This year’s Mayday protests are focusing on the link between war and profit and will be targeting arms and oil companies around the Capital.



In solidarity with the Mayday Collective, Campaign Against Arms Trade’s Direct Action Network is organising a series of protests aimed at directly stopping the warmongers.



The defence industry stands to make huge profits out of the so-called “war on terrorism”. Whilst Iraqi people are dying, UK companies are lining up to bid for contracts to kill and maim; feeding future wars and perpetuating a cycle of death and destruction.



Mayday week is packed with key events in the arms trade calendar:



ITEC (International Training and Education Conference) takes place from 29th April to 1st May. It returns to the UK after a ten year absence and concentrates on training and simulation for the arms trade. It is also a key networking event with companies such as Lockheed Martin and Boeing exhibiting there. It is being held at the ExCeL conference centre, home of DSEi (Europe’s largest arms fair).



CAAT will also be providing a noisy presence outside THE ITEC 2003 DINNER. The dinner, taking place at the Tower of London includes a private viewing of the crown jewels. This dinner is an important networking event where dealers trade death over a glass of wine.



The SMi Group claim to be “a world leading business to business information provider”. They are also a regular provider of defence conferences. Between 28th-29th they are hosting the “Dismounted Close Combat” conference. CAAT’s presence is timed to coincide with their “networking lunch” and comes directly before the sessions on “urban operations, tactics and technologies” and “nuclear, chemical and biological warfare”.



BAE Systems, one of the world’s largest and most notorious arms companies holds its AGM on 30th May. Take part in direct action inside or outside the meeting.






CALENDAR OF EVENTS


27th April Direct action meeting.

Meet at CAAT office, 11 Goodwin St, N4 3HQ, 7pm



28th April Dismounted Close Combat conference

Meet at The Hatton, Hatton Gardens, 12pm

Nearest tube Farringdon



29th April ITEC defence conference

Meet at Custom House DLR, 9am



30th April BAE AGM

Meet at QEII Conference Centre, Tothill St, 9:30am

Nearest tube Westminster



30th April ITEC dinner

Meet at the Tower of London, 6pm

Nearest tube Tower Hill



1st May MAYDAY

Lockheed Martin, High Holborn, 2pm

Nearest tube Holborn

Affinity group actions.



Crash accommodation is available for the week. Please contact us for details.



For further information please contact:

CAAT Direct Action Network

11 Goodwin Street, N4 3HQ

 action@caat.demon.co.uk

www.caat.org.uk

07754 602011