Palestine Action: The 'Siege' 100 Days and Counting
Palestine action organised a protest outside UAV Tactical Systems in Leicester entitled 'the siege'. The Israeli-French drone company is said to directly supply the Israeli military and are said to use weapons that are battle tested on Palestinians. The Seige is to start on 1st May 2023 and intends to last for one month, however, some of the activists intend to stay until UAV Tactical Systems leave Leicester.
Day 1
Activists make their way to the protest site outside UAV Tactical Systems, on their way they stop in the woods at the back of the factory where Palestine Action Activists set up their camp a few days prior to the main event on the road outside the factory
"A baby by itself would die in the wild, and similarly if people do not fight for other people, then the cause that they believe in, their rights also get thrown under the bus"
once at the protest site outside the front of the factory, the protestors are met with an imposing grey metal temporary wall that police have erected to keep protestors away from the front gates of the factory.
As more and more people begin to arrive at the site, a number of speakers address the crowds with passionate speaches and a display of protest arts took to the floor including, local people giving speaches and spoken word poetry, the popular British rapper and Political activist 'Lowkey' performed a number of his well know songs and Tayo Aluko a liverpool based Political Activist and singer/Actor also performed for the crowd, there was a also a well rehearsed display of Palestinian Dabke dancing.
Dabke is a political act as well as a form of cultural expression; as a result of years of shared suffering, dancers project a unified energy and speak the same language of movement. Dabke is both a symbol of bravery and resistance to injustice and a creative form of protest. The physical configuration of a group dancing and stomping together, fusing with and becoming instruments of the soil, holding hands, and shouting in unison, expresses a potent story of pride, resilience, love for life, and resistance against everything that threatens it. It is said that it is difficult to contest the reality of a story when it is told through dance.
After the performances and speaches, Aidey Mormesh spoke more about the motivations of the activists.
As night starts to fall, tensions begin to raise in anticipation of what the police have planned for the camp. Protestors settle with communal pizza.
The protest comes soon after the UK introduces the new Public Order Law
The police have imposed several conditions on the protest, including reducing the size of the assembly area and restricting the area where makeshift camps and other structures can be built.
a six-month jail term and unlimited fine can b given for any protester who chains or attaches themself to any public building or infrastructure, and giving the police the power to stop and search protesters.
Day 2
After a sucessful night holding the camp, the day started with lock-ons on the road leading up to the factory.
During workshops the Police liason attemps unsuccessful communication with the protestors pleading with them to remove the tents.
Police begin to kettle in the protestors
Soon after protestors are kettled in the Police start to remove the tents from the woods and on the road.
The police kettle in the protestors and remove the tents from the road
Clean-up begins
The road was left in quite a mess after the police remove the tents, with food and belongings strewn across the floor.
The protestors start to collect all the rubbish
Once all the rubbish is collected it is left outside the metal police cordon.
The activists regroup to decide the way forward.
The Aftermath
Section 14 of the public order act was enacted and the activists have been designated a small section of the footpath.
Day 3
It is reported that 33 Activists were arrested over the course of the past few days.
Locals donated sleeping bags to the activists while police renew their powers.
Day 10
Activists lock themelves onto a car at the entrance of the factory
Day 11
Day 15
Day 15 marks the 75th-anniversary commemoration of the Nakba and the camp still holds it's own despite over 50 arrests currently being reported.
Day 24
Day 31
The section 14 order rule that the majority of the 50+ activists have been arrested under, has been lifted.
Day 69
Day 100
Day 109
At the time of writing, the protest continues and the activists vow to stay until the factory closes. In conclusion, the ongoing protest that began on May 1, 2023, symbolises the lasting commitment of the activists to close the Elbit sites down. Spanning 110 days and counting, their ongoing 24 hour a day presence outside the factory, day and night signifies and demonstrates that unwavering dedication. Despite challenges to this point, including over 50 arrests, the activists spirit remains unbroken in the face of the legal boundaries that now govern public dissent under the recently updated Public Order Bill .
As the narrative unfolds, propelled on by these steadfast individuals, the outcome remains uncertain. However, it is clear these activists have etched out a legacy and made history, illuminating the path for future protest endeavors, challenging protest norms and shaping events in history.
