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"We are here to expose Lockheed Martin, makers of weapons of mass destruction"

Chris Gwyntopher | 07.02.2008 20:41 | Anti-militarism | London

Trident Ploughshares peace activists again expose Lockheed Martin's UK headquarters near Victoiria Station. US Corporation maintain the first strike Trident nuclear missile system and are developing its replacement.

"We are here to expose Lockheed Martin, makers of weapons of mass destruction"

This was the explanation given to puzzled people in the vicinity of Manning House, 22 Carlisle Place, near Victoria Station between 8.0 and 9.0 on the cold morning of Monday 4th February. Manning House is the UK corporate HQ of Lockheed Martin, the largest arms manufacturer in the world and senior partner in the triumvirate of companies, two of them US owned, who run the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston. They are developing a replacement for the Trident first strike nuclear missile system there. The contract is worth more than £5.3 billion to them. The replacement cost of Trident replacement is expected to cost £15 to £26 billion. Including running costs it may well exceed £76 billion. Some 12 peace activist from Trident Ploughshares were distributing leaflets and carrying placards and peace flags including a large one with an arrow pointed at Manning House reading "LOCKHEED MARTIN, BOMB MAKERS". The security officers at Manning House closed the heavy doors of the building whenever the peace activists approached the main entrance. The Trident Ploughshares group have been taking non-violent action at Manning House for at least three years. They have got into the building and occupied the board room. They have hung an enormous banner from the roof saying "STOP LOCKHEED NEW NUKE BOMB MAKERS", They have blocked people from going in to continue to work on nuclear weapons by locking them selves with chains and D locks to all the entrances. All these actions have been conducted in a nonviolent manner. None of them have been arrested.

One of peace activists wore a flag saying "People need water not weapons." When they arrived to start their protest there was a pile of crash barriers on the pavement outside Manning House. They thought these might be for their benefit. It transpired that they were there to provide safety for the water company who were carrying out repairs.

Contact
Chris Gwyntopher.
Trident Ploughshares,
42-46 Bethel St, Norwich NR2 1NR
0845 45 88 366

Notes for editors:

1. Reports of other actions by Trident Ploughshares are to be found at