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Only a few days after the most recent wave of fires, remaining forests fell prey to yet more of them, once again set by arsonists. The country is heading to a snap election and the government's proclamations of de-commissioning forest areas (thus allowing for building construction to take place) gave a golden opportunity to private capital and its arsonists to burn whole areas down to the last leaf. This frenzy of burned forests has already left 62 dead, tens injured, missing, homeless; hundreds of thousands of burnt acres of land in the Peloponnese, Western Greece alone. The prefectures of Ilia, Arkadia and Messinia are still being destroyed by the fire. Up to this moment there are many still raging fires in the prefectures of Korinthia, Lakonia and Evoia. The already extremely limited and hence priceless patches of green of Attica did not escape these "accidental" fires (including the neighborhoods of Cholargos, Papagou and Galatsi). Satellite image by NASA. For more information, see Athens IMC in English

The road to Xanica climbs up from Huatulco through a beautiful forest. It’s rough and unpaved, but the driver of our wooden-railed pick-up knows all the ruts and curves, even in the rain. He’s lived there all his life. His name is Isaías. He talks to the two of us, who were lucky enough to be riding up front, about the woods and the deer and possums and armadillos that live there. Then he says, “See those lights? They’re the lights of Xanica.” On our two-hour ride they look really distant, then closer, then even further away, but there they are, shining clearly through the mist, always visible in this part of the Sierra Sur of Oaxaca. Isaías answers our questions and tells about the state of siege in his town. Only later did I learn that he’s one of eight people from Xanica with warrants out for his arrest.

El camino a Xanica sube desde Huatulco en medio de un hermoso bosque. Es de brecha, pero el conductor de nuestro camión de redilas conoce bien todos los baches y curvas, hasta en la lluvia. Ha vivido ahí toda su vida. Se llama Isaías.A las dos personas que tenemos la suerte de ir en cabina, nos platica un poco del bosque, de los venados y tlacuaches que viven ahí y luego dice: “¿Pueden ver estas luces? Son las luces de Xanica”. En el paseo de dos horas se ven muy lejos, luego más cercanas, de nuevo más distantes, pero ahí brillan tranquilamente, siempre visibles en esta región de la Sierra Sur de Oaxaca. Isaías sigue contestando nuestras preguntas y platicando un poco sobre el estado de sitio en el pueblo.Solamente después me enteré de que él es una de las ocho personas de Xanica con órdenes de aprehensión en su contra.

Following a flying visit to Chincha, one of the regions most affected by the earthquake, we decided to share our impressions about what we saw there at the end of this week. The earthquake mainly contributed to unveil crucial underlying problems such as poverty, exclusion, injustice and inequality. In that sense, there is nothing natural about natural disasters, but naturally, they always affect poor people more drastically than wealthy ones and the state always favours the interests of the latter rather than those of the former. Just the fact that there exists poor and rich people in itself seems completely artificial, but who else can we blame but ourselves. If the earthquake can be accused of being the cause of today's state of emergency, poverty still remains the true culprit behind the present catastrophe. Promoting "solidarity" by distributing a few basic products until the situation gets better is like giving a plaster to someone with tuberculosis after he's broken his leg: his bones might heal but it won't stop him dying from tuberculosis. Read more A few photos of Chincha

Luego de esta visita relámpago a Chincha, una de las zonas más afectadas por el sismo, apuntamos a la volada algunas sensaciones que nos asaltaron este fin de semana. Los problema de fondo que el terremoto desnuda son la pobreza, la exclusión, la injusticia y la desigualdad. Los desastres naturales no tienen nada de naturales. Lo único natural es que los desastres afecten principalmente a los mas pobres y muy poco a los más ricos, y que un Estado que solo sabe cautelar los intereses de los segundos no sea capaz de reaccionar oportunamente. El hecho de que existan pobres y ricos, en cambio, es enteramente artificial: eso ya es culpa nuestra. El terremoto es solo el causante de la emergencia de hoy, pero el problema de fondo es la pobreza. Pretender “solidarizarse” solo distribuyendo productos básicos hasta que todo se normalice es como contentarse con ponerle un yeso a un tuberculoso que se ha quebrado una pierna. La tuberculósis segurá matando al enfermo aunque su hueso sane. Seguir leyendo Algunas fotos de Chincha

During the end of April and the beginning of June, the Comité des Sans-Papiers 59 (CSP59 : "Undocumented Immigrants Committee of Nord" (french department number 59)) organized a campaign to make visible their fight for regularization. They occupied several key-sites (Law faculty, House of business rulers, etc.), being systematically and violently evicted by the police. Summary of the events, visual and audio documents On June 16, during their last occupation the police arrested 60 undocumented immigrants and put them in retention camp. On this day they decided to go on hunger-strike to demand a collective regularization. Since then, the police have been constantly harassing them: arresting them in the hospitals (13/7), massive eviction and arrest at the Union house (1/8), bullying in the police stations and in the retention camp, refusals of the right to be admitted to hospitals, deportation to several neighboring cities and several others far away in France (Toulouse, Bordeaux, Rennes, Calais, Paris). Last week, the police violently deported seven of them to Conakry via Morocco. And 22/8 in the morning, the police arrested 42 refugees which were not in hospitals. They were put in the retention camp near Lille and Paris. Historical record of the hunger-strike | radio program special about the hunger strike Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Between 14 and 21 August, climate activists are meeting for the 2007 Camp for Climate Action, next to London's international Heathrow airport, UK. The weak and limited injunction sought by BAA, the company that runs Heathrow, was unable to deter the gathering.Actions so far have included the occupation of Carmel Agrexco, XL Airways, the Department of Transport, and Heathrow's World Freight Centre. Local workers at Nippon Express Cargo have also called a strike which was supported by Climate Camp activists. Solidarity actions have been launched at a number of local airports throughout the UK, including Bristol, Biggin Hill and Farnborough.More mass actions are expected on Sunday and Monday. Besides the protests, the Climate Camp aims to be an example of a low-impact living with hot showers run by solar panels, a grey water recycling system and compost toilets. Indymedia UK reports on the latest news about the Climate Camp and have setup up a field IMC on site, powered by wind generators and solar arrays.Check the up-to-the-minute Indymedia UK Ticker (also by SMS, mobile or phone on 0207 043 3783).Related U.S. Climate Convergences: West Coast Convergence for Climate Action | Southeast Convergence for Climate Action | Protesters Lockdown at PacifiCorp, Demanding Energy Justice | 5 arrested protesting Bank of America’s investments in coal and climate change

From August 20-21, 2007, George Bush (President of the USA), Stephen Harper (Prime Minister of Canada) and Felipe Calderon (President of Mexico) will be in Montebello, Quebec, just 90 minutes from Montreal. They are meeting at the Chateau Montebello, as part of the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP), also known as the "Three Amigos," Summit. They claim to be talking about security and prosperity, but many critics are calling the SPP “NAFTA on steroids”. The People’s Global Action Bloc (PGA-Bloc) is a coalition of various anti-capitalist groups from Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City, Toronto, and Vancouver who will be organizing actions in Montebello and across Canada from August 19-21 to show their resistance to the SPP. related links: Schedule of Events | PGA-Bloc | PGA Bloc, Ottawa | Stop the SPP Coalition, Ottawa | Block the Empire Montreal | People’s Global Action | IMC Montebello | CKUT community radio, Montreal | Centre des Medias Alternatives du Quebec

Six Tibet independence activists from the UK, US, and Canada were detained after rappelling from the top of the Great Wall of China with a 450 square foot protest banner reading "One World, One Dream, Free Tibet 2008" in English and Chinese. The dramatic action took place on the eve of the one-year countdown to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Chinese authorities removed the activists after two hours; their current whereabouts are unknown."The Chinese government is exploiting the Olympics to gain acceptance as a world leader. By protesting at the Great Wall, the most recognizable symbol of Chinese nationhood, we’re sending a clear message that China’s dream of international leadership cannot be realized as long as it continues its brutal occupation of Tibet," said Tenzin Dorjee, Deputy Director of Students for a Free Tibet. "We’re appealing to the international community to shine the light of scrutiny on China in the coming year," added Dorjee. "The Olympic dream of Tibetans is freedom by August 2008, and we call on the IOC and the global community to help us make this a reality." [Read more at SF Bay Area IMC] [UK Indymedia Report][Photos (Flikr) | Video (Youtube)]Related:Sydney IMC: Australian Film Crew questioned by Chinese Military in TibetAmnesty International: The Olympics countdown – one year left to fulfil human rights promisesHuman Rights Watch: China and Tibet

The struggles that are taking place today in Oaxaca, are a result of a historical continuity of the people’s resistance in this Mexican state, which has shown different stages of dignity and courage when it comes to challenging of power. From June 2006, the struggle initiated by the Oaxacan teachers, spread very quickly to all sections of the population, who despite the hard and brutal repression have been able to create a continuity through their actions. Dozens of popular fighters, social activists, women and men, have been jailed, persecuted, disappeared and assassinated, in an attempt to stop the acts of resistance against the repressive neoliberal politics of Fox and Calderon, and attempts to oust Ulises Ruiz Ortiz, the state’s governor and representative of the political clientelism in the country. A particular target of this campaign of intimidation has been the independent journalists and media. This situation worsened in July after the active mobilization during the Guelaguetza Popular, generated as an expression of Oaxacan creativity and popular struggle. This campaign was designed to silence the social movements and the media outlets that are trying to inform about the reality lived in Oaxaca today. Read More: The police attack alternative Guelaguetza in Oaxaca | Radio Universidad Reoccupied in the City of Oaxaca For more information, visit: APPO | Indymedia Oaxaca | Mal de Ojo TV | Nodo de Derechos Humanos | Indymedia Chiapas | Centro de Medios Libres | Narco News | South Notes | El Enemigo Común

Four German activists have been arrested on suspicion of being members or supporters of an alleged 'terrorist organisation' [lawyers' press release | de]. The German federal police suspect that Militante Gruppe (MG or Militant Group) was behind several arson attacks against police and army vehicles since the group surfaced in 2001 [Federal Prosecution's press release]. The direct actions are said to have included an attack on German federal police vehicles to protest against their involvement in immigration deportations and another in response to the G8 raids earlier this year. If found guilty, the four could face up to 10 years in prison. Another three men have been accused but not arrested.Since May 2007, there have been several raids as a result of four preliminary investigations in Berlin, Hamburg, Strausberg and Bad Oldesloe, using Section 129a of the German Criminal Code, which prohibits "the founding of, membership in or support of a terrorist organisation" [background in de | special issue of the German Law Journal (pdf in en)]. Section 129a investigations are typically used by the federal police to gather information about activists and protesters, as well as to intimidate them. Only 2% of all Section 129a investigations have ever resulted in convictions.A number of solidarity actions have already taken place, including a demo in Berlin last Wednesday (August 1st) and another at the prison where the four are held on Sunday (August 5th). A Germany-wide protest against police repression is planned for September 15th [call], while many solidarity protests and actions are expected throughout the world.For more information, check this new solidarity blog [en] and Indymedia Germany.

Tendrían que haber muerto. En el futuro que les había diseñado el Banco Mundial, ése era su destino. Un porcentaje altísimo debió haber padecido diarrea, fiebres, tristeza crónica y todo tipo de enfermedades curables. Muchos debieron esfumarse en el olvido antes de cumplir cinco años. Muchas tendrían que haber transpirado desnutrición por el resto de sus vidas. Ése era su destino. Pero sus abuelos y sus abuelas, sus padres y sus madres, tenían otros planes y el 1 de enero de 1994 los echaron a andar. leer más Material multimedia de Oventic - Regeneración Radio Promotores y promotoras de comunicación: Mesa de educación | Inauguración | Mesa 3 | Mesa de Mujeres | Llegada al caracol de Morelia AUDIO: Representantes de Comunidades de Oventic - Julie Webb (grabación) Warwick Fry (producción) | Mesa en CIDECI e inicio del Encuentro - Radio Insurgente | Entrevista con alumnos de la secundaria de Morelia - CML-DF | Reportaje sobre el Encuentro - Radio Zapatista FOTOS: Oventic 1 | Oventic 2 | Oventic-Morelia-Realidad | Morelia | Morelia-Realidad | Realidad 1 | Realidad 2 | Realidad 3 | Realidad 4 Para más información visita CMI Chiapas

Las luchas que hoy se dan en Oaxaca, son el resultado de la continuidad histórica, de resistencia de los pueblos de este Estado mexicano, que demostrando dignidad y coraje en distintas etapas han enfrentado el poder.Desde junio del 2006 las luchas iniciadas por los maestros oaxaqueños, se extendieron rápidamente a todos los segmentos de la población, quienes pese a la dura y brutal represión han dado continuidad a estas acciones.Decenas de luchadorxs populares, activistas sociales, mujeres y hombres, han sido encarcelados, perseguidxs, desaparecidxs, asesinadxs, en el afán de detener la acción de resistencia contra las políticas neoliberales represivas de Fox y Calderón y por la salida de la gobernación del Estado, de Ulises Ruiz Ortiz, representante de política clientelar en ese país.Blanco especial de esta campaña de amedrentamiento han sufrido los y las comunicadoras independientes, así como los medios de esta tendencia. Esta situación se ha agudizado en el mes de julio a partir de la activa movilización generada por la Guelaguetza Popular, como una expresión más de creatividad y lucha de lxs oaxaqueñxs. Campaña diseñada con el fin de cortar acallar el movimiento social y los medios que informan la realidad que vive hoy Oaxaca.Lea Mas: La policía ataca la Guelaguetza alternativa en Oaxaca | Radio Universidad Reocupada en la Ciudad de OaxacaPara mas infomaciones visita: APPO | Indymedia Oaxaca | Mal de Ojo TV | Nodo de Derechos Humanos | Indymedia Chiapas | Centro de Medios Libres | Narco News | Notas del Sur / South Notes | El Enemigo Común

The conflict between the port workers and the Valastro group has kept the port of Mar de Plata (Argentina) paralised for the last 10 days. While the workers demand the normalisation of their posts, the local businessmen who control the fishing industry have chosen to ignore the problem and criminalise the protest through the Port authorities. After evasions from the SOIP (Workers Union of the Fishing Industry), the representatives won through and decreed a 48 hour strike. Meanwhile, university students, along with social, political and human rights organizations, declared a mobilisation on Friday (27/07) in solidarity with the fishing workers under the banner "If the port workers win, we all win" For 15 years over 8000 workers (fileters, packers and labourers) have been exploited by shadey cooperatives legalized by the provincial and national government. The workers do not have guarantied working hours and as they lack union representation they can be fired without notice, often violently if they try to reclaim their rights. Between the owners of the businesses are circulated "black lists" in order to avoid conflicts within the plants and to hush any protests. For more information visit Indymedia Argentina

El conflicto entre los trabajadores portuarios y el grupo Valastro mantiene al puerto de Mar del Plata (Argentina) paralizado hace diez días. Mientras los trabajadores y trabajadoras reclaman la regularización de sus puestos de trabajo, los empresarios locales que controlan la industria pesquera han optado por desatenderse del problema y a través del Consorcio Portuario criminalizar la protesta laboral. Luego de evasivas por parte del SOIP (Sindicato Obrero de la Industria del Pescado) los delegados de cada planta ganaron la pulseada y decretaron un paro total de 48 horas. Asimismo, estudiantes universitarios junto a organizaciones sociales, políticas y de DDHH convocaran a una movilización al puerto en el viernes (27/07) en solidaridad con los trabajadores del pescado bajo la consigna "Si ganan los trabajadores del puerto, ganamos todos".Son más de 8000 los trabajadores - fileteros, envasadores y peones - que hace quince años son explotados por en cooperativas truchas legalizadas por el estado nacional y provincial. Los trabajadores no tiene garantía horaria, deben conseguirse la indumentaria de trabajo, carecen de representación gremial lo que posibilita el despido, en muchos casos violentamente, de obreros y obreras que reclaman por sus derechos. Es así, que circulan entre los empresarios listas negras para evitar conflictos dentro de las plantas y de ese modo acallar la denuncia.Para más informaciones visite el sítio Indymedia Argentina

This August thousands of protesters will target the aviation, coal, nuclear, mining and natural gas industries on both sides of the Atlantic during coordinated Camps for Climate Action.Taking place in London (1), Washington State (2) and North Carolina (3), the camps will bring climate change campaigners together with local communities for a week of education, sustainable living and direct action against the root causes of climate change.‘Climate change is here, and more and more people are refusing to sit by, waiting for governments to act and watching them fail. The camps are part of a new wave of direct action against the causes of climate change, a global protest movement mobilising in response to this global threat,’ said Jess Lawson from the UK camp.The location for each camp has been strategically chosen to work in solidarity with surrounding communities already fighting climate-destroying industries.

In Brazil, the judiciary power is often used in an attempt to criminalize activists within social movements and their supporters, trying to coerce and restrain them both politically and socially. This is a way for the multinational corporation Aracruz Cellulose to take advantage of it's economic power, by abusing this restrain instrument in an attempt to dismantle those who dare to oppose it's wicked development logic.The priest Emil Schubert, union leader Luis Alberto, professor Elza and radio broadcaster Ligia Sancio have been targeted by the corporation, which has decided to open a lawsuit against them to demand reparations to the company for moral and physical damage if they do not cease their political protest. This means that Aracruz is trying to stop them, using a judicial measure, from expressing themselves against the irresponsible social and environmental practices of the company.In October 2005, indigenous Tupinikim and Guarani occupied Aracruz factories in the state of Espírito Santo, after trying every bureaucratic way to claim back their ancient land currently occupied by Aracruz. The activists were present during the action to witness the reaction of the Brazilian State, which has shown itself to be excessively violent against many social movements. In one example of such violent actions, the Federal Police, a couple of months after an indigenous protest in January 2006, destroyed two villages and injured thirteen indigenous people. The police action was condemned by the Organization of American States (OEA) as well as several international groups.Previous Features: Aracruz uses media and billboards to get local population against indigenous | Aracruz Cellulose is accused of racism by Tupiniquins and Guaranis, Brazilian indigenous of Espírito Santo | Aracruz logs Atlantic Forest revegetation area in Espírito SantoNewspaper "O Independente (The Independent One)": Interview about Aracruz Celulose with the Newtork Alert Against Green Deserts (in portuguese)For more information visit Indymedia Brazil

In the early morning of 21st July, neo-nazi skinheads launched a vicious and unprovoked attack on a non-violent anti-nuclear protest camp in Angarsk, Siberia, Russia. The nazis violently attacked activists in their sleeping bags and tents with iron rods, knives and air pressure guns. 21 year old Ilya Borodaenko from Nakhodka suffered a head-fracture during the attack and later died in hospital from his injuries. At least nine others have been reported to be seriously injured, one of which has had both their legs broken. Tents were set on fire and several belongings were stolen.The camp started last week and is aimed at protesting against a planned centre of uranium enrichment in Angarsk. Ever since the arrival of the activists, the police have tried to intimidate them and have entered the camp in an attempt to gather information about planned actions. The organisation who planned the camp, the 'Ecological Wave of Baikal', had planned various rallies in the surronding area to inform locals about the plans and drum up support for the campaign. [Read More on UK Indymedia]Photos: The Camp before the attack | And after...Links: Indymedia Siberia | Russia Indymedia | Ecological Wave of Baikal | Announcement of the CampArticles in English: [1] | [2] | [3]Articles in Russian: [1] | [2] | [3] | Translation-tool

The resistance against heavy industry and large dams in Iceland has heated up, and not just because of global warming. The week began with Reykjavik's first Reclaim the Streets on the 14th of July, where a rebel clown army raved in opposition to aluminium. The day after a public meeting was held with the people of Thorlakshöfn (named as a site for two new aluminum smelters) and activists from anti-heavy industry struggles in South Africa and Trinidad. On Wednesday the 18th, Saving Iceland closed the supply road to Century Aluminum's Grundartangi Smelter and the Icelandic Alloys steel factory. On Friday, Reykjavik Energy was targeted and a huge banner was raised accusing the electricity company of supplying energy to war-mongering corporations ALCAN-RioTinto and Century-RUSAL. That morning, the Icelandic consulate in Edinburgh, Scotland was painted red under the slogan 'Iceland Bleeds', and locks were glued.Much of the aluminium produced goes directly to the war efforts of the US, Russia and others. Aluminium is the single most important bulk metal for modern warfare (1). It is the most important bulk metal for missiles, tanks, fighter planes, and nuclear weapons. It's as if Iceland is organizing a competition which company - ALCOA, Alcan/RioTinto or Century/RUSAL - has committed the most human rights and environmental crimes to decide who to sell energy," says Saving Iceland.IMC Sverige | IMC UK | Frettir | Videos | Photos

For two years GroenFront! - Dutch & Belgian EarthFirst! - have been fighting with the local community in Schinveld, in the southeast of the country, to preserve a forest that would be destroyed for the sake of the NATO airforce base across the German border. A direct action camp was evicted in January, and 15 acres were destroyed, but 35 acres saved. GroenFront! was preparing to reoccupy the woods awaiting the final outcome of a legal battle between the local council and national government, but now to great surprise, the protestors have been vindicated and the forests are definitely saved from NATO's bloody claws. On July 18th the Dutch highest administrative court ruled that the logging of Schiveld forest is illegal. This means the ministry of defence cannot continue the logging of the forest as requested by NATO, it also means the logging of the first six hectares in January 2006 was illegal. The forest would need to be destroyed to allow AWACS radar planes to lift off with more fuel in order to fly directly to Afghanistan and Iraq. Indymedia Netherlands | GroenFront!