What's it about? | Publicity | Previous Years
Want to do something to stop our planet from getting trashed?
Ecological Direct Action without Compromise!
Earth First! is about direct action to halt the destruction of the Earth. We believe we can make a real difference by doing it ourselves rather than relying on leaders, governments or industry. Direct action is at the heart of it, whether you're standing in front of a bulldozer, shutting down an open-cast mine or ripping up a field of GM crops. We're a loose network of people and campaigns coming together for ecological direct action.
Winter Moot 2009
February 7 – 9, Brighton
The Earth First! Winter moot is an opportunity for people who feel affiliation
with the ideas behind Earth First! to network, discuss and reflect on the
ecological direct action movement and to plan for the future. In contrast with
the yearly EF! Summer Gathering, which is held outside for around five days, the
winter moot is a shorter weekend meeting, inside, less aimed at skill sharing
and more at looking where we are at as movement and where we want to be going.
Earth First! is not an organisation, but a banner for non-hierarchical
organising 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.
Some topics on the agenda:
· UK mobilisation for the climate summit in Copenhagen at the end of 2009
· Communication and security
· EF! Action Update and Summer Gathering
· Coal
· GM
The agenda is open. Please contact the organizing collective (moot2009@earthfirst.org.uk)
know if you want to add anything, want to help with facilitation or have any
other queries. You are welcome to use our PGP key.
Suggestion: read the activist security guide on
http://www.activistsecurity.org/
There will be sleeping places arranged and food available at cost price from
Friday evening. The program will start on Saturday at 10 AM. Please be on time.
Venue: Cowley Club, 12 London Road.
More info: http://www.cowleyclub.org.uk/
Click for directions
Please help spread the word. Download poster (pdf, ca. 200kb).
Earth First! Summer Gathering 2008
What happened?
5 days of workshops, networking and planning
actions. The gatherings are also a practical example of low-impact eco-living
and non-hierarchical organising. It's run without leaders by everyone who comes
along, so come prepared to chip in!EF!
Summer Gathering 2008 by someone attending for the first time
How difficult to convey in words the lasting sense of genuine kindred spirit and camaraderie experienced at this year’s EF! Summer Gathering. The gorgeous site, a few mile north of Diss in the east of England, provided a perfect setting for the temporary village of EF! to establish itself. Close enough to a railway station, it was very noticeable how few people arrived in cars and how many used public transport. There was ample quite camping space and the site was fully accessible for wheelchair users. Far enough away from city lights, starry skies and the milky way could be viewed in their awesome fullness.
Arriving at the start of the set-up and staying until completion of tat-down provided insight into just how much planning, coordination and energy is involved with the gathering. A field in the middle of nowhere but slightly less central (...well, rural Norfolk) underwent total transformation into a buzzing Gathering site complete with five marquees, bar, kitchen, shower, hot-tub and compost toilets to provide a well thought out space for hundreds of activists to network, share experiences, give solidarity to each other and existing campaigns and plan for future actions.
 |
Even though many people at the Gathering had known each other for years, newcomers, including myself, were particularly welcomed and included in the uplifting and inspiring activities and workshops. These, being too numerous to list varied from the practical, such as: ‘Action Reconnaissance for Beginners’, Tripod and Lamp-post Climbing’ and ‘Blockading Tactics’, to more informative such as: ‘Dealing with Mainstream Media’, ‘Researching Corporations’ and ‘Anarchist History’. |
| A noticeable difference between this Gathering and the recent ‘Camp for Climate Action’ at Kingsnorth earlier in the summer was that the absence of police presence and harassment made for a much better learning environment. The workshops were balanced and very well facilitated. At times, there almost seemed almost too much to take in - all the more reason for attending next year. | |
The food was provided by Anarchist Teapot and Veggies and even though on a limited budget, remained healthy and wholesome throughout the Gathering and proved to be excellent value. Entertainment included a bar, acoustic music, a fantastic ‘open mic’ session (...more please) and a film yurt. It was encouraging to have so many children at the Gathering; the children’s space helpers meant that parents of young ones could also attend workshops and activities.
After five days of workshops and fun and as if by magic (...actually, lots of hard work) the site reverted back to a field again, providing an excellent example of sustainable living. Within a climate of ecological and economic turbulence and the engendered sense of powerlessness, it is truly inspiring to feel part of a movement of positive change for global environmental and social justice. Many thanks to all those involved and to everyone who participated in and maintained the Gathering throughout.
Info from Previous Years
The websites from previous years are archived