East Timor

On 14th June 1994 35 activists entered British Aerospace's Stevenage site in protest at BAe's sale of 24 Hawk aircraft to Indonesia, a country whose dictatorship has killed around 1,000,000 people in east Timor. The tower used for testing components of the Hawks was occupied by six of the group, after they had discovered that part of the perimeter fencing had suffered sufficient 'metal fatigue' for a six foot hole to appear.

A large "BAe = Murder By Proxy" banner was unfurled off the tower. A blockade of two of the entrances to the site also occurred as well as awareness raising activities in the town centre.

Perhaps the most amusing part of the action was the fact that the tower had an active phone line in it. Consequently it was turned into an impromptu "Stop the Hawks Press Office"! 8 people were arrested but were released without charge. Contact 0171 561 1236.