A pro-Palestinian group has protested outside Barclays bank branches across the UK by vandalising buildings with red paint and smashing windows. Palestine Action, the activist group behind the demonstrations, reportedly targeted up to 20 locations across England and Scotland, calling on the bank to divest from Israel’s weapons trade and fossil fuels. Shut the System, a recently launched underground climate movement, joined forces with Palestine Action for the attacks. The groups have warned that targeted actions will continue to take place until Barclays stops investing in certain companies.
In Bristol and Edinburgh, the windows in bank branches were smashed and red graffiti was sprayed over the buildings. Rocks engraved with the names of Palestinians killed in the conflict were thrown through the windows in Edinburgh. Images shared on social media showed branches in London, such as St John’s Wood and Croydon, which also appeared to have been targeted. The Barclay buildings in Stockport, Bury, and Preston in Greater Manchester have also been vandalised with red paint.
Three men have been arrested in connection with criminal damage at the Barclays on Moorgate by City of London police. While Barclays has expressed support for the right to protest, it has requested that campaigners respect its customers, colleagues and property. The bank has responded to the activists, claiming that it provides critical financial services to US, UK and European public companies that supply defence products to NATO and its allies.
The defense sector is fundamental to current national security concerns, and Barclays cited the UK government’s position that it is compatible with ESG considerations. A spokesperson for the bank added that the implementation of arms embargoes to other nations is the job of the respective elected governments. In contrast, Palestine Action has blamed the bank for supporting the Israeli government’s actions in Palestine. However, there is a danger that protestors could potentially harm innocent staff and customers caught up in these demonstrations
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