Saturday 29th April
Sheffield's Mayday group has decided to take action on Saturday 29th April rather than Mayday. This is because many people want to go to either Chesterfield for trade union celebrations OR London, for Reclaim the Streets’ unprecedented Guerilla gardening Mayday action OR Manchester for “Revolutionary Mayhem”. Also the City Centre is likely to be fairly quiet on Mayday.
Below are details of 4 non-violent events happening in Sheffield - timed so you can be involved in all four if you want to.
Meet at the carpark opposite the Boardwalk (39 Snig Hill).
Car culture is costing the earth
Cars mean polluted air and global warming.
Each year in the UK thousands mourn the deaths of loved ones killed in car accidents but the government refuses to bring in 20 mph speed limits in residential areas. Recent European studies revealed that even more die from car pollution than from car accidents! Year on year more children suffer from asthma due to pollution.
Recent reports reveal that the melting of the earth's ice cover accelerated rapidly in the 1990s which was also the warmest decade since records began. Last year The Hadley Institute, who reseach global warming, said that if emissions continue as now climate change will be too fast for the world's rain forests - “the lungs of the world”. Unable to adapt they will start to die out in 100 years time. Car emissions are a MAJOR contribution greenhouse gases.
Our reliance on cars makes the oil companies very powerful. In the third world they support governments that attack indigenous people in the way of oil exploration. The need for oil fuels wars.
For safe and cheap alternatives
In the early 80s it was possible to travel across Sheffield for
a few pence on plentiful buses. So cheap and convenient was the bus service that few people bothered with cars. Since deregulation and
privatisation fares have soared and our main roads have become clogged.
Sheffield Council's approach seems to be trying to annoy car drivers by endless changes in the road system whilst simultaneously allowing developments that encourage car use - giants superstores and drive-throughs etc.
Cheap or free public transport could be paid for through taxes and subsidies. We need sustainable transport such as walking and cycling to be given priority.
Stagecoach
Stagecoach has grown into a massive company since deregulation. The argument for ending public control of buses was to increase competition but Stagecoach now has a near monopoly in some parts of the country. People need to use buses and trams, it is wrong for profit to be made out of human need. Look at what Stagecoach does with its super profits - in Scotland the boss of Stagecoach recently donated large sums of money to anti-gay and lesbian campaigning.
Stop stagecoach getting away with highway robbery
If you want to protest about the government's transport
policies then come along to this (and/or the following event) on April 29th. These actions are not against car owners but against policies that constantly encourage car use. Both will be peaceful, non-confrontational and fun. You will be able to participate at a number of different levels - just come along
and make a difference by being there, or hand out leaflets or get dressed up and add to the spectacle.
The most likely situation is that we have no more than a decade to implement massive cuts in human - originated carbon emissions - probably in the region of 90% from current levels.
Cycling is the most environment-friendly form of transport there is. Not only do cyclists produce no pollution at all but cycling is an excellent way to keep fit and healthy (and thus reduce the strain on our under-funded NHS).
But in Sheffield many people are put off cycling because of heavy traffic and polluted air. Sheffield is a city designed for cars (albeit badly). There are few independent cycle lanes in Sheffield. Most run alongside busy roads or are merely painted lines on the road. These offer little protection from traffic and none at all from fumes. Traffic pollution kills more people than traffic accidents.
To keep things the same for the new millenium Sheffield is having a 1000 space underground carpark built right in the middle of the city centre. Why is money available for such environmentlly damaging projects but not for cycle lanes? We could have a city with beautiful, quiet tree-lined cycle lanes. A cycling city could save the city hundred’s of millions of pounds each year.
Cycling is a fun, and very practical, way to travel. Be part of this mass bike ride. If you haven’t used your bike for years don’t be scared to come to this event. The pace will be very gentle so all age groups can be involved and, by riding as a large group, we’ll avoid hazards often encountered by the lone cyclist.
2.00pm Barker's Pool (In front of Cole Bros.)
Carnival
Over the past few years people from all over the world are seeing the cause of a diverse range of problems rooted in the global economic system. Sheffield's Mayday group has brought people together from a wide range of backgrounds: trade-unionists, unemployed, anti-GM protesters, animal rights campaigners, environmentalists, anti-war activists, socialists, anarchists and mostly people who don't adhere to any particular label but, like thousands of other people, are becoming increasingly concerned about the multitude of problems facing our planet.
The Mayday weekend belongs to no one or no group and we encourage everyone to protest in their own way. But strength comes from unity and so whatever activities you may or may not take part in over the rest of the weekend we'd like to encourage everyone to take part in Sheffield's Mayday Carnival.
Some time will be spent at Barker's Pool where many things will be taking place. The Cuban Solidarity campaign will re-decorate an ambulance to be sent to Cuba, acoustic music of various kinds has been arranged including drumming, flute playing and Ragnarock drumming/jazz band. There will also be a poetry corner which depends on your participation. So if you've got a favourite poem or even better, your own composition, bring it along to share with others. If you're involved in any other campaigns or groups why not set up a stall or do something spectacular to let everyone know of your existance.
After some time the Carnival will take a tour of Sheffield before settling down somewhere else to relax.
Bring color, bring food, bring a drum or a rattle, bring a costume, bring a mask, bring friends, bring family, bring banners or placards, bring a whistle, bring a smile, bring music, bring whatever you like or nothing at all. But DO bring yourself.