COAL NEE MORE! Mass Action Camp Against Opencast Coal

NOTE! This event is not in Leeds: the decision was made to promote it on Leeds for Change because of its nature and importance.

COAL NEE MORE!
>>>> Action Camp to Stop Opencast Coal <<<<

5th – 9th September 2018 /// Pontop Hall Dipton, Stanley, DH9 9ED

Join us for a camp to unite front line communities in the North East of England fighting the impacts of opencast coal extraction with people from far and wide to take a stand against the new opencast coal mine in Pont Valley, County Durham. WE DON’T WANT YOUR COAL – KEEP IT IN THE GROUND!

The beautiful northeast countryside is under threat from devastating opencast exploitation, fuelling the power stations which are bringing us to climate emergency. With ecocide on our doorsteps and governments and corporations continuing business as usual, the need for direct action has never been more urgent. It’s up to us!
On Saturday 8th we will take mass direct action against Banks together to stop opencast mining. Let’s unite our power, together we are invincible! It will require people to take on various roles – from cooking food to taking action or documenting the day – to put it in your diary and rally your friends.

This camp will link struggles against opencast coal and fossil fuels in the UK and beyond – to bring solidarity between our movements.
We will share workshops and stories; swap skills and ideas and learn how to resist the corporations that are destroying our planet. From mass catering to climbing trees, from bike maintenance to wild food foraging and everything IN between; come, learn and apply new skills, meet new people including local residents and share your experiences with others.

Inclusivity and diversity are our weapons – so come whoever you are and whatever your experience. There is plenty of space to pitch a tent or inside accommodation is available, just let us know: protectpontvalley@gmail.com, please also get in touch with any other accessibility needs.

Food available on a pay-as-you-feel donation.

Find out more on https://protectpontvalley.noblogs.org/coal-nee-more/ , including a ‘how to get there’ and a useful FAQ section.

PROTECT PONT VALLEY
The local community have been fighting applications for opencast in Pont Valley for 50 years. Durham council refused planning permission three times. Ignoring local democracy, the government overruled this decision and Banks Mining Group have since begun their opencast coal mine.
Banks have broken planning conditions and are committing wildlife crimes against protected species on the site. Although much of the ecological destruction has already happened, we need to hold them to account, show resistance to their destructive practices to prevent further opencast mining in the valley.

NO TO DRURIDGE BAY
We will demand the rejection of the appeal for another of Banks Mining Group’s opencast sites nearby at the iconic Druridge Bay in Northumberland. Banks’ application had been rejected in 2018 on grounds of climate change by the then Secretary of State for Communities. Banks Group’s challenge to this rejection will be heard in the High Court on the 17th October. We can’t allow another opencast to happen – we must take action against Banks and show solidarity with communities near the potential opencast.

NO OPENCAST MINING
Opencast mines involve big machines (and very few workers) stripping the soil of a large area to attain coal. This tears up the landscape, literally turning it upside-down, and driving away wildlife. Opencast mining exposes local communities to high levels of dust, tremors from dynamite explosions and noise/light pollution.
Coal is the most carbon intensive of all fossil fuels. It releases vast amounts of carbon dioxide when burned pushing us further into climate catastrophe.
Coal is becoming increasingly insignificant in the UK energy mix and the UK government have committed to phasing out coal by 2025 – so why are we opening new opencast coal mines?
More about the history of the campaign can be found here – https://www.coalaction.org.uk/