It may be cold and wet but you can warm up by taking action with CAAT. Start reading to learn how.
Read on to find out more...
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Contents:
CAAT is taking action against the shameful plea bargain that the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has made with arms giant BAE. On 12 February, lawyers acting for CAAT and The Corner House issued a letter to the SFO Director, laying out their intention to request a judicial review of the plea bargain.
Under the settlement, BAE would be fined £30m as a result of technical infringements in Tanzania, but they would not face any charges in relation to arms deals in the Czech Republic, Romania and South Africa. In other words, they will get away scot-free, just as they did with Saudi Arabia. Learn more by reading our press release.
In the meantime, if you support our stace, then sign our web statement condemning the SFO decision. The more people who sign, the greater our voice will be.
Most arms deals couldn't happen without government support. Unfortunately, the government is actively promoting arms deals to a host of unstable and repressive regimes, through UKTI DSO (UK Trade & Investment Defence and Security Organisation). CAAT has designated UKTI DSO an unsafe structure and is calling for it to be dismantled.
As we approach a general election, we need your help to put the arms trade on the agenda for new MPs and the next government. Visit our UKTI action page and ask your parliamentary candidates to support our call for the closure of the government's arms sales unit, or email Sarah for your campaign pack.
* The UK Trade & Investment Defence & Security Organisation. It's a mouthful, isn't it? It would be much easier if they called themselves Arms R Us...
Are you are angered at the way big companies like BAE are sponsoring university research or trying to recruit students at careers fairs? Do you think it's wrong that your educational institution invests in arms companies? Then why not join in CAAT's Universities Day of Action?
Our new Universities Network website is a great way to learn about the issues and actions you can take.
As a follow up, come to our Universities Network Gathering on 6 March and meet with other campaigners and CAAT staff. For more information on each event, email us.
This year we are running two supporter training days in York and Bristol. Both will focus on information and practical training to help you get your message across, as well as give you a chance to meet and share ideas with other CAAT supporters.
27 March - York - In the run-up to the General Election, catch up on our UKTI: Armed & Dangerous campaign and plan how to ensure parliamentary candidates know about our concerns on the arms trade. The day will also give participants a chance to experiment with public speaking - so learn how to speak up for CAAT!
24 April - Bristol - A timely opportunity to learn more about the UK government's support for arms exports and plan how you will target your new MP after the election. There'll also be the opportunity to think about how to get your message across to the media.
For more information about both gatherings, email Rhiannon. Everyone is welcome, but to help us with planning please get in touch with us beforehand.
CAAT is recruiting a new staff member - a part-time Online Communications Co-ordinator. If you have web development and online communications experience as well as a passion for campaigning, this could be the opportunity for you.
Interested? The job description and person specification are available on the CAAT website
If you would like to apply, you need to hurry as applications close soon. Please complete and return the application form by 12 noon on Friday 26 February.
Images of summer may be difficult to conjure up during these cold February days, but we're already thinking of this summer's music festivals.
We're looking for reliable volunteers to help us raise money with the Workers Beer Company. Last year CAAT's volunteers raised £2,700 by working in the beer tents at Glastonbury, Latitude, Reading and Leeds, among others. If you're interested in gaining free entry to these festivals in return for working one shift a day please email us. Please get in touch asap, as we need to request our places by 1 March.
If music's not your thing, then maybe running is. We're entering a team of runners into the Great South Run, a 10-mile race round Portsmouth and Southsea on 24 October. We want to beat last year's fantastic total and raise at least £2,000 this year.
We already have two enthusiastic volunteers, but we'd love to enter a bigger team, so if you'd like to join them please get in touch. Places for this race get taken fast, so please email us as soon as possible for more information.
The Serious Fraud Office's decision to let off BAE with a fine offers further proof of just how important it is for CAAT to keep challenging the UK government's support of the arms industry. Without supporters like you we will not be able to continue our work campaigning against this deadly and corrupt trade.
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Your support is greatly appreciated.