PROTEST at TRIAL of the Women against Raytheon
Belfast High Court Monday 17th May 2010
The trial of the 14 members of the Derry Anti War Coalition charged with a range of offences is – unexpectedly – back on for Monday 17th May. The 14 include 9 women charged with burglary and attempted criminal damage as a result of their occupation of the Raytheon plant in Derry on 12 Jan 2009 during the Israeli assault on Gaza. The five men were arrested while demonstrating outside in support of the women.
PROTEST at TRIAL of the Women against Raytheon
Belfast High Court Monday 17th May 2010
The trial of the 14 members of the Derry Anti War Coalition charged with a range of offences is – unexpectedly – back on for Monday 17th May. The 14 include 9 women charged with burglary and attempted criminal damage as a result of their occupation of the Raytheon plant in Derry on 12 Jan 2009 during the Israeli assault on Gaza. The five men were arrested while demonstrating outside in support of the women.
There will be a protest outside the court on Monday morning from 9.30 – 10.30 and we hope that as many anti-war activists and supporters of non-violent direct action will be there to show solidarity.
The women refused to leave Raytheon until they got assurances from the PSNI that Raytheon would be investigated for war crimes.
The women acted in response to the Israeli assault on Gaza, which had begun on 27 December 2008 and lasted into January 2009. In a matter of weeks, more than 1,400 Palestinians were killed by the Israeli armed forces, including over 300 children.
Raytheon had a longstanding relationship with the Israeli state and many of the bombs dropped during the massacre in Gaza were made and supplied by Raytheon. As a result of anti-war activists’ occupation of Raytheon, the plant has since closed down.
Thier brave stance is now being criminalised by the state.They are facing trial at Belfast High Court, charged with burglary with intent to commit unlawful damage,two with unlawfully damaging a security keypad, two with assaulting a security guard and one with kicking a steel door. All have pleaded not guilty.
The state is doing everything to diffuse the support that the women have. They have already put off the trial once.
We need to secure the freedom of these courageous anti-war women. That means having loud support outside the court while the trial is going on.
The Belfast Laganside Court are opposite the Waterfront Theatre and within easy reach of the station. (Check with IAWM to see whether there is a car going up, otherwise a rail ticket booked on line is the cheapest)
