Images of the Thales 5 are available here, and free to use, with the relevant credit
This week, the third of five political prisoners, sentenced to serve time after an occupation of the Thales, Glasgow weapons factory, has been released. Sumaya Javaid was detained in Stirling Prison in Scotland, after serving 19 weeks of a 14 month sentence inside.
In June 2022, the Five occupied the Thales weapons factory in Glasgow, in an action costing the French arms giant more than £1 Million. Thales is one of the world’s largest weapons manufacturers, producing missile systems, armoured vehicles, and drones – working in direct partnership with Israel’s largest arms firm, Elbit Systems, and making direct supplies for Israel’s genocide.
Sumo is the third of the Thales 5 political prisoners to be released, with Stuart Bretherton and Calum Lacy still held in Barlinnie Prison despite having their original sentences cut from twelve to ten months. A committed activist, and talented drummer, Sumaya has used her time behind bars to learn Arabic, and read books about the Palestinian struggle.
With Sumaya’s release, there are now 21 Palestine Action political prisoners being held across Britain, along with more in other countries, at a time of increased British State repression going hand-in-hand with collusion with the Israeli government and with Elbit Systems.
A spokesperson for Palestine Action said:
“While 21 Palestine Action political prisoners are held, and more detained on remand, our hearts are with Sumo as she walks through the prison gates. Sumo sacrificed her liberty to stop Israel’s war machine, Sumaya refused to turn a blind eye to slaughter”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
If you would like any further information on Palestine action, please contact media@palestineaction.org
Palestine Action is a direct-action network of groups and individuals formed with the mandate of taking direct action against Elbit Systems’ UK locations at grassroots level, calling for them all to be shut down and for the British government to end its complicity in Israeli apartheid.
Images of the Thales 5 are available here, and free to use, with the relevant credit
This morning, Tuesday December 2nd, Sumaya Javaid was released from Stirling Prison in Scotland, after serving 19 weeks of a 14 month sentence inside. Sumo is one of the five Actionists, who, in June 2022, occupied the Thales weapons factory in Glasgow, in an action costing the French arms giant more than £1 Million. Thales is one of the world’s largest weapons manufacturers, producing missile systems, armoured vehicles, and drones, as well as working in partnership with Elbit Systems, Israel’s own largest weapons firm.
Sumo is the third of the Thales 5 political prisoners to be released, with Stuart Bretherton and Calum Lacy still being held in Barlinnie Prison, despite having their original sentences cut from twelve to ten months. A committed activist, and talented drummer, Sumaya has used her time behind bars to learn Arabic, and read books about the Palestinian struggle.
With Sumaya’s release, there are now 21 Palestine Action political prisoners being held across Britain, along with more in other countries.
Despite some juries refusing to convict Actionists trying to prevent the murder of Palestinians in Gaza, by causing property damage, or disrupting work schedules, State repression and collusion with the Israeli government, and Elbit systems, has led to protestors being incarcerated. With Sumaya Javaid’s release, there are now 22 Palestine Action political prisoners in Britain.
A spokesperson for Palestine Action said:
“Our hearts are with Sumo, as she walks through the prison gates, having sacrificed her liberty to stop the manufacture of weapons, being actively used in the Gaza Genocide. Sumaya refused to turn a blind eye to slaughter, or to the complicity of our government.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
If you would like any further information on Palestine action, please contact media@palestineaction.org
Palestine Action is a direct-action network of groups and individuals formed with the mandate of taking direct action against Elbit Systems’ UK locations at grassroots level, calling for them all to be shut down and for the British government to end its complicity in Israeli apartheid.