Liveblog: Smash EDO's Brighton funeral march (From The Argus)
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Liveblog: Smash EDO's Brighton funeral march
9:57am Monday 18th January 2010 in News
KETTLING: Police barricade the protesters in North Road this evening. Picture by James Devonport
Smash EDO is holding another protest in Brighton today to mark the anniversary of the Gaza War.
The last big scale demonstration the group held in the city on Mayday last year caused widespread disruption.
It is not known how many people will attend today's demo, but The Argus will bring you updates from the scene. Reporting team: Ben Parsons, Andy Chiles, Simon Dack, Sam Stephenson, Jo Wadsworth.
Key points
- Smash EDO says 100 protesters in city last night
- About 200 protesters on the march today
- Police attempt to give notice of possible restrictions of protesters activities, but are roundly ignored
- Protesters get past police blockade of Home Park Road and approach EDO factory through the woods
- A standoff situation develops as protesters attempt to push their way through a police line on a footpath approaching the EDO factory
- Protesters briefly scale the roof of a building on the industrial estate, but are pushed back by police
- The EDO factory announces it is closing early for the day
- Protesters regroup and march along Lewes Road towards the city centre
- The march reaches Elm Grove, and protesters are told they will be allowed as far as The Level, but no further
- Protesters ignore police and make their way to North Laine
- About 50 protesters are kettled in North Road while the rest of the march disperses
- The march finally disperses at 7pm - in total there are four arrests.
- Click here to view all our pictures of the protest
- Click here to view a video shot by John Thompson of the protest in North Road
Send us your protest pictures or tell us your stories by emailing news@theargus.co.uk. Text photos to 80360, starting your message with SUPIC and saying who you are, where the photo was taken and what it shows. Alternatively call The Argus on 01273 544514.
Related links
10am Police and protesters are making their final ahead of an anti-arms demonstration.
Smash EDO campaigners, who claim the EDO factory in Moulsecoomb makes parts for weapons used in military action by Israel in Palestine, are due to march through Wild Park this afternoon.
Hundreds of protesters, their ranks bolstered by supporters from around the country, are expected to try to reach the factory site itself in nearby Home Farm Road.
Police have not indicated how close senior officers are prepared to allow them to go.
Smash EDO has repeatedly snubbed invitations by police to discuss routes, numbers and possible disruption.
Today's Remember Gaza event, which begins at 1pm at Wild Park Cafe, is being held to commemorate Palestinian deaths in Israeli military action last year.
The factory denies it supplies Israel with weapon parts.
Protesters are asked to wear black, before carrying symbolic coffins to the factory site. It is the first large-scale demo for more than a year to focus on the site itself.
10.10am One of the reasons police are taking today's demo seriously is because the organisers are encouraging people from around the country to attend.
Two protesters from London are already tweeting about their journey to Brighton. Joti Brar said yesterday she was intending on coming, and Ben, aka Anarchasm is now on board a Brighton-bound coach.
10.15am Police intelligence officers often film protesters at Smash EDO demos, and in the run-up to them.
These units, known as Forward Intelligence Teams (FIT) sometimes find themselves on the end of a camera themselves. The FIT watch blog says it will be monitoring officers at the march today.
10.20am For anyone who missed the last protest, on May 4 last year, here's a video map showing the disruption it caused.
10.40am It's not just protesters who will be on the march. Local doorman Jason is going along just to see what happens.
He tweeted: "Let's see how much damage #smashEDO protesters do today... lets hope the cake shop don't get it."
10.50am The Smash EDO demonstrations are always controversial in the city because of the effect they have on people who have nothing to do with EDO - and the fact protesters often refuse to tell police where they plan to march.
But what do you think? Have your say in our poll here:
11am Smash EDO reports 100 people attended a meeting ahead of the demonstration at the Cowley Club in London Road, Brighton, last night.
A spokesman said members of the police's FIT team were watching the club from a spot outside Somerfield across the road, but no photographs were being taken.
He said a "large number" of people have travelled to Brighton from across the country, including Yorkshire, Cornwall and London, for today's demonstration.
11.30am While we're waiting for the march to start, here's some more reading for you. Here the protesters put their case and here's EDO's side.
Finally, here's what an independent watchdog said.
12.10pm Police say they are hoping to open a dialogue with protesters before the event begins in Wild Park to establish their intentions.
Unlike last May's demonstration in Brighton, the public order operation is being staffed entirely using Sussex Police officers.
Chief officers have granted authorisation under section 14 of the Public Order Act for officers to impose limits on the demonstration if there is concern of a threat of serious disorder, damage or disruption to the public.
Superintendent Steve Barry said police had obtained the same power during last May's demonstration but it was not used.
He said no advance decision has been taken over whether the demonstration will be allowed to reach Home Farm Road and the EDO factory site and the police response to the march's progress will depend on numbers and what officers see as the intentions of the protesters.
12.50pm Crime reporter Ben Parsons is now at the scene. He said: "It looks like quite a low key affair. There are six police cars, four vans, some horses and several police officers who have been looking in the woods above the park. There's probably about a dozen police officers on the ground.
"There are about two dozen protesters carrying placards and a coffin."
12.55pm Police are attempting to serve the Section 14 notice, but many of the protesters are ignoring officers and walking away.
1.15pm The numbers have swelled to about 100. There's still no movement.
The protesters have brought a soundsystem and are playing angry music on it.
Sarah Collins, 18, politics student from Sussex University and a support of students against EDO said she and other protesters had covered their faces with scarves not only to avoid police surveillance but also to identify with "the faceless victims of the arms trade".
She said: "We are here to show our anger and outrage over the production of military parts used by the Israeli airforce."
"We are here today to show we don't want this going on in Brighton."
1.45pm The cafe has now emptied onto the grass of the Wild Park. Reporter Ben Parsons estimates there are about 150 protesters present.
The police are still in small groups of about half a dozen or so around the outskirts of the park.
Superintendent Steve Barry said the protesters had rejected his efforts to engage with them and to notify them of the potential use of the public order legislation.
At 1.45pm a siren went off and a woman began addressing the crowd with a loudspeaker.
She invited the crowd to join her in marching to the factory.
2pm The march has moved off towards Lewes Road. Behind banners saying "Blood on your hands" featuring red handprints and "Remember Gaza" the protesters are shouting "Smash, smash, smash EDO".
The protesters are about to reach the Lewes Road and a small line of police officers is forming with officers on horseback ahead of the march.
Superintendent Steve Barry said: "The difficulty I have as commander is that nobody is telling us what their intentions are.
"We have attempted to hand out notices regarding potential restrictions of their activities but nobody wants to talk to us. "We want to facilitate a peaceful process, however they don't want to talk to us."
Home Farm Road, about 400m away from the head of the march, is blocked by police vans and lines of officers.
2.05pm The protesters are heading north along Lewes Road. Police have blocked traffic near the viaduct.
The protesters are at the junction of Home Park Road, which is being completely blocked by police lines.
2.10pm The vast majority of the protesters have broken through the woods and are scaling a very steep ridge.
The police at the Home Park Road barricade are not chasing them, but it's expected more officers will be present outside the EDO factory itself.
2.25pm The protest has moved through the woods to reach the factory, where police dogs can be heard.
2.30pm Many of the protesters have crossed open land behind the factory at the southern end of Wild Park where police officers and horses stand at the rear of the factory.
2.35pm Having gathered behind the factory on the open land, the police line opened to allow protesters down a footpath along the back fence of the industrial estate.
There's now a standoff with police blocking their progress along the footpath.
he protesters are now attempting to climb along a steep bank between the Forfars factory compound and the railway line but police are not allowing the protesters through.
2.40pm Protesters have now scrambled down the bank and are still contained within the police line.
There's a hand to hand struggle between a mass of protesters and the police line.
Horses are moving through the ranks of protesters to reach the police line.
Five missiles were seen to be thrown by protesters over the heads of police.
2.45pm The protesters are now trying to move back towards the open ground via the footpath.
Police said at this stage there have been no arrests, and no officers injured.
2.50pm Protesters seem to have breached a fence at the back of the industrial estate and have dropped onto a roof and police are now trying to pick them off.
They are now coming back through to evade the police.
2.55pm The EDO factory has just announced over a loud hailer that it is closing for the day.
Protesters have started to march away from the factory.
3pm The police have now forced the protesters back onto the open ground and the column is moving back towards the woods overlooking Lewes Road.
One protester was injured and treated by two men wearing black hooded tops and red cross armbands.
3.10pm The protest is now breaking up. About 50 protesters are still on the open land by the Wild Park Café. The others have moved off towards Lewes Road.
3.25pm The protesters who went into the woods have now regrouped with those who stayed at the barricade at the top of Home Farm Road.
All the protesters are now marching south down Lewes Road towards the city centre. It's now estimated there are about 300 people on the march.
3.30pm A police car and three vans have headed from Home Park Road towards Lewes Road and the march.
3.55pm On the way down Lewes Road, police attempted to stop the flow of the march a couple of times, sparking a couple of scuffles and prompting some to run up side roads.
The march then shuffled down Lewes Road, and stopped opposite Mithras House.
It is now slowly moving into town, and is passing the Vogue Gyratory, with demonstrators chanting "Smash EDO".
The numbers have decreased, but there are still at least 200 people on the march.
4.10pm Police have formed a line across Lewes Road at the junction with Elm Grove.
An officer has announced over a loudspeaker that the protest will be able to continue at The Level, but for the protection of the people of Brighton and Hove, it will not be allowed to travel anywhere else within the city.
He is issuing the Section 14 order which police advised protesters would be issued earlier in the day.
The protesters are chanting: "Whose streets? Our streets!"
4.25pm Protesters have gone through The Level gone along the London Road and are walking up into North Laine along Pelham Street and into Sydney Street.
Reporter Andy Chiles said: "The atmosphere is generally okay, but it is a bit pushey and shovey."
One of the crowd lobbed a dart into the air, which hit photographer Sam Stephenson. Fortunately, he was unhurt.
4.30pm Police are attempting to stop protesters making their way through North Laine.
There are now groups of demonstrators in North Road, Jubilee Street and Kensington Gardens.
Protesters are trying to evade the police by running down side streets.
4.35pm The reaction from people living and working in North Laine is not particularly positive.
James Devonport tweeted: "There was me thinking we had got away with it, the yobbos just arrived on Trafalgar Street."
And web designer superlative tweeted: "Tsk, looks like I'm getting the train home due to the idiotic #smashEDO protesters. I'm not risking the bus."
4.45pm The march has completely broken up and it's unclear where everyone is. There is still one group of about 50 in North Road.
Police are evidently expecting them to make their way to North Street, where about 40 police officers are guarding Barclays.
4.50pm According to Sussex Police, the protesters are mainly in pockets in North Laine. There are a few remaining near the factory, although there have not been any attempts to get in there.
4.50pm Photographs from the Moulsecoomb part of the protest are now being uploaded - click here to view them.
5pm Journalist John Thompson took this footage of the protest in North Road:
5.05pm Some of the protest is still in the London Road area.
Rosie Clarke tweets: "#smashedo protest in Brighton must be going along London Road - or maybe even closer - can now hear a full on sound system!"
5.10pm The soundsystem, which is attached to the back of a bicycle, is now in North Road, and currently playing dub, contributing to a more peaceful atmosphere.
Police are still containing a hard core of about 50 protesters there.
Some people are trying to get around the blockade, but ending up walking around the block.
Police said they did not know how long they were going to keep the protesters there.
5.15pm As the protest dies down, Cennydd Bowles tweets: "Poked my head round at the #smashEDO riots outside our office. Cameras and police outnumbering protestors."
And as if to prove his point, journalist Ed Martin leaves his office at journalism.co.uk to tweet: "Favourite police-baiting taunts from #brighton #smashedo 'WHY ARE YOU SWEATING? IT'S NOT THE RIGHT WEATHER' and 'SISSIES! SISSIES!'"
5.20 The protesters are still being contained. Quite a lot of people are standing around outside Wagamama - some in school uniform - simply watching the police.
It's believed the rest of the march has dispersed.
Wendy McAngus tweeted: "Police horses just clip clopped their way down the Old Steine looking like they are on their way home."
5.50pm The police release the remaining protesters from the kettle in North Road.
One of them, who calls himself Jonnie Marbles, tweeted: "Just released from #smashedo kettle. If u don't know what a kettle is, imagine a prison where the walls are all made of t***s."
6.30pm Photographer Sam Stephenson has returned to the office - still carrying the dart which was thrown at him: 
7pm Sussex Police has released a statement about the protest.
Brighton and Hove City Commander, Chief Superintendent Graham Bartlett said: "Once again, during a demonstration organised by Smash EDO, we have seen intimidating behaviour and sporadic outbreaks of disorder within Wild Park, Home Farm Road and the city centre.
"Members of public including many visitors trying to go about their normal business have clearly been frightened by the behaviour of a small minority of protestors and many have faced disruption.
"As at 7.00pm, there were four arrests for public order offences. We will continue to investigate any other offences that have occurred and where possible bring those responsible to justice.
"We aimed to facilitate peaceful protest, safeguarding the public and minimising disruption, and made concerted efforts to engage with the organisers about their intentions today. Once again, for future events, I urge those who wish to hold demonstrations in the city to abide by the law and notify the police of their intentions in advance so that jointly we can plan a safe but visible event which respects their right to protest and others rights to go about their business free from intimidation and violence.
"The officers involved in policing today's demonstration are the same officers who work in our local communities providing the policing service expected of us.
"We would all rather see them helping to resolve local issues in their neighbourhoods. We are used to policing larger demonstrations than this with far fewer officers due to the organisers engaging with us and being part of the planning process."
7.30pm Smash EDO has also issued a press statement about the day's events and hailed the demonstration as a great success.
It said: "Over 300 people turned out to commemorate the anniversary of the aerial bombardment of Gaza with banners and symbolic coffins.
"A dynamic crowd broke free from police control and streamed through the woods to surround the factory from three sides.
"The factory, target of a long running campaign by the Smash EDO protest group, was surrounded in a symbolic re-enactment of the siege of Gaza."
Smash EDO spokeswoman Chloe Marsh said: "The fact that this weapons' components factory was forced to close for a day is a fitting memorial to the 1,417 murdered victims of the aerial bombardment of Gaza."
Comments(139)
sussexskin
says...
11:06am Mon 18 Jan 10
Mel Hove
says...
11:19am Mon 18 Jan 10
Variable
says...
11:25am Mon 18 Jan 10
steve15
says...
11:50am Mon 18 Jan 10
deltaP
says...
11:52am Mon 18 Jan 10
Fight Back
says...
11:57am Mon 18 Jan 10
Variable
says...
11:57am Mon 18 Jan 10
I would have hoped the futility of what they are doing would have sunk through to the organisers by now, but they continue regardless.
If they keep their protest to Wild Park then good luck to them. They can have a pitched battle with the riot police all day out there if they want - I'm sure the kevlar-coated coppers will be up for it and I have no doubt who the winners would be.
But yes, there's a case for banning them from congregating in the city centre
Turing Test
says...
12:27pm Mon 18 Jan 10
Mel Hove wrote:Qassam rockets aren't supplied to Gaza by anyone. They're domestically produced by Hamas from steel pipes, with fertilizer used as propellant and warhead.
How about a protest against the suppliers of rockets to Gaza, since this is where the trouble started in the first place?
She-Ra, Princess Of Power
says...
12:46pm Mon 18 Jan 10
Fight Back wrote:Indeed.
With the right to protest comes responsibilities. Smash EDO refuse to at responsibility for their own actions and therefore should have their right to protest curtailled. When they stop wearing masks, smashing the city up and trying to pick a fight with the police then maybe people will listen. Until such a time the protest should be banned and protesters should feel the full weight of the law.
I support the right to protest. I think it's admirable that people find a cause they really believe in and are prepared to stand up and be counted. However, this should be done in a manner that does not threaten or intimidate other people simply going about their business, or cause damage and loss to businesses in the city.
I find it hard to take them seriously because of the thuggish behaviour and I doubt they manage to drum up much extra support for their cause. They're a pain more than anything.
hangleton_resident
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1:04pm Mon 18 Jan 10
brightonborn&bred
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1:06pm Mon 18 Jan 10
Charismatic Andrew
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1:06pm Mon 18 Jan 10
ultiali
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1:06pm Mon 18 Jan 10
cheezburger
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1:15pm Mon 18 Jan 10
Luke72
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1:24pm Mon 18 Jan 10
HAHA. The expression ANGRY MUSIC is hilarious.
cheezburger
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1:32pm Mon 18 Jan 10
cheezburger
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1:34pm Mon 18 Jan 10
Fight Back
says...
1:36pm Mon 18 Jan 10
cheezburger wrote:As I've said before, they're not the most intelligent bunch of people, lol.
So that girl doesnt want her face seen? Well since we know her name we can Facebook her, lol.
Nyberg
says...
1:39pm Mon 18 Jan 10
Luke72 wrote:I love it too... what do you think they're playing?
"The protesters have brought a soundsystem and are playing angry music on it. " HAHA. The expression ANGRY MUSIC is hilarious.
'Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep'?
or
'Ooo Waka Doo Waka Day' by Gilbert O Sullivan?
Actually, as I guess they don't have licence to broadcast copyrighted music, I don't know why the police don't just seize the equipment.
Nyberg
says...
1:47pm Mon 18 Jan 10
cheezburger wrote:I checked. If it's the same woman she only has a photo of her feet as a profile pic. That's what uni education does - it makes you clever!
So that girl doesnt want her face seen? Well since we know her name we can Facebook her, lol.
But not clever enough to realise that Smash EDO are useless.
dolphy
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1:48pm Mon 18 Jan 10
btpwag
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1:52pm Mon 18 Jan 10
cheezburger
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1:55pm Mon 18 Jan 10
Luke72
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2:03pm Mon 18 Jan 10
cheezburger
says...
2:06pm Mon 18 Jan 10
sussexone wrote:On the contrary they are wanted. By the old bill for falsely claiming dole.
these people are stupid, do they really think their protest will do anything other than p*ss off local people in Brighton, it won't make EDO go away, and why should they.
Smash EDO, please go away, you aren't wanted.
security words: geta-job
jsuk2000
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2:10pm Mon 18 Jan 10
sussexskin
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2:12pm Mon 18 Jan 10
Nyberg
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2:19pm Mon 18 Jan 10
sussexskin wrote:They don't need to go that far. Why don't they try to attack the Israeli or American embassies?
why dont they go to gaza with their banners ??? oh its because they might get shot by bullets and they are terrified of that, yet they attempt to represent them same people..... sad individuals.....
They will be met with a pretty robust response at either venue.
But that would be too... erm... difficult and dangerous.
Granny
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2:20pm Mon 18 Jan 10
steveP2009
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2:31pm Mon 18 Jan 10
After last years riot - yes RIOT - you successfully alienated most of the residents of Brighton to support you, scared numerous kids and family's having a nice day out, smashed up hard working peoples building and created such a mess I didn't even bother coming out that day. What you didn't do was clearly state your point peacefully or educate people that no nothing about it.
GO AWAY. This 'protest' should be banned and the full force of the police to stop it. Totally fed up with not wanting to go out in the city I live in because of these idiots (mostly students having a kick or hippies with nothing better to do).
Fight Back
says...
2:56pm Mon 18 Jan 10
There's a hand to hand struggle between a mass of protesters and the police line.
Horses are moving through the ranks of protesters to reach the police line.
Five missiles were seen to be thrown by protesters over the heads of police. "
Proof if any was needed that they are not there to protest but to pick a fight. Nothing but a bunch of thugs.
"2.50pm Protesters seem to have breached a fence at the back of the industrial estate and have dropped onto a roof and police are now trying to pick them off."
Hopefully with police snipers !!!
brightonyorkie
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2:58pm Mon 18 Jan 10
Nyberg
says...
3:02pm Mon 18 Jan 10
We won't wear masks and will be quite happy to give the police our names and addresses.
sparky_2004
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3:18pm Mon 18 Jan 10
steveP2009
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3:21pm Mon 18 Jan 10
sparky_2004 wrote:There is such things as lunch breaks at work you know. Also tea breaks. But they don't give 'us' enough time to go rioting around the city. Tsk.
Given that an oft repeated objection to these protestors is their employment/benefits status, then I'm wondering why the you bunch of 'armchair generals' aren't working instead of posting ignorant comments on a website?
steveP2009
says...
3:24pm Mon 18 Jan 10
Nyberg
says...
3:25pm Mon 18 Jan 10
sparky_2004 wrote:There is such a thing as being self-employed and working from home.
Given that an oft repeated objection to these protestors is their employment/benefits status, then I'm wondering why the you bunch of 'armchair generals' aren't working instead of posting ignorant comments on a website?
And the only ignorance that I see around here is from the Smash EDO lot... and possibly yourself?
scthetruth
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3:32pm Mon 18 Jan 10
metalrockchick
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3:58pm Mon 18 Jan 10
Seriously though people, get a job, an education that's actually useful in the real world and grow up. All I can see is a bunch of intellectually stunted, thuggish trouble-makers not a noble cause for peace. I realise that my toffee nosed middle class opinion may not matter one jot to those who think being poor and unemployed (thats not a dig at honest unemplyed people who actually want to work or cannot) is some kind of moral statement but guess what? OUR OPINIONS MATTER TOO as do everyone else's in our City and we outnumber you!
ciskaz
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4:05pm Mon 18 Jan 10
lee paul
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4:06pm Mon 18 Jan 10
hangleton_resident wrote:I agree!,
If this wasn't so serious it would be funny. I see that Ben Duncan the Green Party Parliamentary Candidate is supporting this 'rabble-rousing'. What has Caroline Lucas got to say about this? The Greens are so dangerous - anarchists pretending to be something they aren't. They must hate the British and our way of life - they just want to destroy everything around them. Dreadful.
The greens always smash up things and want to ban TV. I lay awake at night worrying.
ps I will be voting for you at next election mary mee...I mean hangleton_resident
sparky_2004
says...
4:10pm Mon 18 Jan 10
Nyberg wrote:Indeed - In the just the same way that some of the protestors may be self employed, or even (shock horror) have taken a day off work. The ignorance shown is to assume that no-one on the protest actually cares about the real issue, and that real issue is the FACT that arms components from the factory find their way to the 'battlefield' (or rather above it) where innocent people are being killed. I don't assume that those who object to the protest support the killing of those innocent people, so neither should those who do protest be assumed to be unemployed/unwashed/
sparky_2004 wrote:There is such a thing as being self-employed and working from home.
Given that an oft repeated objection to these protestors is their employment/benefits status, then I'm wondering why the you bunch of 'armchair generals' aren't working instead of posting ignorant comments on a website?
And the only ignorance that I see around here is from the Smash EDO lot... and possibly yourself?
up for a fight or all the other cliches that those who are too apathetic to stand up for something seem to enjoy bleating on about !
metalrockchick
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4:17pm Mon 18 Jan 10
freewheelingdom
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4:25pm Mon 18 Jan 10
Viva Tony Blaire.
Angryoldman
says...
4:27pm Mon 18 Jan 10
Obviously looking for trouble.
Fight Back
says...
4:27pm Mon 18 Jan 10
sparky_2004 wrote:Agreed. Something we don't need to assume though is that the so called "protestors" don't want a peaceful demo. Just a bunch thugs regardless of being employed or not and washed or not.
Nyberg wrote:Indeed - In the just the same way that some of the protestors may be self employed, or even (shock horror) have taken a day off work. The ignorance shown is to assume that no-one on the protest actually cares about the real issue, and that real issue is the FACT that arms components from the factory find their way to the 'battlefield' (or rather above it) where innocent people are being killed. I don't assume that those who object to the protest support the killing of those innocent people, so neither should those who do protest be assumed to be unemployed/unwashed/
sparky_2004 wrote:There is such a thing as being self-employed and working from home.
Given that an oft repeated objection to these protestors is their employment/benefits status, then I'm wondering why the you bunch of 'armchair generals' aren't working instead of posting ignorant comments on a website?
And the only ignorance that I see around here is from the Smash EDO lot... and possibly yourself?
up for a fight or all the other cliches that those who are too apathetic to stand up for something seem to enjoy bleating on about !
lee paul
says...
4:29pm Mon 18 Jan 10
metalrockchick wrote:I agree, If people want to buy guns and that they should be allowed to, as long as they do it sensibly
Whether some products end up on a battlefield or not is not neccessarily the fault of the Company. It's narrow minded and just an excuse for these people. There are such things as middle men you realise who sell things on? Is it the Companies job to follow its product for it's whole life? Do knife manufacturers have the responsibility of checking who has bought one? If someone wants to hurt another person they will always find a way. This Company is being targeted because it's easy to do so. By the way this 'FACT' of yours (and it may be true) comes from where exactly?
btpwag
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4:36pm Mon 18 Jan 10
Jolly Rodger
says...
4:38pm Mon 18 Jan 10
Well that's not nice is it. Must be a photographer from a rival paper.
TeaDrinker
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4:41pm Mon 18 Jan 10
Whether some products end up on a battlefield or not is not neccessarily the fault of the Company</i>
Yeah, weapons ending up on a battlefield. Who could predict that one?
Lucky7
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4:47pm Mon 18 Jan 10
TeaDrinker
says...
5:01pm Mon 18 Jan 10
Lucky7 wrote:Do not weapons tend to be made up of components?
TeaDrinker - they don't actually make weapons, just components that "allegedly" end up in weapons. Like Siemens, who may make your dishwasher, also make communication systems for weapons or armies, for example. I'm afraid it's a rather spurious excuse for a "demo".
She-Ra, Princess Of Power
says...
5:04pm Mon 18 Jan 10
sparky_2004 wrote:Hey sparky, I'm guessing if it's 'FACT' then you have some proof?
Nyberg wrote:Indeed - In the just the same way that some of the protestors may be self employed, or even (shock horror) have taken a day off work. The ignorance shown is to assume that no-one on the protest actually cares about the real issue, and that real issue is the FACT that arms components from the factory find their way to the 'battlefield' (or rather above it) where innocent people are being killed. I don't assume that those who object to the protest support the killing of those innocent people, so neither should those who do protest be assumed to be unemployed/unwashed/ up for a fight or all the other cliches that those who are too apathetic to stand up for something seem to enjoy bleating on about !sparky_2004 wrote: Given that an oft repeated objection to these protestors is their employment/benefits status, then I'm wondering why the you bunch of 'armchair generals' aren't working instead of posting ignorant comments on a website?There is such a thing as being self-employed and working from home. And the only ignorance that I see around here is from the Smash EDO lot... and possibly yourself?
Can I see it please?
Pweddy, pweddy please? :)
Lucky7
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5:08pm Mon 18 Jan 10
stan bailey
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5:09pm Mon 18 Jan 10
BringBackGoodGrammar
says...
5:09pm Mon 18 Jan 10
freewheelingdom wrote:who is tony blaire?
So Edo say they don't have weapons of mass destruction, but the protestors invade anyway. A bit like Tony Blaire and Bush not believing Sadam in Iraq and so invading anyway. A bit hipocritical of the protestors Viva Tony Blaire.
TeaDrinker
says...
5:36pm Mon 18 Jan 10
Lucky7 wrote:Er... no. On EDO's own website they describe their wares as "weapon interfacing systems", it's hardly that they are making screws and widgets which could equally go into dishwashers. And, despite what some people on this board seem to choose to believe, I doubt weapon systems are often bought for their ornamental value.
Yes. But components can be used anywhere in any product and EDO aren't responsible for who puts them in what. It's the people who use the weapons that are really responsible for where they end up, surely?
Nyberg
says...
5:46pm Mon 18 Jan 10
sparky_2004 wrote:Look back through my posts if you like - you will no reference whatsoever to the protesters having jobs (or not).
Nyberg wrote:Indeed - In the just the same way that some of the protestors may be self employed, or even (shock horror) have taken a day off work. The ignorance shown is to assume that no-one on the protest actually cares about the real issue, and that real issue is the FACT that arms components from the factory find their way to the 'battlefield' (or rather above it) where innocent people are being killed. I don't assume that those who object to the protest support the killing of those innocent people, so neither should those who do protest be assumed to be unemployed/unwashed/
sparky_2004 wrote:There is such a thing as being self-employed and working from home.
Given that an oft repeated objection to these protestors is their employment/benefits status, then I'm wondering why the you bunch of 'armchair generals' aren't working instead of posting ignorant comments on a website?
And the only ignorance that I see around here is from the Smash EDO lot... and possibly yourself?
up for a fight or all the other cliches that those who are too apathetic to stand up for something seem to enjoy bleating on about !
That has never been an argument that (to me) holds any water.
However, the fact that just about the whole of Brighton has united AGAINST the protesters, because of previous behaviour, tells me that enough is enough.
They haven't convinced the vast majority with their argument, and they have had enough opportunities.
It's time to ban this protest. They have had a public platform for long enough and have FAILED. End of.
sparky_2004
says...
5:48pm Mon 18 Jan 10
She-Ra, Princess Of Power wrote:As has been said, look at the EDO (or ITT) website...Even better, learn to google!
sparky_2004 wrote:Hey sparky, I'm guessing if it's 'FACT' then you have some proof?
Nyberg wrote:Indeed - In the just the same way that some of the protestors may be self employed, or even (shock horror) have taken a day off work. The ignorance shown is to assume that no-one on the protest actually cares about the real issue, and that real issue is the FACT that arms components from the factory find their way to the 'battlefield' (or rather above it) where innocent people are being killed. I don't assume that those who object to the protest support the killing of those innocent people, so neither should those who do protest be assumed to be unemployed/unwashed/ up for a fight or all the other cliches that those who are too apathetic to stand up for something seem to enjoy bleating on about !sparky_2004 wrote: Given that an oft repeated objection to these protestors is their employment/benefits status, then I'm wondering why the you bunch of 'armchair generals' aren't working instead of posting ignorant comments on a website?There is such a thing as being self-employed and working from home. And the only ignorance that I see around here is from the Smash EDO lot... and possibly yourself?
Can I see it please?
Pweddy, pweddy please? :)
You could of course look here: http://www.raytheon.
com/capabilities/rtn
wcm/groups/rms/docum
ents/content/rtn_rms
_products_agm65_lau1
17.pdf or any number of sites linking EDO/ITT with Raytheon, but then of course you wouldn't believe it anyway would you !
sparky_2004
says...
5:55pm Mon 18 Jan 10
Nyberg wrote:People seem to want 'facts, so how about supplying proof that 'just about the whole of Brighton' has united against the protests...where are those counter demos that the apathetic here often talk about? I'm afraid it's just the usual 'nay-sayers' again!So go on, organise a protest yourself..it's a 'free country' isn't it? - unless of course you disagee with someone else's point of view...lol !
sparky_2004 wrote:Look back through my posts if you like - you will no reference whatsoever to the protesters having jobs (or not).
Nyberg wrote:Indeed - In the just the same way that some of the protestors may be self employed, or even (shock horror) have taken a day off work. The ignorance shown is to assume that no-one on the protest actually cares about the real issue, and that real issue is the FACT that arms components from the factory find their way to the 'battlefield' (or rather above it) where innocent people are being killed. I don't assume that those who object to the protest support the killing of those innocent people, so neither should those who do protest be assumed to be unemployed/unwashed/
sparky_2004 wrote:There is such a thing as being self-employed and working from home.
Given that an oft repeated objection to these protestors is their employment/benefits status, then I'm wondering why the you bunch of 'armchair generals' aren't working instead of posting ignorant comments on a website?
And the only ignorance that I see around here is from the Smash EDO lot... and possibly yourself?
up for a fight or all the other cliches that those who are too apathetic to stand up for something seem to enjoy bleating on about !
That has never been an argument that (to me) holds any water.
However, the fact that just about the whole of Brighton has united AGAINST the protesters, because of previous behaviour, tells me that enough is enough.
They haven't convinced the vast majority with their argument, and they have had enough opportunities.
It's time to ban this protest. They have had a public platform for long enough and have FAILED. End of.
sussexone
says...
5:56pm Mon 18 Jan 10
Ringmer Rich
says...
6:05pm Mon 18 Jan 10
Israeli and US embassies as stated before)not the people who make the parts for the weapons. A gun doesn't kill anyone, the person holding the gun does that. With all the masks and missile-throwing at the police, one can only assume that this is just an excuse for rabble-rousers to cause some trouble. If they try to come back again, they should be turned away and sent back where they came from or arrested if they refuse.
cult of edo
says...
6:09pm Mon 18 Jan 10
She said: "We are here to show our anger and outrage over the production of military parts used by the Israeli airforce."
The usual lies from the SmashEdo cul members you cover your faces to try and avoid getting arrested for the crimes you commit
Read this Sarah
http://www.theargus.
co.uk/news/4734080.W
atchdog_rule__no_evi
dence__that_Brighton
_s_EDO_supply_Israel
i_air_force/
Edo does not supply Israel. Your whole campaign is a lie.
Brighton has shown solidarity in opposing the worlds only violent peace protestors by not joining the protests. Thats why SmashEdo have to pay for people to come to Brighton to attend their protests. Shame on Ben Duncan for supporting them.
Fight Back
says...
6:11pm Mon 18 Jan 10
bibble
says...
6:12pm Mon 18 Jan 10
sussexone wrote:What about the police at the G20 demonstrations? They had their faces covered. They went round like storm troopers. And they killed somebody in the process...
peaceful protest my ar*e, is that why they are all dressed like stormtroopers with their faces covered? They should stay out of Brighton Smash EDO aren't welcome here.
cheezburger
says...
6:29pm Mon 18 Jan 10
cheezburger
says...
6:31pm Mon 18 Jan 10
bibble wrote:In bible's black and white world two wrongs DO make a right.
sussexone wrote: peaceful protest my ar*e, is that why they are all dressed like stormtroopers with their faces covered? They should stay out of Brighton Smash EDO aren't welcome here.What about the police at the G20 demonstrations? They had their faces covered. They went round like storm troopers. And they killed somebody in the process...
bibble
says...
6:40pm Mon 18 Jan 10
cheezburger wrote:Nope, just pointing out that if it is wrong for these demonstrators to cover their faces, then it is equally wrong for the police to do the same.
bibble wrote:In bible's black and white world two wrongs DO make a right.sussexone wrote: peaceful protest my ar*e, is that why they are all dressed like stormtroopers with their faces covered? They should stay out of Brighton Smash EDO aren't welcome here.What about the police at the G20 demonstrations? They had their faces covered. They went round like storm troopers. And they killed somebody in the process...
TeaDrinker
says...
6:51pm Mon 18 Jan 10
"If these so called protesters had a real grievance about what's happening in the middle east, why don't they take their protest to the people doing the killing (the
Israeli and US embassies as stated before)not the people who make the parts for the weapons."
Um...I believe there have been protests outside the Israeli embassy which were covered on the news.
Littlemog
says...
6:51pm Mon 18 Jan 10
e?
The police are there to protect the public and the protesters (say, against "anti protesters") and to allow the protest to go on safely provided it doesn't turn into a riot. Not co-operating with something as simple as telling them where they are going so they can plan ahead, inform buses to make diversions, etc etc doesn't really demonstrate any maturity on Smash EDO's part whatsoever. Their lack of concern for Brighton residents wellbeing doesn't convince me of their good intentions beyond an excuse to cause trouble either.
sup
says...
6:56pm Mon 18 Jan 10
Mel Hove
says...
6:56pm Mon 18 Jan 10
sup
says...
6:56pm Mon 18 Jan 10
StrangerPassingBy
says...
7:33pm Mon 18 Jan 10
Smash EDO is a cult, its full of Trustafarians who don't need to work anyway. Its run by a few 'Aceface' Cowley Egos and is a single issue campaign who wouldn't bat an eye lid for more local issues such as pensioners freezing to death in the cold snap because they can't afford the heating bills.
Its emphasis on the middle east and Gaza means it attracts the attention of our friends from the Jihad community as well as an alarming number of Jew-baiters and out-and-out Nazis posing as Anarchists.MI5 are no doubt over all them like a rash. Whilst failing in its objectives of closing the factory What SmashEdo has achieved is to help turn Brighton into a mini police state that gives the cops from 3 counties some overtime when the Labour party circus leaves Town.
As for the 'rent-a-mob' cliche, yes there are many people who turn up to protest and complain about things that are nothing to do with SmashEdoCult I will offer some examples of things that makes people angry, you may feel free to add your own;
Pensioners freezing to death because they can't pay the fuel bills
Govt bail out of banks, bankers bonuses, and cut backs on public spending. MPs expenses.
Redundancies and home repo's. High rents and empty properties. Businesses going bust and council tax going through the roof. No jobs and overpopulation Etc Etc Etc
By focusing the anger abroad on Israel and Gaza SmershEgo makes sure these issues are ignored.They must be all Government Spies!
The Brighton Bear
says...
7:34pm Mon 18 Jan 10
kerryfrog
says...
7:35pm Mon 18 Jan 10
Nyberg
says...
7:36pm Mon 18 Jan 10
bibble wrote:I don't care if the police covered their faces, or that they behaved like stormtroopers. I wish they had behaved more like stormtroopers today.
sussexone wrote: peaceful protest my ar*e, is that why they are all dressed like stormtroopers with their faces covered? They should stay out of Brighton Smash EDO aren't welcome here.What about the police at the G20 demonstrations? They had their faces covered. They went round like storm troopers. And they killed somebody in the process...
The reason the man died was because he was already very ill. Nothing to do with the police.
Nyberg
says...
7:40pm Mon 18 Jan 10
StrangerPassingBy wrote:Bail out of banks - bad.
What the comedy right-wing trolls who bang on with their usual ' get-a-job soap 'n' work dodger guff on this site don't understand is that Smash EDO is a cult, its full of Trustafarians who don't need to work anyway. Its run by a few 'Aceface' Cowley Egos and is a single issue campaign who wouldn't bat an eye lid for more local issues such as pensioners freezing to death in the cold snap because they can't afford the heating bills. Its emphasis on the middle east and Gaza means it attracts the attention of our friends from the Jihad community as well as an alarming number of Jew-baiters and out-and-out Nazis posing as Anarchists.MI5 are no doubt over all them like a rash. Whilst failing in its objectives of closing the factory What SmashEdo has achieved is to help turn Brighton into a mini police state that gives the cops from 3 counties some overtime when the Labour party circus leaves Town. As for the 'rent-a-mob' cliche, yes there are many people who turn up to protest and complain about things that are nothing to do with SmashEdoCult I will offer some examples of things that makes people angry, you may feel free to add your own; Pensioners freezing to death because they can't pay the fuel bills Govt bail out of banks, bankers bonuses, and cut backs on public spending. MPs expenses. Redundancies and home repo's. High rents and empty properties. Businesses going bust and council tax going through the roof. No jobs and overpopulation Etc Etc Etc By focusing the anger abroad on Israel and Gaza SmershEgo makes sure these issues are ignored.They must be all Government Spies!
MPs expenses - bad.
Home repo's - good - might drive house prices down.
High rents - see above.
tannen
says...
7:53pm Mon 18 Jan 10
sparky_2004 wrote:I was outside the Israeli embassy on 27th December and have been on actions opposing Anglo-American aggression, and I will continue to do so. However,this time last year 1417 Palestinians were killed, including over 300 children. Some of the parts that aided that massacre were manufactured in my home town. I, for one, cannot ignore that fact.
She-Ra, Princess Of Power wrote:As has been said, look at the EDO (or ITT) website...Even better, learn to google!
sparky_2004 wrote:Hey sparky, I'm guessing if it's 'FACT' then you have some proof?
Nyberg wrote:Indeed - In the just the same way that some of the protestors may be self employed, or even (shock horror) have taken a day off work. The ignorance shown is to assume that no-one on the protest actually cares about the real issue, and that real issue is the FACT that arms components from the factory find their way to the 'battlefield' (or rather above it) where innocent people are being killed. I don't assume that those who object to the protest support the killing of those innocent people, so neither should those who do protest be assumed to be unemployed/unwashed/ up for a fight or all the other cliches that those who are too apathetic to stand up for something seem to enjoy bleating on about !sparky_2004 wrote: Given that an oft repeated objection to these protestors is their employment/benefits status, then I'm wondering why the you bunch of 'armchair generals' aren't working instead of posting ignorant comments on a website?There is such a thing as being self-employed and working from home. And the only ignorance that I see around here is from the Smash EDO lot... and possibly yourself?
Can I see it please?
Pweddy, pweddy please? :)
You could of course look here: http://www.raytheon.
com/capabilities/rtn
wcm/groups/rms/docum
ents/content/rtn_rms
_products_agm65_lau1
17.pdf or any number of sites linking EDO/ITT with Raytheon, but then of course you wouldn't believe it anyway would you !
At least 25% of the people on the protest I know for a fact have already been to Gaza and the West Bank. Many, including myself are planning to return in the coming months. If the right-wing, reactionary Daily Mail by the Sea readers had been any further afield than English pubs on the Costa del Sol perhaps they would be on the marches themselves.
Incidentally; I’ve never claimed benefits, I’m from (what I would describe as) working class routes and I had a shower this morning and I may even have one tonight.
bibble
says...
7:58pm Mon 18 Jan 10
Nyberg wrote:So you are basically saying there should be one law for the police and one law for demonstrators. Wake up, looney.
bibble wrote:I don't care if the police covered their faces, or that they behaved like stormtroopers. I wish they had behaved more like stormtroopers today. The reason the man died was because he was already very ill. Nothing to do with the police.sussexone wrote: peaceful protest my ar*e, is that why they are all dressed like stormtroopers with their faces covered? They should stay out of Brighton Smash EDO aren't welcome here.What about the police at the G20 demonstrations? They had their faces covered. They went round like storm troopers. And they killed somebody in the process...
Ian Tomlinson's death had nothing to do with the police assaulting him shortly before he died? I see. Not.
another village idiot
says...
8:11pm Mon 18 Jan 10
bibble wrote:I agree bibble. Ian's death should revolt all decent people, and why haven't more MP's condemned this manslaughter. If I'd smashed a stick round a coppers middle and he'd died and have had my neck broken in the back of the van and no fair trial. Wake up, it could be you next when you protest about bankers bonuses.
Nyberg wrote:So you are basically saying there should be one law for the police and one law for demonstrators. Wake up, looney. Ian Tomlinson's death had nothing to do with the police assaulting him shortly before he died? I see. Not.bibble wrote:I don't care if the police covered their faces, or that they behaved like stormtroopers. I wish they had behaved more like stormtroopers today. The reason the man died was because he was already very ill. Nothing to do with the police.sussexone wrote: peaceful protest my ar*e, is that why they are all dressed like stormtroopers with their faces covered? They should stay out of Brighton Smash EDO aren't welcome here.What about the police at the G20 demonstrations? They had their faces covered. They went round like storm troopers. And they killed somebody in the process...
sussexskin
says...
8:47pm Mon 18 Jan 10
brightonborn&bred
says...
9:14pm Mon 18 Jan 10
UglyAmerican
says...
9:38pm Mon 18 Jan 10
Form a counter protest, placards and all. Ensure that you contact media outlets beforehand to make sure everyone understands your position. Stick to the protesters like glue.
Photograph these knuckleheads. Not just while they are protesting. Follow them and try to catch them unmasked. Do everything you can to catch them out. They have no right to privacy while in public so your pictures should be admissible as evidence.
Exposure is the surest way to send them scurrying back to their various holes. If the actions above do happen to illicit any violent behavior against Brighton "civilians", then there is even more exposure of their false reasons for causing these events.
brightonborn&bred
says...
9:50pm Mon 18 Jan 10
TheInsider
says...
9:56pm Mon 18 Jan 10
When I was at college marching against apartheid, we would get about ten thousand students turning out in a local protest.
This goes to show that neither the locals nor the so-called activists, actually don't really care much about the issue.
mando
says...
10:00pm Mon 18 Jan 10
Nyberg
says...
10:01pm Mon 18 Jan 10
bibble wrote:"So you are basically saying there should be one law for the police and one law for demonstrators"
Nyberg wrote:So you are basically saying there should be one law for the police and one law for demonstrators. Wake up, looney.
bibble wrote:I don't care if the police covered their faces, or that they behaved like stormtroopers. I wish they had behaved more like stormtroopers today. The reason the man died was because he was already very ill. Nothing to do with the police.sussexone wrote: peaceful protest my ar*e, is that why they are all dressed like stormtroopers with their faces covered? They should stay out of Brighton Smash EDO aren't welcome here.What about the police at the G20 demonstrations? They had their faces covered. They went round like storm troopers. And they killed somebody in the process...
Ian Tomlinson's death had nothing to do with the police assaulting him shortly before he died? I see. Not.
Yup. That's right.
bibble
says...
10:05pm Mon 18 Jan 10
Nyberg wrote:Well I suggest you move to somewhere like Zimbabwe. You would feel right at home.
bibble wrote:"So you are basically saying there should be one law for the police and one law for demonstrators" Yup. That's right.Nyberg wrote:So you are basically saying there should be one law for the police and one law for demonstrators. Wake up, looney. Ian Tomlinson's death had nothing to do with the police assaulting him shortly before he died? I see. Not.bibble wrote:I don't care if the police covered their faces, or that they behaved like stormtroopers. I wish they had behaved more like stormtroopers today. The reason the man died was because he was already very ill. Nothing to do with the police.sussexone wrote: peaceful protest my ar*e, is that why they are all dressed like stormtroopers with their faces covered? They should stay out of Brighton Smash EDO aren't welcome here.What about the police at the G20 demonstrations? They had their faces covered. They went round like storm troopers. And they killed somebody in the process...
But before moving, ask yourself why people leave such countires. Ask yourself why people from such countries seek asylum here. Ask yourself why they don't want to go back there. The answer is not "the weather", but usually an arbitrary and unjust system of government, with society ruled by policemen of the type that you advocate.
bibble
says...
10:08pm Mon 18 Jan 10
UglyAmerican wrote:The usual whingers often talk about having a "counter protest", but nothing comes of it. They are all mouth and no trousers.
If you are really sick of these people causing such a fray when they visit, then perhaps you could do more than complain on the Argus agony board. Form a counter protest, placards and all. Ensure that you contact media outlets beforehand to make sure everyone understands your position. Stick to the protesters like glue. Photograph these knuckleheads. Not just while they are protesting. Follow them and try to catch them unmasked. Do everything you can to catch them out. They have no right to privacy while in public so your pictures should be admissible as evidence. Exposure is the surest way to send them scurrying back to their various holes. If the actions above do happen to illicit any violent behavior against Brighton "civilians", then there is even more exposure of their false reasons for causing these events.
Be careful when filming in public, the police might assume you are a terrorist.
StrangerPassingBy
says...
10:17pm Mon 18 Jan 10
"If the right-wing, reactionary Daily Mail by the Sea readers had been any further afield than English pubs on the Costa del Sol.."
I don't think comments like this wins you any friends, and if i want a pint in an English pub I'll stay in England and save myself the air fare.
"At least 25% of the people on the protest I know for a fact have already been to Gaza and the West Bank. Many, including myself are planning to return in the coming months"
Good for you! Why don't you just stay there! I am not against taking to the streets for protest but not for this cause, am sick and tired of hearing about Gaza the west bank and Israel.
Lucky you that u never been on benefits but its sad that your job is so boring that you have to use up your holidays to get your thrills in a war zone, try visiting Sudan for some Muslim action.
How will get to Gaza? by air? You're 'plane stupid'!!
StrangerPassingBy
says...
10:17pm Mon 18 Jan 10
"If the right-wing, reactionary Daily Mail by the Sea readers had been any further afield than English pubs on the Costa del Sol.."
I don't think comments like this wins you any friends, and if i want a pint in an English pub I'll stay in England and save myself the air fare.
"At least 25% of the people on the protest I know for a fact have already been to Gaza and the West Bank. Many, including myself are planning to return in the coming months"
Good for you! Why don't you just stay there! I am not against taking to the streets for protest but not for this cause, am sick and tired of hearing about Gaza the west bank and Israel.
Lucky you that u never been on benefits but its sad that your job is so boring that you have to use up your holidays to get your thrills in a war zone, try visiting Sudan for some Muslim action.
How will get to Gaza? by air? You're 'plane stupid'!!
brighton123
says...
10:36pm Mon 18 Jan 10
tannen wrote:tannen
sparky_2004 wrote:I was outside the Israeli embassy on 27th December and have been on actions opposing Anglo-American aggression, and I will continue to do so. However,this time last year 1417 Palestinians were killed, including over 300 children. Some of the parts that aided that massacre were manufactured in my home town. I, for one, cannot ignore that fact.
She-Ra, Princess Of Power wrote:As has been said, look at the EDO (or ITT) website...Even better, learn to google!
sparky_2004 wrote:Hey sparky, I'm guessing if it's 'FACT' then you have some proof?
Nyberg wrote:Indeed - In the just the same way that some of the protestors may be self employed, or even (shock horror) have taken a day off work. The ignorance shown is to assume that no-one on the protest actually cares about the real issue, and that real issue is the FACT that arms components from the factory find their way to the 'battlefield' (or rather above it) where innocent people are being killed. I don't assume that those who object to the protest support the killing of those innocent people, so neither should those who do protest be assumed to be unemployed/unwashed/ up for a fight or all the other cliches that those who are too apathetic to stand up for something seem to enjoy bleating on about !sparky_2004 wrote: Given that an oft repeated objection to these protestors is their employment/benefits status, then I'm wondering why the you bunch of 'armchair generals' aren't working instead of posting ignorant comments on a website?There is such a thing as being self-employed and working from home. And the only ignorance that I see around here is from the Smash EDO lot... and possibly yourself?
Can I see it please?
Pweddy, pweddy please? :)
You could of course look here: http://www.raytheon.
com/capabilities/rtn
wcm/groups/rms/docum
ents/content/rtn_rms
_products_agm65_lau1
17.pdf or any number of sites linking EDO/ITT with Raytheon, but then of course you wouldn't believe it anyway would you !
At least 25% of the people on the protest I know for a fact have already been to Gaza and the West Bank. Many, including myself are planning to return in the coming months. If the right-wing, reactionary Daily Mail by the Sea readers had been any further afield than English pubs on the Costa del Sol perhaps they would be on the marches themselves.
Incidentally; I’ve never claimed benefits, I’m from (what I would describe as) working class routes and I had a shower this morning and I may even have one tonight.
What about your Left wing media? I suppose that is never bias. Oh no it never has been or never is . The reason why there is so much annoyance with this protest tannen, is the the complete contradiction. Smash Edo want peace dont they? Well how come it never is peaceful. Before i get told about how im bias, i have seen these protesters committing crime for my own eyes.
Oh well, you believe what you want to believe. I hope all of your mates feel really proud!
mookskywalker
says...
10:41pm Mon 18 Jan 10
One day a year chaos rains down on our city. What about other countries that are unable to defend against the chaos. Chaos caused by our "happy" living. To be honest, one day of chaos is a small price to pay for the luxaries of food and water and a nice warm flat. If we ban one protest, then we'll have to ban more and more untill no one has a voice..maybe its time most of the ignorant people on here actually clicked on their website and saw their message. It may not be the MOST positive attitude, but i'll say this to all of you negative Nancy's...count yourself lucky you aren't in a worse-off place where this sort of stuff happens every day, and that you have the freedom to cluck on some website that at the moment is a walking vote form for the BNP...
dhlennon
says...
10:56pm Mon 18 Jan 10
The long and short of it is these people genuinely believe they have a grievance, and want to visibly demonstrate it.. and that freedom to do so is something we supposedly defend.. so much so we are willing to send our youngsters to places like Afghanistan.
I witnessed first-hand from my window many people of similar age who have a differet take on life. As a born and bred 40yr old Brightonian I was proud that some of our younsters wanted to make a stand for something.
Unfortunately I also witnessed first-hand some pretty shoddy behaviour virging on and sometimes exceeding hooliganism. What a shame. It so detracts from what you want to say and the media will bundle you into "anarchist anti-police" etc and your message won't get through the image.
As a Brightonian would like to add, PLEASE feel free to target the Company you hate.. but don't bring it into the streets of my home. It doesn't work and you have all but dissolved any empathy. It made a lot of noise and aggro for us.. it didn't make national news and got a brief mention on BBC SE, nothing on Meridian or BBC South. So what was acheived?
NotGreen
says...
11:16pm Mon 18 Jan 10
I'd love to see a crusty try and get passed me.
sound_man
says...
11:33pm Mon 18 Jan 10
At the G20, police officers such as the person who used exssevise force against Ian Tomlinson, they are a disgrace to all decent police officers. I am fairly sure Bibble will have something to say about that last statement.
Incidently Bibble, I researched about making components for firearms. You don't need a firearms license to manufacture components. If you are to assemble and sell on these parts as a completed firearm, then thats is another story.
Edo mbm say they don't supply Isreal. There are many "middle men" or maybe "middle women" who are arms dealers who do.
Mark Thomas set himself as an arms dealer a few years ago and got other arms dealers to supply countries that had arms embargos against them. This happens, and I feel it should fall to the UN to police these affairs.
(maybe I shouldn't of used the word police)
viggo
says...
1:49am Tue 19 Jan 10
Liberté, égalité, fraternité
http://images.google
.co.uk/imgres?imgurl
=http://artintifada.
files.wordpress.com/
2009/01/leb54.jpg&im
grefurl=http://artin
tifada.wordpress.com
/2009/01/16/israel-a
dmits-using-phosphor
us-bombs-on-gaza/leb
54/&usg=__PfBqyiYgiQ
3BDo9-YxoC5o_h1h4=&h
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en&start=40&um=1&tbn
id=03JnRWwEVf-MzM:&t
bnh=121&tbnw=125&pre
v=/images%3Fq%3Dgaza
%2Bphosphorus%26ndsp
%3D18%26hl%3Den%26cl
ient%3Dfirefox-a%26r
ls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-
GB:official%26sa%3DN
%26start%3D36%26um%3
D1
stan bailey
says...
7:07am Tue 19 Jan 10
mando wrote:What are your views on Iran wanting to Nuke Israel off the planet?
Good on them, I say. just kids with a conscience and really it's not a lot of disruption really is it ? compared to what some people in the world have to put up with. we take what we have for granted too often and to get so upset about 3-4 hours disruption is laughable, you ought to be embarrassed , I'm sure if you are a brightonian then you will have found a shortcut and got to where you needed to be, and then plugged your laptop in and whinged furiously about how inconvenienced you were today, come on ! lighten up a bit and think about someone else for a change. edo may not as some say be a legitimate target for protesters, but the plight in Gaza is, the protest today may have managed to help you to think about someone else and how awful their life might be. Though as Oscar wilde did say " the English will never have a revolution, as they drink too much tea and eat too much bread" so instead of getting up off your arse and doing something then just type me an angry reply, go on it'll make you feel loads better, gggrrrrhhhh !!!!!
Nyberg
says...
8:53am Tue 19 Jan 10
1. Most of the population of B&H either don't give a **** or have had enough of your childish antics.
2. With every demonstration that disrupts or vandalises parts of the city, you lose even more support.
3. You will NEVER close the factory.
scaffolder
says...
9:34am Tue 19 Jan 10
was ross kemp there? he likes a bit of the action, with thugs that hide there faces .
Bennn
says...
9:46am Tue 19 Jan 10
bibble wrote:Well said mate.
Nyberg wrote:Well I suggest you move to somewhere like Zimbabwe. You would feel right at home. But before moving, ask yourself why people leave such countires. Ask yourself why people from such countries seek asylum here. Ask yourself why they don't want to go back there. The answer is not "the weather", but usually an arbitrary and unjust system of government, with society ruled by policemen of the type that you advocate.bibble wrote:"So you are basically saying there should be one law for the police and one law for demonstrators" Yup. That's right.Nyberg wrote:So you are basically saying there should be one law for the police and one law for demonstrators. Wake up, looney. Ian Tomlinson's death had nothing to do with the police assaulting him shortly before he died? I see. Not.bibble wrote:I don't care if the police covered their faces, or that they behaved like stormtroopers. I wish they had behaved more like stormtroopers today. The reason the man died was because he was already very ill. Nothing to do with the police.sussexone wrote: peaceful protest my ar*e, is that why they are all dressed like stormtroopers with their faces covered? They should stay out of Brighton Smash EDO aren't welcome here.What about the police at the G20 demonstrations? They had their faces covered. They went round like storm troopers. And they killed somebody in the process...
amnezia
says...
12:37pm Tue 19 Jan 10
There is a chain in the supply of these components... The ideology of the protesters is that by breaking one link in the chain, the entire chain loses strength.
I am in many ways what people on this board refer to as a dirty, scruffy, dreadlocked hippy. I am a student in Brighton and when it comes to standing up for my beliefs, I take a day off from the university (as I did yesterday).
I am in no way connected with SmashEdo and although I attended the demo, I tried to convince people not to react violently to anything...
Speaking objectively and being in the middle of it all, I can say that there were provocations from both sides. I found myself without even realising, in the "kettle" on north street... We were confined like sheep, we were not told what was happening and the walls of policemen closed in on us slowly... Everytime someone touched a policeman (which was becoming hard NOT to do as they were closing in on us) they would be thrown to the ground, thus pushing other people who would accidentally touch a policeman and a chain reaction would start...
I agree that smash edo can be agressive and provocative but it needs to be realised that the police aren't much better. It seemed to me that they were trying to get us to react so that they could find reasons to arrest us (one policeman even implied that goal through a conversation I had with him)...
I have made a video documenting my experiences. If interested, watch:
http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=ejsWDztjP
hk
Peace & Love to all!
Jolly Rodger
says...
12:59pm Tue 19 Jan 10
St Peters
says...
1:17pm Tue 19 Jan 10
StrangerPassingBy
says...
2:00pm Tue 19 Jan 10
From where I'm sitting (in front of a computer) the Smash EDO crowd display a degree of cunning, secrecy organisational skills and command of strategy that they must have learned at Sandhurst.
For self confessed anti-militarists and peaceniks they seem to love a good Ding-Dong with the Cops
Perhaps they should be forcibly conscripted onto the General Staff, sent over to Afganistan and ordered to devise a strategy to defeat the Taliban. If they fail in their mission the penalty under military law will be severe: Their jobseekers allowance will be suspended for 2 weeks.
Our troops will be home by Christmas!! (Er... 11 months and 2 weeks time)
Turing Test
says...
2:02pm Tue 19 Jan 10
stan bailey wrote:Probably depends on whether you believe Ahmadinejad actually said anything like that, or whether the quote was distorted, Stan. He certainly never mentioned "nukes". http://www.presstv.c
mando wrote:What are your views on Iran wanting to Nuke Israel off the planet?
Good on them, I say. just kids with a conscience and really it's not a lot of disruption really is it ? compared to what some people in the world have to put up with. we take what we have for granted too often and to get so upset about 3-4 hours disruption is laughable, you ought to be embarrassed , I'm sure if you are a brightonian then you will have found a shortcut and got to where you needed to be, and then plugged your laptop in and whinged furiously about how inconvenienced you were today, come on ! lighten up a bit and think about someone else for a change. edo may not as some say be a legitimate target for protesters, but the plight in Gaza is, the protest today may have managed to help you to think about someone else and how awful their life might be. Though as Oscar wilde did say " the English will never have a revolution, as they drink too much tea and eat too much bread" so instead of getting up off your arse and doing something then just type me an angry reply, go on it'll make you feel loads better, gggrrrrhhhh !!!!!
om/detail.aspx?id=69
866§ionid=351030
2
StrangerPassingBy
says...
2:35pm Tue 19 Jan 10
Not many people here will bother to follow your link but i just did
Your link is from PressTV the mouthpiece of the Iranian state. Its the Iranian version of the BBC not Indymedia. Propaganda in other words. Bearing in mind Iranian Govt human rights record I think its very poor that u quote it as a source.
AmaDinnerJacket is a liar. Forget Israel for just 1 second if you can. Look at his comments about the old USSR. In fact most of its citizens wanted a reformed 'social democratic' form of communism but Boris Yeltsin introduced capitalism shock therapy against the peoples wishes by sending in tanks to shell the parliament building.
There are plenty of books available nowadays about post soviet russian history.Why not get one and gen up when u r next in Gaza??
Also, i don't know if u noticed but the Iranian people are a bit Effed off with their regime. How about organising a demo in Brighton to support them? No I thought not. "Death2TheDictator" is a catchy slogan for a demo, tho'.
Nuclear-armed Iran, Nein Danke is another one.
Stevieggg01
says...
4:01pm Tue 19 Jan 10
The police were definitely mob handed as i saw again and from the way they push and shove im not surprised some protesters lose their temper!
I understand why the protesters cover their faces as if they were captured on film then all sorts of intrusions into their private lives will start! It is a shame they cannot just be open and just blatantly show who they are.
As to Smash EDO not having any effect then how do you explain the resignation of quite a few high level staff that must have eventually seen the light and do not want to be part of this murder anymore..
Look up EDO/ MBM website and tell me it does not reek of military equipment being produced.
http://www.mbmtech.c
o.uk/
and please watch the Smash EDO video film which after watching i am with them!
There are so many unethical businesses and jobs in this world it is very difficult to stand up and say 'i will not be a part of this!'
And i admire Smash EDO for everything but the aggression shown on protest marches if it were not for people like this then we would be going to war and killing many more innocents than we already are.
Please watch this film and tell me they are not managing to do something..
http://video.google.
com/videoplay?docid=
4205186592487171279&
ei=IQNTS_LfF8aA-AaG9
tz2DQ&q=on%20the%20v
erge&view=3&dur=3#
Stevieggg01
says...
4:04pm Tue 19 Jan 10
I take it most of you agree with the bombings in Gazza etc?
Just imagine if by that simple twist of fate you and your family were born in Palestine!
Thepragmatist
says...
4:06pm Tue 19 Jan 10
Another simple truth is that even if by some miracle this campaign did manage to bring EDO down another company will simply step in and take its place. As long as there is a market for any product someone will step in and supply it. Just look at the "War on Drugs". Tannen, I applaud you for taking your protest to the Israeli embassy - that is where your protest belongs and the only place where it has any hope of having any effect. At EDO, and on the streets of Brighton, it's not just pointless, it's horribly harmful to your cause and, as many of the posts on this thread have shown, the future of the freedom to protest in this country, because it turns people against the concept of peaceful protest. This is not simply SmashEDO's fault; the police, politicians, other protest groups and a general public which has learnt to take its freedoms for granted all share the blame, but you guys aren't helping anyone. At all. Please stop.
Variable
says...
4:09pm Tue 19 Jan 10
That's how pathetic it all is.
Stevieggg01
says...
4:20pm Tue 19 Jan 10
o.uk/
look up EDO's website they are definitely making components for use in war! (or 'defense' as it suggests..)
tannen
says...
4:33pm Tue 19 Jan 10
Stevieggg01 wrote:If only they had bombed Gazza- Argus readers would probably be more likely to take to the streets if someone hurt the wife-beating, national treasure. Unfortunately, EDO/ITT's weapons components are only used against foreign looking types.
By the way i wash and am self employed!
I take it most of you agree with the bombings in Gazza etc?
Just imagine if by that simple twist of fate you and your family were born in Palestine!
Turing Test
says...
4:38pm Tue 19 Jan 10
StrangerPassingBy wrote:I could've quoted wikipedia to make the same point - or plenty of other websites offering various points of view on the controversy of what Mr Dinnerjacket actually said... al-jazeera, for example. Whatever.
Turing Test : U r Wrong...
Not many people here will bother to follow your link but i just did
Your link is from PressTV the mouthpiece of the Iranian state. Its the Iranian version of the BBC not Indymedia. Propaganda in other words. Bearing in mind Iranian Govt human rights record I think its very poor that u quote it as a source.
AmaDinnerJacket is a liar. Forget Israel for just 1 second if you can. Look at his comments about the old USSR. In fact most of its citizens wanted a reformed 'social democratic' form of communism but Boris Yeltsin introduced capitalism shock therapy against the peoples wishes by sending in tanks to shell the parliament building.
There are plenty of books available nowadays about post soviet russian history.Why not get one and gen up when u r next in Gaza??
Also, i don't know if u noticed but the Iranian people are a bit Effed off with their regime. How about organising a demo in Brighton to support them? No I thought not. "Death2TheDictator" is a catchy slogan for a demo, tho'.
Nuclear-armed Iran, Nein Danke is another one.
I don't really understand your comments on the USSR - I was simply responding to an earlier comment. I also don't understand why you want me to organise a demo for you against Iran. Oh well!
jackjacka
says...
4:53pm Tue 19 Jan 10
Let's also look quickly at the protests, in a country where you HAVE to liase with the police to voice your angst, you really need to question what rights you actually have. I think it's obvious that this country has lost a lot of what we all like to call democracy. I think that as an individual, the company has the right to be heckled and called to account for it's actions. I also feel that people have a right to voice their dissent. At what point will any of the supporters of EDO question their rights? When your DNA is stored in a huge database for whomever to abuse, when your filmed inside your own home or when people tell you that you have no right to show your disgust in something so inhumane?
What sickens me the most is your lack of community, EDO, BAE USDF etc are all facets of the killing machine. Shouldn't we all be acting against these companies rather than supporting them either directly by voicing your support of violent police tactics to incite riot, or in-directly by not saying or doing anything about it.
On a final note, the arguments above about who's to blame for the violence, you should all take a look at the recent calls for police 'kettling'to be banned as it completely infringes on your rights for freedom of movement. I'd also ask you to look at who the people are that are wearing the numberless jackets, helmets and riot gear. What do the protesters have?
I think you all need a reality check. Get on a plane fly to Jerusalem and try, just try to get a heavily pregnant Palestinian woman to the hospital before her baby kills her, whilst navigating around roadblocks, checkpoints and being faced with the barrel of a gun at every point.
Would you stand for that in England?? Would you be screaming for the blood of the companies abroad who blindly make the weapons with which you are opressed? Or would you say, business is business, they need to make money and it's good for their economy.
Wake up and smell the cat food.
Brunswicker
says...
5:10pm Tue 19 Jan 10
I fully support their aims and the relative tiny cost of policing and a couple of hours minor disruption are nothing if equated to the horrors of what these components enable bombs do.
I want this odious arms company driven out of Brighton - out of MY town - just as ANY right minded person who cares to research the facts properly would.
And once they were out of Brighton, I would help campaign to keep them out of Sussex, and then the UK.
Make no mistake, to approve of this company trading on your doorstep means you have the blood of innocent dead children and adults on your hands. While Gaza may seem far away we all have a collective responsibility to do all we can to stop mindless violence.
Do I have a job? Yes. Do I pay tax? Yes. Do I wash? (It is none of your business but) Yes. Do I live Locally? Yes. Have I researched the facts behind EDO? Yes.
Have you?
Gaz the great
says...
6:22pm Tue 19 Jan 10
Fight Back
says...
8:16pm Tue 19 Jan 10
StrangerPassingBy
says...
10:36am Wed 20 Jan 10
"...al-jazeera, for example. Whatever.
I don't really understand your comments on the USSR - I was simply responding to an earlier comment. I also don't understand why you want me to organise a demo for you against Iran. Oh well!"
Al Jazeera are also Liars. They're the Arabic version of the BBC too, in fact they are the BBC thy were set up by ex-BBC journos.
Of course u don't understand about Iran and Russia can't be bothered to explain again, proves my point that SmashEDO cult consists of shallow people
JackaJacka: "Get on a plane fly to Jerusalem and try, just try to get a heavily pregnant Palestinian woman to the hospital before her baby kills her,"
Its u who needs a reality check. Did u ever hear of flying killing the planet?
Why should I want to fly to Jerusalem anyway it sounds dire. Why does a pregnant woman have to drive through road blocks to go to a hospital? Don't they have midwives in Gaza? They r easier and cheaper to train than full on hospitals. I doubt if the Israelis bombed them all out, maybe HAMAS had the survivors shot for your benefit.
Turing Test
says...
11:14am Wed 20 Jan 10
Then I will post on here about what a smelly, workshy benefits scrounger I think you are, with no evidence to support my prejudiced views, and furthermore associate you with any other weird "cults" I've decided have taken over your tiny mind.
jackjacka
says...
11:49am Wed 20 Jan 10
Now Fight Back, with a name like that and being a football supporter you're really playing into the stereotype. The reason why the protests are conducted the way they are is because it's not a new ground we're after. It's the reduction and stopping of production of weapons. These are big boys, not football managers who rely on fans for their pay. You play nice with the big boys and you get an injunction banning you from protest, or an arrest for disturbing the peace even though you are stood holding a sign. This is a real cause for real people who suffer real injuries and fatalities because as brunswicker says "Make no mistake, to approve of this company trading on your doorstep means you have the blood of innocent dead children and adults on your hands."
So please wise up and put your points in perspective before spouting aimlesly into the dark.
Gaz the great
says...
5:42pm Wed 20 Jan 10
jackjacka
says...
5:51pm Wed 20 Jan 10
sparky_2004
says...
6:51pm Wed 20 Jan 10
No response to someone who calls your bluff?
Just about sums up you f*ckwits on here who have absolutely no idea about the issue and ignore the truth..
JonnieMarbles
says...
6:54pm Wed 20 Jan 10
I mean the police, obviously.
I was at the protest on Monday. Though I have heard (second hand) reports of 'projectiles' being thrown, I didn't see it myself. What i did see was: police beating people up, police using illegal FIT and kettling tactics to harass and intimidate protesters, police illegally detaining large groups of protesters in one area for long periods, preventing normal Brighton residents from going about their business.
I was in the kettle near North Street, where the Police ordered (not advised) shopkeepers within the kettle zone to close down for the day. Had they stayed open they would probably have made a windfall profit, but that wouldn't fit into the police narrative about dirty protesters causing disruption to local businesses, now would it?
If you don't like the 'disruption' these protests cause in your city, tell the police to stop kettling people. Or, better yet, just get EDO out of your town.
StrangerPassingBy
says...
9:14pm Wed 20 Jan 10
Let me see how this works. First u fly (good one!) to Jerusalem airport which i imagine is Isreali occupied. U say to the Isreali security (not known 4 being slack) my business here is to show u up to be a bunch of murderers to which they say 'pass friend.' Ok u say 'travel and tourism' but then u get over to Gaza and having taken yr passport details at the airport let u jaunt over into what is to the israelis enemy land.Frankly you seem like a Misery Tourist.
Second is the issue of hospitals. Why are there no hospitals in Gaza? I understand there is an "Islamic University" paid for by HAMAS which no doubt plays a positive role churning out Qu'uranic scholars and suicide bombers. But the biggest question is why are the Israeli s letting the Palestinians into their own hospitals if they are the enemy? Perhaps u speak with forked tongue.
"I can only hope it happens to this country, then people will realise what we're fighting for." Yeah, Come friendly bombs and fall on Slough Says it all really listen to the voice of the Peaceful warrior
TuringTest; You obviously have a bee in your bonnet about Gaza, I don't care if u have a job or not but i think u should widen your interests just a little
Turing Test
says...
7:09am Thu 21 Jan 10
jackjacka
says...
10:34am Thu 21 Jan 10
StrangerPassingBy
says...
11:08am Thu 21 Jan 10
That is a LIE.Now we are getting somewhere.
Jerusalem has always been fought over. The ancient Isrealites stole it from some tribe or other, the Romans threw the Jews out, the Muslims captured it from Byzantium, the Christians threw the Muslims out and the Muslims got it back which they kept until 1917 then again they lost it to the Jews in 1948 and the rest as they say is history.
I read somewhere that the word 'Jerusalem' means Curse in an ancient language that predated Hebrew or Ahmaraic , a most accurate description bearing in mind the history of the place.
I think the Monotheistic Abrahamic faiths are a disaster for people and planet and so i have no sympathy for any of the protaganists. U should watch the film "ZEITGEIST"online. If EDO made weapons that were being anywhere else apart from the middle east i doubt whether a) you'd care and b) you'd make the flight to EG Rwanda or Cambodia,: i don't think your priorities are in the right place either.
I have long wondered why activists in Brighton are focused on the Middle East conflict and Islam to the exclusion of everything else it must have something to do with the Minarets on the royal pavilion.
As for calling me 'outcast' I'm more than happy to accept that as a label
lastgasp
says...
9:02pm Thu 21 Jan 10
StrangerPassingBy
says...
9:28pm Thu 21 Jan 10
Looks like you boys and girls are going to be busy...
http://www.independe
nt.co.uk/opinion/com
mentators/fisk/rober
t-fisk-the-treelined
-bunkers-that-could-
change-the-face-of-t
he-middle-east-18742
28.html
...Enjoy your next war!
" LIFE IS A RIVER OF MISERY, EVERYBODY ROW, EVERYBODY ROW"
jackjacka
says...
10:46am Fri 22 Jan 10
quiet cynic
says...
1:54pm Fri 22 Jan 10
Fight Back wrote:"how come hundreds ( many more than on the Smash EDO demo ) of football fans managed to demonstrate in a peaceful and family orientatied way "
As an Albion fan I often have to put up with the perception that all football supporters are a bunch of thugs. Given that perception, how come hundreds ( many more than on the Smash EDO demo ) of football fans managed to demonstrate in a peaceful and family orientatied way. WE achieved our aims - a new ground. Smash EDO will NEVER achieve their aims if they insist in covering their faces with masks and carrying weapons - it makes them no better than the Israelis. And that's coming from someone who supports the people of Gazas cause - what I won't do is support a bunch of thugs intent on trouble and too stupid to hold an intelligent demo.
Beause the state doesn't feel any threat from a load of people who are upset that they don't get to see a bunch of of overpaid men kicking a bit of leather and synthetic plastic around some grass every couple of weeks and nothing more, it placates people, keeps them not worried about the real nastiness that our country, military and corporations are engaged in day to day. By giving the whingers a stadium it makes them shut up and stop thinking about bigger things- even if it is built on a nature reserve. (by the way, the Argus report on the cost of the EDO demos would be interesting compared to the cost of policing for Albion games annually)
It helps them to keep people from complaining on the important issues if everyone is too focused on who scored what goal this week or other irrelevancies to the reality of the crimes our government and corporations are perpetrating around the world to fund your comfortable (ish, you always COULD, nay, should, earn more, eh?) lifestyles.
Companies like EDO are complicit in murder with the state giving them free reign, as any threat to the military industrial complex is a threat to their power and capitalism overall. The only reason you have your standard of living is because other people suffer for it. If anyone tries to tell you as much they're shot down and the propaganda machine labels them as reds, lefties, unwashed, students or whatever and discredits their points by default by attcking people's 'social status' and not because of their arguments.
All the people complaining about how Smash EDO have inconvenienced your school run, commute home or whatever I'd like you to imagine tanks rolling past your house at 4am, helicopters hovering overhead ready to fire missiles or your children being shot at for throwing stones at tanks and having M16 rifles turned on them before you whinge that the bus took a bit longer than usual.
From a Born and Bred Brightonian
quiet cynic
says...
2:08pm Fri 22 Jan 10
jackjacka
says...
5:58pm Fri 22 Jan 10
Identropy
says...
8:41pm Fri 22 Jan 10
Shame on anyone who believes it is ok to manufacture arms / weapons of mass destruction, and look to spill innocent blood.
Shame on anyone who respects a government which believes it is ok to send young people to war.
Bring the City / Workforce to a standstill - if that is what it takes to raise awareness and to stop the killing....
Love Life
StrangerPassingBy
says...
1:56pm Mon 25 Jan 10
You really don't know when to give up do you? You don't live in Brighton, and yet you feel its ok to rip into Albion fans and residents, so I'll let others deal with that. You then say that you are not focused on the middle east and then you say that Jerusalem is the heart of the conflict, clearly contradicting yourself. You then assume that i have googled the word 'JERUSALEM' and hoped for the best when in actual fact i have read quite a number of books on the subject to the point where i am sick of reading about it. I am quite happy to furnish you with a book list as it seems to me you have a very narrow historical knowledge and perspective which is quite staggering as its not particularly obscure.
Best of all you assume that I have a nice house '' and a TV "lol! I am what is called a 'SofaSurfer' and if u actually lived in Brighton u would know that this is quite a common problem. As for TV i gave up watching it for various reasons not least of all for its saturation coverage of the Mid East wars.
The problem the so called peace protestors have as far as i am concerned, is their lack of interest in putting the UK house in order,their blind spot when dealing with the excesses of so called resistance movements such as Hammas and Hizbolallah who cause as much misery as the isrealis to their own people. You're not really peaceniks at all, u just support 1 side of a conflict over the other. They are also arrogant and overbearing in their views and dismiss everyone who disagrees with then as potential or actual war-criminals.
As for your willingness to fly over the world to act as some kind of human shield in conflicts that you can't stop by your presence you display a lack of interest in environmental issues which is frankly depressing.
sussexone says...
10:59am Mon 18 Jan 10
Smash EDO, please go away, you aren't wanted.
security words: geta-job