Direct Action against British Aerospace
Blockades at Crewe Road, Edinburgh
Monday June 10, 2002
On Monday 10th June, 12 people and 6 supporters blocked all three gates of BAe Systems electronics factory at the Crewe Toll site in Edinburgh. The site develops aviation devices for military and non-military purposes. All vehicles were prevented from getting into the site throughout the morning shift change, and BAe had to use a shuttle minibus to transport executives from a nearby car-park to the site. A large banner reading "Bloody Awful Exports" was hung from a bridge over the road near the site, and fliers listing just some of BAe's dodgy deals were handed out to workers and passers by. As with last November, none of us were arrested, as we reckon BAe does not want the publicity, but we were pulled over by police when travelling back through Edinburgh and asked to produce documents.
BAe is Europe's largest exporter of military equipment. Whilst the Government is being pressured to tighten up it's arms export policy, those on the blockade believe that the workers at BAe have the power to take responsibility and ensure their work does not contribute to the violation of people's rights in other countries, the poverty caused by arms deals, the killing of innocent civilians, and the fuelling of conflict and war.
The blockade comes at a time when BAe is set to supply India with Hawk jets in a proposed deal worth £1bn, at a time when India and Pakistan are at the brink of war. The £1bn cost equals 10 years of UK bilateral aid to India. BAe is also producing 126 Jaguar bombers under license in India. The MoD admits the aircraft are capable of being adapted to carry nuclear weapons.
Flier Text
The blockade begins! All three gates are blocked.
Sitting in solidarity with the 2000 children who are killed or disabled in conflicts around the world every day..
BAe protesters D-lock themselves to the third gate at the site. A 15 month old baby sleeps on her first blockade.
Workers traffic is re-directed to another car park while police video us. The blockade continues for three hours
This time we're told that we'll be prosecuted. We argue that they should be investigating BAe who's breaking UN recommendations
News story in Edinburgh Evening News, Monday June 10, 2002
Flier Text
Universal Childrens Day, Nov 20, 2001
Police say that we have the right of peaceful protest... but please can we stop painting the road red! Red paint on the road symbolising the 2000 children a day who are killed, or maimed in wars around the world.
Police watch while the press is told some unpalatable truths about BAe.
Peace demo blockade at city factory
Tuesday, 20th November 2001, Evening News
PEACE campaigners blockaded the Edinburgh headquarters of military giant BAE Systems today in a protest against arms sales. A handful of protesters chained themselves together to stop vehicles entering the Crewe Road North complex to mark Universal Children's Day. They smeared blood-red paint on the pavement and accused staff of being accomplices to murder in war zones around the world. Demonstrator Kirsty Gathergood, 26, said: " These people work for a company that is responsible for killing and injuring thousands of people every year." BAE Systems is Europe's largest exporter of military equipment and makes components for fighter aircraft in Edinburgh. Company director Frank Yuill said:" Our principal objectives are those of defence of the nation and we see that as wholly appropriate ."