Raytheon 9
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The Raytheon 9 are a group of anti-war activists from the Derry Anti-War Coalition who caused considerable damage to the Raytheon factory in Derry, Northern Ireland. The nine are: Colm Bryce, Gary Donnelly, Kieran Gallagher, Michael Gallagher, Sean Heaton, Jimmy Kelly, Eamonn McCann, Paddy McDaid and Eamonn O'Donnell.
Acting upon information claiming that Raytheon missiles were actively assisting Israel's invasion of Lebanon,[1] and moreover that these missiles were being created at the Raytheon factory in Derry,[2] these nine activists forced entry into the Raytheon offices in Derry on 9 August 2006. They destroyed the computers, documents, and mainframe of the office, and proceeded to occupy it for eight hours prior to their arrest.[3] [4] Raytheon itself has not issued a press release on the actions of the Raytheon 9.
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[edit] Local criticism
About Raytheon Ltd, The Boston Globe said "Since its arrival, left-wing activists have demanded that it close, but most Catholic and Protestant political leaders have united behind the project, citing Londonderry's chronic unemployment problems."
The city's Catholic member of British Parliament, Mark Durkan, said the protesters were jeopardizing future U.S. corporate investment.
"People are rightly free to voice their disgust at the violence in the Middle East and the failure of Britain and America to challenge or contain Israeli actions. People are also free to express opposition to the arms trade and the role of a company like Raytheon at a global level within that," Durkan said. "But destroying property and possibly prejudicing other investment and employment prospects is not the way to register such concerns."[5]
[edit] Trial
The activists were charged with criminal damage and affray. Their trial began May 19, 2008, in the Laganside Courts in Belfast.
[edit] References
- ^ The Raytheon 9: Resisting War Crimes Is Not A Crime, a pamphlet by Eamonn McCann
- ^ "Raytheon's Military Work Exposed", an article by Eamonn McCann
- ^ "Defence firm protesters arrested". BBC Northern Ireland Website, 9 August 2006. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
- ^ "9 arrested over vandalism of Raytheon's Northern Ireland office". Boston Globe, Associated Press, August 9, 2006. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
- ^ "9 arrested over vandalism of Raytheon's Northern Ireland office." Boston Globe, Associated Press, August 9, 2006. Retrieved on 2008-05-17
