Smash EDO accused of hijacking Brighton and Hove's Olympic Torch celebration (From The Argus)
Get involved: Send your news, views, pictures and video by texting SUPIC to 80360 or email us.
Smash EDO accused of hijacking Brighton and Hove's Olympic Torch celebration
6:00pm Wednesday 27th June 2012 in News
Smash EDO accused of hijacking city celebration
Protest group Smash EDO has been accused of trying to hijack another city celebration.
The anti-arms demonstrators say they plan to “inspect” the EDO MBM factory in Moulsecoomb on the same day as the Olympic Torch comes to Brighton and Hove.
Smash EDO has claimed its decision on the timing of the mass action, planned for 1pm, had no connection with the Olympic celebration.
However their timing has been criticised.
In a statement on their website, the group said: “Smash EDO wish it to be known that other events that may happen to be taking place in the city that day are of no interest to the group.
Our intention is, as ever, only to disrupt the Arms Industry and those who |support its continued existence.”
Conservative Councillor Vanessa Brown said: “First it was the Jubilee, now it’s the Olympic Torch ceremony.
“It’s such a shame that Smash EDO feel the need to try and hijack these fantastic events that are taking place in our city in order to further their own political goals.
“Residents I speak to |are incredibly excited about the Olympic Torch passing through the city and I’m confident that they won’t be put off by Smash EDO’s latest pathetic publicity stunt.”
The protest group has cost the city hundreds of thousands of pounds in policing bills and claim the arms factory in Home Farm Road manufactures weapons components used in illegal military action in the Middle East – a claim the company has always denied.
Sussex Police called for the activists to discuss their plans with them so that |both events can be held safely.
A spokesman said: “We are aware of this statement and policing arrangements will be made accordingly.
“We would like the organisers to contact us so that we can discuss their plans and help facilitate any peaceful protest.”
Smash EDO has a long history of action against the factory, including in January 2009 when a group of protestors managed to infiltrate the site.
The activists smashed computers and other items in a bid to “decommission” the factory.
Seven were arrested and charged but cleared after a trial at Hove Crown Court in July 2010, when the activists said they were acting with "lawful excuse" during the break-in.
The group is also planning to picket outside Barclays Bank in North Street on Saturday at 1pm. It claims the bank is the high street’s biggest investor in arms.
Comments(38)
lindi_lmf
says...
6:28pm Wed 27 Jun 12
gaz scott
says...
6:35pm Wed 27 Jun 12
lindi_lmf wrote:Given the number of people on here who want to see the protests banned or prevented I think it is they who would be more at home in Iran.
Maybe they could be sent to Iran and see if they can protest there. I don't think so!
Ligand Fields
says...
6:40pm Wed 27 Jun 12
charlie smirke wrote:You're joking, right? Sussex Police would be in tears, with all their overtime gone up in smoke!
Isn't it time that this rabble were stopped from holding the city to ransom?
JHunty
says...
6:50pm Wed 27 Jun 12
gaz scott wrote:Given the level of violence Smashedo aimed at the march for England and the young children on that march recently, in order to prevent them from exercising their democratic right to protest, it would seem Smashedo would be more at home running Iran or Syria.
lindi_lmf wrote:Given the number of people on here who want to see the protests banned or prevented I think it is they who would be more at home in Iran.
Maybe they could be sent to Iran and see if they can protest there. I don't think so!
Typical arrogant and pompous claptrap from Smashedo.
george smith
says...
7:38pm Wed 27 Jun 12
Reflect on your post
says...
7:43pm Wed 27 Jun 12
However this feral mob should be recognised for what they really are and locked up if they persist in this nonsense
Fight Back
says...
8:09pm Wed 27 Jun 12
mnairb
says...
8:15pm Wed 27 Jun 12
Where is 'Smash Kalashnikov' or 'Smash MiL Gunships'? Protests outside the Russian embassy? No chance - what a bunch of hypocrites.
Ligand Fields
says...
8:31pm Wed 27 Jun 12
mnairb wrote:Er, Russia isn't *in* Sussex, never mind anyone's living room you deeply confused and perplexing moomin.
All the while Smash EDO and their chums from rent-a-cause make mischief around supposed 'arms manufacturers' in Brighton, they are deliberately ignoring the elephant in the living room - that of the massive shipment of arms from Russia to enable their client state, Syria, to murder their own people.
Where is 'Smash Kalashnikov' or 'Smash MiL Gunships'? Protests outside the Russian embassy? No chance - what a bunch of hypocrites.
All 9 of me
says...
8:31pm Wed 27 Jun 12
Fight Back wrote:*your
Either Smash EDO are incredibly stupid or complete liars. How can they not have known about both the Jubilee celebrations or the torch ? They are nothing but cynical lying idiots. The sooner they are given a good whack from a Sussex police baton the better and that includes YOU Gaz Scott. You and you're lying friends are not welcome in this city so go somewhere where there is a real arms industry such as Crawley or Basingstoke. Oh - I forgot they don't have a beach or sympathetic councillors such as Ben Duncan !
Lewesradical
says...
8:47pm Wed 27 Jun 12
Sad fantasists.
Fight Back
says...
8:55pm Wed 27 Jun 12
All 9 of me wrote:Well thank you Mr Grammar !
Fight Back wrote:*your
Either Smash EDO are incredibly stupid or complete liars. How can they not have known about both the Jubilee celebrations or the torch ? They are nothing but cynical lying idiots. The sooner they are given a good whack from a Sussex police baton the better and that includes YOU Gaz Scott. You and you're lying friends are not welcome in this city so go somewhere where there is a real arms industry such as Crawley or Basingstoke. Oh - I forgot they don't have a beach or sympathetic councillors such as Ben Duncan !
bogs
says...
8:57pm Wed 27 Jun 12
mnairb
says...
9:16pm Wed 27 Jun 12
Ligand Fields wrote:What are you driveling on about? You obviously know nothing about weaponry. The weapon that has caused more death and misery across the world in recent times is the Kalashnikov AK47 (you know, the long pointy thing with the curved magazine - you must have seen it on the news, every self respecting 'freedom fighter' carries one). The point I was making was that Smash EDO is quite happy to let massive shipments of Russian weapons go on without a murmur of protest but makes a big fuss about a small company who makes a release pin which may or may not be used on aircraft.
mnairb wrote:Er, Russia isn't *in* Sussex, never mind anyone's living room you deeply confused and perplexing moomin.
All the while Smash EDO and their chums from rent-a-cause make mischief around supposed 'arms manufacturers' in Brighton, they are deliberately ignoring the elephant in the living room - that of the massive shipment of arms from Russia to enable their client state, Syria, to murder their own people.
Where is 'Smash Kalashnikov' or 'Smash MiL Gunships'? Protests outside the Russian embassy? No chance - what a bunch of hypocrites.
In any case, I've been insulted by far better people than you, and more inventive insults at that.
mimseycal
says...
12:54am Thu 28 Jun 12
Leon
says...
2:55am Thu 28 Jun 12
(1)".....other events that may happen to be taking place in the city that day are of no interest to the group....". No one believes that for a minute, all the group has done recently is attach itself to high profile events and public holidays
(2) "....Our intention is, as ever, only to disrupt the Arms Industry and those who support its continued existence....". Again, this doesn't ring true because of the tens of thousands of residents and visitors (none of whom support the arms trade) who have had their days in central Brighton ruined by this group.
Reflect on your post
says...
7:23am Thu 28 Jun 12
Crystal Ball
says...
8:51am Thu 28 Jun 12
Andy R
says...
8:55am Thu 28 Jun 12
I believe it's a concept known as "more than one thing going on at the same time"
But it can be guaranteed to draw the usual collection of wingnuts onto the comments section, including of course JHunty, the EDL's useful idiot regurgitating the same old phoney propaganda.
gaz scott
says...
11:03am Thu 28 Jun 12
Reflect on your post wrote:Reflect on your post you might want to reflect on your post.
Heard a great suggestion, which is worthy of sharing with this community. 'why not criminalize this type of feral protest, which targets legal business and hand out lengthy sentences to take this scourge of society off the streets?' When I first heard it, it sounded a little extreme, however the more I considered it the more sensible it began to sound. Oh yes and whilst we await the legislation to be approved, how about testing out the new Tazar policy on these people. A little shock treatment never did anyone any harm.
Joshiman
says...
11:23am Thu 28 Jun 12
mimseycal
says...
11:40am Thu 28 Jun 12
Joshiman wrote:The SmashEdo gang of juvenile delinquents? The Argus? Ah ... the wrong thread. I've done it myself so am bound to say easily done ;)
Problem is that Although Brighton residents dont want them here,the Council do.So residents stop complaining as the majority voted them in.
The SmashEdo rely on the oxygen of publicity to feed their self righteous skewed reasoning.
The Argus relies on public interests.
A match made in (select your personal view of paradise here) ;)
Number Six
says...
1:10pm Thu 28 Jun 12
Dirk Von Roden
says...
1:41pm Thu 28 Jun 12
Crystal Ball
says...
2:23pm Thu 28 Jun 12
It's easy to rally against organisations who are not a direct/absolute threat to their (EDO) little cause as they do not have the support and ability to target the main 'perpetrators'.
Reflect on your post
says...
3:48pm Thu 28 Jun 12
gaz scott wrote:I am shocked with your challenge, although not as shocked as one of the smash edo would be with a tazar stuck in them..ho ho
Reflect on your post wrote:Reflect on your post you might want to reflect on your post.
Heard a great suggestion, which is worthy of sharing with this community. 'why not criminalize this type of feral protest, which targets legal business and hand out lengthy sentences to take this scourge of society off the streets?' When I first heard it, it sounded a little extreme, however the more I considered it the more sensible it began to sound. Oh yes and whilst we await the legislation to be approved, how about testing out the new Tazar policy on these people. A little shock treatment never did anyone any harm.
Andy R
says...
4:55pm Thu 28 Jun 12
Number Six wrote:Um...call me quaint, but I was always taught that if you wanted stop something happening it was always best to try and do that before said thing had happened.
Have I missed something? What war on Iran? I didn't know we had declared war on Iran. I shall write to the BBC immediately complaining about their shameful lack of front line reporting
mimseycal
says...
6:06pm Thu 28 Jun 12
Andy R wrote:Forgive my pedantry but surely that would be to desist from starting rather then stopping.
Number Six wrote:Um...call me quaint, but I was always taught that if you wanted stop something happening it was always best to try and do that before said thing had happened.
Have I missed something? What war on Iran? I didn't know we had declared war on Iran. I shall write to the BBC immediately complaining about their shameful lack of front line reporting
You could hardly be expected to stop screeching inanities if to date you have always whispered sense.
Number Six
says...
6:20pm Thu 28 Jun 12
mimseycal wrote:Precisely. You can't stop something that hasn't happened, can you?
Andy R wrote:Forgive my pedantry but surely that would be to desist from starting rather then stopping. You could hardly be expected to stop screeching inanities if to date you have always whispered sense.Number Six wrote: Have I missed something? What war on Iran? I didn't know we had declared war on Iran. I shall write to the BBC immediately complaining about their shameful lack of front line reportingUm...call me quaint, but I was always taught that if you wanted stop something happening it was always best to try and do that before said thing had happened.
Still, best let our resident union panjandrum get on with trying to get workers to lose their jobs
gaz scott
says...
7:15pm Thu 28 Jun 12
Number Six wrote:But can you stop something that HAS happened?
mimseycal wrote:Precisely. You can't stop something that hasn't happened, can you?
Andy R wrote:Forgive my pedantry but surely that would be to desist from starting rather then stopping. You could hardly be expected to stop screeching inanities if to date you have always whispered sense.Number Six wrote: Have I missed something? What war on Iran? I didn't know we had declared war on Iran. I shall write to the BBC immediately complaining about their shameful lack of front line reportingUm...call me quaint, but I was always taught that if you wanted stop something happening it was always best to try and do that before said thing had happened.
Still, best let our resident union panjandrum get on with trying to get workers to lose their jobs
If something has happened you've failed to stop it from happening.
Interesting discussion that definitely beats the usual "they should go and have a wash".
mimseycal
says...
7:31pm Thu 28 Jun 12
If ever we needed concrete proof that the SmashEdo live in an alternative universe here it is, on their very own banner.
Number Six
says...
7:58pm Thu 28 Jun 12
gaz scott wrote:You can search my posts from now to the end of time itself and you will never find anything that mentions personal hygiene.
Number Six wrote:But can you stop something that HAS happened? If something has happened you've failed to stop it from happening. Interesting discussion that definitely beats the usual "they should go and have a wash".mimseycal wrote:Precisely. You can't stop something that hasn't happened, can you? Still, best let our resident union panjandrum get on with trying to get workers to lose their jobsAndy R wrote:Forgive my pedantry but surely that would be to desist from starting rather then stopping. You could hardly be expected to stop screeching inanities if to date you have always whispered sense.Number Six wrote: Have I missed something? What war on Iran? I didn't know we had declared war on Iran. I shall write to the BBC immediately complaining about their shameful lack of front line reportingUm...call me quaint, but I was always taught that if you wanted stop something happening it was always best to try and do that before said thing had happened.
Frankly I see this as the usual old hackneyed cliche. Protest against a war that isn't happening, or isn't going to happen (unless you can prove otherwise) and then claim the credit for stopping the war that wasn't happening, saying it was all down to your actions.
There are mountain ranges younger than that tactic.
gaz scott
says...
8:14pm Thu 28 Jun 12
Number Six wrote:Please don't be so sensitive. I was suggesting that discussing these finer points of the English language was more interesting than some of the usual posts on here.
gaz scott wrote:You can search my posts from now to the end of time itself and you will never find anything that mentions personal hygiene.
Number Six wrote:But can you stop something that HAS happened? If something has happened you've failed to stop it from happening. Interesting discussion that definitely beats the usual "they should go and have a wash".mimseycal wrote:Precisely. You can't stop something that hasn't happened, can you? Still, best let our resident union panjandrum get on with trying to get workers to lose their jobsAndy R wrote:Forgive my pedantry but surely that would be to desist from starting rather then stopping. You could hardly be expected to stop screeching inanities if to date you have always whispered sense.Number Six wrote: Have I missed something? What war on Iran? I didn't know we had declared war on Iran. I shall write to the BBC immediately complaining about their shameful lack of front line reportingUm...call me quaint, but I was always taught that if you wanted stop something happening it was always best to try and do that before said thing had happened.
Frankly I see this as the usual old hackneyed cliche. Protest against a war that isn't happening, or isn't going to happen (unless you can prove otherwise) and then claim the credit for stopping the war that wasn't happening, saying it was all down to your actions.
There are mountain ranges younger than that tactic.
I know that you personally never resort to such well-worn phrases or anything similar even if I disagree with your views on occasions. I wasn't trying to suggest that you do - because you don't. But I'm sorry if that's what you thought I was saying.
Others here however have no shame.
gaz scott
says...
8:22pm Thu 28 Jun 12
mimseycal wrote:Well is it? A quick search on the Internet reveals the use of the word "Stop" in the same way from many source. And I mean respected sources and organisations who I'm sure you would not accuse of living in their own alternative universe.
As far as I know we have not declared war on Iran. Therefore there is no war with Iran with the obvious that as it hasn't started we are in no position to stop it.
If ever we needed concrete proof that the SmashEdo live in an alternative universe here it is, on their very own banner.
Would you, for example, accuse a group called "Stop Suicide" of the same?
So as concrete proof it's slightly lacking but interesting discussion on the use of the English language (and I make no claim that I'm right or wrong here).
mimseycal
says...
8:43pm Thu 28 Jun 12
As for "Stop Suicide" ... not the same thing at all dear and if you cannot see that ... well, maybe that isn't surprising as you deem it reasonable to demand the cessation of something that isn't occurring.
Reflect on your post
says...
8:50pm Thu 28 Jun 12
When a man goes out to go in, the men who are out try to get him out, and when he is out he goes in and the next man in goes out and goes in. There are two men called umpires who stay all out all the time and they decide when the men who are in are out. When both sides have been in and all the men have out, and both sides have been out twice after all the men have been in, including those who are not out, that is the end of the game!
Number Six
says...
11:16pm Thu 28 Jun 12
gaz scott wrote:Suicide is happening so it is logical to call for it to stop. The war in Iran is not happening so it is not logical to call for it to stop.
mimseycal wrote: As far as I know we have not declared war on Iran. Therefore there is no war with Iran with the obvious that as it hasn't started we are in no position to stop it. If ever we needed concrete proof that the SmashEdo live in an alternative universe here it is, on their very own banner.Well is it? A quick search on the Internet reveals the use of the word "Stop" in the same way from many source. And I mean respected sources and organisations who I'm sure you would not accuse of living in their own alternative universe. Would you, for example, accuse a group called "Stop Suicide" of the same? So as concrete proof it's slightly lacking but interesting discussion on the use of the English language (and I make no claim that I'm right or wrong here).
In other words, you can stop the present tense (it is happening) but not the past tense (it has happened) or the future tense (it has not yet , and may never, happened)
charlie smirke says...
6:26pm Wed 27 Jun 12