Support The EDO Decommissioners

Due to the EDO trial being adjourned until May 17th 2010 the Decommissioners campaign is fast running out of funds. Over the last 10 months we have worked really hard at fundraising to support the prisoners and the defendants with fares to Brighton for court hearings.

Unfortunately people are very tired and we probably won’t be able to put on another gig until January.

Obviously financial support for Elijah Smith is our top priority so we are trying to keep some money in the coffers for this but this leaves nothing for fares, leaflets, publicity etc.

If you can help please send donations to the Decommissioners c/o Box 6, Booty, 82 Colston St., Bristol, BS1 5BB.

We want to take this opportunity to give a big thank you to all of you who have supported us so far.

10 months ago, on 18 January 2009, Elijah  Smith A former British Soldier was arrested in Brighton. He had spent the previous night decommissioning the EDO/MBM/ITT factory in Brighton, in an attempt to stop it providing parts for weapons being used by the Israeli army to bomb civilians in Gaza. Nobody was injured or harassed during their action, which was one of property damage. He and his co-defendants did not resist arrest.

Now that the trial has been adjourned until May 17th 2010

Matters are looking worse and worse for Elijah Smith who is still on remand after 10 months in prison.

 Yes that’s right – 10 months in prison without trial.

It is possible that he will remain in prison until the end of August, as he has been accused of witness intimidation resulting from a minor comment  made in court to EDO/MBM/ITT Managing Director Paul Hills. His trial for this offence is set to take place in August 2010. This will mean Elijah remaining in gaol until the end of next summer.

We believe that this is a malicious act by the state designed to keep Elijah in prison without trial indefinately. So we are calling for his immediate release.

There is no excuse for his continued incarceration as Elijah has an acceptable bail address and people who will stand surety for him.

Following the Raytheon roof trial at Yate magistrates one of the Raytheon three was freed when the District Judge found there was no case to answer. The remaining two defendants have been committed to crown court in the Brighton area. This is because the Crown Prosecution want to join the two cases, naturally the defence are contesting this as it will confuse the issue for the jury and because there is no connection between the two cases.

If the defence is successful then the Raytheon hearing will be at Bristol crown court, if not it will be at Brighton crown court and will begin on May 17th along with the main EDO trial.

Elijah is now in Horfield gaol where he’ll remain until Dec 1st when he’ll return to Lewes for a case management hearing along with the other defendants.

They will also reach a decision about the two trials being joined up.

Though he’ll probably return to Lewes gaol there is a possibility he’ll come back to Horfield. Please check the site soon for an update.

In the meantime please write to Elijah Smith c/o Box 6, Booty, 82 Colston St, BS1 5BB.

Free Elijah Smith now

Support the Bristol Aid Convoy to Gaza and the Bristol Gaza Link. Building humanitarian, cultural, educational and social links between Bristol and the people of Gaza.

Since 2004 two managing directors of the company have confirmed the company owns the patents of two essential components used by the Israeli Air Force F16 aircraft called the VER-2. Read the rest of this entry »

For three consecutive days Carmel Agrexco in Hayes, Middlesex was blockaded to raise awareness over the continued sale of illegal settlement produce here in the UK. Protestors endured violence and aggression from both Carmel staff and police beyond enduring freezing temperatures and little sleep. In total five protestors were arrested.

On Friday, 6th November, pro-Palestinian activists carried out the first of what was to be three consecutive days of blockading at Carmel Agrexco’s depot in Hayes, Middlesex. The action saw a coalition of students from Kings, UCL, SOAS and Goldsmiths, saw members from Anachists Against the Wall and the International Solidarity Movement as well as other independent activists and individuals come together to implement the blockades. Read the rest of this entry »

A new 26 page pamphlet, entitled ‘If I Had a Hammer – Decommissioning the Arms Trade’ has been released in support of the decommissioning of EDO MBM in January 2009 during the bombing of Gaza. The pamphlet includes accounts by people who took part in the action and articles about EDO’s supply of weapons to Israel and from Trident Ploughshares and the Free Gaza movement. Download it here (print ready),

or click here for a version for reading on the web

Whilst searching for information on munitions and arms companies, I found this rather revealing page from an old EDO/MBM website page, they don’t reveal much to the general public these days.  click here To see VER 2 Bomb rack produced for Israeli F16 planes, which were used for war crimes in January this year.

An Amnesty International report shows evidence of grave war crimes in Gaza. Including evidence of crimes committed with F16 aircraft with EDO bomb release mechanisms see above. During the conflict around 1300 died and now six months after Israel launched its three-week military operation in Gaza. Gazans still cannot rebuild their lives. Click here to see 10 minute amnesty documentary showing evidence of F16’s committing war crimes

Three of the EDO Decommissioners appeared at  Yate magistrates on Monday 29th June. In a recent development they’ve been charged with criminal damage to the roof of the Raytheon offices at the business park in Frenchay. According to Premiere Holdings, the owners of the property, the amount of damage is £32000.  So a second crown court appereance awaits them, starting with a commital on August 24th. The campaign has it on good authority that it’s the Brighton police  pushing for the prosecutions as they are trying to build enough evidence for the E.D.O. case in October.
Read the rest of this entry »

Gratefully lifted from Bristol ABC!
‘Its been a while since we updated on the EDO Decommissioners, but there’s plenty of news. So read on, keep giving them your support, and do what they cannot actively do whilst on bail – confront the arms dealers profiting from wars and death’. Read the rest of this entry »

Long Live Palestine Long Live Gaza
Please write to Elijah @
Elija Smith VP 7551
HMP Lewes 1 Brighton Rd, Lewes Sussex. BN7 1EA
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