On Oct. 12, we six activists were arrested during a blockade of L3Harris Technologies, a branch of the major weapons manufacturing company, located on Route 66 in Northampton. Working with the local group Demilitarize Western Mass and other supporters of nonviolence and anti-militarism, we proudly blocked the two major crosswalks leading to the facility just before sunrise.
Our goals were to raise public awareness of their presence in town, disrupt the day’s work, and simply to express our solidarity with the victims of U.S. military interventions. A decrepit boat and old trailer beds displayed our banners, from “end the military-industrial complex” to “the tide is rising.” Thirty to 40 protesters attended, sang, and chanted, all of us in solidarity with each other.
The Northampton police announced early that they would not arrest anyone and would allow us to continue our demonstration. But by early afternoon, L3Harris management appeared angry at the obstruction, the disruption to the workday, and their inability to receive truck deliveries. The State Police were called, and we soon received warnings to leave.
For the six of us locked into the boat and trailers, we continued with the blockade in an act of civil disobedience. The State Police cut us out of the metal blockade equipment, and we were each placed under arrest and taken to Hampshire County jail. There, we collectively decided to refuse bail and spent the night in our cells, in solidarity with all those who lack the privilege we had to even make that choice.
The next morning, handcuffed and shackled, we attended our arraignment and received our charges: resisting arrest, trespassing on private property, and disturbing the peace. Despite being locked into equipment, when it came down to it, none of us resisted our arrest in any way. Nor was it clear that we were on L3Harris’ private property, based on our understanding.
Disturbing the peace? The irony of this one was too much to bear. While L3Harris has helped produce weapons that have killed entire communities, with repercussions for generations to come, we occupied two crosswalks for a few hours.
So whose peace did we disturb exactly? We caused some inconvenience to the morning shift workers, who were forced to park their cars elsewhere and walk a block or two. And we annoyed several drivers passing by, angered that we would dare stand up for human rights. But many drivers instead honked and cheered in support.
We’d like to offer up the following questions and thoughts for reflection. What about the peace of children in Gaza, Yemen, Kurdistan, the streets of Rio, villages in Somalia, or the U.S.-Mexico border — all places, among others, impacted by the sales of L3Harris technologies and production of drone, aircraft, and surveillance systems?
As the No. 1 contributor to climate change, the military-industrial complex has disturbed the peace of millions by creating climate refugees around the world. Does their peace matter?
U.S. police departments benefit from L3Harris equipment, which has in one way or another disturbed the peace of thousands of Black and brown people, just trying to drive to work and live their lives. Do their lives matter?
As L3Harris attempted to acquire spyware technology, the mental and physical peace of activists and human rights advocates in many global regions is severely compromised. How ironic that we are charged with disturbing the peace when it is companies like L3Harris that actively sustain war with missiles and bombs, facilitate everyday forms of violence, and thereby undermine human rights.
But finally, what about the peace of mind of Northampton residents, whose tax dollars go toward supporting the violence and destruction to which L3Harris contributes, who have the privilege to remain silent as beautiful land in their town goes to the weapons industry instead of to low-income housing or any other industry that works toward the good of humanity?
Did we suddenly disturb their peace? We humbly hope so. And if this is the crime for which we are charged, well then, we would like to plead guilty.
Zehra Parvez, Clara Wagner, Sonya Epstein, Priscilla Lynch, Dodi Melnicoff, and Paki Wieland reside in Hampshire and Franklin counties.