War profiteers BAE meeting invaded by pro-peace people

This video from England says about itself:

Challenging the arms trade at BAE‘s AGM

5 June 2013

Protesters “completely overwhelmed” the Annual General Meeting of BAE Systems, the world’s third largest arms company. Now we need to do the same for one of the world’s largest arms fairs.

Campaigners took over BAE‘s Annual General meeting questioning the company time and again on its weapons sales to repressive regimes and introduced some surprises too. The Independent newspaper described the protest as a well orchestrated “surge” which overwhelmed the meeting.

By Joana Ramiro in Britain:

Peace activists from the Campaign Against Arms Trade invade BAE Systems annual general meeting

Thursday 8th May 2014

Campaign Against Arms Trade members travel to Farnborough in Hampshire to disrupt the BAE Systems AGM in protest against its dire record of flogging weapons to tyrants

ARMS dealer BAE Systems’s annual conference was invaded by dozens of peace activists yesterday.

Campaign Against Arms Trade (Caat) members travelled to Farnborough in Hampshire to disrupt the corporation’s AGM in protest against its dire record of flogging weapons to tyrants.

The meetings were previously held in central London, but had been moved to an old hangar at a former military airport in a failed bid to escape protesters.

One shareholder complained: “I thought it would keep these rowdy people at bay.”

Speeches from the stage were drowned out by an orchestra of noises activists made according to instructions on bingo cards — the mention of the firm’s motto, “inspired work,” inspired a choir of vomiting sounds.

Chief executive Ian King’s attempt to deliver an account of the company’s financial year was interrupted by a shout of “blood money!” from a woman protester.

Activists — and the Star’s reporter — took up a quarter of the conference room, having gained entry by buying proxy shares.

Some shareholders smirked as three Caat members dressed as cheerleaders began a chant to welcome new board chairman Sir Roger Carr, only to be forcibly removed from the room.

Protesters kept up an unrelenting stream of tough questions and Mr Carr grew increasingly tense as he was asked about his moral compass.

The grisly record of one of BAE’s largest clients, the misogynist autocracy of Saudi Arabia, came under particular scrutiny — with one young man shouting: “What about Bahrain?” in reference to the Saudi invasion that crushed its pro-democracy movement.

Peace campaigner Symon Hill asked about BAE’s ethical record, but Mr Carr answered lamely: “I’m not here to judge.

“Governments are here to judge who our allies are and what is in the interest of world peace.”

Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament community campaigner and Caat supporter Anne Shultess said the day was “brilliant.

“Disrupting the meeting and making them feel uncomfortable is such an important part of what we do — that’s what raises awareness.”

The day would be a success if it led BAE employees and investors reconsider their position, she added.

BAE Systems’ AGM was emblazoned with their disturbing slogan “INSPIRED WORK” as its new chair, Roger Carr, tried repeatedly to assert its “ethics” and describe its business as working for “world peace”. But campaigners found some creative ways to subvert the arms company’s attempts at whitewashing: here.

A subsidiary of arms manufacturer BAE Systems has been fined £80,000 after a worker’s leg bone was shattered while test firing a gun on a Northumberland range: here.