Mateer, Lauren

Britain’s participation in the US-led war on Libya, which began on 19 March, followed the passing of United Nations security council resolution 1973, which calls for an end to attacks on civilians in Libya and authorizes member states to “take all necessary measures” to protect civilians and end the “gross and systematic violation of human rights” perpetrated by colonel Muammar Gaddafi.

The resolution also calls for the implementation of a no-fly zone except for humanitarian…

Peace activist Chris Cole was released from prison on 2 February after serving 15 days for an act of civil disobedience.

Cole was sentenced to 30 days in HMP Wandsworth after refusing to pay a £2,000 fine resulting from nonviolent direct action at the Defence and Security Equipment International 2009 arms fair in which he spray-painted “Stop this bloody business” and “Make peace, not war machines” on the door and pavement at the convention centre.

Cole said that his…

“It’s about getting people excited about their bikes.” That’s how Julian Wilmot describes Cranks, a do-it-yourself bike workshop in Brighton. The shop doesn’t just fix bikes; it also teaches people how to fix their own bikes. The all-volunteer staff give customers access to tools and teach them bicycle maintenance for all skill levels.

Cranks got its start three years ago. Its inspiration came from a similar bike workshop in Berlin. There are DIY bike workshops all over the…

US private Bradley Manning has been in a maximum-security prison in Virginia, USA, since May 2010 after being accused of leaking classified information to the whistleblower site WikiLeaks. Manning faces up to 52 years in prison if convicted of leaking the classified information. His trial date had not been set at the time of going to press.

Manning spends every day in a 12’ x 6’ cell and he is only allowed out for one hour a day, which he spends exercising by walking around another…

PFC Bradley Manning has been in a maximum-security prison in Virginia, USA for the past eight months after being accused of leaking classified information to WikiLeaks. This information includes the “Collateral Murder” video, which depicts a 2007 US helicopter attack in Iraq that killed 12 people. Manning has been in solitary confinement and under constant surveillance although he has not yet been tried or convicted of his crimes.

Manning is being held in the Quantico Confinement…

On Monday 24 January, 35 women and men blockaded the metropolitan police’s headquarters at New Scotland Yard, London in response to revelations of infiltration of activist movements by undercover police officers. The 8am demonstration was in support of women who have been exploited by undercover officers after it was revealed that some of these officers had had long-term sexual relationships with activists they were investigating.

Participants held placards with messages to those…