A protest was held today outside UAV Ltd. in Shenstone, Staffordshire to protest against the company's link with the repression and massacre in Gaza. 30 protesters from around the Midlands, including locals from Shenstone, gathered to draw attention to the fact that this company is owned by the Israeli defence contractor Elbit systems, and all the evidence points to them producing the engines for the drones which have been used to carry out surveillance and targeting for the IDF strike fighters.
Free Gaza
peace deals not arms deals
The demonstration in support of Gaza, outside UAV Engines, Lynn Lane, Shenstone, Lichfield aimed to question whether UEL is making engine components for the Hermes 450 drones that the IDF ( Israeli Defence Force) are using. Elbit's own website states that UAV Ltd produces engines for the Hermes 450. The demo called for an immediate stop to the UK governments arms exports to Israel.
The Industrial Estate where UAV are based and Shenstone Village were leafleted to raise awareness amongst the public of UAV Ltd's link with the arms trade to Israel.
The protest was heavily policed, with one pointless arrest. The police initially tried to move the protest away from in front of the factory, but failed. UAV had informed the police that they were unwilling to talk to any protesters and police prevented us from delivering leaflets to the factory.
Background information;
On the 9/01/2009 The Guardian and Amnesty International both raised questions about a link between UEL, Silver Arrow, Elbit Systems and components in UAV drones used in Gaza. One of the allegations is that evidence seems to point to the Hermes 450 drone (ZIQ) which is being used in Gaza, containing engine components made by UEL. Elbit's own website state that UAV Ltd produces engines for the Hermes 450. (See link to Elbit Systems website). According to Janes International Defence Review “Elbit's U.K. based subsidiary, UEL, makes the engine for the Hermes 450.” (1 June 2003)
Out of the 1,230 people (and rising) killed so far it is estimated that around a third of these have been children. 50% of the population of Gaza are under the age of 18.
Write to your MP and MEP www.writetothem.com asking them for;
- an immediate end to Israeli military occupation,
- an immediate end to all military trade with Israel and suspension of the EU-Israel Trade Association Agreement,
- ask them to sign the Early Day Motions: 408 Gaza, 400 British Arms Sales to Israel.
For further information see;
http://amnesty.org.uk/news_details_p.asp?NewsID=18004
http://www.elbitsystems.com/productsDetailsPage.asp?id=579
http://www.talestotell.wordpress.com
The Industrial Estate where UAV are based and Shenstone Village were leafleted to raise awareness amongst the public of UAV Ltd's link with the arms trade to Israel.
The protest was heavily policed, with one pointless arrest. The police initially tried to move the protest away from in front of the factory, but failed. UAV had informed the police that they were unwilling to talk to any protesters and police prevented us from delivering leaflets to the factory.
Background information;
On the 9/01/2009 The Guardian and Amnesty International both raised questions about a link between UEL, Silver Arrow, Elbit Systems and components in UAV drones used in Gaza. One of the allegations is that evidence seems to point to the Hermes 450 drone (ZIQ) which is being used in Gaza, containing engine components made by UEL. Elbit's own website state that UAV Ltd produces engines for the Hermes 450. (See link to Elbit Systems website). According to Janes International Defence Review “Elbit's U.K. based subsidiary, UEL, makes the engine for the Hermes 450.” (1 June 2003)
Out of the 1,230 people (and rising) killed so far it is estimated that around a third of these have been children. 50% of the population of Gaza are under the age of 18.
Write to your MP and MEP www.writetothem.com asking them for;
- an immediate end to Israeli military occupation,
- an immediate end to all military trade with Israel and suspension of the EU-Israel Trade Association Agreement,
- ask them to sign the Early Day Motions: 408 Gaza, 400 British Arms Sales to Israel.
For further information see;
http://amnesty.org.uk/news_details_p.asp?NewsID=18004 http://www.elbitsystems.com/productsDetailsPage.asp?id=579 http://www.talestotell.wordpress.com
Well done!
19.01.2009 19:35
Thank you!
Leaflet
19.01.2009 19:49
'Our protest is against UAV Ltd, not the workers'
up the workers!
Nice Work!
19.01.2009 20:06
Shenstonite
Great Action
19.01.2009 20:09
Ralph Steadman
Call out for Shenstonite
19.01.2009 21:27
Here's a link to the callout:
((i)) reader
Cheers!
19.01.2009 21:44
Cheers for the link.
Shenstonite
Cops suck arms company dick, AGAIN
19.01.2009 22:54
Protestor
Skidmarks in International relations
20.01.2009 13:56
At the start of the demo the most aggressive officer most eager to"facilitate" couldnt or wouldnt clarify the law & when told he was helping facilitate genocide+ ethnic cleansing against international law said simply good,this landmark in international relations is probably on film. Reaction from many people in the area was mostly pretty good with what sounded like support from the Dukes of Hazard.
Flouro jackets are v.useful for handing out leaflets to vehicles on busy roads.
The pointless crap arrest was for a man urinating discretely in a hedge away from public view, complete waste of public money & police time.
A Persian satellite television documentary company & 2 local papers
Lieutenant Data
Re: Arrest
20.01.2009 15:19
Ralph Steadman