Harassment Law Used Against Anti-War Campaigners

On 25th March, Smash Edo, Bombs out of Brighton and 14 individuals were issued with intended injunctions under the 1997 Harassment Act, to be heard in the High Court on April 14th.

The law was first introduced to protect people from stalkers but was then used against anti-vivisection groups.. This is the first time it has been used against an anti-war or anti-arms trade group.

“SmashEdo” aims to shut down EDO MBM using awareness-raising and Non-Violent Direct Action tactics.”

If the injunction were granted it would limit demonstrations to no more than ten people for two and a half hours on a Thursday afternoon. Other prohibitions would include the banning of musical instruments/amplified sound, and protest camps within 3 miles of Edo’s factory or any of the employees’ homes. These terms are very similar to those on injunctions against animal rights campaigns, and the now defunct Stop Bayer Campaign.

If granted on the terms requested by injunction specialists Solicitors Lawson-Cruttenden it will represent a further twisting of the law’s originally stated purpose. One of the reasons that companies and the police use civil, rather than criminal law is that the burden of proof necessary to get an “interim” injunction is very low. In the case of this particular campaign there have only been a handful of convictions relating to minor public order offences (Obstruct highway/Aggravated Trespass).

The campaigns tactics have included: a visit by a Citizens Inspections Agency (CIA) team, weekly noise demos, Letter writing,a peace camp, Silent Vigils, demos in town A phone blockade,and a roof-top demo.

Other repression connected with the EDO campaign has included Solicitors threatening UK IMC with legal action and a campaigner who downloaded publicly available information from the Company House Website having his house raided and arrested by Sussex police.

Even without the injunction Sussex Police have used their powers to declare assemblies of two or more people subject to conditions.

chris b

Comments

Hide the following 28 comments

Selective Amnesia?

03.04.2005 19:53

You appear to have forgotten to mention that your actions against Edo also include several instances of criminal damage to Edo property and the harrasement of Edo directors and families at their homes.

Zippy

harrasment my arse

03.04.2005 21:44

Hey ZIPPY

Please show your proof of the Smashedo campaign involvement in criminal damage.

There is none.

high court judge

We Never Forget

03.04.2005 22:44

Mr Amnesiac
We will never forget your part in the Killing of thousands of civilians. The majority of people who protest against you are peaceful and probably a whole lot more law abiding than you Mr. EDO in your stupid 4x4.

By attempting to criminalise decent people in this way you will only turn more against you. If only you were smart enough to realise that you might be smart enough to get a decent job.

Criminalising Quakers and pensioners and other respectable citizens of Brighton will not earn you any more friends or any good publicity in the long term. And bringing a Labour Councillor into your evidence was not your smartest move - you really should get new glasses.

But I'm sure we can expect more lies and exagerated claims from you in the future.

Nellie the Elephant

Erm...... whose actions?

03.04.2005 23:25

Zippy says:

"You appear to have forgotten to mention that your actions against Edo also include several instances of criminal damage to Edo property and the harrasement of Edo directors and families at their homes."

Whose actions are you saying included "criminal damage"? Last I heard it was a disgruntled former EDO employee.

As for harrassment of directors and their families - you're in the land of fairy stories now.

Come to think of it, did the so-called "criminal damage" and "harrassment" do as much harm as one bomb dropped on Iraqi civilians with EDO's help?

We should be told.

Poxie Pixie

Selective morality?

05.04.2005 18:27

I wonder if EDO MBM directors are feeling harrased by their consciences yet? Maybe that's the real reason why they are trying to keep those horrible protestors away from their Iraqi child-murdering enteprise?

Not Sir Robert Warmsley

Fuck the directors.Fuck Edo.

06.04.2005 16:19

Cant see that it really matters about directors of arms companies having demos outside their houses and as for the criminal damage, maybe this should be be on Directors homes as well as Edo.

Anyway as far as I know, no one from any campaign has been convicted of criminal damage against edo or protests outside company directors.

Up your kilts arms dealing scum.

Fuck de Fuck.

Limited Numbers

06.04.2005 21:02

I don’t think that limiting the number of protestors to ten will make any difference, you can only muster up 4 on a good day.

Bob the Builder

re. Limited Numbers

07.04.2005 22:55

Thats what I thought to. So cant quiet see why they need to take them to court and all that for a few loosers.

Mr Blobby

yum, more laws

08.04.2005 00:06

Hah, Bob thats a pile of shit and you know it!

If this gets through then thats one more step down the road to a complete police state (or are we already in that epoche?)

EDO KILLS...

bob basher

harrasment my arse my arse

13.04.2005 21:34

Hey HIGH COURT JUDGE

Please show your proof of the Smashedo campaign innocence in criminal damage.

There is none.

bob the builder

Injunction hearing adjourned

14.04.2005 21:35

The hearing in the High Court today 14th april was adjourned to give more time for the defendants to submit their defence.

The hearing is now to take place on FRIDAY 22nd April.

protest at EDO remains legal for at least one more week.

tcp

Media demonises legitimate protest

15.04.2005 16:12

Suprise suprise the media coverage of the protest followed the agenda of the weapons manufacturers and the government by making totally unsubtantiated claims that the protesters had used 'violent' tactics, linking their actions to 'extreemists' such as the ALF. In Britain today we are bombarded with images, messages, lifestyle adverts and propaganda. Those among us who are still able to formulate an opinion are finding it increasingly hard to voice that opinion. The news items covering the protest did not mention any issues relating to the arms trade, huge profits for manufacturers or the war. Instead the protesters were having to defend themselves against untrue accusations, whilst the real questions were ignored. - If I wanted to watch right-wing propaganda I would tune into the Fox News network. Come on British news media - do your job properly. You are supposed to be journalists, which suggests at least an attempt at impartiality. Dont let us down.

Sargon

harrasment my arse my arse my arse

15.04.2005 22:52

Dear Bob,
Please show proof of your innocence in your contribution to the slaughter of thousands of innocent civilians.

Even if you make the tiniest component in these killing systems or even just make sandwiches for the people who do, you are complicit in war crimes and you should bow your head in shame.

Walkman

EDO's idea of democracy in a nutshell:

16.04.2005 06:57

"Please show your proof of the Smashedo campaign innocence in criminal damage."

Guilty until proven guilty, as you can't prove a negative, especially for an unspecified number of people who associate with the slogan 'smash edo'. So is that what you mean by 'defending democracy' Bob? Sounds like totalitarianism to me.

Gerald Winstanley

Learn to count

16.04.2005 13:04

Numeracy not your strong point, Bob the Bomber? I got the impression that there were well over 50 people at the last demo.

See you on Wednesday. :-)

Sir Robert Warmsley's personal daemon waiting to roast his balls in hell

next noise demo

17.04.2005 08:44

let's remind EDO what they're up against again next Wenesday from 4-6.
Bring pots and pans to Home Farm Rd, Brighton.
Show support at the High Court next Friday, demo outside from 9am.
We are here to stay, TLC or no TLC.

Sir Bob's inner circle of the inferno

number cruncher

18.04.2005 11:58

so the 50 or so last week bring the average up to 5 a week.
let's see how many turn up this Wednesday when the TV cameras aren't there.
So much for your vaunted 'wider support' among the peace community!
Demonstrate at Parliament or even at the bases but leave honest, working people alone!

einstein

Mr. Number Cruncher

18.04.2005 20:11

"Demonstrate at Parliament or even at the bases"

Well we would but the first is soon to be made a crime (Serious Organised Crime Bill) and the second could result in an ASBO (Lindis Percy, Mentworth Hill) . Oh well guess we'll have to stick to Edo. And it is nearer!

Percy Peterson

"but leave honest, working people alone!"

19.04.2005 07:04

Our anger is directed at those in charge - there the ones with the obvious power. But EDO's workers have power too - colectively they/you could agitate for a shift to focus on EDO's civilian business, individually they/you can leak info/sabotage etc... If you're an honest worker, you'l think about the consequences of your actions, and if you don't like them, act!

smashnik

EDO protest ban violates human rights, warns MEP

19.04.2005 11:29

click on the link-

http://www.greenparty.org.uk/index.php?nav=news&n=1932

Green party

einstein sez

19.04.2005 17:17

"so the 50 or so last week bring the average up to 5 a week."

So, your company is getting an injunction to stop 5 people protesting?

Big enough to make bomb release mechanisms, not big enough to be reminded that they kill people, eh?

ftp

Come to the high Court on Monday 25th may

23.04.2005 20:12

The injunction hearing continues from 10.30 am on monday - Please come along and support

Please bring anti arms trade banners along at 9.30 am on monday for a support pickett. It would also be good to have people outside at the end of the proceedings

tlc 4 edo

Harassment my arse my arse my arse my arse

13.05.2005 12:09

'Even if you make the tiniest component in these killing systems or even just make sandwiches for the people who do, you are complicit in war crimes and you should bow your head in shame. '

Everybody in this country who pays tax or buy's goods that are subject to vat pay towards the armed forces. Using your argument then they are just as guilty even you.

Bob the Builder

re. Harassment my arse my arse my arse my arse

16.05.2005 22:04

It is hardly possible to opt out of paying VAT or any other tax although some brave Quakers have refused to pay income tax on the basis that it supports killing. It is however perfectly possible to choose one's career or job. Few people would choose one that involves making components for mass killing but clearly enough do if the price is right.

So I'm sorry, you're wrong and slightly silly in your comparison!

Gordon

Where did they get the song title from

20.05.2005 14:27

If you dont like where your money goes, move to another country, no one is stopping you apart from yourself.

Gordon is a moron

bob

Move to another country ?

23.05.2005 19:32

Bob, They would't dare move to another country, because the chances are they would then find out how lenient the UK really is on anti-establishment 'protestor' types. In many countries of the world their beliefs and actions would already have landed them in jail or even worse. Perhaps they should have tried protesting against the government in Saddam's Iraq.
The fact is, Bob, these sad LITTLE people cannot see the BIG picture.

Free Trader

Iraq: Setting the record straight

23.05.2005 20:04

Anyone (everyone) who professes to have an opinion on the Iraq war, should at least read the report "Iraq: Setting the record straight" on www.newamericancentury.org/iraq-042005.pdf

This will doubtless be dismissed by some as American imperialist claptrap or something similar. However, for those of an unbiased disposition this report provides new insight into the facts surrounding the war. Sources used in compiling the report are extensively detailed.

I wonder if any of the smash edo folks will read this report with something even remotely akin to an open mind.

New American

Hey Bob

26.05.2005 22:59

I live in another country (ie not the UK in case you are confused). Have to pay VAT there too but hey there you go.

Gordon