Abbey Pond Bulldozed
Tributes from around the world have been pouring in after the sad demise of Isaac the newt. Isaac, a ten foot long black plastic bag fashioned into the form of an amphibian, perished at the hands of the under Sheriff of Lancashire (who was he under), and his not so merry men. Manchester EF! bravely tried to defend the poor soul and his habitat, one of the few green spaces left in Hulme, Manchester City Centre, but they were removed after 7 hours of various blockading and miscellaneous resistance. A two week protest camp provided a stay of execution from the site being turned into a laboratory and car park, with burnt out activists thawing out, attempting to sleep in well under sub-zero temperatures. However, all was not toasted marshmallows and “Ging-Gang-Goolly”, for one day Isaac made it as far as a public meeting, and later he and his friends made it to the TV.
The camp itself was a huge success, empowering the people of Hulme and showing them that they don’t have to take this crap any longer. The local kids were particularly inspired, but their enthusiasm to kill the bailiffs when they arrived had to be channelled into something more positive When the time came for action, one of the kids even got into the icy waters of the pond with two activists (Torville and Dean above), and told the Sheriff in no uncertain terms of dubious sexual practices he was allegedly involved in.
Sixteen arrests were made of those D-locked, treehoused, concrete barrelled and carabinared, and generally tethered to the site. Only one person was charged, and this was because he was assaulted by the bailiffs and they did not want a countersuit. Use of force was liberal and gave rise to the following joke:
Q: How many bailiffs does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Ten. One to change it, one to kick you in the kidneys and eight to obscure the cameras.
Much mirth was had by all, except the 43 species of flora and fauna which are now no more. Rest In Pieces. Oh well, at least we made page 5 of the Guardian 25/2/94