Activists participate in coordinated efforts across UK to shut down arms factories

Earlier today, activists across Britain participated in a coordinated day of action to apply mass pressure across the arms industry. Activists targeted arms factories in Sheffield, Brighton, Newcastle and Lancashire. They aimed to disrupt the supply chain of arms headed for the US and Israel.

Factories activists targeted during the action included:

• BAE Systems (Lancashire).
• Radius Aerospace (Sheffield).
• Pearson Engineering (Newcastle).
• L3Harris (Brighton).

Activists gathered in the early hours of the morning to stop workers from entering the sites and continuing the production of various components and equipment used by Israel and the US.

The actions saw hundreds of activists across the country completely halt production in these sites for hours before disproportionate policing moved them away after resistance.

Arms factories increasingly targets

The day of action comes after months of similar protests occurring more increasingly. The most recent took place at an Elbit systems site in Bristol. More and more activists are focusing on the arms factories in their locality.

This has come in part from the exposure of these companies through organisations such as Campaign Against Arms Trade providing maps and intel on their ties to Israel and the genocide unfolding.

The target arms factories and their activities are:

• BAE systems in Samlesbury, Lancashire, produces the rear fuselage for the F-35 fighter jet which is known to be produced in the US and provided to Israel as part of their military contractual obligations.
• Pearson engineering is an Israeli state-owned defence company supplying parts for armoured vehicles and specialising in combat robotics.
• L3Harris provides power systems for strategic missiles, missile defence and aircraft.
• Radius Aerospace while primarily a manufacturer of aerospace components, has been identified as part of the UK supply chain linked to military aircraft, including the F-35 program

A spokesperson from the BAE Out Campaign explained:

We organise these pickets because we know they are effective. Workers have told us that each time we block the site, they are offered overtime to make up for the time lost. This proves that our protests are costing them money and time.

This form of disruption is essential as these corporations only speak in monetary language. As long as BAE remain in the F-35 fighter jet programme, they can expect delays, disruption and discomfort in the face of supporting and aiding a genocide.

Featured image via the Canary