A PROTEST held outside a Powys factory that makes circuit boards some believe are linked to terrorism passed without incident, police have reported.
Around 20 local people held banners, placards and Palestinian flags as they marched to Teledyne Labtech Ltd in Presteigne around lunchtime on Wednesday, March 6.
The protest was organised and attended by members of Powys group Radnor Palestine Links.
“Dyfed-Powys Police officers attended (Teledyne) Labtech Limited, Presteigne, at around 2.30pm on Wednesday, March 6, following a report of a protest taking place,” Dyfed Powys Police said in a statement.
READ MORE: Peaceful pro-Palestine protest at Powys Teledyne factory
“Police attended to ensure public safety was maintained. The protest was peaceful and concluded at approximately 3pm.”
Angie Zelter, one of the protesters, said the group’s desire had been to speak to senior figures at Teledyne to discuss the circuit boards (PCBs) manufactured at the factory, which they claim are sold to third parties who use them to manufacture missiles and other military hardware.
The group handed a letter to the guards at the main gate, which was locked. Angie said security advised protesters factory staff had been told to stay inside and would not talk to them.
Wednesday’s peaceful scenes were in stark contrast to 15 months ago, when Palestine Action activists stormed the same building, armed with sledgehammers and smoke grenades.
On the morning of December 9, 2022, four Palestine Action members wearing balaclavas and red suits smashed windows, set off smoke grenades and doused the outside of the building in red paint.
Four arrests were made, with each defendant jailed for at least 23 months.
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The break-in at Teledyne, which occurred as workers drank coffee in the canteen, led to nearby John Beddoes School being locked down, while Joe Deakins Road was shut, with police and firefighters a heavy presence throughout the day.
At one of the defendants' trial, employees called to give evidence denied any knowledge of this, and the court heard the defendants lacked evidence to support their claim.
The circuit boards produced are more commonly used in MRI scanners in hospitals, radars in planes and satellite antennas.
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