Climate Camp 2008 - Will You Be Going?

[Bakunin]

http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/

Alright folks, it's taken as a given that this year's Climate Camp will be one the they year's most high-profile direct action and protest events and I'll almost certainly be going this year.

This year the camp will be at Kingsnorth coal/oil power station in Kent, just south of Ashford. If the new station planned for the site is built, it could apparently be one of the most polluting sites in Europe.

So, fellow Urbanites, seeing as climate chnage is a global issue that there's no hiding from and affects us all, will you be going or supporting the camp at solidarity events?

And if not, why not?

 

[Taxamo Welf]

yeah, actually. The first one looked pretty gash, but i popped down to the last one and it was really cracking.

It could go 2 ways now: fall on its arse after leaving the airport issue behind a bit, or, get a huge new influx of kiddies from all the publicity and continue to grow.

 

[Squatticus]

Get in!

 

[max_freakout]

lol go to a camp and the weather will get cooler

 

[Taxamo Welf]

Thing is, much as i am decided on the climate change issue (complete overhaul of industry/production, and also significant changes to personas lifestyle neccessary) i'm not sure about coal.

I've heard arguments both ways.

Even so, i have to be completely honest here, it will be a laugh and that a big reason why i am going

At the most base, people will be kicking off at the powers that be over the issue of climate change - turning the issue into a 'them' - 'us' situation in the public perception, briefly.

 

[Thora]

yeah, actually. The first one looked pretty gash, but i popped down to the last one and it was really cracking.

It could go 2 ways now: fall on its arse after leaving the airport issue behind a bit, or, get a huge new influx of kiddies from all the publicity and continue to grow.

Gash

 

[Taxamo Welf]

Gash

you're gash.

PS i think i just got banned from libcom for swearing

 

[Thora]

Good.

 

[JTG]

I thought about it but I'm doing so much else this summer I couldn't fit it in.

And anyway, I heard it would be full of people swearing their heads off so I decided to stay away

 

[bluestreak]

i haven't been to one before. Will there be poi?

 

[JTG]

no, I think fish are banned

 

[The Black Hand]

Where's the poll option for "more southern centred shite"?

 

[The Black Hand]

you're gash.

PS i think i just got banned from libcom for swearing

Fuk em. We don't need the bureaucrats, ultra left or nay sayers. You and everybody else is better cutting new political paths. Ignore them jus like Class War did in the early days. Before somebody thought he'd/we'd play footsy with them to see if he could recruit them, when he couldn't he fucked them off

 

[The Black Hand]

Good.

Is that an ironic good?

 

[JTG]

Thora doesn't do irony I'm afraid. She's entirely humourless

 

[SpookyFrank]

Where's the poll option for "more southern centred shite"?

I didn't go last year because I felt the choice of venue (Heathrow) was a deeply shit one. It wasn't possible to keep journalists and the plod off the camp for a start, which puts a huge dent in what sort of thing people can do there/plan to do elsewhere. There's also the fact that one of the stated aims of the climate camp is to demonstrate a sustainable way of living, and to attempt that inside the M25 is to lose that particular battle before you've even started.

This year's site makes more sense to me, as it's the site of a power station that is being built, rather than somewhere that's already up and running that lots of people depend on. I reckon that's a better choice of target in terms of winning arguments and getting people on our side. I'm sure picking the site is a very contentious process, and it is a bit lame that this one and last year's one are both in the south east, but I have high hopes for this year's climate camp.

Should we set up an urban75 neighbourhood i wonder?

 

[JTG]

There's also the fact that one of the stated aims of the climate camp is to demonstrate a sustainable way of living, and to attempt that inside the M25 is to lose that particular battle before you've even started.

Huh? I don't understand this at all. You may as well say that to attempt sustainable living in the UK is a waste of time as well.

 

[Taxamo Welf]

I didn't go last year because I felt the choice of venue (Heathrow) was a deeply shit one.

FAIL

 

[Taxamo Welf]

sorry (puts diplomatic hat on) spokkyfrank i completely disagree. The protest was not just about the airport but the PLANNED airport through sipson village which was getting the axe cos its a working class place (which it would be sat under a fucking airport lol). So the proceedings had community and class riven through them, as opposed to some shambolic spectacle in the abstract which is what i feel the first one and the coming one will be. Its not, and never will be, about the 'direct action' itself but whether the general public can sympathise with the concerns and enter into the debate. I feel the could do that more than ever with the sipson issue.

As for sustainability - what do you mean by 'inside the m25'? I simply don't get that. And yes, as little as it really matters, the site was sustainable. I was pretty amazed but a selection of DIY wind turbines and solar panels did the trick.

 

[Lost Zoot]

last year was a very weird atmosphere, being surrounded by (mostly) rude pigs, flood lights, and everyone* was suspious and on edge.
we got followed by a hellicoptor when we went to buy some chips.

It was horrible some of the time, although we found the kids trampoline.
So yeah, more music, and colour and mark tompson.


I think this year they need to get more 'normies' on side, so it cant be made into a them and thing at least from the middle class parents who buy veg boxes/ crustie's front.


I dont know if i'll go again, i did realise i should have gone to a local group meeting before going though, i went with a copal of friends and we felt like outsiders especially when it was time to get into groups for the protest - no one wanted us in theirs

Having said that, im mildly irrtated by crusties and they'll never get good press.

 

[mk12]

No. Because, like most people, i'll be at work.

 

[biff curtains]

No. Because, like most people, i'll be at work.

You fucking weirdo!

 

[Fullyplumped]

lI think this year they need to get more 'normies' on side, so it cant be made into a them and thing at least from the middle class parents who buy veg boxes/ crustie's front.

If you persist in calling normal people (e.g. those who bathe frequently) "normies" you can certainly expect to do very well!

 

[butchersapron]

Are you going FP?

 

[durruti02]

No. Because, like most people, i'll be at work.

if i go which i might ( climate change is pretty fundamental to us all) and i was impressed with teh organisation last year, i will take time off work .

yes it is very important they are linked in with local people. this was very important at heathrow camp .. it made all the differrence that they were lots of locals on camp at all times .. it is the easier thing for the anti's/media to pick up on opposition or lack of support from locals to dismiss a protest like this.

 

[bi0boy]

I might go dressed as King Canute.

 

[Lost Zoot]

If you persist in calling normal people (e.g. those who bathe frequently) "normies" you can certainly expect to do very well!

er hence the quote marks...

Asked the people i wenrt with last year, and they said no way it was too depressing, the police are one thing but they said the people who went were crap.

 

[In Bloom]

Eh, it looks like this one is going to be a replay of the first camp and considering what a towering pillar of fail that was, I think I'll give it a miss.

 

[Taxamo Welf]

if i go which i might ( climate change is pretty fundamental to us all) and i was impressed with teh organisation last year, i will take time off work .

yes it is very important they are linked in with local people. this was very important at heathrow camp .. it made all the differrence that they were lots of locals on camp at all times .. it is the easier thing for the anti's/media to pick up on opposition or lack of support from locals to dismiss a protest like this.

wow. Unexpected but pleasant surprise to hear you say that mate!

 

[Taxamo Welf]

Eh, it looks like this one is going to be a replay of the first camp and considering what a towering pillar of fail that was, I think I'll give it a miss.

yep, i've aired that opinion many a time - to the organisers too.

it all depends on last years momentum - if it picks up even further then the location might not totally fuck things up.