Continuation …
From CONTENTS:
6. PROTEST. LOCKHEED MARTIN CONTRIBUTION TO DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY.
THROUGH THE TERMS OF a CONTRACT WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA, LOCKHEED MARTIN IS REQUIRED TO INVEST IN CANADA. The American military-industrial complex seeps across Canada. We soon have an economy that is dependent upon going to war, as is the American economy. (A few years ago the figure was that 45% of the American economy is rooted in the American war machine. Of course they have to wage war.)
A contract signed by the Govt of Canada with Lockheed Martin in January of this year requires Lockheed to put money into businesses in western Canada. So, not only is our economy headed toward the same dependency upon war, but our educational institutions are further along in dependency upon scurrilous and corrupt corporations who have loads of money, much of it public money.
They invest in the community, wonderful souls that they are.
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Received: Fri May 16, 2008 8:54 AM
SUBJECT: Protest against Lockheed Martin funding at Dalhousie today
A brief report on the Lockheed Martin demonstration this morning outside the Rowe Management building at Dalhousie at 8:15 am:
Sarah and Angela stood outside with their banner “Voice of Women for Peace”
Kyle handed out leaflets explaining our action
Chris stood in solidarity
I stood outside with a sign hanging from around my neck “Dalhousie say NO to Lockheed Martin’s money. Lockheed = EVIL, DEATH” and holding a sign “Lockheed Martin is the world’s largest WEAPONS manufacturer. Dalhousie don’t take their money. Say no to Lockheed. Lockheed’s $ Immoral.”
The management building’s lobby is all glass so I faced them with my signs as they had a reception and shouted a bit and they couldn’t miss me. Then, they all went into classroom 1009 for the announcement.
Once they were all there and there was no security, I went into the classroom and stood just behind the podium with my signs as they all spoke:
President of Dal , Jim Prentice the Minister of Industry, the VP of Lockheed Martin, and the two physics profs.
The Minister’s assistant whispered to me to step aside while the Minister spoke and whispered back “no, I’m not moving”. The Dean of the Faculty of Management David Wheeler came up and whispered in my ear that I made my point and I whispered again “I’m not leaving”
My almost 4-year old son Sam came with me and held my hand and walked about as the announcements were made.
I planted myself firmly behind the podium silently holding my signs until it ended.
Alexis asked a pointed question that the Minister and President never directly answered. Then they wouldn’t accept anymore questions.
Unfortunately Isaac didn’t get to ask his question in the classroom – thanks to Isaac for letting us know about the announcement and preparing the information below.
All the media were there and they took a ton of pictures etc…
Then, as the Lockheed Martin VP left the building to his chauffered car I told him what I thought of his company!
Watch the news and check out the papers tomorrow.
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The Announcement>
Dalhousie University is announcing a multi-million dollar research contract with Lockheed-Martin. This contract is the result of government policy, which requires a foreign company to invest in Canada before it can enter into a government contract. (How does the Industrial and Regional Benefits (IRB) policy work? – (Link no longer valid: http://www.strategis.gc.ca/epic/site/ad-ad.nsf/en/ad03661e.html)
Location: Room 1009, Ken Rowe Management Building, Dalhousie University
Time: 8:30 am – 9:05 am Announcement
9:05 am – 9:20 am Media Session
Who is Lockheed-Martin?
Lockheed-Martin is the world’s largest defense contractor. They are the single largest supplier of military hardware to the United States Department of Defense. Military hardware produced by Lockheed-Martin includes:>
- the Hellfire, an anti-tank missile that has recently been mounted to unmanned drones (ex. predator UAV) and used to kill “persons of interest.”
- the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, a long range fighter specifically designed for ground attack
- the F-22 Raptor, the most advanced fighter aircraft, guaranteeing US air supremacy
- the F-117 Nighthawk, the Stealth Bomber.
- the Polaris, Poseidon and Trident series of submarine launched, nuclear tipped ballistic missiles
- the Titan II silo launched, nuclear tipped, intercontinental ballistic missile
- the F-16 Falcon strike fighter
- they also provide US ground forces with a variety of rocket and missile artillery
In addition to providing military hardware Lockheed-Martin acts as a contractor for the US government doing classified work for a number of government agencies including the CIA and the Department of Homeland Security. Lockheed-Martin products have been used in virtually every major conflict of the past 30 years, including the invasion of Panama, the bombing of the former Yugoslavia, the war in Afghanistan and both Gulf Wars.
Lockheed-Martin supplied military hardware to both sides of the Falklands War.
Why are we here?
By accepting money from Lockheed-Martin, Dalhousie University is associated with this company. This association enables Lockheed-Martin to use their work at Dalhousie to distract from their military activities. Although the company frequently cites their work with civilian organizations such as NASA, these activities encompass only 8% of their revenue – the other 91% is in military contracts.
Furthermore, while the federal government considers today’s announcement to be a success, the process that lead to this announcement should worry everyone, even if they have no problem with defense contractors. The requirement that a foreign company “invest in Canada” before the federal government will enter into a contract with them results in overpayment, companies use taxpayer dollars from this overpayment with no public oversight to further their own agenda. In the case of Lockheed-Martin, this agenda is public relations. The improvement in Lockheed-Martin’s public image comes at the cost of Dalhousie’s credibility.
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