Timeline - SmashEDO Carnival Against the Arms Trade

Timeline:

[23:00] Report that 10 arrestees are being held at Hollingbury Custody Suite, and that it is anticipated they will be held overnight. For arrest support and/or accommodation on release ring campaign phone 07502159330.

[15:50] Report of one violent arrest of person leaving. His head was covered in blood and he was complaining of a broken arm.

[15:45] Reports of 4 arrests - 2 outside factory and two of people leaving. An attempt to arrest a legal observer seems not to have worked. Report of 10 people kettled on the Lewes Road.

[15:35] Protestors are now moving in small groups back towards town. One police motorcycle outrider seen covered head to toe in gloss paint [Pic]. A random arrest for no discernible reason seen under the bridge.

[15:20] Crowd is now moving away from main gate and down the hill. Police appear to be in disarray. Latest report is that gates may have been opened to allow a police van in, and crowd (possible 100 - 150) took the opportunity to force their way into the car park.

[15:03] Report that a protestor de-arrested himself and managed to escape through 2 police lines.

[14:59] Police are now using dogs to force crowd back.

[14:56] 10 windows smashed. Building graffitied with "smash capita" and "F*ck EDO". Report that 2 protestors were pepper sprayed. Police used batons to force people out of car park.

[14:55] About 200 people have got into the car park, having managed to block a police van which attempted to block the gate. Car windows and factory windows have been smashed. Police are getting into formation to try and evict the people in the car park.

[14:45] The march seems to have split into two groups, with one group outside Covers, the neighbouring unit. Those outside EDO/ITT are within metres of the second gate. There are about 15 cars in the staff car park.

[14:35] Marchers have managed to push through the police cordon, which was trying to prevent marchers from getting to EDO/ITT. Marchers are on the road directly outside the factory - which is protected by a line of officers. EDO/ITT management are watching from the windows.

[14:17] March has reached top of Home Farm Road. Scuffles reported as police attempt to force marchers into the pen.

[14:10] Extra 24 officers formed line at junction of Home Farm Road to prevent march proceeding further down Lewes Road. March entered Home Farm Road.

[14:26] The marchers managed to get past the police vans blocking Home Farm Road . A line of police officers were seen batonning the front of the march, aiming for the marchers' legs and chest area. Some confusion, but it is possible that a Section 14 POA has been imposed. Report of a police attack on a man carrying a 2 year old child.

[13:55] Steve Discombe of FIT was seen kicking a protestor who took his photograph - no arrests reported. 24 police officers have approached the march from the side. The march is still on the Lewes Road.

[13:45] March is now coming up to old T.A base and University buildings in Moulescombe. Chief Inspector Mills appear to be heading the police operation.

[13:30] FITwatch have started obstructing cameras - crowd is chanting 'You can stick your FIT team up your f*cking arse!' and 'Sean McDonald is a Wanker!'. Police may have been grouping in case the march tried to turn off the Lewes Road, and low level of policing is now reported.

[13:25] March is approaching the Vogue Gyratory on the Lewes Road, where police appear to be massing. There are contingents from Leeds, Bradford, Manchester, Bristol, Brum, Notts, Newcastle, Worthing and London supporting the march, along with many from Brighton.

[13:10] March is now going up the Lewes Road, occupying half the road. A trailer mounted sound system with a generator has joined in, and the police presence remains low - with reports of about 20 officers. FIT and EG teams are amongst the marchers. A large banner at the front reads 'Stop the Arms Trade' and others include 'Capitalism Kills' and 'Stop killing people you f*cking tw*ts'.

[13:00] Crowd has swelled to about 500 and has set off, with the Critical Mass and a Samba band, in the direction of the Lewes Road. At the front is a group dressed mainly in black, carrying barriers.

[12:40] About 30 - 40 bikes from the Critical Mass have arrived at the level, along with a bike mounted sound system disguised as a red tank.

[12:30] There are now about 200 people gathered on the level, many dressed in red. The police presence is still small. The atmosphere is reported to be relaxed and a small bike mounted sound system is playing tunes. Banners read 'Smash EDO' and 'Smash ITT'. It has been reported that a pen has been set up outside Covers next to the EDO site in Moulescombe. The EDO site is currently operating as usual.

[11:59] There are an estimated 100 people gathered at the Level. Some police including FIT and Sussex Evidence Gathering (EG) teams are there, and a larger police contingent is milling around outside Brighton Station.

[11:30] A Critical Mass ride has set off from Brighton Station.

[10:30] FIT team and 2 police vans waiting outside Brighton Station.