If you can get to Amsterdam, then join in with the protests and direct actions there. Everyone else, please take the time to protest at the nearest naval dockyard or weapons manufacturer. You don't have to get yourself arrested, all that is needed is a show of solidarity, a few banners and leaflets would be great. If you are at work/college during the day, do it in the evening or on the Saturday after.

This is a solidarity action against arms manufacturers and specifically against the new naval sonar that has been killing whales world-wide. Support actions are being arranged in Australia, the US and Scotland - perhaps even Norway ! This could be an annual event bringing anarchists, environmentalists and peace-protestors together. In the short term, it could also be a shot of adrenalin to existing protestors as we face down the next war, a way to make new contacts if nothing else, better than sitting getting angry at the TV news, better even than saving a single beached whale.

You don't need to have ever protested before to take part, just turn up yourself at a suitable target and take a friend along to photograph you. Send your photos and stories to Ontwapen. e-mail:  ontwapen@hypocrisy.org  http://www.ontwapen.org You can post here if you want to arrange a local action but have no local contacts, for we don't have to keep this secret if we aren't planning on being arrrested.


What's in it for you ?

Well, getting your photo published on such an action will probably open the doors to a lot of Dutch squats - and Dutch squats tend to be nicer than the hotels there. More importantly, it increases the chances your children will have to see whales in their lifetimes apart from those dying in the Thames. Most importantly, it is an anti-war event at a time when we need to regroup and rejuvenate our ranks. If you personally can't take part, try to persuade someone else to on your behalf.


Background:

International Call for Action Against Marelec Arms Fair
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/04/337544.html

Low frequency sonar kills whales
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/04/337493.html


Targets:

Aish Technologies, Broom Road, Poole , Dorset , BH12 4NL
DSTL, 7 offices in the UK: Gosport , Bedford , Farnborough, Sevenoaks, Worcestershire, Wiltshire and Hampshire
Exxon Mobil Marine: ExxonMobil House, Ermyn Way , Leatherhead, Surrey , England , KT22 8UX
Ultra Electronics, Sonar & Communication Systems, 419 Bridport Road, Greenford, Middlesex UB6 8UA
Vector Fields 24 Bankside Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1JE, UK

And last but not least Qinetiq, who are just everywhere in the UK and are the worst of the bunch. As far as sonar goes, their Portsmouth offices and their testing site at Kyle of Lochalsh are the most obvious targets.

As this sonar is used by the Royal Navy, any navy base would also be a suitable target for protest. You should be able to contribute to this action without travelling more than 30 miles, and as there are so many targets they won't be able to provide extra security everywhere. Remember, you make much more of a difference contributing to small, individualistic actions than on mass demos.