Last Thursday arms dealers holding an Advanced Weapons Integration Conference at the Selfridges Hotel had a visit from people concerned about their lethal activities.
Not unsurprsingly, given the rolecall of top US military brass and arms dealers such as Raytheon and EDO MBM present, there was a large police presence around the hotel (30+ cops), who gave the concerned citizens a hostile lunchtime reception. This was presumably part of the conference package which involved hiring out the whole hotel for two days. People were detained and personal details requested under section 50. Some gave details whilst others refused and were released anyway. It seems this was a blatantly illegal attempt by the police to get personal details.
As the group left the area police followed them around London until the demo outside the hotel at 5.30. In a desperate attempt to shield the arms dealers from the ugly truth of their activities protesters were shoved into a pen and the banners facing the hotel covered up by police. Leafletters outside the pen were thrown into the pen and one protester had a barrier planted on her foot.
However the spirits of the around 50 protesters weren't dampened by the heavy-handed policing and surveillance and passers by were alerted to the visiting warmongers by megaphone.
Not amused by the antics of protesters on their doorstep Selfridges the shop were at pains to distance themselves from Selfridges Hotel which was apparently bought up by the Thistle Group 20 years ago and has only its location in common with the shop. They should be more careful who their neighbours have round.
In Brighton residents are extremely concerned at neighbouring arms manufacturers EDO MBM and carry out weekly noise demos outside their Home Farms Rd factory on Wednesdays from 4-6 as well as regular early-bird visits.
As the group left the area police followed them around London until the demo outside the hotel at 5.30. In a desperate attempt to shield the arms dealers from the ugly truth of their activities protesters were shoved into a pen and the banners facing the hotel covered up by police. Leafletters outside the pen were thrown into the pen and one protester had a barrier planted on her foot.
However the spirits of the around 50 protesters weren't dampened by the heavy-handed policing and surveillance and passers by were alerted to the visiting warmongers by megaphone.
Not amused by the antics of protesters on their doorstep Selfridges the shop were at pains to distance themselves from Selfridges Hotel which was apparently bought up by the Thistle Group 20 years ago and has only its location in common with the shop. They should be more careful who their neighbours have round.
In Brighton residents are extremely concerned at neighbouring arms manufacturers EDO MBM and carry out weekly noise demos outside their Home Farms Rd factory on Wednesdays from 4-6 as well as regular early-bird visits.
e-mail:
Homepage:
