Cardiff Students Against War is *ENDING OUR OCCUPATION*

*-- VICTORY!! --*

Cardiff Students Against War is *ENDING OUR OCCUPATION* of the Large Shandon
lecture theatre, Cardiff University Main Building! We're about to leave,
march around campus to declare our victory, and make our continued presence
known to the university community. Banners and megaphones, BOOKS not BOMBS!

Following the open letter to Vice Chancellor David Grant, the BOOKS not
BOMBS demonstration outside the Student Union and the subsequent occupation
of the Large Shandon, *Cardiff University has divested all shares from BAe
Systems and the aerospace arm of General Electric*! They have instructed
their external fund managers to avoid future investments in the arms trade,
and have promised to raise the issue of an ethical investment policy at the
next Council Meeting on May 18th. They are also willing to discuss the
provision of surplus computers and resources to institutions in Gaza.

The victory comes after three days of occupation which has been inundated
with messages of support from all over the country, as well as further
afield. This has included university staff, students and societies, local
Plaid Cymru politicians and groups, activist groups such as CND Cymu, No
Borders South Wales and South Wales Anarchists, and has had extensive press
coverage, from the local papers and student publications to Indymedia and
the BBC. We are extremely proud to have received a message of solidarity
from Noam Chomsky!

*We see this as the beginning, not the end*. The occupation has attracted
considerable interest and support from the Cardiff University community, and
has succeeded in raising awareness of the effects of the arms trade and the
horrific situation in Gaza. Cardiff Students Against War will continue to
campaign on these issues, and to make sure that the university doesn't go
back on its promises.
*
So well done to everyone who has been involved!!*

But it's not over yet. The campaign will continue because we believe that
Cardiff Uni should be doing more for Gaza, such as facilitating scholarships
to Gazan students and boycotting Israeli products in protest at the
treatment of Palestinians by the IDF, and the settlers occupying the West
Bank.
*
POST-OCCUPATION SOCIAL!!*
Tonight!
Pen & Wig 7.30!!

Noam Chomsky message of support

Cardiff Students Against War has just received a message of support from the legendary Noam Chomsky!!

I am very pleased to learn about the courageous and honorable actions
of the Cardiff University students. These are particularly significant
because of the Britain's role in arms sales generally, and it's
contribution to the savage onslaught on Gaza and on the occupied
territories generally, second only to the decisive role of the United
States -- a disgrace for all of us. I hope you have the greatest
success in arousing public opinion and bringing these crimes to an end.

Noam Chomsky

occupiedcardiff.blogspot.com

rush messages of support to cardiffstudentsagainstwar@gmail.com

CARDIFF UNI OCCUPIES!! demands to the uni as follows:

Marcus Maus sent a message to the members of Disarm Cardiff University.

--------------------
Subject: CARDIFF UNI OCCUPIES!!

Dear all,

First, a massive thank you to everyone who has been involved in Disarm Cardiff
University up to this point. Cardiff Students Against War are now occupying the
Shandon Large Lecture in the Main Building! There have already been preliminary
negotiations with Director of Strategic Development Louise Casella who has
guaranteed that no repercussions will be taken against students and staff for
taking part in the occupation, so anyone who wants to find out more or get
involved please feel free to pay us a visit (however long) :D Non-students are
also welcome but strictly as guests.

We have already received many messages of support from individuals and
institutions, including statements from: Alan Thomson of UNISON Ymlaen Branch;
Leanne Wood AC/AM (Plaid Cymru); Anne Greagsby (from the campaign against
military training at St Athan); CND Cyrmu; and John Rees, co-founder of Stop the
War Coalition. Thank you all so much for your solidarity with our action and our
message!

The demonstration earlier outside the Student Union was a big success and
generated widespread support and interest from passing students, staff and
strangers, many of whom joined in spontaneously. Rest assured that Cardiff
Students Against War will be organising all manner of events in and around the
occupation. Expect teach-ins, guest lecturers, live music and hosting of the
live video linkup with Gazan students, organised by Federation of Student
Islamic Societies. We are aiming to create a positive, fun educational space
dedicated to raising awareness of the effects of the arms trade, and the dire
situation in Gaza.

Our demands to the university are as follows:


  1. No repercussions for students involved in the occupation. (This demand has
been met).

  2. Cardiff University to divest all shares, direct or indirect, from arms
manufacturers and aerospace companies.

  3. Cardiff University to adopt an ethical investment policy that excludes the
arms trade. This process is to be mediated by external ethical auditors based on
responses of Cardiff University students and staff. The ethical investment
policy to be freely available to all students and staff.

  4. Cardiff University to be twinned with a Gazan university, to show support
for the Gazan people at this desperate time.

The twinning is to involve:

a) Scholarships for at least 5 Gazan students to study in Cardiff, and for
Cardiff University to help facilitate their travel.

b) Surplus books, computers and other educational materials to be sent to the
twinned university.



  5. Cardiff University to release a statement in condemnation of Israel\'s
bombing and the blockade of Gaza, and in condemnation of the UK government\'s
use of British armed forces as part of this blockade.

  6. An official day of solidarity with Gaza supported by Cardiff University.

  7. Cardiff University to issue a statement of support for Saudi ex-BAE trade
unionist Yahya Al Faifi, who is currently fighting deportation from the UK.
  8. No Israeli products to be sold in university shops.

  9. Cardiff University to actively promote the Disaster Emergency Committee
appeal for Gaza, including a banner on the website, and to issue a statement
condemning the BBC and Sky News for not running the DEC Gaza appeal advert.


What you can do:

   * SHOW YOUR SUPPORT - The more support the occupation generates, the more
weight is added to our demands. You can show your support by demonstrating in
solidarity with us, by bringing us vegan food, popping us a nice email, and by
emailing Cardiff University Vice Chancellor Dr David Grant urging him to give
more serious consideration to our demands. Email: v-c@cardiff.ac.uk. If you are
a member of a trade union or any campaigning group or institution, we would
appreciate whatever support you can generate.

   * RAISE AND DONATE MONEY - The DEC aid appeal for Gaza is ongoing; every
contribution matters so please give what you can: http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://www.dec.org.uk%2Fdonate_now%2F

   * JOIN OUR STREET TEAM - Leaflet for us etc. The street team meets at 12.00
every day in the Bute cafe, Bute Building, or if you want to get involved
earlier give Jonny a call on: 07506715619.

   * ORGANISE YOUR OWN OCCUPATION - 28 UK universities have now gone into
occupation over these general issues. The more academic institutions that
occupy, the more weight is added to our growing campaign. So go for it!

Contact Details:

Alys: 07970311943
Jonny (Street Team): 07506715619
cardiffstudentsagainstwar@gmail.com
Facebook: Cardiff Students Against War
Blog: http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://occupiedcardiff.blogspot.com


Peace, love, resistence.

CSAW
--------------------

OCCUPATION AT CARDIFF UNIVERSITY!!!

OCCUPATION AT CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
Occupation in solidarity with Gaza and for and end to university investment in
the arms trade.

Students this afternoon occupied the SHANDON LECTURE THEATRE in the Main
Building of Cardiff University, Park Place

Dyring the occupation there will be a programme of events, film showings &
meetings. Full details to be announced shortly.

Students are demanding that Cardiff University end investment in the arms trade,
twin with the bombed Gaza University, send old computers, books and equipment to 
Gaza & 5 free scholarships for Palestinian students.

Details of the occupation & a full list of demands will  soon be at 
occupiedcardiff.blogspot.com

Rush messages of support and solidarity to cardifftroopsout@googlemail.com

There will be a meeting tonight around 7ish with Jonathan Neale, author The
American War: Vietnam 1965 - 1975 speaking on war and occupation in the
liberated lecture theatre. Other events planned include film showings, a report
from two Cardiff students who were in Hebron on the West Bank as part of the
International Solidarity movement etc.

If you are in the area donations of food, bottles of water etc will be very
welcome. As people can appreciate occupiers don\'t have cutlery or plates, so
bear this in mind when donating food! Or pop in to attend the events and show
support!

TOMORROW

Wednesday 2 -4 pm, Beverton Lecture Theatre, Main Building, Cardiff University,
there will be a video link up with students from the Jabaliya refugee camp in
Gaza talking about there experiences and conversing (via webcam) with Cardiff
students.

(Note this is not in the liberated lecture theatre, but well worth getting down
to and supporting!)

Wednesday February 11th Launch of Disarm Cardiff!

Wednesday February 11th Launch of Disarm Cardiff! Campaign. Cardiff
University currently invests £225,000 in 3 companies who arm oppressive
governments (including BAE Systems & Smiths Group). At 1pm they will be
holding a demonstration and petition signing outside the Union steps calling
for divestment in these companies. 7pm - meeting in Beverton 1.40 (Main
Building Cardiff University). Speakers to include Professor Justin Lewis
(JOMEC), Ray Davies (Vice Chair CND Cymru) and Jonny Jones (Stop the War).
Sam Coates Young Greens m: 07590 008249
Or 07989107218 Email: evansje@cardiff.ac.uk


Tuesday April 7th Protest at “Aerolink Wales 2009” exhibition (aerospace and
military hard and software),

AeroLink Wales 2009

Venue:

The Vale of Glamorgan Hotel

Location:

Hensol Park, Hensol, Nr Cardiff, CF72 8JY

Date: 7th April 2009

Aerolink Wales is an annual aerospace and defence industry event. It provides a forum for organisations involved in the industry to meet and explore opportunities in a variety of areas. These include purchasing, R&D, engineering and innovation as well as encouraging organisations to explore ways to work collaboratively.

• Event web site: http://www.aerolinkwales.co.uk
• Name: Daniel Thorley
• Tel: +44 (0) 2920 303211
• Email: daniel.thorley@aerolinkwales.co.uk
• 
  

From Glascoed to Gaza: Welsh Assembly government implicated in Israeli war crimes

original Article

From Glascoed to Gaza: Welsh Assembly government implicated in Israeli war crimes

The aftermath of Israeli attacks in Gaza

As Palestinian survivors of the Israeli onslaught in Gaza huddle in the ruins of their devastated communities, it will be cold comfort to them to know that the weapons used against them have been developed - in part - in a country proud to be committed to a sustainable future: Wales. While the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) talks of having “a real part to play in influencing change at home and on the international stage”, the truth is that Welsh taxpayers’ money is being used to subsidize the arms industry in Wales - an arms industry that is deeply implicated in Israeli war crimes in Gaza.

Israeli Hermes 450

The Israeli military employ UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) to target Palestinian homes, schools and hospitals. These are the Hermes 450, made by the Israeli firm Elbit Systems, using engines built in Birmingham. The pilotless drones are then brought to Parc Aberporth in west Wales for testing. This facility has been supported by £8.7m in grants from the WAG.

Israeli Apache attack helicopter

Once the “targets” have been identified, next come the bombs. The Israeli military use Apache attack helicopters, which Palestinian human rights activists have described as “a symbol of indiscriminate military violence.“ The Apaches rely on transformers made by Penny & Giles Controls of Cwmfelinfach, Gwent. Then there are the F-16 fighter jets, using components made by BAE Systems, which operates a munitions factory in Glascoed and runs a military training school in Cwmbran. These same jets bombed the Shij’ia Family Health Care Centre in Gaza , which runs a mobile dental clinic wholly funded by the people of Wales through the Near East Council of Churches.

The ruins of the health care centre

Incredibly, the health care centre was telephoned 15 minutes in advance by the Israelis to warn them that they would be attacked - no case of “collateral damage” there then.

Of course the Welsh arms industry doesn’t end there. With over 180 companies in the aerospace sector in Wales, we are now home to the likes of General Dynamics and Raytheon, makers of tanks, submarines, bombs, rockets and much much human misery. If only these companies would get together in one room so outraged Welsh taxpayers could show what they think of them… Well, quit dreaming. All of these murderous scum and more will be attending the Aerolink Wales 2009 exhibition, to be held at the Vale Hotel in Cardiff, on 7th April this year. . Will you be there?

UAV Engines Ltd, Lynn Lane, Shenstone, Lichfield, WS14 0DT. Tel: 01543 481819. uav@uavenginesltd.co.uk

Penny & Giles Controls, 36 Nine Mile Point Ind. Est., Cwmfelinfach, Gwent NP11 7HZ Tel: 01495 202000. sales@pennyandgiles.com

BAE Systems Land Systems Munitions, Usk, Monmouthshire, NP15 1XL. Tel: 01291 672211.

BAE Systems: Cwmbran Training College, Beacon House, William Brown Close, Llantarnam Park, Cwmbran, Gwent. Tel: 01633 835123. trainingcollege@baesystems.com www.cwmbrancollege.com/

www.aerolinkwales.co.uk The Vale Hotel, Hensol Park, Hensol, Vale of Glamorgan, CF72 8JY. Tel: 01443 667800. www.vale-hotel.com