Activists in Scotland were arrested Tuesday for blockading and shutting down Thales UK, renowned Govan, Glasgow-based weapons manufacturer, to protest the company’s role in producing drones used by Israel against Palestinian people.
Early Tuesday morning some protesters climbed onto and occupied the factory roof while others obstructed the building’s entrances by lying on the ground and attaching to each other by arm tubes. The six blockaders on the ground were arrested first. Then police attempted to starve out the roof occupiers by cutting off their food and water supply, as well as their blankets, for approximately five hours, Blair Poutney, a supporter of the direct action, told Common Dreams by phone.
Nonetheless, before they were all arrested, the direct action participants were able to halt the work of the factory from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, effectively preventing the working day from proceeding, said Poutney.
“Drones are a key part of Israel’s military arsenal,” Fiona McDermot, one of the people who occupied the roof of the factory, stated before being arrested. “By allowing this factory to export drone components and other arms to Israel, the UK government is providing direct support and approval to Israel’s massacres.”
The activists hail from Glasgow Palestine Action, described by Poutney as a collective of organizations and networks who oppose the UK’s arms trade with Israel.
SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT
