Three people were arrested after a protest on the University’s roof against Lancashire defence firm BAE Systems.

Three protestors made their way onto the roof of UCLan’s Foster Building, carrying a megaphone, and had to be removed by Police.

The protestors were from the ‘Study War No More’ group, and were campaigning against research UCLan has carried out on behalf of BAE.

One of the protestors, who asked not to be named, graduated from UCLan in 1998, with a degree in Environmental Management; he felt educational institutions like UCLan have a responsibility, and should have ethical policies in place.

“There is a hypocrisy of ethics. UCLan teaches about state terrorism and the such in their criminology departments, but then maintains links with corrupt arms companies,” he said.

“I have been to Palestine and have witnessed what BAE Systems have done to the Middle East, and their heavy involvement with Israel.”

“It is a disgrace. The University is one of the largest institutions in the U.K. and central to Preston, yet it is dripping in blood and corruption.”

Two other protestors were on the ground distributing leaflets to the onlooking crowds, one draped in a Gazan flag.

One of those handing out information, a fine-art degree graduate of some fifteen years ago, claimed the University was a part of a war machine that needed to be stopped.

“My degree is stained in blood,” she claimed.

The rooftop protest took place during a University open day, although those involved insist it was coincidental. Hordes of potential UCLan students witnessed the action, as Foster Building and car park was cordoned off by police.

It is believed that none of the protestors involved were current students at UCLan.

The three roof protestors were arrested by police, but were not charged and later released.

Those involved insist they have a number of strategies to be put into place in the future, and that this was not merely a one-off, but one of many in a long line in their stand against arms dealers.

Leaflets, handed out by the protestors, stated that the University had money indirectly invested in BAE Systems via a pooled fund.

The information on the leaflet was from a recent report compiled by Study War No More, written by Tim Street with Martha Beale, entitled ‘Military Involvement in UK Universities’. The report allegedly found many of UK Universities to have some links with arms companies.

According to the leaflet, UCLan had £21,788 invested in BAE Systems, and over £15,000 invested in Rolls Royce.

BAE Systems, despite all the opposition they receive, not only produce arms. For instance, BAE infra-red cameras are used by fire-fighters, they also undertake repairs for commercial cruise liners and just last year the company delivered two efficient diesel electric engine buses to the Transport for London.

Wednesday 11 February was Campaign Against Arms Trade’s (CAAT) Universities Day of Action, and the protests were not limited to UCLan. Activists made demands at Warwick, Nottingham, Cardiff, Leeds and Glasgow, amongst others.

BAE Systems are the largest defence firm in Europe, whilst Rolls Royce are world-renowned for their military aerospace, used in both World Wars.