Doin' It In Sheffield

Doin it in the North actions started happening last year, after the idea for them was formed at the Summer Gathering. The aim was to put on regular regional actions which would also increase the level of analysis and networking in the North of England.

The fourth of these actions took place in Sheffield, and, despite a disappointing turn out of around 35 people, was a very interesting day for all involved. After an evening of socialising and workshops about June 18th, Monday 17th saw the activists split into two groups. Following the format of a scavenger hunt, the intrepid activists visited some of the nastiest organisations peddling their social and environmental destruction in Sheffield. Group 1 shut down a BP filling station and were quickly outnumbered by 3 vans of cops. As that group withdrew, group 2 sprang into action and shut down the Shell station opposite. Both groups continued their hit and run tactics which saw visits to a cat torturer, Reed employment agency, Midland Bank, and, of course, McDonalds. The police response was unbelievable, with helicopter, cars, bikes, landrovers, horses and meat wagons galore. However the running nature of the action meant that the cops were always one step behind. Hitting a number of targets ensured that all dodgy companies were on edge that day. As a format the consensus was that it had potential and everyone involved had a fun day out.

The Next Doin' it in the North action will be in Newcastle in September. Watch this space