General Dynamics has quietly been manufacturing weapons components used by Israel for quite a few years in Hastings with no-one really noticing. Now, local Palestine solidarity activists, appalled by the genocide in Gaza and inspired by campaigns at other arms factories, are making a stand.
After several marches, pickets and a blockade, a peace camp was held outside the factory on the last weekend in June. Over 100 people came over the 2 days of workshops, discussions, music and protest.
People who had been to Palestine talked about the realities of life under occupation, local Jews for Justice spoke very movingly about how their own experiences related to the current genocide, myths were busted, history learned, non-violence discussed. A diversity of local people were joined by those campaigning against arms factories in other towns. The evening was filled with beautiful music and then on Monday morning campers (and an army of cops) waited to greet the workers, but the company had told their staff to stay at home.
More actions will be planned, and there might be an arms company near you.
- See also hastingspalestinecampaign.org
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