Demonstrators stage a blockade of U.S. weapons manufacturer General Dynamics in Healdsburg, Calif., Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in this screenshot from video. (The Press Democrat/Youtube)
(Tribune News Service) — About 15 people stretched out across the driveway of an unremarkable building early Tuesday in central Healdsburg, Calif., where demonstrators staged an hourslong blockade of a major U.S. weapons manufacturer they contend supplies arms to Israel in its war on Hamas.
General Dynamics is the world’s sixth largest defense contractor, and though it is headquartered in Virginia, its Healdsburg facility is part of its Ordnance and Tactical Systems business, which produces guidance systems for tactical missiles and extended range munitions.
The demonstrators calling for an end to the war in Gaza showed up outside the Foss Creek Circle center about 6:30 a.m.
“General Dynamics, you can’t hide,” they chanted, sitting in front of a red banner that read “Block the Bombs, Free Palestine.”
“Stop arming genocide,” they shouted.
Within a half-hour, drumming and voices echoed down the street as another 30 or so people arrived with signs and flags, marching from Healdsburg Plaza.
The Tuesday morning action followed a series of mass protests nationwide Monday, including demonstrators’ blockade of the Golden Gate Bridge and Interstate 880 leading to the Bay Bridge, among other U.S. roadways, highways and airports.
The actions are part of a pronounced effort to highlight the humanitarian crisis playing out in Gaza, which has been under siege by an Israeli military offensive in response to Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel. That attack killed roughly 1,200 Israelis, and many hostages remain captive in Gaza.
More than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 75,000 have been injured in the Israeli offensive, according to the Gaza-based Health Ministry. Moreover, The Associated Press reports, over half the homes and buildings in Gaza are likely destroyed, 1.1 million Palestinian civilians are facing “catastrophic” food insecurity and 70% of the population is displaced.
Standing in the General Dynamics parking lot driveway, organizer Ma’ayan Pe’er told The Press Democrat over the din of the picket line that “these tactics are important to us because we’ve spent months calling our representatives, we have been in city council halls, and nothing has happened. When democracy fails in that way, the people take the power back, and that’s what were doing here.” Pe’er is an Israeli-American Petaluma resident. They were in Israel visiting family at the time of the Oct. 7 attack.
Tuesday’s demonstration was organized by leaders of Jewish Voice for Peace Sonoma County, Party for Socialism and Liberation of Sonoma County and Sonoma County for Palestine.
While the demonstrators stood across the parking lot entrance, the few people who arrived were able to pass around them. Pe’er said the focus was the factory not the workers.
Since October, there have been protests at General Dynamics facilities across the U.S., from Garland, Texas, to Lincoln, Nebraska, to Saco, Maine. Twenty-three protesters were arrested at the Texas plant last month.
Berkley Whaley, spokesperson for General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems said the company had no comment on claims of arming Israel or the protests more broadly “other [than] to say that we appreciate the efforts of local law enforcement to keep our employees safe.”
Along with ongoing global protests, the conflict has spurred mounting accusations of genocide leveled by the International Court of Justice and U.N. officials. Israel has staunchly denied the charges, pointing instead to a right to protect itself and an ongoing effort to rescue hostages that remain in Hamas captivity. The U.S. has largely supported Israel’s position, although President Joe Biden, under significant pressure, has more recently voiced support for a cease fire and sharpened his public criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while signaling no immediate policy shift.
Demonstrators have kept up that pressure. On Monday, pro-Palestinian activists blocked roadways in Illinois, California, New York and the Pacific Northwest.
Activists have also sought to pressure local officials. In Sonoma County, people have filled city hall chambers, demanding council members pass resolutions calling for a cease fire. So far, only Cotati has done so. Sebastopol’s council was set to take up the issue at its Tuesday evening before it was pulled from the agenda.
“We are told by our local government that this isn’t a local issue,” protester Rachel Marcus said through a microphone Tuesday. “But the technology and parts for the bombs used to kill Palestinians in Gaza are made right here in our backyard in Healdsburg.”
Tarik Kanaana, a Palestinian American and longtime Santa Rosa resident described a sense of rejection in the last few months. “It’s harder and harder to feel at home in Sonoma County,” he said. “And then to know that our community could be producing these bombs that kill my people, my friends, my relatives, makes it even harder.”
Organizers pointed to a report by American Friends Service Committee, a social justice organization, that claims General Dynamics supplies Israel with ammunition and bombs. The investigation notes that General Dynamics manufacturers the bodies of MK-80 bombs and 155 mm caliber artillery shells, weapons that have been part of arms transfers from the U.S. and used in attacks on Gaza.
According to a financial filing released in January, General Dynamics’ fourth quarter of 2023 yielded the highest earnings per share and revenue in the company’s history.
Jason Aiken, chief financial officer and executive vice president for General Dynamics, referenced the conflict’s potential business impact in an Oct. 25 earnings call.
“The Israel situation obviously is a terrible one, frankly, and one that’s just evolving as we speak, but I think if you look at the incremental demand potential coming out of that, the biggest one to highlight and that really sticks out is probably on the artillery side,” he said. “Obviously that’s been a big pressure point up to now with Ukraine ... I think the Israel situation is only going to put upward pressure on that demand.”
Protesters Tuesday rallied without incident for two hours at the Healdsburg General Dynamics facility before moving to block a different driveway in front of another building owned by the company. They then marched to Healdsburg Plaza before disbanding around 10 a.m.
“Lots of people don’t know this is here,” he said. “One action by itself wont do very much,” Kanaana said, “but if we keep building on it that’s how we make a change.”
Before the group marched back to the center of town, they started a chant of “We’ll be back.”
marisa.endicott@pressdemocrat.com
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