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At Least Four Arrests Made at STWC march

Sunday, March 16th, 2008

Four people were arrested near Trafalgar Square around 1:15pm on Saturday during the Stop the war Coalition rally, accused of intimidating a Forward Intelligence Team. Officer XB92 ‘Wayne’ Rooney requested back-up from three van loads of the Met’s ‘Griffon’ squad - supposed to provide additional security against “the threat of terrorism” within the “Government Security Zone”.

Leaflets about the Campaign for Free Asssembly (http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/03/393790.html) were seized as evidence, along with cameras, mobile phones and notebooks. The arrests were made under s241 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, see below. All four were released on bail without charge after being held at Bishopsgate police station for 9 hours.

Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (c. 52)
Part V Industrial action

241.
Intimidation or annoyance by violence or otherwise.
— (1) A person commits an offence who, with a view to compelling another person to abstain from doing or to do any act which that person has a legal right to do or abstain from doing, wrongfully and without legal authority—
(a) uses violence to or intimidates that person or his wife or children, or injures his property,
(b) persistently follows that person about from place to place,
(c) hides any tools, clothes or other property owned or used by that person, or deprives him of or hinders him in the use thereof,
(d) watches or besets the house or other place where that person resides, works, carries on business or happens to be, or the approach to any such house or place, or
(e) follows that person with two or more other persons in a disorderly manner in or through any street or road.
(2) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or both.
(3) A constable may arrest without warrant anyone he reasonably suspects is committing an offence under this section.

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9/11 Seminar

Tuesday, November 13th, 2007

On 25th November 2007, the Changing Times organisation, based in Lewes, will
be holding a Sunday afternoon seminar to give a focused look at the issues
surrounding doubts over the official story of 9/11.

This event is designed to introduce people to these issues in a clear and
accessible way, or act as a refresher for those already drawn to the 9/11
truth campaigning, which is now growing massively around the world.

Andy Thomas of Changing Times says: “There will be NO propaganda or
political bias, just an intensive examination of the evidence which leads
people to doubt the official line on what happened that fateful day. It
seems clear that 9/11 has been used to justify a global agenda of aggression
and oppression, and many feel it was engineered to do exactly that. This
event will be an ideal opportunity for those who may be on the fringes of
concern about 9/11 and want to know more.”

Thomas continues: “Digging for the truth of what really happened on 9/11 may
be the keystone to pulling the rug from beneath a worrying global agenda.
It is increasingly clear that the official story of what happened that day
simply cannot be correct. Yet from it a climate of fear has been created,
destroying liberty and democracy as a result. Spreading awareness of the
issues surrounding the actual events of that day may help encourage a proper
investigation and expose the growing attack on our freedom of speech and
movement.”

This event will be taking place at the Lewes Subud Centre, Station Street,
Lewes, on Sunday 25 November 2007 between 1.45pm-6.00pm. Admission £5.
Numbers are limited and attenders should contact Changing Times in advance
if they want to come, by emailing info@changingtimes.org.uk

9/11 TRUTH: A BEGINNER’S GUIDE
A Sunday afternoon seminar
Presented by ANDY THOMAS and the Changing Times team

Sunday 25 NOVEMBER 2007, at:

Lewes Subud Centre
26a Station Street
Lewes
East Sussex
BN7 2DB

TIME: 1.45pm - 6.00pm

SCHEDULE:
1.30pm Doors open
1.45pm Presentation, followed by discussion
4.00pm Tea break
4.30pm Discussion and showing of a 9/11 DVD
6.00pm Close

SYNOPSIS:
Why do so many now question the official account of the tragic events of
9/11? The campaign to reveal the hidden details of that pivotal day and the
‘war on terror’ that followed is one of the fastest-growing global truth
movements. What are the issues raised by the 9/11 questioners and how
convincing are they? Andy Thomas and the Changing Times team investigate
the pros and cons of this modern Pandora’s Box, and look in detail at the
evidence and controversial arguments surrounding the September 11th attacks.

Have Your Say: 9/11 Seminar
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Secrets of Natural Energy

Monday, November 12th, 2007

The Sands Arts Centre (downstairs room) 7.30 p.m.

Tuesday November 20th .

To continue the successful evening which was held in September, we have a variety of speakers on the subject of ‘Secrets of Natural Energy.’

Update by Derek Ellis from Stavely-in-Cartmel who is at present working on the development of a generator powered by water. He is also working on water powered vehicle technology.

Presentation by John Blacker of Hest Bank MSc IMI, with film footage of American born Stanley Meyer who discovered the amazing release of power from water by passing a sound frequency through it

Presentation by David Boyle of Blackpool who has formed a company called ‘Solar Steel’ and this technique uses the power formed by expansion and contraction of metal using the sun.

Presentation by Roy Watkins who co-owns Ulverston Natural Health Centre

and who has been following a Dublin company ‘Steorn’s’ claim that revolving magnets can produce free, clean and constant energy.

As usual, the presentations will be followed by discussion and planning for future events.

There is free admission and donations are welcome. Any monies collected will help fund speakers’ expenses and our chosen worthy cause which is Elizabeth Beckett of Alston Cumbria.

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An Alternative to IMF and World Bank Dominance

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

The Bank of the South: An Alternative to IMF and World Bank Dominance

By Stephen Lendman
RINF Alternative News

In July, 2004, the IMF and World Bank commemorated the 60th anniversary of their founding at Bretton Woods, NH to provide a financial framework of assistance for the postwar world after the expected defeat of Germany and Japan. With breathtaking hypocrisy, an October, 2004 Development Committee Communique stated: “As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Bretton Woods Institutions….we recommit ourselves to supporting efforts by developing countries to pursue sustainable growth, sound macroeconomic policies, debt sustainability, open trade, job creation, poverty reduction and good governance.” Phew.

In fact, for 63 hellish years, both these institutions achieved mirror opposite results on everything the above comment states. From inception, their mission was to integrate developing nations into the Global North-dominated world economy and use debt repayment as the way to transfer wealth from poor countries to powerful bankers in rich ones.

The scheme is called debt slavery because new loans are needed to service old ones, indebtedness rises, and borrowing terms stipulate harsh one-way “structural adjustment” provisions that include:

– privatizations of state enterprises;

– government deregulation;

– deep cuts in social spending;

– wage freezes or cuts;

– unrestricted free market access for foreign corporations;

– corporate-friendly tax cuts;

– crackdowns on trade unionists; and

– savage repression for non-believers under a system incompatible with social democracy.

Everywhere the scheme is the same: huge public wealth transfers to elitist private hands, exploding public debt, an ever-widening disparity between the super-rich and desperate poor, and an aggressive nationalism to justify huge spending on security for aggressive surveillance, mass incarceration plus repression and torture for social control.

An Alternative to Debt Slavery - The Bank of the South

Last December, Hugo Chavez announced his idea for a Banco del Sur, or Bank of the South, as part of his crusade against the institutions of international capital he calls “tools of Washington.” The bank will be officially launched at a presidential November 3 summit in Caracas, where it’s to be headquartered, with seven founding member-states - Venezuela, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia and Ecuador.

On October 12, Colombia’s President Alvaro Uribe announced his nation agreed to become the eighth member but said “The decision is not a rejection to the World Bank or Inter-American Development Bank, but a sign of solidarity and fraternity towards the South American community.” At this time, only four South American states aren’t included - Chile, Peru, Guyana and Surinam, but Chile seems likely to come aboard following Colombia’s lead, and the others may decide to join them.

Finance ministers from the founding countries met in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil October 8 to finalize the Bank’s Founding Document. Many key operating issues have yet to be resolved, but unofficial information was that each nation will commit 10% of its international reserves and have equal oversight over the new institution. In a concluding news conference, Brazilian finance minister Guido Mantega stated: the participating countries “have been able to overcome all obstacles that were in the way of an understanding around the formation of the Bank of the South. We can now say that the (bank) is close to becoming a reality” even though Brazil (Latin America’s largest economy) hasn’t yet formalized its entry.

Venezuelan finance minister Rodrigo Cabeza explained the bank will help develop the region by offering South Americans more credits. It’s being “created to build a new architecture that assumes an improved relationship of the bank and its capacity to offer credits for its people.” It also aims to increase liquidity and revive socioeconomic development and infrastructure investments in participating countries and keep them outside the restrictive control of the IMF and World Bank that are fast losing influence and being phased out of the region.

In 2005, 80% of IMF’s $81 billion loan portfolio was to Latin America. Today, it’s 1% with nearly all its $17 billion in outstanding loans to Turkey and Pakistan. The World Bank is also being rejected. Venezuela had already paid off its IMF and World Bank debt ahead of schedule when Hugo Chavez symbolically announced on April 30: “We will no longer have to go to Washington nor to the IMF nor to the World Bank, not to anyone.” Ecuador’s Raphael Correa is following suit. He cleared his country’s IMF debt, suspended World Bank loans, accused the WB of trying to extort money from him when he was economy and finance minister in 2005, and last April declared the Bank’s country representative persona non grata in an extraordinary diplomatic slap in the face.

The Banco del Sur will replace these repressive institutions with $7 billion in startup capital when it begins operating in 2008. It will be under “a new financial architecture” for regional investment with the finance ministers of each member nation sitting on the bank’s administrative council with equal authority over its operations as things now stand. Venezuelan Finance Minister Rodrigo Cabeza stressed the banks Latin roots saying: “The idea is to rely on a development agency for us, led by us” to finance public and private development and regional integration projects. He added: “There will not be credit subjected to economic policies. There will not be credit that produces a calamity for our people and as a result, it will not be a tool of domination” like the international lending agencies.

Hugo Chavez’s vision is to liberate the region’s countries from IMF, World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank (IBD) control that condemn millions to poverty through their lending practices. Helped by windfall oil profits, his government is already doing it with an unprecendented commitment to provide financial aid and below-market priced oil to regional and other countries. So far this year, it’s on the order of around $9 billion, and, unlike the Washington-controlled kind, it comes at low cost and with good will, a cooperative spirit and few if any strings.

Nobel laureate economist Joseph Stiglitz recognizes Chavez’s efforts and stated his support for the Banco del Sur on an October 10 visit to Caracas. He said “One of the advantages of having a Bank of the South is that it would reflect the perspectives of those in the South (while in contrast IMF and World Bank conditions) hinder (regional) development effectiveness.”

Stiglitz met with Hugo Chavez on his visit and praised his redistributive social policies. He also criticized Washington Consensus neoliberal practices that exploit the regions’ people, “undermin(e)….Andean cooperation, and it is part of the American strategy of divide and conquer, a strategy trying to get as much of the benefits for American companies” at the expense of the region and its people.

Venezuela’s acting ambassador to the Permanent Mission to the UN, Aura Mahuampi Rodriguez de Ortiz, warned the world body about Latin American debt during her participation in the General Debate on Macroeconomic Policies in October. She stressed: “The persistence of the foreign debt of the developing countries affects negatively on its process of development. It is not worthy to direct resources for the development of poor countries if such resources end up directed to the payment of the foreign debt” instead of going to economic development internally. She also spoke of the new Bank of the South, how it will help strengthen regional integration and also fairly distribute investments and finance projects to reduce poverty and social exclusion.

A less publicized Bank of ALBA (Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas) will also begin operating by year end under “a new regional financial architecture under principles that create a new form of channeling financial resources” to its four country alliance - Venezuela, Cuba, Bolivia and Nicaragua.

Chavez first proposed ALBA as an alternative to the Free Trade of the Americas (FTAA) in 2001 with Venezuela, Cuba and Bolivia its original members in December, 2004. Nicaragua then joined the alliance in January, 2007 under its newly elected president, Daniel Ortega, who signed on as his first act in office. ALBA’s goal is ambitious. It’s the comprehensive integration of the region and development of its “the social state” for all its people. It’s boldly based on member states complementarity, not competition; solidarity, not domination; cooperation, not exploitation; and respect for each participating nation’s sovereign right to be free from the grip of other countries and corporate giants.

In April, the 5th ALBA summit was held in Caracas to discuss ways to improve the alliance. Initiatives covered included a Permanent (coordinating) Secretariat and a plan to create 12 public companies to be co-managed by ALBA member states. Its goal is to strengthen key economic sectors in areas of energy, agriculture, telecommunications, infrastructure, industrial supplies and cement production. ALBA country foreign ministers then agreed in June to create a development Bank of ALBA to help finance these ventures with low-cost credit. It will complement the Banco del Sur and also be headquartered in Caracas.

Uncertain Future Prospects

Socially responsible regional banks, like those discussed above, will challenge the dominant institutions of finance capital if they fulfill their promise. But therein lies the problem. These new institutions aren’t panaceas, and they may end up letting capital interests exploit them for their own advantage. In addition, financial autonomy alone won’t free the region from Washington’s grip without greater change. What’s needed are sweeping nationalizations of basic industries, an end to one-way WTO-style trade deals, socially redistributing national resources, developing local economies, achieving land and housing reform plus a sweeping commitment to social equity and a resolve to end a 25 year neoliberal nightmare. From 1960 to 1980, the region’s per capita income growth was 82%. From 1980 to 2000, however, it was 9%, and from 2000 to 2005 only 4%. For the region, it meant sweeping poverty, inequality and the most extreme disparity between the super-rich and desperate poor in the world.

Change is needed, and Venezuela under Hugo Chavez has done most in the region to achieve it. Finance Minister Rodrigo Cabezas just presented his government’s 2008 budget to the National Assembly that allocates 46% of it to social spending. It devotes special attention to health and education but also to subsidized and free food, land reform, housing, micro credit, job training, cooperatives and more as Chavez continues to use his nation’s resources to address the needs of his people. Since he took office, social spending per person is up more than threefold and in 2006 was 20.9% of GDP.

Chavez now has an ally in Ecuador under Raphael Correa who’s early efforts are promising. Hopefully, they’ll continue under a new constitution to be drafted in the next six months and then put to a national referendum next year. Other Bank of the South founding countries like Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia, however, claim to be center-left but, in fact, embrace 1990s neoliberalism, and financial autonomy won’t change that. The Bank of the South will only work if it fulfills a mandate to prioritize local needs and development, not corporate ones. That’s a tall order, and achieving it won’t be easy with its dominant member, Brazil under Lula, closely tied to Washington and in its grip.

Nonetheless, small signs of change are emerging, the Bank of the South may be one of them, and a new generation of leftist leaders may in the end break Washington’s weakening (but still strong) hold on the region. That’s the hope, and every step forward means more power to the people and another possible world.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to The Steve Lendman News and Information Hour on TheMicroEffect.com Mondays at noon US central time.

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TruthFest

Tuesday, September 25th, 2007

Sun. 11th November (venue to be announced): Edinburgh Truth Collective presents the capital’s first all-day ‘TruthFest’. Presentations and films on truth issues including the background to WWI and other wars, the illusion of democracy, 9/11 and 7/7.

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Webster Tarpley - Edinburgh

Tuesday, September 25th, 2007

Sat. 10th November, 7-10pm, Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh. Presentation by Webster Tarpley on history of state-sponsored false-flag terrorism, with especial reference to 9/11.

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Secret Power of Water: John Blacker MSc IMI

Wednesday, September 12th, 2007

25th. Sept. at Sands Arts Centre 7.30 p.m.

Talk and practical demo by John Blacker MSc IMI (Physical Systems)
re water power for your car and home.

Plus Dr. Masaru Emoto DVD and film illustrating work of Stanley Meyer and his fuel cell invention. His work was suppressed and he paid the ultimate price, but his family wish his efforts to be made public.

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Ian R. Crane - “Fool me once…” - Lancaster

Friday, September 7th, 2007

Details to follow.

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Film Screening: 9/11 Ripple Effect - Morecambe

Wednesday, August 29th, 2007

Following the recent 6th anniversary of 911, and in commemoration of all the victims of this tragedy, the ‘Red Pill’ group are hosting a free film showing of “911 Ripple Effect”, in the Rainbow Centre, Clarence Street, Morecambe, on Thurs 20th Sept at 7.30pm.

This is the latest documentary from Dave vonKleist, covering the events that led to the destruction of the WTC towers and the attack on the Pentagon.

This is a must see for all those interested in the influence these events have had in this country and on its citizens. All are welcome; please come along to see this powerful and thought provoking film.

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Webster Tarpley - Lancaster

Wednesday, August 29th, 2007

Webster Tarpley

9 November

7:00pm

Hugh Pollard Lecture Theatre, St Martin’ s College, Lancaster

Free Admission

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Film Screening: The Secret

Tuesday, July 24th, 2007

Thursday 23rd. August in the downstairs room at the Sands Arts Centre (opposite Post Office) in Grange

7:30pm
Free Admission

This is the inaugural meeting of a newly formed group.

Important: Mick Meaney does endorse the views presented by some speakers.

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William Rodriguez

Wednesday, June 27th, 2007

William Rodriguez

THURSDAY JULY 5TH - VICTORIA HALL - GRANGE OVER SANDS
7:30pm
Free Admission

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The Real Big Brother Britain

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007

A cross RINF/Defy-ID event looking at the harsh reality of how Great Britain has become an Orwellian nightmare, we also look at future plans for the nation and what you can do about it.

26 JUNE, FRIENDS MEETING HOUSE, LANCASTER DOORs @ 7:30PM, FREE ADMISSION

Includes film screenings and talks:

The Big Brother State
The Big Brother State is an educational film about what politicians claim to be protection of our freedom but what we refer to as repressive legislation. Since terrorism has become a global threat, especially after 9/11, governments all over the world have started enforcing laws which, so the governments say, should increase national security. These laws obviously aim at another goal: the states gaining more and more control of their citizens at the cost of our privacy and freedom

Suspect Nation
Since Tony Blair’s New Labour government came to power in 1997, the UK civil liberties landscape has changed dramatically. ASBOs were introduced by Section 1 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and first used in 1999. The right to remain silent is no longer universal. Our right to privacy, free from interception of communications has been severely curtailed. The ability to travel without surveillance (or those details of our journeys being retained) has disappeared. Indeed, as Henry Porter (the Observer journalist famous for his recent email clash with Tony Blair over the paring down of civil liberties) reveals in this unsettling film, our movements are being watched, and recorded, more than ever before. The multi-billion pound introduction of national identity cards and biometric passports will make it ever harder for us to go anywhere, or buy anything, without leaving an electronic trail of information.

The True Face of the EU
‘The EU has been sold to Britain as our best hope for the future . . . But behind the scenes, has another, more unsettling agenda been unfolding? The European Economic Community (EEC) began for Britain as a free-trade agreement in 1972. Today’s European Union is well on its way to becoming a federal superstate, complete with one currency, one legal system, one military, one police force – even its own national anthem. In this shocking new documentary featuring EU insiders and commentators, independent author Phillip Day covers the history and goals of the European Union, as well as the disturbing, irrevocable implications this new government has for every British citizen. Whether the viewer is for or against Britain’s participation, this film asks the troubling questions the mainstream media has refused to confront.’

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RINF Film Screening: Sweet Misery - A Poisoned World

Tuesday, April 24th, 2007

29 MAY 2007, TRINITY COMMUNITY CENTRE, LANCASTER, 7:30PM

FREE ADMISSION

Press release to follow

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RINF Film Screening: American Blackout

Tuesday, April 24th, 2007

15 MAY 2007, FRIENDS MEETING HOUSE, LANCASTER, 7:30PM
FREE ADMISSION

Many have heard of the alleged voting irregularities that occurred during the presidential elections of 2000 and 2004. Until now, these incidents have gone under-reported and are commonly written-off as insignificant rumors or unintentional mishaps resulting from an overburdened election system.

American Blackout chronicles the recurring patterns of voter disenfranchisement from Florida 2000 to Ohio 2004 while following the story of Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. McKinney not only took an active role investigating these election debacles, but has found herself in the middle of her own after publicly questioning the Bush Administration about the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Featuring: Congressional members: John Conyers, John Lewis, Stephanie Tubbs-Jones, Bernie Sanders and jounalists Greg Palast and Bob Fitrakis.

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