Four arrested after 14 hour protest by Palestine Action activists who occupied roof of Wrexham factory in drone protest

UPDATE: North Wales Police have issued a statement following today’s full day protest on Wrexham Industrial Estate, they say: “At around 07:15hrs on Monday the 22nd of November North Wales Police were made aware of a Free Palestine protest taking place on the roof of the Solvay factory on the Wrexham Industrial Estate.”

“Police negotiators were deployed to the location and attempted to negotiate with the protestors during the course of the day.”

“North Wales Police were joined by North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Welsh Ambulance Service as well as specialist police officers from the region to ensure that the incident was brought to a safe conclusion at around 20:50hrs.”

“Four individuals have been arrested and an investigation has commenced in relation to damage caused to the Solvay building.”

Original information below…
Palestine Action activists have occupied the roof of a factory on Wrexham Industrial Estate.

The three men have been on top of the Solvay factory on Abenbury Way since around 7am this morning.

In a post on the Palestine Action website, the group say part of the building has been spray painted in red and they are occupying the roof of the factory in demonstration against the supply “materials and chemicals” for drone use.

The group said, “Mission accomplished: staff at Solvay Group’s Wrexham premises have had to down-tools and evacaute the buildings”

Protestors have issued a lengthy statement, noting the reason they targetted the factory claiming it, “provides materials and adhesives for UAV Tactical Systems Ltd – a subsidiary of Elbit Systems, who provide 85% of Israel’s drone fleet. Specifically, Solvay products are used in the production of the Watchkeeper drone, at UAV Tactical Systems’ factory in Leicester.”

A spokesperson for North Wales Police said: “Officers remain at the scene of a disturbance at a business on Wrexham Industrial Estate.

“A call received shortly after 7am this morning reported a group of individuals who had been sighted on the roof of a building.

“This situation remains ongoing and officers are attempting to speak with the individuals involved.”

Solvay issued a statement saying, “Solvay is always keen to engage in a constructive dialogue with stakeholders but cannot tolerate any action group putting their lives in danger and damaging Solvay’s property and materials.
“Solvay’s business practices strongly embed ethics and integrity. The Code of Business Integrity is the foundation for how we operate as a Group: Solvay observes and supports all laws and regulations governing the export and import of products, technologies, services, and information throughout the world.

“Solvay Wrexham is part of the global Solvay Composite Materials business. The site manufactures prepregs (fibres combined with resin) on multiple reinforcements as well as resin systems for infusion, resin transfer moulding systems, adhesives and potting compounds for the composites industry. Solvay Wrexham’s products are supplied to many industries including Aerospace, Motorsports and high-performance automotive.

“Solvay is one of the world’s top three producers of composite materials. Solvay’s high performance composite materials are durable and lightweight, making them well suited for a diverse range of applications, including in both civilian and military aircraft. As part of a complex global supply chain for the aerospace industry, Solvay works primarily with contracting original equipment manufacturers who design, build and sell components and equipment.”