Smash EDO Press Release - Police drop claims of a 'Riot' at Arms Factory
smashy | 25.11.2008 17:03 | Smash EDO | Anti-militarism | Iraq | Palestine | South Coast | World
Since June 4th Police have been claiming in the media that protesters rioted at the EDO arms factory in Brighton. 14 people are currently facing charges in Brighton Magistrate's Court. However, at the first hearing of the case police dropped all serious charges against protesters and they are now charged with summary only offences.
Chloe Marsh, Press Spokesperson for the campaign, said 'Ever since the 'Carnival Against the Arms Trade', where police used batons, pepper spray and police dogs against protesters, Sussex Police have maintained that their policing of the protest was justified by the seriousness of offences committed by campaigners. First, the protesters were charged with 'conspiracy', then 'violent disorder' and finally had their charges
dropped to summary offences. The trumped up charges allowed the police to search thirteen homes and seize computer equipment and phones in a fishing expedition intended to intimidate protesters'
For more info, photos or interviews call 07754135290 or email
smashedopress@riseup.net
Notes for Journalists
The Company
EDO MBM Technologies Ltd are the sole UK subsidiary of huge U.S weapons manufacturer EDO Corp.From their base in Moulescoombe Brighton, EDO MBM manufacture vital parts for the Hellfire and Paveway weapons systems,laserguided missilesused extensively in Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine and Somalia. EDO Corp were recently acquired by ITT in a multi-billion pound deal. ITT's links to fascism go back to the 1930s. The founder Sosthenes Behn was the first foreign businessman received by Hitler after
his seizure of power.
The Campaign
There has been active campaign against the presence o f EDO MBM in Brighton since the outbreak of the Iraq war.Campaigners include students, Quakers ,Palestine solidarity activists, anti-capitalists and academics.
Despite an injunction under the protection of harassment act (which failed) and over forty arrests the campaign is still going strong.Their avowed aim is to expose EDO MBM and their complicity in war crimes and to remove them from Brighton. They hold regular weekly demos outside the
Moulescoombe factory on Wednesday's between 4 and 6.
THE FILM
On the Verge is an independent film about the SMASH EDO Campaign “In 2004 a group of Brighton peace campaigners began to bang pot and pans outside their local arms manufacturers EDO MBM in disgust of their part in the Iraq war. This has grown into the Smash EDO campaign, which has cost the company millions, been the subject of large scale police operations and has tested the right to protest in the UK.Using activist, police and CCTV footage plus interviews with those involved in the campaign, 'On The Verge' tells the story of one of the most persistent and imaginative campaigns to emerge out of the UK's anti-war movement and direct action
scene.”
Chloe Marsh, Press Spokesperson for the campaign, said 'Ever since the 'Carnival Against the Arms Trade', where police used batons, pepper spray and police dogs against protesters, Sussex Police have maintained that their policing of the protest was justified by the seriousness of offences committed by campaigners. First, the protesters were charged with 'conspiracy', then 'violent disorder' and finally had their charges
dropped to summary offences. The trumped up charges allowed the police to search thirteen homes and seize computer equipment and phones in a fishing expedition intended to intimidate protesters'
For more info, photos or interviews call 07754135290 or email
smashedopress@riseup.net Notes for Journalists
The Company
EDO MBM Technologies Ltd are the sole UK subsidiary of huge U.S weapons manufacturer EDO Corp.From their base in Moulescoombe Brighton, EDO MBM manufacture vital parts for the Hellfire and Paveway weapons systems,laserguided missilesused extensively in Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine and Somalia. EDO Corp were recently acquired by ITT in a multi-billion pound deal. ITT's links to fascism go back to the 1930s. The founder Sosthenes Behn was the first foreign businessman received by Hitler after
his seizure of power.
The Campaign
There has been active campaign against the presence o f EDO MBM in Brighton since the outbreak of the Iraq war.Campaigners include students, Quakers ,Palestine solidarity activists, anti-capitalists and academics.
Despite an injunction under the protection of harassment act (which failed) and over forty arrests the campaign is still going strong.Their avowed aim is to expose EDO MBM and their complicity in war crimes and to remove them from Brighton. They hold regular weekly demos outside the
Moulescoombe factory on Wednesday's between 4 and 6.
THE FILM
On the Verge is an independent film about the SMASH EDO Campaign “In 2004 a group of Brighton peace campaigners began to bang pot and pans outside their local arms manufacturers EDO MBM in disgust of their part in the Iraq war. This has grown into the Smash EDO campaign, which has cost the company millions, been the subject of large scale police operations and has tested the right to protest in the UK.Using activist, police and CCTV footage plus interviews with those involved in the campaign, 'On The Verge' tells the story of one of the most persistent and imaginative campaigns to emerge out of the UK's anti-war movement and direct action
scene.”
smashy
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