Rooftop protest defies Raytheon with Christmas dinner

bristol | peace | news report Thursday December 25, 2008 23:54 by Ed Hill EdwardHill1 at yahoo dot co dot uk

Protesters celebrated the 16th day of their rooftop protest against Raytheon by tucking into Christmas dinner!

Supporters rallied at the Raytheon office building in Bristol and passed up a seasonal fare on the end of a rope.

Christmas music blared out across the sterile corporate landscape – provided by linking a radio to a megaphone. The protesters, wearing Santa hats and coats, enjoyed their dinner sitting on a balcony on the side of the Raytheon building.

One protester said - “We looked out for Santa flying by on his sleigh. But the only Christmas present we’d want would be an end to the arms trade”

Another protester said – “This may be the season of goodwill. But we haven't forgotten that for companies like Raytheon its business as usual. They manufacture and sell these horrific weapons which are illegal under international law. And they have their offices here in our city. We feel it is our civic duty to bring this to the attention of the public by doing this protest.”

Later in the afternoon, when the police and security guards were conspicuous by the absence, the protesters came down to ground level to stretch their legs. They joined in a game of football – a joking parallel to the football played between opposing troops in the Christmas lull during the First World War. Later supporters and protesters sat round a camp-fire eating mince pies and drinking mulled wine.

The protesters pledge to continue their rooftop occupation indefinitely. They have recently been donated heavy-duty steel lock-on equipment which they intend to use to resist any attempts at eviction.

THEY PARTICULARLY WELCOME VISITS FROM WELL-WISHERS AND FOR SUPPLIES.

These will be particularly important over the next week or so while the business park is tediously quiet.

Visit anytime, day or evening (they’re always there!)

The wish-list is:-

Water
Thermos flasks of hot drinks
Food supplies, both immediate and long-life
Any other imaginative treats
Rolling tobacco and papers
Candles and lighters
Plastic carrier bags, loo-roll and paper hankies
Useful banner making equipment
Eight “C” size batteries for megaphone
Packs of “AA” for radio and mobile phone
Cash donations very very welcome

The campaign is especially appealing for offers of help for legal and business research.

The Raytheon office is at Argentum House, Bristol business Park Frenchay. Turn off the roundabout on Coldharbour Lane in front of UWE Frenchay Campus. Turn left into the Business Park and the protest is about fifty yards along this road on the right. Just look for the office building with the tents on the roof and slogans painted on the tiles!

Many thanks from the Raytheon Roofies!