The SmashEDO Carnival Against the Arms Trade was held in Brighton on Wednesday 4th June. Over 500 people marched from The Level to the EDO/ITT factory in Moulescombe. Police plans to contain everyone in a pen outside a neighbouring unit were foiled, and protestors managed to get to the factory. The factory gates were mysteriously opened, and a police van attempted to block the entrance to the EDO/ITT car park but protestors seized the opportunity to enter the car park and vent their rage against the arms company. A few arrests were reported.
Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Video [1] | More videos | FIT watch Video
Arrests updates: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7
Smash EDO Press Releases: 10 Still in Custody over EDO Protest | Death of Marie Vesco | All Arrested Released Without Charge | Post Carnival Message from Smash EDO
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.
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Hide the following 30 comments
Nice one!
04.06.2008 14:34
S.London Skin
S.London Skin
peotry in motion
04.06.2008 14:44
angry
what's the latest?
04.06.2008 14:48
loppy
Excellent!
04.06.2008 15:40
respect!
anarcho
great stuf!!
04.06.2008 16:06
Smash EDO campaign is and has been an inspiration to many people .. one of the most successful direct action campaigns ever in the UK. Your dignity in struggle is remarkable.
Fuck EDO! Fuck all weapons manufacturers all over the world!
Also cheers to IMC for today's reporting.
@ntimilitarist
Good on yers
04.06.2008 16:12
Danski
retro
04.06.2008 18:56
j18
Good demo!
04.06.2008 19:35
SMASH ALL COMPANIES THAT KILL AND EXPLOIT ALL ANIMALS (both human and non human)
Protester
Precursor...
04.06.2008 20:04
I would imagine some emergency legislation being passed after this march.
I'm not saying that it should have gone any other way, people will always do what comes naturally in these situations however with that amount of cops I'm shocked they couldn't keep cordon...
Ulterior motives...
WARN
WARN
Homepage:
http://westernanimalrights.wordpress.com
brighton police
04.06.2008 21:29
sean mcdonald is a wanker
good job!!!
04.06.2008 21:32
Smashing the windows of EDO might not be enough to end all wars, but certainly it is a small, but great nevertheless step!!!
Congratulations comrades!!! Thats the way.
_@_
Mine detectors?
04.06.2008 22:52
Princess Di
protestor
04.06.2008 23:17
We all done really well, but something seems a little fishy on the police side...
protestor
Gates didn't open for police
05.06.2008 10:10
As far as I can tell, they opened for no discernable reason. They just opened, people started to shout 'come here', and it took a good minute before a small crowd of people started going in. Only then did a police van arrive, trying to block the entrance, but it was too late.
I heard various theories as to why the gates opened, but no one actually knew. It was definitely not for the police.
sna
Well Done To All The EDO Protestors
05.06.2008 11:23
From the photos I can see it was an eventful day!
The stories about the police smashing people over the head with batons makes me sick.
Whatever happened to free speach?
Fuck those pigs.
Peace + Unity X
Sean446
if there were 1000 protesters?
05.06.2008 12:04
i don't think it's productive to be violent or aggressive as you are playing them at their own game and it's what they do best. you can't fight fire with fire.
although i'm sure there will be many who disagree with me, we should love the police and everyone in fact. just try to show them that they are being controlled by fear and that another way is possible. it's much harder for the police to be violent if you can make them laugh! it's because they didn't have enough love as kids that they behave like they do.
i hope all those who oppose this corrupt system are doing their best not to contribute to it. people need to realise that every time they spend money they are perpetuating the status quo. how many of the protesters pay tax, have mobile phones & cars, take flights, etc.?
rob
love won't put out a fire
05.06.2008 13:36
angry
violent arrest on Lewes Road
05.06.2008 15:25
There's footage of some of the arrest on the Argus site, about 3/4 way through:
It seems he was arrested for objecting to an attempted arrest, for er, carrying a flag in an offensive manner.
ACAB, use reasonable force
for universal rights & law
05.06.2008 16:08
This demo shouldnt have had to end in violence & batons usage. Every night in UK cars are set alight & police attacked by youths, but if activists do the same even defending international laws parliament often try to make more repressive laws against human rights that make people even more frustrated.
Law needs to be in hand of the people,peoples+workers councils & federations,locally to internationally
Jack
Red Block...
05.06.2008 16:08
@
note to 'Participant'
05.06.2008 16:38
spuddy
Top effort by the organisers
05.06.2008 17:43
But well done to all involved, and the organisers. I suggest folks who were there in spirit and not in person send a small donation or a note of solidarity to SmashEDO staff for a job well done.
Jon
Any lessons to learn from this?
05.06.2008 20:07
Just wondering if there is any thing that could be learned from the day? So far a couple of things have come to mind-
In the carpark:
Once we got in I think there was a sense in the crowd that was a mixture of 'what now?' and 'what will the police do?' . With hindsight would it have been worth having all sat down at that point and claiming the forecourt? But what would that have achieved?
In an ideal situation what would we really want to do the building? Maybe nothing? Or break in? I guess that the real vicotry would be that ITT would want to move away from the site, which above all just requires pester power - so maybe there wasn't any need to hang around longer? I wonder what others think... Would be good to know better in case there is a next time
Leaving the site:
Although a few people were saying 'lets all leave together' this should have happened in a more explicit way, and should always be the policy from now on (IMO). THe arrests all seemed to be made as we got seperated and strung out on the way back. If we had all left together we might have been able to get back not just victorious, but in full numbers.
Thoughts go out to those arrested, and to the friends and family of Marie - very sad news.
Vrej Joe
anyone got any ideas how i can find out who has been released?
05.06.2008 20:16
i have tried ringing custody but they were a useless bunch of fuckwits. you can ring me on 07948 615561.
cheers
in need of info
re: POLICE RAID THE HOMES OF THOSE ARRESTED
06.06.2008 08:49
If the police have you in custody, under PACE they are entitled to search your bail address. Theoretically they should only search your room and any communal rooms; in practice, if someone isn't there to enforce it they will search everywhere. Sometimes they search, sometimes they don't. If you've not been arrested from that address before, they're more likely to search your home to verify your address, but there's always the possibility that they do search. If they search, they will take anything, computer, papers, address book/diary, etc if it is stil present. If you have your keys on you, they will use those to let themselves in. If you don't, then there's the possibility they will bash your door down if no-one's in, but that's rare. If they do, they don't pay for repairs.
A raid is something different - unexpected, not when you are in custody. It's less predictable and so more worrying. It means they're taking things more seriously and are trying to get you for something, or evidence, that they've been investigating.
legal nerd
missing video
06.06.2008 10:43
watcher
Homepage:
http://www.fitwatch.blogspot.com
Were searches under Section 18? Probably unlawful!
06.06.2008 12:22
Three appeal judges ruled yesterday that the assumption by police that they have power to search a property without a warrant, even if they are unsure if the suspect is connected to the address, was wrong.
Lord Justice Moses, one of the appeal judges, said: “This is an attempt on behalf of the police to deploy a less rigorous regime than that which the statute intended.”
The police, who have been refused permission to appeal to the House of Lords, said that the ruling will make their powers unworkable and will result in claims for compensation. About 75 per cent of all searches in England and Wales are made under Section 18 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, which permits police to enter premises.
The judges' decision came after Riaz Khan was awarded £1,250 in damages after his home in East London was raided by police in 2006 when a man they arrested gave Mr Khan's address as his own.
------------------------------------------------
ACAB
section 18 house search
07.06.2008 01:34
as one of those arrested i can confirm that indeed sussex polive did use section 18.1 PACE powers to search homes without warrant.
The section only requires authority of an inspector for search of premises of people in custody to secure evidence.
arrested
Watch out for this man.
07.06.2008 16:10
Testies
It seems he's actually been banned from attending most protests due to his lack of knowledge of the law and enjoyment of unlawful arrests.
He also enjoys to dress like a normal person and talk to the protesters, even though we all know he wishes he was in the MET.
So remember, if you see this man, regardless of whether he's in uniform or not - do not talk to him.
Andrew Tester
wow
10.06.2008 10:59
Krop