#Filton10 : Day 25 – Imprisoned For Trying To Stop Genocide

Today at our weekly kitchen, as part of our campaign of solidarity with the #Filton10, we marked Day 25 of their imprisonment – ten courageous heroes of Palestine Action who tried to stop genocide by dismantling the UK based research and development centre of Israel’s leading arms producer Elbit Systems.

Elbit provides up to 85 percent of the land-based equipment procured by the Israeli military and about 85 percent of its drones, according to Database of Israeli Military and Security Export (DIMSE). These weapons are being used to commit genocide in Gaza.

Past Victories

As past victories show, direct action by Palestine Action works:

In 2022, direct action campaign in Oldham by the local community, led by Palestine Action, against Elbit’s Ferranti subsidiary forced Elbit to sell Ferranti for a loss (for £9 million, approximately £6 million less than it had purchased it for fifteen years prior.)

Earlier this year in March 2024, Elbit Systems were forced to sell its factory Elite KL in Staffordshire because of “sustained direct action” by Palestine Action. After the sale was completed Elite KL’s new owners, listed as Griffin Newco Ltd, confirmed in an email to Palestine Action that it would have nothing to do with the previous owners, Elbit, and have discontinued arms manufacturing. “Following the recent acquisition of Elite KL Limited by a UK investment syndicate, the newly appointed board has unanimously agreed to withdraw from all future defence contracts and terminate its association with its former parent company,” Elite KL told Palestine Action.

Latest Developments

The families of the #Filton10 have finally been allowed to see their loved ones. It’s disgraceful that despite not being charged with any terror related charges, it took 14 days before the families were allowed a phone call, and 22 days before they were granted a visit.

In an alarming development, this week the counter-terror police have re-raided the home of one of the #Filton10, over three weeks after their arrest! This is harassment, but also desperation on part of the state with #Filton10 plea hearing coming up in just over two weeks time.

Prison Conditions

The women are held at HMP Bronzefield, near Heathrow. It’s the largest female prison in Europe. Its privately run by Sodexo.
A prison account written by one of the #Filton10 mothers written after her daughter had spend 10 days in HMP Brozefield indicates serious failings: “Her medication was withheld for 5 days so she had to go through horrible withdrawal symptoms… Breakfast is 2 slices of white bread only… Lunch is sometimes just a salad. At times she’s been so hungry she has resorted to drinking ketchup”!

Its alarming how Sodexo are trying to make money from the prisoners and their families. With such insufficient food provision, the families have to pay for canteen costs so their loved ones have something to eat (£45/week = £200 a month). Phone calls are charged at an extortionate rate – around 20p per minute. We estimate that if a mother wants to speak to her daughter for just 33 minutes a day they will have to pay over £200 a month!

Support Fund

Palestine Action have set up a fundraiser to help with these and other related costs:

https://chuffed.org/project/113021-filton10-support-fund-palestine-action-activists-imprisoned-for-action-against-israels-weapons-trade

“Funds will be used for canteen costs in prison which amount to a maximum of £45 per week per prisoner, travel costs for friends and family to visit the prisoners, bills, books, clothes and support for family members.”

Resources

PDF of the “Free The #Filton10” banner split across 4 sheets – just print (A4 or A3) and tape together:

https://resistancekitchen.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/filton10-banner-4sheets.pdf

More Information

Solidarity with the #Filton10

Why is the Met running ‘off the books’ facial recognition surveillance of #Filton10 Palestine protest?

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