BAE Systems protest at Guardian's London Graduate Fair
Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) | 20.10.2010 13:12 | Anti-militarism | Education | Terror War
BAE- Blatant absence of ethics
Protesters unite under the Ban BAE banner
The action took place at the Guardian's busy Graduate Fair held at the Business Design Centre in north London and saw 15 young people, including students, CND supporters and Quakers, making a strong but peaceful statement against the unethical activities of BAE – the world's largest arms producer.
There was heavy handed treatment of the protesters by the security services at the event, activist Anna Clark was dragged away by her arms, while at least one other protester was pulled by the feet. It seems as if the security at the fair were expecting protests against BAE, in the afternoon the stall area opposite BAE was occupied not by an exhibiting employer, but two security guards keeping watch.
BAE Systems sells arms to countries the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Human Rights report classes as “major countries of concern”. Notable customers include Israel, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Indonesia. BAE arms sales in several countries have been investigated by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and allegations of corruption have dogged the company for years. In March 2010 BAE agreed to pay a $400 million criminal fine to the US Department of Justice.
The company is keen to recruit university graduates, especially in engineering and sciences. Each year they spend thousands of pounds on recruiting staff to research, design, build, market and sell the next generation of killing equipment.
But students are increasingly voicing their distaste for the promotion of careers in the in the arms industry by supposedly ethical organisations, like universities and The Guardian. CAAT has identified over 40 careers events in October and November 2010 where BAE or other arms companies will be present. Student activists are being urged to ensure that BAE is met with campus protests every time it participates in career fairs or other recruitment events.
Hannah Brock, a Quaker, explained, “I was glad to do something public in support of a campaign that makes people contemplate who they give their skills to”.
Hilary Aked, who interrupted the presentation, told Ekklesia that she was motivated by her recent work in Palestine. She pointed out that BAE sell weapons parts to Israeli forces.
“I can see for myself the effects of Israeli military actions, having just returned from Palestine,” she explained, “They're using expensive military equipment to violently suppress peaceful protests”.
Abi Haque, CAAT Universities' Network Co-ordinator says:
"We significantly disrupted the BAE presentation and stall. It was encouraging to see how many students were receptive to our message about BAE and the unethical career choices they offer to graduates. We hope that The Guardian, which has done so much to expose BAE's shady activities, will exclude BAE from future Graduate Fairs."
*Youtube video of action available at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34yrCnCEaso *Ekklesia article available at
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/13375 *For further information on the Ban BAE Campaign please visit
http://universities.caat.org.uk/ *For questions concerning the CAAT Universities network contact Abi Haque, CAAT's Universities' Network Co-ordinator at universities (@) caat.co.uk or call 020 7281 0297.
*For information on CAAT please contact CAAT Media Co-ordinator Kaye Stearman email press (@) caat.org.uk or ring 020 7281 0297 / 07990 673 232.
Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT)
e-mail:
universities@caat.org.uk
Homepage:
http://universities.caat.org.uk/
Comments
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well done CAAT
20.10.2010 14:05
Anyone who has graduated will tell you that once you have started a course it’s hard to abandon it Once you have been effectively working as a designer for an arms giant at undergraduate level , the skills you will have acquired will mean that there is a good chance that when you do graduate there won’t be anyone else for you to work for other than another arms designer. A lot of young people starting university this year will not even be aware of the fact that arms giants such as British Aerospace Engineering control the syllabuses and courses set by certain university departments - particularly so-called “aerospace engineering” departments . It needs to be emphasised that the term “aerospace engineering” is a euphemism that is often used by merchant-of -death companies like BAe , Augusta-Westland etc to hide the fact that they are arms manufacturers and arms designers.
BAe boasts about being the world’s biggest weapons manufacturer when addressing investors and those interested in buying their merchandise . But it doesn’t want the general public to know that it is an arms manufacturer , and actively seeks to discourage those wishing to expose the source of the billions in profits it makes from its filthy business . The arms giant exerts considerable pressure on the media to this end ,as a result of which , prospective students will rarely be aware of the fact that British Aerospace Engineers is in fact an arms manufacturer - and since earlier this year , the world’s largest arms manufacturer.
Students who like the idea of space exploration but don’t want to find themselves designing drones and military helicopters should carefully check out syllabuses for BAe code words like “aerospace engineering” before applying for places at university.
The exchange below (with spelling mistakes in original) took place recently between a graduate of a large UK university and a prospective student who has been offered a place at that university and is wondering which course to choose. The graduate congratulates the student on winning a place at the university and offers this advice .
“ Congrats on the unconditional place, Glasgow was my 2nd choice for uni, its a good place!! but you will BLATENTLY end up work for BAE Systems!” see:
Here is the full exchange between the graduate and the student:
The prospective student writes :
Hi,
I recently got an unconditional offer to study either Avionics or Aeronautical Engineering at Glasgow. Just got to make my final decision! Im quite set on avionics but don't want to write of Aeronautical just yet.
Has anyone else done either of the courses? Did you enjoy it? Would having a PPL be of much help?
What are the job prospects? Is the work interesting? Is there much/any further training required post graduation?
Sorry for all the questions!
Any replies much appreciated.
Thanks,
Go
...............
The graduate replies :
"I Just Graduated last summer from Univeristy in Aeronautical Engineering. I know work for a major aero company. I would recomend you do Avionics. There is a big shortage of people across the industry, so it increases your employability after graduation.
Aero Eng is a very broad degree, it touches upon all aspecs of engineering, from structures, aerodynamics, materials through to some ( i only did 3 modules out of 36) avionics. I believe i was only just made it into the avionics job im in now from my disertation.
However, avionics is only focusing on one aspect of aviation and could get tiresome after a while? but personally in reto-spect, i woulda gone for avionics!!
Congrats on the unconditional place, Glasgow was my 2nd choice for uni, its a good place!! but you will BLATENTLY end up work for BAE Systems"'
Tom
e-mail:
tomeile@hotmail.co.uk
who is doing what to whom?
20.10.2010 17:57
Did they? The article title suprised me, why would BAE Systems protest at the Guardian's London Graduate Fair? I would have thought they'd be busy manafacturing weapons.
CAAT protest BAE Systems at Guardian's London Graduate Fair
is more factual and includes the name of your group. Does noone else find it strange? A liberal NGO politely protesting a graduate recruitment event organised by a bloody newspaer and the press release title is rendered absurd by poor grammar. When I saw it on the newswire I hoped it was a situationist prank.
pedant's revolt