EDO Smashed!
IMCista | 17.01.2009 19:07 | Smash EDO | Anti-militarism | Palestine | South Coast | World
Anti-militarist activists entered the ITT/EDO MBM arms factory in Moulescombe, Brighton in the early hours of this morning, where they are believed to have caused extensive damage to the offices, and to equipment used to make arms, including the 'zero retention force arming units' and 'ejector release unit 151' which the Smash EDO/ITT campaign says are supplied to the Israeli Air Force. The campaign became aware of the action when they received a phone call from those inside the factory this morning who said that they were 'decommissioning' the factory in solidarity with the people of Gaza, who are currently at the receiving end of the factories products.
Updates: EDO Decomissioners Charged | Solidarity Demo Brighton Magisrates Mon. 19th | Three remanded at bail hearing |
Links: Campaign Website | Action Page |
The arms factory has been targetted by the Smash EDO Campaign for a number of years. In 2005 EDO MBM took High Court action in an attempt to curtail protest at the factory. They lost the action, which proved to be an expensive own-goal as it gave the campaign increased exposure, and brought it to national attention. In 2008 the factory was taken over by ITT.
Weekly protests have been held outside the factory since 2004, and there have been a number of national demos, at the factory and on the streets of Brighton. On October 15th, the SHUT ITT Demo succeeded in shutting the factory for the day.
According to reports in the national media, todays action may have the effect of shutting down the factory for some time. The BBC quotes Det Ch Insp Graham Pratt as saying: "Windows had been smashed and offices turned over in what I would describe as wanton vandalism, but with machinery and equipment so targeted that it could have been done with a view of bringing business to a standstill....The damage is significant and the value substantial."
Prior to entering the factory, the activists made a video (attached) in which they explained their reasons for the action. One commented: "Israel are committing a gross crime now in Gaza. Israel have killed hundreds of children. I think its absolutely disgusting that weapons made in our cities and in our country are being used to kill innocent women and children. They have been used indiscriminately. If the law and the police cant do anything about it its about time somebody else did."
About 30 police are believed to have attended the factory, where they witnessed computers and office equipment being thrown out of first floor windows. Nine people are believed to have been arrested and taken to the Hollingbury and Worthing Police Stations, where police say they are being held on 'suspicion of burglary'. One protestor is believed to have required hospital treatment.
IMCista
Additions
Name and Shame
17.01.2009 21:28
Sub-systems/components for F-16 fighter aircraft:
* BAE Systems. Headquarters: 6 Carlton Gardens, London, SW1Y 5AD
Tel: 01252 373232. Specific location(s) relevant to Israeli F-16s are not known. BAE Systems has numerous locations around the UK (see BAE Systems website), several of which might produce F-16 parts.
* MPE. Hammond Road, Knowsley Industrial Park, Liverpool, L33 7UL
Tel: 0151 632 9100. MPE website
* Smiths Group. Aerospace headquarters: 765 Finchley Road, London, NW11 8DS
Tel: 020 8458 3232. Smiths Aerospace website
Specific location(s) relevant to Israeli F-16s are not known.
Components for Merkava tanks:
* Airtechnology Group. 111 Windmill Road, Sunbury on Thames, Middlesex, TW16 7EF
Tel: 01932 765 822. Airtechnology website
Sub-systems/components for Apache attack helicopters:
* AgustaWestland (exports the 'Jesus nuts' produced by Redmayne Engineering)
Lysander Road, Yeovil, Somerset BA20 2YB
Tel: 01935 475222. AgustaWestland website
* Brimar (Helmet-mounted display systems)
Greenside Way, Middleton, Manchester, M24 1SN
Tel: 0161 681 7072. Brimar website
* Meggitt Avionics (Air data system)
7 Whittle Avenue, Fareham, Hampshire PO15 5SH
Tel: 01489 483300. Meggitt website
* Page Aerospace (Light dimming system)
Forge Lane, Green Street, Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex TW16 6EQ
Tel: 01932 787661. Page Aerospace website
* Penny + Giles Controls (Rotary variable differential transformers)
36 Nine Mile Point Ind. Est., Cwmfelinfach, Gwent NP11 7HZ
Tel: 01495 202000. Penny + Giles Controls website
* Redmayne Engineering ('Jesus nut')
Station Approach, Brockenhurst, Hampshire SO42 7TW
Tel: 01590 623153. Redmayne Engineering website
* Senior Aerospace Baxter Woodhouse & Taylor (Air ducting)
Adlington Park, Adlington, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 4NL
Tel: 01625 870700. Senior Aerospace website
* Smiths Group (Electrical power management systems)
Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham, GL52 8SF
Tel: 01242 673333. Smiths Aerospace website
* SPS Aerostructures (Engine air intakes)
Willow Drive, Sherwood Business Park, Annesley, Nottinghamshire NG15 ODP
Tel: 0115 998 0000. SPS Aerostructures website
Main sources: The Guardian 29.7.06; Airforces Monthly, June 2004; The Guardian 9.7.02
http://www.caat.org.uk/issues/israel-suppliers.php
War Crime Profiteers
A look at the damage
17.01.2009 21:33
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=iQhzTn3H4sE Well over a douzen windows smashed, equipment hanging out, lots of debris in the carpark... they are using a skip to clear it up, looks like it'll take a while though!
until all are free
Raid footage
17.01.2009 22:58
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=0EaDipr0dUA
until all are free
Gaza support demo. UAV Engines, Lichfield, Staffs. Monday 19th January
17.01.2009 22:59
UAV engines (known as UEL) is owned by the Israel drone specialists Silver Arrow, a subsidary of the Israeli defence contractor Elbit systems. One of its rotary Wankel engines is used in Elbit's Hermes 450 drone. A version of the 450 makes up a squadron of the Israeli air force and has been seen over Gaza in the current conflict, being used for surveillance and targeting for Israel's F-16 strike fighters. Elbit's own website suggests that the Lichfield factory produces engines for the Hermes.
The demonstration will be calling for an end to arms sales to Israel and an end to Israeli violent repression of the Palestinian people.
The factory is situated on Lynn Lane, Shenstone, Lichfield, WS140DT (Tel: 01543 481 819).
The demonstration will be held outside the industrial unit at midday. Meet at Shenstone Railway Station at 11.15 a.m. The factory is approximately 11 minutes walk from the station along Lynn Lane, heading out of town (take the first left after Birch Brook lane).
Transport will be leaving from the Sumac Centre in Nottingham (245 Gladstone Street, Forest Fields,NG7 6HX) at 9.30 a.m. To find out more, to offer help with transport etc, or to book transport Tel: Kirsty on 0798 374 3894. Bring banners,things to make noise,etc..Spread the word...
SiafuSoldier
another to name and shame
18.01.2009 01:37
http://www.boycottisraeligoods.org/modules18395.php With headquarters in the UK, Martin-Baker Aircraft Co. Ltd., is. the world's longest established and most experienced manufacturer of aircraft ejection ... Martin Baker controls between 70 and 75 percent of the market for ejection seats for Western-made military aircraft.
http://www.martin-baker.com/ http://www.martin-baker.com/Products/Ejection-Seats/Mk--1-to-Mk--9/Mk--7.aspxhttp://www.martin-baker.com/Products/Ejection-Seats/Mk--10.aspx They're up to Mark 16 version of the product now... but the last model that specifies Israel is Mark 10... a few later versions have no countries listed below the product specification... don't know whether they are still current suppliers?
They were supplying as late as 2005:
Israel Aircraft Industries' Golan Industries and Martin Baker Aircraft Company Ltd.
Sign Teaming Agreement for Production of Crashworthy Helicopter
Seats
http://www.iai.co.il/Default.aspx?docID=32666&FolderID=32540〈=en&PageNum=9http://www.martin-baker.com/getdoc/d5b6cf54-550a-42e8-9b59-c4c64c76d8aa/MB_ESCAPE_12.aspx Martin-Baker Headquarters
The Martin-Baker headquarters are located on a wholly Company owned 22 acre site at Higher Denham in Buckinghamshire, some 30 miles north-west of London and 10 miles from Heathrow, the UK's main international airport. Design and development engineering, manufacturing and environmental static testing are conducted at Denham. Management of all aspects of the Company's business is also handled at this site.
Martin-Baker Aircraft Company Ltd. Higher Denham, near Uxbridge Middlesex UB9 5AJ
England
Registered Office as aboveRegistered No. 868042 (England)
Tel: +44 (0) 1895 832214 Fax: +44 (0) 1895 832587 Email:
information@martin-baker.co.uk Website: www.martin-baker.com Company Directors Joint Managing Director Mr. John S. Martin
Tel: +44 (0) 1895 836555
Directsec@martin-baker.co.uk Joint Managing Director Mr. James W. Martin
Tel: +44 (0) 1895 836555
Directsec@martin-baker.co.uk Engineering Director Mr. Robert J. Martin
Tel: +44 (0) 1895 836600
Directsec@martin-baker.co.uk Management
Financial Controller and Company Secretary Mr. Paul W. Badman
Tel: +44 (0) 1895 836571
cguest@martin-baker.co.uk Head of Commercial Operations Mr. John Buckler
Tel: +44 (0) 1895 836565
awalsh@martin-baker.co.uk Head of Business Development Mr. Andrew Martin
Tel: +44 (0) 1895 836658
cfulker@martin-baker.co.uk Head of Operations Mr. Peter Lewis
Tel: +44 (0) 1895 836504
pmilbourne@martin-baker.co.uk IPT Manager (New Projects) + JSF Program Manager Mr. Geoff Barnes
Tel: +44 (0) 1895 836558
lreeves@martin-baker.co.uk Manager, Systems Engineering Mr. Kevin Hawkins
Tel: +44 (0) 1895 836529
khawkins@martin-baker.co.uk Head of Quality Mr. Tony Tofield
Tel: +44 (0) 1895 836501
ttofield@martin-baker.co.uk Design Support Manager Mr. Richard J. Wood
Tel: +44 (0) 1895 836752
Sgittins@martin-baker.co.uk Product Support and Security Controller Mr. Eric Thomas
Tel: +44 (0) 1895 836752
Sgittins@martin-baker.co.uk Purchasing Manager Mr. Andrew Patrick
Tel: +44 (0) 1895 836504
pmilbourne@martin-baker.co.uk Technical Publications ManagerMr. Chris Morgan
Tel: +44 (0) 1895 836675
cmorgan@martin-baker.co.uk Site Manager Mr. Graham Dumbleton
Tel: +44 (0) 1895 836503
gdumbleton@martin-baker.co.uk Head of Human Resources Mr. Russell Dyer
Tel: +44 (0) 1895 836642
rdyer@martin-baker.co.uk IT Manager Mr. Ian Coyle
Tel: +44 (0) 1895 836595
icoyle@martin-baker.co.uk http://www.martin-baker.com/getdoc/f45cf2ed-9cda-4051-a5bf-47218ec982c2/Martin-Baker-Denham_bw.aspx
reposter
Solidarity demo outside brighton Magisrates mon 19th 10am
18.01.2009 14:47
MONDAY 19th JANUARY from 10am all day
SHOW YOUR SOLIDARITY WITH THOSE BEING HELD
Come to BRIGHTON MAGISTRATES COURT
Edward Street for their bail hearing
These people have made huge sacrifices to show their commitment to confront unjust wars and the arms industry which support them. We can’t let them down.
“From the streets into the offices, factories and headquarters is where we need to take this fight to the companies making a killing out of the occupation. The third intifada needs to be a global intifada.”
Ewa Jasiewicz, Occupied Gaza, 9th January 2009
Smashy
A criminalised peaceful protester
18.01.2009 17:22
http://www.raytheon9.org/
Linoleum
Donations
18.01.2009 22:27
http://www.smashedo.org.uk/donate.htm If you make a donation, e-mail us at
smashedo@riseup.net indicating what your donation is for. Many thanks
Smash EDO
e-mail:
smashedo@riseup.net
Homepage:
http://www.smashedo.org.uk
Solidarity
19.01.2009 07:02
We did likewise in Ireland, ended up in jail initially, on bail with restrictive conditions and dragged through three trials before being finally acquitted 06 of $U.S. 2 1/2 million criminal damage to a U.S. war plane refuelling at Shannon Airport en route to the invasion of Iraq 03
www.peaceontrial.com
I wasn't so lucky in the first Gulf war serving 13 months in U.S. prisons for disabling a B52 Bomberin New York state 91.
The conclusions I've drawn from these varied experiences is the more solidarity the resister receives during these times before the courts and incarcerated the easier the resistance is going to be.
I'd set up a legal defence fund immediately and make it as easy as possible for people who want to support to support. In my experience the bulk of finances raised and support initially harnessed is in these initial daze. The large demonstrations around Palestine will now quickly evaporate as those who organise them move on to to other issues to chase for electoral profile and party building. So it's important to engage these folks recently mobilised in ongoing solidarity before they disappear from the streets.
If our and the B52 Fairford cases are anything to go buy this is going to be a long journey through the courts and possibly beyond...it provides a context if creative tension to continue the camapign against EDO and solidarity with the Palestinians and EDO's other victims.
Once again congratulations to all those who risked their liberty to confront EDO and those doing the ongoing solidarity.
Ciaron O'Reilly
Pitstop Ploughshares 03
Jabiluka Ploughshares 98
ANZUS Ploughshares 91
Ciaron
Homepage:
http://www.peaceontrial.com
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