*Barnet Launch

Photo is from our Barnet Green Party Local Election Launch with Jean Lambert MEP.

From The Hendon Times:

MEP Jean Lambert backs Barnet Green Party's campaign launch at Tally Ho today
8:40am Saturday 10th April 2010



THE Barnet Green Party will be launching its council election campaign in North Finchley today with the help of a prominent European politician.

Green candidates for the May 6 elections in the borough will gather at the pollution monitor, in Tally Ho Corner, from 11am.

They will be joined by Jean Lambert, Green MEP for the London region, who said the news the Barnet Green Party is running a record slate of 51 people in 19 wards is “enormously encouraging”.

She said: “The Green Party needs a strong presence at local council level.

“I expect great things from this dynamic Barnet team and fully support their pledges on jobs, housing and insulation as a means of serving the community’s needs and addressing sustainability.”

Seasoned campaigners Noel Lynch, Andrew Newby and Steve Norman are contesting the party's target ward of East Finchley, where Mr Lynch achieved the party's highest Barnet vote in 2006.

Their candidate group in Mill Hill Ward features twin sisters Dilan and Dilem Kurt along with former borough councillor David Williams.

In Totteridge Ward, the Greens said Katie Margolis and Julie Rosenfield are aiming to build on the high vote achieved by Mr Newby in 2006, when he posted the second highest Green vote in the borough, beating Labour and Liberal Democrat candidates.

Mr Newby said he believes Barnet Council needs a strong Green group “to hold the administration to account not just on environmental policy but on jobs, housing, social issues and certainly planning”.

He added: “We are the fastest growing party in Barnet as in many parts of London and the country as a whole.

“In Barnet, the biggest ever slate reinforces our position as one of the four serious parties in the borough.”

Earlier this week, the Greens announced their election manifesto which included pledges to fight the Brent Cross Cricklewood redevelopment and to focus on specific issues relevant to each ward, including taking action on the Tally Ho pollution levels and campaigning for a regular bus service to Hampstead and the Royal Free Hospital.

*844

I have finally managed to tot up the figures of Green Party candidates in the London Local Elections - 844!!! That's a record and we are also standing in every single borough for the first time.

Also, we have a wider ethnic variety. In my own Barnet Green Party we have 16 different ethnicities standing. We also have ages between 19 and 72 and 40% women.

844 candidates meant getting 8,440 signatures in a little over a week. That took a fair amount of work and organisation, but does demonstrate the logistical ability and confidence of the Green Party and that we are a power to reckoned with!

The word coming from the doorsteps is extremely positive (actually that's an understatement, but I don't want to tempt providence)plus our membership is increasing in leaps and bounds.

All-in-all, a hectic but inspiring time to be Coordinator of the London Federation of Green Parties
3am bed most mornings, but well worth it.

*Greens launch record full slate in London

"We go into this General Election with a real chance of getting Green MPs elected for the first time ever" - Darren Johnson


The Green Party has today (April 6th) announced that it is launching a record full slate of candidates in London for this year's General Election. Seventy three candidates have been selected - compared to 54 in 2005 - offering Londoners the chance to vote Green in every London constituency for the first time.

London Federation of Green Parties Co-ordinator, Noel Lynch said:

"The fact that we have been able field a full slate for the first time, shows the growing strength and confidence in the Greens. It's a reflection of our rising membership - which nearly doubled after last year's Euros - and greater public awareness and demand for Green policies. Britain is now at a crossroads, embroiled in financial chaos and environmental breakdown. It's hardly surprising that more and more people are looking for a viable alternative to the three main parties. People know they can trust the Green Party on the environment, and now they are beginning to realise that we have strong economic and social policies."

This year's candidates are more diverse than ever with 37% being women [1] and more candidates from black and Asian groups than previously. The party's main target constituency is Lewisham Deptford, headed by well known London figure, Darren Johnson [2], a Lewisham councillor of 8 years and a London Assembly Member for a decade.

Darren Johnson said:

"We go into this General Election with a real chance of getting Green MPs elected for the first time ever. Here in Lewisham Deptford we have transformed what was once a safe Labour seat into a key Green battleground. We have overturned large Labour majorities in the council elections and now it's time to do it in the General Election."

We will also field over 800 candidates in the London Local Elections.

*Big business, piracy, skullduggery, dodgy convictions in Ireland

From SchNews 716

THE LATEST FROM THE ANTI-SHELL PROTESTS IN ROSSPORT...

The Irish state's determined persecution of protesters against Shell's experimental pipeline started to unravel last week as 25 of the 27 standing trial had their cases withdrawn or dismissed.

They did however manage to stitch up campaigner Niall Harnett, who received three five-month sentences after being roughed up by Gardai in a court building. In a farcical turn of events, after failing in the prosecution of a Gardai for assault, they then prosecuted Niall.
The prosecution managed to convince the judge that Niall assaulted three Gardai at once, including an inspector and a sergeant and that no less than seven Gardai managed to cram into the space between the doors with Niall to witness this extraordinary event. Niall stated in court, 'I am not prepared to apologise for standing up to them, because they are bullies.' Niall has lodged an appeal, but if unsuccessful he will serve five months as the sentences run concurrently.

This legal farce follows a year of sinister Rossport related incidents with elements worthy of the most gratuitously paranoid potboiler (see SchNEWS 673). First news arrived that one of the security guards who worked for Shell had been shot dead in Bolivia and that he was part of a terrorist group that aimed to start a civil war there. Within weeks it became clear that he was not alone, that in fact several security guards from the Shell compound had travelled to Bolivia with him where some were arrested and others are wanted for questioning.

The environmental prize winner Willie Corduff was beaten by masked men while conducing a peaceful overnight sit in at the Shell compound.
Then Pat O'Donnel's boat was boarded and sunk by more masked men, an event the Gardai failed to investigate for weeks.
Finally, as Shell's pipe lying ship the Solitaire arrived off the coast two Irish Navy gun boats were deployed alongside a Air Force spotter plane, 300 Gardai and 200 Shell private security. All to watch, surround and repress no more than one hundred Shell to Sea campaigners. Rumours abounded of unmarked military jeeps and the place was crawling with secret police men. A huge media smear campaign swung into action seeking to paint the Shell to Sea campaigners as crazed terrorists despite the facts showing such types were on the other side.

Following the court victories over 100 supporters showed up outside the gates of Castlerea Prison to protest the continuing imprisonment of Shell to Sea colleague Pat O'Donnell, serving seven months in prison on trumped-up chances following months of state-sponsored harassment (see SchNEWS 710). Pat's ordeal has continued in prison. He has been refused a transfer to Loughan House, where a more open regime applies and visiting Pat at Castlerea Prison has been difficult for his family.

Despite the scale of official repression of the campaign, it has achieved major victories with the experimental pipeline delayed by 10 years from 2003 to 2013. In what has become known as the Great Oil & Gas Giveaway, the terms of energy exploration licenses have been changed so that energy companies now pay no royalties and very little tax.

Millions have been spent on a huge PR offensive to win hearts and minds of key opinion makers. Paid hacks have poured out slanders about those who continue to resist Shell, while the few journalists who have dared question such stories have been targeted for abuse.

* See www.shelltosea.com and www.indymedia.ie/article/96167

*SPEAK-ING OUT

From SchNews

Long term animal rights campaigner Mel Broughton has had his conviction for 'conspiracy to commit arson' quashed.

However, he remains in prison and now faces a re-trial. This will make it the third time that Mel has stood trial for the same offences, which are alleged to be connected to the SPEAK campaign against Oxford University's animal laboratory.

It has become clear that Thames Valley Police are pursuing a political vendetta against Mel after they were caught on tape saying they would be 'waging a dirty war' against him - 'persecute him'. (see SchNEWS 590)

*St. Patrick's Day.

St Patrick's Day is celebrated all over the world so its fitting there is a "World Music" version of an old classic, Danny Boy. Here it is at http://www.the-ukrainian.com

You could also check in on Stepan, the Irish Ukrainian's other recordings including the Green anthem "We all have one address - Planet Earth"

No celebrations for me. I'm off to a hustings in Walthamstow.

* The Amazon for sale

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xcdem0_amazonia-for-sale_news

*Irish embassy demo

In February Pat O'Donnell was sentenced to 7 months in jail for convictions of “breach of the peace” and of "obstructing a Garda". This was for his part in the local communities ongoing resistance to Shell's attempt to impose an experimental gas pipeline on them.

While fisherman Pat O’Donnell is out of Shell’s way in prison, 2010 is set to be another year of disruption for the community. Previous years have seen continued harassment and intimidation by Gardai and Shell security, as well as the unlawful arrest and targeted jailing of key campaigners. The community has been fighting this project for over a decade. They are asking for the gas to be refined at sea which is standard practice around the world. The project as it stands will endanger their health, livelihoods & local environment; all for the profit of Shell.

Across Ireland local Shell to Sea groups have been holding solidarity protests and other events for Pat. In London on the 16th March supporters in Britain will show their support for Pat & the Erris community by holding a demonstration outside the Irish embassy demanding Pat's immediate release.

Please join us if you can. There will be a card for Pat to sign & a letter to give to the embassy.

For more information see:
www.shelltosea.com
www.indymedia.ie

Please write to Pat in prison:
Pat O'Donnell
Castlerea Prison
Castlerea
Harristown
Co.Roscommon
Ireland

Radical booksellers take on Amazon*

Fifty years ago, in the aftermath of World War Two, a group of pacifists opened Housmans radical bookshop at its current address at 5 Caledonian Road, in London’s Kings’ Cross. Ever since, Housmans has worked hard to continue its mission of promoting ideas of peace, human rights and a more equitable economy by which future wars, and all their inherent suffering, might be avoided.

At a time when independent bookshops are closing down left, right and centre, Housmans is having to fight to hold its corner. The biggest threat to independent bookshops has been the rise, and subsequent domination, of the online bookseller Amazon.com. Amazon has achieved an unrivalled supremacy over the marketplace, but this near-monopoly wasn’t achieved without the usual unethical practices that are so common to the world’s biggest corporations.
_

What is wrong with using Amazon?_

In 2001 the Guardian first reported on the poor working conditions in Amazon's warehouses, and nothing much has changed since. In December 2008, a Sunday Times reporter went undercover to their Marston Gate warehouse near Milton Keynes and discovered that staff were required to work seven days a week and were punished for taking sick leave, even if they had a note from their doctor. According to Unite the Union, Amazon continues to see trade union representation as illegitimate.

But it’s not just Amazon workers who suffer at the hands of the multi-national corporation. Publishers are also squeezed for every penny, as Amazon forces them to supply them at rates so low that it leaves authors and publishers out of pocket – particularly damaging smaller publishing houses. Amazon’s dominance of the market means that publishers have little choice but to comply with their demands. Aside from the ethical considerations, this affects readers in reduced output from small presses, and diminished availability of radical titles.


_Providing an ethical alternative_

And so into this arena steps Housmans Bookshop. Housmans, in conjunction with Gardners Books, has just launched its own online bookshop to rival Amazon. Although still prioritising their stock of radical interest and progressive politics, the site is also able to provide around half a million general titles.

“Many of our most politically conscious colleagues use Amazon, and when asked why, it’s because they know of no alternative. But now, wherever they live, people will be able to support independent and progressive bookselling from the comfort of their own home. I think it’s essential that we are able to provide an alternative to help dent Amazon’s monopoly,” explains co-manager Nik Gorecki. “It’s up to sympathetic book buyers to do the right thing, and buy their books elsewhere.”

“This year Housmans celebrates fifty years of trading from our Caledonian Road address, but in order for us to be here another fifty years we have to stand up for ourselves, and trust in ethically-minded book-buyers to support independents. The staff at Housmans has fought many battles over the years for causes we believe in, and this is one battle we can’t afford to lose. Please support the shop that supports your campaigns!”

____

For more information regarding this please contact Nik Gorecki on 07950 269 286 or alternatively by email: nik@housmans.com

Housmans Bookshop
5 Caledonian Road
King's Cross
London N1 9DX
Tel: 020 7837 4473

www.housmans.com

*ANTIQUES ARE GREEN

I have been involved with antiques for most of my life and am delighted to see that there is now an organisation in the antiques trade to promoted the concept that antiques are green. Below is an interview with the founder and contact details. It's free to join.
_______________________________________
Early in 2009, I was talking with a few colleagues about the environmental benefits of antiques in the home. This was something that I had not previously discussed with customers in my shop but now I tried raising the subject.
After a few minutes conversation, a look of enlightenment appeared. First, the customer related antiques to recycling. Then, as the conversation progressed, it became evident that their purchase would result in minimal greenhouse gases, no rain forests would be depleted and no additional minerals would be extracted from the Earth. Customers felt comfortable about their purchase with the understanding that “antiques are green”. They could now justify their purchase and enjoy a feel good factor as well.
It seemed that it would benefit the whole Antiques Trade if the buying public were aware of this message before they came in to see us. With a suitable campaign, potential customers would know that antiques were green because they had read it in the press, seen and heard it on TV and found the same “Antiques are Green” logo wherever they went. As members of the antiques trade, we may all sell more and do our bit for the environment. By changing the perception of antiques to that of an attractive alternative to buying new goods, we might even attract new customers who previously would not have considered antiques.
In March, Antiques Trade Gazette published my letter on the subject and this led to some important contacts, including John Fiske who has himself been promoting Antiques are Green in the USA.
Following a presentation at the ATG Conference in May, an on-line vote to select a campaign logo took place in the Antiques Trade Gazette and BBC Homes and Antiques Magazine. The Trade and public voted on a selection of Antiques are Green logos and both groups chose the one that you now see on the website.
The campaign is being developed under the umbrella of a not-for-profit organisation. Its success will benefit both the antiques trade and the environment, in accordance with our formal aims and objectives.
Online Galleries have prepared this website and Dealers are invited to submit their stock.
Anyone interested or involved with the trade is invited to become a part of Antiques are Green and use this website to promote themselves, their product or their service. Please join the campaign now.
I would especially like to thank Mark Bridge and Sarah Percy Davis for their help with this project in its early stages.

Nigel Worboys

antiquesaregreen.org

*If you thought the U.S. election was interesting, take a look at Brazil.

The Green Party of Brazil has a new voice, Senator Marina Silva. Female, black, born in the heart of the Amazon, and analphabetic until the age of 16, Marina is the heir of Chico Mendes in the struggle to preserve the forest.

Marina has left the Worker's Party after 30 years and joined the Green Party last August to pursue a more sustainable economic development strategy.

"Ms. Silva resigned as environmental minister in 2008, after expressing concerns that the government might give in to pressure from business interests to ease off emergency measures she put in place to counteract a jump in Amazon deforestation. She returned to the national Senate, where she continued to press her environmental agenda". THE NEW YORK TIMES

Marina is standing as a candidate for the presidency of Brazil in the 2010 elections. This has already un¬leashed a movement, called the 'Marina effect' by the media, which has led the government and opposition to rush to propose green public policies and intensified the struggle for leadership in sustainable development.
Of course, because she is a black woman and very charismatic, the comparisons with Barack Obama have not taken long to arise. The obvious joke is that, while Democrats in the US had to select between an African American and a woman, Brazilians can get both in Ms. Silva.

In a presidential election which was restricted to the current government and opposition, both would compete to lead the race backwards. In this context, Marina brings new and important questions to the presidential election process, giving voice to social and environmental movements who believe in a Brazil which is socially just, economically prosperous, culturally diverse and politically democratic.

The ‘Marina factor' is already reflected in the polling for the presidential race in Brazil. Even without the same space in the media as the Lula government and Governor Jose Serra, Marina is attracting 9.5% of the vote eight months before the election which will be held in October.

In the light of the new political landscape which the Green Party and Marina Silva are building in Brazil, we have to recognize that the green movement is becoming a strong new force, not only in Brazil but in Latin America generally.

Roberta Moreno
Green Party -Brazil

*Snowed off.

The official launch of our target ward campaign in East Finchley came to an abrupt end on Saturday with a sudden snowstorm. However, we had already done two photoshoots with the local papers, recruited a new member, got several donations and distributed 800 leaflets. We then retreated to a local pub where we conducted the interview with the Hendon Times.
http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/5006931.Freak_weather_interrupts_Green_Party_launch/

*Christie’s Announces Green Auction “A Bid To Save The Earth”

In order to drive awareness throughout Earth Week, Christie’s International has announced the 2010 Inaugural Green Auction titled, “A Bid to Save the Earth.”

The green auction, which takes place on April 22, will include major artwork, celebrity experiences, upscale eco-vacations, exquisite jewelry, and luxury items.

Proceeds from the sale will be divided among four non-profit environmental organizations: Conservation International, Oceana, Natural Resources Defense Council and the Central Park Conservancy.

“We are inspired and honored to convene top members of the philanthropic, environmental, business and cultural communities to benefit the environment,” said Edward Dolman, CEO of Christie’s. “We are equally pleased to present a stellar evening auction and to partner with NBC Universal in telling this exciting story with Charitybuzz in building such a compelling silent auction; and of course our four charity partners, who will do what they do best with the proceeds: advocate for the environment.”

*Same old tories.

"Of course there is a big role for us in trying to make sure that conditions are right to get more young people unemployed."

Simon Milton,(Boris Johnson's Chief of Staff) in yesterday's interview with Tim Donovan