Andrea Scaringella Photography

G20 Meltdown 2nd April 2009 London

Andrea — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:45:05 +0000

[singlepic=487,225,225,left] 2nd of April 2009,In the Middle of the Financial Recession crisis which hit the richest countries in the world, London held the G20 Summit. Plans of global economy recovery were discussed by leaders, financial ministers and central bankers of 20 countries. London welcomed the world leaders the 1st of April 2009 , the Queen invited her guests to a reception in Buckingam Palace and Mr.Gordon Brown hosted a dinner at Downing Street. Against this background, on 1st of April, the streets of City of London were taken by an alliance of aticapitalist protester called G20 Meltdown that organized a carnival-like peaceful demonstration called " Four Horsefolk of the Apocalipse " which converged in front of the Bank of England with other protesters groups,demanding changes in the Economic System demanding a clear admission of ministers' mistakes about their finance management, demanding actions on poverty, climate changes and Jobs. Thousands of officers from six forces were deployed during the 2 days of the G20 Summit to tackle any security problem. Although the majority of the protests and protesters were peaceful, the threat of violence and criminal damage were used by police as a reason to detain, or kettle. Sporadic clashes occured in various part of the City. A bystander Ian Tomlison, caught in the middle of of a clash, died shortly after being pushed to the ground by a police officer. For several hours on 1 April thousands of demonstrators had been trapped in a cordon outside the Bank of England and troublemakers were identified on handheld cameras carried by police teams. Police forces after the Ian Tomlison tragedy were put under scrutiny for the violent tactics used during the G20 protest

Vita Balera

Andrea — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 12:17:35 +0000

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Sahara Film Festival

Andrea — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:31:36 +0000

[singlepic=409,225,225,left]The Sirocco blows constantly, lifting sand and dust in the vast arid land surrounding the Dajla refugee Camp. The Sahrawi people fled from their land, Western Sahara, thirty-three years ago. In 1976, Spain withdrew from the territories of its former colony of Western Sahara, which up to then had been considered a Spanish province, allowing the military invasion - known as the “Green March" - of the Sahrawi territory by the Moroccan kingdom. For years the Sahrawi people had demanded their independence, supported by the international community through various resolutions of the United Nations (UN) and the International Court of Justice in The Hague. On 27 February 1976, as the last Spanish soldier departed from the territories, the Sahrawi people proclaimed the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. War broke out between the Polisario Front, representatives of the Sahrawi people, and the kingdom of Morrocco. A ceasefire was reached in 1991 through the creation of a peace plan for Western Sahara mediated by the UN and the Organization of African Unity. That plan envisioned a referendum for self-determination in which the Sahrawi people could freely decide their destiny. Since then, the obstacles continually imposed by the Moroccan administration have delayed the process, bringing it to the stalemate in which the Sahrawis presently find themselves. Thousands of Sahrawi men and women, who had left their land before the invasion and subsequent Moroccan repression, crossed the border between Western Sahara and Algeria. Those who survived this desert crossing settled in the Algerian region of Hamada de Tindouf, “the desert of the desert.” When the Sahrawi refugees arrived they set up their jaimas (tents) and set about organizing their camps with international support. The scarcity of water, electricity, and food exacerbate the climatic conditions they have to endure. For more than three decades Saharawis have lived exiled in a no man's land. There are approximately 200,000 people, mostly women, children and young people, living in precarious and extremely harsh conditions in the most inhospitable region of the desert, surviving with dignity and hoping that the long-anticipated referendum will at last take place. More than 50,000 of them inhabit Dajla Refugee camp, a strip of dry land stretching for miles and surrounded by emptiness. These difficult years in Dajla Refugee Camp have seen the construction of schools and hospitals, thanks also to the help of several humanitarian organizations.April 2008 markedt the 5th annual International Sahara Film Festival celebration. Fisahara is a solidarity initiative that aims to support the Sahrawi cause and bring it to the attention of the international community, while also bringing a breath of the outside world to the Saharawis living in such extreme isolation. A huge screen under a black starry sky, such a marvel... People from all over the camp gathered in the main square, if it can be called that, to sit or lie on dusty rugs spread on the ground and wait for the movies to begin. View the gallery

Niger Delta Chronicles

Andrea — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 22:12:00 +0000

[singlepic=372,225,225,left]Chronicle from the Niger Delta aims to provide an in-depth account of what is happening in Nigeria’s volatile oil-extracting region. Plagued by corruption, environmental disasters and ethnic conflict, more recently it has witnessed waves of kidnappings and attacks on oil installations carried out by armed rebel groups and gangs of robbers. All this against a background of widespread illiteracy, the absence of a middle class and, for the majority of people, incomes of less than a dollar per day.On 29th May 2007 Nigeria witnessed the official end of Olusegum Obasanjo’s eight-year presidency and the inauguration of Alhaji U M Yar’Adua as its new leader, with Deltan Goodluck Jonathan as his Vice. This was watched with doubtful eyes by international community observers and journalists who had declared the recent democratic electoral process a farce. Yar’Adua’s speech went on to list the seven point agenda from his election campaign: rebuilding physical infrastructure and human capital, accelerating economic reforms, strengthening the capacity of law enforcement agencies and especially police, reducing inflation, maintaining a stable exchange rate, rebuilding basic infrastructure, overcoming the energy challenge. He also pledged that his administration would give urgent attention to the crisis in the Niger Delta. Although Nigeria is one of the most populous countries in Africa, a major oil producer and rich in resources, its mismanagement, the succession of wars and leaders, inter-ethnic conflict, the corruption and greed of its governors have slowed down the process of development. After more then one year on from Nigeria Presidential Election few steps have been taken toward establishing systems of healthcare and education, developing energy distribution, telecommunications, roads and basic infrastructure, or tackling poverty and unemployment. Once again the Niger Delta, the sensitive region that produces 80% of the Nigeria’s revenue, is the nation’s Achille’s Heel. If the situation with militias and rebels worsens, the nation will be brought to its knees. And this against a backdrop where the majority of the people are already struggling to survive. View the gallery

Lucha Libre

Andrea — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:46:06 +0000

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Walthamstow Dog Race

Andrea — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:10:45 +0000

[singlepic=308,225,225,left]In August 2008,Walthamstow Stadium dog track closed. Established in 1933, it became a landmark and vibrant centre for an East End night out. Aristocrats, actors and working class people attended the popular races for 75 years. The image of its Art Deco facade was used for the cover of Blur's Park Life album and scenes from the Guy Ritchie movie "Snatch" were filmed there. The Chandler family, founders and owners of the Walthamstow Stadium, wrote in their farewell message published in the special glossy programme printed for the last race: "The government decision to abolish off-course General Betting Duty and to permit Betting Shops to remain open during the evening throughout the year, coupled with a dramatic increase in internet betting opportunities, were largely responsible for the downturn. So, sadly, with our principal income streams in sharp decline, and large and general running costs rising relentlessly, the Stadium's operation simply became unsustainable. They say that all good things must come to an end and tonight we should look back on good times past. So let's celebrate the Stow's wonderful 75 years and re-live those happy and treasured memories." View the gallery

Fuerza Bruta

Andrea — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:42:11 +0000

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Roundhouse, originally a Victorian Railway, then a gin warehouse, became a cultural landmark in the 1960s and1970s, playing host to Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, and Pink Floyd as well as legendary productions by Peter Brooke and Tony Richardson. Reopened after two years closure and £30million restoration, with a new Show from the creators of De La Guarda, Fuerza Bruta.Fuerza Bruta, silhouette of drenched woman writhing in a suspended Plexiglas tank

Niger Delta Militants

admin — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:16:33 +0000

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NEAZDP, a Nigerian Positive Story

Andrea — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:01:24 +0000

[singlepic=270,225,225,left]The North East Arid Zone Development Programme (NEAZDP) is based in Yobe State, one of the poorest areas in Nigeria, with a harsh, arid climate. It borders on the southern edge of the Sahara desert, and one of the many challenges faced by inhabitants are moving sand dunes that threaten to engulf villages and oases. Through experimentation NEAZDP has devised an effective method of sand dune fixation using the Prosopis Chilensis tree which has been used to safeguard many villages. NEAZDP is an integrated rural development programme – in other words it sets out to tackle different areas simultaneously – in addition to dune fixation, this encompasses education, water supply, health and veterinary services, agricultural development and so on – in the belief that this is the only was to make the programme sustainable in the long term. This is seen as key in an area with very low literacy and high poverty levels. NEAZDP was originally funded by the EU with some support from the Nigerian government. It was launched in 1990 and EU funding was originally intended to last for 15 years. However, in 1995, following the execution of Ken Saro Wiwa and eight Ogoni activists, the EU withdrew all development funding to Nigeria and the Programme abruptly lost its EU support. For the past 12 years it has received no EU funding and survives on a fraction of its previous income, money that is provided by state and, sporadically, national government, often with long delays. One of the most interesting aspects of the story is how the Programme, now run entirely by Nigerians, has survived since 1995 thanks to the dedication and ingenuity of its managers and staff. Its success against the odds seems to be due in part to the sense of ownership felt by local people who take many of the decisions about how the programme will operate in individual villages. View the gallery

Niger Delta Beliefs

Andrea — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:33:24 +0000

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A pastor fromSalvation Ministries celebrating Sunday Service.The Niger Delta region is host to myriad branches of Christianity, often in the form of new evangelical churches. Every Sunday people gatherin churches and chapelsto listen to the gospel.Religious fervour and often unquestioning beliefs in the Bible are combined with beliefs in magic and ancient animism.Many believers are at the mercy of so-called pastors who reap financialrewards from performing doubious healing rituals or, worse, exorcisms that involvethe abuse and torture of young boys and girls suspected of harbouring evil spirits.