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Published in Brighton by Justice? - Brighton's Direct Action collective

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wake up! wake up! It's yer three-two-one-fire

Published in Brighton by Justice? - Brighton's Direct Action collective

ISSUE 321, FRIDAY 7th September, 2001

ALL THE GUN OF THE FAIR

"The price of one British Aerospace Hawk Jet is roughly the amount needed to provide 1.5 million people in the third world with fresh water for life." - Campaign Against the Arms Trade.

"It is the trade in weapons that allows exploitation and murder to continue around the world . On the 11th we are setting our sights on the arms trade." - Disarm DSEi.

Every second the arms industry and global war machine continues to kill people and destroy lives around the world. 2,000 children are killed or disabled by weaponry every day - without counting those left without parents or homes. According to the UN Human Development Report, in 1999 the world's governments spent an estimated £450 billion to run their military machines. This is 14 times more than is needed to eradicate 'absolute' poverty from the world.

Robin Cook - now about as trustworthy as a snake in a cage of hamsters - said back in 1978 (when he was a lowly MP on the up): "Wherever weapons are sold there is a conspiracy to conceal the reality of war. It is a truism that every war for the past two decades has been fought by poor countries with weapons supplied by rich countries." Any hint of integrity he may have had was soon wiped out when Neo-Labour came to power in 1997 - Cook and his cronies lied about their 'ethical foreign policy', but then signed papers to export weapons in every class banned by European legislation.

UK arms companies thrive upon deliberately supplying opposing states, stirring up conflict and making a killing. For example, in 1997 under the pretext of setting up an aid programme to stabilise conditions in Lebanon, British firm Alvis sold the Lebanese 3,500 rifles for £300,000. This after the rifles had been sold as surplus to Alvis for £195,000 by the MoD, who suggested giving the first 500 rifles free of charge as a sweetener! At the same time Israel, who occupied large parts of Lebanon - were also buying weapons from British firms. Or take the Iran-Iraq war, which saw 1million deaths, again Britain armed both sides. The same thing is happening now in the escalating conflict between India and Pakistan.

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Bombs R Us

"In no other export sector is Britain so successful as in the arms business, which is cosseted like no other industry" - John Pilger, 'Hidden Agendas'

While 1in 4 children in the UK grows up in poverty, arms exports are subsidised to the tune of £420m, and the industry as a whole for as much as £4.25 billion. British weaponry companies employ loads of Research and Development (R&D) scientists to make their nasty machinery. SchNEWS wonders if these boffins could do something constructive instead.

In 1976, 13 unions in Lucas Aerospace put their heads together and composed a "Combine Plan." They proposed that instead of military hardware they could make useful products like kidney machines. The plan was ignored. We are now in the ridiculous situation where there is a subsidy of £4,600 per arms export job. If the R&D of £570m is included, this would rise to £11,000 a year. So you are paying the salaries of defence workers. And what are the effects of this work?

"The boy near me died and I was thrown a metre in the air. The boy who died was 14 - he had his head cut off." - A 13 year old boy, who lost both legs, describing the effects of playing with an unexploded cluster bomb, dropped as part of NATO's 'humanitarian' bombing campaign in Kosovo.

Cluster bombs are one of the most indiscriminate weapons around, forget all the 'precision bombing' bullshit you see on the telly. Cluster bombs disperse a whole load of 'bomblets' over an area up to three football pitches in size. These bomblets can be anti-armour weapons, incendiary devices or fragmentation bombs (effectively nail bombs) designed to maim rather than kill. The sale of anti-personnel landmines is banned, but to get round it anti-vehicle landmines with anti-handling devices are produced - sensitive enough to be detonated by a human. And who ensured there was this loophole was included? No prize for guessing it was UKplc.

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Excel in Death

You might have missed the news (maybe cos there's been none), but the UK govt is holding an arms fair in London next week. The Defence Systems and Equipment international (DSEi) is the largest arms fair in Europe, and attracts arms dealers from oppressive regimes such as Indonesia, Burma and even the US. Guns of all deadly shapes and sizes, Hawk jets, warships, tanks, etc will be on sale, making that boring old job of keeping peasants in line that little bit easier. Kick-off with a neighbouring state over borders, religion or water? This is the place to get seriously tooled up. Britain is the world's second largest arms exporter, after the US of course. DSEi is taking over the entire EXCEL Centre in London's Docklands.

Breach the Peace

So what can we do about it? Well there's a Fiesta of Life and Against Death on the first day of the arms fair (Tues). Thousands are expected to pour into Docklands for some serious fun. Samba, carnival, pink and silver costumes, props, direct action and whatever you can make happen.

At the last DSEi arms fair two years ago, people seriously harangued delegates, locking onto trains, blocking roads, launching water-borne sorties, breaching the conference centre, generally being creative and making a positive impact. Make this year bigger and better. While the profits of doom puff on about doing it for peace, let's breach the carefully police orchestrated peace where they do business, break down the barriers surrounding the EXCEL Centre, and make some fuckin' noise about their dodgy exploits. So get a group of mates together or just turn up and let's see what we can do.

* 'Critical mass' bike ride meets at 10am by Waterloo Bridge on September 11th. Bring yer wheels.

* The Fiesta for Life Against Death will assemble at 12 noon on Tuesday 11th at Canning Town Station, Silvertown Way/Newham Way (A13). Bring drums and noisy stuff, get Wombled up. Disarm DSEi office/ London Reclaim the Streets!: 020 7281 4621 for maps and tactics etc. Wombles www.wombleaction.mrnice.net

* Campaign Against the Arms Trade are also organising a procession on the 11th starting at 10am in the recreation ground, Appleby Rd, Canning Town and holding a peace vigil outside the EXCEL Centre by Tidal Basin Rd, London, Docklands. Actions are planned for the rest of the week, and there'll be a camp, café and legal support too. CAAT 020 7281 0297 www.caat.org.uk

* Check www.uk.indymedia.org for reports on the day and afterwards.

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CRAP ARREST OF THE WEEK

For wearing a purple hairband!! Pamela Smith was in Edinburgh Sheriffs Court supporting a fellow Trident Ploughshares banner dropper, when she was told 'the sheriff wants your hairband off.' Pamela claimed her right to wear it, but the Sheriff disagreed and had her locked up for two hours before charging her with Breach of the Peace!

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Talk Show

"Colonialism is dead but new overlords impose themselves. The World Bank, WEF, G8, IMF and WTO. They are supported not only by lackey governments like our own but also by a legion of other forked-tongue abbreviations: NGO's, UNO's, USAIDs and WCAR's; of which we are all deeply suspicious, despite their pretense at caring for us." - Durban Social Forum statement.

While the Americans and Israelis were busy storming out of the UN's World Conference Against Racism (WCAR), South Africa was in the grip of a national strike. Over five million workers took part in the two day strike against privatisation in which "most industrial areas were effectively closed down." Following this 20,000 people marched last Friday against the conference.

Thabo Mbeki, the President of South Africa, opened proceedings at the WCAR, with observer Heidi Bachram commenting "Mbeki spoke of fighting global apartheid but failed to mention that he was embracing an economic programme that increased poverty and homelessness. While Mbeki spoke of the present world order built on slavery and colonialism, his government is busy privatising the water and electricity in South Africa, which is resulting in a 'pay or die' scenario for people here. As he spoke about the successes of the anti-apartheid struggles, local people are being forced to drink water from toilets and since the water was privatised, 200 people in Durban have died from cholera. This is the brave new world of post-apartheid, neo-liberal South Africa."

After the first free elections in South Africa in 1994, the new ANC government was visited by the big boys of global capital (IMF etc) - who told them to adapt to the 'realities of the global economy'. The message was that if they wanted money to raise the standard of living for the black majority they had to, er. lower their standard of living. The ANC inherited a $25 billion foreign debt - funds used to support apartheid, and on top of that the IMF imposed their usual conditions for loans - wholesale privatisation. Initially people were patient through the compromises to western demands, but now they see their leaders hobnobbing with world leaders while their water and electricity get turned off. Inequality in society has actually increased since after seven years of an ANC government in South Africa.

But these people who have the anti-apartheid struggle still fresh in their minds aren't taking this lying down. Battles have been fought against evictions and water cut-offs, and over 3000 of the Landless Peoples' Movement are camping to protest against being used as farm labour on their ancestral land. In Soweto, people are reconnecting electricity and water themselves, occupying the offices of the service companies, and setting up anti-privatisation groups.

* IndyMedia South Africa were refused press entry into the Conference, because it was thought they might be 'one sided' - which of course the mainstream media never are. Visit http://southafrica.indymedia.org/

* Check out South African anarchist/libertarian paper "Zabalaza" http://www.struggle.ws/africa/safrica/zabamag.html

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DIY Guide

Visit our website and check out the new DIY Guide containing information for action (and having a good time doing it). We will keep expanding it - but it true DIY fashion, if you want to see something in it, send us something.

Fox This

The Crown Prosecution Service have decided to drop charges against Martin Maynard, the 'psychopathic' hunt supporter, who drove over and almost killed hunt saboteur Steve Christmas. Steve who had to be airlifted to hospital, had two foot of bowel removed and spent four weeks in intensive care. Whilst Maynard walks free, 18 anti-hunt protestors still remain on charges relating to broken windows at the hunt kennels during a demo the next day held in protest against the attack. Donations needed for their bust fund. 01273 622827 www.huntsabs.org.uk

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Avia Atai, a female Israeli teacher, was sentenced on Monday to 28 days in prison for refusing to transfer to the Gilo settlement in the occupied territory, where she was due to instruct children on how to avoid the shelling/gunfire from the neighbouring Beit-Jalla (on whose land Gilo was built). She stated: "I do not believe in brutality and use of force. I feel the Military and the Politicians have brought this war upon our heads. I will not enter the territories occupied in 1967. I do not believe in the expansion of Israel". Conscientious objectors are often sent to prison in Israel. Find out about other prisoners, visit www.newprofile.org

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SchNEWS in brief

• 800 protesters in the Philippines stormed one of Monsanto's GM fields last week uprooting all the Bt corn plants http/ens-news.com/ens/aug2001/2001L-08-29-03.html
• Meanwhile in France the Militant Peasants Confederation have vowed to continue openly trashing GM crops despite presence of riot cops at their demos
• Good news for those living in Bristol the Bristolian alternative newsletter will now be hitting the streets every week. Get it by e-mail: localnews4us@yahoo.co.uk or pick it up locally
• There's now a Bristol WOMBLES group, bristolwombles@hushmail.com contact 07904 097065
• A Reclaim the Streets Party in the small Czech town of Vysoke Myto was scattered by police after a two hour occupation of a street
• Healing UK is a forum to discuss and plan medical support for demos and actions. If you want to get involved healinguksubscribe@yahoogroups.com
• Campaigners at the proposed Crymlun Burrows incincerator site (see SchNEWS 320) in Swansea successfully closed down work for the day by erecting a tripod at the entrance gates. More people are needed on the protest camp. www.stic.org.uk
• Samba Carnival Procession in Canning Town this Saturday (8th) in the build up to the Fiesta for Life Against Death. Costume: pink and silver, meet 10.30am Rathbone Market, Barking Rd., London E16 (Nearest Tube Canning Town DLR)
• Scottish football fans bought 20 asylum seekers tickets to watch Scotland play Croatia in last Saturday's World Cup qualifier. Hamish Husband, chairman of the West of Scotland branch of the Tartan Army, said: "We decided it would be a good way of showing some solidarity with these people. They've suffered persecution in their own countries and after the trouble here recently we thought we'd do this one small thing to show them support."

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Foundation Block

Strathclyde Police are promising that they will be mounting their largest police operation for this October's big blockade at Faslane naval base, Scotland. Their strategy Code-named 'Operation Foundation' includes plans to draft in hundreds of extra police and to use cells across the region to hold those arrested. Special Branch and other services have recently returned from Gorleben in Germany (site of regular nuclear train protests) where they drooled over their German mates beating up protesters.

Protesters though aren't fazed and are vowing to make this year's Faslane blockade massive, it's taking place on 22 October so get up there and help block up the police cells. A detailed 10-page briefing with maps, photos, legal details and tactics is now available. Action Line: 0141 423 1222 www.cndscot.dial.pipex.com

Oi! Gerroff Yer Land

Inhabitants of the Stewart Wood have unfortunately lost their planning appeal against a decision by the Planning Inspectorate to refuse them permission to live on the woodland that they own, and are managing as a permaculture garden and low intervention wildlife zone. The group are considering an appeal against the decision in the High Courts. They desperately need help to cover their legal costs. Steward Community Woodland, Morehampstead, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ13 8SD Tel: 07050 674464 www.stewardwood.org

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Hackneyed Story

Roll up! Roll up! For two days only get down to the squatters estate agents at 52 Stoke Newington High Street, and view over 50 community properties that, thanks to Hackney Council going bankrupt, are in danger of being sold, privatised, or suffering serious cuts that threaten their very survival.

The estate agents with a conscience have recently got hold of 'exempt' minutes from a recent council meeting. It lists over 130 Council owned properties to be assessed for sale as part of their 'disposals programme'. These includes everything from community centres, adventure playgrounds, allotments, nurseries and shops, as well as 100's of houses.

One of the properties reads "Formerly a nursery, but we got rid of the kids + their whining parents. We even fibbed in court, to get rid of the squatters who had reopened it as a community centre of all things. We told the master that we were not going to sell this building but, Ha! - It is now freed up to give lots of potential for profit as a yuppie wine bar or a private health club for city workers.

Price: Don't bother enquiring, you couldn't afford it. In fact why don't you just move to another borough so that we can speed up the process of gentrification here in Hackney."

Hurry readers - doors close on Friday evening. If you can't make it, get down to a Noise Demo outside Hackney Town Hall next Thursday (13th) 6pm, where the councillors are meeting to discuss the next round of cuts and sell offs. Tel 07752 592 740 hackney4sale@yahoo.co.uk

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Positive SchNEWS

Fed up with paying extortionate rents? Then joining or setting up a housing co-op is a great alternative. In a co-op you not only get cheap rents you're also your own landlord. The Housing Co-op Head-to-Head on the 15 Sept has been arranged for those who live in co-ops in Sussex or those who want to find out more about the movement. It's a free event but booking is essential. 11am at The Old Market Arts Centre, Upper Market Street, Hove. Send your contact details to Housing Co-op Head-to-Head, c/o Brighton Rock Housing Co-op, 397 Kingsway, Hove BN3 4QE www.co-op.org/mutualaid/

Stanmer Organics a community food project in Brighton is having an open day this Saturday (8) 12 noon till 5pm. Veg for sale, food by spiralbean, earth kiln demo, music, storytelling etc. More details 01273 261811

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...and finally...

Cunning scientists have developed the ultimate pointless object - a 'green grenade'- it will blow yer average person to smithereens but won't pollute the environment. Professor Thomas Klaptoke of the University in Munich has been working on the new greenies said, "It's a very important issue .You don't want to pollute your own environment nor do you want to put your own policemen and soldiers at risk." Well that's alright then.

disclaimer
SchNEWS warns all readers if you're sick to the teeth with people armed to the teeth then try a shot in the dark & 'ave yerself some 'armless fun - then you'll be content. Honest.

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Cor-blimley-they’re-practically-giving-them-away book offer

• SchNEWS Round issues 51 - 100 £4.50 inc. postage.
• SchNEWS Annual issues 101 - 150 £4.50 inc. postage.
• SchNEWS Survival Guide issues 151 - 200 and a whole lot more £5.50 inc. postage
• The SchQUALL book at only £6.50 inc postage. (US Postage £4.00 for individual books, £13 for all four).
• SchNEWS and SQUALL's YEARBOOK 2001. 300 pages of adventures from the direct action frontline. £7 + £1.50 p&p. You can order the book from a bookshop or your library, quote the ISBN 09529748 4 3.

In the UK you can get 2, 3, 4 & 5 for £20 inc. postage.

In addition to 50 issues of SchNEWS, each book contains articles, photos, cartoons, subverts, a “yellow pages” list of contacts, comedy etc. All the above books are available from the Brighton Peace Centre, saving postage yer tight gits.

Subscribe to SchNEWS: Send 1st Class stamps (e.g. 10 for next 9 issues) or donations (payable to Justice?). Or £15 for a year's subscription, or the SchNEWS supporter's rate, £1 a week. Ask for "originals" if you plan to copy and distribute. SchNEWS is post-free to prisoners. You can also pick SchNEWS up at the Brighton Peace and Environment Centre at 43 Gardner Street, Brighton.

SchNEWS, PO Box 2600, Brighton, BN2 2DX, England
Phone/Fax (call before faxing): 01273 685913
Email: schnews@brighton.co.uk Web: http://www.schnews.org.uk/ and http://www.schnews.com

Last updated 7th September, 2001
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