Newbury Needs You!
After years of legal campaigning against the Newbury Bypass, the real struggle kicked off on Tuesday 3rd of January. Tripods placed over night, blocked Reliance Security’s access from their encampment: without them contractors Mott McDonalds and Blackwell couldn’t ‘work’. We took the initiative, went to meet them and won the day. Week 1 was similarly successful (for us!). Though trees and undergrowth were lost our actions lessened damage. Friday 5th escalated as the pigs waded in with 35 CJA arrests allowing 'clearance'. As week 2 got heavier, our tactics were effective. Monday’s increased security and mobile chainsaw crews saw simultaneous hits on different areas on the proposed 9 mile route. People reacted and stopped the felling nearest them. Our high numbers gave us control of the ground.
More Reliance Security thugs were hired, combining with cop co-operation, road blocks harassment and mass CJA arrests. Activists stuck it out through freezing conditions. Tactics have changed with the situation. Less numbers on the ground makes tree occupation vital to prevent felling. Laws are used by us: occupied land is legally squatted under section 12: forcing the enemy to apply for possession orders before trying to trash them. Tree defences go up around the clock (thanks to head torches) - the smallest coppice becomes a full on eviction as new sites mushroom.
The DoT despite having possession orders on six sites, have bottled from evictions, though rumours of scab climbers from Stanworth and Brynhenllys fly. But evictions are imminent. Meanwhile felling goes on close to and on sites, cutting onto occupied walkways and unoccupied tree houses. Ground benders, with peoples possessions, have been trashed. The state’s violence level has increased with their desperation.
As well as the defensive action and fortification, every morning, we take the fight to them. Actions and blockades disrupt their work, companies are hit to make them regret taking us on.
The last four years almost seem a rehearsal. People and skills acquired since Twyford are now coming through. As our resistance has captured the national imagination, the state is taking on the Environmental Direct Action Movement to try and break us. This is obvious by Fuzz behaviour - CJA arrests have passed 300, the 300’th was ‘while operating as the rear end of a Pantomime Cow’, outrageous bail conditions are enforced and safety regulations flaunted. This battle is against more than roads: we're taking on the CJA, the scum that drafted it and those that enforce it. This will not end the war but is an important moment within it. There is a Rally & Route Walk on Sunday 11thFeb. The next day is a Mass Direct Action on the site.
If you can’t get to Newbury, please take action where you live: organise solidarity actions, fly post, provide transport, raise money, scavenge for stuff. If we come together we can win! Contact: 01635 45544 or 01635 550552 (24hr Info Line).