In a coordinated day of action that brought parts of the UK's defence industry to a standstill, activists from the group Palestine Action have staged dramatic blockades at multiple arms factories across the country.
The protests, targeting sites in Leicester, Brighton, and Lancashire, were aimed at companies allegedly supplying military equipment to Israel. Police confirmed making several arrests as demonstrators employed disruptive tactics to halt operations.
Scenes of Disruption and Defiance
At the UAV Engines plant in Shenstone, a subsidiary of Israeli defence giant Elbit Systems, the scene was one of determined resistance. Activists scaled the roof of the facility, while others used locks and superglue to immobilise themselves to the entrance gates, effectively sealing off the site.
Similar scenes unfolded at the Eaton Mission Systems facility in Brighton, a site also linked to Elbit. Protesters brandished banners with slogans such as "UK Complicit in Genocide," bringing production to a grinding halt.
Police Response and Arrests
Law enforcement was deployed to all targeted locations to manage the demonstrations. A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police confirmed they were in attendance at the Shenstone site and had made arrests. The exact number of individuals detained across the various locations remains unclear at this time.
The protests form part of Palestine Action's ongoing "Shut Elbit Down" campaign, which seeks to disrupt the operations of companies they accuse of being complicit in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
A Growing Movement of Direct Action
Today's multi-city blockade signals a significant escalation in the tactics used by the activist group. By targeting several facilities simultaneously, they have demonstrated a heightened level of coordination and a commitment to direct action that goes beyond traditional protests.
The group asserts that their actions are a necessary response to what they describe as the UK government's failure to hold companies accountable for their role in supplying the Israeli military.
As the situation develops, further updates on the number of arrests and the long-term impact on the targeted facilities are expected.
