Students in weapons firm protest

A group of Warwick students occupied the offices of a Canley defence firm in protest yesterday, before being asked to leave by police.

15 students and a local activist, acting under the name ‘Weapons Out Of Warwick’, wore military dress and took toy guns, placards and banners to demonstrate on the premises of General Dynamics.

Upon arrival at the firm’s premises in Earl Business Park at around 3.30pm, the group split. Some activists obstructed the doors to the building and others occupied the reception area.

A ‘die-in’ was held in front of staff and the group read their statement to a representative of the company. The group chanted: “You say arms trade, we say death trade” and distributed promotional materials.

After approximately an hour the police were called. When they arrived, the group left shortly after.

Third-year PAIS student Jac Bastian, who helped to organise the protest, told the _Boar_: “I am really pleased with the demonstration. We have a good group of students who are passionate about taking a stand against irresponsible arms sales.”

The group were protesting in support of a universities’ day of action called for by the Campaign Against the Arms Trade.

The day was called for six months ahead of a defence and security equipment exhibition (DSEi), expected to be held in London. General Dynamics is one of many companies listed on the event’s website as attending.

One student held a sign that read “GD armed Gadaffi. Who next?”. In 2011, the Independent reported that General Dynamics were upgrading the communications equipment of Gaddafi’s army prior to the revolution that ousted him.

The group also claimed that the company had armed the Saudi Arabian government.

In their statement, the group said: “Our aim is to pressure General Dynamics into not arming authoritarian regimes and human rights abusers when they visit the DSEi arms fair in London this September.”

Nicole Evans, a protester and second-year PAIS student said “It is really important that we continue to build momentum towards DSEi this September and urge any students sick of companies that put profit before human life to join our resistance.”

A spokesperson for General Dynamics declined to comment.