The protesters’ defense team had been arguing that EDO-MBM’s trade (with the Israeli military) was illegal and that they are complicit in war crimes committed in Lebanon and Gaza last summer.

The three protesters had locked themselves to concrete barrels outside the gates of Brighton-based arms company EDO-MBM during Israel’s 34 day offensive in Lebanon, which left over one thousand dead.


The campaigners are charged with 'preventing lawful activity'


Photos & Interviews Available


In a joint statement the defendants said:

"Last July the Israeli bombing of Lebanon resulted in over a thousand
dead, nearly a million people were displaced, and entire villages were
destroyed. Still today children are being killed by cluster bombs left
over from the onslaught.

To date Israel has not had to answer for its crimes in Lebanon. We will
use our time in court as an opportunity to expose EDO-MBM's illegal
supply of weapons components to Israel."

Smash EDO will continue to protest until EDO MBM shuts down completely
or converts to non-military production.

Contact Andrew Beckett or Sarah Johnson for more
details.

The trial has been rescheduled for the 23rd of July.

Email -  smashedopress@yahoo.co.uk, tel 07875708873


www.smashedo.org.uk

Notes for Journalists


Brighton & Hove is a UN Peace Messenger City


EDO MBM Technologies Ltd are the sole subsidiary of
huge U.S arms conglomerate EDO Corp. They supply
crucial components for Raytheon's Paveway guided bomb
system, widely used in the "Shock and Awe" campaign in
Iraq.


Campaign against EDO MBM.


EDO MBM makes electrical weapons components for the
Israeli military. EDO MBM manufactures components to
be incorporated into the Hellfire missile, which the
Israeli army has recently used to attack the civilian
population of Gaza . They have organised conferences
on the development of UCAVs, unmanned aircraft which
are widely used in aerial attacks on Gaza .