North Charleston police arrested a local artist who was participating in a picket of Elbit Systems at their facility in Ladson in South Carolina, USA.
The protester, a member of the group Elbit Out of SC, was taken into custody on Thursday amidst the ongoing demonstration against the company’s role in the ongoing genocide in Palestine.
Elbit Out of SC is a coalition of local organisations and concerned citizens who have been vocal about their disapproval of Elbit Systems’ production of weaponry and surveillance technology used in global conflicts, including Palestine and apartheid South Africa.
The group has been picketing the facility, canvassing nearby neighborhoods, and speaking out at Charleston County Council meetings in an effort to raise awareness about the issue.
The American subsidiary of Israeli company Elbit Systems, Ltd., Elbit Systems, LLC, has received significant local tax breaks, including a $700,000 Set-Aside Grant from the SC Coordinating Council for Economic Development and a Fee in Lieu of Taxation agreement with Charleston County.
These agreements will reduce the company’s property taxes for decades, potentially resulting in a loss of public revenue for essential services like public education and affordable housing.
Members of Elbit Out of SC have expressed frustration with the response from law enforcement, citing incidents of violence perpetrated by Elbit employees and a lack of action from NCPD.
The coalition has also faced legal challenges, with two members facing jail time for peacefully gathering in Marion Square to support Palestine and protest Elbit Systems.
Local resident and group member Chris Tittle condemned the actions of the local government, calling it a “pattern of corruption and repression.”
He emphasised the importance of standing up against injustice and called on all residents of the Lowcountry to be concerned about the situation.
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