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RIP Simon Levin - EDO Decommissioner

vg | 02.07.2011 20:11 | Smash EDO | Anti-militarism | Palestine | South Coast

I was greatly saddened to hear news of the death of Simon Levin, Brighton activist and one of the EDO Decommissioners.





It was exactly one year ago today that I was in Brighton for the final day of the Decommissioners' trial, when the last two defendants were acquitted. I took these photos then and met up with Simon again briefly this January when we were in Brighton for a meeting and were offered hospitality in his house. It was a privilege to meet you, Simon. I'm sure that the passion and commitment you brought to the causes you worked for will live on. Rest in peace.

My thoughts are also with all those who were closest to Simon.


SchNEWS Obituary:

 http://www.schnews.org.uk/archive/news7773.php

Long-term Brightonian activist for social justice, Simon Levin, passed away on Friday 24th June, at the age of thirty-six. He spent much of his life fighting against injustice . Attending pickets during the miners’ strike when he was a young boy, Simon was then an active supporter of the Irish struggle against imperialism and, during the last decade, involved in action for Palestine and against the Iraq war.

Simon was from a Jewish background; his great grandparents were murdered at Auschwitz. This was one of the reasons that he joined the Palestinian struggle against Israeli apartheid. In 2004 Simon travelled to Palestine and spent months as an international volunteer in Balata refugee camp. During Israeli army incursions Simon provided an international presence designed to make people in the camp safer and support Palestinian resistance. In 2008 he led a delegation to the Jordan Valley and worked with Palestinians to establish Fasayil School (see SchNEWS 608), despite Israeli military orders that building was prohibited.

Involved in the Smash EDO campaign from the beginning, he was part of the first blockade of EDO in 2004 and fought against EDO’s planned injunction against protesters. Simon helped the decommissioners break into the EDO factory in 2009 - and was with the others found not guilty of conspiracy to cause criminal damage on the basis that he had acted to prevent war crimes SchNEWS 729) . His own experiences in Palestine were used as evidence. On hearing the verdict he said, “Considering that the whole point of this is that we have broken no law, hopefully it will set a precedent for the people of this country to realise that in a liberal democracy we are the checks and balances.”

Despite personal battles, Simon never gave up on the struggle for justice and the well-being of those lucky enough to count him as a friend.

One such friend said, “Simon was not only a dedicated activist in the name of liberty, against oppression in all its forms, but a sublimely passionate human being, whose eccentricities, eloquence and wild imagination will never be forgotten.”

For those who wish to celebrate Simon’s life there will be a wake at the Cowley Club, Brighton Thursday 7th July at 4pm.

vg

Comments

Hide the following 5 comments

One of the best

03.07.2011 12:13

Simon represented everything that is good good about Smash EDO. Committed, Sincere, hard working, knowledgeable and always with a few well placed words for the filth.

Simon always took time to speak to me and others on the fringes of the campaign. He always encouraged us and made us feel that our little bit counted.

We will miss him loads and salute his courage.

" well done good and faithful servant, enter into your rest "

Spike and George and Patch


Condolences

04.07.2011 11:51

I was shocked when in Brighton last week to learn of Simon's passing. I only met Simon in the context of the EDO 9 trial, so sympathies to all those who knew him better and are struggling with the loss. I ran into Eamonn McCann, of Derry's Raytheon 9 Decommissioners, yesterday and he too passes on his condolences.

The words written here ring true of my experience of Simon.........
"...a sublimely passionate human being, whose eccentricities, eloquence and wild imagination will never be forgotten.” AND
"He always encouraged us and made us feel that our little bit counted. "

Trials are difficult and stressful times..."they don't call them trials for nothing!", they are designed to isolate and defeat the resister and the resistance. The only counter is solidarity and community and Simon was surrounded by a good crew in Brighton. His humour, humanity and sparkle nourished many of us in the gallery and those in the docks during those gruelling weeks of the EDO 9 tril. He was a riot following the acquittal with such wit and observations on a mad world where devices are made in Brighton to kill kidz in Gaza
His humanity was such a callenge to all that bullshit that passes as business as usual.

Ciaron O'Reilly, Pitstop Ploughshares
- Homepage: http://www.craftech.com/~dcpledge/brandywine/plow/pit_stop_plowshares.htm


Simon

04.07.2011 17:04

I just loved you so much...Don't know what else to say.

A friend


Rossport demo dedicated to Simon

05.07.2011 11:14

Yesterday the Shell offices in Belmullet, Mayo, Eire were blockaded by locals and campers - see  http://www.indymedia.ie/article/100145 This was dedicated to Simon. A good person. Condolences to everyone.

Rossportian
- Homepage: www.rossportsolidaritycamp.org


Homewrecker of the year award.

05.07.2011 23:34

I was with Simon when he tried to present Homewrecker of the year award to the managers of Caterpiller corporation in Birmingham about 7 years ago.
After bravely standing in front of a car to present the award, one of the managers put his foot down and drove into Simon, in which he ended up splayed over the bonnet of the car.
Simon was later arrested for criminal damage to the guys car (crazy), which led on to a lengthy trial.
Situations such as these are part and parcel of peaceful protest.
Simon gave up much of his time and always stood with truth and his beliefs..
One of many Jews committed to peace in the middle East.
(May there be more of you)
Shalom, Salam- Peace our friend Simon.

Jaya


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