‘Peaceful’ pro-Palestine group clashes with police at factory
UP to 80 protesters clashed with police at the site of a demo where a pro-Palestinian group had earlier occupied a factory roof.
Officers were pelted with eggs and water-filled balloons, while bricks and other missiles were also thrown by members of the crowd outside Arconic manufacturing in Kitts Green Road, Kitts Green, on Tuesday evening.
West Midlands Police said windows were smashed and some people gained access to the property. No officers were injured. A 27-year-old man was arrested for a public order offence and remained in custody, police added.
The trouble came after a specialist police protest removal team, specially trained to work at heights, arrested two people at the top of the building after a 34-hour stand-off.
A woman, aged 26, from Burtonon-Trent and man, who has so far refused to provide details, were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, aggravated trespass and a public order offence. Protesters from Palestine Action were said to have occupied the roof of the manufacturing company campaigning over the “materials produced for fighter jets” and cladding for Grenfell Tower.
Arconic was back open on Wednesday but the company was counting “significant” costs after the protests over the last two days.
One protester told the Post: “It’s quite embarrassing for the ones who did our best to keep it as peaceful as we possibly could and once we left a few took it upon themselves to throw eggs at the police. There was absolutely
no need for eggs to have been thrown at police – that was disgusting really. I do not in any way condone that behaviour.”
Police said there were no injuries. Supt Jack Hadley, added: “What we saw last night is totally unacceptable.
“A hostile crowd had gathered, verbally abusing police officers and throwing items at them as they tried to protect property.
“This was not a peaceful protest – this was criminality and anyone who engages in such activity risks being
arrested and taken to court.”
A spokesperson from Arconic said: “Arconic strongly condemns the unacceptable actions of the individuals who put our colleagues and the police in danger, disrupted the local community and caused significant
damage to our Kitts Green facility.
“We continue to work closely with West Midlands Police to ensure the ongoing safety of our colleagues and protection of our facility as well as the local area and the people who live around the site.”