Hundreds of protestors are expected to gather on the Level in Brighton to take part in a Carnival against the Arms Trade on June 4th.

This event, which will be colourful and exciting, marks four years since the beginning of the campaign against Brighton arms manufacturers EDO MBM. “We will be taking a stand against those who profit from suffering and death. Recent news that EDO MBM Technology Ltd are closing one of their two weapons factories has shown us that direct action is working” said Andrew Beckett, smashEDO spokesman.

Samba bands, soundsystems, dancers and activists will come together to show that the determination to drive weapons manufacturers out of Brighton is stronger than ever. “Against the backdrop of the disastrous and cruel war in Iraq. We will come together to make our voices heard. Those who profit from the death and destruction caused by the aerial bombardment of Iraq have no place in a civilised society” said Chloe Marsh smashEDO spokesperson.

CARNIVAL AGAINST THE ARMS TRADE: 4 th June 12 p.m AT THE LEVEL BRIGHTON

Notes for Journalists:

THE CARNIVAL AGAINST THE ARMS TRADE

The Level is a public park south of Union Rd in Central Brighton.

More info about the Carnival and a flyer for the event can be found at www.smashedo.org.uk/carnival

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Notes for Journalists

THE FILM

On the Verge is an independent film about the SMASH EDO Campaign

“In 2004 a group of Brighton peace campaigners began to bang pot and pans outside their local arms manufacturers EDO MBM in disgust of their part in the Iraq war. This has grown into the Smash EDO campaign, which has cost the company millions, been the subject of large scale police operations and has tested the right to protest in the UK.Using activist, police and CCTV footage plus interviews with those involved in the campaign, 'On The Verge' tells the story of one of the most persistent and imaginative campaigns to emerge out of the UK's anti-war movement and direct action scene.”

The Company

EDO MBM Technologies Ltd are the sole UK subsidiary of huge U.S weapons manufacturer EDO Corp.From their base in Moulescoombe Brighton, EDO MBM manufacture vital parts for the Hellfire and Paveway weapons systems,laserguided missilesused extensively in Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine and Somalia. EDO Corp were recently acquired by ITT in multi-billion pound deal. ITT's links to fascism go back to the 1930s. The founder Sosthenes Behn was the first foreign businessman received by Hitler after his seizure of power.

The Campaign

There has been active campaign against the presence o f EDO MBM in Brighton since the outbreak of the Iraq war.Campaigners include students, Quakers ,Palestine solidarity activists, anti-capitalists and academics. Despite an injunction under the protection of harassment act (which failed) and over forty arrests the campaign is still going strong.Their avowed aim is to expose EDO MBM and their complicity in war crimes and to remove them from Brighton. They hold regular weekly demos outside the Moulescoombe factory on Wednesday's between 4 and 6.

THE FILM

On the Verge is an independent film about the SMASH EDO Campaign

“In 2004 a group of Brighton peace campaigners began to bang pot and pans outside their local arms manufacturers EDO MBM in disgust of their part in the Iraq war. This has grown into the Smash EDO campaign, which has cost the company millions, been the subject of large scale police operations and has tested the right to protest in the UK.Using activist, police and CCTV footage plus interviews with those involved in the campaign, 'On The Verge' tells the story of one of the most persistent and imaginative campaigns to emerge out of the UK's anti-war movement and direct action scene.”