Women disarm jet bound for Indonesia

Three women disarmed an Indonesian-bound Hawk jet fighter at British Aerospace (BAe) Warton near Preston Lanes in Britain in the early hours of January 29. They have been arrested and charged with burglary and criminal damage estimated at $31 million. Using household hammers, Lotta Kronlid, Joanna Wilson and Andrea Needham disarmed the nose cone, wing, cockpit and front and rear fuselage of the jet. They even used BAe's phone to inform the Press Association of their actions. Apparently, BAe didn't know anything until the PA rang for comment. This is the 56th Ploughshares action worldwide and the third in Britain. Ploughshares actions are inspired by the biblical phrase "to beat swords into ploughshares". They are acts of non-violent disarmament. BAe is contracted to deliver 24 Hawk jets to Indonesia during 1996. It is widely believed that Hawks from previous deals have been used to suppress East Timorese in their struggle for self-determination.

From GLW issue 220