Meeting Minutes – Monday 8 April
Present – Mark, David, Jane, Veronica, Glyn, Fe
Apologies – Tom, Laura
1. Campaign updates
Food Speculation
MiFID legislative process still stalled – no dates set, but it will probably be between May and July. In the meantime, the Bankers Anonymous action is still ongoing, with 3 steps of the 5-step programme published so far. Check www.wdm.org.uk/bankersanonymous. The most recent stpe is writing to your local paper – template letter here:
We also did a bankers anonoymous themed photo and stall on Saturday 6 April, linked to the Grand National. This was a joint London groups action, and we were joined by 3 members of SW London group. Photos on the Facebook page. We discussed the success of the stunt and some recommendations for future events:
– Shouldn’t have bothered doing photo in front of Royal Exchange as it is not obvious from the photos and took a lot of time. Could have just done it in Islington too.
– Should have done the Grand National stunt the week before in order to get the photos in the paper on the day of the horse race.
– Place for campaigning not great – should try warmer crowds at farmers markets – maybe Walthamstow Square next time?
Climate
New Carbon Capital campaign has been launched. There is a new stunt pack, which we can use to arrange an event, perhaps during May. The idea is to set up a Carbon Cocktail bar with oil cocktails! To be discussed further at next meeting.
In the meantime, check out the great infographic: http://www.wdm.org.uk/carbon-capital/nexus
There is a public meeting, Stories of Resistance, on Monday 15 April involving Julio Gomez from the community near the Cerrejon mine in Colombia. Some of us met Tatiana who was visiting from Colombia last month and is campaigning against human rights and environmental abuses resulting from this mine. See last month’s minutes for a write up. Details of the event below.
2. Discussion about new campaign
We had a good discussion about the new campaign options – now down to 3 from the original 10: Agribusiness, Financialisation of water and Privatisation of public services. The feedback will be submitted from the group – we agreed that we preferred Agribusiness over the others. If you missed the meeting you can read the campaign options here http://www.wdm.org.uk/think-global-april-2013 (scroll down to download word doc) and feedback online here http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VT8J5XR before 5 May.
3. Upcoming events
This Saturday, there are various things happening, including a UK Uncut, Who Wants to Evict a Millionaire action and 1,000 Mothers March for Justice. Please find the details on their respecitve websites: http://www.ukuncut.org.uk/ and http://bit.ly/10Q8idT
Monday 15 April, 6.30pm
Stories of Resistance – panel chaired by John Vidal with speakers and films from struggles against dirty mining projects around the world.
Amnesty Internalional Human Rights Action Centre, New Inn Yard, EC2A 3EA
Tuesday 16 April, 7.00pm
Carbon Omissions, Come and talk about consumption, climate change and the lives we’d like to lead…speakers include: Caroline Lucas, George Monbiot, Kate Soper, Tom Crompton, Alice Bows, John Barrett, Leo Murray and Guy Shrubsole.
http://www.facebook.com/events/145393418956370/
Friends Meeting House, Euston Road
Friday 19 April, 1.00pm
Anglo-American AGM – demonstration outside in solidarity with those resisting the Cerrejon mine, Julio Gomez will be joining this demo.
Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, SW1Y 5AG
Wednesday 24 April, 6.30pm
Conference call with WDM campaigns staff to answer any questions about the Carbon Capital campaign. Let Sam know if you want to join and he will send details: sam.lund-harket@wdm.org.uk
Saturday 27 April, 11am-5pm
Activist training and skillshare
Crash course in campaigning with day of workshops including photography and video, street theatre, prop-making, lobbying politicians, public speaking and kmowing your legal rights.
Brighton Friends Meeting House, Ship Street, Brighton, BN1 1AF
www.wdm.org.uk/pier-to-peer
Saturday 27 April, 7.00pm
Greenpeace Podraiser
A fundraising gig to help raise money for a new Greenpeace survival pod! Acoustic music, poetry, cake sale, activism… Performers include David Goo, Rebecca Jade, Ryan Taylor and Marmaduke Dando.
Rose & Crown, Walthamstow
Details here: http://www.facebook.com/events/165806253574453/
Monday 13 May, 7.00pm
Next meeting
Keep an eye on the website for actions and
