Iraq Moratorium X - MDS New York Protests War Profiteer
Staten Island organizer Sally Jones
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — On Friday, June 20th, members of the Staten Island chapter of Movement for a Democratic Society observed the tenth Iraq Moratorium by protesting a war profiteer. Freundlich Supply Company is tucked behind a treeline on Arthur Kill Road — on the west shore of Staten Island. The company is the primary distributor of precision metal products and hardware used in the manufacture of weapons systems, guns, and aircraft used by the U.S. military.
MDS organizers said they felt it was important to demonstrate that every community is affected by the war - not only in terms of casualties sustained but also in terms of war profiteering. Freundlich, which in German means friendly, is a company very few Staten Islanders know anything about. Since 2000, the company has won over 400 Department of Defense contracts, with profits totaling in excess of $20 million dollars.
In business as a commercial manufacturer of hardware since 1940, and on Staten Island since 1992, Freundlich is now a subsidiary of Precision Aerospace Components, making them the leading distributor of metal products for use in military applications.
Members of the Staten Island chapters of MDS and Peace Action took time off from work to protest outside the company on Friday afternoon. On arrival they were met by police officers from the 123 Precinct. Although the PD deployed a patrol van, a patrol supervisor’s SUV and an unmarked car driven by a white shirted senior officer the protest proceeded without incident. Protester Richard Marini said that the community affairs officer who spoke with them was “polite and friendly”. The police said that no one could go on the company’s private property, including the parking lot. Police parked their vehicles in the company lot and remained there during the protest.
Protesters positioned themselves on the sidewalk holding signs that said “Iraq War = Freundlich Profits”, “War Profiteer Here”, “Freundlich Supply Company - Over 1 Million Dead - Still Making A Killing” and “Honk For Peace”. A number of cars honked in support of the action.
During the protest the owner of Freundlich came out to ask protesters where they got their information, insisting that the company does not manufacture parts for the military. Mike Morice told the man, “you distribute parts - you supply them to other profiteers”. The man did not dispute this and went back inside.
Members of MDS outside Freundlich Supply Co.
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)
At 4:30 P.M. police started their vehicles and left the Freundlich parking lot. The owner followed - locking the parking lot gate and driving off in his black Lexus. Protesters wrapped it up - briefly celebrating what they regarded as a successful action in support of Iraq Moratorium X.
The Iraq Moratorium is a coalition that asks activists to make a commitment to break the daily routine and take some action to end the War in Iraq. The moratorium is observed on the Third Friday of every month. For more information visit: www.iraqmoratorium.org
View Photos/Videos From The Action…
Original post by Thomas Good and reposted by Radical Blogs
