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EDO Rooftop Protesters celebrate as all charges are dropped again

Andrew Beckett | 21.02.2008 07:25 | Anti-militarism | Iraq | Palestine | London | South Coast

21/02/2008

For more info call 07875708873 or email  smashedopress@yahoo.co.uk

Two anti-arms campaigners who were charged with 'Criminal Damage' after climbing on the roof of EDO MBM Fishersgate have had all charges against them dropped.

The two protesters scaled the side of EDO-MBM’s arms factory in Fishersgate, Brighton on 23rd January this year. The pair, both students at Sussex University, climbed onto the roof and unfurled a banner in protest of EDO-MBM’s manufacture of weapons for the US, UK and Israeli militaries, whose combined firepower have caused the deaths of over 1 million civilians in the middle east and central Asia.

Andrew Beckett, press spokesperson for the campaign said “Our demonstration lead to the closure of EDO MBM Fishersgate for several hours, during that time the company were not able to carry on their criminal trade at the premises.”.

Several other people glued themselves to the front doors of the premises preventing workers from entering

For more info call 07875708873 or email  smashedopress@yahoo.co.uk

Notes for Journalists

EDO MBM Technologies Ltd are the sole UK subsidiary of huge U.S arms conglomerate EDO Corp, which was recently named No. 10 in the Forbes list of 100 fastest growing companies. They supply bomb release mechanisms to the US and UK armed forces amongstothers. 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
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.



Andrew Beckett
- e-mail: smashedopress@yahoo.co.uk
- Homepage: http://www.smashedo.org.uk

Additions

more info

21.02.2008 14:44

The charges were dropped because the criminal damage charges they were arrested were ridiculous. There was no damage to the roof they occupied so the police had to drop the charges. The charges were dropped before they had to post bail.

Brett Cohen


Comments

Hide the following 3 comments

more info please

21.02.2008 10:21

Great action - why were charges dropped and for what reason? Was it in court or before they went to trial? Reasons given for dropping charges may help other campaigners.
Keep up the good work against the Profiteers of Death guys!!

Ian Vincible


congrats

21.02.2008 10:36

rooftop protests do appear to be least likely to end up on prosecution

I suggest smash EDO invests in high access crane equipment (like what the council use) to make such protests wheelchair accessible

all the best to the students of sussex who set a fine example for us all

supporter


Info

25.02.2008 00:56

There have been several trials of rooftop protesters in the history of the Smash EDO campaign. Most have been charged with aggravated trespass. The first group were convicted at the magstrated but got off oon appeal on the grounds that they did not intend to cause disruption but instead wanted too obtain media coverage and raise awareness of EDO's role in supplying weapons to othe US/UK and Israel. Two rooftop protesters during the Lebanon war were found not guilty on the same grounds. Two rooftop protesters were found not guilty on the grounds that there was no evidence they had heard the police warning for them to leave. In August 2007 two people occupied the roof of EDO Fishersgate, were charged with Aggravated Trespass but had charges dropped before it reached court (presumably because the CPS saw all the failed prosecutions). The Protesters who are the subject of the article were originally charged with criminal damage, a load of rubbish, presumably because the CPS dd not feel confident in an aggravated trespass prosecution. When there was no evidence of criminal damage those charges were also dropped befoore they had to return for police bail...

Happy roof dwelling

smashy