martian's blog

Action Conference 7./8. November Leipzig

martian — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 12:51:36 +0000

In August, Ende Gelaende posed as the biggest action of civil disobedience in the climate movement so far. 1.500 people occupied the open-cast coal mine Garzweiler. Many people took part in such an action for the very first time. Despite the police and RWE using extreme violence and threats of repression, we didn't let them stop us and made the coal excavators stand still. Also, Ende Gelaende helped the paradox of climate protection and coal mining to be covered by German media. For many this has been a demanding, but encouraging experience that creates an appetite for more!

It's all or nothing now
Of course a one-time-action can only set an example. At the same time the approaching international climate negotiations in Paris raise the question of the purpose of summit protests. We believe: based on the model of the anti-nuclear-movement, we can become a movement which can strongly oppose the profit-making of fossil industry and energy companies – using our diversity, determination and our numbers. We have to become the permanent factor that ruins the balance sheets of companies like RWE or Vattenfall. It's about much more than just an immediate coal-phase-out. We are fundamentally dealing with capitalism based on growth, which wouldn't work without the destruction of our livelihoods. It is also about the social issue of distribution, people here suffering from power cuts, people in the global south losing their basis of life – although they aren't responsible for climate change. The climate movement is about defending the opportunity of a good life for everyone.

What next?
On the 7th and and 8th of November we want to gather with as many of you as possible to have an action conference in Leipzig. Shortly before the UN climate negotiations in Paris, we want to plan our future resistance. Will many of us go to Paris and join the protests on short notice? What do we think of the idea to block the biggest emitters of carbon dioxide all around the globe in April? Will there be another Ende Gelaende next year? How will the discussion around degrowth and more action-based approaches proceed to work together? And what will we do on-site?

Who is invited?
Just like we made decisions together during the action, we want as a movement to talk about the future together with all of you. Everyone can contribute their perspective on what should happen next. Whether you are part of an environmental organisation/NGO, a leftist group our an initiative, or aren't organized in a group at all – you are welcome. Besides bigger discussions and working on long-term perspectives, we also want to work an possible specific implementations in smaller groups. You can all come and participate, even if you don't have any experience in shaping and planning protests.

The action conference itself
The conference will take place on the 7th and 8th of November in Leipzig. On the 6th of November we will most likely host a bigger event on the controversial topic of the climate summit in Paris. Thus it's worth it to already come on Friday. We will start at 10 o'clock on Saturday and try to finish up at half past one on Sunday. We will ask for donations for the food, but everyone can attend, no matter how much money you have.

pdf-Version

More information about the conference will follow soon.

If you need a place to sleep and to give the people organizing the conference a better idea of how many people to expect, please register your attendance until the 1st of November here: veranstaltungen@ende-gelände.org.

RWE legal action against demonstrators “disproportionate and absurd”

martian — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 15:40:21 +0000

Kudos! The climate change activists in the Rhineland lignite coal-mining district have earned our highest respect! Seizing the initiative in their courageous and symbolic protests on the weekend, the activists brought the gigantic machinery of lignite coal mining to a standstill for several hours at a number of locations. Their actions put the spotlight on the greatest environmental hazard of our time: the threat to the world climate by CO2 emissions and the impact of lignite-fuelled power generation in this context.

The protests were acts of civil disobedience: peaceful and non-violent – and nonetheless a refusal to obey the law. By breaching the perimeter of RWE’s open-pit coal mine and placing themselves in the path of the bucket excavators, the activists’ actions do presumably constitute a legal offence. But the corporation’s decision to defend its perimeter in a massive police operation that saw the use of batons and pepper spray, and the attempt to criminalize some 800 activists and journalists by filing proceedings – is both disproportionate and utterly absurd

It is ironic that RWE, a corporation whose coal excavators have for decades disturbed the peace of not only individual households, but entire villages and regions – even going so far as to destroy houses – should criticize the actions of the several hundred demonstrators, who hiked across a landscape devastated by the corporation’s machinery.

A ruthless response

RWE’s ruthless response to the protests rests not only on matters of law, but on the corporation’s economic and political power. Officials in federal, state and local government bodies defend coal-based power generation; many towns and cities hold stocks in RWE. The images of police officers in corporate SUVs chasing down protesters together with members of RWE’s own security service speak for themselves.

They have not only outraged the protesters, but will also strengthen their resolve and determination. And rightly so, I believe. The protests in Rhineland’s lignite mining district were perhaps not always legal, but they are entirely legitimate in the face of the threat that we face and the ignorant response of the powerful and the wealthy.

The bulk of our coal reserves will have to remain in the ground if we are to prevent climate change. Even the G7 and US-President Barack Obama have come around to this conclusion. The alternatives to coal are there, the transition to sustainable energy is a reality. RWE still believes that it can halt this transformation with batons and pepper spray. But as it has on the stock markets, the energy giant will sooner or later fall flat on its face with its lignite mines. The fate of nuclear power should give RWE food for thought.

This post is a translated version of the “Unangemessen und absurd” commentary by Jürgen Döschner, Energy-expert from WDR and ARD

August 18, 2015

Preperation meeting 21./22. march in Hannover

martian — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 09:17:52 +0000

The clock is ticking and we urgently need to get active to stop runaway climate change. This is why we don't wait till the government officials meet in Paris and -once again- won't agree on any substantial actions. This summer, we take action ourselves.

From 14th to 16th of August it's “No country for old coal” in the Rhineland coal area in Germany. In a huge action of civil disobedience we will walk into the open pit mines, stop the diggers and occupy one of the biggest CO2-emitting industrial sites of Europe.

There will also be a climate camp (from 7th to 17th of August) and the degrowth summer school (9th till 14th of August) which provide space for mutual exchange, learning and networking.

The next preparation meeting is coming up soon and you are warmly invited to take part. One of the main topics will be our common “Call to action”. We will also discuss the planning of the climate camp and the summer school. Besides that, there will be time for smaller working groups to be formed and continue working so we are ready to start mobilizing for the action.

The meeting takes place from 21st (12 am) to 22nd (1 pm) of March in Hanover. Read more for details.