Following the limitations on meetings imposed by the pandemic, it has been a joy to be able to meet face-to-face once again. The group has met 3 times in the year formally.
The group supported and assisted with the Justin Butcher one man show 'Walking to Jerusalem' at the 2022 Lichfield Festival
Members have attended the regular protests at the Elbit Systems (drone engine) factory in Shenstone led by the Palestine Action and Campaign Against the Arms Trade groups. Recent protests have escalated at Elbit's Leicester factory where an occupation by Palestine Action resulted in several arrests and dispersal of a protest camp. The recent police tactics have unfortunately reflected the government's hardening attitude towards non-violent protest as seen with the recent action taken against the Stop Oil & Extinction Rebellion groups. A number of local court cases are pending with some activists likely to face jail sentences.
We hosted a public meeting about drones at the Hub, St Mary's Centre in Lichfield which was well attended in collaboration with the South Staffordshire Palestine Solidarity and Walsall Kobar Friendship Association.
The group hosted the launch of the Tent of Nations UK organisation at Lichfield Methodist Church last month. This group will provide additional international support to the Nasser family whose land has been under constant threat for the last 30 years from the Israeli Defence Force, illegal settlers & the law courts.
We are hoping to organise a trip to Palestine in Spring 2024 in association with the Amos Trust. If anyone is interested in going, please contact Warren Bardsley or myself.
Chris Herbert
Secretary Lichfield Concern for Palestine Group