Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Awakening tribute 4 Tal+COP 15(part 2)+looking back(mp3)ready to listen/download or embed


To download or embed this show You can go to:
http://www.archive.org/details/AwakeningTribute4Talcop15part2lookingBackInOldYear


polish below

Today we will begin with the tribute for our dear friend Tal who's body was taken by cancer but who's spirit would stay alive always in our harts and memory's.

The COP 15 has ended but our struggle must continue and it will. The COP 15 protests were a huge positive step forward in mobilizing the Climate Justice movement in good direction to save the planet.

Today's show, as usual agenda, then...

Main subject today and for the next months radio show will be audio from the COP 15 protests. With the voices recorded we will tell You why Climate Change is not just an environmental issue. We will play audio from demonstrations, speeches, events that happened during the COP 15. Today we will play part of the speech of Naomi Klein that she gave at Christiania. Further in the show we will continue with the  "Do It Yourself"(A handbook for changing our world) why we need direct actions and why this is important.
As always (if enough time left) we will read some ecological advice from a book "Make A Difference"...In the background as usual will be playing a collection of international/political songs(mainly punk)
 

radio awakening every tue from 16.00~19.30 in radio patapoe 88.3 fm (links below)

Awakening it a program on radio patapoe.It's talkactive. It means we talk for more than three hours, mainly about politics,squatting,activism,ecology,tolerance,human and animal rights,punk,spirituality,freedom,love,cultural life in Amsterdam.First we start with the agenda for the squatting scene in Amsterdam( not only),then we have some main subject,sometimes guests.The last ha we do as polish part in this language.The music what we are playing that mainly punk,but this is just as background(package) and in the breaks when we are preparing our self,equipment,material,etc.Patapoe is a pirate, underground,squatters radio. We are playing our program every Tuesday from 4pm till ~ 7.30pm. In Amsterdam You can listen us in the ether 88.3 FM and everywhere else on http://www.freeteam.nl/patapoe
If You would like to listen some from our old programs and read description for them go to:
http://ourmediaindymedia.blogspot.com/search/label/Awakening%20program
if You would like listen,download or embed some of our old issues go to:
http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=Awakening7
to download the last show mainly about ecology and solutions for climate change You can go
http://www.archive.org/details/EcoAwakening7
to download program (about DIY culture and tips)from go to:
http://www.archive.org/details/GriksAwakeningdiy
Invitation to our program Awakening in radio patapoe 88.3fm
To all positive organizations &
To whom it may concern,
If you would like to come to on our show called awakening to talk about, ecology, squatting, local politics, food, animal rights you are more than welcome.
Ps: There are also possibilities to make interviews through phone or skype
Pass this information further. Let the media to be free.

Polonia aktywna spogląda wstecz.Mniej mięsa=mniejsze ocieplenie.

English above

W "Polonii Aktywnej" głownie będziemy podsumowywać mijany rok 2009.Postaramy się spojrzeć wstecz przez pryzmat www.positi.blogspot.com = stron starających sie przynieść pozytywne zmiany. Przypomnimy najważniejsze,najbardziej inspirujące, najbardziej sukcesywne wydarzenia, artykuły, programy itp. Ponadto przeczytamy też zrtykuł z www.wegetarianie.pl, mówiący o zmienieniu klimatu na lepsze poprzez dietę wegetariańską, a także innych korzyściach z tego płynących. Po za tym jak zwykle selekcja ważnych i pozytywnych wiadomości głównie z www.positi.blogspot.com, cia.bzzz.net oraz pl.indymedia.org itp.

W Awakening relacja z COP 15(część 2) Będziemy starali się dać głos tym co w tych konferencjach byli pominięci i wraz z nimi będziemy się starali wyjaśnić dlaczego zmiana klimatu to nie tylko problem ekologiczny.Po nad to ciąg dalszy o akcji bezpośredniej z książki DIY, a po za tym jak starczy czasu, parę rad ekologicznych z książki "Zrób Różnicę" .

http://www.climate-justice-action.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/cja.jpg

Jeśli chcesz przedstawić nam to co robisz(organizację,swój skłot, działalność, w którą się angażujesz, wszystko inne co Ci leży na sercu itp. )skontaktuj się, przyślij nam materiał(najlepiej audio)lub jeszcze lepiej umów się na skypa lub zadzwoń do studia. Do usłyszenia

Radio patapoe jest zarówno internetowe jak i w eterze. Normalne fale mają zasięg lokalny, a przez internet można nas słuchać na całym świecie. Jesteśmy radiem pirackim. Słuchają je głównie skłotersi, studenci, lecz także starsi ludzie , po których raczej bym się nie spodziewał. Ogólnie staramy się by było jak najbardziej zróżnicowane.

Z jedynych ograniczeń jakie mogę zauważyć to, to że nie puszczamy żadnej komercyjnej papki. Staramy się tworzyć alternatywę, a nie powielać stacje nastawione na zysk. Dlatego nie ma u nas żadnych reklam. Głównie przeważa muzyka eksperymentalna i elektroniczna, dużo jest reggae, dub, techno i punk. Po za tym audycje jakie miałyby małe szanse zaistnieć w komercyjnym radiu. Ja z Pipi w każdy wtorek od około 16.00 do 19.30 gramy program "awakening" (patrz plakat po prawej stronie , pod linkami na stronach) w skład, którego wchodzi też "Polonia Aktywna"(od~18.30 do 19.30). Gadamy non stop przez ponad trzy godziny o ważnych dla nas sprawach : skłoterskich , politycznych, wolnościowych, ekologicznych, duchowych, prawach ludzi , prawach zwierząt itp. Czasem zapraszamy gości z różnych społecznych organizacji, by udzielili nam wywiadu o tym co robią. W tle przeważnie leci jakiś anarcho punk z inteligentnym przekazem w innym języku niż rozmawiamy, by słowa się nie mieszały. Posłuchaj sam...

http://www.freeteam.nl/patapoe

lub jeśli mieszkasz w Amsterdamie 88.3 FM


stare programy dostępne też na
http://www.positi.blogspot.com

lub
http://www.ourmediaindymedia.blogspot.com

Zapraszamy też każdego kto ma coś do powiedzenia do naszego programu. Zarówno do angielsko holenderskiej części jak i polskiej. Skype rozwiązuje problem dużych odległości i rachunków za telefon.Wystarczy się umówić...


Jeśli chciał(a)byś usłyszeć więcej innych programów(ta opcja ma opisy po polsku) wejdź na :
http://positi.blogspot.com/search/label/radio%20awakening
Jeszcze więcej ?
http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=Awakening7
Przekaż tą informację dalej jak możesz !!! Wyzwól media

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Video Activists Meeting/Workshop/Screening tomorrow!!!

Could You please forward it to all people who could be interested, please ?
Squat Positivenest (Uiterwaardenstraat 289,near the RAI station) invite You in Thursday 31.12.09 for:
Meeting and workshop for video activists.Start 16.00
The idea is to come together, make group, present some of the projects, make new and see how we can help each other. Together We are stronger and We can do more.For example we can teach each other how to do things better , easier and more independent. Everyone could present what things he/she is busy with and what he/she can offer to the group and tell us what help he/she need.
1. Basics about uploading movies.(1/2 ha)
2. Evaluation of the video activists work from Amsterdam during COP 15 in Copenhagen. (sharing experiences, success etc.)(1/2ha)
3. Any plans for next meetings and next year ? Ideas, projects, plans, cooperation's etc.(1/2 ha)
4. Why we need media activism (according one not video activist).(1/2 ha)
For everyone Start 18.30
5. Screening of the movies what we made last year. Looking back...(open for public...) (1.5ha)
6. Organic vegan food on reservations.(write email till thu 12.00)

We would show Spirit Of Squatters(hopefully not only) movies from pro Palestinians demos, from Lappersfort occupation, from squatting actions,from evictions, from clown actions, from geveltuinendag, from action against mega stable, and green wash of WWF, from Climate action camp, blocking the nuclear power plant, meat stand and coal terminal do to the changing climate for better,from big pro squatting demo in Utrecht and squatting palace,from solidarity demo with struggling Greece, from COP 15 protests and campaign movie for the osdorpse farmers etc...
Between the short movies we can talk with people involved in the actions (we invite You all right now!)could explain more about it, what went good what went wrong etc.
All happened last year
Spirit Of Squatters Collective + Vidiots + Video Activists
Those are the proposals for screening. Bring Your own too. Make Your choice what would you like to see. The videos would be played in better than You Tube quality...
On The Way Back.Post COP 15.InterviewSpirit Of Squatters CollectiveSpirit Of Squatters Collective

Tribute to Tal


"Even in my last day on earth I will still plant a tree", and that's what Tal did. Between treatments, in the organic garden she nurtured in the city, the Permaculture course and vegan cooking in the Rogatka Bar that we've built together, and also planted hope, compassion, love, truth, softness and revolution in all of us.    

Tal who was always there

Tal who knew how to live the moment

Tal who have always struggled for a better world

Tal who was always busy with everything and always had time for all of us

Tal who loved every living creature

Tal who was strong in heart and spirit  

We stand here today not as friends who have lost a friend, but as a family that have lost a sister. Tal was an important part of our lives and in the life of the anarchist community and the punk scene in Israel and in Amsterdam.

From a young age Tal has dedicated her time for animal rights and environmental activism, anti-occupation activity and was part of the squatting movement.  

Tal dreamt of a different world, a world without pain and injustice. Like us, Tal tried to understand this world better and try to change it. But Tal had something we could only accept from her – the rare combination between earth and spirit, Yin and Yang, strong principles and an endless acceptance of the different, a rage on those who destroy the world on the one hand and a belief in the rise of a new world on the other. Always with a smile, honesty and a never ending optimism.  

Even when she got sick Tal didn't give up and never stopped struggling. The illness has not succeeded to break her spirit even for a moment, and it won't break ours. The years we've been blessed to share with Tal will not be forgotten, her humour, love and strength will always stay within us and her spirit will be with us forever.

טל הקטנה, אחות וחברה. המאבק שלך יהיה לנצח המאבק שלנו לעולם טוב יותר לאחרים ולנו.

לעולם לא נשכחך.

Tiny Tal, sister and a friend. Your struggle will forever be our struggle for a better world for others and for us. 

We will never forget you.


Hey all,
I hope you are all doing well. It's hard to write this email and I
hope it doesn't sound too weird. Just a few hours ago we laid Tals
body in the ground. I'm writing this as I know that all of you would
have wished to be here in Israel with us and share your memories and
feelings of Tal and just have some emotional support and share in the
grief. Though we knew that she was in a bad condition I think we all
hoped that her fighting spirit and positive energy would have won this
last battle.
I heard that some of you had a ceremony in her old room in Amsterdam
and  we're all glad here to know that the impact was felt everywhere
and that we are all sharing this hard news together and alone.
I just wanted to write you a bit about the funeral here. She was
buried in the heart of Tel Aviv, not 5 minutes away from her parents
house. There were about a thousand people here. Friends, relatives and
colleges of the family (as her family is in the show business there
were many celebrities there). and of course many activists who knew
Tal for the last 15 years, it was the biggest reunion of activists and
ex activists, all sharing their last respects.
The speeches were all heartfelt and deeply moving, from the Rabi who
explained the meaning of Tals name, which in hebrew means dew, the
early rain drops you have each morning and which are considered a
blessing, and while he explained this it started to rain, So we felt
as if the words he was speaking were a mystical chant for the heavens
to open their doors.
Dana Punk spoke on behalf of all of us and gave a speech that
reflected Tals life as a friend and activist.
The last speech was hard to hear as it was a relative or friend (i
wasn't sure) who spoke to Tal before she left to Switzerland. She told
him that she thinks that she might not be coming back in a material
form from this trip but that her spirit will stay with us. that we
should always smile and not get angry, try to look things in a
positive way and try to find the way to be positive even if we
disagree.

Love to all of you, wherever you might be,
Jonathan

ps Please send this to whoever I forgot to mention here or that I lack
their email.

Awakening about COP 15,voices and sounds from the protests(mp3)

To download or embed this show You can go to:
http://www.archive.org/details/AwakeningAboutCop15voicesAndSoundsFromTheProtests


The COP 15 has ended but our struggle must continue and it will. The COP 15 protests were a huge positive step forward in mobilizing the Climate Justice movement in good direction to save the planet.

polish below

Today's show, as usual agenda first, then...

Main subject today and for the next months radio show will be audio from the COP 15 protests. With the voices recorded we will tell You why Climate Change is not just an environmental issue. We will play audio from demonstrations, speeches, events that happened during the COP 15. Today we will play part of the speech of Naomi Klein that she gave at Christiania. Further in the show we will continue with the  "Do It Yourself"(A handbook for changing our world) why we need direct actions and why this is important.
As always (if enough time left) we will read some ecological advice from a book "Make A Difference"...In the background as usual will be playing a collection of international/political songs(mainly punk)
 

radio awakening every tue from 16.00~19.30 in radio patapoe 88.3 fm (links below)

Awakening it a program on radio patapoe.It's talkactive. It means we talk for more than three hours, mainly about politics,squatting,activism,ecology,tolerance,human and animal rights,punk,spirituality,freedom,love,cultural life in Amsterdam.First we start with the agenda for the squatting scene in Amsterdam( not only),then we have some main subject,sometimes guests.The last ha we do as polish part in this language.The music what we are playing that mainly punk,but this is just as background(package) and in the breaks when we are preparing our self,equipment,material,etc.Patapoe is a pirate, underground,squatters radio. We are playing our program every Tuesday from 4pm till ~ 7.30pm. In Amsterdam You can listen us in the ether 88.3 FM and everywhere else on http://www.freeteam.nl/patapoe
If You would like to listen some from our old programs and read description for them go to:
http://ourmediaindymedia.blogspot.com/search/label/Awakening%20program
if You would like listen,download or embed some of our old issues go to:
http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=Awakening7
to download the last show mainly about ecology and solutions for climate change You can go
http://www.archive.org/details/EcoAwakening7
to download program (about DIY culture and tips)from go to:
http://www.archive.org/details/GriksAwakeningdiy
Invitation to our program Awakening in radio patapoe 88.3fm
To all positive organizations &
To whom it may concern,
If you would like to come to on our show called awakening to talk about, ecology, squatting, local politics, food, animal rights you are more than welcome.
Ps: There are also possibilities to make interviews through phone or skype
Pass this information further. Let the media to be free.

Polonia aktywna relacjonuje protesty podczas COP 15

English above

W "Polonii Aktywnej" będziemy kontynuować zdawanie relacji z protestów przeciw konferencji klimatycznej COP 15 w Kopenhadze, gdzie ci co najbardziej odpowiedzialni są za zmiany klimatyczne będą obradować jak zrobić na tym jeszcze większy interes i jakie jeszcze większe fałszywe rozwiązania wcisnąć ludziom, by się nie czepiali, a przede wszystkim nie sięgali po prawdziwe rozwiązania, nie zmniejszali konsumpcji, kontynuowali jedzenie mięsa i jeżdżenie samochodem na "ekologicznym bio" paliwie itp. Po za tym bedziemy starali się zrelacjonować co się działo w Kopenhadze. Po za tym jak zwykle selekcja ważnych i pozytywnych wiadomości głównie z www.positi.blogspot.com, cia.bzzz.net oraz pl.indymedia.org itp.

W Awakening także relacja z COP 15. Będziemy starali się dać głos tym co w tych konferencjach byli pominięci i wraz z nimi będziemy się starali wyjaśnić dlaczego zmiana klimatu to nie tylko problem ekologiczny.Po nad to ciąg dalszy o akcji bezpośredniej z książki DIY, a po za tym jak starczy czasu, parę rad ekologicznych z książki "Zrób Różnicę" .

http://www.climate-justice-action.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/cja.jpg

Jeśli chcesz przedstawić nam to co robisz(organizację,swój skłot, działalność, w którą się angażujesz, wszystko inne co Ci leży na sercu itp. )skontaktuj się, przyślij nam materiał(najlepiej audio)lub jeszcze lepiej umów się na skypa lub zadzwoń do studia. Do usłyszenia

Radio patapoe jest zarówno internetowe jak i w eterze. Normalne fale mają zasięg lokalny, a przez internet można nas słuchać na całym świecie. Jesteśmy radiem pirackim. Słuchają je głównie skłotersi, studenci, lecz także starsi ludzie , po których raczej bym się nie spodziewał. Ogólnie staramy się by było jak najbardziej zróżnicowane.

Z jedynych ograniczeń jakie mogę zauważyć to, to że nie puszczamy żadnej komercyjnej papki. Staramy się tworzyć alternatywę, a nie powielać stacje nastawione na zysk. Dlatego nie ma u nas żadnych reklam. Głównie przeważa muzyka eksperymentalna i elektroniczna, dużo jest reggae, dub, techno i punk. Po za tym audycje jakie miałyby małe szanse zaistnieć w komercyjnym radiu. Ja z Pipi w każdy wtorek od około 16.00 do 19.30 gramy program "awakening" (patrz plakat po prawej stronie , pod linkami na stronach) w skład, którego wchodzi też "Polonia Aktywna"(od~18.30 do 19.30). Gadamy non stop przez ponad trzy godziny o ważnych dla nas sprawach : skłoterskich , politycznych, wolnościowych, ekologicznych, duchowych, prawach ludzi , prawach zwierząt itp. Czasem zapraszamy gości z różnych społecznych organizacji, by udzielili nam wywiadu o tym co robią. W tle przeważnie leci jakiś anarcho punk z inteligentnym przekazem w innym języku niż rozmawiamy, by słowa się nie mieszały. Posłuchaj sam...

http://www.freeteam.nl/patapoe

lub jeśli mieszkasz w Amsterdamie 88.3 FM


stare programy dostępne też na
http://www.positi.blogspot.com

lub
http://www.ourmediaindymedia.blogspot.com

Zapraszamy też każdego kto ma coś do powiedzenia do naszego programu. Zarówno do angielsko holenderskiej części jak i polskiej. Skype rozwiązuje problem dużych odległości i rachunków za telefon.Wystarczy się umówić...


Jeśli chciał(a)byś usłyszeć więcej innych programów(ta opcja ma opisy po polsku) wejdź na :
http://positi.blogspot.com/search/label/radio%20awakening
Jeszcze więcej ?
http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=Awakening7
Przekaż tą informację dalej jak możesz !!! Wyzwól media

Monday, December 28, 2009

Awakening tribute 4 Tal+COP 15(part 2)+looking back

polish below

Today we will begin with the tribute for our dear friend Tal who's body was taken by cancer but who's spirit would stay alive always in our harts and memory's.

The COP 15 has ended but our struggle must continue and it will. The COP 15 protests were a huge positive step forward in mobilizing the Climate Justice movement in good direction to save the planet.

Today's show, as usual agenda, then...

Main subject today and for the next months radio show will be audio from the COP 15 protests. With the voices recorded we will tell You why Climate Change is not just an environmental issue. We will play audio from demonstrations, speeches, events that happened during the COP 15. Today we will play part of the speech of Naomi Klein that she gave at Christiania. Further in the show we will continue with the  "Do It Yourself"(A handbook for changing our world) why we need direct actions and why this is important.
As always (if enough time left) we will read some ecological advice from a book "Make A Difference"...In the background as usual will be playing a collection of international/political songs(mainly punk)
 

radio awakening every tue from 16.00~19.30 in radio patapoe 88.3 fm (links below)

Awakening it a program on radio patapoe.It's talkactive. It means we talk for more than three hours, mainly about politics,squatting,activism,ecology,tolerance,human and animal rights,punk,spirituality,freedom,love,cultural life in Amsterdam.First we start with the agenda for the squatting scene in Amsterdam( not only),then we have some main subject,sometimes guests.The last ha we do as polish part in this language.The music what we are playing that mainly punk,but this is just as background(package) and in the breaks when we are preparing our self,equipment,material,etc.Patapoe is a pirate, underground,squatters radio. We are playing our program every Tuesday from 4pm till ~ 7.30pm. In Amsterdam You can listen us in the ether 88.3 FM and everywhere else on http://www.freeteam.nl/patapoe
If You would like to listen some from our old programs and read description for them go to:
http://ourmediaindymedia.blogspot.com/search/label/Awakening%20program
if You would like listen,download or embed some of our old issues go to:
http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=Awakening7
to download the last show mainly about ecology and solutions for climate change You can go
http://www.archive.org/details/EcoAwakening7
to download program (about DIY culture and tips)from go to:
http://www.archive.org/details/GriksAwakeningdiy
Invitation to our program Awakening in radio patapoe 88.3fm
To all positive organizations &
To whom it may concern,
If you would like to come to on our show called awakening to talk about, ecology, squatting, local politics, food, animal rights you are more than welcome.
Ps: There are also possibilities to make interviews through phone or skype
Pass this information further. Let the media to be free.

Polonia aktywna spogląda wstecz.Mniej mięsa=mniejsze ocieplenie.

English above

W "Polonii Aktywnej" głownie będziemy podsumowywać mijany rok 2009.Postaramy się spojrzeć wstecz przez pryzmat www.positi.blogspot.com = stron starających sie przynieść pozytywne zmiany. Przypomnimy najważniejsze,najbardziej inspirujące, najbardziej sukcesywne wydarzenia, artykuły, programy itp. Ponadto przeczytamy też zrtykuł z www.wegetarianie.pl, mówiący o zmienieniu klimatu na lepsze poprzez dietę wegetariańską, a także innych korzyściach z tego płynących. Po za tym jak zwykle selekcja ważnych i pozytywnych wiadomości głównie z www.positi.blogspot.com, cia.bzzz.net oraz pl.indymedia.org itp.

W Awakening relacja z COP 15(część 2) Będziemy starali się dać głos tym co w tych konferencjach byli pominięci i wraz z nimi będziemy się starali wyjaśnić dlaczego zmiana klimatu to nie tylko problem ekologiczny.Po nad to ciąg dalszy o akcji bezpośredniej z książki DIY, a po za tym jak starczy czasu, parę rad ekologicznych z książki "Zrób Różnicę" .

http://www.climate-justice-action.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/cja.jpg

Jeśli chcesz przedstawić nam to co robisz(organizację,swój skłot, działalność, w którą się angażujesz, wszystko inne co Ci leży na sercu itp. )skontaktuj się, przyślij nam materiał(najlepiej audio)lub jeszcze lepiej umów się na skypa lub zadzwoń do studia. Do usłyszenia

Radio patapoe jest zarówno internetowe jak i w eterze. Normalne fale mają zasięg lokalny, a przez internet można nas słuchać na całym świecie. Jesteśmy radiem pirackim. Słuchają je głównie skłotersi, studenci, lecz także starsi ludzie , po których raczej bym się nie spodziewał. Ogólnie staramy się by było jak najbardziej zróżnicowane.

Z jedynych ograniczeń jakie mogę zauważyć to, to że nie puszczamy żadnej komercyjnej papki. Staramy się tworzyć alternatywę, a nie powielać stacje nastawione na zysk. Dlatego nie ma u nas żadnych reklam. Głównie przeważa muzyka eksperymentalna i elektroniczna, dużo jest reggae, dub, techno i punk. Po za tym audycje jakie miałyby małe szanse zaistnieć w komercyjnym radiu. Ja z Pipi w każdy wtorek od około 16.00 do 19.30 gramy program "awakening" (patrz plakat po prawej stronie , pod linkami na stronach) w skład, którego wchodzi też "Polonia Aktywna"(od~18.30 do 19.30). Gadamy non stop przez ponad trzy godziny o ważnych dla nas sprawach : skłoterskich , politycznych, wolnościowych, ekologicznych, duchowych, prawach ludzi , prawach zwierząt itp. Czasem zapraszamy gości z różnych społecznych organizacji, by udzielili nam wywiadu o tym co robią. W tle przeważnie leci jakiś anarcho punk z inteligentnym przekazem w innym języku niż rozmawiamy, by słowa się nie mieszały. Posłuchaj sam...

http://www.freeteam.nl/patapoe

lub jeśli mieszkasz w Amsterdamie 88.3 FM


stare programy dostępne też na
http://www.positi.blogspot.com

lub
http://www.ourmediaindymedia.blogspot.com

Zapraszamy też każdego kto ma coś do powiedzenia do naszego programu. Zarówno do angielsko holenderskiej części jak i polskiej. Skype rozwiązuje problem dużych odległości i rachunków za telefon.Wystarczy się umówić...


Jeśli chciał(a)byś usłyszeć więcej innych programów(ta opcja ma opisy po polsku) wejdź na :
http://positi.blogspot.com/search/label/radio%20awakening
Jeszcze więcej ?
http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=Awakening7
Przekaż tą informację dalej jak możesz !!! Wyzwól media

Rebelact Newsletter nr 6: update REBELACTion Survey

Dear friends of rebel clowns,
 
Looking back: here's an update with loads of links about where and when we messed up.
Looking forward to have more fun, actions and inspiration!
Next year you'll hear about a benefit party, training and and much more! 
Wish you happy holidays and a great 2010!!!
 
the Amsterdam Rebel Clowns
 
 
REBELACTion survey 2009
 
December 2009:
12: Money, money, money - it's so funny in a polluting world http://www.indymedia.nl/nl/2009/12/64198.shtml
Almost same report Danish Indymedia http://www.indymedia.dk/articles/1600
Film about the Copenhagen Express + text and 2 clown pictures http://www.oneworld.nl/Nieuws/article/23816/VIDEO_Kopenhagen_Express_komt_aan
Regional TV about a politician travelling to Copenhagen - with from minute 1.47 till 1.55 clowns http://mediaplayer.rtvutrecht.nl/stream/0d92b631.wmv
 
November 2009
20 - 22: RABBIT weekend - Rebel Act Big Basic Intervention Training
22: Climate Change - Who Cares? http://www.indymedia.nl/nl/2009/11/63523.shtml
22: Operation Home, Sweet Speculation Home (rebel clown report and pictures below general report) http://www.indymedia.nl/nl/2009/11/63516.shtml
 
October 2009:
10: First love letter from Den Bosch for National Duckies Front http://indymedia.nl/nl/2009/10/62112.shtml
15: Klasse! nr. 7, page 8. Picture and text about the demonstration in Venlo, Sept. 26th http://www.globalinfo.nl/images/pdfklasse/klassekrant_7.pdf
19: Rebelact info night about past, present and future of clandestine insurgent red nose interventions http://indymedia.nl/nl/2009/10/62346.shtml
31: Wild Zombie Bike Ride to Ghost Town http://www.indymedia.nl/nl/2009/11/62954.shtml
 
September 2009:
26: Demonstration 'National White Bride Front' in Venlo http://indymedia.nl/nl/2009/09/61879.shtml
26: Article in the regional newspaper with a line about AFA supporters who dressed them selves up as bride, their faces with make up and pimped with a black Hitler moustache: http://www.limburger.nl/article/20090926/REGIONIEUWS01/488722454/1045
26: Article in De Telegraaf with this funny line about people who were arrested: "All people were arrested because they didn't follow the instructions of the police, were dressed up as clowns and in wedding dresses or because they didn't had their ID with them".
Same articles on the websites of newspapers De Volkskrant, Trouw, Metro, De Pers and many regional newspapers. Also the Belgian newspaper De Morgen and other sites in Belgium and the Netherlands.
28: Algemeen Dagblad, page 9.
28: De Limburger (regional newspaper), page 1,2 and 3.
 
June 2009:
19: Everything under control with Medvedev in town http://www.indymedia.nl/nl/2009/06/60191.shtml
21: Waving rebel clown Giorgia 'goodbye'who moves to Rome. To honour everything she did, she was dubbed Knight in the Order of Clowny Disorder and Red Nosy Merit.
 
May 2009:
19: WWF panda dances for Monsanto (with a cruel director from Rebelact) http://www.indymedia.nl/nl/2009/05/59556.shtml
20: Buiten de Orde, spring issue, page 15 (text in Dutch about strategy options for rebel clowning)
23: Demonstration 'National Duckies Front' in Den Bosch http://www.indymedia.nl/nl/2009/05/59649.shtml
23: Discussion (in Dutch) about the demonstration at website Retecool with several remarks about clowns. Also pictures. http://retecool.com/post/nvu-demo-in-den-bosch-hoeveel-fascisten-werden-er-opgepakt
23: More reports and pictures about the demonstration and clown action at RTL News, Spits, Kleintje Muurkrant, Fok.nl, Stormfront, etc.
25: Brabants Dagblad, page 2. Text in Dutch: Many arrests at 'quiet' protest
25: Report + pictures on website neighbourhood http://www.boschveld.nl:80/boschveldnieuws/?p=3673
Satiric anti-website about NVU leader Constant Kusters http://www.constantkusters.com/?p=195
28: Tierra y Libertad Solidarity Festival (with support Rebelact Welcome Team. Clown pictures and report below) http://www.indymedia.nl/nl/2009/05/59719.shtml
30: Workshop for kids 'Red noses save the world' at the Pinkster Landdagen festival. General schedule (no pictures): http://www.pinksterlanddagen.nl/node/4
 
April 2009:
17: Action together with several other groups against mega pig stable in the Betuwe (text in Dutch) http://www.indymedia.nl/nl/2009/04/58919.shtml
 
March 2009:
12: 60 years NATO - 60 years 'Culture of War' http://www.indymedia.nl/nl/2009/03/58185.shtml
 
February 2009:
8: Film 'Noviembre' + Rebelact introduction in OT301 http://www.indymedia.nl/nl/2009/02/57534.shtml
15: As clowns we supported the squatting of Commelinstraat 246 - 250. No clown pictures and report at http://www.indymedia.nl/nl/2009/02/57724.shtml
 
January 2009:
25: Internal discussion: we stopped with the experiment of having a theme (from Oct. till Dec. 'economy crisis' was the theme). Back to choosing subjects more spontaneously.
 
 
REBELACTion survey 2008
 
December 2008:
8: Toilet business - Economic crisis results http://www.indymedia.nl/nl/2008/12/56240.shtml
 
November 2008:
29: Party 40 years XminusY with bands and lock on workshop & the Piggy Riot Police
 
October 2008:
01: Filosofie Magazine, nr. 8 (October issue), page 13 (picture)
11: Police in Amsterdam during Freedom Not Fear http://www.indymedia.nl/nl/2008/10/55036.shtml  
31: Apokaputalism Now! Zombie Walk http://www.indymedia.nl/nl/2008/10/55457.shtml
 
September 2008:
08: Piggy Riot Police in the local Amsterdam East cityhall (text in Dutch and English) http://www.indymedia.nl/nl/2008/09/54486.shtml
15: Exercises with the Piggy Riot Police in front of Joe's Garage (text in Dutch) http://www.indymedia.nl/nl/2008/09/54634.shtml
Text and pictures: (text in Dutch) http://joesgarage.nl/node/403
16: Princes Day with the Clowny Family http://www.indymedia.nl/nl/2008/09/54585.shtml
16: Het Parool, page 19 (picture Piggy Riot Police)
20: Rebel clowns from Germany, France and the Netherlands during an action in Cologne against an European Anti-Islam congress. Text in German and picture http://www.taz.de/1/politik/deutschland/artikel/1/kein-koelsch-fuer-nazis
Pictures surrounding the police http://de.indymedia.org/2008/09/227573.shtml
Film rebel clowns surrounding a small group of police http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-YMsSzZoXM&feature=related
Report in Dutch 'Europees Anti-Islam congres verhinderd' (see below in) http://www.indymedia.nl/nl/2008/09/54672.shtml
 
July 2008:
19: 'Goodbye' party co-founding Rebelact clown Begüm. To honour her effort she was dubbed a first clowny knight.
 
June 2008:
14: Temporary freed zone (debate about housing policy) http://www.indymedia.nl/nl/2008/06/52950.shtml
15: Rebel clown BBQ nearby the Oosterpark ending the first season.
 
May 2008:
01: Rebel clowns from Cologne, Liège and Amsterdam during Euromayday in Aachen. Report in Dutch with links to reports in English and German http://www.indymedia.nl/nl/2008/05/52124.shtml
31: Demonstration National Apathy Party http://www.indymedia.nl/nl/2008/05/52695.shtml
 
April 2008:
04: De Pers, page 2 (picture clown Rita Fanclub)
04: Spits, page 3 (text about launch Verdonk's party)
04: Dag, page 2 (text about launch Verdonk's party)
05: Clownpatistas accompany demonstration http://www.indymedia.nl/nl/2008/04/51444.shtml
07: Het Parool, page 1 (text and picture clownpatistas)
18 - 20: Basic Rebel Clown Training
20: First service Church of Holy Consumption http://www.indymedia.nl/nl/2008/04/51912.shtml
 
March 2008:
21: Buiten de Orde, spring issue, page 4 - 9 (text in Dutch about rebel clowning in and after Heiligendamm)
21: Klasse!, first issue, page 4 and 5 (text in Dutch about organizing / picture clown cleaners)
22: Rebel clowns from France, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium during 'Nato Game Over' in Brussels. Report in Dutch: http://www.indymedia.be/nl/node/26793
Film rebel clowns in prison: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDKhWAZLyGY
Film Belgian news with party rebel clowns in prison: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuaisrqfX78&feature=related  
 
February 2008:
01: HP/De Tijd, page 38 - 41 (pictures)
03: Presentation in Utrecht 'Rebel Clowns and new action forms!'
Invited by the artists Klaas van Gorkum and Iratxe Jaio http://www.parallelports.org/zombies/rebelact.htm  
19: Unfortunately the Blue Inspectors were too early for the eviction round of some squatted houses
23: First BP gasstation closed down 'by'Amsterdam Rebel Clowns http://www.indymedia.nl/nl/2008/02/50361.shtml
Survey international actions campaign 'Hands off Iraqi Oil'
 
January 2008:
03: Amsterdam Weekly, page 4 - 5. 'Disarm the police - Clowning around is serious politics' by Dara Colwell.
06: Clown workshop for new rebel clowns
13: First meeting extended Rebelact group
26: 'Bed in 'for war: Operation Enduring Fooldom (joining the Global Day of Action)
http://www.indymedia.nl/nl/2008/01/49794.shtml (Rebelact report below the other reports)
28: De Volkskrant, January 28, page 3. (picture)
31: Amsterdam Weekly, page 4 (report)
 
 
REBELACTion survey 2007
 
December 2007:
02: In Overvecht Projectkrant, page 15 (announcement)
06: Cleaning the bank (with cleaners and sambaband Rhythms of Resistance)
http://www.indymedia.nl/nl/2007/12/48850.shtml Rebelact report below the other reports.
07: De Telegraaf, Amsterdam page 9. (picture)
07: Metro, Amsterdam page 15 (picture)
14 - 16: Basic Rebel Clown Training
16: Cleaning Schiphol (with cleaners, sambaband Rhythms of Resistance and Caspian Hat Dance)
http://www.indymedia.nl/nl/2007/12/49148.shtml (Rebelact report below the other reports)
17: Haarlems Dagblad, December 17, page 1 (picture & report)
21: Antirepression demo with Inspector Green, Inspekteur Grün and Inspecteur Vert
22: Het Parool, page 38 (picture)
27: De Volkskrant, page 1 (announcement Volkskrant TV)
 
November 2007:
17: First action at the kick off event Cleaners Campaign: Polit-clowns, Singer-clowns & Clowncleaners (Rebelact report below other reports) http://www.indymedia.nl/nl/2007/11/48459.shtml
19: Infonight in Amsterdam: 'Rebel Clowns and new action forms!'
24: Workshop & action Consumption Zombies during 2Dh5 Festival in Nijmegen
26: Het Parool, page 14. 'Making fun for the right cause - Amsterdam has own garrison of the international Clown Army' by Sarah Makboul.
 
September 2007:
09: first meeting Rebelact (the Amsterdam Rebel Clowns).
Rebelact website: http://www.rebelact.nl
 
Subscribe or unsubscribe for the Rebelact Newsletter: rebelact@ddh.nl
Also for questions and remarks. Response is always welcome.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Practical GUIDE TO PUBLIC ORDER SITUATIONS by Earth First

GUIDE TO PUBLIC ORDER SITUATIONS

- the aims & methods of the state
- hyper-edited version
- preparations
- the aims of the protestors
- sticking together
- precautions: surveillance, truncheon blows, chemical sprays, baton charges, dogs, horses, vans, tasers
- defending
- basic police choreography
- the dance steps
- line dancing or stopping lines forming
- counter-advancing: snow plows, using your body, reforming, snatch squads, de-arresting
- other links & contact details for comments on this guide


Police tactics are currently in flux post-London G20 - this change is very important, so please feedback any new things they are doing on the ground, anything you've tried, whether they've worked or not.  Feedback contact details are at the end of this guide.  

The aim of this guide is not to show you how to conduct a riot. Neither is it intended as a critique on the pros and cons of fighting with the police.

Bear in mind that the police are much better equipped and trained for close combat than you or I. They will have been psyching themselves up for hours, have plenty of reserves standing by and will feel confident with the law behind them. Beating the police is about outwitting them, not necessarily hitting them over the head, bearing in mind your original aims.

(Just for the record: the authors believe history has proven that engaging with the police on their terms is not likely to result in lasting social change).

What we present here instead, is a brief guide to surviving public order situations, and slowing down or preventing the police from gaining the upper hand once a situation has occurred.

THE AIMS AND METHODS OF THE STATE

British Law has traditionally been concerned with keeping the peace and not necessarily preventing or solving crime. The roots of such public order policing can be traced back to the common law offences introduced to control the havok caused by mercenaries returning from the Hundred Years War. These laws evolved into the 1967 Riot Act, which established in law the concept of arresting anyone present at a riot, regardless of whether or not they are guilty of violent acts. The Riot Act no longer exists, replaced by the Public Order Act in 1986. The reality of the situation is that the police still act as if it did.

The police have a public order manual (currently under review).  This has historically given the police guidance in the use of pre-emptive acts of violence, to achieve the following:

1) To break the crowd up into manageable portions, and more recently to contain, then eventually disperse them

2) To provoke violence as a way of justifying their actions and flushing out any ringleaders

3) To stop the trouble spreading

4) To intimidate and break the spirit of the crowd

5) To gather intelligence and evidence for later.

The manual contains details of tactics which include the use of snatch squads, baton charges and the use of horses to disperse and intimidate large crowds.


If you can't be arsed to read it all then here is the hyper-edited version:

Don't be tempted to stand there and fight - get out to where you can still cause some damage or disruption without the police around.

Keep moving around, as a group and individually. Fill gaps. Never stand still.

Crowd divisions and the formation of police lines must be nipped in the bud.

Don't be intimidated.

Do everything in small teams, prepare in advance.

Think defensively. Protect each other and escape routes.

Always face outwards.

Link arms as often as possible, form barriers, use your body.

Move quickly and calmly, never giving the police time to react.


PREPARATIONS

Staying out of jail and hospital need not be hard work - most people caught up in riots manage it, even a fairly high proportion of the really pissed-up ones. But with a bit of forethought you can turn surviving a public order situation into living a public order situation!

THE AIMS OF THE PROTESTERS

No one really 'wins' at the end of the day, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that you are unhurt, free and that some egg is still stuck to the face of your original target, after the police have been & gone.

With all that in mind, we suggest you stick to these three basic aims when you find yourself in a riot:

1) Getting you and your mates away safely

2) Finding a place to cause embarrassment & economic damage to your real target

3) Helping others in trouble by administering first aid and de-arresting.

STICKING TOGETHER

Always try to form an affinity group before setting out, and at the very least have a buddy system in place, whereby everybody has one person to look out for them and to act with when a situation arises.

Affinity groups are just a handful of people who work together as a unit, as and when circumstances arise. They can meet beforehand to discuss issues and possible reactions, practice or role play scenarios. The more your group meets, the quicker your reaction times will get and your effectiveness will improve. It also makes the classic "let's stick together" agreement breaking up into individuals-wandering-off-at-the-first-opportunity less likely. Affinity groups can often act without the need for internal discussion - they naturally develop their own shorthand communications and can divide up skills and equipment amongst each other. Water, (bicycle) D-Locks, paint, First Aid, food, banners and spare clothes is a lot for one person to carry, but divided up between 5 people it's nothing.

Pay attention to what you are going to wear in advance. Although not many people want to go to a protest or a demo dressed in full body armour, consider precautions that are discrete, adaptable, easy to use & discard. Thinking about these threats in advance will help:

1) Surveillance.

The purpose is to collect intelligence, evidence and to intimidate.  Evidence gatherers (EVGs) will specifically focus on individuals that they can get a conviction for, whereas the more independent Forward Intelligence Team (FIT) will target people they know.  Though the functions are different, all footage can be used for whatever final purpose.  

The cut off sleeve of a long sleeved T-shirt (or a head-over) makes a good mask. Wear it casually aroung your neck. If you wear glasses, use a cut-off section of a short stocking (hold-ups work best as they have thick elastic) instead of a T-shirt; this prevents glasses steaming up. You can use it as a hair tie, if you are a hippy type, until you need it.

A hooded top will cover most of your face, and a baseball cap on its own provides good protection from most static cameras, which are usually mounted high up.  Cameras can also be in helmets, ear-pieces or mobile on or in vehicles.  

Sunglasses give good protection against harmful rays including UV and CCTV.

2) Truncheon blows.

A placard makes a good temporary shield and light strips of plastic under your clothing on the forearm could offer some subtle protection, as do 'padded' baseball caps. The best protective clothing however is a good pair of running shoes.

3) CS and Pepper Spray.

Used to disperse crowds or subdue you, through temporary irritation or pain. They can get under contact lenses, stick to natural-fibre clothing, oil-based make-up and lotions. Stay calm and call for a street medic if available. Otherwise, get yourself out of the area, don't rub it in, remove contaminated clothing and try to keep your eyes open so the wind can help it evaporate, or flush (not dilute) it out with much cold or tepid water.

4) Baton charges.

If you want to take a banner, use a long strip of plastic haulage tarpaulin (taught-liner) rather than a sheet. This can be used as a movable barrier to stop charging police or for you to advance behind (see more info in Counter Advancing section later in this guide). Generally cops only advance 20 yards or so, then stop, regroup, then again. Panic stampeding and fear are often worse dangers. Check section 6, on barricades, under Defending below.

5) Dogs

Increasingly used even for 'hippy riots' - generally used to intimidate, reinforce thin lines or hold sterile zones behind a police line or charge. Bark, bite, release... They are well-trained, command driven, and trained to scare you. If brave, make padding (e.g. old tyres) for your lower arm and give 'em a chew, to help others get past; disguise it or you may make yourself a target for snatch squads. They target individuals only, so either crowd them, or best be the sacrificial lamb!

6) Horses

They try to keep in formation. Used to disperse a crowd, get it moving/panicking, to make space in a crowd for cops on foot, or in small groups, siding-on to push the crowd. So fill space behind horses, and try not to panic. Suspend nets at horse rider level, ie above your head height and just right for volleyball. Make staggered barricades, or scatter debris - they don't need to be high. The horses'll jump and then slide, and their riders will fall.  Warning: contains scenes of potential human/horse harm and gluten - bring your parent along.

7) Vans

They've been used side-on as large mobile fences for containment, sometimes as a second line of defence, and rarely to break up crowds.  Used to pre-emptively take space where we're going to be, for later tactical use.  

8) Tasers

We're not aware of their use in large crowd situations; they're primarily a one-use weapon.  

DEFENDING

If you aren't doing anything else you should always be defending.
Whether that means securing a building, strengthening your position on the street, barricading (see later) or protecting others. Here are some ideas:

1) Keep looking outwards. Your friends shouldn't be insulted by you not looking at them when talking - face towards any potential threat, e.g. the boys & girls in blue.

2) Form cordons as much as possible. Anything the police want, including buildings and especially sound systems, need a strong outwardly-facing cordon. Things may be quiet and you'll feel like a prick linking arms with complete strangers, but do it. Repeat this mantra: 'Its not a hippy peacenik thang, its a rock hard revolutionary thang.' Take a leaf out of the police manual: stand like you're about to do 'the conga', and stick your right hand down the back of the trousers or belt of the person in front, repeat along the line, asking permission first. Its virtually unbreakable, and will leave a hand free.

3) Someone needs to watch the police from a good vantage point, or have spotters on bicycles, so that their next move can be pre-empted. Remember, give info about what's happening, not instructions. On top of the sounds van is not a good place; no one can hear when you shout 'here come the dog handlers! Fucking run!' and any gestures you do will be interpreted as dancing...

4) Sitting down is very occasionally good for dissuading the senior officer from making the decision to charge, but you should only do it in large numbers and the crowd needs to feel confident. It has worked in situations where the decision has yet been made how to move us, or where they don't have enough officers. It has not worked when they've already made the decision or started moving. It's about making it too hard for them, not relying on their humanity. Most often it doesn't work, and the first lines will get seriously injured, as you are immobile and vulnerable.

5) Throwing stuff as a defensive tactic. Throwing stuff with the aim of harming the police doesn't work and is counterproductive - it only winds them up so they hit you harder. If you want to throw do it defensively, strategically and en masse - a constant hail of debris creates 'sterile zones' into which the police won't want to go, thus keeping them at arms length. Paint on cops' visors, aimed especially at higher ranks and intelligence gatherers, can be a temporary advantage. Rape alarms etc chucked into their lines will make it difficult for them to give or get orders, and disorientate them.

REMEMBER: don't throw to attack or cause injury. Only throw from near the front, then disappear into the crowd. Only wankers throw from the back.

6) Solid impassable barricades are more hassle than they're worth - it will reduce your own options when you need to run. Bear in mind that anything you build now you are likely to get dragged over later, leave out the barbed wire. The best barricades are random matter strewn all over the place, one of the best defences against baton and horse charges. Horses can't easily charge over them, police find it hard to hold a line in amongst them, but individuals can easily pick their way through. Police think, act and move in lines.

7) The best form of defence of all is chaos! A complicated hierarchy needs orders to act on and those orders come from individuals making informed decisions. If the situation changes constantly they simply cannot keep up. Keep moving all the time, weave in and out of the crowd. Change your appearance. Open up new directions and possibilities, be unpredictable. If you find yourself stood still and passive for more than a minute then you've stopped acting defensively.

BASIC POLICE CHOREOGRAPHY

Remember the Trinity - Control, Contain, Disperse

Police tactics have changing post G20. They have tended to treat demos the same as public order situations (though 'hippy riots' are dealt with differently than 'real riots'). After gaining control, they will likely try to contain the crowd for many hours, only letting people out one by one after all the energy has left and bladders are full, who then disperse of their own accord; 'the Kettle' is a pressurised advancement of containment. The legal situation in practice is currently unclear - they will try to get your photo, details, and search you. You NEVER have to give them your details unless they have arrested you, or you are driving a vehicle (in England & Wales). While you are contained, they may try to snatch squad or provoke some people. If they're still letting people in, that point is a potential weak-spot through which to break out.

Know the area in advance. Share ideas beforehand of how to avoid/break up from outside/get out of a containment situation. Best solution is to keep the crowd moving and fluid so it can't get contained, watching out for police lines forming (see 'Stopping Lines forming'). Next best if they manage it is to break the stalemate. Help the penned-in crowd. Build up a crowd on the 'free' side of the cops to surround 'em if there's enough of you, get a band of drummers outside the contained crowd, or push their lines from the outside if appropriate. Be unexpected (in meeting place & tactics). Make' bust-out cards' on the back of the action fliers. Be inventive - this is a situation where we need to come up with new ideas (& send them to us to include).

With any crowd the police will be looking to control it as soon as possible. Crowd dispersal is achieved with baton charges, horse charges and sometimes chemical sprays, dogs and vehicles. Some particularly nasty or out of control units may pile straight into the crowd, but there is usually a gap between the time they arrive and the start of dispersal. This stalling time is often just dithering by the commanding officer, or psyching/tooling up time for the troops (the later is easy to spot). Before they are 'stood to' (on standby in van in riot gear), they get changed usually outside the van, and therefore vulnerable to a group forming near/amongst them - they may have to move or take back their space. The 'slack time' also may be them setting up a Cordon Sanitaire, a sterile zone to isolate you from a wider observing crowd who may otherwise get involved. This aside, there are only 3 more reasons why they aren't wading straight in, see if you can spot them next time you're waiting for 'kick-off':

1) They haven't worked out where they are going to disperse you to

2) They want to gather more evidence/flush out more ring leaders. This involves keeping you right where they can see you and provoking you like hell. They will film you and photograph you and send out snatch squads to pick off individuals.

3) They are waiting for back up because you out number them or are in danger of gaining the upper hand.

THE DANCE STEPS

OK, so they've stopped fucking around and now its time to send you home, with a great story to tell your friends (let's face it, they won't see the truth on the news). The bulk of the action is shocking in its predictability. The following will be repeated over and over, in different combinations, until they win or get bored:

1) Officers in lines will pen you in (preferably on the pavement)
2) Officers in lines will push into a crowd to divide it in half
3) Batons/horses/chemical spray attack penned in crowds to lower moral.
4) Charges that slowly push you down a street, sometimes backed up by vans or dogs (rush of cops>fall back>strengthen line>repeat)
5) Crowds throwing missiles will be 'put to flight', as its harder to throw stuff if you are running)
6) Shift changes (often look like the arrival of reinforcements. It is important to try and spot the difference for reasons of morale, and that they are vulnerable during shift changes)

Most of the above require the individual officers to be in tight lines, so its important to stop those lines forming. Unfortunately we are quite bad at this. The first line drawn is the most crucial and most people don't see it coming. The police will try and form lines right in amongst us if they can, thus weakening our position at the same time as strengthening theirs.

LINE DANCING or STOPPING LINES FORMING

If the crowd seems volatile, the police will hold right back and the first line drawn will be some distance away. But if you are all hanging around looking confused and passive they will sneak right in amongst you and the first lines will be dividing lines. This is how it works:

They first divide the crowd up into 'actors' and 'viewers'. Small groups of officers will move into the crowd and start politely encouraging the timid ones onto the pavement. Once the crowd starts moving the way they want, those little groups of cops will get bigger and start joining up. Sometimes they'll have lines of police either side of the road, who join up to divide the crowd. Other times the few cops scattered through the crowd slowly become a solid line before you notice. Think how you can use drummers or other tactics to channel the energy of the crowd. Before you know it, there's two crowds on two pavements with two lines of cops penning them in. Let the head cracking commence. Or...

Don't stand and watch them

Don't look like you'll let them anywhere near you

Spot gaps in the crowd and fill them

Work out which space they want to take and get there with your mates first

Mix into their forming line - or outflank 'em in advance

Get long (thick lorry) tarp banners to the front to stop them advancing and filming

Protect your escape routes by standing in them

Get those who have turned into spectators off the pavements and moving around.  Of course, now having resisted being split up and penned in, they may just let fly with the baton charge. Fair enough, but you're in a stronger position to deal with it and escape. Whatever happens next, don't just stand there waiting for it. If you've managed to get their line drawn far away, you've bought valuable time, space & potentially useful exits - so use them! Even if their line is right up against you, they still haven't broken down your numbers.

However, its only a matter of time before the police try and get closer/break you up again. Use the time to get out of there slowly and in one block, this is the last thing they want - a large mob moving around freely. Whatever you do, don't stand there waiting for them to try again. You are now in control to go and do whatever you want, so do it.

If they have blocked your only exit, try...

COUNTER ADVANCING

This involves moving our lines forward into theirs, thus gaining more space and opening up more exits. Use the front line as a solid wall, linking arms and moving slowly forward. You can work together as a well-padded affinity group; be wary of being targeted by snatch squads or more violence; also the cops may treat the whole situation differently. Use a long banner like a snowplow (this stops them grabbing you or breaking the line, they can still hit you with truncheons though). Reinforce it with uprights and handles to grip it tight. If it can be high or with a 'top' to it/second banner, you may protect your heads from getting whacked, and provide cover to change, open up escape routes, etc.

SNOW PLOWS

An arrow-shaped phalanx, with or without a line of crowd control barriers, can also be carried by the front line like a snowplow to break into the police ranks. The point of the 'plow' can then be opened once their line is breached and the barriers pushed to the side to contain the cops. This all needs a lot of co-ordination and balls, the advantage gained will not last long, so push all your ranks forward through the gap straight away.  A small group can use this tactic to break out.  

USING YOUR BODY

Your body is your best and most adaptable tool. It is best used in concert with others. For instance it could take a long time for twenty to scale a wall, but stand two people against the wall, bowed together with their arms locked with two more crouched at their feet and you've got a set of human steps! (Those waiting to climb can link arms around the steps to protect them) You can try to step through police lines by shifting your weight and body side-on, but beware of losing your balance and ending up on the deck the wrong side! Attitude above all is what will get you through. Always look for ways to use your body to escape.

REFORMING

Keep looking for ways of increasing your numbers, by joining up with other groups and absorbing stragglers. Try to provide crowds either side of a police line - they'll get jumpy about what they themselves call the Blakelock Sandwich, and will withdraw. Everyone has to get out and you'll stand a better chance of getting out unharmed, with all your belongings and equipment if you leave together at the same time.

SNATCH SQUADS

When the police want to isolate (and arrest) an individual in a crowd, they will usually employ a snatch squad - they tend to be quite slow.

Watch for groups of 10 or so fully dressed up cops, rallying behind the police lines. They will be instructed by evidence gatherers and a superior (you can often spot them pointing out the person to be snatched). The lines will open temporarily to let the squad through. Half the officers will perform the snatch, the other half will surround them with batons, hitting anyone who gets in the way. Once they have their target s/he is bundled away, back behind police lines. They'll only risk coming so far in to the crowd, and if you let the squad in and

then close up behind them, they're likely to just try and get the hell out of there.

Try and beat the snatch squad by:

1) Keeping the crowd moving around

2) Spot the squad preparing

3) If possible warn the target to get the hell out of the area

4) Linking arms in an impenetrable wall in the squads path (ready to meet their batons?)

6) If you are being grabbed or pressure pointed, keep your head and arms moving. Don't lash out if you can help it, or you will end up with an assault charge too.

DE-ARRESTING

The best time to do this is as soon as the snatch has happened. You need a group who know how to break grips and some people to act as blockers. Sometimes there are easier opportunities. Once you've got your person back all link arms and move off into the crowd. The police may try and snatch back or arrest one of the de-arresters. It's easy for opportunities to descend into more people arrested farce, so be wary.

 


* for legal info go to www.activistslegalproject.org.uk * for medical info go to www.actionmedics.org.uk * for support & links to many direct action resources, including blockading, go to www.eco-action.org/blinc * for other useful stuff go to www.schnews.org.uk/diyguide

 

 


This guide is an ongoing project. This version was updated in December 2009.
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