This morning New Hope Resistance Camp was evicted from land no-one wanted or really cared about... by a gang of bailiffs, Pete Marquis demolitions, 50+ Lancashire Police and sundry others for various levels of police force UK.
The action was brutal, inhumane and ludicrousy executed.
The main Preston New Road A583 was closed at various times with little reason and only cops in the road causing any disruption - although one of the residents of New Hope did stand momentarily to face the forces and demand he be allowed to have his books returned.
The most pleasure that could be had today was had by Pete Marquis - the glint in his eye, quiver of his lips and clenching of his sweaty hands marking the height of his delight as the diggers chewed at the entry gates of New Hope. As the digger turned its attention to the beautiful trees behind the gate and tore them from the ground - he had a look of ecstasy about him.
Today, Miranda had arranged tree-planting in Kirkham and many of us had planned on going - Tracey's delicious tree-planting soup though and hot drinks came instead to the site of eviction and any other plans abandoned as we stood with our fellow residents to witness the remnants of their lives together at New Hope, piled on the pavement.
Like a fireman's thing where they pass a bucket... belongings were ferried to nearby Maple Farm community hub where they'd be out of the weather. Cat boxes started turning up and each of the beautiful but terrified felines was safely gathered up... except one. At one point there was a little tower of cats... before they too were sorted to temporary placements.
The residents of New Hope who have lived pretty much off-grid with renewables and lovely cats (plus Maple the dog - nearly forgot!) for nearly 3 years... they are not visitors or outsiders, they are residents of the Fylde community.
The local police have recently been imploring campaigners and protectors of Preston New Road to meet and chat about the future... the chasm between police and community has widened and I think they know there is irrepairable damage been done since 5th Jan 2017 when Preston New Road Rolling Roadside Protest started. They're right. Today as the local police were again used to facilitate a cruel act against campaigners, the lack of humanity was the death-knell. The lies too... claims the landowner wanted New Hope cleared (believe he was not that bothered as disused land - perhaps 'encuraged'?) - assurance a vet was onsite and Fylde Council representative (nope) and the fact that 50+ cops in 18+ vehicles made such a drama out of an absolute crisis of their own making.
The beautiful part?
The cat boxes, the soup, the community, the offer of beds, the planning for meals, the appearance of cat food and the easy solidarity of all who have been side by side throughout this long campaign that has taken such a toll on all our lives.
*Photo Drill Or Drop? article
**NONE of the trees you can see is alive anymore... all wrenched by their roots from the ground by jaws of Pete Marquis digger
The action was brutal, inhumane and ludicrousy executed.
The main Preston New Road A583 was closed at various times with little reason and only cops in the road causing any disruption - although one of the residents of New Hope did stand momentarily to face the forces and demand he be allowed to have his books returned.
The most pleasure that could be had today was had by Pete Marquis - the glint in his eye, quiver of his lips and clenching of his sweaty hands marking the height of his delight as the diggers chewed at the entry gates of New Hope. As the digger turned its attention to the beautiful trees behind the gate and tore them from the ground - he had a look of ecstasy about him.
Today, Miranda had arranged tree-planting in Kirkham and many of us had planned on going - Tracey's delicious tree-planting soup though and hot drinks came instead to the site of eviction and any other plans abandoned as we stood with our fellow residents to witness the remnants of their lives together at New Hope, piled on the pavement.
Like a fireman's thing where they pass a bucket... belongings were ferried to nearby Maple Farm community hub where they'd be out of the weather. Cat boxes started turning up and each of the beautiful but terrified felines was safely gathered up... except one. At one point there was a little tower of cats... before they too were sorted to temporary placements.
The residents of New Hope who have lived pretty much off-grid with renewables and lovely cats (plus Maple the dog - nearly forgot!) for nearly 3 years... they are not visitors or outsiders, they are residents of the Fylde community.
The local police have recently been imploring campaigners and protectors of Preston New Road to meet and chat about the future... the chasm between police and community has widened and I think they know there is irrepairable damage been done since 5th Jan 2017 when Preston New Road Rolling Roadside Protest started. They're right. Today as the local police were again used to facilitate a cruel act against campaigners, the lack of humanity was the death-knell. The lies too... claims the landowner wanted New Hope cleared (believe he was not that bothered as disused land - perhaps 'encuraged'?) - assurance a vet was onsite and Fylde Council representative (nope) and the fact that 50+ cops in 18+ vehicles made such a drama out of an absolute crisis of their own making.
The beautiful part?
The cat boxes, the soup, the community, the offer of beds, the planning for meals, the appearance of cat food and the easy solidarity of all who have been side by side throughout this long campaign that has taken such a toll on all our lives.
*Photo Drill Or Drop? article
**NONE of the trees you can see is alive anymore... all wrenched by their roots from the ground by jaws of Pete Marquis digger
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