A Woman is facing trial today for singing outside Brighton arms manufacturers, EDO MBM. She was arrested under a council byelaw, section 235 of the local government act, in September while attending the Smash EDO Protest Camp in Wild Park (see previous press release).

Andrew Beckett, press spokesperson for Smash EDO, said "Sussex Police's use of Local Government byelaws against protesters is another example of the law being twisted to stifle freedom of expression. These laws were created to deal street noise in residential areas not to interfere with freedom of expression."

In 2007 seven protesters outside the arms factory were arrested under council byelaws.

Chloe Marsh, press spokeswoman for the campaign said "We challenge Brighton and Hove Council to stop Sussex Police misusing local government legislation in this way."

In November a demonstration was held outside Brighton Town Hall calling for the council to act against the misuse of the law (see previous press release). In January hundreds of people marched through Brighton and surrounded Brighton Police Station in protest at the police crackdown the right to protest.

The trial is scheduled for two days and will be held at Brighton Magistrate's Court. Next week two people are in court again from March 3rd-6th for arrests relating to the protest camp

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.