Save Happy Valley Coalition Campaign Update 14
In this update:
*Upcoming: NVDA Action Camp, CHCH 6-7th October
*Mock Carbon Credits and snail mail stamps
*Occupation
*Update: Mock Environmental Report legal defence
*Update: Train track blockade activists in Court
*Plus reports on
1. Alternative to minerals public forum
2. Community dinner
3. Aotearoa Reel Earth Environmental film festival
4. Wellington Action
5. West Coast Action
Upcoming: NVDA Action Camp, CHCH 6-7th October
Non-Violent Direct Action has a long history of creating change in
campaigns fighting for environmental and social justice. You are invited to a weekend of direct action training in Otautahi/Christchurch on the 6th and 7th of October in which we will explore the ways we can use this powerful tool in our campaigning. Email nvda.camp@gmail.com for more info and to register to attend.
Mock Carbon Credits and snail mail stamps
The Save Happy Valley Coalition is selling carbon credits, after Solid Energy blamed the group for a reduction in coal production from its opencast Stockton Mine. The state-owned miner recently said that it was reducing production for the year by 250,000 tonnes, in part because of the protests by Coalition members. This is great news for the climate! You can buy carbon credits from www.savehappyvalley.org or www.trademe.co.nz.
SHV has created a set of limited edition "Snail mail" Stamps which can also be purchased on www.trademe.co.nz. The stamps feature the endangered Powelliphanta Augustus.
Occupation
SHV is looking for keen people to spend time at the occupation; if you are available please check out: http://www.savehappyvalley.org.nz/occupation#occupy then email occupation@savehappyvalley.org.nz We need you!
Update: Mock Environmental Report legal defence
The 2006 mock Environmental Report was relaunched on the Save Happy Valley Coalition website with only a slight alteration on the front page, following the interim court proceedings brought by Solid Energy against Frances Mountier, a SHVC activist. Solid Energy had originally lodged defamation and injurious falsehood proceedings and sought an injunction on the report in its entirety! The whole case has highlighted how anxious this state owned coal miner is to avoid public criticism and debate on their activities. Download the report from www.savehappyvalley.org.nz/resources/envrep.pdf
Update: Train track blockade activists in Court
On Friday the 14th of September three SHV Christchurch crew appeared in the Christchurch court on charges relating to the train track action in April this year. Simon Riddell and Gregory Curline blockaded coal trains for more than three hours on the Midland Line, and face charges of Interferes with a Railway Line. Anna-Claire Hunter, the Safety and Liaison person, faced a charge of Communicating with a Prisoner; she threw a water bottle to the activists! The good news is Anna Claire's charges have been dropped; the sad news is, the judge delayed the rest of the hearing for Greg and Simon for a further three months. The defense used by SHV was that the action was necessary in the face of climate change and species destruction. "We took direct action because the Government is hypocritically purporting to want to address climate change, whilst simultaneously owning a coal company, encouraging increased extraction and supporting the decimation of Mt Augustus to rip out coal for export," said Mr Ridell.
Alternative to minerals public forum
Save Happy Valley Christchurch and Coal Action Network recently hosted a public forum in Christchurch with Jeanette Fitzsimons, and renowned Antarctic and climate change scientist Professor Peter Barrett. This was presented as an alternative to the AUSIMM (Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy) conference in Christchurch. While the mining companies of New Zealand met to plan the expansion of their ecologically destructive, climate changing and polluting industry into some of the most beautiful parts of Aotearoa, this public forum focused on creating a sustainable future that does not rely on desecrating our natural environment.
Community dinner
On Thursday the 16th of August the Christchurch Crew organised a community dinner fundraiser. Guests where treated to a full vegan buffet. Over 80 people attended and were entertained by local musicians and a stilt walker.
Aotearoa Reel Earth Environmental film festival
Last weekend the Christchurch Crew played host to the Christchurch showing of the Reel Earth Aotearoa Film Festival. The festival, which draws its roots from Palmerston North, is it its third year and aims to become a widely respected annual event on the film festival calendar.
Wellington Action
Wellington recently hosted the SHVC national hui at Tapu te Ranga Marae which was lots of hard work and a great success, helping to solve a few internal problems and sort out a national strategy plan. In the past couple of months the Wellington crew have held a few public stalls, done a motorway banner drop and put up an exhibition at the Oblong/Freedom Shop (which is still showing). We did a few leafleting stints at the Central Railway Station and outside DoC's HQ, one time snapping two TCIL spies trying to photograph us. Three of us also did a talk to about fifty 13-14yr old students at Koranui High School in Greytown recently. We have two more talks planned at local Wellington schools soon. We are also currently planning a big film night with info and snacks for October 4th and aim to do more events like these around town on a regular basis.
West Coast Action
After a big demand from most people attending the National Hui for greater community outreach on the Coast, we gave talks at a state intermediate school to over 60 students on the science behind biodiversity and conservation, the situation up at Stockton and the uniqueness of Powelliphanta augustus and Powelliphanta patrickensis. We had a great response from students and teachers alike.
Leaflets, Stickers, Postcards
... To order, please send your name and address, plus quantities needed, to:
The Green Room
16 Bedford Row
Christchurch
(03) 372 1375
chchgreens@xtra.co.nz
Donations
Cheques can be made out to 'Save Happy Valley Coalition' and sent to us at:
Save Happy Valley Coalition
PO Box 9263
Te Aro
Wellington
Direct transfers can be made to the following account:
Name: Save Happy Valley Coalition
Account number: 38-9003-0334146-00
Join a local group (or start one!) http://www.savehappyvalley.org.nz/contact
Resistance Energy is Solid!
Carpe Diem
Geoff
On behalf of the
Save Happy Valley Coalition.
http://www.savehappyvalley.org.nz
contact@savehappyvalley.org.nz
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