Public fury sparks vote to ban arms testing in Edinburgh's public parks
COUNCILLORS in Edinburgh will be taking a vote today on whether arms manufacturers should be allowed to use public parks in the city to test their equipment.
The motion, brought by Green councillor Ben Parker aiming to prohibit the practice, was prompted by backlash last year over arms firm Leonardo testing equipment in the city's Braid Hills.
Leonardo, which employs around 1800 people at its site near Crewe Toll, was given a licence to test communications equipment in the Braid Hills in December last year.
Parker is now calling for such testing to be stopped – and calling for the council to "stand against the arms trade".
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Speaking about his motion, Parker said: 'The council has taken a strong stance on opposing advertising and sponsorship from arms manufacturers, and it is completely hypocritical to then allow these same companies to use our beautiful public space to test their equipment.
"At a time when we are witnessing the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people, we should not be supporting companies who profit from arms sales to the Israeli Government in any way.
"When news of testing in the Braid Hills emerged last year, the local community were clear in their opposition, and I hope councillors from all parties will see sense and make sure this kind of thing can never happen again in Edinburgh.'
In a written deputation submitted in advance of the committee meeting, the Chair of the Friends of the Braid Hills Group, Elaine Le Geyt-Anderson, said: 'As chair of Friends of the Braid Hills I have stated clearly to the Council, as stakeholders, that we strongly oppose the use of Edinburgh Greenspaces, gifted to the people of Edinburgh, to be used in this way by a company which manufactures components which kill children and bomb hospitals.
"It is unbearable to watch news on our televisions seeing children maimed and orphaned by equipment manufactured in Edinburgh and now tested on the Braid Hills.
"This testing includes using the Braid Hills as a 6km line of sight from the Leonardo lab in Crewe Toll for its targeting systems.'
She added: 'The new Park Management Rules must reflect a clear decision never to give permission to any arms manufacturer for the testing of components or equipment on the Braid Hills or any other of Edinburgh's beautiful Greenspaces which were gifted to the city for our enjoyment and wellbeing.'
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