Demo against Hiatt's trade in shackles used in Guantanamo Bay
Birmingham Guantanamo Bay Campaign, Justice for Omar Deghayes and Brum imcer | 08.09.2005 16:30 | Anti-militarism | Repression | Birmingham
On Thursday 8th September a vibrant protest was held outside Hiatt 111-115 Baltimore Road in Perry Bar Birmingham to expose Hiatt’s appalling trade in handcuffs and shackles. Guantanamo prisoners are restrained with shackles which say ‘made in England by the Hiatt Corporation’.
Baltimore Road, Perry Bar Birmingham home to torture manufacturer Hiatt
cops stake out Hiatt before the action begins
Seize the Day on top of a flat bed truck
singer Theo introduces the song
the audience
road blocked by police
local people watch the show
the band and shuffling detainees
'put your hands on your head (Reach!)'
don't be shy
Tackle the Shakles Call Hiatt 0121 357 4347
Dr. Dave Nicholls
Clive Stafford Smith, lawyer to the British detainees
Abu Bakr, brother of Omar Deghayes
Mark Thomas
Ahmed Errachidi
Benyam Mohammed
Shakker Aamer
Omar Deghayes
The political folk band ‘Seize the Day’ performed their satirical song ‘Do the Shackle Shuffle at Camp X-Ray’ whilst a dozen human rights protesters dressed in Orange boiler suits and restrained in Hiatt shackles and handcuffs shuffled to the music. Human rights activists led by marathon runner Dr. David Nicholl, delivered a letter of protest to Hiatt's management.
Management and workers were unavailable for comment at Hiatt today. The windows of the company were secured with metal shutters and nobody would answer the door to receive David Nicholls’ letter of protest. He pushed the letter under the door instead.
Clive Stafford Smith, lawyer to the British detainees, informed the crowd of local people, press and protesters that 210 detainees are beginning their fifth week on hunger strike in Guantanamo Bay. He urged all those present to raise this issue and do whatever they can to urge the British Government to make a protest to the US authorities as a matter of urgency.
Abu Bakr, brother of Omar Deghayes who has been detained in Guantanamo Bay for three and a half years, expressed his grave concern about the state of his bother’s health after four weeks on hunger strike and urges the British Government to intercede with the American Government before it’s too late "Omar has already lost an eye whilst in Guantanamo – how much more does he have to lose?"
Justice for Omar DeghayesEnd Unlawful Imprisonment
Birmingham Guantanamo Bay Campaign, Justice for Omar Deghayes and Brum imcer
Additions
Protests at Hiatt past, present and future
08.09.2005 18:58
One of the workers who worked in a neighbouring building called Hiatts Hardware wanted to make absolutely clear that Hiatt are the ones producing shackles, handcuffs and steel truncheons. He wanted to make it clear that Hiatts hardware just make locks and aren't related to Hiatt.
He also added that Hiatt had been broken into many times lately and protesters had targeted the factory a couple of years ago. He hadn't heard of any arrests.
protestology
Go on, give them a call! Hiatt 0121 357 4347
11.09.2005 11:36
Do you make the Shackles and Leg Irons the U.S. Military use in Guantanamo Bay?
it's good to talk!
Homepage:
http://www.hiatts.com/
Leg irons made by Hiatts US subsiduary
11.09.2005 15:35
It gets a bit more complex though. It is possible that the offending items were exported before the ban came into force, by a party other than Hiatts, with an export licence or as unrestricted items (eg handcuffs) which were then modified by the US factory into restricted items (leg irons). The export of oversized handcuffs is a problem - there is a legitimate market for handcuffs for large wrists, however these can also be used as leg irons (lengthening the chain optional). A pair of handcuffs could be added to a waist chain, or to a chain linking to to leg irons outside the UK.
If you dislike this trade, it may be worth getting your MP to put some pressure on HM Customs and Excise to get on with their investigation. It should be noted though that these are not difficult items to make - the metalworking skills are available to anyone, and banning the export of handcuffs will not prevent the US from obtaining supply from any of the many other manufactures.
Quality & Dependability for over 200 years
Homepage:
http://www.hiatt-thompson.com
