Caterpillar workforce surprised by Israeli arms trade protest
Marita And Greg (re-posted by richarddirecttv) | 12.04.2005 19:49 | Anti-militarism | Oxford
- An article about a recent Manchester action to inspire any Oxford activists thinking of going on the Caterpillar national action on Saturday 
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/oxford/2005/04/308903.html -
Workers arriving at the Caterpillar - Perkins site in Irlam, Greater Manchester on the morning of April 10th were surprised, first by a 30 foot yellow banner with an acrylic image of a Palestinian, head in hands, whose house is being demolished by a Cat bulldozer while an Israeli soldier stands guard.
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/oxford/2005/04/308903.html - Workers arriving at the Caterpillar - Perkins site in Irlam, Greater Manchester on the morning of April 10th were surprised, first by a 30 foot yellow banner with an acrylic image of a Palestinian, head in hands, whose house is being demolished by a Cat bulldozer while an Israeli soldier stands guard.
The spray-painted text proclaims "Stop Caterpillar... Palestine... House Demolitions... Apartheid Wall... Perkins... 100% owned by Caterpillar... Israeli Tank Deal".
The banner flew from a mound of grass along the private road to the security gate, the only entrance this morning. Management had hunkered down on red alert with police and dogs on site since 2 a.m. expecting an invasion under cover of darkness, for some reason.
Drivers rounded the banner to be met by huge photos of armoured Caterpillar D9 bulldozers smashing into Palestinian houses, while children flee. Above the photos, the "Stop Caterpillar" logo.
Then came the megaphone, offering the slowing traffic soundbites on D9 demolitions and the "Apartheid Wall", and inviting them to stop and take a leaflet from protestors gathered in front of the security gate. Around 30 people had turned up from Manchester, Liverpool, Preston, and Brighton, converging on the gate at 6:30 a.m.
Irlam is the world distribution centre for Perkins diesel spares. Caterpillar bought Perkins in 1997. Perkins CV12 engines are incorporated in T72 tanks in a joint venture with the Israeli company NIMDA for re-export to the world market.
Irlam is also one of 3 Cat Logistics sites in the UK. Cat Logistics handles Caterpillar spares worldwide. A joint venture with Honeywell and BAe bid unsuccessfully for a logistics contract with the Australian Defence Forces.
Drivers now faced a choice - accelerate through the protest in full view of the cops, or drive safely and risk having to actually look someone in the face or even take a leaflet.
It was all too much for some - they kept their windows firmly sealed while staring straight ahead. Others were interested but scared that someone might notice, a few shouted at us and declined any discussion. But quite a number, especially those not driving a Jag, perhaps even walking to work, were curious enough to take our leaflet and the War on Want Shareholders anti-Report. Some knew nothing about their company's role in Palestine and thanked us for the information. Some knew of the issues and agreed with us completely. Some, it seems, were embarrassed to go into work through our line.
We were surprised by that, but even more so to discover that - apparently - the site is completely non-union. We began to encourage workers to join a union and take up their own issues.
To our knowledge this protest was the first to focus fully on the Caterpillar workforce, the people who could really put a stop to Cat's collaboration with ethnic cleansing in Palestine. It was a small first step.
Why not try it in your area?
The banner flew from a mound of grass along the private road to the security gate, the only entrance this morning. Management had hunkered down on red alert with police and dogs on site since 2 a.m. expecting an invasion under cover of darkness, for some reason.
Drivers rounded the banner to be met by huge photos of armoured Caterpillar D9 bulldozers smashing into Palestinian houses, while children flee. Above the photos, the "Stop Caterpillar" logo.
Then came the megaphone, offering the slowing traffic soundbites on D9 demolitions and the "Apartheid Wall", and inviting them to stop and take a leaflet from protestors gathered in front of the security gate. Around 30 people had turned up from Manchester, Liverpool, Preston, and Brighton, converging on the gate at 6:30 a.m.
Irlam is the world distribution centre for Perkins diesel spares. Caterpillar bought Perkins in 1997. Perkins CV12 engines are incorporated in T72 tanks in a joint venture with the Israeli company NIMDA for re-export to the world market.
Irlam is also one of 3 Cat Logistics sites in the UK. Cat Logistics handles Caterpillar spares worldwide. A joint venture with Honeywell and BAe bid unsuccessfully for a logistics contract with the Australian Defence Forces.
Drivers now faced a choice - accelerate through the protest in full view of the cops, or drive safely and risk having to actually look someone in the face or even take a leaflet.
It was all too much for some - they kept their windows firmly sealed while staring straight ahead. Others were interested but scared that someone might notice, a few shouted at us and declined any discussion. But quite a number, especially those not driving a Jag, perhaps even walking to work, were curious enough to take our leaflet and the War on Want Shareholders anti-Report. Some knew nothing about their company's role in Palestine and thanked us for the information. Some knew of the issues and agreed with us completely. Some, it seems, were embarrassed to go into work through our line.
We were surprised by that, but even more so to discover that - apparently - the site is completely non-union. We began to encourage workers to join a union and take up their own issues.
To our knowledge this protest was the first to focus fully on the Caterpillar workforce, the people who could really put a stop to Cat's collaboration with ethnic cleansing in Palestine. It was a small first step.
Why not try it in your area?
Marita And Greg (re-posted by richarddirecttv)
e-mail:
mcrsocialforum@hotmail.co.uk
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Action this Saturday!
14.04.2005 14:57
Calling all those who care about Palestinians whose homes are being illegally buldozed by Israeli forces.....
There was a very sucessful action a few days ago at the company, don't waste this momentum . There are places in cars going from Oxford. Please join us.
MEET AT OXFAM BOOKSHOP ST GILES AT 9.30am SAT APR with or without cars.
Phone 01865 768167 or 077 4821 5758 to confirm your place or speak to Tom D, Corpus Christie.
Check indymedia for recent action against Caterkiller.
NATIONAL ACTION AGAINST CATERPILLAR
16 April 2005
STOP CATERKILLER!!!
JOIN OUR PROTEST MOTORCADE.
APRIL 16TH
Meet 11am HOPWOOD SERVICE STATION JUNCTION 2 OF M42
Cars, minibuses, coaches welcome.
DRIVE TO CATERPILLAR AT HOCKLEY HEATH
Then the motorcade will go on to:
RALLY FOR PALESTINE IN VICTORIA SQUARE BIRMINGHAM (OUTSIDE THE COUNCIL HOUSE)
2.30 - 4.00pm
Speakers include: Amneh Badran (from Jerusalem) Clare Short; Richard Burden; Dr. Naseem; Salma Yaquub; Betty Hunter
The pressure is stepping up on CAT now, with shareholder resolutions and Direct Action taking place on both sides of the Atlantic.
Oxford PSC are leaving at 9.30am from the Oxfam bookshop in St Giles to be in good time to meet at 11am at the Hopwood service station, junction 2 of M42.
Everbody is asked to write a letter to hand into the Caterpillar factory when we arrive.
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