Pro-Palestine protesters hold rally at former Ford Factory site, protesting weapons manufacturing
Pro-Palestine protesters held a “snap action” at the former Ford factory in Norlane, protesting a Geelong engineering company.
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Pro-Palestine protesters held “snap action” at the former Ford factory in Norlane on Thursday, protesting a Geelong engineering company.
About 25 protesters gathered on Melbourne Rd by the former Ford Factory, chanting and holding banners aimed at Marand Precision Engineering.
The protest was organised by Free Palestine Geelong, who called on Australia to “stop arming Israel”.
Police vehicles were on hand to keep an eye on the protesters.
Marand Precision Engineering, based in Melbourne, provides “sophisticated engineering” to defence, aerospace, rail, automotive and mining clientele, and counts among its costumiers Lockheed Martin and Boeing.
Marand employs more than 80 staff at its site at the Ford Factory precinct, which opened a decade ago.
In a statement on social media, Free Palestine Geelong highlighted Marand’s capacity in developing technology for Lockheed Martin’s F-35 aircraft, “which have been used by the IDF in their assault on Gaza”.
“Marand is the only company in the world who produce a specific trailer for mounting engines in F-35s,” the group said.
A Free Palestine Geelong member told the Geelong Advertiser the group was concerned by the “opaque” nature of weapons manufacturing in Australia and in Geelong.
“It’s not something that’s known or discussed. They (weapons manufacturers) profit from war … the more wars, the better it is for business in these industries,” they said.
“As an Australian, I don’t like being complicit in such devastation.”
The protest comes as pro-Palestine protests have targeted Geelong politicians at both a federal and local level.
Last week, Corio MP and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles’ Yarra St office was defaced by pro-Palestine protesters.
Protesters covered the office in red paint overnight, meant to symbolise the “blood of children”.
Corangamite MP Libby Coker’s office in Armstrong Creek was defaced by pro-Palestine supporters earlier in December.
In November, pro-Palestine supporters stormed Mr Marles’ Brougham St office and chained themselves to his reception area using bike locks.
Protesters have also attended City of Greater Geelong meetings in October, November and December, after city councillor Sarah Hathway was prevented from putting a pro-Palestine motion to council.
On October 27, about 300 people attended a vigil for Palestinian lives lost in Gaza on the steps of City Hall on Gheringhap St, and call for a ceasefire.
The vigil was criticised by the Chair of the Anti-Defamation Commission Dr Dvir Abramovich, who labelled the event “the sanitising of terrorism”.
Marand Precision Engineering was contacted for comment.
Originally published as Pro-Palestine protesters hold rally at former Ford Factory site, protesting weapons manufacturing
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