SUPPORT THE #HASTINGS3 - LEGAL FIGHTING FUND

On 29 February 2024 three brave and principled locals were arrested during a peaceful protest outside General Dynamics arms factory in Hastings.

Pensioner Laurie Holden, 71, Thomas Delves, 24, and Clem McCulloch, 31, have pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated trespass and their trial is due to take place on Tuesday 27 August.

The three were taking part in a peaceful 'anti-genocide' demonstration to draw attention to General Dynamics' part in Israel's ongoing campaign of annihilation in Gaza.

US-owned General Dynamics makes all the MK80 bombs being dropped on Gaza and their Hastings sites make tactical and communication systems for ground vehicles as well as fighter jets.

The protest was one of several peaceful events held at local General Dynamics sites, organized by the Hastings & District Palestine Solidarity Campaign (HDPSC), and attracted broad community support from Jewish groups, religious organizations, social justice and climate justice groups groups, parent groups and political parties.

In an interim judgement in January the International Court of Justice ruled that Israel is plausibly guilty of committing genocide in Gaza and ordered it to halt all killing and allow essential aid to reach civilians. Since that ruling, however, there has been no ceasefire and aid continues to be blocked from reaching those in desperate need.

Now there is a forced famine in Gaza with a million children at risk of death from starvation.

It has been made abundantly clear by UN experts that countries selling arms to Israel are in breach of international humanitarian law. That is why Spain, Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands and Japan have already suspended arms sales there. Meanwhile, General Dynamics continues to profit from Israeli war crimes and genocide.

The Hastings 3 have made a bold and courageous stand on the side of international humanitarian law and for all the innocent men, women and children in Gaza who have been subjected to six months of hell. We stand with them.

If you wish to support them, please help us to raise £5000 for their legal fighting fund.

If you can't donate personally please do share the fundraiser.

Thank you!