Activists who have set up a protest camp in Shenstone say they will not leave until a nearby factory is closed.
Members of Palestine Action have been occupying woodland near the UAV Engines site on Lynn Lane for the past six days.
The campaigners say engines made at the site are used in Israeli military drones manufactured by Elbit Systems.
They have now set up the camp in trees and have been joined by members of the South Staffs Palestine Solidarity group.
A spokesperson for Palestine Action said:
“In less than a week we’ve had several dozen protestors and supporters join in the struggle to shut Elbit down in Shenstone.
“As Palestine Action, we’ve seen this kind of support all across the country, whether it was in Leicester, where 500 turned up in support of our activists, or in Manchester, where weekly protests accompanied direct action in forcing the closure of Elbit Ferranti.
“It’s quite clear that the people want Elbit gone from their streets – it’s time to pack your bags and leave.”
Palestine Action spokesperson
“Permanent presence of activists”
The creation of the camp is the latest action by the group in a bid to disrupt work at the factory.
“Protest camps as a tactic are new to Palestine Action, made possible by a growth in membership and support.
“The permanent presence of activists on site will mean Israel’s largest arms company is struck at from all angles – including the usual direct action.
“The addition of supporters and protestors joining in the struggle has been a welcome addition for the activists, who intend to to hold the ground until site closure.
“It was direct action that forced the company to abandon both a factory and a headquarters – and UAV Engines will be no different, with activists seeking permanent closure.”
Palestine Action spokesperson
An Elbit Systems spokesperson told Lichfield Live:
“We are aware of a disruptive group trespassing in ancient woodland near UAV Engines Ltd in Shenstone on land not owned by Elbit Systems UK.
“We deplore the actions of those who have recklessly thrown rocks and pyrotechnics into our site in efforts to endanger and intimidate our staff. Thankfully there have been no injuries and a 24 hour police presence remains.
“Our important work providing advanced technology and critical support for the UK armed forces has continued uninterrupted.”
Elbit Systems spokesperson
Have the courage of your convictions and show your faces
They are terrorists dressed like that
These people are terrorist and should be treated as such.
If the police will not stop them send in the Para’s.
I for one do not support them. If they love Palestine so much, why don’t they move there.
If they need a wash I’m happy to go down with my jet wash
They look more like the Judean People’s Front…
Clowns need to grow up and get a job. Worse things going on in life than what these idiots think is their agenda.
Wish the Police would Police.
Flush them out of the tree hugging and lock them up!!!!
For the “several dozens” of protesters who turned up, 1000’s of the rest of the public didn’t.
The police should remove these terrorists once and for all.
Adrian, I agree with you in many ways that there are far worse issues in life ATM that are probably far more worthy of actual protest than this same old same old tit-for-tat that has been occurring on and off at this site for some years now.
Plus I also agree that the police, who up until now appear to have been taking the ‘softly, softly’ approach, should have been taking a more hard line stance all along in dealing with these protesters who will probably end up forcing (and scaring) this firm out of business if they keep up their game the way they are of late, but then the police will no doubt say that they’re fearful of risking a full-on riot if they go in too heavy-handed!
Palestine action have every right to have a peaceful protest but i have a few concerns why on one of the driest summers on record are they have a fire in ancient woodlands. We had a spot of rain last night but my garden is bone dry. What’s their impact going to be on the woodlands and also these week I was told harassment, bullying , Intimidation are real crimes so is Palestine action committing a hate crime against elbit systems employees.
Another failure of Police not acting accordingly.
This company produces engines for drones operated by our armed forces so by disrupting the company is terrorism and should be treated as such
As a resident living close by I can 100% say these “protesters” are making my life an absolute misery, I can’t even walk my children to the park. Something has to be done to stop these horrendous people.
Perhaps if this manufacturer of killing devices did not a) make them, and b) sell them to Israel (or whoever) to genocide Palestinians (or anyone else) then they would not cause anyone to have any concerns over their behaviour and actions. If I was making devices used to kill and genocide people then the least I would expect would be a peaceful protest. But unfortunately there is big money in killing humans and there are no morals at all in the industry. It’s easier for people to think it’s just silly protesters on a roof than look at the reality of the situation, which is very grim for the Palestinians who have been genocided for a long time now with the world looking on, and most people just accept it as ok because they believe the propaganda and spin that supports their destruction and murder.
BP read what I put they make engines just the same as RR make engines
Well the police have finally arrested two of the protesters who committed physical assault.
But nevertheless these protesters have not only been holding the factory’s employees to ransom for ages now, they’ve been holding the local community of Shenstone to ransom too, as somebody I know told me yesterday that it’s now got to the stage where some residents are even scared of walking their own dogs around the area for fear of being threatened by the baying mobs and inadvertently getting caught up in all the aggro!
Something needs to be done urgently before people start labelling Shenstone a ‘no-go area’ and this sorry situation ends up escalating into a full-on August 2011-style riot!
If you cant use the sword. Use your voice. If you cant use the voice than use the pen. If you can use the pen than stand in silence. We support you.
Seems like someone created several AE accounts here.
Riots in Shenstone? Riot and rampage by the geraniums? They seem to run riot here with huge battles with the strawberry runners. Bloodbath I tell you, well strawberry juice.
Cannot walk the kids to the park? Why would you walk your kids to a business park?
I knew nothing about their protest until recently and think the companies products are probably used the world over. If I make an M10 nut and bolt and someone uses it to create a weapon am I responsible? The staff are doing a job making a product that just happens to be used in weapons. No control over where the products are sold, they probably pass through many shell companies before their final destination.
I have to agree that the security are a massive fail though. Agressive and pushy beyond belief. Seems some of them need to be arrested for criminal damage and theft.