EARTH FIRST!

SUMMER GATHERING 2004

Picture: Bunny with a monkey wrench in front of a tree

Wednesday 4^th - Monday 9^th August

East Midlands

a place to share skills and ideas on

direct action for people & planet

Picture: Doctored MoD notice (No War) with barbed wire and a plane flying over

Earth First! Summer Gathering 2004

Every day we see those in power continue to wreak havoc on the planet and its inhabitants. Wage slavery and consumer culture dominate our lives. Vibrant diverse life is replaced by cold monotonous concrete. Forests are cut down. Animals are tortured and killed for profit. Billions are spent bombing, killing, maiming and destroying, while other people lack the means to meet their most basic survival needs.

Picture: White suited people destroy GM crops

Picture: people in front of posh offices holding a banner proclaiming Quarrying Kills our Woodland

But all around the world resistance is growing - Genetically Modified crops trashed, bulldozers destroyed, war machinery sabotaged, land squatted, offices disrupted, billboards subvertised… Involved in some of this resistance are people active with Earth First!

Earth First! is not an organisation or a campaign but a convenient banner for those who share similar ideas to act under. The general principles behind the name are non-hierarchical organisation and the use of direct action to confront, stop and eventually reverse the forces that are responsible for the destruction of the Earth and its inhabitants.

Since 1992, the Earth First! Summer Gathering has been a space for everyone involved or interested in getting involved with ecological direct action, from around Britain and abroad, to come together, learn new skills and discuss ideas and plans for action.

Picture: A platform up some trees, silhoetted against the sky

Workshops & Training

There will be a huge number of workshops over the course of the week focused on sharing skills and ideas, planning campaigns and networking for all aspects of ecological and social resistance. These will cover subjects such as subvertising, community organising, planning an action, halting road-building, legal info, de-arrest techniques, workplace struggles, blockading, climbing, squatting, wild foods, avoiding burn out, breaking security cordons and self-defence. If you can offer a workshop or there's one you would particularly like to see happen, please get in touch (efsgworkshops@clara.co.uk).

Direct Action Reports

- There will be a chance for all individuals and groups present to give a brief talk on their actions, the ideas that lie behind them and some background information, from resisting the proliferation of mobile phone masts, fighting against biotechnology, and reclaiming streets to opposing the war machine.

Discussion Forums

- Opportunities to discuss current issues in depth, including planning for the G8 conference in 2005 and opposing the introduction of ID cards.

What's on Site?

There will be a reception/info tent, a reading library of anarchist, radical ecological and other books, ecological toilets, spaces for spontaneous workshops and discussions, women's space, catering by anarchist teapot and a camping area including a quiet sleeping area. Commercial stalls are not welcome, but remember to bring any information about your group, campaign or forthcoming action.

Kids' Space

- Children are welcome. Please let us know how many kids are coming and how old they are. There will be a crèche and a programme of events for kids of different ages, but you are still responsible for the children you bring. These activities will be happening during workshop times. They will be run by volunteers who will be participating in the rest of the gathering. If you have any activities for children you wish to offer then please get in touch.

Site Crew

…is everyone who comes along. In order for us to have the gathering, vegetables need to be chopped, young people need to be entertained, washing up needs to be done, the gate tent needs to be staffed and loos need to be maintained. Sometimes this is the best way to meet new people, have great conversations, and learn how to do new things. Come prepared to volunteer - you don't need any qualifications. You can sign up for shifts when you get there.

Entertainment

- In the evenings there will be a variety of things going on. There will be an open-mic night of music, poetry and more, a ceilidh, as well as film showings on struggles from around the world. You can also chill out in the quiet café or library. Please remember though that this is a gathering not a festival.

Picture: Protestor in net suspended from tree tops

Picture: Cyclists on a busy city street, holding up a banner proclaiming 'One Less Car'

Picture: Man in white suit climbing over tall security fence, complete with barbed wire

Picture: Three protestors sat on top of a Caterpillar digger

Practical Info

Getting There

- This year's gathering will be in the East Midlands. The nearest train station will be announced on the website a month beforehand, with the exact location being disclosed a week before. Travel directions and a map will be downloadable from the website, or send a stamped addressed envelope to the address below. To offer lift-share check out the website.

Arrive

- The first workshops start at 1pm on Wednesday 4^th August, but people will be on site setting up from Thursday 29^th July, so please arrive early to help if you can.

Help is needed setting up before the gathering and packing away afterwards.

Cost

- We will be asking for a contribution of £15 from everyone to cover the costs of the gathering (everyone pays no matter how much work they've done to make the gathering happen). If you can give more, that would be great as we are short of money. If you want to make a donation in advance, please make cheques and postal orders payable to 'Earth First Summer Gathering'.

Accommodation

… is camping, so please bring a tent.

Access

- the site is wheelchair accessible (although in some parts you may need assistance) and we'll be making a wheelchair accessible ecological loo. If you have any particular needs, please contact us.

Dogs

only by prior arrangement. Any dogs that turn up that haven't been agreed in advance will be turned away.

Food

- The Anarchist Teapot Action Kitchen will be cooking vegan food. You can buy their meal tickets (approx £3.50 for three meals a day) or you can bring your own. Some snacks will also be available from Veggies Catering Campaign.

Cameras

- This is an activist gathering not a press event, so if you are coming as a journalist then you are not welcome. Please respect the wishes of some people not to be photographed and leave your camera at home.

Address: Earth First! Summer Gathering

c/o Norfolk EF! c/o P.O. Box 487, Norwich, NR2 3AL

Tel: 0845 355 0111 Email: summergathering@yahoo.co.uk