News

Who supports the election pledge for asylum rights?

Feb/Mar 2010

Many political parties are competing to be the 'toughest' on immigration, but pressure is needed to keep asylum rights on the election agenda. SYMAAG (South Yorkshire Migration And Asylum Action Group) is gathering support for an Election Pledge letter to be sent to candidates. 16 organisations already support the 6 key demands. SYMAAG will be publicising candidates' responses (or lack of) in local media, and has invited some main local candidates to a public meeting on March 19th (details below).

They ask that your refugee community organisation, trade union branch, campaign group, charity or faith group supports the Election Pledge for Asylum Rights
Right-Click here to download printable version Election Pledge word document

SYMAAG's website

Zero Carbon Cabaret is swinging into action!

Feb 2010, preparing for April

The Zero Carbon Cabaret on April 17th will share funds raised between Heeley-Meersbrook Transition, local eco-friendly arts intiiatives and global projects to support survival in less privileged parts of the world.

They need:

  • Set designers - simple, recycled, fun!
  • Set-up crew
  • Pedal-pushers for lighting
  • Ushers


There's minimal input beforehand required. Pease contact if you'd like to lend a hand, foot or other assistance! Chrystine 07768 757108

Climate justice: The Sheffield - Bangladesh link

Feb 2010

WDM (World Development Movement) is working with the Equity and Justice Working Group in Bangladesh to fight unfair proposals by Britain on climate finance. They want your support to email the International Development minister - see www.wdm.org.uk/bangladesh

Sheffield's WDM group webpage

Prevent further welfare cuts for asylum seekers

Feb 2010

Still Human are working with 38 Degrees to take action on the campaign to ensure that the Home Secretary sets asylum support rates for 2010/11 at at least 70% of Income Support and at no less than £45 a week for single adults.

For those who have not yet taken action or have limited resources, please use and circulate as widely as possible this link below to an action set up by 38 degrees. It literally takes less than two minutes!!

http://38degrees.org.uk/still-human-still-here

Fair Justice for Bavwidi Mpanzu ('Djoly')

Feb 2010

Every day in South Yorkshire people seeking asylum are arrested and criminalised for trying to support themselves and others.
On January 28th Bavwidi Mpanzu (or 'Djoly' as his friends know him) was arrested for working illegally. He was sent to Doncaster prison where he remains, waiting for sentencing at Sheffield Crown Court on March 5th.

Since arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2001 Djoly has fought for his right to asylum – for 9 years! At the same time he has always supported others in Sheffield: setting up the Africa Time organisation, promoting awareness about African refugees; volunteering at the Centre for HIV and Sexual Health and running a counselling and support service through his role as a pastor in his church organisation.

Now it's time to support Djoly! A campaign to support him has been set up to stop him being imprisoned for working – and to stop any deportation that could follow. The petition in his support says "Here is an example of an asylum seeker forced into illegal working because of long delays in UKBA decision making and the continuous pressure of surviving on minimal income. What we need is fair justice".

Support campaigns for asylum seekers' right to work: TUC campaign

Sign the 'Let Them Work' pledge at Pledge at e-activist.com

Latest news is that campaign meetings for Djoly are being held every Wednesday 6.30pm at Scotia Works, Leadmill Road, Sheffield S1 4SE. To check progress contact Africa Time for more information: Dama Safari: 07904 222467 or Pascal Bongongo: 07908 321788 or James Kazadi: 07961 761899

Recent Sheffield reports and presentations

Feb 2010

"20's Plenty"
A presentation of the case for a 20mph speed limit in all residential areas. (This is a pdf document, so you may choose to download by right-clicking and selecting Save As/Save Link As...)


"A Tale of Two Cities"
Report about the dramatic inequalities between areas and communities in Sheffield. (This is a pdf document, so you may choose to download by right-clicking and selecting Save As/Save Link As...)
  • Produced by a team with Professor Danny Dorling of the University of Sheffield.
  • The influential book The Spirit Level (2009) argues that overall level of wealth is less important than equality, because more equal societies almost always do better.

Sheffield University opens the first UK Wind Power Research Centre!

Feb 2010

Sheffield University has opened a Wind Power Research Centre, see university press release for details.

Renewable energy finally reaches UK!

Feb 2010

From April this year, home-generated electricity attracts a 'feed-in-tariff' payment, a system which has succesfully boosted sustainable energy in many countries. The payment is up to 36p per kWh on ALL electricity generated, with a further bonus if it is 'exported' into the National Grid, making installation pay for itself in typically 10 years. Expect to see banks and building societies offering loans soon, to cover the up-front costs. And from next year renewable heat-generation gets a similar treatment.

The government's press release is at DECC website

'We Support Solar' believes the scheme doesn't go far enough, but at least it replaces ridiculously inadequate, over-subscribed grants schemes.

For an industry viewpoint and good advice, see The Renewable Energy Association

Also see The Energy Saving Trust (domestic users/generators) or The Carbon Trust (businesses, which have a slightly less generous scheme).

Latest campaign: Save Portland Works

Deadline 10 Dec 2009

The Portland Works on Randall Street, Sharrow is under threat of being developed into flats. A grade II listed "little mesters-style" building it is currently home to metalworkers, cabinet-makers, musicians, artists, sole traders and others.

See this Sheffield Telegraph letter which describes the works as our 'living heritage, not a museum or polished up piece of preserved past'.

The most useful way of showing your support is to formally object on the council website, Click here for the planning application .

See also Portland Works campaign blog

And Portland Works facebook group .

Mapping the arms trade

Oct/Nov 2009 onwards

Corporations, such as arms manufacturers and private military companies have big role in wars and conflicts around the world. Corporate Watch and Disarm DSEi have produced a map showing the locations of all exhibitors at a recent arms fair, to show that the arms trade is present in every community in the UK.
'Mapping the Arms Trade' on Corporate Watch website

Would you like to help expanding this work this project?
Click here to help

Plan 2050

Nov 2009 & towards the next election

Plan 2050: Election 2010 is a campaign which demands that our political parties produce energy policies that add up, so that voters can make an informed choice at the General Election and make the politicians face the hard policy decisions.

If you can work with them in your constituency, email plan2050@gmail.com

See http://omegaclimate.wordpress.com And... pass this on to your friends and relations in every constituency nationwide!

Keep music live

August 2010

As you may know, under new licencing laws, music venues at which more than two people play are subject to licencing. This involves visits from the police, fire brigade and local authority costing the venue around £1,000 plus any alterations that have to be made. Discos and venues showing wide screen sport are exempt from this requirement even though the numbers of people in the venue may be greater. There is now an amendment before parliament seeking to exempt live music venues with a capacity of less than 200 from licencing. A petition supporting it, run by number10.gov.uk, "The official site of the Prime Minister’s Office" is at:

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/livemusicevents

If the amendment is passed, bands might be able to play in pub back rooms again so please sign the petition and tell yer friends about it. Thanks

Community Radio: An Open Letter To Gordon Brown

Update Sept 2009

Community Radio is a great success. Around 150 services are on air, involving over 10,000 volunteers, including our own wonderful
Sheffield Live and Burngreave Community Radio.

But success could turn to failure with falling Government support, according to stations and their supporters. Read the details on www.sheffieldlive.org/lettertogordonbrown/

Update:

Following the appeal letter, the Government will seek additional funds to support community radio, according to Siôn Simon MP, Minister for Creative Industries. The request is only for a modest amount to cover some core cost.

What's happening with the Earth Centre?

March 2010

Doncaster Council is working with RTTG (which is an almost inactive entity, it appears not to have a website but is in partnership with chemical, construction, aerospace, defense, 3D tech and nuclear companies.)

The We Love The Earth Centre campaign is concerned that the next event has not been shared widely and insists that the community be put before profit and be involved in the future of the Earth Centre, for inclusive grassroots development.

There is an open invitation to the Development Planning Open Day on Wed 31 Mar 2010, 11am–3pm, at the Earth Centre (which is conveniently next to Conisbrough railway station). Email mike@therttg.org to register and receive full details. Outdoor wear recommended.

See also for background info We Love The Earth Centre campaign website

Free insulation down your way?

Feb 2010

Sheffield City Council's free insulation scheme goes to Darnall, Gleadless Valley, Southey, Stocksbridge and Upper Don wards over the next few weeks, and also to priority customers across the city, wherever they live. The only contractor appointed to work on this scheme is eaga Insulation, if in doubt check first through: Sheffield council website page on insulation or freephone 0800 915 9096.

Funding for refugees planning Refugee Week events

Deadline: 21 Mar 2010

Are you a refugee? Do you want to run an event for Refugee Week? Do you need funding? UnLtd’s RISE Programme has a number of Awards of £500 – £1000 available to run events during Refugee Week 2010. Refugees over the age of 16, with current proof of status are eligible to apply, as a individuals or informal groups.

Contact Maryam Pasha, RISE Coordinator at RISE@unltd.org.uk Tel 0207 5661136

UKIP MEP must go for 'glorifying terrorism' say campaigners

Feb 2010

Environmental campaigners in Yorkshire are demanding action against UK Independence Party MEP, Godfrey Bloom, for 'glorifying terrorism.' The MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber appears in a YouTube film congratulating the French secret service for bombing the Greenpeace ship 'Rainbow Warrior' in New Zealand in 1985, an attack which killed Greenpeace photographer Fernando Pereira.

The MEP apparently made the strange film in Copenhagen harbour during the recent summit, posing by Greenpeace's new boat, which he describes as "one of the most truly fascist boats since 1945."

Activists are taking legal advice on whether Mr Bloom’s comments are in breach of the Terrorism Act 2006.

For further information, contact Richard Claxton on 07759 869159 or 01759 304243 or Michael Cooper at Click to email Michael Cooper

Guardian article with YouTube film

Urgent Call for Night Shelter Volunteers

Feb 2010

Volunteers help out with a Sheffield night shelter for destitute asylum seekers. It offers temporary shelter to men who would otherwise be on the street. As you can imagine it has been used regularly in the recent cold weather and desperately needs more volunteers or it will have to close.

12 more people needed, willing to sleep over at least once a month (training offered). It's not a massive commitment (once a month) and it means so much to those who are helped.

Could you do it? If you already volunteer could you ask a friend? For more info phone or email Tendero 07723 724098 tenderom@googlemail.com

Save Our Festivals

Feb 2010

On Friday 11th December 2009 Andy Norman, host and organiser of Thimbleberry Music Festival in County Durham was in court facing the charge of "permitting the use of cannabis on his premises" relating to alleged use of cannabis by the festival-goers at the last September festival.

In effect he was prosecuted for the alleged offences of other people. The police confiscated the money he took for the festival - Yes, the police took money from the gate at last year's Thimbleberry Festival. So Thimbleberry June 2010 is cancelled and he's up in court facing ridiculous charges. Andy has not entered a plea and is due back in Crown Court on 12 March 2010. This a serious charge. He could face jail. The future of all small, independent festivals could be jeopardised if Andy Norman is prosecuted

Welsh band Sicknote have remixed and re-released the classic "Phone In Sick" and are donating every penny to Andy Norman and Thimbleberry Music Festival... every 79p for a download helps.

Save Our Festivals website
'Drop the ridiculous charges against Andy Norman' on Facebook
'Friends of Thimbleberry Festival' on Facebook

Sheffield Bike Festival planned

Planning started for Sat 19 June 2010 on Devonshire Green

Sheffield is to have a bike festival !!

The plans are from a group of individuals who wish to organise the festival on a voluntary basis, committed to an open and inclusive process. It will hopefully include all the cycling organisations in Sheffield and many non-cycling organisations.

Contact: Ruth Chiat, Sustrans Bike it Officer, in partnership with Sheffield City Council tel Sheff 2734192/07500 832734