21st March has been designated a global day of direct action by international groups, against the arms trade. Organisations and individuals around the world will be taking direct action against arms dealers and this protest is a part of that.


Situated between B & B Hi-Fi and The Yorkshire Bank within Market Place is the UK operational headquarters of an arms dealer/manufacturer called Raytheon. This Branch of Raytheon is responsible for the Javelin Missile Project that was used to lethal effect in Iraq.


The global arms trade profits from war and destruction, fuelling instability, conflict and oppression around the world. Arms dealers such as Raytheon are constantly searching for new ways to sell their deadly products, often arming both sides in a conflict, adding fuel to the fire and leading to tragic consequences.


Furthermore, arms dealers such as Raytheon, have their transactions guaranteed by a global system management. For you this means the UK government finances the arms trade to the tune of £760 million – that is £30 per taxpayer per year - while our hospitals, schools and other vital services go under-funded. If the arms dealers sign a risky contract and end up not getting paid for their goods – that’s ok! The UK government will make it up to them, using YOUR money, via the Export Credit Guarantee Department.


And it is not as though Raytheon is in financial difficulty. Its exports for 2002 alone totalled $2.6 billion


This company is not simply off in some far-flung corner of the world far from any criticism or action. They are acting, every day, in the very centre of Reading and this is why we are bringing Raytheon to your attention.


Raytheon aren’t the only arms dealers in our area though:

Thales Research + Technology (UK) Ltd, Worton Drive, Worton Grange, Reading, Berks, RG2 0SB

Babcock Infrastructure Services, Head Office, Caversham House, 13-17 Church Road, Reading, Berks.


Please visit the web-site readingantig8.co.nr and get in contact, we would like to hear from you.


This is an initiative from the 'Destroy the Arms Trade' session at Beyond ESF (www.wombles.org.uk)


The world's largest Arms Fair takes place on the 13th - 16th September 2005 at Docklands Arena, London, be there and shut em down! (www.dsei.org))