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Smash EDO Smashing Update

Smashy | 25.11.2008 17:09 | Smash EDO | Anti-militarism | Iraq | Palestine | South Coast | World

here's the latest news from Smash EDO

Demonstrations against ITT in Basingstoke

Two demonstrations have taken place aginst ITT, EDO's parent company in Basingstoke. Smash EDO are calling for demonstrations at ITT premises around the country.

Surprise Noise Demos at EDO MBM

Campaigners have held two surprise demos at the EDO factory in the last fortnight, on top of the weekly Wednesday demonstrations.
Alternative Remembrance Day Memorial at EDO MBM/ITT

At 11 o clock today activists held a minute's silence for the victims of EDO MBM/ITT outside the gates of the factory. Police showed up in force and threatened to arrest people for obstruction of the highway. Flowers and wreaths were laid at the gates of the factory.

Court Update: Police drop most Serious Charges against 'Carnival Against the Arms Trade' Protesters

On Tuesday 24th 11 people entered not guilty pleas at Brighton Magistrate's to a variety of minor charges relating to the 'Carnival Against the arms Trade' in June. The police had originally attempted to charge them with conspiracy, then to charge some with violent disorder. Finally serious charges have been dropped and all defendants are charged with summary only offences. There are now a total of Fourteen defendants in the case.

Man arrested for playing anti war songs has charges dropped

Glen Williams, who was arrested for playing 'and the band played Waltzing Matilda' has had charges against him discontinued. Glen was arrested during a protest songs demonstration outside EDO MBM intended to challenge the use of council byelaws against protesters. The dropping of the charges against Glen shows that Sussex Police know that they are on shaky ground using council byelaws against protesters.

Woman arrested for singing outside EDO wins her case

A woman who was arrested at the Smash EDO Protest Camp 2007 for singing and playing the acoustic guitar won her case after the prosecution offered no evidence (after stringing the case out for a year).

Woman arrested under PACE wins her appeal

A woman arrested at the Smash EDO camp 2007 won her appeal against conviction at Lewes Crown Court. She had been arrested for obstruction after refusing to give up her video camera which police were, unlawfully, trying to seize under Section 19 of PACE. This is a police tactic to gather evidence against campaigners and to prevent the use of cameras at protests.Section 19 of PACE gives police the power to confiscate property if it will help them uncover evidence of a crime and they are lawfully on a premises. Despite the word 'premises' police argue they can use Section 19 anywhere.

Raytheon in Bristol Blockaded

Activists in Bristol blockaded Raytheon's premises last week. Raytheon are EDO's most important business partner

Halloween Antics at EDO

Ghosts, ghouls, pixies and gnomes held a haunting at EDO MBM/ITT on Wedsnesday 29th. Some of them even took a soud system to the back of the factory. Police raced into the woods to apprehend the offenders but when they got there didn't really know what to do....

Bristol Campaigners target Raytheon

Just a few days after the Shut ITT demo in Brighton a crew of people from Bristol held a rooftop occupation at Raytheon's depot in Bristol. Rayhteon are EDO MBM/ITT and Raytheon work together on the Paveway III and IV systems of munitions - used to massacre civilians in Iraq. The occupation lasted over 38 hours.

Smashy