CIRCA

‘Clowning is a state of being rather than a technique. At its root, clowning is about letting go, learning to approach every situation with an openness and vulnerability that we all once had as children. It is a state where we begin to value the power of surrendering to experience and living without fixed expectation. It is a state of being that we all grew up with, and the one that society stamped on and imprisoned in fairgrounds, theatres and circuses. It is the state that learns about the world through play and knows that the difference between imagination and reality is only a matter of opinion’ (John Jordan. For the rest of the article http://eipcp.net/transversal/1007)

Hi all - many clowns have been involved with campaigning for the right to protest around parliament - you may be interested in this posted on indymedia: http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/10/384584.html - the governtment has a new consultation launched today (Monday 29th October 2007) to take a closer look at laws regarding protests in Parliament Square. SOCPA was particularly unworkable legislation and it seems they are now doing what they can to tighten their powers under the guise of a public consultation. I suppose the more people who respond to this the better. hugs from sean

Pull a prank that packs a punch. Roll up, roll up! The climate circus is in town. Climate change threatens our very survival, but the fools at the head of the fossil fuel empire continue to plunder the earth, with governments the willing court jesters at their side. They would have us believe that we can escape climate change with techno-fixes, market mechanisms and offset schemes – all technocratic acrobatics that distract us from the truth: the only real solution to climate change is to keep fossil fuels in the ground. For over a century the fossil fuel industry has been fooling with our lives. From extraction to combustion they have poisoned our air, polluted our water and ruined our climate. On April 1st, 2008, we’re going to turn the tables and show them who the real fools are. Find a local fossil fool – the coal-mining clown, the offset contortionist, the aviator tripping on the high wire, the supermarket food mile freak show, the oily strong man, or any other fool that deserves your attention – and join with thousands around the world in taking one step closer to dismantling the fossil fuel industry. On Fossil Fools Day, bring the spirit of carnival and mischief to the fight for climate justice.

www.fossilfoolsday.org.uk 

www.risingtide.org.uk 

Dec 6 2007 by Sarah Miloudi, Western Mail
Protesters dressed as clowns and polar bears forced work on a controversial opencast mine to be abandoned yesterday. The group, who included the author and campaigner George Monbiot, chained themselves to machinery at the Ffos-y-Fran site in Merthyr Tydfil, bringing work to a halt. He and 30 other protesters entered the site at 9am yesterday morning, and a group – known as the Aberystwyth Rebel Clown Army – forced diggers to stop work by dancing around in front and waving feather dusters, in protest at the site’s environmental impact. The group then climbed onto the industrial vehicles and took over pieces of site machinery. Many of the protesters refused to leave the site despite being warned by police that they could face arrest. Speaking at the site, Mr Monbiot said, “I am here for two reasons. Firstly, the Government is currently negotiating over climate change and this mine contradicts everything it says it is trying to do.“The mine will dig out approximately seven million tonnes of coal, but give 30 million tonnes of carbon dioxide – equivalent to the emissions of 35 million people every year. “Secondly, it is devastating for the quality of life of the locals.”
More at http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/wales-news/2007/12/06/clowns-take-control-at-opencast-site-91466-20209599/
Clowns, polar bears and elves (elf & safety) were part of the Rising Tide Network in Wales http://risingtide.org.uk/

On March the 24th, Easter Monday CND are organising a surround the site event at Aldermaston Atomic Weapons Establishment to celebrate 50 years of Protest and the right to carry on! We are trying to make this event as colourful as possible and would love all the CIRCA blocs to come and join us! We always need help with police liaison!!! Mell Harrison, mellcndeast@cnduk.org, 08453370282

Hooray! Maybe there is a god! And she obviously thinks that it is time for the cops to get back into the protest movement when they march for more pay in London. So, let’s welcome them with open arms (but keep the pink riot shields with purple glitter ready if they are to do anything violent), let’s show them that we believe in the right to demonstrate, the right to protest, the right to march the route they choose, the right not to be policed, the right not to be kettled, LET’S SHOW THEM THAT WE WOULD NEVER ACT LIKE THEY DID IN THEIR PREVIOUS LIFE AS THUGS! Get those feather dusters out, the banners for the freedom to protest, the we-believe-in-your-right-to-protest-will-you-now-believe-in-ours? posters out, the now-you-know-what-it’s-like, the let’s-march-together-to-Aldermaston, the hug-a-hoodie/helmet, the a-policeman-smashed-my-face-and-i-still-believe-in-his-right-to-protest… Invite them to join real democracy! We want change and we want everybody to be part of it. Er….that’s it, really. Hugs, feather dusters, love and respec, Trwper Twp

Calling all clownlets!

It’s not-so-grim up north ~ just a bit Mancy! Big Shoe training 23rd-24th February, Manchester University Union/Jabez Clegg, Oxford Road. Come Fish in the fog… GiggleGaggle in the gale… Sock in the Snow and play hug-tag to keep warm!

Mancy Clowns are a-go-go and everyone’s invited! Big Love, Lefleg Nicnoc

haveyousnookeredyourself@yahoo.co.uk

Big Shoe Camp in Wales? Any takers for a Big Shoe Camp training in Wales in the near future? We need as many Clowns as possible to go to Aldermaston to help the Police deal with some very naughty peaceniks, femernists and hippies! Contact Trwper Twp lotte.reimer@btinternet.com