It’s been a week that BAE Systems would probably rather forget.
After being hounded by activists at a presentation in Manchester and protestors calling for Hackney Council to sell their investments in the company, their Southwark landlords Blue Fin were awoken this morning to the news that the decorators had been round – Palestine Action had sprayed the front of the building with red paint despite their round the clock security presence. How embarrassing.
And then at midday we rocked up. Having enjoyed our protest on January 20th so much, we decided to bring the pressure back again to Blue Fin. With the situation in Gaza getting more and more desperate by the day, a second mass protest in three weeks is the least we could do in our efforts to stop the genocidal Israeli war machine and the blood-soaked BAE Systems that have no hesitation in being a crucial cog in it.
Once the marchers from Camberwell Green had arrived, it was time to get on with the speeches. Mimi from Shut BAE Down was our host for the day, she also gave a rousing, forthright speech. Other speakers included intersectional community activist Amina, Sam Kamara from Lambeth UNISON Black Workers’ Group and also his son Sam Jr., Pam from Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Marion from Jewish Voice for Labour, Sam Murray also from Shut BAE Down, Samara from UAL, Saeed from Palestine Action and Jamil from Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism!.
Plentiful portions of tasty vegan food were dished out by the tireless Hari Krishnas (Food For All UK) and we were all treated to a captivating theatrical performance by Palestine Pulse. Loud chanting echoed off the building and we couldn’t help but laugh at the contractors still cleaning up the red paint from earlier in the day.
The additional policing in light of the morning’s direct action had absolutely no effect other than to provide us with an even bigger audience. As predicted, there were no arrests and everyone went home in the knowledge that we are a step closer to kicking BAE out of Southwark Street for good. We’ll be back!
