<nettime> EARTH FIRST! GATHERING DETAILS: TO DISTRIBUTE

[Reclaim The Streets <rts@gn.apc.org> (by way of richard@hrc.wmin.ac.uk \(Richard Barbrook\))]

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EARTH FIRST! SUMMER GATHERING
WEDNESDAY 9th - TUESDAY 15th JULY 1997 SCOTLAND

WHAT IS EARTH FIRST!?
Earth First! is not a cohesive organisation or a campaign but more a
convenient banner for people who share similar philosophies to work under.
Earth First! operates as a network of autonomous and non-hierarchical groups
who use direct action to confront, stop and eventually reverse the forces
that are responsible for the destruction of the Earth and its inhabitants.

WHAT’S HAPPENING?
This year Earth First! will have its Summer Gathering in Scotland from
Wednesday 9th to Tuesday 15th July. The Gathering is an opportunity to learn
new skills and techniques that are of use to direct action struggles and to
introduce new people to direct action. It is also a chance to discuss some
of the important issues that are of relevance to us all. The following is a
brief example of what will be covered: 

WORKSHOPS AND TRAINING
There will be a huge number of workshops over the course of the week. These
will cover subjects such as squatting, wild foods, maintaining health,
prisoner support and basic ecology. In addition to these there will be other
ones for learning and practicing physical skills including climbing,
tunnelling, blockading, breaking security cordons and self defence. If there
is a workshop that you would particularly like to see happen, or you could
offer to do one on something relevant get in touch.

DIRECT ACTION REPORTS
During the Gathering there will be a chance for all individuals and groups
present, both those from the UK and overseas, to give a brief talk on their
actions, the ideas that lie behind them and some background information.
>From resisting construction of new runways to fighting against
biotechnology, from reclaiming streets to liberating captured animals; all
these and many more will be reported on by the people actively involved.

DISCUSSION FORUM
These are likely to happen every afternoon and will involve larger group
discussions where we will try to address some of the important debates
within the radical ecological direct action movement. These will include
topics such as what has happened over the past year, ways of moving the
struggle forward, dealing with informal hierarchy and cliques, gender, class
and race issues and the perennial violence/non-violence debate.

ENTERTAINMENT
On the site in the evenings there will be a variety of things going on
including a cinema showing videos on struggles from around the world. There
will also be poets, sketches, comics, acoustic music and, of course, plenty
of opportunities for anybody to get up and do their own thing!

ACTION!
The Gathering will finish on the Sunday night and on the Monday there will
be full training and briefings for an action on the Tuesday. This action
will be organised in conjunction with a local direct action group. More
details will be available at the Gathering.

WHAT WILL THE SITE BE LIKE?
Next to the entrance there will be a reception area where programmes of what
is happening will be available. Additionally there will be a space provided
for leaflets and information displays, with a Dead Trees Earth First! book
stall selling books and pamphlets at cost price. 

On the rest of the site there will be marquees, large domes for workshops, a
crèche at the centre of the site, a quiet camping space, toilets, showers
and a healing area. Cheap, organic vegan food will be available all week
from Rampenplan - a group of people from the Netherlands who cater at
various actions and gatherings all across Europe. 

Please note that this is not a festival. It is a Gathering of those
interested in, or involved with, direct action in defence of the earth.
There will be no sound systems and commercial stalls are not welcome. If you
want to get off your face and listen to music all week let us know and we
will provide you with a list of festivals to go to. Part of what this
Gathering is about is trying to develop a sense of community amongst us; and
any threat to this community through unnecessary aggression, harassment or
theft will be taken seriously and dealt with by us all.

WHAT TO BRING
Come equipped for a week’s camping in Scotland. Bring shelter, warm and
waterproof clothes, cutlery and plates for the food and anything you think
may be useful for the action on the Tuesday. As well as this bring any
information, such as leaflets and displays, about what is happening in your
area. 

You will need money for the food or alternatively you can cater for
yourself. Additionally the Gathering is asking for £10 per person to cover
the costs of organising this week.

HELP!
We need help to make this Gathering happen; both now during the planning
stage, and also during the week itself, so any offers of help would be very
welcome. If you can do either of these things contact the address overleaf.
Earth First! has no central office, no members, no paid workers and also no
money. Any donations would be useful in trying to get this Gathering
together. Make any cheques payable to ‘Earth First!’ and send them to the
same address.

WHAT TO DO NEXT
Start working out how you will get to the Gathering and thinking about what
you could bring. Below is a list of Regional Transport Contacts and if there
is one in your area ring them if you want a lift, or can offer one, to the
Gathering. Several of these contacts will be organising minibuses to the
site. Try and use public transport or share lifts where possible. As the
Gathering starts on Wednesday morning aim to arrive by the evening of
Tuesday 8th.  We aim to make the site as fully accessible to all as we
possibly can so if you have any special needs telephone the number below. In
order to receive details of the site, a map of how to get there and a
programme of events send a first class SAE marked ‘Earth First! Gathering
Map’ to the address below. These will be posted out so they arrive in time
for your journey.
 
REGIONAL TRANSPORT CONTACTS
ABERDEEN: 01343 850225
BETHESDA: 01248 600286 
BRIGHTON: 01273 685913
CARDIFF: 01222 455698 
HEREFORD: 01432 880468
HULL: 01482 445392
LANCASTER: 01254 777079
LEEDS: 0113 262 9365
LEICESTER: 0116 270 8224
LONDON: 0171 281 4621
LIVERPOOL: 0151 708 5521
MANCHESTER: 0161 224 4846
NORFOLK: 01508 531636
SOMERSET: 01935 825074
SOUTHAMPTON: 01703 222040
TYNE AND WEAR: 0191 519 2257
WILTSHIRE: 01249 650078
WORCESTER: 01386 861479
YORK: 01904 410185

DOGS ARE BANNED FROM THE SITE - ANYBODY THAT TURNS UP WITH A DOG WILL BE
REFUSED ENTRANCE.  JOURNALISTS AND CAMERAS ARE NOT WELCOME AT THIS GATHERING
- IF YOU ARE A JOURNALIST DO NOT COME AND IF YOU HAVE A CAMERA DO NOT BRING IT!

FOR GENERAL ENQUIRIES AND OFFERS OF HELP CONTACT:
EARTH FIRST! GATHERING, C/O 16 SHOLESBROKE AVENUE, CHAPELTOWN, LEEDS, LS7
3HB, UK. TELEPHONE AND FAX (PHONE FIRST): 0113 262 9365. 
E-MAIL: cornerstone@gn.apc.org
FOR THE LATEST GATHERING AND EARTH FIRST! NEWS CHECK OUT THE EARTH FIRST!
WEB SITE AT: http://www.hrc.wmin.ac.uk/campaigns/EF/earthfirst.html
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