The Raytheon 9 Trial has begun

by Ciaron - Catholic Worker/Ploughshares Thu May 22, 2008 04:09

Many thanx for making your way up to Belfast and this report Justin.

Colim and I conducted a solidarity vigil, Wednesday, with the Raytheon 9 today at the Dublin GPO.
We had a large banner "End Irish Participation in the War!"
and the placard
"Disable the War Machine
Free the Raytheon 9
www.raytheon9.org

Many people who stopped were unaware that U.S. troops are still pasing through Shannon and that U.S arms companies are based in Ireland.

The defendants are risked their liberty in nonviolent solidarity with the vicitms of Raytheon and the bombing of Lebanon. They have been impressive in directing concern back to the victims - encouraging donations to a charity for Raytheon's Lebanese victims on their website. If this doesn't inspire people to offer solidarity as they stand trial, it's hard to know what will.

What the nine did in the offices of Raytheon was a very human act at a time when society seems to be obssessed with the subhman (downsizing ones life to role of consumer) and the superhuman (hi tech destruction in the wars that escalate and expand in the Middle East). The 9's very strong "No!" to high crimes of state and corporations offer hope that all is not left that the human spirit remains in a society and politics (left and right) of power and image with little substance.

I know from my own experiences of being a plowshares defendant that the more solidarity the resister experiences the easier the resistance, trial and punishment becomes.

This time of trial is an opportunity to contiue to expose the works of Raytheon and Irish complicity and profiteering from the war. Those who are seriously anti-war in Ireland should consider what solidarity they can offer with those before the courts here and those at the end of Raytheon's production line in targetted countries.

by Justin Morahan Thu May 22, 2008 09:21

What you have done and are doing at the GPO is much appreciated by the Raytheon Nine who know about your solidarity actions in Dublin and your fantastic support for them as they sit and face trial.

They have to travel every morning from Derry to get to the court, a fact acknowledged by the Judge as he fixed starting time each morning at 10.30 a.m.

They have the unspoken support of many people in Ireland and beyond but now is the time to let them know of that solidarity and support. The long distance from Derry means that their own friends and fellow activists find it impossible because of work to make the long journey with them.

They are expecting a large crowd on Tuesday organised by the IAWM but I can't emphasise too much my own conviction that they need support also on the in-between days like today and tomorrow and beyond.

by Justin Morahan Thu May 22, 2008 12:03

In the Summary above "The Raytheon" should read "The Raytheon Nine".

The date of the original action was 9 August 2006, not 27 March 2003. Link to Indymdia story:

by Mary Kelly Thu May 22, 2008 18:43

Justin for that interesting report, its great to get an insider's account. Perhaps it would be helpful if the defendants Solicitor(s) could make the judge aware they cannot hear all he is saying and ask him to turn on his mic or speak up?

Unfortunately I am not free to travel and give support, however loads of solidarity, and all power to the 9 !

by ADAM JOHANNES - Cardiff Stop the War Coalition Fri May 23, 2008 21:36 cardiff_troopsout at hotmail dot com

The anti-war movement in Wales are holding a protest on May 27th to co-incide with the Raytheon 9 protest.

Raytheon - Not in our backyard! Not in anybody's backyard! Not on planet earth!

Solidarity!

by Day 4 Sat May 24, 2008 06:28

Day 4 of Raytheon 9 Trial in Belfast-checkout website for interview with defendant!
www.raytheon9.org

A Callout for Support for the Raytheon 9
from Damien Moran (Pitstop Ploughshares)
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/05/399460.html

by Russ Wed May 28, 2008 23:31

The Raytheon 9 web site does not seem to work.
Every time I click on the link or put the address in my browser it can not find the page.

by Liam Gates Thu May 29, 2008 01:50

http://www.raytheon9.org/

by Solidairty Demo Photos Thu May 29, 2008 08:02

http://gallery.mac.com/grow#100019

by VW Sun Jun 01, 2008 08:46

Radio National Background Briefing show this Sunday morning about Frank Carlucci’s Carlyle Group - humungous ($81 + billion) global private equity Corporation

Private spooks
The use of private military companies is now widespread, but now there are also private intelligence organisations working closely with government. Business is booming and the worlds biggest private equity company, Carlyle, has just bought part of the big intelligence company, Booz Allen Hamilton. They’re active in Australia, too. Reporter Stan Correy.
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/backgroundbriefing/

guess what Raytheon Oz makes $ from the US in their own words:
http://www.raytheon.com.au/Default.aspx?x=461

NOTE see Greg Combet the former ACTU “militant” Leader during the MUA dispute 10 years ago, since parachuted into the Newcastle electorate for the ALP machine last year, and ‘bumped into Parliament’ in the November Federal Election.
http://www.raytheon.com.au/Default.aspx?x=485

by Deirdre Clancy Mon Jun 02, 2008 01:02

Fair play to the Raytheon Nine. They took action and were willing to face serious disruption to their lives while many were beginning the process of turning their back on the Middle East and finding other platforms from which to seek publicity for careerist/political/personal agendas.

My thoughts are with the defendants. It can be a roller coaster ride, going through the court system, and can also feel dehumanising at times at several levels, not just the court itself (though the joy of a job well done is always there, and the Raytheon action was truly a job well done). However, the Derry activist scene is healthier than most, and probably more used to providing support for legal trials, so I am sure morale will remain high.

I hope attention is paid to the follow-up to the trial too, whatever the outcome. That's when morale can dip seriously, stresses and strains finally take a toll, even and perhaps especially with a good outcome. In my own experience/observation, it's also when any residual hangers-on get the knife in if they get the chance. I'm probably not saying anything they don't already know in Derry, which is more disciplined and conscientious about such matters as follow-up than other places in Ireland, by virtue of experience. I just thought I'd mention it as I don't think people who do NVDA really talk about it that much, and like many things in Ireland, the darker side of activism is radically swept under the carpet.

Solidarity to the nine and their (trusted) supporters.

by Counterpunch Mon Jun 02, 2008 06:11

Raytheon's Pain Ray

Fry 'Em!

By MICHAEL DICKINSON

http://www.counterpunch.org/dickinson05282008.html