Three to stand trial for peaceful protest at Hastings arms factory

Three local residents will go on trial this Tuesday [27 August] at Hastings Magistrates Court for their part in a peaceful demonstration at an arms factory in February. Gabriel Carlyle reports.

The ‘Hastings 3’ – Laurance Holden, 71, Clem McCullough, 31, and Thomas Delves, 24 – were arrested on 29 February, during a cross-community demonstration outside the Sidley Little Road site of arms manufacturers General Dynamics.

Demonstrators held placards, sung songs calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and handed out leaflets in what police described at the time as a ‘peaceful protest’. The protest was supported by representatives of Jewish groups, Quakers, trade union bodies, parent groups and political parties.

The three have pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated trespass. If found guilty they face a maximum tariff of a fine of up to £2,500 and a jail term of three months.

Dozens of supporters are expected to attend a protest rally at the Magistrates court from 9am this Tuesday in support of the three, and a benefit concert is being held in the evening to raise money for people in Gaza as well as money for court costs.

Katy Colley, Chair of the Hastings & District Palestine Solidarity Campaign, which organised the rally, told HOT: ‘The pursuit of these men is clearly political and designed to deter peaceful protests. We have been demonstrating at General Dynamics consistently since the genocidal assault on Gaza began 10 months ago to draw attention to the merchants of death in our hometown complicit in these atrocities.

‘General Dynamics makes all the casings for the bombs being dropped on Gaza – their Hastings sites makes avionic and communication systems for fighter jets and combat vehicles used by the Israeli military.

‘Over 40,000 men women and children have been brutally slaughtered in what the world court has deemed a “plausible genocide”.

‘There is a clear legal imperative to stop arming Israel, as was underlined this week when British diplomat Mark Smith resigned on this point, saying it was clear to everyone that Israel was “flagrantly and regularly” perpetrating war crimes in plain sight.

‘And yet our government continues to issue export licenses to companies like General Dynamics, allowing Israel to continue its barbaric and murderous campaign against the trapped civilian population in Gaza.

‘The Hastings 3 are brave, principled people who do not want our town to be complicit in war crimes. They are with the majority. Poll after poll show that most people want an end to arms sales to Israel immediately. We stand with them, the side of the people, the side of the law and the side of justice.’

Simon Hester, Chair of the Hastings & District TUC told HOT: ‘Protesting against genocide is not a crime. The Hastings and District Trades Union Council supports the Hastings 3 and demands an immediate end to arms sales to Israel.’

Kathy Shapiro of Hastings Jews for Justice said: ‘Hastings Jews for Justice is outraged that the Hastings 3 are facing trial.

‘It is General Dynamics that should be on trial, not concerned citizens. As Jews of conscience we will continue to exercise our right and moral obligation to speak out against this criminal complicity until there is an arms embargo of Israel, a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and justice and freedom for Palestinians.’

Jen Rouse from Parents for Future Hastings & St Leonards, said: ‘As parents we are horrified, sickened and heartbroken by the cruelty and destruction we’re witnessing in Gaza. We stand behind the #Hastings3 in their brave efforts to prevent General Dynamics from harming any more of Gaza’s innocent children.’

Leah Levane, Co-Chair of Jewish Voice for Labour (JVL), said: ‘The more than 10 months of carnage in Gaza demands a serious response. The ICJ decision makes stopping arms trading with Israel and obligation and these three people have been arrested for protesting in favor of International Law.

‘I am disappointed, to put it mildly, that the Court’s precious and expensive time is being used to try three men whose acts show their commitment to International Law as well as to justice for Palestinians and, of course, peace.’

Rally at the trial of the #Hastings3: 9am, Tuesday 27 August, outside Hastings Magistrates Court.

Gig for Gaza: from 7pm, Tuesday 27 August, The Pig, 37 White Rock Hastings TN34 1JL.

Hastings & Rye Palestine Solidarity Campaign: https://www.hastingspalestinecampaign.org

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