Underminers: A Practical Guide for Radical Change

Keith Farnish has recently produced the excellent book Underminers: A Practical Guide for Radical Change. You can download it for free at his website or buy a hard copy. He has also recently launched the Underminers Network here for people to meet and discuss these ideas. At DGR UK, we’re obviously sympathetic to the notion of Undermining – our works complement each other well and we’re looking forward to seeing how we can work together in the future.

For more information about Undermining see the text below from the Underminers website:

Industrial Civilization is likely to be the last great empire humanity will ever see. If it is allowed to continue in its ravenous way then there is no future for humanity, for the natural systems and processes that allow humans to exist on Earth are the very things that Industrial Civilization is destroying. In fact, no form of civilization has ever been sustainable nor ever will be. In order for humanity to continue on Earth then civilization has to stop, and people allowed to return to a way of living that is connected to the real world.

We are not able to do this. At least not until we become Underminers. The industrial system depends, for its survival, on humans being disconnected from the real world and mentally attached to the machine that we fuel with our civilized lives. The Tools of Disconnection keep us in that state, and the only way to prevent us from being responsible for our demise is to undermine those Tools of Disconnection. Once we are free from the grip of the machine and reconnected with the real world then the myth of Industrial Civilization will die, and humanity will be able to continue.

Underminers is the timely follow-up to Time’s Up! An Uncivilized Solution to a Global Crisis. It takes up where that book left off, with a detailed, highly practical approach to the process of undermining in all its many hues. At once entertaining, shocking and inspiring, Underminers draws on the author’s own experience dealing at first hand with the lies of the industrial machine, and that of a wide range of other people who have their own unique take on the swath of topics covered in the book.

From the reasons we are unable to act, to the nitty-gritty of keeping ourselves and others safe during the undermining process, the first half of the book is an invaluable guide to navigating the industrial system and becoming a fully-formed Underminer. The second half details, with surprising openness how the reader can utilize their abilities and new-found determination to be an effective Underminer; whether that be undermining the advertising industry or the political machine, turning symbolic protestors into real activists, building self-determined communities or simply being ourselves – connected, free human beings.

We are the Underminers, and this is our time.

Go and check it out for yourself – then decide what you’re going to do about it all…

How to occupy a power station (respect to No Dash For Gas)

Courtesy of the Guardian newspaper website today, a rough guide for direct action against industrial infrastructure, in the shape of a ten-minute film of the preparations for the week-long occupation of West Burton:

How to occupy a power station

Massive respect to No Dash For Gas and solidarity in their current court struggles against EDF. Here’s some ways you can help support them in those struggles.

Earth First! Winter Moot

(Re-blogged from https://network23.org/wintermoot2013/)

A weekend get-together for people involved in ecological direct action, from fighting opencast coal, fracking, GM, nuclear power to road building. There’ll be discussions and campaign planning – with the emphasis on the tactics and strategies we use, community solidarity and sustainable activism.

This year it will be in Lancashire, the testing ground for fracking, which is set to be rolled out across the country. The weekend is also an opportunity for people from around the country and local anti-fracking campaigners to share tips and info. Anyone who is interested in ecological direct action will have a valuable part to play and should come. You are welcome to come to all or part of the weekend.

Programme: Workshops and discussions from Fri 6pm until late Sun afternoon, plus evening fun. More details here – https://network23.org/wintermoot2013/

Please get in touch with offers of workshops, facilitation or any thoughts.

Transport: Nearest mainline station is Preston with public transport to the venue. More details on the website.

What to bring: Most of the sleeping accommodation will be on the floor, so bring sleeping bag and mat. If you require a bed please get in touch at least one week in advance.

Food: Vegan meals will be provided at cost price. Please let them know if you are coming, so the right amount of food is provided.

Cost: £20-£30 from each person to cover all costs including food. (If you really can’t afford this, please come anyway and give what you can).
If you have any particular accommodation, access or dietary needs or are bringing children please let them know asap at least one week in advance so suitable facilities can be planned.

No dogs please – unfortunately we are not allowed to have them in the venue.
The weekend is not open to journalists.

Offers of help: Once we’re at the Moot we need everyone to chip in to help the event run smoothly and make sure necessary tasks such as cooking and washing up get done. Anyone who can offer special help, like co-ordinating kids space or first aid; facilitating discussions or committing to help clear up at the end we’d be very happy to hear from you ASAP so we can spread the load.

Contact Lancaster Earth First!
e-mail: wintermoot2013@aktivix.org
Homepage: https://network23.org/wintermoot2013/

Frack Free February

Here’s some background information about Frack Free February, coming up soon…

Frack Free February, organised by Frack Free Somerset, is a Month of Action in Somerset with public meetings, talks, stalls, workshops, actions and more all raising awareness about the threats to communities and the bigger picture of extreme energy.

The Frack Free February Month of Action is an opportunity to:

  • Systematically raise awareness about fracking & extreme energy to communities at risk in Somerset – 50,000 leaflets will be distributing across towns & villages in the PEDL licensed areas
  • Create a wide variety of opportunities for participation and action to anyone moved by the literature and outreach activities & the thought of fracking taking place locally
  • Generate momentum for the campaign in 2013 and significantly increase planning application response capacity across the county e.g. starting more local groups, increasing the number of newsletter sign ups and so forth, so that when applications are submitted, we can best respond and support each other across the county.

For more information see: Frack Free Somerset or http://www.facebook.com/events/421862917883143/426461697423265/ or Frack Off.

Fracking is an assault on the land that must be stopped before it gets started. Learn how you can get involved and help resist it if you possibly can.

FAI/ELF Cause Radio and TV Blackout (UK)

A group linked to the Informal Anarchist Federation (FAI) and Earth Liberation Front (ELF) has claimed responsibility for setting fire to a TV and radio relay station near to Bathampton in the South West of England, early on Thurday 3rd January 2013. This resulted in the regional shut down of Freeview TV channels and national analogue and digital radio stations, affecting 80,000 homes. It also affected mobile network and police communications in the area. Additionally it will have caused significant financial costs.

The FAI/ELF Communiqué can be found here – http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/content/faielf-communique-tv-radio-blackout

Interestingly there seems to be little media reporting of the incident and none that links the act to the FAI or ELF.

This group may be linked to the FAI group that sabotaged train lines in Bristol in May 2012. More information here – http://bristol.indymedia.org/article/708755