Two protestors are laying in the road blocking a weapons factory premises in Moulsecoomb today.
Demonstrators say the pair are “locked on”, having attached themselves to the road so as to not be moved.
Multiple police vehicles have been seen in nearby Wild Park as police deal with the protest.
Campaigners are blocking the gates to Paxton Access and L3Harris – both based on the Home Farm industrial estate off Lewes Road – with banners saying Stop arming Israel.
Sussex Police said they are aware of and are monitoring the protest, and the public can expect to see a visible police presence in the meantime.
L3Harris has been criticised by campaigners for supplying bomb release mechanisms used in fighter jets in Gaza.
Paxton Access, a technology company next door to L3Harris, are the owners of Emblem House – home to L3Harris’ Brighton base.
One protestor, who wishes to remain anonymous, said in a statement: “Paxton and L3Harris are war criminals, complicit in Israel’s genocidal assault on Palestinians.
“More children have been killed in Gaza since 7 October than in conflicts worldwide over the past four years.
“We are absolutely horrified that weapons being used to kill these children and their families are being made in our city, and we are taking action to say we refuse to be complicit in this genocide.
“We have shut down L3Harris and Paxton in solidarity with Palestinians in Palestine, in our city and around the world.
“We implore L3Harris workers join a union and build pressure on their management and help break the kill chain and look for work elsewhere.
“We call on Paxton, L3Harris’ landlords, to give L3Harris an ultimatum, to stop making weapons used to kill men, women and children in other countries otherwise you will evict them.”
Another protestor, who also wishes to remain anonymous, said: “We are deeply frustrated that after months of writing to Brighton and Hove City Councillors about the illegal production line inside L3Harris, they have said and done nothing.”
A demonstration at a Sussex University careers fair on Thursday 25 April prompted Paxton Access to write to the Sussex Friends of Palestine Committee to invite them for a meeting discuss their plans for the building.
Meanwhile, 648 people have so far objected to a planning application by L3Harris to keep a temporary extension to the factory building.
Brighton and Hove City Council is yet to schedule a decision on L3 Harris’ planning application.
Go home and let people get back to work. Not everyone relies on the state to keep them!!!!
What a thoughtful, nuanced comment 🤦
But a true comment these protesters are against the State but also kept by the State.
Wants to remain anonymous but has strong enough convictions to lock themselves to the floor?
Of course they do if they are identified they might lose benefits.
A handful of protesters seeking attention and spreading misinformation. They achieved nothing when they made a mess in the local park, and are irrationally obsessed with L3Harris. There were more tents than people at the protest camp and more police than protesters at their protests. What a waste of taxes. When Just Stop Oil blocked roads, they were sent to jail. These protesters have been permitted to put their message out, but blocking roads and stalking workers is going too far. Like Just Stop Oil, people don’t agree with their tactics. Maybe try sending aid to their cause instead of focusing their efforts and actions in the avenues where they accomplish nothing and influence nobody. Why didn’t the police clear the public road?
KEEP ARMING ISRAEL!
They also make the same release mechanism used by the US planes being sent to Ukraine. But that is outside there scoop of intelligence.
See where it says ‘Israel’ on the sheet? You could get a bus through there, no need for the police to close the road.
To the person who was singing/shouting through the megaphone Thursday morning put a sock in it my cat was sitting outside our back door with it’s paws over it’s ears. It was painful.
These people want to stop harm being done to the world. I wonder what is the difference between arming a nation who doesn’t care about innocent civilians by causing collateral damage and a nation who was invaded by a rival superpower? How about stopping war for profit. Well done to the protestors.
In the Ukraine for the last 11 years the Russians have been committing mass murder smashing civilian infrastructure and schools. Where were these protestors against st Russia? I would suggest it is more to do with the “perpetrators “ being Jewish . For the sake of clarity I am not Jewish nor do i think the Israelis are acting correctly. What I question is the racial motivations of these “peace protesters “
Simply because the government supports Ukraine and doesn’t care about Palestine. What’s the point of protesting if the government is already doing what you want?
As an aside when l3harris pull out of Brighton I hope the “peace protesters “ help support the local people made unemployed who will be left behind. Perhaps these skilled workers could be re-employed as baristas in vegan cafes?
Israel is the only country standing up to Iran, if it weren’t for Israel Iran would be launching nuclear missiles by now. Keep Israel supplied.
Only two? Not very persuasive.
I notice no protesters ever mention the hostages btw.
If the media stopped making them headline news they would go home and wait for next benefit payment.
If they are for peace, then why not also say “stop arming Hamas”? If you aim to disarm one side and not the other then how can you be for peace?
These are just bandwagon protesters that don’t have a clue what they are protesting about. You will see the same people on all protests be it climate, trans etc etc i know a few of them. They are against the State but are kept by the State on benefits.
What a great turnout.All four of you.Do you realise that the four of you are laughed at and ridiculed .
Brighton and Hove turn to be a terrorist hub with all of Hamas, Hizbulla supporters 😓
Most of this organised by Amal Cashin and Tanushka Marah , someone need to stop this.