Supporting Derry Occupation

international | anti-war / imperialism | news report Wednesday August 09, 2006 18:20 by Daniel - IAWM www.irishantiwar.org

PSNI SURROUND RAYTHEON WEAPONS FACTORY IN DERRY AS ANTI-WAR PROTESTERS OCCUPY IN PROTEST AT WEAPONS BEING USED BY ISRAEL.

PSNI SURROUND RAYTHEON WEAPONS FACTORY IN DERRY AS ANTI-WAR PROTESTERS OCCUPY IN PROTEST AT WEAPONS BEING USED BY ISRAEL.

In a statement, The Irish Anti-War Movement (IAWM) paid tribute to the action of members of the Derry Anti-War Coalition who have occupied the Raytheon weapons factory in Derry this morning.

Members of the Derry Anti-War Coalition, who are affiliated to the IAWM, began an occupation of the factory this morning in protest at the production of missile components there, currently being used in the Israeli assault on Lebanon. The Raytheon factory produces components for Guided Missile Units (GBU) such as Patriots, Mavericks, Sidewinders and Sparrows, all of which are used by Israel and paid for with US taxpayer’s money.

GBUs were the weapons responsible for the recent atrocity carried out by Israel at Qana.

The Derry protesters are now surrounded by a large number of members of the PSNI. Two PSNI negotiators, flown by helicopter from Belfast, have been sent into and are talking with the protesters.

The protesters are saying they will only end their protest when Raytheon issue a statement committing themselves to closing their operations in Derry.

The decision to occupy the factory was taken at a meeting of the Derry Anti-War Coalition on Monday. The protest was prompted by the current barbaric Israeli assault on Lebanon and Gaza, which has claimed over thousand lives in just a few weeks. Many of the innocent lives lost have resulted from the use of GBU’s produced by Raytheon.

Everybody who is disgusted at the barbaric slaughter of innocent civilians being carried out by Israel in Lebanon and Gaza should pay tribute to the action of the Derry protesters.

It is outrageous that weapons being used by a rogue state like Israel engaged in a criminal military attack and flouting international law, are being produced here in Ireland.

It is tragic that the Raytheon factory was held up at the time of its opening as an example of the “peace-dividend” for the north, when its function is exporting death and destruction to innocent people in Lebanon, Israel and beyond.

The Derry anti-War protesters are absolutely right to demand that Raytheon pull out of their city and out of this country. The Irish people have a witnessed first hand the brutality and conflict brought by colonialism and empire. We should be playing no part in inflicting that suffering on others. Given the carnage we are now witnessing in Lebanon and Gaza there is simply no excuse for such weapons of death being produced in this country.

The IAWM is also worried that the PSNI may attempt to use heavy-handed tactics to evict the Derry anti-war protesters. We appeal to the media to monitor the current situation at the factory to ensure there is no excessive use of force by the PSNI.”

For more info/confirmation contact Richard Boyd Barrett 087-6329511

For comment from protesters inside the Raytheon factory contact Eamonn Mc Cann 0044 7977924321