IRISH CENTRE UPDATE
The old Irish Centre on Mount Pleasant may be turned into a ‘multi-functional entertainment venue’ by owner New Dimension Properties. The building has meant a lot to people over the years – the Irish who were turfed out several years ago and later people who occupied it and proposed a ‘multi-functional’ community/social centre. It’s good news that the building will be preserved but a shame that a building given to the people over a hundred years ago is going the same way as nearly all space in the City centre – to private business.

THIS IS CULTURE!
People have been stirring to resist the city's new flyposting policy. Since the success of the Culture of Capital bid, people are being hassled for putting-up posters advertising gigs and parties, especially smaller, non-corporate ones! Add to this the draconian new Licensing Laws, things are getting very tough for organisers and performers who clash with the council's definition of 'culture' - ie. commercial, nostalgic and propped-up by big wealthy pop names. Don't be intimidated by the laws if you want to advertise your events, and contact defconradio@hotmail.com to be part of the flyposting resistance.

MORE OAP REFUGEES
Three more care homes closed recently, taking the toll to 134 closures in the last five years! As usual, some of the residents didn't survive the move - 4 died after being moved from the 27-bed Delamere House in St Helens. Companies running the homes blame the councils for not paying enough, who in turn blame the government, who in turn blame the councils for mis-spending. Meanwhile, £800,000 of development money has been spent on tarting-up two city centre squares with 'European-style' outdoor dining space. The deck-chairs on the Titanic are being rearranged again...

PEOPLE OVERCOME PROFIT!
The dog racing track proposed for Fazakerly has been refused permission. As we recently reported that many local residents were opposed to the site, with concerns ranging from noise and traffic pollution to animal welfare.
The council were forced to take the views of Allerton residents seriously, as they decided to deny Marks & Spencer a new store on the site of the library. People were worried about traffic and a 'ham-fisted, ill thought-out plan'. M&S are disappointed but their shareholders can relax. They still plan 150 new stores in the UK by 2006, with the potential to put hundreds of small shops out of business.

MAKE REPAIRS, NOT WAR!
Liverpool Housing Workers Against War is a new group that's organising to oppose British and US militarism. Their first action, in May, was outside the Town Hall, and showed people are still willing to stand-up against government policy, despite a general post-war return to apathy.

YOMANGO RADIO
People Not Profit members are currently in the process of setting-up an internet radio station, as part of the new Livepool Indymedia project. Anyone interested in promoting grassroots community action and the aspects of local culture ignored by the mainstream media, is welcome to take part. If you are interested in the project, want to host a programme, or can help on the technology side, email ad_nauseum81@hotmail.com

DODGEY WOOD
On June 14th a group of protestors from Greenpeace paid a visit to Travis Perkins in Liverpool to point out to staff and customers that TP get their plywood from Indonesian rainforests which are being illegally and destructively logged. Another building firm Jewsons bought their wood from Indonesia but two days before the national protests they announced they would stop doing so. This leaves Travis Perkins very isolated. If you are buying wood, avoid Travis Perkins and get wood which is marked FSC. This guarantees that it comes from sustainable sources.
Meanwhile, the Rainbow Warrior has been taken by Spanish authorities for its part in a direct action against timber imports from Central America. The wood is taken from endangered forests, but no laws prevent it being imported to the EU. Spain is demanding a bond of 300,000 before the ship is released.