Pro-Palestinian activists have been demonstrating outside a drone factory in Leicester which they believe supplies weapons to the Israeli army.<br /><br />Palestine Action claims the UAV Tactical Systems factory in Braunstone is responsible for supplying killer drones that strike civilians in the war-torn region.<br /><br />Today (Mon) protesters have been attempting to block workers as they try to enter the factory on the industrial estate and a police presence remains this afternoon. <br /><br />Campaigners have been camped outside the factory since May but have stepped up their efforts with a demonstration planned from 4 pm today into the evening. <br /><br />Elbit Systems UK, which owns UAV Tactical Systems, has previously denied sending weapons to Israel but the group are calling for the factory to be shut down. <br /><br />Palestine Action member Sarah Wilkinson, 60, has been at the site since they group began their ‘siege’ in May. <br /><br />The activist has been arrested twice but returned once her bail conditions were lifted both times and the protest has been going for 147 days straight.<br /><br />Two members of the group were previously fined after being found guilty of criminal damage and obstructing or disrupting the firm's lawful activity.<br /><br />Sarah said: “I’ve been here since day one since Palestine Action started up what they call a siege. It was set up to lay a siege on this particular factory.<br /><br />“We have people from all over the country coming to protest outside this factory. <br /><br />“It was a really big protest to begin with and the police tried to crush it but didn’t really succeed. <br /><br />“We’ve managed to keep it going 147 days. We have a constant stream of us of about five or six. We can go up to 30 or 40 people. We never leave. <br /><br />“We want to shut Elbit down. Palestine Action has already shut down two Elbit factories. Palestine Action’s method is direct action. <br /><br />“The fact that we started the siege against the factory with the banners means I feel obliged to keep this going on their behalf. <br /><br />“The residents say that they don’t want a weapons factory on their doorstep either. They can’t believe there is a drone factory in their neighbourhood. <br /><br />“It’s a hideous factory right in the heart of Leicester. It has no sign, covered in barbed wire and guard dogs. A factory making tables and chairs doesn’t need this. <br /><br />"They say they don’t make their drones to kill. It has the capability to precision bomb large areas with accuracy. <br /><br />“There are eight Elbits across the country, there were 10. We just follow them. Wherever they go we find them. <br /><br />“The Palestinians are in a position where there’s nothing left to lose. They’ve tried peaceful means, they’ve tried every possible way. Every day they’re being murdered or injured. <br /><br />“They have no other option but to rise up. If the international community is not going to support the movement then the Palestinian people have no option." <br /><br />A spokesperson for UAV Tactical Systems said previously: "To be absolutely clear, U-TacS does not supply the Israeli military or Israeli Ministry of Defence. <br /><br />"Any claims to the contrary are completely false."
