Pro-Palestinian protesters target Leicester drone factory they accuse of supplying weapons to Israel
SWNS
2023-10-09
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Pro-Palestinian activists have been demonstrating outside a drone factory in Leicester which they believe supplies weapons to the Israeli army.
Palestine Action claims the UAV Tactical Systems factory in Braunstone is responsible for supplying killer drones that strike civilians in the war-torn region.
Today (Mon) protesters have been attempting to block workers as they try to enter the factory on the industrial estate and a police presence remains this afternoon.
Campaigners have been camped outside the factory since May but have stepped up their efforts with a demonstration planned from 4 pm today into the evening.
Elbit Systems UK, which owns UAV Tactical Systems, has previously denied sending weapons to Israel but the group are calling for the factory to be shut down.
Palestine Action member Sarah Wilkinson, 60, has been at the site since they group began their ‘siege’ in May.
The activist has been arrested twice but returned once her bail conditions were lifted both times and the protest has been going for 147 days straight.
Two members of the group were previously fined after being found guilty of criminal damage and obstructing or disrupting the firm's lawful activity.
Sarah said: “I’ve been here since day one since Palestine Action started up what they call a siege. It was set up to lay a siege on this particular factory.
“We have people from all over the country coming to protest outside this factory.
“It was a really big protest to begin with and the police tried to crush it but didn’t really succeed.
“We’ve managed to keep it going 147 days. We have a constant stream of us of about five or six. We can go up to 30 or 40 people. We never leave.
“We want to shut Elbit down. Palestine Action has already shut down two Elbit factories. Palestine Action’s method is direct action.
“The fact that we started the siege against the factory with the banners means I feel obliged to keep this going on their behalf.
“The residents say that they don’t want a weapons factory on their doorstep either. They can’t believe there is a drone factory in their neighbourhood.
“It’s a hideous factory right in the heart of Leicester. It has no sign, covered in barbed wire and guard dogs. A factory making tables and chairs doesn’t need this.
"They say they don’t make their drones to kill. It has the capability to precision bomb large areas with accuracy.
“There are eight Elbits across the country, there were 10. We just follow them. Wherever they go we find them.
“The Palestinians are in a position where there’s nothing left to lose. They’ve tried peaceful means, they’ve tried every possible way. Every day they’re being murdered or injured.
“They have no other option but to rise up. If the international community is not going to support the movement then the Palestinian people have no option."
A spokesperson for UAV Tactical Systems said previously: "To be absolutely clear, U-TacS does not supply the Israeli military or Israeli Ministry of Defence.
"Any claims to the contrary are completely false."
Palestine Action claims the UAV Tactical Systems factory in Braunstone is responsible for supplying killer drones that strike civilians in the war-torn region.
Today (Mon) protesters have been attempting to block workers as they try to enter the factory on the industrial estate and a police presence remains this afternoon.
Campaigners have been camped outside the factory since May but have stepped up their efforts with a demonstration planned from 4 pm today into the evening.
Elbit Systems UK, which owns UAV Tactical Systems, has previously denied sending weapons to Israel but the group are calling for the factory to be shut down.
Palestine Action member Sarah Wilkinson, 60, has been at the site since they group began their ‘siege’ in May.
The activist has been arrested twice but returned once her bail conditions were lifted both times and the protest has been going for 147 days straight.
Two members of the group were previously fined after being found guilty of criminal damage and obstructing or disrupting the firm's lawful activity.
Sarah said: “I’ve been here since day one since Palestine Action started up what they call a siege. It was set up to lay a siege on this particular factory.
“We have people from all over the country coming to protest outside this factory.
“It was a really big protest to begin with and the police tried to crush it but didn’t really succeed.
“We’ve managed to keep it going 147 days. We have a constant stream of us of about five or six. We can go up to 30 or 40 people. We never leave.
“We want to shut Elbit down. Palestine Action has already shut down two Elbit factories. Palestine Action’s method is direct action.
“The fact that we started the siege against the factory with the banners means I feel obliged to keep this going on their behalf.
“The residents say that they don’t want a weapons factory on their doorstep either. They can’t believe there is a drone factory in their neighbourhood.
“It’s a hideous factory right in the heart of Leicester. It has no sign, covered in barbed wire and guard dogs. A factory making tables and chairs doesn’t need this.
"They say they don’t make their drones to kill. It has the capability to precision bomb large areas with accuracy.
“There are eight Elbits across the country, there were 10. We just follow them. Wherever they go we find them.
“The Palestinians are in a position where there’s nothing left to lose. They’ve tried peaceful means, they’ve tried every possible way. Every day they’re being murdered or injured.
“They have no other option but to rise up. If the international community is not going to support the movement then the Palestinian people have no option."
A spokesperson for UAV Tactical Systems said previously: "To be absolutely clear, U-TacS does not supply the Israeli military or Israeli Ministry of Defence.
"Any claims to the contrary are completely false."
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