Conference and Kingsnorth Six

Tomorrow sees the start of the Green Party conference in London. I love these conferences anyway, but this one should be especially exciting as tomorrow the party elects its first leader.

We also have a panel with Ken Livingstone, a showing of the Age of Stupid, a fringe with Peter Tatchell, a blogging fringe with JimJay, and a host of policy to discuss. It is open to members and visitors so I'd encourage everyone to make an effort to get there.

I will also try to follow the Kingsnorth Six on trial here in Maidstone too. Yesterday my friend Geoff Meaden gave evidence for the defence followed by James Hansen. The trial's defence is based around reasonable cause for the direct action against Kingsnorth and could be ground breaking progress if Greenpeace win. I think Al Gore is on record as saying that he can't understand why the young people are not all marching in the streets and blockading coal powerstation for the destruction of their future.

Green politics has never been more necessary.

Kingsnorth Six on trial in Maidstone

Maidstone seems to be turning into a hotspot for progressive politics and exciting issues. Last month was the new NO2ID group, Kent's first under 18s LGBT night tonight, Palestinian rights campaigners a few doors up from me, and yesterday the Kingsnorth six went on trial at Maidstone Crown Court.

The Greenpeace direct action team painted GORDON on the chimney at Kingsnorth power station (the words BIN IT were to follow) last year and they are being prosecuted for criminal damage. The defence is that it was to protect lives, a worthy defence. There are some high profile defence witnesses lined up for the trial.

The trial stated yesterday and Greenpeace are blogging on its progress and local Greens will be visiting the trial over the next two weeks. Good luck Greenpeace!

The trial could make legal history and be a welcome boost for non-violent direct action.

Non-violent direct action is so much more exciting than non-vilent direct mail!