Welcome to the April's "Networking Newsletter" by email. A PDF version, complete with (colour) photos is available online at http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk/53/nn53-col.pdf For the very latest news remember to visit our "stop press" web page at http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk/stop_press.shtml and events updated daily at http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk/Calendar and full dates of groups are at http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk/Contacts Please pass this email on and encourage people to sign up (signUp@networkingnewsletter.org.uk). Enjoy! [Michael] ========================= NETWORKING NEWSLETTER #53 ========================= APRIL 2004 (printed/distributed: 29.03.04) - pls respect copyright notice at end - LABOURED RELATIONS AT SPRING CONFERENCE The Labour Party came to Manchester for their Spring Conference over the weekend of 12-14 March. We report on the many different activities that surrounded the conference. NO MORE WAR A paranoid police force; a Prime Minister who didn't mention the word "Iraq" once publicly; a huge effigy of the Bliar heaved through the streets of Manchester by 2000 anti-war demonstrators - that was the Labour Party's spring conference in Manchester. Behind one million pounds of security, Tony Blair demonstrated his state of denial. Not once did he mention Iraq in his whole speech. The biggest crisis of 50 years, he does a Basil Fawlty: "Don't mention the war". Following the horrific bombings in Madrid it was vital that the anti-war voice was seen and heard. Our argument that Bush and Blair's war on terror would bring more terrorism had been brutally confirmed. The response of Blair, Blunkett and Straw? To ratchet up the attacks on civil liberties which will only further increase the cycle of violence and put our Muslim communities under further fear and subject them to even greater harassment. However, the Spanish electorate demonstrated that our arguments, those of the global anti-war movement, whether here or abroad are those of the majority. A wholesale rejection of the warmongers. Anzar gone, Blair and Bush to follow. Spanish troops to be withdrawn from Iraq. Our responsibility is to achieve the same. THE TRIALS OF TONY BLAIR On the Friday evening of the Labour Party's spring conference in Manchester (see p1), a trial was held of the Prime Minister for high crimes and misdemeanours, for breaches of international law, attacks on civil liberties and for using Words of Mass Deception. Putting the case for the prosecution were Lindsey German (convenor of Stop the War Coalition), David Shayler (ex-MI5 operative and whistleblower) and Chris Coverdale (Legal Action Against War). Not surprisingly the case for the defence was weak, well non-existent, and "guilty as charged" was the verdict read out before the massed crowds and television cameras. TIME FOR THE TRUTH On the Saturday, a march was held from All Saints Park to the conference at GMEX. A couple of thousand turned up to make their voices heard and to topple an out-sized model of a Pinocchio-nosed Tony Blair. In the evening Patricia Hewitt faced her own jury debating whether there is the political will to cancel the Third World Debt (see article below). Many other "fringe" events went on including the publication and distribution of 10,000 copies of a spoof newsletter announcing an Anti-Social Behaviour Order placed on Tony Blair banning him from the city centre for threatening behaviour and actual bodily harm and satirising the government's increasingly desperate attempts to manipulate the media, highlighting the hysteria that has been whipped up over issues like asylum seekers, the war in Iraq and tuition fees. Elsewhere, three "dunces" (see photo) held a stunt which echoed Mao's persecution and humiliation of dissidents during China's cultural revolution, a tongue-in-cheek "March For Capitalism", anti-climate change street theatre complete with Ark, and the superheros from Fathers 4 Justice also made an appearance. All in all a noisy conference... well outside GMEX anyhow! Based on contributions from: Richard Searle, The Greater Manchester Coalition to Stop the War (07760 224 580, ANSWERmanchester@aol.com) UHC Collective (mail@uhc-collective.org.uk) http://www.uhc-collective.org.uk IndyMedia www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/manchester Fathers 4 Justice http://www.fathers-4-justice.org GOVERNMENT CALLED TO ACCOUNT In a fringe meeting, 150 Trade Justice Movement activists put the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Patricia Hewitt, in the hot seat for a debate about global justice & the UK's role in Third World poverty reduction. The debate, organised by Dave Pearce of the local World Development Movement, included MPs Gareth Thomas and Michael Wills. GMR's Allan Beswick chaired the event, reflecting his personal concern for correcting injustice wherever it oppresses people. Dave was clear on his reasons: "The international community have made promises to halve poverty by 2015. Yet politicians fail to match their rhetoric with actions - it's just not good enough!" Allan Beswick asked, "Is there the political will for justice in trade and debt?" Patricia Hewitt replied: "The will is there in our government". Given developing countries lose a massive $700bn per year due to unjust trade barriers implemented by countries like the UK, it is no surprise the Minister's response was greeted with cynicism. Indeed her colleague Michael Wills, who resigned from government last year to campaign against the Common Agricultural Policy, said that to be honest the answer was "No"! Edward Egan, of the Christian Brothers in Gorton, raised the issue of the debt dependency, led by the USA which is hoovering up money from the poorest to finance their "spend now" feel-good boom. He pointed out implications for people in Manchester as well as the developing world, and Ann Pettifor of the New Economics Foundation endorsed his comments. When an MP suggested campaigning had waned, Marion Heyes from Wythenshawe dealt the blow: "We're still campaigning and we're going to keep on. So why don't you lot match us and we can get things done!" The panel were unanimous in congratulating the activists for their commitment to helping those thousands of miles away. But with a child dying from poverty every few seconds, there is still a long way to go. What is clear is that the voices of Manchester were heard and will be remembered. Manchester Trade Justice Movement (0161 273 3647, news@tjm-manchester.org.uk) http://www.tjm-manchester.org.uk STORE STOPS FUR SALES ON THREAT OF NATIONAL PROTESTS Department store Harvey Nichols has decided to end its sale of real fur just days ahead of a National Day of Action against the company. Harvey Nichols had been selling rabbit fur garments in its stores despite complaints from customers. In October, the Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade (CAFT) launched a campaign which has seen weekly protests at the company's stores. CAFT had planned to organise protests outside all Harvey Nichols stores (Manchester, London, Birmingham, Leeds and Edinburgh) on Saturday 20 March.They rang Harvey Nichols the preceeding Tuesday to inform them of the planned nationwide actions and to ask if the company wanted to reconsider their sale of fur. An hour later they phoned back to say their Board of Directors had discussed the issue and the company agreed to end its sale of real fur. Company Secretary Clive Morton wrote to CAFT: "The Board has today reviewed the Company's fur policy and has decided going forward that we will no longer stock real fur items." Most high street companies have refused to sell real fur for years, knowing that their customers oppose the killing of animals for their fur. In recent months CAFT has persuaded companies such as Zara, Emma Somerset, Schuh and Aldo to stop selling real fur, and Aldo has now agreed to go fur-free in all their stores worldwide. CAFT is currently in discussions with other retailers over the introduction of fur-free policies. The use of real fur is unpopular amongst the British public who recognise the cruelty inherent in the fur trade, and fur farming is now banned in the UK. Some companies are selling rabbit fur, often misleadingly described as a "by-product" of the meat trade. Commercial rabbit farms cage rabbits in bare wire cages, restricting movement and preventing natural behaviours. Some rabbits are bred solely for their fur and those farmers who breed rabbits primarily for their meat also sell the fur to make the business profitable. CAFT is also concerned that the sale of rabbit fur promotes the use of all fur. A CAFT spokesperson said: "We are pleased that Harvey Nichols has added its name to the long list of high street companies who refuse to sell real fur. The fur trade is responsible for the deaths of millions of animals - real fur is not glamorous, not fashionable and not wanted. The fur trade may like to claim that 'fur is back' but the public are aware of the horror animals go through and refuse to be part of that cruelty." Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade (07761 533 152, caft@caft.org.uk) http://www.caft.org.uk THOUGHT FOR THE DAY If every driver took one fewer car journey a week averaging nine miles, it would cut carbon dioxide emissions (the main greenhouse gas causing climate change) from traffic by 13%. "Your Environment", Issue 2, Environment Agency Winter 2004 NINE LADIES APPEALING Light is still at the end of the tunnel for campaigners to save the Nine Ladies and Stanton Moor, Derbyshire (see #51) from a planned quarry. But it is a dim light. Firstly, evictions of activists in tree tops and elsewhere on site may be happening as you read this. However, an appeal is lodged with the High Court where the decision wil be made about whether the quarry is dormant or active. If it is dormant, it seems Stancliffe Stone will not be able to quarry despite having the rights foolishly granted them as part of the war effort. Furthermore, the quarry company are requesting to put off a meeting with the Peak District National Parks Authority to assess the working conditions for the quarry until June. Why they would want to do so seems unclear but perhaps it's in order to carry out an eviction first. Finally, the word on the grapevine is that the eviction team is moving across the country. St Davids Woods, Blackwood, Cardiff was evicted on 23 March (albeit an illegal eviction since the issue was still going through the courts and there was protected wildlife on the site). People believe that the same Costain bailiff crew will move to Sherwood and then onto Nine Ladies. The appeal does not protect the protest camp and the postponed site visit may mean nothing but it's important people go to show their support and try to oppose the eviction in the hope that the appeal is won before any quarrying commences. For directions see http://www.nineladies.uklinux.net/get2site.php Site mobile (SMS only): 0700 594 2212 ********************************************* -- (c)Networking Newsletter Project(2004) -- -- http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk -- - Permission to reproduce any info is given - -- subject to full inclusion of this notice - ********************************************* FREE VEGGIE FOOD March was "veggie month" and Manchester Animal Protection held a food fayre with over 200 people visiting on the day. The majority were meat/fish eaters curious to find out more about vegetarian and vegan diets and to sample some meat-free and dairy-free food. There were also a number of committed vegetarians interested in taking the extra step of giving up dairy products and eggs, because of the inherent cruelty in the dairy and egg production industries. There was a wide variety of salads, sprouted seeds, fried tofu, "saus-age" rolls and savouries, curries and hot pot, and a whole range of meat and cheese alternatives. For pudding people could choose from cakes, scones, "cheese"cake, chocolate, custard, cream and ice cream - all dairy free.The Globe, Unicorn Grocery, Forest Foods, Earth Caf‚ & Beanies Wholefoods all contributed food. Feedback from the public was very positive, everyone enjoyed themselves, especially the food, with many pleasantly surprised that veggie/vegan food could be so tasty. Many visitors said they were keen to try and change their eating habits and adopt a cruelty-free lifestyle, which was MAP's main intention - to educate and encourage, showing that veggie/vegan food can be exciting and nutritious. MAP's next food event will be for Vegan Day in November. Manchester Animal Protection (0845 456 2492, info@mapsoc.org.uk) http://www.mapsoc.org.uk NW VEGAN FESTIVAL Don't forget the North West's first vegan festival on Sat 8 May! It's free and in the Sacha's Hotel, Tib Street (see p9) VEGAN ORGANIC TRUST The Vegan Organic Trust (VOT), formerly Vegan Organic Horticultural Agricultural Network (VOHAN), holds regular meetings in Manchester including fun gatherings with great nosh at The Globe, a vegan pub, in Glossop. Based in Manchester, VOT is an international organisation helping to arrange support and visits to farmers wishing to know more about the methods they promote. VOT is in the process of registering the first ever Stockfree Organic Standards with the Soil Association which will be a clear definition of vegan organic cultivation. This will enable commercial growers to apply for certification as approved producers. Also, VOT organises courses and visits to stockfree vegan organic farms where no animal manures, fish, blood or bone fertilisers are used in growing crops, unlike the case of standard organic produce. VOT invite you to join the green, cruelty free, social revolution. VOT (veganorganic@supanet.com), http://www.veganorganic.net SUPPORT OUR VOLUNTARY AND COMMUNITY SECTOR The Community Network for Manchester (CN4M) together with Manchester City Council has commissioned a review to consider the infrastructure support needs of the voluntary and community sector and how these can best be met. The review was carried out by the consultants Cordis Bright under the direction of a Steering Group, which included reps from both the City Council and the voluntary sector. CN4M are now seeking your view on the review. The full report can be obtained from Community Network for Manchester or downloaded from their website. CN4M are particularly interested in hearing your views on the general findings of the research (Section 2), your preferred option from the three proposed for delivering the strategy (Section 3) and any alternative proposals to these you may have. This review will have far ranging implications to the availability and delivery of support to your organisation or network in the future. You need to respond to let the steering group know what you think: no response means no action! The deadline for comments is 31 May. John Wareham, CN4M (0161 237 9309) http://www.cn4m.info GREEN COMPUTERS? The UN has an IT and Environment Initiative, which seeks to improve awareness and understanding of the environmental impact of IT. Their website will tell you most of what you want to know (and a lot of what you didn't want to hear!) http://www.it-environment.org WANTED Talking of reusing computers, does anybody have hardware they can offer the Networking Newsletter. Particularly a CD writer, a hard drive (at least 20Gb and no bad sectors) or even a flat screen monitor or base unit (at least a 1GHz processor). Offers to it@networkingnewsletter.org.uk HELP YOURSELF "Doing it for Ourselves" is an information pack produced by the Refugee Council on how to set up and manage a refugee community organisation, covering issues such as start-up, fundraising, financial management, communication, developing services for women, volunteers, recruitment, partnerships and dealing with the media. It's free to its target audience, œ15 to others. http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/publications/pub008.htm RESOURCES Rather than repeat our resources list here every month - as useful as it may be with details as varied as free laptops, meeting rooms, media tips, reviews and recycling fridges - we thought you'd prefer more news in the newsletter and to go to the web site below to find out about the resources on offer to you http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk/Resources BLOCKING THE BASE A report back from a Manchester activist at the recent blockade at Menwith Hill - the US's listening base in Yorkshire - as part of an international weekend of action against US militarism We got up at 3am and were at the base around 4.30. The police were waiting. They were searching all the vans and taking the lock on stuff as intention to commit criminal damage. It was dark, freezing and rainy. We saw other vans that had been stopped and thought no-one had got through. But it got better. People had locked together in front of the main gate, in the road, so with them and the police, the gate was effectively shut for a couple of hours and all the workers were really frustrated, stuck in their cars on the road. On gate 3, people in wheelchairs locked onto each other and then one guy locked himself between the wheelchair and the police van which was fun, because the police believed they had already grabbed all the lock on stuff. At gate 4, two freezing people sat in the road and caused chaos with the traffic, while the police used the tactic of waiting to see if people froze to death. A guy at the main gate had his arm twisted so hard, he passed out and they had to get an ambulance. Loads of people were nicked. Don't know how many, but some people were just chucked in the police van and left there, freezing, for four hours. I think, it was a pretty good day. Despite the cold, dark and endless rain, we shut three gates at least for a while. Think of how much we could have done if more people had come to Menwith. Then we really could have shut this obscenity down for the day. Heather, Manchester Social Forum (mancsocialforum@riseup.net) https://publish.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/manchester/2004/03/287348.html PAPER AND WEB NEWS Well, this is the 4th issue of the Networking Newsletter since we went monthly. It's not quite spread the workload but more like doubled it! But what do you think - is monthly better? Or is there just too much news on what is happening in Manchester for you to read?! This month's issue has stories on success (p3), a round up of activities when Blair came to town (p1,2), a feature on veggies and vegans (p4) and on local issues that need your support, particularly Nine Ladies (p4). But the Networking Newsletter is much more than this printed matter - the web site (see URL below) has more in-depth coverage, lots of links and is updated almost daily. Please take the time to visit the web site (or make it your home page) - suggestions for improvements always welcome. If you're not able to access the Internet or prefer a paper version of the contacts and resources listings send an SAE to the address below and I will send you them by return post. SO WHAT IS IT? The Networking Newsletter has a 10 year history of helping campaigners in and around Manchester to work together more effectively. The focus is on those who are working for positive change on issues of peace, development, environment, human rights, animal rights and other areas of social justice. Copies are send out to subscribers and local libraries. When the budget allows, copies are also sent to those whose subscription has expired - use the form below to ensure you keep getting the newsletter! SEND US YOUR NEWS! Articles for the next newsletter should be sent by Monday 19 April to 6 Mount Street, Manchester M2 5NS, email info@networkingnewsletter.org.uk or fax 0161 834 5797 (marked FAO: Networking Newsletter). Articles should be 50-200 words long, preferably with a picture or other hi-res colour graphic, and include your full contact details. SUBSCRIBE The Networking Newsletter is published monthly. Subscription rates are currently £5 (low waged), £7 (working), £13 (vol. groups without staff), £27 (vol. groups with staff) and £62 (ethical business). Cheques payable to "Networking Newsletter" should be sent to 6 Mount Street, Manchester M2 5NS. Thanks! ********************************************* -- (c)Networking Newsletter Project(2004) -- -- http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk -- - Permission to reproduce any info is given - -- subject to full inclusion of this notice - *********************************************