ITT offices targeted in Basingstoke

On 20th December at 13:30 15 activists targeted the ITT offices in Basingstoke, to protest against the takeover of Brighton arms manufacturer EDO MBM by the infamous ITT corporation, expected to be completed today.

A large amount of horse manure was dumped at the front gate of the ITT offices and employees cars were leafleted, informing them of the decision by EDO shareholders to vote in favour of the takeover, and warning them of the ongoing campaign against the Brighton based arms manufacturer, which has cost EDO millions of pounds over the past three years.

EDO Corp. announced on 18th December that its shareholders had voted in favour of the company's acquisition by manufacturing conglomerate ITT Corp. The deal, worth about $1.4 billion, is expected to be completed today, 20th December.

ITT Corp. have an infamous reputation; colluding with fascist dictatorships from the 1930s onwards, including supplying Hitler with military equipment throughout WWII, and sponsoring the CIA backed coup in Chile led by Pinochet. In 2007 the company pleaded guilty to violating US arms controls over several decades up to the present day.

EDO MBM's Brighton offices have have been the subject of a direct action campaign since 2004. It has cost the company millions of pounds through court cases, blockades, roof top occupations and sabotage. EDO manufactures components for missiles which have been used to bomb civilians in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine and Lebanon.

A direct action campaign will continue against ITT with the aim of persuading them not to continue business at the Brighton site after the takeover. The campaign will continue until the Brighton offices are shutdown.

smashedo.org.uk

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Smash
• EDO
• ITT
• Anti
• War
• Arms
• Dealers
• Direct
• Action
• Protest

[bam1982k]

the guard in the video is my dad, what would you do if some pricks in balaclarvers pulled up where you worked??? and putting shit on the road??? bunch of tos*ers! itt build radios for our soldiers... trust me i worked there for a while in defence! granted its a shit hole though.... still if your against war etc... protest to the goverment at downing street... stop wasting time!

[untilallarefree]

"the guard in the video is my dad,"

Sorry, but that's HILARIOUS!

"what would you do if some pricks in balaclarvers pulled up where you worked???"

Not use illegal violence to try and move them, instead be patient and wait for the police.

As for ITT, they built bomb parts that kill millions in illegal wars, it's a better place to start campaigning against than at downing street (because it's illegal to demonstrate there for a start!) Closing down arms dealers brings us nearer to peace...

[MarkPage01]

Is this what they call a "dirty protest"?

[grant0015]

Idiots, nobody care's people have more to worry about then what companys are creating

[MinecraftCG]

worst protest ever, get a job and stop whining about shit no one cares about

[alexflahive]

@untilallarefree "illegal violence", that phrase is hilarious. If the guard hadn't have tried to stop you; you wouldn't have a video with 1,741 hits. So I think you're glad he did.

[1986AEF]

It's also illegal to dump soil or waste on private land and could also land you with a fine A.S.B.O or worse prison sentance. I'm pretty sure you have already heard from the police by now but what you did there was pretty dumb. I can't see how hurling some soil onto someones private property can bring piece if anything the oposite. oh and by the way getting yourself arrested for dumping soil on someones property will not get the company closed down.

[SLVRwill7]

"ITT offices targeted" you put down some soil on the floor in front of a gate

[tiggyb16]

fucking idiots

[jesusisnotreal1]

Protest FAIL... ITT remains. Idiots...

[cemeteryatmidnight]

Protest total fucking fail.