations to support Linksunten Indymedia.

Bank account for donations:

Name of account holder: Rote Hilfe OG Stuttgart

IBAN: DE66 4306 0967 4007 2383 13

BIC: GENODEM1GLS

Description: Linksunten

You can also donate for free media with Bitcoin:

1JHVUUBqM2Fdr1gzizaPKEXY9GjgSgK1XS

Solidarity - Tue Aug 29, 2017 06:06 (en)
On August 25, the German government raided and shut down Linksunten Indymedia, an integral part of the global Independent Media Center network, and the most widely used German-language platform for radical politics and organizing. In Freiburg, riot police seized computers and harassed those they accuse of maintaining the site, justifying their actions on the grounds that the alleged administrators constitute an illegal organization intent on destroying the German Constitution. This represents a massive escalation in state repression against what the authorities call ?left-wing extremism,? disingenuously suggesting an equivalence between those who seek to build communities beyond the reach of state violence and Neo-Nazis organizing to carry out attacks and murders.

In the last couple of years, more and more attention has accumulated around Linksunten Indymedia, which offers a space for people to post anonymously. Before the 2017 G20 summit took place in Hamburg, the corporate media was already focusing on the site, declaring it to be the coordination page of militant anti-G20 protestors. The far-right nationalist party Alternative for Germany (Alternative für Deutschland, or AfD) started a campaign against the platform, pushing inquiries about Indymedia in Federal parliament and trying to force local governments to ban the platform and other forms of radical infrastructure.

The heavy-handed approach of shutting down the website and raiding alleged administrators shows how afraid the authorities are that radical ideas are spreading and becoming contagious following the successful demonstrations against the G20 summit in July. German Federal Minister of the Interior Thomas de Maizière made it clear enough in his press conference that the assault on Indymedia is a form of revenge for the embarrassment the state suffered during the summit. It also shows how dishonest far-right and statist rhetoric is about free speech ? in fact, these hypocrites only use that discourse to position themselves to suppress others? speech.

In response, Linksunten Indymedia released a statement the next day on their banned website declaring, ?We will be back soon.? It shows that the media activists still have control over their website, and could be the beginning of a huge Streisand effect. Solidarity demonstrations are taking place across Germany.

(Note: Since Linksunten Indymedia is now banned by the German government, you may want to use Tor or a VPN connection before you visit the website: linksunten.indymedia.org)

Read More (Translations: Spanish | Portuguese) | Indymedia Linksunten Shut Down | Germany: Federal Interior Ministry Bans Linksunten Indymedia | Linksunten Indymedia Announces ?We Will Be Back Soon?

See Also: Solidarity with Indymedia Linksunten | Prohibition is An Attack on the Entire Left | Alemania censura la web Indymedia

Related Features: DOJ Demands User Data from Anti-Trump Website (2017) | Indymedia Marks 15 Years of Making Media and Making Trouble (2014) | FBI Seizes European Counter Network Web Server from Riseup Colocation Facility (2012) | Authorities Attempt to Shut Down Indymedia for "Coordination of Rebellion" in Greece (2009) | Israeli Police to Start an Investigation of Indymedia Israel (2009) | Police Seize UK Indymedia Server (Again) (2009)
Fri Nov 29, 2013 15:41 (en)

Indonesian police have opened fire on peaceful protesters in Jayapura, with at least four gunshot wounds and one death. West Papuan activists and families have been forced to flee to the jungle for safety. Indonesian security forces are conducting scores of raids, sweeps and offensives against West Papuan civilians. The attacks are happening during the visit of National Police Chief General Sutarman with over 200 people arrested across West Papua. Journalists have also been attacked by Indonesian police according to Amnesty International...Read more at San Fransisco Bay Area Indymedia. The Indonesian Police chief says any plans to free Papua from Indonesia won't be tolerated, including Flag raising ceremonies on the West Papuan national Day, December 1st.

Calls for Independence by West Papuans have been made since the sham "Act of Free Choice in 1969". They have suffered a neglected genocide at the hands of the Indonesian military (2004) with continued Repression (2007). Thousands of Papuans took to the streets in 2010 and in 2011 rejecting special autonomy, demanding a referendum on independence. Indonesia plans to build 1,500 km of new roads in the next two years to accelerate ?development', increase military presence, and open up more illegal logging. Three Papuans highlighted the human rights abuses at the APEC meeting in Bali this year by scaling the Australian Consulate?s fence in the dead of night and hand-delivering a personal plea to open the Indonesian province to world scrutiny.

A new academic law and human rights report A slow-motion genocide: Indonesian rule in West Papua (PDF), details the extent of the genocide and abuse of human rights. (Review by Greenleft) Activists have called for Australia to End pragmatic complicity in West Papua in response to comments by new conservative Prime Minister Tony Abbott. Imprisoned Papuan leader Selpius Bobii also responded saying, "We Live In Terror, Mr Abbott".

Related: Waging Nonviolence: Flotilla unsettles Indonesia?s occupation of West Papua | West Papuan National Day Goes Global | West Papuans to join commemoration of Eureka Rebellion in Ballarat
More Information: West Papua media Alerts | Freedom Flotilla

Rallies for independence across West Papua to raise Morningstar Flag
Rallies for independence across West Papua to raise Morningstar Flag
Fri Nov 22, 2013 09:07 (en)

Civil society organisations abandoned the COP19 climate change negotiations in Warsaw on mass. Members from Greenpeace, Oxfam, WWF, Actionaid, Friends of the Earth, the International Trade Union Confederation (statement) and 350.org all started leaving the conference at 2pm. This is an unprecedented action, the first time several major civil society groups have staged a mass walkout.

Friends of the Earth International highlighted that the Warsaw Climate Change negotiations were failing, with Tension high in Warsaw talks as G77+China walk out. The role of Australia and reduced ambition of Japan  have been widely mentioned. Australia and Canada are seen as the major wreckers, but there has been substantial intransigence from much of the developed world to progressing the negotiations forward on finance, ambition, and a loss and damage mechanism. Poland's Coal Summit has shown the fossil fuel corporatism entwined in this COP with widespread dismay at the coal powered negotiations of COP19 and at UNFCCC official Christiania Figueres who gave the keynote speech at the coal summit 

Related: Democracy Now: "Nature Does Not Negotiate": Environmentalists Walk Out of U.N. Climate Summit in Warsaw | "Polluters Talk, We Walk": Civil Society Groups Abandon Warsaw Talks over Inaction on Global Warming | "We Have to Consume Less": Scientists Call For Radical Economic Overhaul to Avert Climate Crisis
Analysis: The Warsaw walkout and the Climate Movement



System Change not climate change banner in Warsaw
System Change not climate change banner in Warsaw

Magda Stoczkiewicz, director of Friends of the Earth Europe commented: "Big polluters were welcomed with open arms and the negotiations are driven by corporate interests. There is no room for people or planet. The Polish presidency's short-sighted coal-driven policy marks these talks out as one of the dirtiest yet."

International Trade Union Confederation joins the protest

Sharan Burrow, General Secretary, ITUC, released a statement saying that at a time when climate science was warning of devastating impacts, democratic leaders have failed us in these negotiations. The ITUC observers walked in protest with the other NGOs.

?We have been shocked by some of the wealthiest nations including Canada and Australia showing a lack of responsibility for ambitious targets and with almost all developed nations failing to commit vital finance and even questioning the need for ?just transition? measures for the world?s workers and their families.

?Trade unions remain optimistic on the capacity of social dialogue to ensure that Japan returns to the negotiations next year in Lima, Peru, with renewed ambition and leadership.

?The corporate dominance which is on show here is unacceptable. It is the same companies that advocate environmental and social responsibility that exploit workers and the environment through their supply chains.

?The ITUC will now mobilise workers around the world to ensure that democratic governments are held accountable for jobs, rights and the vital investment in transformational technologies in all sectors to ensure full employment and decent work,? said Sharan Burrow.

 

Offical statement

 

Enough is enough.

We have said we stand in solidarity with the millions impacted by Typhoon Haiyan, and with all climate impacted people. Our solidarity compels us to tell the truth about COP 19 ? the Warsaw Climate Conference.

The Warsaw Climate Conference, which should have been an important step in the just transition to a sustainable future, is on track to deliver virtually nothing. In fact, the actions of many rich countries here in Warsaw are directly undermining the UNFCCC itself, which is an important multilateral process that must succeed if we are to fix the global climate crisis.

The Warsaw Conference has put the interests of dirty energy industries over that of global citizens - with a ?Coal & Climate Summit? being held in conjunction; corporate sponsorship from big polluters plastered all over the venue; and a Presidency (Poland) that is beholden to the coal and fracking industry. When Japan announced that it was following Canada and backtracking on emission cut commitments previously made, and Australia gave multiple signals that it was utterly unwilling to take the UN climate process seriously, the integrity of the talks was further jeopardized.

This week saw a ?finance ministerial? with almost no actual finance, and loss and damage talks that have stalled because rich countries refuse to engage on the substance of an international mechanism. Warsaw has not seen any increase in emission reductions nor increased support for adaptation before 2020 ? on these things it has actually taken us backward. And a clear pathway to a comprehensive and fair agreement in Paris 2015 is missing.

We as civil society are ready to engage with ministers and delegations who actually come to negotiate in good faith. But at the Warsaw Conference, rich country governments have come with nothing to offer. Many developing country governments are also struggling and failing to stand up for the needs and rights of their people. It is clear that if countries continue acting in this way, the next two days of negotiations will not deliver the climate action the world so desperately needs.

Therefore, organizations and movements representing people from every corner of the Earth have decided that the best use of our time is to voluntarily withdraw from the Warsaw climate talks. Instead, we are now focusing on mobilizing people to push our governments to take leadership for serious climate action. We will work to transform our food and energy systems at a national and global level and rebuild a broken economic system to create a sustainable and low-carbon economy with decent jobs and livelihoods for all. And we will put pressure on everyone to do more to realize this vision.

Coming out of the Warsaw Climate Conference, it is clear that without such pressure, our governments cannot be trusted to do what the world needs. We will return with the voice of the people in Lima to hold our governments accountable to the vision of a sustainable and just future.

ORGANISATIONS AND SOCIAL MOVEMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS STATEMENT:

 

  • Aksyon Klima Pilipinas
  • ActionAid
  • Bolivian Platform on Climate Change
  • Construyendo Puentes (Latin America)
  • Friends of the Earth (Europe)
  • Greenpeace
  • Ibon International
  • International Trade Union Confederation
  • LDC Watch
  • Oxfam International
  • Pan African Climate Justice Alliance
  • Peoples? Movement on Climate Change (Philippines)
  • WWF

Visit RTCC report of the walkout. RTCC interviewed Hoda Baraka, Global Comunications Coordinator, 350.org (Youtube)


Current Status of COP19 Negotiations

In a media briefing in Warsaw by Climate Action Network International on Thursday 21 November 2013, Liz Gallagher from E3G.org gave an update on negotiations in the Adhoc working Group on the Durban Platform (ADP), which is the main negotiating track.

"So yesterday in the ADP we had a new text out. The text has been changed in both substance and structure, and the substance has been somewhat weakened and that is what I'm here to talk about.

In particular I want to talk about the 2014 deadline. NGOs from CAN are pushing very hard to have the 2014 as the deadline when countries should develop their offers and it is still not strong enough in the text. This is primarily because it is being used as leaverage by other countries which want to get more progress on finance.

I also want to explain why 2015 is so important. For those of you unfortunate to remember Copenhagen you will remember what happened in the final few days in the Bella Centre. I think we want to learn the lessons from Copenhagen. A few months before Copenhagen countries came out with their offers. and so there was very little time to do any discussion or preparatory work on what those offers meant. Many thought these offers weren't final, they thought that countries could go further and faster. That was not the case.

Because we had very little time to discuss these offers in the run up to Copenhagen, we didn't really understand what they meant for economic reform, for economic transformation to decarbonize.

Just talking about targets is not enough. We need to really get to grips with what these targets mean for the real economy. What they mean for our energy systems, what they mean for our transportation systems. If we don't have an understanding of that, we won't be able to know where the flexibility is, to increase ambition. But also where sunergies can be made between countries and how you can enhance ambition that way. Understanding and empathising with countries positioning and really understanding from where they are coming from and what they can do in their real economy is going to be key to success in 2015. It is key to successful climate diplomacy strategy to know what the other country can do, where it's flexibility is and what you have to do to enhance that.

I really want to make that clear that this is why we are pushing for 2015, well in advance of the 2015 final deadline because 2014 is going to be critical in order to have a successful agreement in Paris.

The second thing I want to talk to you about is finance. For those of you who were watching the screens yesterday you will see that some good news announced. We had a series of announcements over the past week, but in particular yesterday from the UK, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Germany and Japan.

Generally there was more money on the table for adaptation and some promises to put money into the GCF when it is fully operationalized. While this was good news, I would argue that we can't continue like this. Annual pledging is far from ideal. Organisations such as the World Bank have ten year replenishment meetings whereby countries come forward and put in for the next ten years. This idea about guarantee and predictability re finance is really really important if countries are able to plan and prepare projects on the ground.

In 2009 Hilary Clinton came to Copenhagen and talked about promising $100 billion of climate finance by 2020. Four years on we are still waiting. There is quite a lot of concern amoung civil society that this will be used as a bargaining chip in the final negotiations.

In particular, the US, Australia and Japan are being quite problematic in trying to develop this idea about guaranteeing and predictability of finance of $100 billion and we feel that others - developed countries - are in the comfort zone and quite happy to have a lack of clarity on how they will meet the $100 billion.

So we really need a roadmap to getting the $100 billion and we need more progess on the 2015 timelines. If we don't have progress on the roadmap to $100 billion we really are jeopardising the Paris agreement cause it is key to securing a more ambitious outcome."

There were several media questions. One of note came from a Canadian Media Co-op reporter who asked: What is the status that makes 2015 not another Copenhagen?

Liz Gallagher responded:

"There is a series of things that need to come out of here which will give confidence to the 2015 agreement. One of those is this deadline and this idea that 2014 is the moment. We have the Ban Ki Moon summit, we have the whole range of different meetings, we have the Bonn ministerial. This is the time when countries need to be coming up with their offers.

Obviously finance which I have just outlined is a key to unlocking the progress on the 2015 outcome because many countries are using the 2015 progess as a leaverage point in order to get more finance.

The other issue is pre-2020 ambition. This is ambition before the 2015 agreement comes into force and the discussions there are pretty fragmented. Some countries think it should just be around the Kyoto Protocal parties, the Kyoto Protocol parties want it to be all countries that enhance their ambition. There is a whole kind of range of different issues, and there is the issue about HFCs. It is quite a fragmented process at the moment and it is still not exactly clear how it is going to play out.

Those three elements, the pre-2020 ambition, the finance, and then the overalll 2020 agreement are all... there is going to have to be balance between them as everyone is playing them off against each other."


Sources:

Fri Nov 22, 2013 09:01 (en)

The weekend of 16th and 17th November saw tens of thousands of people in Canada and Australia out in the streets in over 260 protests against the climate policies of these countries. Australia and Canada are seen as the major wreckers in Warsaw at COP19.

The Saturday protests in Canada occurred from coast to coast to Repulse Bay, Nunavut on the Arctic circle, more than 10,000 people gathered in over 180 events co-ordinated by Defend our Climate. Many protests focussed on stopping further expansion of the Alberta tar sands and pipelines to move the bitumenous oil south to Texas, east through Ontario and Quebec, and west through British Columbia. On Sunday, more than 60,000 people attended climate protests across Australia, protesting the attempt to repeal carbon pricing and clean energy programs by the conservative Government lead by Prime Minister Tony Abbott, elected on 7 September this year, who denied any link between climate change and bushfires as unusually early and intense bushfires raged around Sydney.

Civil Society NGO and local Polish activists also staged a Climate Justice march in Warsaw in association with the COP19 climate change negotiations taking place. Super Typhoon Haiyan set the initial mood at the negotiations with Philippines negotiator Naderev Saño (Yeb Saño) saying "time to take action. We need an emergency climate pathway". There is widespread dismay at the coal powered negotiations in Warsaw with Japan and Australia being particularly singled out.

Related: Australia Indymedia - Tens of Thousands rally for Climate Action across Australia

30,000 people rallied for climate action in Melbourne, Australia
30,000 people rallied for climate action in Melbourne, Australia
Fri Nov 15, 2013 15:42 (en)
On November 8 Super Typhoon Haiyan made landfall over Guiuan, Eastern Sama province in the Philippines, destroying coastal communities with ferocious winds and a storm surge of 6-7 metres (up to 20 feet). According to Dr Jeff Masters "Haiyan had winds of 190 - 195 mph (315 km/h) at landfall, making it the strongest tropical cyclone on record to make landfall in world history."

Authorities of Tacloban City with a population of 220,000 and capital of Leyte province, gave an early estimate that perhaps 10,000 people died from this one city. Many people were surprised by the huge storm surge tidal waves that inundated much of the city. Many smaller coastal villages were also devastated with most buildings destroyed or suffering severe damage. According to the UN Reliefweb report on 14 November the number of affected people has increased to 11.8 million. The official death count from Typhoon Haiyan is currently 4,460 but with numbers still increasing. There were 921,200 people displaced and 243,600 houses destroyed. A total of 2.5 million people are in need of food assistance.

Related: Climate IMC: Typhoon Haiyan: This is a climate crime | Time for turning tears into anger says Walden Bello | Philippine groups demand action on climate finance, loss and damage in Warsaw climate talks | Ejected from COP19 for expressing solidarity to the Philippines | Youth observers expelled from UN climate change talks for Philippines Solidarity | Indybay: Super typhoon Haiyan is climate wake-up call | They destroy We suffer Statement on Yolanda?s Aftermath
Non-corporate Typhoon Haiyan Relief Efforts: Waves for Water | Haiyan NYC Relief Project | Doctors without Borders | Oxfam International

Tacloban City devastated by Typhoon Haiyan
Tacloban City devastated by Typhoon Haiyan

In areas most severely damaged, Health infrastructure and medical services are severely damaged and medical supplies are low. According to health authorities, the population is at increased risk of tetanus as well as outbreaks of acute respiratory infections, measles, leptospirosis and typhoid fever. Water systems are damaged in many areas and 239 municipalities do not have electricity as of 13 November.

Trucks and fuel are urgently needed to deliver aid. Delivery of Aid packages and humanitarian assistance is severely hampered by debris on roads and congestion at Manila and Tacloban airports causing delays. There is minimal infrastructure in Tacloban to receive, store and handle goods. Restoration of the telecom networks has been slow due to the large volume of debris.

Impassioned plea for climate action from Philippines Diplomat

The Philippines lead climate negotiator, Naderev Saño (Yeb Saño), made an impassioned plea at the Warsaw UNFCCC climate conference in the opening plenary on Monday that it was "time to take action. We need an emergency climate pathway". Attendees rose and applauded his speech. Subsequently Yeb Saño has declared a hunger strike until progress is made on climate action is made at the conference and launched an online petition. His fast has been joined by 50 other conference delegates and civil society youth representatives. Filipino academic and global south activist Walden Bello said it was Time for turning tears into anger. The use of a non-sanctioned banner resulted in 3 youth observers being ejected and banned for 5 years from UNFCCC conferences.

Significantly, last year typhoon Bopha hit the Philippines bringing death and destruction. Naderev Saño said at COP18:

"I appeal to leaders from all over the world, to open our eyes to the stark reality that we face. I appeal to ministers. The outcome of our work is not about what our political masters want. It is about what is demanded of us by 7 billion people."

He finished his short speech "I ask of all of us here, if not us, then who? If not now, then when? If not here, then where?"

The link between Typhoon Haiyan and Climate change

There is substantial media speculation over typhoon Haiyan link to climate change, as for example in the Guardian and Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Many climate activists already connect the dots between climate change and more intense storms because of the unusually warm sea surface and sub-surface water temperatures. Indeed, NOAA measured record global sea surface temperatures in August 2013. The world's oceans are warming with Parts of Pacific Warming 15 Times Faster Than in Past 10,000 Years. Scientists have also revealed that Recent warming of the Greenland Sea Deep Water is about ten times higher than warming rates estimated for the global ocean.

Philippines activists in Aksyon Klima Pilipinas, a network of 40 civil society organizations in the Philippines working on climate action in the international, national, and local levels, released a statement on November 11 demanding action on climate finance, loss and damage in Warsaw climate talks. Many people in the Philippines like Rodne Galicha are calling Typhoon Haiyan a climate crime.

The Philippines Labor Party, (Partido ng Manggagawa) released a statement welcoming international aid and solidarity work but demanding more:

"We want climate justice. Capitalist countries must be held accountable for climate crisis. They must be forced to pay the climate debt they owe to poor nations. Capitalist countries, we emphasize, were responsible for climate crisis. They emit more carbon to the atmosphere many times over what the poor countries do. It is the greenhouse gases emitted from capitalist industries which drove global temperature to rise to new levels. This causes climactic reactions like warmer and rising sea levels and which eventually lead to the formation of monster typhoons as in the case of Haiyan."

Visit Climate IMC for more recent news on climate related issues, extreme weather, climate science, and related climate protests.

Tue Oct 22, 2013 16:44 (en)
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and unidentified snipers attack Mi'kmaq women and elderly who were part of an anti-fracking encampment.

Support pours in for Mi'kmaq attacked by police and snipers. Today, Monday, Mi'kmaq Warrior Tyson Peters shot with rubber bullet risks losing his leg after protecting woman from a bullet.

[ From Global IMC Newswire ]
A Miq'mak Warrior risks losing his leg today after being shot with a rubber bullet when police and snipers attacked Mi'qmak in Elsipogtog, New Brunswick. The RCMP said only bean bags were shot at Mi'kmaq in the anti-fracking camp, but reporter Miles Howe was there. Howe said two people were shot with rubber bullets during the pre-dawn raid by police and unidentified snipers.

Howe reported, "It has taken three days, but sadly there is now the potential of a very serious injury arising from last Thursday's early morning RCMP attack on the anti-shale gas encampment that occurred on a piece of Crown land adjacent to highway 134. Tyson Peters, a member of the Mi'kmaq Warriors Society, today appeared at a community meeting in Elsipogtog using two friends for support. His left leg was heavily bandaged. He tells the Halifax Media Co-op that after being shot in the leg by a 'rubber bullet' shotgun blast, fired by an RCMP officer at close range, there is extensive internal bleeding in his leg. Doctors have advised him that they will know better tomorrow whether the leg will require amputation." Read article:  http://halifax.mediacoop.ca/story/mikmaq-warrior-risks-losing-leg-after-being...

Global support poured in to Censored News for Mi'kmaq who were attacked by Canadian police and military forces with snipers, police dogs and pepper spray.

In solidarity, First Nations, including Mohawks and Six Nations, are blockading highways. First Nations marched through the streets in Winnipeg and more than 1,000 rallied in solidarity in Vancouver, while hundreds gathered outside of Parliament.

Patricia MacDonald sent this message of solidarity from a highway blockade in Ontario on Saturday.

?We had a gathering today on Highway 17 by Jocko Point in North Bay, Ontario. We said our prayers, blocked the highway with our signs and flags, and blocked the highway with a round dance with about five drummers here at Jocko Point. Lots of support, lots of people with the Warrior fist raised and horns honking as they drove by. Standing in support with you, our brothers and sisters at Elsipogtog.?

Heartfelt messages poured in from the Four Directions.

Cetandi Bolger said, ?My heart goes out to you. If creator sees me fit someday I will stand next to you! Your pain and suffering is not in vain, keep walking, we are praying and you are loved. What you are doing for your people, you are doing for the generations and the world, and that is sacred beyond most peoples understanding. But you know! So stay strong in your prayers and stay focused. Love and prayers from this warrior woman to all of you! My relations!

Martha Many Grey Horses said, ?Standing strong beside our powerful MiqMaq relatives standing up for the Earth our Mother! Sending protection prayers to them. Remember you are not alone in this struggle, maintain unity and support for each other.?

Terry Chi Ligii said, ?Stand firm fellow native.?

Native Americans in the US arose in solidarity.

Candace Ducheneaux, Cheyenne River Lakota, said, ?Tatanka Wakpala Tiospaye stands in solidarity with the Mi'kmaq Nation.? Mitakuye Oyasin, We are all related."

Dine' on Navajoland in the Southwest US echoed this solidarity.
Ronald Milford, Dine? on the Navajo Nation said, ?The same greedy, profit-driven energy companies are knocking at the doors of Navajoland again, even after all the devastating and destructive mining they imposed upon our lands. Stand United! Divide and conquer is their modus operandi. That is what they've done in other parts of Canada as well as the U.S.?

Sharon Maize Battles, from Dinetah (Navajoland), said, "I send solidarity, prayers and good thoughts to all the men and Women Warriors of the Mi'kmaq Nation."

Chili Yazzie -- Dine? tribal leader in Shiprock, N.M., and an early member of XIT band and the sounds of the American Indian Movement -- said, ?Many of us, Southwest Dine? stand with you in Solidarity. Thank you Sisters and Brothers for defending Mother Earth.?

Mervyn Tilden, Dine?, said, ?In solidarity from Sovereign Dine? Nation.?

Teddy Draper Jr., from the heart of Navajoland, said, ?Stand strong friends and relations.?

Cat Carnes said, ?Support from Indian Territory Oklahoma for Elsipogtog Mi?kmaq."

Helen Taylor said, ?Call for prayers and pipes each day at noon each time zone in solidarity with our relatives.?

Messages of support came from as far away as France and Romania.

Messages of support poured in from Europe. In France, Franck Tso said, ?I protest with the Mi'kmaq Nation, because shale gas is a poison for the land, water, animals and humans. Gas company, stay away from this territory!?

Zoi Lightfoot said, ?All around the world people are watching and standing with you.?

James Blue Eddings said, ?Wela?lioq! Continue your walk on the Good Red Road. Justice will prevail!?

In the US, the disturbing images from the assault on unarmed Native women and elderly, was shocking from coast to coast.

Gordon Sturrock in Eugene Oregon said, ?Keep up the great work!?

Michelle Keenan said, ?With love and solidarity from Pennsylvania. We are all One.?

Sharon Smith, ?My heart and my prayers are with you! In Washington DC.?

Mara Indigo said, ?I hereby declare solidarity with the Mi?kmaq Warriors who stand up against fracking on their sacred land! There is a Canadian company trying to frack my ancestor?s homelands! If they dare to start drilling, you?ll see me march against them too!?
Annette Howell in Chicago said, ?I stand in solidarity with the Mi?kMaq people who are standing up for their land and for the future of their children. I am with you in spirit.?

Ellen Mcrae said, ?I stand Solid with the Native people and Mi?k?Maq; this tribe I feel needs all of our support. They are doing nothing wrong but protecting the water for us all and the Children. If mankind had listened to our Native brothers and sisters and elders for thousands of years we could all live happy on Mother Earth and be safe in peace. Our mother Earth is not here to abuse and continue this abuse of water, trees, people and animals. I have said many times, 'listen to what the elders have said, live simple and walk a truthful life, speak from your heart for the good of all. This earth even each grain of sand, each living creature, we are all connected. What befalls the earth befalls the Earth befalls the children of the earth. A'ho.'"

In Arizona, James Zion said, ?The true landlord is enforcing the social mortgage on the land.?

Katie Mitchell said, ?What you are doing is good. You are even doing it for the ones who don?t know any better. We need this to be heard throughout the world. We are wanting this to stop for our future generations. They deserve clean earth and drinkable water.?

Rema Loeb said, "Thank you for your courageous defense of Mother of us all. Our prayers are with you."

Bravery in face of the military assault

As for those men, women and children who stood firm against the militarized oppression for big oil, Ruth Yaeck Mcintosh said, speaking for supporters around the world, "Thank you for your bravery."

Josephine James said, "I support your protest, prayers and smoke."
Deborah Cassel said, "We are all in this together! Committed to the long haul! No more Sacrifice Zones! Oil and Gas Companies need to clean up the messes and contamination they already made! All our children deserve a future!"

The United Opponents of Fracking International said, "Many of us like minded around the world have seen the brutal treatment of the Elsipogtog Mi'kmaq at the hands of the RCMP. The courage and leadership of the Elsipogtog Mi'kmaq in the face of such danger is an inspiring example that others might do well to follow. We stand in unity with the Elsipogtog Mi'kmaq and pray for strength, safety and victory."

Renee Still Day in the US summed up every one's thoughts: "You have shown such bravery and integrity. Just know we stand with you and you have our support and love!
"Stand Strong!"

Messages of solidarity continued to pour in on Sunday.

Mary Ellen Persuit said, ?Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, in Solidarity !

Barb Blackhawk said, ?It's probably a good thing I can't be up there with the demonstrators. My temper is too hot. I admire All of you for standing with your commitment to remain peaceful. I'll just sit here and share the information I get from and about y'all around the globe so people know what you're doing and why. Bright Blessings to All of you!?

Kathleen Feeney in New Brunswick, New Jersey sent support ?in solidarity! Thank You.?

Irvin Morris, Dine? on Navajoland, said, ?This Navajo sheepherder stands with all of you.?

In Puerto Rico, Irma Iranzo sent this message: "Puerto Rico in solidarity with the Mi'kmaq Nation struggle! United we will win!"
Tim Wozny said, "Northern California in solidarity with the Mi'k'Maq people."

Daryl Hannah, Susan Sarandon, and Mark Ruffalo shared messages on Twitter

Daryl Hannah, who was on Pine Ridge to support Lakotas fighting the Keystone XL tarsands pipeline, shared this photo and these words.
"These are the brave women fighting shale gas facing the RCMP. This is Canada."

Susan Sarandon said on Friday, "I stand with the Elsipogtog First Nation as they defend their water and land from Fracking.

Mark Ruffalo, who is also supporting Native American resistance to the tarsands pipeleine, said, "The strength is in your numbers. We are there with you in spirit! Be loving in your resistance and you will win the day!"

The Sierra Club released a statement in San Francisco.
?Yesterday more than 40 members of the Elsipogtog First Nation, including Chief Arren Sock of the Mi'k Maq Nation, and supporters were arrested by police at an anti-fracking protest in New Brunswick, Canada. Photos of the incident show a militarized police force arresting injured protesters.?

Michael Brune, Sierra Club executive director, issued the following response:

?The Sierra Club stands with anti-fracking protesters in New Brunswick, Canada, and around the world who are protecting their land and their families from the real danger that fracking brings to the health and safety of their communities.

?All Canadians and all Americans should ask themselves whether a police response with tactical units and snipers was meant to serve public safety, or squelch opposition to fracking in the service of the oil industry.?

"With the Keystone XL tarsands pipeline plan thwarted by Native Americans in the US, TransCanada announced a new tarsands pipeline route from the west to the east in Canada. New Brunswick is part of this pipeline plan and Mi'kmaq warriors are now targeted by the oil and gas industry.

On Thursday morning, the same morning that Mi'kmaq were attacked by snipers, Big Oil faced a public relations disaster because the story became public that thousands of song birds, including endangered species, had died in a gas flare in New Brunswick."

 http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2013/10/press-core-rsmp-and-armed-us.html

As it happened, support poured in to Censored News for Mi?kmaq after police attacked First Nations. Natives were defending their land from a Houston fracking company, Southwestern Energy. The support came from every avenue, from the American Indian Movement and the Longest Walk to a Nez Perce council member and the Council of Canadians.
Anishinabe Terrance Nelson called for railroad blockades across Canada and urged warrior societies to take action in support of Mi?kmaq.

?I expect railway blockades to occur immediately across Canada and they will continue until the Federal Government of Canada comes to their senses. I expect to be arrested along with many others,? said Nelson, vice chairman of the American Indian Movement.

In Winnipeg, First Nations marched through the streets and in eastern Canada, Six Nations began a blockade in solidarity.

Nez Perce Council member Leotis McCormack, recently arrested protesting tarsands heavy hauls across sovereign Nez Perce land in Idaho, sent a message of support to Elsipognog. "My prayers and heart are with you all. We as council were arrested also three months ago standing against these corporations. Standing with you in solidarity."

Sharon Heta, Maori, walking across America on the Longest Walk 4 Return to Alcatraz for Indigenous sovereignty and Native rights said the walkers, now in Colorado, were there in spirit, in solidarity.

?Sendings prayers and blessings to the Indigenous Peoples of the Elsipogtog First Nation, supporters and allies as they stand to resist and assert their Indigenous sovereignty to the care and protection of their lands and waters. The Longest Walk 4: Return to Alcatraz supports and walks in prayer in the struggle and defense of indigenous sovereignty.?

Alex White Plume, Lakota on Pine Ridge in South Dakota, shared this Honor Song "for our northern relatives making a stand for Unci Maka (Mother Earth.)"

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67EhRhewnp8&feature=share

First Nation Grand Chief Stewart Phillip and Chief Bob Chamberlin released this statement.

"The UBCIC Executive and the UBCIC Chiefs Council stand in full support with Elsipogtog community and leadership in their defence against fracking and shale gas development within their territories.?This could easily happen in any First Nation community across Canada and in particular in British Columbia and today, we stand in complete solidarity with the Elsipogtog people to express our full support and continue our mutual fight against the devastating and destructive practices of resource exploration and extraction activities within our territories.

"This display of brute force is completely ugly, outrageous and harkens back to the Oka, Ipperwash and Caledonia conflicts,? stated Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the UBCIC.The Elsipogtog First Nation has been protesting energy company SWN Resources outside Rexton, New Brunswick. In spite of best efforts of Elsipogtog Chief and Council to resolve this issue peacefully, the heavily armed RCMP aggressively moved in today to enforce an injunction.

?Canada cannot continue to viciously cast aside our Aboriginal Title, Rights and Treaty Rights. In light of Dr. James Anaya?s, UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, recent visit to Canada, this type of severe action by the RCMP reflects a government that continues to ignore Indigenous land rights ? our human rights ? to pretend it has a productive relationship with Indigenous peoples founded on reconciliation and respect? said Chief Bob Chamberlin, Vice-President of the UBCIC.

We await the call from the Elsipogtog for all Indigenous Peoples to mobilize and organize solidarity actions across the country."

Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians, who was recently in New Brunswick, said, ?Watching the day?s events unfold online was shocking. I met with the Elsipogtog leaders not long ago and know they are committed to peaceful resistance to stop the destruction of their land and water and what they do is in all of our names. We stand in solidarity with the people fighting to protect the water and the land.?

Dene Nation in Yellowknife calls for Solidairty with the Elsipogtog:
The Dene Nation stands in full support of the Elsipogtog community and leadership in their defence against fracking and shale gas development within their traditional territory.

?We stand in complete solidarity with the Elsipogtog people to express full support and continue their efforts for developing an energy plan for their territory? states Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus.

The Elsipogtog First Nation has been protesting the energy company SWN Resources outside Rexton, New Brunswick regarding fracking and shale gas development for the last month.

Fracking, also called hydro-fracking is a relatively new process of natural gas and oil extraction. Fracking is fundamentally different than traditional gas & oil extraction methods. Fracking wells go thousands of feet deeper than traditional natural wells. Fracking requires between two and five million gallons of local freshwater per well - up to 100 times more than traditional extraction methods. Fracking utilizes "fracking fluid," a mix of water, sand, and a cocktail of toxic chemicals. The amount of wastewate produced by fracked wells is much greater than traditional wells.

?We understand the local Chief Arron Sock is meeting with Premier David Alward later today on the issue. We are pleased with that. However, this is a nation to nation treaty issue and the crown has to be upfront and responsible? said Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus. In addition, ?the RCMP and security need to provide safety and security as they did at treaty time. They have to promote peace, order and good government?.

We await further information from the Elsipogtog Peoples to organize solidarity actions for their people.Angela Giles, Atlantic Regional Organizer, said, ?To defend the rights of an American company, the RCMP came in with essentially para-military units including snipers, to remove the opposition. The New Brunswick government does not have the social license to allow fracking and the people will continue to fight for the future of their families, their province, and the environment.?

?Protesters in Rexton are standing up to a Texas company that wants to profit on the backs of New Brunswickers while placing the water and the environment at risk,? says Emma Lui, Water campaigner based in Ottawa.

?Indigenous communities like the Elsipogtog First Nation are on the frontlines of defending water and the land for everyone, and this should not be criminalized.?

The Council of Canadians has supported the blockade.

The photos that flashed across Twitter all day told the real story that the mainstream media was concealing. Below, snipers hover, women hold their drums in defense when faced with snipers rifles, tear gas and police dogs, Elsipognog Chief and council members are arrested, and a lone First Nations woman stands in defense of Mother Earth.

Also see: More than 1,000 rally in support in Vancouver:  http://vancouver.mediacoop.ca/photo/west-coast-rally-mikmaq-weve-got-your-bac...

CBC radio interview with Allan Marsh who was at the scene:
 http://www.cbc.ca/player/Radio/ID/2412962477

[ Originating Article:  http://www.indymedia.org/en/2013/10/966291.shtml ]
Tue Dec 18, 2012 18:11 (en)

Climate Negotiations are over for another year with little progress in Doha by any one's measure as the scientific statements on climate change and the impacts we are already feeling as evidenced in record Arctic melting, and extreme weather events like Hurricane Sandy and Typhoon Bopha in the Philippines, and Cyclone Evan in the South Pacific are growing much stronger.

Some of the latest scientific research shows:

Photos: Photos by World Resources Institute | Photos by Oxfam | The Verb: Climate March in Doha | The Verb: COP18 Actions
Related: Deep emissions cuts urged at climate summit | Towards a Grand Compromise in the Climate Negotiations | COP18, another 'Conference of Polluters' | An open letter to governments and their negotiators | Climate compensation row at Doha | Forest Groups Protest False Solutions | IPCC's Planned Obsolescence: Fifth Assessment Report Will Ignore Crucial Permafrost Carbon Feedback! | Methane and CO2 in thawing Arctic permafrost a climate tipping point

Climate Change March in Doha
Climate Change March in Doha

We are hurtling along, actually accelerating our emissions, heading for a climate cliff towards a chaotic and dangerous future (See Guy McPherson on the end of the world) and negotiators think we can put on the brakes at the last minute. Unfortunately what action the global community takes using an agreement negotiated by 2015 to come into effect by 2020 will be far too little too late. Climate physics will trump all the hot air in climate policy negotiations.

It is the failure of leadership and ambition of industrialised countries like the United States, Canada and Australia in making the deep cuts to emissions necessary which is hampering and sometimes actively obstructing progress. The Bali roadmap in 2007 adopted the scientific projections of 25 to 40 percent emission cuts by industrialised countries on 1990 levels by 2020 for a 50 percent chance of not exceeding 2 degrees of warming.

"It is vitally important to remember that the dangerous experiment we are performing on the climate system through our emissions of greenhouse gases continues unabated, with global emissions still growing at an alarming pace. The climate system will not wait decades for the governments of the world to inch towards an agreement. This trend needs to be reversed quickly. The outcome of the Doha talks is therefore extremely disappointing, if not unexpected." commented Professor Sir Brian Hoskins, Director of the Grantham Institute for Climate Change at Imperial College London.

Sharan Burrow, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation, ITUC, said "We leave this conference wondering when ambition will come back to the table. There will be no jobs in a dead planet, nor a Just Transition with this outcome" said Ms Burrow. "The more we wait for having ambitious emission reduction objectives, the more the transition will be unfair. We need time to build a Just Transition, to put in place the social policies to help working people fully participate in a sustainable economy. Delays will make our task difficult, almost impossible. In order to be Just, the transition must start now, " said Ms Burrow.

Civil society NGOs condemn lack of progress at climate talks

Leaders of Civil Society groups gathered just after the conclusion of the final plenary at Doha and made clear that it is still business as usual with little progress in negotiating emission reductions. Although nominally the Kyoto Protocol will continue until 2020, it is a shadow of itself and the first commitment period with Russia, Japan, Canada and New Zealand all withdrawing.

Read more at Climate IMC article

Thu Dec 06, 2012 15:38 (en)
During the weekend of 23-25 November, violent clashes occurred, as military police attacked activists and environmentalists on an area slated for an airport project in Notre-Dame-des-Landes ? a village near Nantes, while riot police violently dispersed a support demonstration in the city. The events have forced major media and politicians to publicly admit that there is an issue.

During the weekend of 23-25 November, violent clashes occurred, as military police attacked activists and environmentalists on an area slated for an airport project in Notre-Dame-des-Landes ? a village near Nantes, while riot police violently dispersed a support demonstration in the city. The events have forced major media and politicians to publicly admit that there is an issue.

Some forty years ago, the French State and the local authorities devised the project of building a huge, international airport on the area. Then, oil was cheap and from the development of air traffic at the time, they calculated that Nantes Airport would be saturated by 1983-84. However, in 2012 Nantes Airport is still working at only 75% of its capacity.

In 1974, the French Government reserved the area, so that no new building permit could be delivered. Thus, nature and small traditional farming were preserved. The incredible sum of money necessary for the project was not available, so that the works never started.



In the mid 2000 years, the project was dug out of forgiveness, mainly supported by the long time mayor of Nantes, Jean-Marc Ayrault, who is now Prime Minister of France. The main contractor of the public-private partnership is the building corporation Vinci, which has also been contracted to build the East End Crossing, in Kentucky. The local representative of the Ministry of Interior, who was in charge until 2009, got a position at Vinci as soon as he left his official function, raising the suspicion that he was already working for the corporation as a civil servant.

Further, the area is a wetland, the importance of which for global climate has been proved in between, so that French Law now demands that any destruction of wetland be compensated by the creation of another one elsewhere. Vinci does not provide for it in its project, which makes it unlawful.



As the project was dug out of the administration files in 2005, the directly impacted people ? local inhabitants and small farmers ? formed the Inter Communal Association of Impacted Populations, ACIPA, organizing meetings, debates and music shows. Leftist and environmentalist activists who opposed the project then decided to occupy the area, settling in abandoned houses and building cabins in the woods. Collective gardens, libraries, a newspaper, individual farming projects were created.

Resistance was not unified. The farmers and inhabitants were suspicious of environmentalists or anarchist squatters. Even the activist groups differed from each other. But on October 16th, military police harassment began, bringing the different groups closer to each other. Local farmers and inhabitants dropped their suspicion. On November 27th, a huge demonstration (some 38000 people) took place on the area. Political stars from ?green? and ?leftist? parties showed up. But on Friday November 23rd, the military police violently attacked. As a result, resisters became more united than they had ever been, while dissent is growing among the ?green? and ?progressive? politicians who take part in government. They have obtained a six months postponement to allow an environmental impact study. But evictions go on. There are wounded and people detained.

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