“Resisting war crimes is not a crime.”
On August 9th, 2006, as Israeli forces bombarded Lebanon using missiles guided by systems built in Derry, nine men decided they had seen enough.
Members of the Derry Anti-War Coalition forced entry into the Raytheon plant, destroyed the facility’s mainframe, and threw computers out the window. They didn’t run; they waited for the police.
Charged with criminal damage and affray, they didn’t deny their actions. Instead, they argued they had a “lawful excuse”: they were acting to prevent the commission of war crimes by the Israeli military.
And the jury acquitted them.
Join us at The Carlton Club for a screening of Not In Our Name, the documentary that tells the story of how the “Raytheon 9” took on the military-industrial complex—and won.
From 2006 to 2026: The Fight Continues
The Raytheon 9 proved that the arms trade is not invincible. Their victory laid the legal and moral groundwork for today’s movement.
After the film (30 mins), we will host a vital discussion on how these lessons apply to the current genocide in Gaza and the UK arms trade today.
- The Speaker: A spokesperson from the Oldham Peace and Justice campaign.
- The Victory: Hear how activists in Oldham used similar sustained pressure to permanently force Elbit Systems to sell their Ferranti factory and leave town.
- The Strategy: How we move from symbolic protest to material disruption.
The Schedule
- 18:45 Doors Open
- 19:30: Film Screening: Not In Our Name
- 20:00: Short Break
- 20:15: Panel Discussion: From Raytheon to Elbit – Dismantling the Kill Chain
Who Is This For?
This event is for anyone who refuses to be a bystander. Whether you are a seasoned activist or new to the movement, come learn the history of successful resistance and find out how you can support the campaign to Stop Arming Israel.
BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE: https://bit.ly/NIOName
