Protest against "absurd" Olympic missiles in Greenwich (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)
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Protest against "absurd" surface-to-air Olympic missiles in Greenwich
2:21pm Monday 21st May 2012 in London Olympics 2012 - Latest News By Sarah Trotter
Opposition is mounting to the missiles deployed at Blackheath and Oxleas Wood
A DAY of protest is being organised against the "absurd" surface-to-air missiles deployed in Greenwich for the Olympic Games.
On June 9 residents and trade unions will march from Blackheath to Oxleas Wood, the sites of the two missiles, amid fears they could cause a "disaster" if fired.
The Rapier missiles have a range of up to five miles and would protect against a "worst-case scenario" 9/11-style attack on the games, according to the Ministry of Defence.
Greenwich and Bexley Trades Council is strongly opposed to the military move, fearing the potential damage and casualties in an area of high population density.
Press officer for the trades council Dave Putson said: "It is absolutely bonkers.
"The only thing it’s good for is PR - to show off the missiles."
He added that the missiles could become a terrorist target.
The trades council and Lewisham ‘Stop the War’ Coalition have teamed up with other local groups and the wider South London Against Missiles (SLAM) campaign.
SLAM spokesman Chris Nineham said: "There is a groundswell of opinion that this is absurd. Far from feeling safer, people feel threatened."
Leafleting, a petition on the SLAM website and a public meeting will take place prior to the march, which starts at 2pm.
The PCS Ministry of Justice London Courts Branch has also backed the campaign.
A spokesman said: "Residents have serious concerns about such a disaster and the possibility of accidents."
"Everyone wants the Olympics to be safe, but such measures are in danger of turning the Olympics into a festival of the global security industry."
The missiles, which can travel more than twice the speed of sound, were unveiled at Blackheath on May 3 and are expected to return in time for the Olympics.
Speaking at the opening day at Blackheath, Army commander of joint ground based air defences Colonel Jon Campbell said the rockets were designed to deter terrorists.
However, Col Jon Campbell refused to comment on the impact to residents if they were fired.
Responding to news of the protest, the MoD told News Shopper that the importance of ensuring the safety and security of the Olympics was recognised by the majority of residents, councillors and MPs that had visited the sites.
An MoD spokesman said: "The proposed sites would be secure, with a small restricted zone.
"No residents or businesses would need to be relocated from these areas. The sites require little support in operation, minimising the impact on local traffic.
"The locations were identified after careful analysis, as giving the best possible protection to the Olympic Park and surrounding areas against any air threat."
Comments(16)
joncook
says...
4:45pm Mon 21 May 12
I don't want the Olympics and never have done but I do want to know that I am safe!!
toomush2drink
says...
2:54pm Tue 22 May 12
the wall
says...
3:31pm Tue 22 May 12
SLAM spokesman Chris Nineham said: "There is a groundswell of opinion that this is absurd. Far from feeling safer, people feel threatened." Funny that everyone I spoke to thinks it a good thing. So how how many people have you asked ?
Chris Nineham is one of the founder members and now one of the National Officers of the Stop the War Coalition in the UK. So anything to do with the armed forces he no likey. Also not very good at his job because the war is still going.
the wall
says...
3:36pm Tue 22 May 12
hell0paul
says...
4:14pm Tue 22 May 12
hell0paul
says...
4:14pm Tue 22 May 12
the wall
says...
5:00pm Tue 22 May 12
This is a last line of defence. We are not talking weekend army boys here, these lads are the really deal and know what they are doing.
So how many civilian casualties and fatalities would you have if someone flew a plane into the stadium?
It's there to deter to prevent or discourage any stupid ideas of using a plane. Why can't people understand this?
hell0paul
says...
6:10pm Tue 22 May 12
the wall
says...
9:47am Wed 23 May 12
hell0paul wrote:and the loss of life of the terrorists - Here we have it. You are one of those types that think the criminal or terrorists have more rights than the victims.
how is making potential terrorists aware that the army are willing and able to shoot down a plane over central london (itself causing mass fatalities, casualties and damage and the loss of life of the terrorists) going to prevent or deter terrorists willing to fly a plane into a building causing their own loss of life, mass casualties and damage? (Why can't I understand this?)
Are you really that simple that you don't understand a simple show of strength will put off these type of people from trying the plane idea.
As said before this is a last line of defence because there is also the jet fighters and helicopter gunships to get pass.
Maybe if you don't understand how these things work you should just shut up and go back to hugging terrorists and peados.
PCNS
says...
12:06pm Wed 23 May 12
Nothing more than a show of strength. As others have said, anyone planning an atrocity will have to get through much more (including evading the intelligence services) before being shot at by one of these missiles.
It just sends out a message to the terrorists and shows the rest of the world that this little island of ours is not to be messed with.
Let’s face it – the ‘handwringers’ will be the first to stand up and scream that our defence forces didn’t do enough in the event of an attack getting through. Damned if they do, damned if they don’t.
hell0paul
says...
1:15pm Wed 23 May 12
PCNS
says...
2:24pm Wed 23 May 12
the wall
says...
2:55pm Wed 23 May 12
hell0paul wrote:The threat is they will not reach the target so a failed mission. Which means not becoming a martyr not getting into heaven and no 40 virgins waiting for them.
in reply to "hands up!, against the wall" i am not saying that. i am only saying that the threat of death to people willing to kill themselves is no threat. MAD would not have worked in the arms race if one side said "we don't care if we die" dear PCNS if nations showing their military capabitiliy and strength gets you going then I suggest you move to Iran or North Korea where they parade their missiles and soldiers.
scone_ead
says...
9:47am Thu 24 May 12
These systems are not being put in place to stop terrorists in 747's like in New York, security will be tight enough (we hope) at airports to deal with that. They are instead to deal with small planes flying in from any number of small airfields around the city. As much as the pinko-lefty brigade will harp on about these systems being targets for terrorism, they are ensuring that possible avenues of terrorist attack are removed. The types of criminal we are talking about will use any means possible of causing massive loss of life. It's ridiculous to think that the idea of a 2 seater plane packed with explosives flown into the stadium hasn't been considered. It’s the Army’s job to recognise these threats and put measures in place to cut them off.
If other areas could be used for these missiles then you can be sure the Army would pick them. The last thing 16 regt RA want is to be based with their systems in an urban area. Unfortunately the topography of south-east and east London means that the Blackheath/Oxleas area genuinely is the best area to keep the Olympic sites safe.
But let’s do what the left wants, lets tell the Armed Forces not to bother trying to make the Olympics safe as they’re only going to make it a bigger target. Then, when the terrorists realise all their birthdays have come at once and the stadium is only guarded by some useless g4s stooges, we’ll make them explain themselves to the massed families of the dead, telling them that somehow it would have been worse if the army were involved.
the wall
says...
10:28am Thu 24 May 12
Come on hell0paul you've gone all silent.
ripnetuk says...
3:41pm Mon 21 May 12
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george