road protests 1997
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Date: Mon, 06 Jan 1997 01:00:58 +0000
From: 3rd Battle of Newbury
Subject: Newbury Rampage & Rally
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Newbury Friends of the Earth and The Third Battle of Newbury
P.O. BOX 5520, Newbury, Berks. RG14 7YW.
Tel: 01635 45544 Fax: 01635 45545 24 hr info: 01635 550552
E-mail: info@battle3.demon.co.uk
URL: http://www.gn.apc.org/newbury
Friday January 3nd 1997
Dear Friend,
"The fence was transformed into a powerful work of art -- a mural, nine miles
long of common communication, a picture of spontaneous and deep emotion... In
such a short time, thirty thousand women converted a frightening fence into a
living museum of hope." Greenham Common, 1982
It's now one year since destruction work started on the route of the Newbury
Bypass, and Newbury Friends of the Earth and The Third Battle of Newbury will
be hosting a Reunion Rally on Saturday January 11th 1997. The rally is an
important opportunity to demonstrate our continuing opposition to the Newbury
Bypass and the many "potential Newburys" still in the Government's Road
Building Programme.
Last February, eight thousand people attended a mass rally opposing the
Newbury Bypass -- the biggest demonstration against senseless and destructive
roadbuilding ever held in this country. Those returning are likely to be
shocked at the destruction of some of the finest countryside in southern
England. Most striking is the ten foot high security fencing topped with
razor wire which lines the nine mile route and forms numerous compounds which
are guarded by security guards.
Please aim to arrive at Newbury train station from 11.00 a.m. We will give
you a map with directions to walk along the Bypass route to the Rally site,
and there will be signs to direct you through Newbury. There are frequent
trains to Newbury from London Paddington and Reading (call National Rail
Enquiries for times on 0345-484950). Newbury Bus station is situated next to
the train station (call National Express Bus Enquiries on 0990 808080).
Freewheelers, the lift share agency may also be able to help, phone 0191 222
0090. A number of local Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, and Green Party
groups are organising coaches; please contact your local group for details.
We'd like to stress that this year's rally is for everyone, not just for
those who came last year.
The Rally starts at 2.00 p.m. and the latest time to walk from the station to
the Rally site is 1.00 p.m. Please note there is no on-site parking, vehicles
should be parked at the train station Rally speakers include Charles
Secrett, Director of Friends of the Earth, Tony Benn, M.P., Rowan Tilly from
Seeds of Hope - Ploughshares, and Jill Eisele from Third Battle of Newbury.
After the Rally, we will decorate the bypass fence and join hands around a
compound. We'll observe a two minute silence once the human chain is formed.
The linking of hands and decoration of fencing echoes the 'Embrace the Base'
demonstration in December 1982 at RAF Greenham Common, near Newbury, when
women circled the base to protest the deployment of Cruise missiles. One of
those present remembers the event: "As the women chanted and linked arms for
the embrace-of-the-base I could feel the energy link and unite every one of
us. I can never forget that feeling and it made me leave the Common, not
feeling tired or anonymous, but rejuvenated and so full of euphoria about
being present and taking part in creating the greatest symbol of hope."
We do hope you can make it on Saturday 11th, and look forward to seeing all
our friends, old and new.
Best wishes,
Andrew Wood on behalf of Third Battle of Newbury.
24 HOUR INFOMATION HOTLINE: 01635 550 552
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PS. THERE WILL ALSO BE DIRECT ACTION AGAINST THE ROAD ON THURS / FRI 9th &
10th JANUARY! THIS IS AS IMPORTANT AS THE RALLY - DON'T WAIT UNTIL SATURDAY
TO TURN UP, OR YOU'LL MISS ALL THE FUN....
JOIN THE REUNION RAMPAGE!
FOR INFO CONTACT 01635 45544 or 550552.
ACCOMODATION WILL BE AVAILABLE.
COME PREPARED.....SEE YOU THERE!
RA!
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road protests 1997
| road protests (current)
| movement links