Supporters rallied at the Raytheon office building in Bristol and passed up a seasonal fare on the end of a rope.
Christmas music blared out across the sterile corporate landscape – provided by linking a radio to a megaphone. The protesters, wearing Santa hats and coats, enjoyed their dinner sitting on a balcony on the side of the Raytheon building.
One protester said – “We looked out for Santa flying by on his sleigh. But the only Christmas present we’d want would be an end to the arms trade”
Another protester said – “This may be the season of goodwill. But we haven’t forgotten that for companies like Raytheon its business as usual. They manufacture and sell these horrific weapons which are illegal under international law. And they have their offices here in our city. We feel it is our civic duty to bring this to the attention of the public by doing this protest.”
Later in the afternoon, when the police and security guards were conspicuous by the absence, the protesters came down to ground level to stretch their legs. They joined in a game of football – a joking parallel to the football played between opposing troops in the Christmas lull during the First World War. Later supporters and protesters sat round a camp-fire eating mince pies and drinking mulled wine.
The protesters pledge to continue their rooftop occupation indefinitely. They have recently been donated heavy-duty steel lock-on equipment which they intend to use to resist any attempts at eviction.
THEY PARTICULARLY WELCOME VISITS FROM WELL-WISHERS AND FOR SUPPLIES.
These will be particularly important over the next week or so while the business park is tediously quiet.
Visit anytime, day or evening (they’re always there!)
The wish-list is:-
Water
Thermos flasks of hot drinks
Food supplies, both immediate and long-life
Any other imaginative treats
Rolling tobacco and papers
Candles and lighters
Plastic carrier bags, loo-roll and paper hankies
Useful banner making equipment
Eight “C” size batteries for megaphone
Packs of “AA” for radio and mobile phone
Cash donations very very welcome
The campaign is especially appealing for offers of help for legal and business research.
The Raytheon office is at Argentum House, Bristol business Park Frenchay. Turn off the roundabout on Coldharbour Lane in front of UWE Frenchay Campus. Turn left into the Business Park and the protest is about fifty yards along this road on the right. Just look for the office building with the tents on the roof and slogans painted on the tiles!
Many thanks from the Raytheon Roofies!
Bristol vigils against attacks on Gaza
Bristol PSC and supporters will continue the vigil on the Centre 12.00-2.00pm Sunday
And then every weekday with the Peace vigil 5.00 – 6.00pm until further notice.
Israel has pledged to continue these attacks and is threatening a ground offensive, so it is important to maintain the protests.
For those unable to attend the vigils please protest to your MP and MEPs. This is most easily done using www.writetothem.com/
If they are flooded with complaints they just might be a bit less supine.
You can keep in touch with the vigil and other Palestine related events in the area at
http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/Bristol-PSC/
ANARCHISTS AGAINST THE WALL
Who We Are
Anarchists Against the Wall (AATW) is a direct action group that was established in 2003 in response to the construction of the wall Israel is building on Palestinian land in the Occupied West Bank. The group works in cooperation with Palestinians in a joint popular struggle against the occupation.
Since its formation, the group has participated in hundreds of demonstrations and direct actions against the wall specifically, and the occupation generally, all over the West Bank. All of AATW’s work in Palestine is coordinated through villages’ local popular committees and is essentially Palestinian led.
Why We Resist
It is the duty of Israeli citizens to resist immoral policies and actions carried out in our name. We believe that it is possible to do more than demonstrate inside Israel or participate in humanitarian relief actions. Israeli apartheid and occupation isn’t going to end by itself – it will end when it becomes ungovernable and unmanageable. It is time to physically oppose the bulldozers, the army and the occupation.
A Brief History
In April 2003, three years into the Second Intifada, a small group of mostly anarchist Israeli activists, already doing various political work in the Occupied Territories formed Anarchists Against the Wall. The group was established around the formation of a protest tent in the village of Mas’ha, where the wall was nearing and would leave 96% of the village’s land on the “Israeli” side.
The camp, formed by Palestinian, Israeli and international activists was composed of two tents on the village’s land which was slated for confiscation. A constant presence of Palestinian, Israelis and internationals remained for four months. During which, the camp became a center for information dissemination and a base for direct-democracy decision-making. A number of wall related direct actions were planned and prepared at the camp – such as the July 28, 2003 direct action in the Village of Anin. In that action Palestinians, international and Israeli activists managed to force open a gate in the wall in spite of being attacked by the army (See Haaretz article ).
Late in August of 2003, with the wall around Mas’ha nearly completed, the camp moved to the yard of a house in which was slated for demolition. Following two days of blocking the bulldozers and mass arrests, the yard was demolished and the camp ended, but the spirit of resistance it symbolized was not demolished.
In 2004, the village of Budrus began its struggles against the wall and AATW joined their daily demonstrations. Through its persistence in community mobilization, struggle and popular resistance, the village of Budrus was able to achieve significant victories.
Without appealing to the Israeli courts, utilizing only popular resistance, the village succeeded to push the path of wall almost completely off its land.
Budrus’ success inspired many other villages to build a popular resistance, which is perhaps an even greater success. For a good part of the year, almost every village to which the construction of the wall reached rose up against it. AATW joined every village that called for its participation.
More recently our actions have been centered in and around the village of Bil’in, northwest of Ramallah, where most of the village’s agricultural land is to be effectively confiscated by the wall and an expanding settlement.
Our Role in the Struggle
The mere presence of Israelis at Palestinian civilian actions offers some degree of protection for against army violence.
The Israeli army’s code of conduct is significantly different when Israelis are present and violence, while still severe, is significantly lower. Even though many Israeli activists have been wounded at the demonstrations, some of them seriously, it is the Palestinians who have paid the highest toll. To date, 10 Palestinian demonstrators have been killed in demonstrations against the wall and thousands have been wounded.
The army and the Israeli government try to put an end to Palestinian popular resistance using every form of repression, and to prevent Israeli activists from joining this struggle. Under the occupation’s law it is possible to indict people for simply participating in a demonstration. In the course of the last several years, AATW activists have been arrested hundreds of times and dozens of indictments were filed against them.
The legal repression by the Israeli authorities is just another front for the Israeli authorities to try and crack down on resistance.
In order to keep activists out of jail and continue the struggle, AATW is now faced with mounting legal expenses for its defense in the Israeli court. The cost for legal representation has exceeded US$60,000 and is constantly rising.
Funding
AATW does not receive funding from any state, government or association. We rely on donations from people all over the world that would like to see us continue to support the Palestinian struggle for freedom.
For the reasons mentioned above and for operating expanses such as transportation, phone bills, first aid and poster board AATW is seeking financial support.
To donate, please click the Donate Link above on the right or go to our Donations page
This site does not contain and should not be understood as an official party line or a manifesto. The group has dedicated all its efforts to activities on the ground, and has left propaganda and the drawing of party lines to others.
