Board Room of Lockheed Martin Occupied By People's Weapons Inspectors
imc volunteer posting Trident Ploughshares report | 17.06.2005 12:43 | Anti-militarism | London
At lunchtime Thursday 16th June, People's Nuclear Weapons Inspectors entered the UK headquarters of Lockheed Martin, the largest arms manufacturer in the world.
While in the offices, located in 22 Carlisle Place close to London’s
Victoria Station, the 6 Trident Ploughshares activists disrupted a meeting held in Lockheed Martin’s board room, chanting “You stop your trade in death”. The 7 male managers meeting there initially tried to secure the board room with the belt of one of them. They then decided to vacate the room leaving the Inspectors to occupy the room.
While in the offices, located in 22 Carlisle Place close to London’s
Victoria Station, the 6 Trident Ploughshares activists disrupted a meeting held in Lockheed Martin’s board room, chanting “You stop your trade in death”. The 7 male managers meeting there initially tried to secure the board room with the belt of one of them. They then decided to vacate the room leaving the Inspectors to occupy the room.
The Inspectors had received reliable information that not only was the Company making the missiles for the Trident missile system but is
the lead partner in developing an upgrade or replacement of these weapons of mass destruction. The new development contract will cost UK taxpayers at least £5.3 billion. Both activities are contrary to the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty. The possession of nuclear weapons with intention to use them has been ruled illegal by the International Court of Justice.
Trident missiles are so devastating and indiscriminate in their effects that the likely political effects to the US and UK act as some restraint in their use. A new more accurate and less destructive system would still kill and maim millions – but would have a greater likelihood of use.
The inspectors were seeking to verify further that plans to develop deadly new weapons were being implemented from these offices and to stop the immoral and illegal activities of the company.
Both inspectors and Lockheed Martin behaved with resonable courtesy in the circumstances. The inspectors were however prevented from carrying out their full inspection and decommissioning task by a security officers and Metropolitan police officers. They were forceably removed from the premises by the police but no arrests were made.
Chris Gwyntopher, 63, said “Both security and the police played it very cool. They clearly do not want to draw attention to what’s really going on here: that Lockheed Martin is a key player in developing and manufacturing illegal and immoral nuclear weapons.”
As well as Chris, the other activists were Myra Garrett (73), Anne Kobayashi (64), Irene Willis (60), Lyn Bliss (54) and Martin Newell (38). They are all part of the Trident Ploughshares non-violent direct action campaign to prevent the maintenance and use of the UK’s Trident (nuclear) missile system.
For further details and interviews with those involved, please contact Chris Gwyntopher on 07890 124276. Pictures taken with a Nokia 3220 phone camera are available.
the lead partner in developing an upgrade or replacement of these weapons of mass destruction. The new development contract will cost UK taxpayers at least £5.3 billion. Both activities are contrary to the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty. The possession of nuclear weapons with intention to use them has been ruled illegal by the International Court of Justice.
Trident missiles are so devastating and indiscriminate in their effects that the likely political effects to the US and UK act as some restraint in their use. A new more accurate and less destructive system would still kill and maim millions – but would have a greater likelihood of use.
The inspectors were seeking to verify further that plans to develop deadly new weapons were being implemented from these offices and to stop the immoral and illegal activities of the company.
Both inspectors and Lockheed Martin behaved with resonable courtesy in the circumstances. The inspectors were however prevented from carrying out their full inspection and decommissioning task by a security officers and Metropolitan police officers. They were forceably removed from the premises by the police but no arrests were made.
Chris Gwyntopher, 63, said “Both security and the police played it very cool. They clearly do not want to draw attention to what’s really going on here: that Lockheed Martin is a key player in developing and manufacturing illegal and immoral nuclear weapons.”
As well as Chris, the other activists were Myra Garrett (73), Anne Kobayashi (64), Irene Willis (60), Lyn Bliss (54) and Martin Newell (38). They are all part of the Trident Ploughshares non-violent direct action campaign to prevent the maintenance and use of the UK’s Trident (nuclear) missile system.
For further details and interviews with those involved, please contact Chris Gwyntopher on 07890 124276. Pictures taken with a Nokia 3220 phone camera are available.
imc volunteer posting Trident Ploughshares report
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