Ground the Drones
Just over a year after the down the drones protest at the Bristol International Drones conference there is to be a national ground the drones demonstration at RAF waddington in Lincoln. The Bristol Drone conference cancelled their event this year saying that there was not enough International interest. Maybe it was something to do with the large and loud protest they had to contend with.
Last year the Bristol Drone conference claimed they were meeting to discuss civilian drones this year they are aiming to exibit at the worlds largest arms fair DSEI their website states . . .
As there will be no full Bristol International Unmanned Air Vehicle Systems Conference in 2013, Bristol Unmanned Systems Conference has been in discussions with Clarion Events about the possibilities of staging a Technology Showcase Workshop from Academia at this year’s DSEI Show in London from 9 – 13 September.
Action against Boeing
As the first global arms trade treaty was agreed at the UN, UK Ministers were in Libya – aboard a warship – promoting arms sales. BAAT warns that the global arms trade treaty will only be effective if normal people force governments, institutions and arms giants to uphold it.
On Tuesday, 2 April 2013, States had gathered at the United Nations General Assembly for the adoption of the UN Arms Trade Treaty. Prior to this day there was more legislation on exporting bananas round the world than guns. Costa Rica, the first demilitarized nation, introduced the draft resolution.
The global treaty that was finally passed is much the same as the British arms export policy, established under Tony B-liar, stating that arms cannot be sold to countries with bad records on human rights. Despite having an ethical arms trade treaty, we went to war with Iraq and what did we care about human rights as we were complicit in horrific abuses of rights one example we can’t forget is Abu Ghraib. The UK continues despite adopting the so called ethical arms trade policy, to arm repressive regimes other than itself such as human rights abusing Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to name just a two.
A block of countries refused to sign the document, these included Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates. They especially wanted a reference in the text to the right to self-determination of peoples living under foreign occupation, and specifically cited Israel’s occupation of Palestine in this regard.
Chloe Marsh from BAAT said “It is up to small groups of committed citizens all over the world to hold governments and institutions accountable for breaches of arms export policy. Human rights are not handed out freely by oppressers, they are fought for by regular people. Arms are almost always used as a way to repress people, i won’t be happy until the arms trade treaty, makes producing weapons entirely illegal”
Action against Aldermarston
 |
|
| Join us on 1st April!
Protest at Britain’s nuclear bomb factory, AWE Aldermaston, Berkshire. This year on April Fools’ Day, we will be going to Aldermaston to highlight our opposition to Britain’s Trident nuclear weapons system – because that’s where the nuclear bombs are made. We’ll be saying Scrap Trident and cancel plans to replace it. We’ll be gathering around the base in our thousands with music, colour, and speeches. |
|
 |
|
| Coaches from Anchor Rd, near @bristol, 10 AM Monday 1st. £6 unwaged £12 waged. Purchase from Katz on Gloucestor Rd or Bristolcnd website to ensure you get a seat.
Organised by Bristol CND Join us to take BAAT Banner |
 |
Tuesday 27th March
Last week, ISM activist Tom Woodhead’s violent arrest and deportation after attending a peaceful demonstration in the West Bank was widely condemned. Film maker Ken Loach said that his treatment by Israeli soldiers “should disgust all right-thinking people”. This Tuesday Tom will be giving his account of volunteering in the West Bank, along with Ruby who volunteered with the ISM last year.
The International Solidarity Movement is a Palestinian led movement committed to resisting the Israeli occupation through non-violent, direct-action methods and principles. It supports the Palestinian popular resistance by providing international solidarity and an international voice. Volunteering with the ISM is a life changing and rewarding experience which allows you to learn about the history of Palestine and resist the on-going colonisations of Palestinian lands.
On a practical level ISM supports Palestinians by planting & harvesting olives and working land often considered dangerous for farmers to work on their own. Activists can teach English to children and escort children to and from schools in areas where violent settlement activity and arbitrary detention makes everyday trips difficult and dangerous.
Giving personal perspectives of life under occupation, Tom and Ruby hope to encourage people to volunteer in Palestine perhaps with the ISM. The two hope to give stories of success and hardship whilst volunteering in a place of conflict and natural beauty, giving a reflection on the true face of the occupation from an activist’s point of view.
Whilst Tom will speak of his arrest and “mock execution” and Ruby her assault by a violent settler in Hebron, both wish to convey the importance of international presence and the positive effects the ISM can have on Palestinian communities.
Campaigners lock themselves to the gates of arms factory on 10th anniversary of Iraq invasion
Campaigners have blockaded the gates of a Brighton arms factory on the tenth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. A group of activists arrived at the EDO MBM factory at 6am and three of them affixed themselves to the gates using bicycle d-locks and superglue.
The action was held this morning to mark the tenth anniversary of the beginning of the Iraq war in 2003. EDO MBM is one of a group of companies which has supplied Paveway bombs for use in Iraq and Afghanistan. The company also manufactures a cable, the Field Replaceable Connector System (FRCS), which is used on US planes known to carry cluster munitions.
Chloe Marsh of Smash EDO said:
“The case for war was put to people in the UK on the basis of an immediate threat from Iraqi WMD. This turned out, as expected, to be a lie. As a result, according to the Lancet, over a million Iraqi citizens have died.”
Andrew Beckett of Smash EDO said:
“We are here to commemorate those who died in the aerial bombardment of Iraq and to resist EDO ‘s continued supply of components to the US UK military.”
Another campaigner, Jessica Nero, is challenging her conviction for aggravated trespass in a Lewes appeal court today at 10:am. She will argue that EDO MBM’s business is unlawful.
To speak to the people locked on to the gates, call 07580823297
Smash EDO press 07526557436
email
smashedopress@riseup.net
Arms protesters set up checkpoint outside city council
Delegates arriving to hear Boeing UK’s president, Sir Roger Bone, speak were stopped at a checkpoint set up by anti-arms protesters who accuse him of arms dealing. The event was celebrating 75 years of partnership between Boeing and the UK.
Protesters targeted Bristol’s City Hall today in a bid to raise awareness about companies in Bristol that they claim are involved in the arms trade. They have identified in excess of 100 companies with links to arms manufacture in the city.
The event at City Hall was the University of the West of England’s Distinguished Executive Address with Boeing UK’s President, Sir Roger Bone. The event’s description notes that Boeing is celebrating 75 years of partnership with the UK and Sir Roger Bone’s address would talk about how links were made and the future of the partnership.
The protesters, linking Palestinian politics in with their campaign, set up a checkpoint for arriving delegates. Delegates were told that they needed passes to enter if they were Palestinians. The campigners also handed out leaflets and tried to get their viewpoint across. They say that the event being held in Bristol City Hall was a misuse of a puiblic building.
Police were in attendance but took a relaxed approach; they did, however, move in to confiscate toy guns from the protesters on the chekpoint. The protest was peaceful – no arrests were made.
