SMASH EDO: Protesting Is Not Harrassment!

 http://www.smashedo.org.uk


PRESS RELEASE


SATURDAY 30 TH APRIL 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE,

PRESS ENQUIRIES:Call Andrew on 07875 708873
 smashedopress@yahoo.co.uk


PROTESTING IS NOT HARRASSMENT!

Anti war campaigners won a major victory in the High Court yesterday
(Friday 29th April). Arms manufacturer EDO MBM had applied for an
injunction, under anti-stalking laws, to restrict protest outside their
Brighton factory. The order sought by the corporation would have created
an exclusion zone, where protests would only be allowed on Thursday
afternoons for two hours, with a maximum of 10 silent protestors.

The defendants refused to negotiate the terms of the injunction, in order
to avoid lending legitimacy to the proceedings. In stark contrast to the
demands of EDO, Judge Gross ruled that in the run up to the trial an
“interim” injunction would not restrict the timing, frequency, or numbers,
allowed on demonstrations. He threw out 11 of 15 draconian terms,
describing them at one point as 'using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.' In
explaining his refusal to impose most of the conditions Judge Gross said,
“Freedom of expression is a right jealously guarded in English law”.

However campaigners continue to insist that any use of the Protection from
Harassment Act 1997, (originally introduced to protect people from
stalking), is a gross violation of their civil liberties.

One of the defendants said afterwards, “EDO have made a great mistake in
bringing this action to court. Their contempt for human rights has been
exposed to the general public, and even at this stage of the trial, the
judge has effectively demolished their proposed exclusion zone. EDO are
proud of their role as spear carriers for an illegal war, but where is the
injunctive relief for the people of Iraq?”

Campaigners are looking forward to a swift trial, where they will expose
EDO's complicity in war crimes and Sussex Police’s attack on the right to
protest.

ANNOUNCEMENT

MASS DEMONSTRATION AGAINST EDO

WEDNESDAY 4th MAY 2005 at 4PM

(Entrance to Wild Park, Lewes Road, Brighton)

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Notes for Journalists
 http://www.smashedo.org.uk

Press Inquiries: Andrew 0787 5708873

-----------------------------------------
Notes for Journalists

EDO MBM Technologies Ltd are the sole UK subsidiary of
huge U.S arms conglomerate EDO Corp, which was
recently named No. 10 in the Forbes list of 100
fastest growing companies. They supply bomb release
mechanisms to the US and UK armed forces amongst
others. They supply crucial components for Raytheon’s
Paveway IV guided bomb system, widely used in their Iraq War.
EDO Corp also supply parts to the Israeli Army.

Brighton & Hove is a UN Peace Messenger City.

People involved within the anti-EDO campaign include, but are not limited to:
local residents, the Brighton Quakers, peace
activists, anti-capitalists, Palestine Solidarity
groups, human rights groups, trade unionists,
academics and students.

EDO also recently withdrew a threatened libel action
against Indymedia over being named as “warmongers”.

The summons followed the acquittal of three activists
accused of aggravated trespass on EDO’s premises.

It is believed that the injunction served under the
1997 Protection from Harassment Act (originally
designed to protect women from stalkers) is the first of its kind directed
at activists outside of the animal rights movement.

Lawson-Cruttenden & Co, a solicitors firm have been
instrumental in the development of the Protection of
Harassment Act 1997 from a measure designed to
safeguard individuals to a corporate charter to make
inconvenient protest illegal. They have pioneered to
use of injunctions to create large “exclusion zones”.
They have secured numerous injunctions against
anti-vivisection and anti-GM protestors.
The Campaign against EDO MBM, People involved in the
anti-EDO campaign include, but are not limited to:
local residents, the Brighton Quakers, peace
activists, anti-capitalists, Palestine Solidarity
groups, human rights groups, trade unionists,
academics and students

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