Police drop Prosecutions against Two Anti Arms Trade Activists

Sussex police have dropped prosecutions against Dan Glass, head of Sussex University Students' Union, and Marcus Wise, anti-arms trade activists involved in protests against Brighton arms manufacturers EDO MBM.

Both were arrested, on two separate occasions, under Section 5 of the 1986 Public Order Act (for using language or behaviour intended to cause harassment alarm or distress). The arrests were made in connection with regular demonstrations outside the factory. The prosecution of Marcus Wise had already resulted in two day in court in preparation for trial.

Sarah Johnson, Spokeswoman for Smash EDO, said 'Sussex Police have failed in another attempt to suppress freedom of expression. Dan and Marcus were exercising their right to freedom of speech and were targeted for arrest. The police are attempting to criminalise protesters engaging in criticism of employees of EDO MBM.'

Sussex Police have made nearly forty arrests in the course of the four year campaign against EDO MBM. The vast majority of these arrests have led to acquittals or charges being dropped.

Andrew Beckett, of Smash EDO, said 'The Police and Crown Prosecution Service are spending massive amounts of public money on politically motivated prosecutions of protesters. They have consistently failed in these attempted prosecutions and they will not succeed in intimidating us, we will continue campaigning against EDO MBM until it closes down.'

For more info call 07875708873 or email  smashedopress@yahoo.co.uk

www.smashedo.org.uk

Notes for Journalists
Brighton & Hove is a UN Peace Messenger City

EDO MBM Technologies Ltd are the sole UK subsidiary of huge U.S arms conglomerate EDO Corp, which was once named No. 10 in the Forbes list of 100 fastest growing companies (in 2006 they were in the Forbes top 10 losers list). They supply bomb release mechanisms to the US and UK armed forces amongst others. They supply crucial components for Raytheon's Paveway guided bomb system, widely used in the "Shock and Awe" campaign in Iraq.
EDO MBM makes electrical weapons components for the Israeli military. EDO MBM manufactures components to be incorporated into the Hellfire missile, which the Israeli army has recently used to attack the civilian population of Gaza. They have organised conferences on the development of UCAVs, unmanned aircraft which are widely used in aerial attacks on Gaza. EDO Corporation, of which EDO MBM Brighton is a wholly owned trading unit, has a direct contract with the Israeli armed forces and navy.
People involved in the anti-EDO campaign include, but are not limited to: local residents, the Brighton Quakers, peace activists, anarchists, anti-capitalists, Palestine Solidarity groups, human rights groups, trade unionists, academics and students.
The campaign started in August 2004 with a peace camp. It's avowed aim is to expose EDO MBM and their complicity in war crimes and to remove them from Brighton.
Contact Andrew Beckett or Sarah Johnson For more
Details
Email -  smashedopress@yahoo.co.uk, tel 07875708873
 http://www.smashedo.org.uk