On Thursday 4th May 2000, Nottingham activists representing the Campaign Against the Arms Trade held two demonstrations at the BAE Systems Royal Ordnance Factory on King’s Meadow Road.
The ROF houses the manufacturing facility of BAE’s small arms subsidiary Heckler & Koch. BAE Systems recently won a contract to supply 600 000 Heckler & Koch assault rifles to Turkey – a country with a record of severe repression of the Kurdish people, against whom Turkey has pursued a policy of cultural destruction and ethnic cleansing.
Five campaigners braved the cold and early hour to leaflet the workers as they went in at 06:30 in the morning. The workers were friendly and most took a leaflet. 10 MoD police were present, filming the campaigners.
11 people took part in the afternoon demonstration at 15:30, with some handing out leaflets and others holding a banner for passing vehicles, some of which beeped in support. Radio Trent broadcast an interview, and a local free paper The Topper sent a photographer.
Another five Nottingham activists travelled to the BAE Systems AGM in London to join a peaceful picket outside and a noisy protest inside the meeting.
