UPIII First letters arrive after 3 months

Request: UPIII presently requesting material on botany, organic gardening and permaculture.

This is 3 months now that our comrade UPIII has been locked up and only now after 3 months did 6 of her letters arrive together after being withheld altogether for over 2 months. (the letters will be published daily for next 6 months) Her mail however continues to be severely delayed and intentionally disrupted by upon reception at prison (1 week) being forwarded to a judge in Kerpen for another week for approval, then sent to persecution in Aachen (taking another week) also for approval and only then send back to the prison, where, yes, it undergoes last final approval taking additional couple of days, with additionally translation taking at least a week at the beginning of this convoluted journey/isolation tactic. Turning a written contact and response period to over 2 months. This has an extreme effect of psychological isolation and detriment as in German jails there is no access to phones on the “inside”, except for occasionally being able to call a lawyer to request a visit.

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Last Sunday a 50th Forest Walk

This Sunday a special forest walk took place in that it was a 50th walk which over 5 years has brought over 5000 people from all around the world to Hambi .  It has bridged the gap between forest activists and supporters, a gap that both coal industry/media interests and authorities are interested in widening through fear and lack of understanding.  This is done by ignoring some of the crucial reasons that are the foundation of Hambach Forest Struggles. Reasons which Michael together with Eva has shared with all those coming to the forest.  Their history of the occupation and the struggle has always been complimented with updates on present situation on energy issues, politics and resistance and the disastrous effect of coal mining on global climate.  For all of that incredible work and support and grass-roots publicity a hearty Thank You goes out from the forest to both Eva and Michael for their never ending energy and solidarity with the forest struggle.

 

This walk was also unique in that it took place in the almost completely abandoned now town of Mannheim where demolition of house has recently begun. It was important for both visitors and forest activists to be there as a reminder that the scope of the struggle in and for Hambacher forest is also a regional, social and global issue.  The center of this now ghost town for almost 2 hours was full of life with literature tables, an impromptu concert surrounded by signs, flags followed by discussion and several speakers discussing issues relating to the ongoing Bund Struggle against RWE, to the heavily industry influenced Coal Commission.

History of Mannheim itself  was one of the topics. It also included heavy exploitation and logging of part of the forest under National Socialism with heavy use of forced laborers brought from the occupied parts of Europe.  Natzi Forced Labor, to this day refered in germany as slave labor, was paradoxically also fuel for the resistance as tens of thousands of resistors escaped into their surrounding forests to avoid it forming and adding to the guerrila and partisan units.  This is the spirit that still persists in Hambacher Forest with many escaping to the last remaining portion of the forest to be excluded from present day more covert and normalized methods of exploitation and abuse.

The walk went through the town to the fenced off areas where bulldozers have begun their work to remove all traces of Manheim. Then going outside of the town towards the eastern part of the Hambacher Forest.  On a way stop was made at the BUND meadow where North Rhine Westphalia Chapter of German Friends of the Earth is also resisting RWE expropriation of land, ecosystem and resources by having purchased a farm-field which is now located less than a kilometer from edge of the mine.

Walking into the forest was a nice respite from the continuing record breaking temperatures(once again suprise, suprise and “thanks” RWE).  The eastern part of the forest in places  1-2 km wide is full of 200-300 year old oaks, beeches and pines.  Its diversity  is a true reflection of its presence here for last 12 thousands years as most forest in Europe are now monocultures and or highly maintained forest with mostly pines or very low diversity.

The walk split up into several groups after reaching the former A4 which at that end still has not been stripped of its surface.  It was not just an anniversary but also a great way for many groups, individuals and organizations involved in the struggle to come together. So mark your calendar now: next walks is a month from now or just stop by and drop in at any time for a visit to the Meadow and The Forest and most of the time somebody from the Welcome Working Group will be happy to show you around.

See you in the forest!!

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UPIII case a call for Climate Justice and Resistance to Specism

As profit is put above stable and livable planet not just for humans prisoners who resist are never forgotten!

 

Hambi, Climate Justice and Animal Rights prisoners continue to remain political prisoners  stripped of their freedom and abused to protect the largest CO2 polluter in Europe RWE and other ecologically destructive interest like it.  And for as long this destructive corporation and the politicians, judges and police continue not just to shield RWE but also themselves from the consequence of their actions: for over 8 million premature deaths worldwide from particulates, and millions more dying, and being displaced and affected by global chaos destroying the possibility of stable climate reality for all to come. For as long as this continues while lone individuals such as UPIII continue to be the object of large repressive apparatus employing thousands when need to transition and spark and support more innovation for alternative and decentralized energy sources, to decarbonize and degrowth is so urgent, for as long as this shit goes on it is up to all of us not just to support brave activists such as UPIII and countless others around the world but also to communicate to the arrogant, fat-cats(no insult to actual cats after all All Cats Are Beautiful)that they can attempt to push the planet towards disaster not just on their own and expect very little support from those who are aware of this dynamic but that many others will step into UPIII place, support her and others, and do all possible to resist planetary climate suicide and ecocide so the future generations and disappearing species will never have to whisper into our ears: “…..What have you done?……”

 

FOR UP III FOR HAMBI FOR THE EARTH!!!!

 

 

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Soli Fotos for UPIII

This weekend a solidarity foto action for UPIII took place with all the photos below being the result. THANKS EVERYBODY!!

ONE IS TOO MANY!! And when climate, forest and animal rights activists continue to be repressed and locked up and the concept of justice twisted and defaced. Direct action, grass roots and horizontalist action become the last line of defense against climate collapse and deforestation having exhausted all other possibilities. Those detained for those just causes remain our silent heros.

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