The first demonstration against the war in Sheffield turned out to be the biggest demo here since the miner's strike in 1984. Estimates between vary 1000 and 2000 people.
For local alternative news which you can write yourself see Sheffield Indymedia.
In a sample taken from a borehole on the northern boundary of the Bernard Road Incinerator, the level of mercury was found to be 50 times higher than the environmental quality standard according to local anti-incinerator group RABID (Residents Against Bernard road Incinerator Dust). RABID press release
Local campaign group, Sheffield Against Incineration, has uncovered news of an explosion at the Bernard Road Incinerator. The explosion was close to fly ash, a substance heavily contaminated with dioxin, the most toxic chemical known to science. SAI press release
Around 500 people came to an anti-war Rally held in the Sheffield City Hall last night. Speakers included Paul Marsden MP, David Shaylor (ex MI5), Bruce Kent (CND) and Alex Callincos (SWP) plus local people too.
ELP has just learnt that on Halloween 2001 British eco-activist "Trash" was caught "trashing" quarrying equipment at the Nine Ladies quarry site. Judging by past sentencing for ecotage at this protest site, Trash is guaranteed a prison sentence. As far as we are aware, Trash is not yet inside. However, his supporters are asking that everyone sends him letters of support straight away to help keep his spirits strong. Please send letters of support to:
Trash
c/o Nine Ladies Anti-Quarry Camp
Lees Cross
Lees Road
Stanton Lees
Nr Matlock
Derbyshire
England
The first demonstration against the war in Sheffield turned out to be the biggest demo here since the miner's strike in 1984. Estimates between vary 1000 and 2000 people.
Before the demo 30 - 40 cyclists toured the town along with a solar powered a sound system and a banner that said ‘Oil War’. The main event began with an open mike session giving anyone the chance to speak along with free food from Food NOT Bombs. Then followed a fairly short walk round to Devonshire Green where more food, music and speeches were made.
Another report plus pics, coalition press release, Sheffield Star report
Three press releases by the local Stop the war coalition. The first, Painting for Peace, explains how a local artist is being involved in a ‘Make your own banners stall’. The second is about how local anti-war campaigners are approaching Sheffield Mosques and the Muslim community to show solidarity in the wake of increasing racism. The third, Beats not bombs is about local DJs using their talents to promote the Stop the War Coalition on Fargate.
While many Sheffield people went to London for the big CND demo some went to Menwith Hill. Full report
The build up of anti-war activity has been so frenetic it's almost impossible to keep a track of. A vigil on Monday attracted 200 people outside the Town Hall protesting against the outbreak of war. The second Sheffield Anti-War Coalition meeting was considerably bigger than the first with around 350 people - one of the biggest public meetings for years.
A small committee has been set up by the Sheffield Coalition which has received criticism from many for being undemocratic. With only 6 people on it many Sheffield groups are unrepresented and the decision go ahead with this came from a meeting in which three-quarters of those present came from one organisation.
Avoiding such controversy are local anti-war groups. So far these have been set up in Heeley, Nether Edge and Pitsmoor, as well as an action group for people who “want to take action rather than talk about it”. Vigils in Darnell and the town centre are planned for this Saturday. Many folk however will be away at either the London protest or Menwith Hill US spy base in North Yorkshire.
Through out the summer there have been a series of actions taken against the peat works on Thorn and Hatfield Moors, just south of Doncaster in South Yorkshire. Read a full report here
Despite poor publicity an anti-war meeting called by Sheffield CND, Socialist Alliance and Green Party was packed. 200 people crammed into the church on Norfolk Street in central Sheffield, some left standing and sitting on the floor to make up the Sheffield Anti-war Coalition. People from the Green Party, Socialist Alliance, Socialist Workers Party, and Palestinian Solidarity Campaign along with a Christian priest spoke before letting people speak from the floor.
People with widely differing cultural, political, and religious beliefs gave their perspectives on the war before the audience broke down into groups to discuss different things. These included a group on what you can do at work and an action group (meeting again on Friday).
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