Andy Hewitt on Vestas demo and action to take

Links to reports and pictures of the demo at Indymedia:
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/07/434855.html
http://london.indymedia.org.uk/articles/1796

Channel 4 news report on the occupation! http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/uk/turbine+factory+closes+after+sitin/3279857

100s of activists gathered at DECC last night to voice their anger at the closure of the Vestas wind turbine factory on the Isle Of Wight, to demand a transition to a green energy economy and to show solidarity and support for the workers occupying the plant.

Environmental campaigners, trade unionists and political activists assembled united in supporting a campign which has captured the imagination of many and potentially represents a hugely significant milestone in forming a movement to work towards a green and socially just economy.

Darren Johnson gave an excellent speech at the start of the demo outside DECC last night. I chipped in a bit later with and read out a message of support from Hugo Blanco, who is a leading figure in the indigenous struggles against exploitation and destruction of their environment in Peru. Simon Hughes from the LIbDems was roundly heckled when he spoke a bit later....ironically lots of hot air coming from him but of course very little substance to what he was saying. The crowd wanted nationalisation and support for the occupation, he was not willing to provide either. I called on his party to "stop supporting building runways" (for all their noise about Heathrow, they will support airport expansion elsewhere), and generally his "green" credentials were given a sound beating by the lively and boisterous crowd.

Thanks to Pete Murry, Sean Thompson, Joseph Healy, Teresa Delaney, Jonathan Buckner, Kate Tansley and Derek Wall for attending and supporting last night.

There was a demo at the Vestas plant last night also, http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=18569
Further information can be found at http://savevestas.wordpress.com/

Sign a petition HERE: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/SaveVestas/

Please come to the meeting on Friday:
"SAVE VESTAS, SAVE THE PLANET: Support the Factory Occupation
Speakers: Vestas Worker, Chris Baugh (PCS Ass. Gen. Sec, pc), Seamus Milne, Jonathan Neale
Friday 24th July, 6pm, ULU Malet Street, London WC1E 7HY
Called by the Campaign Against Climate Change Trade Union Group"

There will be a rally at the plant on the IOW at the same time.

If anyone would like to go down to the IOW at some stage over the next week , get in touch and we will try and coordinate something.