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Announcement :: Protester |
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Resistance against Swedish weapon production |
Current rating: 1 |
by Cecilia Carlsson
Email: ofogsweden (nospam) gmail.com (unverified!) |
19 Jun 2008
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Press release 2008-06-19
Resistance against Swedish weapon production
Three activists entered the main building of the Swedish weapons manufacturer BAE Systems and Saab Dynamics at 10 am of the nineteenth. The civil disobedience action was the fourth in a row of nonviolent actions organized by Ofog, the Swedish network for a world free from militarism.
- “It is not an option for me to passively watch as the weapon production continues”, said Kimo Kjernmoen just before she entered the office.
Sweden is the second largest producer of weapons per capita, and are despite restrictive guidelines exporting an estimated 3424 million dollars worth of arms between 2006 and 2007.
At 3 pm on Tuesday three activists – dressed up as the Swedish weapon inspector Hans Blix and his two advisors - went into the compound to undertake a weapon inspection.
- “We suspect that Bofors has broken both Swedish and International law”, said Cecilia Carlsson, who dressed up as Hans Blix. “Without more information we cannot take part in the democratic decision making process.”
All three were arrested and taken to the police station.
- “It is my responsibility to act,” said Cathrine Laska, as she waited for the police to come.
The Disarm 08 camp has now been going on for one week. Around 30 activist from Sweden, Colombia, Finland, Canada, Norway and Germany participate. All together 24 people have been arrested during the Disarm campaign and are now waiting for their trial.
CONTACT
Media telephone: 0046-733-815 361
Please visit our website for photographs that can be published
www.ofog.org/bilder/46
FACTS
Since the invasion of Iraq in 2003, the Swedish arms trade to the US increased from 3,4 billion SEK to 9,6 billion SEK in 2007. Sweden also exports weapons to Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and other countries that abuse human rights |
This work is in the public domain. |
