[Imc-uk-process] [Startpage and banner proposal] Support IMC UK!

[maqui]

Hi

Following the email yossarian sent to the process list relating to the 
costs due to the server seizure, and the actual running costs of imc-uk:

http://lists.indymedia.org/pipermail/imc-uk-propose/2009q1/0128-un.html

I'd like to suggest to put up Breaking News startpage special asking 
people for donations and specifically standing orders to help cover 
running costs. I'd like to propose to have this *very short* starpage 
special on top of the front page for a few weeks (at least a month or 
so) This would be a single sentence about the server having been sized, 
and asking for donations, which would link to a static page with the 
text I propose below, and that I've added in the wiki here:

https://we.riseup.net/imc-uk/support-imc-uk

I would also like to propose to have a 'Donate to IMC-UK' banner in the 
left hand side column of the front page, similar to what there was 
after the Aimsha server seizure in 2004. This banner could stay up for 
as long as donations are coming in, and I propose to put it between the 
'Upcoming Coverage" and "United Kollectives' boxes. Could someone (Tony 
:-) please come up with a 'donate' banner design. Ta!

I'd like to put that up as soon as possible as running costs keep 
ticking, and if there are no objections to the text i propose below I 
will de-promote the "Police Seize UK Indymedia Server (Again)" feature 
into a normal feature at some point tomorrow evening, and create the 
new short startpage special.

Cheers
maqui

==============

PROPOSED TEXT:

Support IMC UK!>

You have probably already heard this, but just in case here it is 
again: <i>"The Independent Media Center UK is a grassroots network of 
individuals, groups, and independent and alternative media activists 
committed to using media production and distribution as a tool for 
promoting social, economic justice. Unlike the corporate media, 
Indymedia UK is not owned by anyone, or funded by big commercial 
conglomorates and advertisers.</i>

You probably also know that in the last few years there have been a 
series of IMC servers been seized by the police. The fisrt one was in 
2004 when police <a href="/en/2004/11/300886.html">seized the first 
server</a> in London. The following year, 2005, another server was <a 
href="/en/2005/06/315177.html">seized in Bristol</a>, and finally, more 
recently, on the 22nd of January 09 IMC-UK <a 
href="/en/2009/01/419838.html">lost another server</a> due to another 
police operation [<a href="/en/2009/01/420319.html">Press Release</a>].

The loss of a server represents a serious damage to the infrastructure 
of the indymedia project as well as the local grassroots social 
movements. On the other hand, such incidents can raise public attention 
to issues like civil liberties and free speech, data-retention laws and 
also to the work of alternative media projects. In any case, it is 
resource-intensive to replace a server both financially and time-wise, 
and that means we are in urgent need of your support to sustain our 
effort.

<strong>Please consider helping out with the running costs of IMC-UK by 
donating some money. A regular standing order can enormously help 
Indymedia – what it does and what it stands for – no matter how small 
the donation may be. Enough regular contributions will secure its 
financial viability and stability.</strong>

Our bank is: Triodos Bank NV Brunel House 11 The Promenade Bristol BS8 
3NN

If you want to transfer money from within the UK: Account number: 
03194700 Sort code: 16-58-10

If using checks, please write them to: The Independent Media Centre 
(IMC) UK. In the UK, cheques or cash can be paid in over the counter at 
all branches of the Royal Bank of Scotland at no charge. This is 
preferable to sending them to Triodos - it otherwise costs us 50p per 
cheque.

Cheques or Postal order can be sent to: The Independent Media Centre 
(IMC) UK P.O. Box 587 London, SW2 4HA, UK

To transfer money internationally without extra fees (only valid for EU 
countries):<br>
Account Name: Triodos Bank<br>
Account number: 10000856<br>
Sort code: 16-00-34<br>
Swift Code: RBOSGB2LCBB<br>
IBAN Number: BG11RBOS16003410 0008 56<br>
BIC Number: RBOS BD 21<br>
Reference: 03194700

<strong>Thank you for you support!</strong>