Please note that I am NOT responsible for any of the contents of the Events below, but merely display an agenda on behalf of various organisations.
FREEDOM TO PROTEST
Conference
Central London - Autumn 2005
Planning Meeting
Sunday May 22nd, 1-5pm
at The Autonomy Centre - Angel Alley, 84b Whitechapel High Street, London
E1 (Aldgate East tube)
Around 100 or so people attended a McLibel Support Campaign event at
Conway Hall, Central London on 15th April. The event, on the 50th
birthday of the McDonald's Corporation, celebrated 20 years of growing
protests against the global fast food chain. These protests have
succeeded in defeating the corporation's efforts to use legal threats to
try to silence their critics.
Following general discussion at the event those present decided to call a
Freedom To Protest conference in the autumn. There are a whole range of
repressive and outrageous measures increasingly being used by police and
companies to try to intimidate and undermine all manner of protests -
including anti-war, anti-capitalist, palestinian solidarity,
environmental, workers, animal rights and other campaigns. These measures
include protests being banned, ASBOs against protestors, injunctions,
police encircling and detaining protestors for hours on end, police
'intelligence' teams, road blocks to stop protests, and new threats from
the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act. Its time to stand up for
everyone's freedom to leaflet, picket, assemble and march against
injustice and oppression. Such rights and freedoms have not been handed
down by the powers-that-be, but won through struggles over the last 100
years or more.
We believe the McLibel campaign has shown that oppressive laws can be made
unworkable by determination and solidarity among those affected, by mass
defiance, and by turning the tables on those who would try to silence and
suppress dissent. There are many other examples of campaigns and movements
successfully refusing to be intimidated by legal threats.
Some ideas to consider for how people can resist repressive laws:
organising active defence campaigns which spread the activity which is
being threatened; encouraging people to be confident and assertive about
protesting, not apologetic; holding protests outside firms using
repressive tactics; handing out Freedom To Protest / Human Rights cards
on protests (see text below, used on a recent McLibel protest);
exercising the right to make citizens arrests if protests are being
threatened; organisers of protest events ensuring there are legal
observers present; promoting co-ordination between groups threatened by
repressive laws / showing how all the specific laws being used are part
of the overall strategy of repression; adding 'Freedom To Protest'
slogan/logo on leaflets etc; distributing special leaflets to workers
employed by any company targetted, calling on them to support / join in.
We hope that all campaigns and groups affected by the latest wave of
repressive laws will support the autumn conference. Please send the
organising group your message of support (we can pass it on), and send a
rep to the planning meeting on May 22nd. If you can't make it, but have
ideas you'd like to contribute, then please feel free to email us.
McLibel Campaign - London, May 2005
Contact: "Freedom To Protest": mclibel@globalnet.co.uk
ANIMAL AID SCHOOL SPEAKERS’ TRAINING DAY - CENTRAL LONDON
Learn to be a school speaker by coming to the Animal Aid Speakers’ Workshop in central London on Saturday, 4th June.
Informing young people by giving school talks is one of the most important things we can do in raising awareness and concern about the abuse and exploitation of animals.
Learn the basics of giving talks – how to deal with awkward questions; how to make school talks meaningful and constructive - and meet like-minded people, share information and experiences.
There is no pressure on individuals to give a talk at this venue, although the opportunity is there for anyone who wishes to do so.
An added bonus is that our scientific adviser, Andre Menache, will be talking and answering questions about animal experiments.
Please contact Ann Harriman for further details at Animal Aid,The Old Chapel,
Bradford Street, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 IAW
Tel. 01732 364546. Extension 21 or 30.
Email: ann@animalaid.co.uk
We need your help! Join
us in Pamplona this July to make the Running of the Bulls – a cruel spectacle
in which terrified animals are sent racing through the streets before being
slaughtered in bullrings – a tradition of the past by helping us maintain
a new tradition: the Human Race! 
The fourth annual Human Race takes place in July 2005. Each year, the number of protesters doubles, so we are expecting a huge turn-out this year! In 2004, 300 activists gathered for a unique and eye-catching event. Some went topless or stripped down to their knickers, while others ran in shorts or fully clothed. They held signs reading, ‘Stop the Bloody Bullfight’ and ‘Join the Human Race’ and ran the same course the bulls are forced to run. Greeted by cheers and whistles, the fun and light-hearted protest was a tremendous success, bringing a great deal of attention to a very serious issue: the hideous cruelty of bullfighting. We are hoping the Human Race will become so popular that it will eventually replace the cruel Running of the Bulls. This year, we need an even bigger showing of support from around the world, and this is where you come in. Be one of the 600-plus protesters on the streets of Pamplona this July!
We have coaches travelling to Pamplona from various parts of Europe and we’d like you to be on one of them. Coaches are picking up activists in London, Calais and Paris, France, and Stuttgart, Germany. Here’s the itinerary:
3 July 2005:
Three coaches leave from London,
England in the afternoon and make a brief stop in Calais, France to pick up
other activists from Europe.
Two coaches leave Stuttgart, Germany and stop in Paris, France to pick up additional activists.
4 July: Coaches arrive at a beautiful campground just outside Pamplona (with a lake nearby!), where PETA has reserved large cabins with bunk beds and outdoor spots to pitch tents. The only things you will need are a sleeping bag and a pillow. A vegan barbeque is planned for the afternoon, where you can meet other activists from all over Europe.
5 July: On your marks … get set … go! The Human Race begins at 1 p.m. sharp. After the run, a celebration will be held in honour of everyone who participated in the Human Race and helped call attention to the suffering of the bulls.
6 July: Coaches travelling
to Calais, London, Paris, and Stuttgart depart in the late afternoon.
7 July: Coaches arrive in Calais
and Paris mid-morning, and in London and Stuttgart late morning.
The coaches and campground are
expensive, so we are asking for a minimum of £25 (€35) from each person to
help cover the costs. We have sponsorship forms available so you can raise money
from friends, co-workers and family members to help pay for the fee. Obviously,
£25 (€35) does not cover the cost of the entire trip, so any additional money
you raise above £25 (€35) would be greatly appreciated, though the most
important thing is that you come!
We have limited spaces on the coaches, so sign up now! Please contact Lauren if you’d like to reserve a place. When contacting Lauren please provide your e-mail address, postal address and phone number.
Lauren Bowey, PETA Europe
LaurenB@peta.org.uk
+44 (0)20 7357 9229, ext. 228
Frequently Asked Questions about the Human Race
How long is the Human
Race?
Don’t worry! It’s less than
one km and only takes about 10 minutes – participants don’t even run –
it’s more of a fast walk. Think of the fantastic tan you’ll get!
What do the locals think
of the race?
The last three years, the locals
loved it – many of the participants were Spanish themselves, and thousands
of people laughed and cheered us along the way. Locals from Pamplona, two elderly
men in particular, thanked us for being so brave. They said that the bullfights
were disgusting and needed to stop and that we had the right idea. In 2004 local
tour guides encouraged their groups to watch, and even participate, in our ‘Running
of the Nudes’ protest! If the trend continues in the future tourists
will travel to Pamplona to run through the streets with us and celebrate instead
of participating in a bloody, cruel spectacle!
Do I have to go naked?
Of course you don’t! While
many people choose to protest topless or in their knickers, going fully clothed
is great, too – all we ask is that you wear all white clothing.
For a look at some of the fantastic media coverage of our protest please visit our Web site RunningOfTheNudes.com.
Thank you, and we’ll see you in Pamplona in 2005!
Sean Gifford
Director, European Campaigns
Lauren Bowey
Campaigns Assistant
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Europe
Tel: +44 (0)20 7357 9229, ext 228
Fax: +44 (0)20 7357 0901
http://www.peta.org.uk
FREEDOM TO PROTEST
Conference
Central London - Autumn 2005
Planning Meeting
Sunday May 22nd, 1-5pm
at The Autonomy Centre - Angel Alley, 84b Whitechapel High Street, London
E1 (Aldgate East tube)
Around 100 or so people attended a McLibel Support Campaign event at
Conway Hall, Central London on 15th April. The event, on the 50th
birthday of the McDonald's Corporation, celebrated 20 years of growing
protests against the global fast food chain. These protests have
succeeded in defeating the corporation's efforts to use legal threats to
try to silence their critics.
Following general discussion at the event those present decided to call a
Freedom To Protest conference in the autumn. There are a whole range of
repressive and outrageous measures increasingly being used by police and
companies to try to intimidate and undermine all manner of protests -
including anti-war, anti-capitalist, palestinian solidarity,
environmental, workers, animal rights and other campaigns. These measures
include protests being banned, ASBOs against protestors, injunctions,
police encircling and detaining protestors for hours on end, police
'intelligence' teams, road blocks to stop protests, and new threats from
the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act. Its time to stand up for
everyone's freedom to leaflet, picket, assemble and march against
injustice and oppression. Such rights and freedoms have not been handed
down by the powers-that-be, but won through struggles over the last 100
years or more.
We believe the McLibel campaign has shown that oppressive laws can be made
unworkable by determination and solidarity among those affected, by mass
defiance, and by turning the tables on those who would try to silence and
suppress dissent. There are many other examples of campaigns and movements
successfully refusing to be intimidated by legal threats.
Some ideas to consider for how people can resist repressive laws:
organising active defence campaigns which spread the activity which is
being threatened; encouraging people to be confident and assertive about
protesting, not apologetic; holding protests outside firms using
repressive tactics; handing out Freedom To Protest / Human Rights cards
on protests (see text below, used on a recent McLibel protest);
exercising the right to make citizens arrests if protests are being
threatened; organisers of protest events ensuring there are legal
observers present; promoting co-ordination between groups threatened by
repressive laws / showing how all the specific laws being used are part
of the overall strategy of repression; adding 'Freedom To Protest'
slogan/logo on leaflets etc; distributing special leaflets to workers
employed by any company targetted, calling on them to support / join in.
We hope that all campaigns and groups affected by the latest wave of
repressive laws will support the autumn conference. Please send the
organising group your message of support (we can pass it on), and send a
rep to the planning meeting on May 22nd. If you can't make it, but have
ideas you'd like to contribute, then please feel free to email us.
McLibel Campaign - London, May 2005
Contact: "Freedom To Protest" <mclibel@globalnet.co.uk>
A man is taking animals from the sanctuaries and other peoples' homes and
selling them to unsuspected people, thinking that he is connected to the
sanctuary. He is charging people £100 for each animal.
He has nothing what so ever to do with the sanctuary's: do NOT let him take
your animals either
He has done so, +stating that he has a good home for the animals at the cost
of £20 per animal.
But in reality he sells them on for £100.
Warning :
This man is very convincing , do not let him near your pets. He lives in St
Leonards.
Please get your cats and dogs from the Sanctuary.
toy cats made of real rabbit fur and /or dog
For any information,
queries, comments please:
Marchien : @ : AnimalConcernSE@aol.com
