Earth First! Gathering
June 12th to 18th
Earth First! Gatherings in the UK occur on an infrequent basis to allow skills and knowledge about direct action in defence of the earth to be shared and ideas and tactics debated. They also allow us to hang out together, hopefully firing up new comers and recharging burnt out old timers. Normally they attract around 80 people from across the country and are organised by only a few. However, the number of people involved in direct action is rapidly growing, and with it, so is the need for gatherings providing times to learn and celebrate resistance. Therefore we are proposing that a larger gathering should occur this summer for one week, with as many people as possible putting it together and suggesting what should happen. Earth First! has no central office (this is being typed up in my bed-sit) or paid executive to get things together (and it's personally cost me loads!). Things get done, generally a lot quicker and better, by individuals coming together, pooling resources and making them happen. So we need your ideas and help. Below are some of the areas that we think need to be sorted - but please don't think that this is all. There is no 'right' way to organise a gathering. The main thing needed is people's ideas, enthusiasm and commitment.
The Site
We need a site at least the size of a football pitch, with a friendly land owner, running water, disabled access and land that is suitable for camping (eg. not a bog). The location of the site needs to be in a beautiful part of the country, fairly near to a rail or bus station. We would make arrangements with any land owner to make sure the land was in the same condition after we used it and could offer to do work or raise money in exchange.
We'll need at least 1 large and 4 medium size marques in which to hold events, put displays and for some people to sleep in. We'll also need a caravan or large tent as a reception/central information point. Composting toilets and showers or sweat lodges will need to be built by people with those skills. People will need to make sure the site runs smoothly with fire pits dug and fire wood collected from skips, builders yards etc. Rubbish and recycling will need to be sorted out along with provision for fire and first aid. Maybe a large graffiti & poetry board and art, sculpture, barricades could also be set up.
Cheap vegan food will be needed over the gathering. This will probably require two mobile catering teams as we expect at least 300 people. There'll be plenty of people to help wash and chop up veg! A creche will need to be set up for people bringing kids. Toys, games and art materials will be needed.
UK Campaign Workshops
It is intended to obtain presentations by most eco-direct action campaigns in the UK. If you are involved in a campaign that you think people would be interested in, please get in touch. Presentations on basic ecology and the history of previous UK movements, their strengths and weaknesses, are also needed.
Training
EF! has rarely provided adequate training for activists. This gathering is the place to change that. We need training workshops on everything including: building aerial walkways; producing press releases; self defence; using a radio scanner; first aid; putting up tripods; legal briefings, washing up... you name it, we need it. If you've got the skills we need YOU!
International Speakers
Hopefully radical eco activists from across the world will come to give talks on struggles in their countries. This gathering could be a real catalyst for international movement cooperation. If you're an activist outside the UK get in touch.
Debating Forum
A space will be provided to allow discussions; from the effectiveness of certain tactics, to how people see the movement developing - is there a split developing between people involved in Campaign Offices and Camps? etc. If you want an issue aired and want to open the debate tell us.
Entertainment
Acoustic bands, musicians, performers, story tellers ... would all be great. Games, so we can play together, are also needed. However, large sound systems are not welcome (this time). This is a campaigners gathering, not a rave. The last thing we need is a thousand people turning up asking where the party is, closely followed by 500 coppers.
Staying Sorted
A sorting your life out area will be set up with sessions on alternative medicine, permaculture and meditation. As with the other events, the sessions available will depend on the skills offered. If there is enough interest a healing area could be established. Rituals to celebrate the earth will be happening along with any other spiritual events people may wish.
Stalls
Non-commercial stalls are welcome to come along and display information as well as sell things.
Actions
People may like to start thinking about a mass action although this will obviously depend on the location of the site.
Coordinating Transport
The one thing stopping people from coming on gatherings and actions is the lack of organised publicity & transport from their area. People are needed to be contact points, putting people from the same area in touch so they can share lifts, hitch together or hire a minibus.
Money!!!
We need money to make this all happen. Although we hope most people will do things for free, there will still be a lot of expenses - printing, fliers, possible marque hire, money to get the catering teams set up, bond for the land owner... This will easily be in the region of a thousand pounds. Anyone up for a benefit gig, or got some spare cash? We'll ensure there is full, open book keeping so that people can see where the money gets spent. Send Cheques payable to 'Earth first!' at the address below.
So there you go. If you'd like to be involved or have any suggestions/criticisms write them down and send them to the address below. Please don't wait for the event to moan, why there isn’t a yogurt weaving workshop? - organise it yourself, or let us know you'd like one!
Please note that the gathering is not being organised in Cardiff, but that we are simply using the address to get the ball rolling. Once we know who is interested in helping then we'll call a meeting (probably mid March) and pass on suggestions to whoever volunteers to organise each bit.
Please let us know if:
1) You'd like to be involved in getting the gathering together.
2) You can offer to do a workshop or talk.
3) You can offer help with any of the areas mentioned above, or anything else that you think may be of use.
4) You can recommend getting in contact with someone you know or have heard about.
5) You could help with advertising by distributing fliers or putting up posters.
6) You can't help but would like to be kept informed (Send a SAE).
Write all your ideas down and send them to:
EF! Gathering, c/o EF! Action Update, PO BOX 7, Cardiff CF2 4XX.
or phone 01222 383363 (but, it's better to write it down 'cos messages get confused being passed on between 4 different people). Don't forget to include your name, a contact address and telephone or email number if you've got it.