Protesters block US Raytheon plant over weapons sales to Israel, Saudi Arabia

Protesters blocked the entrance to a Raytheon plant in Rhode Island on Thursday morning to demonstrate against the company's alleged role in the "killing of civilians" and "other human rights abuses."

Members of the Fang Collective chained themselves to a car next to the guard shack at the entrance to the defence firm's Portsmouth plant.

Law enforcement, firefighters and tow trucks were deployed by authorities to the scene.

In an emailed statement, the group said it was protesting the Waltham, Massachusetts-based defence contractor's "weapon sales to Saudi Arabia and Israel, and their involvement in enforcing the US- Mexican border."

"Raytheon profits from the killing of civilians, families and children in Palestine, Yemen and elsewhere," the group said.

BREAKING

We are shutting down all vehicle entrances to Raytheon's facility in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

Two people have attached themselves to vehicles that are blocking the main entrance to the facility.#SaveSheikhJarrah#FreePalestine#MakeNoiseForJerusalem#YemenCantWait pic.twitter.com/Me3If3BPrT

— FANG (@FangCollective) August 12, 2021

Raytheon's Missiles & Defense plant in Portsmouth focuses on what it calls seapower capability — sensors, combat management systems, radar and sonar. About 1,000 people work at the facility.

“We respect the right to lawful and peaceful protest,” the company said in a brief emailed statement.

In June, some 50 pro-Palestine activists protested in front of the Boeing building in Arlington Virginia, over the company’s production of weapons that are being sent to Israel.

Demonstrations were led by the Palestinian Youth Movement and organised in conjunction with 10 other groups.

Arlington a city where several military deals are signed. The main offices of several weapons producers including Raytheon, Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics are located there.