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Protesters storm rooftop of company over its ‘facilitation of Israel's arms production’
Activists spent eight hours on the roof and sprayed red paint over the building
July 6, 2021 15:50
Activists spent eight hours on the roof and sprayed red paint over the building
July 6, 2021 15:50Three women have been arrested and charged after demonstrators stormed the rooftop of a property management firm in Birmingham on Monday in protest against its “facilitation of Israel's arms production”.
Activists chained together the doors of Vine Property Management’s Harborne office at around 6am and sprayed red paint over the building.
In 2019 the firm merged with property group Fisher German, who Palestine Action allege manage a factory used by a subisary of Israeli aerospace and defence company Elbit Systems.
Four local women arrested, one dearrested. Property managers of Elbit’s drone factory shut down and left with the #PalestineAction mark. Preparations under way to target every company enabling Elbit Systems. They may lock us up, but we will win! #ShutElbitDown #FreeYogi pic.twitter.com/9988ayoNa7
Protestors remained on the building’s roof for around eight hours before West Midlands Police arrested three women in connection with the demonstration.
The women have been charged with criminal damage, aggravated trespass and obstructing a police officer.
A spokesperson for Palestine Action said: “The production of arms, drones, and military technology relies on an interconnected and massive network of complicit firms – Palestine Action are dismantling this network, demanding that firms cease their partnership with Elbit unless they want to be shut down along with them.
“The message to all other firms with Palestinian blood on their hands is simple: until you end your facilitation of Israel’s brutal repression of Palestinians and sever ties with Elbit, Palestine Action will shut you down and cease your contribution to genocide for you.”
Supporters in #Birmingham standing strong outside Oldbury police station. If you take one of us, you have to deal with all of us — we’ve got the power and we’re going to #ShutElbitDown! pic.twitter.com/1qKVXgHJZK
— Palestine Action (@Pal_action) July 5, 2021
A spokesperson for Fisher German said: “We have supported police in resolving the protest which has not only damaged our building but has also caused alarm and distress to our colleagues.
“We would like to clarify that Fisher German does not work for the company that the protest was in relation to.”