Firm hits out at activists over client protests
Thursday 26 May 2005
A London law firm has hit back at activists who staged a noisy protest outside its offices last week over its role acting for weapons manufacturer EDO MBM Technology.
A dozen protesters played loud music and handed out leaflets asking passers-by to telephone Lawson-Cruttenden & Co and ask them not to represent the company.
The protesters accused the firm of attempting to suppress rights to freedom of expression, by representing EDO in its bid to obtain an injunction against campaigners who are alleged to have targeted the business.
Lawson-Cruttenden & Co specialises in obtaining injunctions for organisations that have been the targets of direct action protest groups.
Sole principal Timothy Lawson-Cruttenden said that over the past 18 months his firm has been subjected to broken windows, threatening letters and e-mails and telephone blockades. He said: ‘This is an attempt to undermine the independence of the legal profession.’
Thursday 26 May 2005
A London law firm has hit back at activists who staged a noisy protest outside its offices last week over its role acting for weapons manufacturer EDO MBM Technology.
A dozen protesters played loud music and handed out leaflets asking passers-by to telephone Lawson-Cruttenden & Co and ask them not to represent the company.
The protesters accused the firm of attempting to suppress rights to freedom of expression, by representing EDO in its bid to obtain an injunction against campaigners who are alleged to have targeted the business.
Lawson-Cruttenden & Co specialises in obtaining injunctions for organisations that have been the targets of direct action protest groups.
Sole principal Timothy Lawson-Cruttenden said that over the past 18 months his firm has been subjected to broken windows, threatening letters and e-mails and telephone blockades. He said: ‘This is an attempt to undermine the independence of the legal profession.’
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Poor TLC
29.05.2005 18:42
mozart
Oh, free music and they complain???
29.05.2005 20:12
What is wrong with TLC???
Come on TLC, don't complain, you should of enjoyed the music!
EDOPhobic Manchester
Please explain
29.05.2005 20:37
Joe Public
G'wan Joe Public
29.05.2005 22:26
:)
Timothy Awesome-Clusterbomb
Heh heh
30.05.2005 00:28
I beleive that the shit ones charge £500 an hour, so he'll need to dig deep
Justice Gloss
In answer
30.05.2005 07:51
Well Joe it's simple, protest of this kind are not designed to stop the world wide arms trade any more than the participents expect the law firm to stop representing EDO. These protests are about having a bit of a laugh at someone eleses inconvenience. Imagine you hold views and opinions shared by about 1% of the population, imagine how worthless that makes you feel. Well you and 3 or 4 other liked minded souls can get together and use this as a way to improve your self esteem.
Explainer
99% of the population
30.05.2005 08:57
Thats amazing.............
Maim those kids now!!!!!
What about this then Joe
30.05.2005 09:13
Because they are complicit in the killing and maiming of innocent civilians prehaps?
"If you close down the factory they will only move somewhere else, recruit new staff or relocate the existing staff."
A very very expensive option!
" In the meantime you are ensuring the legal profession makes a whole load of money"
For EDO another expensive option!
" and some youngsters get a criminal record."
Maybe! Maybe if its a light hearted peaceful protest they will not get any kind of criminal conviction?
" If you want to stop war you have to get to the causes of it not the results of it."
I dont think that the large weapons manufacturers take the view that they will wait for the wars to come along and get involved, more that their order books thin out a bit and they say something like, 'look mr president a nasty evil country threatening you, go on, bomb it! tell you what we have some really cool bombs here for you, only $1million each' etc etc
Some people smash things up, some people sit at home and tut and some people go and do fluffy actions.........who cares as long as it raises public interesr and knowledge... and costs EDO a fuck load of money.
Profit margins are all that matter to these suits, as soon as bad press starts to cost them they will change.
Silent Bob
Responce to Mr Joe Public
30.05.2005 13:28
Answer from one of the people in court over protest at Edo-
Firstly, not correct to mention youngsters- i am middle aged..
As for crimianal record- we must be willing to stand out against injustice, warmongering especially that which is done in the name of profit.
The society in which we live promotes ruthless self interest.
I have been to one of the countries where European made weaponry has been used upon the inhabitants and seen indiscriminate damage to people and property at first hand.
Problem is many people in this country have had it too good, the idea of being abused on a daily basis is far from them.
Unfortunatly the comments made by Joe Public in some ways are right at least his assumption about the public not supporting our actions.
We, the activists are only too aware of this and are at least intellegent enough to know why.
The forces who control this planet also control most forms of media, through the various media outlets, people in the world are fed lies and for much of their lives are told to look after them selves and not others.
We also realise that people who work for companies such as Edo are sometimes very trapped in this system, that of having a morgage and probably various loans which they have taken out, to be able to buy the things that the media and advertising tell them that they need.
Well i say that actually you dont need these objects for your happiness, I suggest that what you really need is to free your minds and more importantly some humanity.
The people who recieve the end results of weaponry made at such places as Edo/Mbm have far more humanity than what I have experienced in Europe, I have yet to encounter the friendliness here in the UK which people have displayed to me in some of these far away lands.
The reason we are outside the door of Edo/Mbm is that we have seen firsthand the end results of your products, how can we forget..
The actions of those involved in the arms industry are probably some of the most vile acts which are commited upon this planet.
Hope this goes some way to explaining why we do what we do.
Another beautiful Activist.
Another beautiful Activist
How fat?
30.05.2005 15:47
Keep feeding them and we will find out!
Oi!
Vegetarian Primate
31.05.2005 23:00
MAHATMA GANDHI.
This lawyer has no real interest in justice at all. A more relevant quote is this one:
VENGEANCE IS MINE SAITH THE LORD, I SHALL REPAY.
Romans ch5 vs 17.
This legal firm makes money out of defending the true criminals of this world. May God forgive him.
Carl Jung