Mass Blockade of Raytheon Derry, 7am Fri 9th Jan

derry | anti-war / imperialism | event notice Tuesday January 06, 2009 23:11 by Goretti Horgan - Derry Anti War Coalition resistderry at aol dot com

Help shut down operations for a day

Blockade in solidarity with people being massacred in Gaza

The jury at the trial of the Raytheon 9 accepted that Raytheon's Derry plant was linked to the rest of the company's international operations, and therefore contributing to the war crimes being carried out by the Israelis in Lebanon in Summer 2006. Today, those war crimes are being surpassed by the barbarity we see being perpetrated by the Israelis in the Gaza Strip, as 42 people, many children, died when an Israeli rocket hit a UN school. Unfortunately, Raytheon remains in Derry, contributing to those war crimes.

Security in the Raytheon premises has been massively upgraded since the August 2006 occupation and especially since the Gaza onslaught began. There is heavy police surveillance most of the time with the intention of keeping protesters away.

Therefore, at a packed meeting last night, the Derry Anti War Coalition decided to call a mass blockade of Raytheon in Derry for Friday 9th Jan. We intend to let no one into the building to start any work. It will, of course, be a peaceful, non-violent protest. We need lots of people there at 7am before the first workers arrive but, for those who cannot make it that early, it would be great if you could come at 9 or 10 to let others away for a hot cuppa and a warm-up. There is a bus that leaves Busára in Dublin at 4am and gets to Derry about 7.15. Raytheon is just a £3 taxi drive from there (and all the taxi drivers know where it is). Anyone travelling to Derry the night before bring a sleeping bag and, ideally, email or text and let us know in advance.

We need to let Raytheon know that the people of Derry do not want Merchants of Death in our midst.

Anyone needing more information, email resistderry@aol.com or phone Davy McAuley on 07521527208.