9 Women Occupy Raytheon in Derry - Police Agree To Investigate Raytheon

Guest

I initially posted news of this on one of the Gaza threads. It most assuredly deserves a thread of its own.

The nine courageous women entered the Raytheon building at around 2.30pm this afternoon as part of a DAWC (Derry Anti War Coalition) action. They then made their way upstairs and chained themselves together.

In the meantime lots of supporters gathered outside to protest and to await the arrival of the PSNI. Two the five men arrested outside the building were members of the original Raytheon 9 who were acquitted last year after being charged for occupying the Raytheon building and decommissioning some of their computers. LINK.

The nine women today, Helen Deery, Sharon Meenan, Betty Doherty, Diana King, Goretti Horgan,
Róisín Barton, Julia Tor Rojo, Jackie McKenna and Róisín Kelly achieved some unbelievable results as can be seen from the following press release. Before I get to that, I'd like to express my own support for this action and my thanks to everyone involved. We need to see more of this - a lot more.

PRESS RELEASE

Statement issued by the women as they entered the Raytheon premises:

DERRY ANTI WAR COALITION

FROM NINE WOMEN WHO HAVE CHAINED THEMSELVES INSIDE THE RAYTHEON BUILDING AT SPRINGTOWN TODAY (JANUARY 12th) AT 2.30PM

We have taken this action in an effort to prevent or delay war crimes being committed by the Israeli Defence Forces in Gaza with the use of Raytheon weapons and to try to force a criminal investigation into the activities of the Raytheon company in Derry and elsewhere which, we believe, amount to complicity in war crimes.

Like millions of others, we have watched television pictures of innocent people being slaughtered since the Israeli assault on Gaza began on December 27th, and have wanted it to stop. But nobody with the power to make it stop seems willing to intervene to do so.

Lawyers and international human rights organisations have declared that the Israeli bombing and shelling of Gaza involves war crimes. The
bombing of a UN-sponsored school on January 6th, killing at least 40 civilians, including children, has merely been the worst of these war
crimes.

Raytheon is one of Israel’s main suppliers of the weapons being used in the attacks on Gaza. The company is either aware or doesn’t care that its weapons are being used to commit war crimes.

Raytheon is aiding and abetting Israel in committing these war crimes against the people of Gaza. We are trying to stop them.

We hope that we encourage others to take similar action against other Raytheon plants and against arms companies generally.

We call for a criminal investigation into the activities of the Raytheon company in Ireland, Britain and elsewhere with a view to the prosecution of Raytheon executives for complicity in war crimes.

We call on all political parties, community groups, trades unions, churches and others in the Derry area to say clearly that we do not want a company involved in war crimes in our town and to declare that Raytheon should get out.

STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE WOMEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER LEAVING THE BUILDING AT SIX PM.

A deputation from the Derry Anti-War Coalition is to meet with senior PSNI officers this week to present evidence which, they say, warrants a criminal investigation into the Raytheon company.

The coalition says that an agreement by the PSNI to formally consider the evidence was one of the reasons for ending the protest at Raytheon in which nine women chained themselves together inside the building.

A spokeswoman for the nine said: "While inside the building, we had a series of discussions with the Foyle commander of the PSNI, Chris Yates. As a result of these discussions between ourselves and Chief Inspector Yates, it was agreed that he would accept delivery of our
dossier of evidence and arrange that it be studied to determine whether a basis exists for criminal charges against Raytheon.

We thank all those who gathered outside Raytheon to support our action. The Derry Anti War Coalition again calls on the local political parties to join us in demanding that Raytheon get out of Derry.

ends

Guest

Formally agreeing to consider the evidence does not constitute an investigation, Hermes.

Guest

I guessing there has to be a clear case that Israel has committed war crimes before Raytheon can be charged with complicity ot whatever. Is it so?

Guest

Investigation for what?

Guest

Kate P wrote:: Formally agreeing to consider the evidence does not constitute an investigation, Hermes.

Yes it does. Whether it's a formal investigation or whether it will lead to one is another matter. Anytime one considers evidence, one is engaged in an investigation.

Guest

Might I suggest to these worthy ladies that they consider joining our glorious republic next time the option comes up for a vote??

No massive arms manufacturing going on down 'ere, as far as I am aware.

The UK, US and Israel are at the forefront of nasty new schemes involving more and more hi tech ways in which to deprive their enemies of life. Paying taxes in these jurisdictions is the best possible way to ensure this continues to be funded.

For example, the husband used to fund the anti war coalition in the UK to the tune of 10 quid a month. However, his taxes, going to the British Exchequer, were well over a grand a month, and we had no way of determining how these were spent.

I don't know what % of taxes go to what is laughably called "defence" in the UK, but I'd bet it is at least 10%

Guest

905 wrote:: I guessing there has to be a clear case that Israel has committed war crimes before Raytheon can be charged with complicity ot whatever. Is it so?

I think it will be a matter for the police to decide what charges must be brought, if any, once they have considered the evidence given to them (and possibly dig up some of their own).

The acquittal of the original Raytheon activists of criminal damage charges is an interesting factor that must have bearing on the PSNI's and the authorities' dilemma. A PR nightmare to be sure, at the very least.

Guest

What is it they may be investigated for?

Guest

cookiemonster wrote:: What is it they may be investigated for?

That they are complicit in the unlawful slaughter of innocent civillians. That they are complicit in the unlawful destruction of essential infrastructures. And possibly a host of other crimes.

Guest

If Raytheon, whoever they are, have been involved in something illegal, throw the directors in jail, if not, throw the chain gang in jail and whichever group it is, leave them there.

Guest

Hermes wrote:

cookiemonster wrote:: What is it they may be investigated for?

That they are complicit in the unlawful slaughter of innocent civillians. That they are complicit in the unlawful destruction of essential infrastructures. And possibly a host of other crimes.

One presumed they manufacture/export "dual use" goods?

Guest

cookiemonster wrote:

Hermes wrote:

cookiemonster wrote:: What is it they may be investigated for?

That they are complicit in the unlawful slaughter of innocent civillians. That they are complicit in the unlawful destruction of essential infrastructures. And possibly a host of other crimes.

One presumed they manufacture/export "dual use" goods?

Or one may consider the fact that they manufacture parts for single purpose hellfire missiles etc.

Guest

Hermes wrote:: Or one may consider the fact that they manufacture parts for single purpose hellfire missiles etc.

Legally, presumably. What the people they sell them to do with them is a different matter. So you want the police to investigate them for doing something legally?

The correct place to lobby is Parliament, not the local police station or the courts.

Guest

Hermes wrote:

cookiemonster wrote:

Hermes wrote:

cookiemonster wrote:: What is it they may be investigated for?

That they are complicit in the unlawful slaughter of innocent civillians. That they are complicit in the unlawful destruction of essential infrastructures. And possibly a host of other crimes.

One presumed they manufacture/export "dual use" goods?

Or one may consider the fact that they manufacture parts for single purpose hellfire missiles etc.

With the best will in the world no group can be allowed to interfere with the legal business of any company or person, if you wish the law to be changed then set about that by all means, but no group has a democratic mandate to take the law into their own hands.

Guest

Johnfás wrote:: Legally, presumably. What the people they sell them to do with them is
a different matter. So you want the police to investigate them for
doing something legally?

The correct place to lobby is Parliament, not the local police station or the courts.

Tonys wrote:: With the best will in the world no group can be allowed to interfere
with the legal business of any company or person, if you wish the law
to be changed then set about that by all means, but no group has a
democratic mandate to take the law into their own hands.

In regard to these opinions and questions, I think it best if Eamonn McCann and other members of DAWC shed some light. The following video was made just as the defendants from the last action at Raytheon went on trial.