Earth First! Gathering

The 6th UK Earth First! Gathering was held from the 22nd to the 24th of September 1995, at Middle Wood in Lancashire. We camped by a river, miles from the nearest road in what must be one of the most beautiful places ever used for a gathering. About 70 people showed up from around England and Wales. Unfortunately, no one from any Scottish groups could make it.

Earth First! Gatherings aim to occur twice a year, bringing old and new campaigners together to share knowledge on direct action campaigns and to have a good time together.

Below is a summary of some of the workshops and discussions that occurred (The Job Seekers Allowance will be covered in more detail next month). As well as the workshops listed, people spent a lot of time just enjoying a relatively unspoilt area of countryside without worrying about it being trashed at any minute! Thanks to those few people who worked so hard to make it happen. You know who you are.

What Is Earth First! About?

This was a chance for newly involved people to ask questions. They included:

What is Earth First!? - Earth First! is a network of independent groups. It does not work to an agenda. Its response is emotional - to protect the environment, mainly through direct action. What can I do and how do I make things happen? - New people should get themselves informed of local and national campaigns. They can then go along, meet other like minded people and get actively involved. This takes time.

If you're planning to bring down industrial society, what do you plan to put in its place? - People were unclear as to what would replace capitalism and large scale industry. It was suggested that through involvement in situations of struggle to protect the earth, alternatives are being rediscovered.

Tree Climbing And Walkways Training

Pretty obvious really - walkways are the ropes between trees that allow people to get about!

The Great Transport Debate

The Great Transport debate covered issues such as: is working with politicians just a waste of valuable time and effort (e.g. the Brian Mawhinney/ Newbury Bypass saga); the road traffic reduction bill; and the massive cuts proposed for the road programme, which could leave some road projects like the M11 unfinished. The debate centred around the effects of out of town shopping centres - the cause of so much travel. The British Roads Federation and their associated supporters such as Weetabix and Marks and Spencers might well find themselves in the firing line for future actions.

Job Seekers Allowance

The Job Seekers Allowance is to replace Unemployment Benefit and Income Support. 'Active signing' means being questioned each time you sign, on your effort to find work. Preliminary campaigns should highlight its affects on wage earners and benefit receivers - raise public awareness. If implemented, then sabotage through over participation. A 'special report' on the JSA, its implications and suggested campaigns will follow in next months AU!

Legal Advice

Solicitor Mike Schwartz was present to advise and answer questions. He covered areas such as - how to sue the police; (details in September AU!, / send a 1 st class stamp for back issue.) He also covered what to do when arrested and the effect of the CJA. Issues arising: Legal Aid is only granted when possible compensation makes it 'worthwhile'. A second appeal for legal aid is advisable as a 'fairer' hearing is received. Despite the CJA it's best to stay silent until you see your solicitor. What you say may have further implications until you know what the defence will be. Have your solicitor 'advise you to silence.' Be aware that 'adverse inferences' may be gained from this. The judge may suggest as to how silence should be interpreted. Any doubts - on each case, be well briefed by a good solicitor.

Reclaim The Streets

People from Reclaim the Streets discussed organising street party blockades. A legal presence was extremely useful as was a definite finishing time, with a party to move on to. This would help prevent confrontation when police cleared the streets. Sound systems should be escorted by a large crowd, preventing confiscation and acting as a focus. Provide food and drink for drivers stuck in the traffic along with leaflets explaining why the road is being blocked. For security reasons people should work in teams concentrating on particular aspects, so no-one knows all the details. A kids play area (eg. a beach in the road) was a positive focus, rather than smashing cars.

Outreach

So, how to get more people involved? There is a lot of public interest in nonviolent direct action campaigns, but few people know how to become involved. Groups need to be more accessible and the Earth First! concept to be more widely presented. Earth First! has an image problem ... losses rather than successes are publicised. Large national actions get more people involved. It was decided to target Whatley Quarry, Somerset on December 3rd/4th.

Basic self defence could be taught before actions, to understand how police use pressure points etc. People stated that more offensive actions were needed as well as defending areas. An Earth First! / direct action road show is being set up to provide information for local events people organise and to introduce people to direct action. It has no money - people with energy needed!

The FoE Debate

Charles Secrett, Elaine Gilligan, and Roger Higman from the central Friends of the Earth (FoE) office came along to the Earth First Gathering to discuss links between EF! and FoE. This continued on from two meetings held previously between FoE, Greenpeace, some Earth First groups, Road Alert and Reclaim the Streets.

FoE campaigning methods include lobbying, education, consumer campaigns and research. It is not primarily a direct action organisation. After a wet nights sleep in a leaking marquee, Charles Secrett, (the director of FoE, UK) had the opportunity to present FoE's ideas. He stated that although we may have some different objectives, there are many more important things that we share. FoE wish to help bring the environmental movement together and bring about constitutional reform. To achieve this, FoE suggested a convention - bringing together all sections of the environment movement. FoE requested that EF! help organise the convention.

There was mixed feeling at the gathering as to whether FoE and EF! shared common ground. Although EF! and FoE groups often co-operate on local issues, some activists expressed distrust of FoE after the 'Twyford Down' experience - regarding them as having a different agenda. Some felt FoE were trying to use them as a vehicle to recruit in the 'youth market'. They argued that EF!, having no national organisation, but simply a network, has no business playing politics with FoE. While FoE are basically moderates, EF! is based on a principle of 'no compromise' and encourages radical direct action in defence of the earth. EF! is not about reform. Other EF!ers were keen to develop alliances and cannot see us managing to protect the earth without unity of opposition. Pointing out that we have enough people to fight against, they expressed a need for more allies, especially coming from groups with similar objectives. Working together gives EF! a chance to radicalise FoE. Finally, it was agreed that it's up to individuals and local groups to decide how they will work in their locality. They didn't see FoE as 'Corporate Greenies' but argued that FoE local groups had autonomy.

EF! informed Mr Secrett that it works better on a local level. FoE groups are welcome to work locally with EF! groups, and are especially welcome to come along to the Whatley - Shut it Down action on 3rd-4th December.