Palestine Action Activists on Trial for Weapons Factory Raid

0:00On April 16th, six Palestine action activists are on trial for criminal damage after raiding an Elbit Systems Weapons Factory near Bristol on August 6, 2024. They're accused of smashing equipment with sledgehammers and a flare during the break-in at the Israeli-linked site. One of them, Samuel Corner, faces an extra charge of causing serious injury to a security guard who ended up with a fractured spine. Prosecutors at Woolwich Crown Court showed body camera footage from three guards capturing the chaos inside the warehouse. The activists wore red jumpsuits and clashed hard, wrestling over tools while guards tried to hold them back with whatever they had, like whips and umbrellas. The guards describe feeling days then bleeding from the scuffle, with one backing away as police were called. Footage caught the activists ignoring warnings about criminal damage and pushing forward anyway. More clips revealed the group picking up fire extinguishers after wrecking items, heightening the tension as security radioed for help.

1:00The defendants aged from 21 to 31 come from various backgrounds but share the pro-Palestine cause. The trial rolls on with all six denying the charges, leaving the jury to sort through the evidence and decide what really went down that night.