travellers face eviction from own land

DALE FARM: FIGHT THE POWER

CALLOUT AS EVERYONE GEARS UP FOR IMMINANT EVICTION ATTEMPT

As the eviction date for Dale Farm is only a matter of

hours away, Basildon Council has announced that it will take the draconian step of cutting off all water and electricity to the site once the eviction notice period expires on midnight 31st August. This will leave sick, elderly, young, and pregnant residents without access to water or electricity. Amnesty International have condemned the removal of vital water and electricity in these circumstances, and asked their supporters to put pressure on the council to cease this serious violation of human rights.

An injunction has been sought in consideration of two residents who are dependent upon a constant electricity supply for nebulisers, without access to which their lives are placed in serious jeopardy.

Also, notices have gone up along Oak Road, adjacent to Dale Farm, saying that the road will be closed to all but residents from Friday, Sept. 2nd. Both ends of Oak Road will be blocked (blocking access via both Hardings Elm Road and Gardiners Lane North). Additionally, the lay by on the southern end of Oak Lane (leading on to the A127; by the white ‘Basildon onion’ water tower) will be blocked.

There will be a no stop zone on the footpaths on the A127 between A176 at Billericay and A132 at Wickford. Residents are feeling under siege, with children asking how many more nights they are going to be able to sleep in their beds. Dale Farm is a big site, so it should be possible to find routes in, but be advised that after Sept. 1, it will be harder to get in, and likely impossible to get vehicles in.

* For more on what to expect at the eviction see SchNEWS 738

CAMP CONSTANT: On Saturday, 27th August, join the launch of a solidarity and resistance camp for supporters of the Dale Farm community. Details of the current state of play, the roadblocks and the ‘Big Weekend’s’ programme of practical eviction resistance workshops, training for legal observers and human rights monitors, music, films, media sessions, sleeping arrangements and more at: http://dalefarm.wordpress.com

Dale Farm families could be evicted from midnight tonight

Posted on August 31, 2011 by dalefarmsupport

The last remaining legal barrier between the eviction of 86 families from their homes at Dale Farm has now fallen. The emergency injunction we sought, which would have delayed the planned eviction, has not been granted. This means that, from midnight tonight, the bailiffs can come at any time. The homes of the Dale Farm families are at risk.

Now is the time to make your stand with in solidarity with Dale Farm.

Please come down to Camp Constant – the more people we have, the more powerful our message and the more we can support the residents to resist the eviction.

Dale Farm is only 30 minutes by train from London Liverpool Street Station. The atmosphere at Dale Farm is inspiring — check out video of residents and supporters celebrating and learning together.

We will also be demonstrating: TELL EVERYONE: Sat, 10th Sept, 1pm, see here for more information and email: savedalefarm@gmail.com to add your group’s support to the list…

This weekend at Dale Farm (in addition to site construction and other activities):

On Saturday, Sept 3rd, noon: Jewish Solidarity visit — it’s important that cultures with a shared history of oppression support each other when our fundamental human rights face being breached. That is why this Saturday, Jewish rabbis, citizens and activists will be on a special blockade in support of residents at Dale Farm.

There is a workshop, on Sunday Sept. 4th, 2pm: Freedom of Movement and the Right to Stay! This is the rallying cry for Roma, Gypsies and Travellers and of migrants throughout the world. A common thread of persecution, of forbidden lands, eviction and deportation connect the struggles for migrant rights and the rights of Gypsies and Travellers. These realities have met dramatically in the crack-down and deportations of Roma people from France and Italy. Come to the Workshop organised by No One Is Illegal and London No Borders including a speaker who is an activist in Amnesty International’s campaign against the persecution of Roma in Europe.

If you can’t come down, you can help in other ways:

– spread the word on Twitter (@letdalefarmlive) on Facebook (search ‘Dale Farm Solidarity’)
– talk about it to your friends
– comment online – all the newspapers are carrying the story on their websites and the majority of online comments are negative
– donate: http://dalefarm.wordpress.com/donate/