FREEDOM TO PROTEST COURT CASE - SMASH EDO PROTESTER IN COURT

Chris Osmond, campaigner against Brighton arms manufacturer EDO MBM, will be in Brighton Magistrates court tomorrow charged with 'inciting another to breach a police order'.

The protester was arrested at a demonstration in North St on 12th August 2005 after the police allegedly imposed conditions on the demonstration under Section 12 of the Public Order Act.

Sarah Johnson, spokeperson for Smash EDO said 'On the 12th August 2005 the police misused their powers by stopping a peaceful demonstration against the production of arms. Their actions were contrary to articles 10 and 11 of the Human Rights Act'

The defence have argued that Mr Osmond was targeted for arrest as a longterm campaigner and a litigant in person in high court proceedings.

On Wednesday the Crown have ordered a disclosure hearng to argue that documents, which the defence say strengthen their case do not have to be disclosed.

The case is scheduled for a full hearing on Thursday and Friday.

The case is the last prosecution to arise out of the civil injunction EDO MBM attempted to obtain to criminalise protest outside their factory in Mouslecoomb.

In March this year the Crown Prosecution Service were forced to drop, or failed in, 23 criminal prosecutions after a court case in Febuary came close to uncovering collusion between EDO MBM and Sussex Police.

The relationship between Sussex Police and EDO BM is now the subject of a series of police complaints and an Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) enquiry.

Smash EDO demonstrate every Wednesday at EDO MBM, Home Farm Road, 4-6pm.


Notes for Journalists


Brighton & Hove is a UN Peace Messenger City


EDO MBM Technologies Ltd are the sole subsidiary of huge U.S arms conglomerate EDO Corp. They supply crucial components for Raytheon's Paveway guided bomb system, widely used in the "Shock and Awe" campaign in Iraq.


Campaign against EDO MBM.


EDO MBM makes electrical weapons components for the Israeli military. EDO MBM manufactures components to be incorporated into the Hellfire missile, which the Israeli army has recently used to attack the civilian population of Gaza . They have organised conferences on the development of UCAVs, unmanned aircraft which are widely used in aerial attacks on Gaza . EDO Corporation, of which EDO MBM Brighton is a wholly owned trading unit, has a direct contract with the Israeli Navy who murdered 10 civilians on a beach near Beit Lahiya, Gaza, earlier this month.


People involved in the anti-EDO campaign include, but are not limited to: local residents, the Brighton Quakers, peace activists, anti-capitalists, Palestine Solidarity groups, human rights groups, trade unionists, academics and students.


The campaign started in August 2004 with a peace camp. It's avowed aim is to expose EDO MBM and their complicity in war crimes and to remove them from Brighton .


Contact Andrew Beckett or Sarah Johnson For more Details


Email -  smashedopress@yahoo.co.uk, tel 07875708873


www.smashedo.org.uk