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:
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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
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Low frequency sonar kills whales
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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.
Comments
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Thales kill whales
17.04.2006 22:35
Thales Underwater Systems,Ashurst Drive - Bird Hall Lane - Cheadle Heath Stockport, Cheshire, SK3 0XB - UK
Thales Underwater Systems, Redfields Industrial Park, Church Crookham, Fleet, Hampshire, GU52 0RD, UK.
Thales Underwater Systems, Ocean House, Templecombe, Somerset, BA8 0DH, UK.
Sonar has been identified as the likely cause of death in four beaked whales stranded on the southern coast of Spain in January, according to preliminary results of post-mortem tests released last week. This weekend the Royal Navy admitted using mid-range sonar on a training exercise near Gibraltar two days before the whales became stranded on the Almeira coast...Sonar 2087, which has cost £160m to develop, has already been installed on two frigates, with plans to fit it on four more this year. The low-frequency system will operate at long range and the MoD admits it has the potential to be harmful to marine life. Liz Sandeman, co-founder of Marine Connection, a conservation group, said: “Low frequency sonar can travel for hundreds of miles, yet the marine mammal detection system will only work for two miles. The plight of whales became a big issue in January when a northern bottlenose died after becoming disoriented and swimming up the Thames. Natural History Museum data show the number of whale, dolphin and porpoise strandings in Britain has doubled from 360 in 1994 to 782 in 2004.
Danny