Target Brimar begin 22 Days of Waging Peace
Article published: Sunday, December 27th 2009
Anti-militarist campaigners from across the Northwest will be holding a 22 day long protest against Chadderton-based weapons component manufacturer Brimar from December 27.
The ‘rolling demonstration’ organised by the Manchester campaign group Target Brimar, is to mark the first anniversary of operation ‘Cast Lead’, the Israeli military’s 22 day assault on Gaza, and commemorate those killed by British forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The protests will involve a variety of different organisations, including Manchester and Warrington Quakers, Littleborough and Rochdale peace campaigners, Respect Party members and Manchester Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
Imaging components manufactured by Brimar are supplied to the armed forces of the US, UK and Israel, and are found in fighter planes, attack helicopters and tanks. Target Brimar campaigners claim that these components “were used and are still being used to commit grave war crimes and acts against humanity” in theatres of conflict such as Iraq, Afghanistan and Gaza. Their aim is to pressure Brimar into producing producing more “socially useful” products and to “provide a focus for resisting foreign wars”.
Campaign spokesperson Anna Freeman said: “Many people are surprised to find that weapons components used in illegal wars are being made right here in Manchester.
“We believe that it’s the duty of all British citizens to challenge the complicity of our government and companies in death and destruction.”
Citing recent research from Campaign Against the Arms Trade, Freeman added that “supporters of the arms trade argue that, despite the massive job losses in the sector, they provide the UK with internationally successful niches in aerospace, engineering and electronics, as well as skilled work and spin-offs beneficial to the civil sector. But the real cost has been the diversion of resources from other forms of manufacturing activity that, if provided with similar long-term government investment, could actually have generated greater employment and direct benefits to the civil economy through improved technologies and industrial processes.”
Other groups and individuals interested in joining the protest are encouraged to get in touch. For further information on events and dates visit www.targetbrimar.org.uk.
Andy Bowman
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Comments
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not directly related, but for an article on transition in the arms industry (the lucas plan) see
http://www.redpepper.org.uk/A-real-green-deal
Comment by andyb on December 27, 2009 at 2:37 pm -
[…] as “22 Days of Waging Peace”, the three weeks of rolling activity was timed to coincide with the anniversary of the 22 days of the Israeli attack on Gaza from […]
Pingback by 22 Days of Waging Peace — MULE on February 12, 2010 at 1:18 pm
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