In the beginning of autumn the anti-militaristic network Ofog launched a new campaign - "Disarm" - with a view to disseminate information about the Swedish arms exports, influence politicians and the general opinion and to concretely disarm Swedish weapons through peaceful direct action. On the night of October 16 two activists got into the Saab Bofors Dynamics plant in Eskilstuna and managed to render harmless about 20 grenade weapons called "Carl-Gustaf." At the same time, two activists in Karlskoga made their way into the BAE Systems Bofors factory and successfully disarmed parts belonging to "Haubitz" (big cannons) and parts of the weapon system "Archer". The group's fifth member held a press conference at the Bofors industrial area the day after and then she went equipped with a hammer towards the weapons factories to continue the disarmament.
Sweden is one of the world's largest arms exporters. In 2007 we exported second most weapons per capita in the country, throughout the world. Swedish weapons are used today in Iraq and Afghanistan. They are being used by the nuclear states India and Pakistan. In the 80s they have been sold to Burma and Colombia and is used in the oppression of the people there. Swedish arms are sold to Tunisia and Indonesia and we are prepared to sell them to Saudi Arabia. Missiles, grenades, cannons, military airplanes, ammunition and other war material is manufactured in Eskilstuna, Karlskoga, Mölndal, Linköping, Örnsköldsvik, Malmö and several other locations in Sweden.
During the night's action, the activists disarmed parts to the “Fälthaubitz” (“Fieldhaubitz”) with destination India. India has used the Swedish for a long time in the conflict with their neighbour Pakistan (To whom Sweden, incidentally, sold radar surveillance systems to, so they are be able to defend themselves against the Haubitzs that Sweden sold to India). Thanks to the night's action, these haubitz parts are unusable and it is likely that the entire BAE Systems delivery to India will be delayed. Furthermore, parts to the weapons system "Archer", was rendered harmless in Karlskoga. “Archer” is a new weapon system that is still under development. BAE Systems is Europe's biggest arms company, with factories in several countries.
In Eskilstuna, activists managed to disarm circa 20 Carl-Gustaf rifles. Carl-Gustaf have since the 60s been sold to about 40 countries and have been used in countless wars and conflicts around the world, most recently in the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan. Just now in May 2008, the U.S. army ordered new Carl-Gustaf rifles to a value of 285 million Swedish crowns. At Saab in Esklistuna they also produce barrels to the AT4, a kind of ammunition that today is standard in the U.S. Army.
At both actions the activist brought letters to the workers. The letters explained the purpose of the action and that it was not directed against the individuals, but against the weapons that harms and kills. The activists in Karlskoga are now arrested and locked up behind bars in Örebro. The activists in Eskilstuna where interrogated and then released the day after, and used their freedom to do more actions (for example; they cut a hole in the barbed wire fence and hung up a sign saying “Weapons are produced here – You are welcome to disarm them!”). Over all, the campaign “Avrusta” got a wonderful start, with six actions done in three days!
Ofog is an anti-militaristic network working through peaceful direct action for peace. The network has prior to this organized peace action camps at Bofors, mainly to pay notice to and concretely prevent American arms production and exports. Ofog has also participated in nuclear blockades in Scotland and Belgium and protested against the military alliance NATO, both abroad and in Sweden. Anyone who wants to can take action in the name of the network, as long as the guideline of non-violence is respected.
The activists are now suspected of aggravated criminal damage and look forward to, not only ethically, but also legally argue for the need to disarm weapons. Hopefully, the arms companies as well will someday stand trial for their, to say the least, "serious damage" their weapons causes around the world.
Visit the homepages www.avrusta.se and www.ofog.org for more information about the network Ofog, the campaign “Avrusta” and implemented actions - including photos and video from the inside of the weapons factories! At the homepage there is also a “call for disarmament” for all who support non-violent disarmament actions to sign. Please also support the activists by sending them letters or economic support. You are needed!
