"Extreme Protest Group" designation struck down!?

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[CAAT logo with young woman speaking truth to arms dealers via a megaphone. Go her!]([link removed]

Dear friends,

Last week in the House of Commons, MPs voted to [strike down]([link removed]) Lords amendment 311, which was trying to designate activists who take direct action as “Extreme Protest Groups”. Just under 300 MPs voted to reject Lords Amendment 311.

This could not have happened without all of you who took the time to email your MP last week about this. Thank you so much for acting with urgency to pressure MPs to [reject Lords amendment 311.]([link removed]

Although the [Crime and Policing Bill]([link removed]) is still awaiting Royal Assent, the vote against Lords Amendment 311 is a huge win for the right to take action against UK-based weapons companies. It is also a massive victory for social movements across the UK more broadly. As so many of you highlighted to your MPs, direct action has a long and powerful history in this country, from the suffragettes to faith-based peace movements.

Unfortunately, the cumulative protest restrictions amendment [remains]([link removed]) in the current version of the bill. The movement opposing these restrictions has been [strong and robust]([link removed] with tens of thousands of people across the country signing petitions, lobbying their MPs, and protesting. The government continuing to push ahead with this repressive amendment is deeply undemocratic.

The struggle continues, and if you are based in or near London, support is needed for the Filton 24 re-trial at Woolwich Crown Court. After a historic win in the courts in early February, with the first six of the Filton 24 receiving [not a single conviction]([link removed]) after their case was heard by jury, they are now facing a re-trial. Our government’s repression of the Filton 24, incarcerating the activists awaiting trial for periods of 7 to 18 months, far beyond the usual custody time limits, led to recent [hunger strikes]([link removed] and mass actions of solidarity.

Prosecution services are now trying another [repressive manoeuvre]([link removed]), ensuring that the jury at the re-trial is not informed about the terrorist designation. The British press has been court-ordered not to report on this development. The re-trial started last week, and may continue for up to eight weeks. You can find out more at this [link]([link removed]) and by following Free the Filton 24 on [instagram]([link removed]). Supporting the Filton 24 is [not a terrorist offence]([link removed]).

As always, thank you very much for your support of CAAT. If you are in a financial position to consider making a donation, setting up a direct debit towards CAAT has a sustainable impact for future campaigning. You can click the button below to set up a direct debit, which can be stopped at any time.

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Thank you for your support in resisting the deadly arms trade,

Zoe and everyone at Campaign Against Arms Trade

Campaign Against Arms Trade

Unit 1.9, The Green House,
244 - 254 Cambridge Heath Road,
London
E2 9DA

Tel: 020 7281 0297

Web: [www.caat.org.uk]([link removed]

Email: [email protected]

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