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A protest march calling for police in Bristol to begin an investigation into a local arms and defence manufacturer for their role in Israel's military action in Gaza has been stopped in the street by a group of flag-waving counter-protesters.
The protest march began at noon today outside Elbit Systems and was organised by a coalition of Bristol groups who have opposed Israel's actions, Elbit Systems' links, and supported both the Palestinian cause and those arrested, in prison and now on hunger strike.
The march began with a protest outside Elbit Systems, and then went from that location in Aztec West down Gloucester Road to Patchway police station.
The march involved people banging drums, chanting and carrying Palestine flags, but when they neared Patchway police station, they were confronted by a smaller group of counter-protesters carrying England and Union flags, who blocked their way.
The police had to intervene amid heated scenes on the pavement of Gloucester Road, as the police tried to keep the counter protesters, many of whom were masked, away from the pro-Palestine protesters.
For the latest on this ongoing incident, scroll down
15:37 - More pictures from the scene
15:35 - Pictures from the scene
13:53 - What has happened?
The protesters waving Palestine flags gathered outside Elbit Systems for noon and soon after set off to Patchway Police Station - about half an hour's walk south down the A38 Gloucester Road. But as they approached the police station, they were stopped by a smaller group of counter-protesters waving England flags.
Police had to intervene and step in between several heated confrontations on the side of the A38, to keep apart the two sides.
13:53 - What is the march about?
The event in north Bristol is part of a national campaign by pro-Palestine activists in the UK, calling on the police to investigate Elbit Systems, an Israeli-owned arms and defence company, for supplying the Israeli military. The campaigners say that Israel has and still is committing a genocide against the people of Gaza - something Israel denies - and therefore those who assist with that are committing a criminal offence under UK law.
Elbit Systems has been repeatedly targeted by the now-proscribed group Palestine Action, and 24 of their number are currently on remand in prison relating to incidents at the Filton site. Some of those are on hunger strike in protest at being held and not getting bail, and the march today organised by a coalition of pro-Palestine groups in Bristol, as well as some of the families of the hunger strikers, was twofold - to call on the police to investigate Elbit Systems, but also to show support for those on hunger strike.
One of the Bristol Families for Palestine march co-organisers told Bristol Live: "Our collective responsibility to respond to the demands of the hunger strikers and of Palestinians surviving genocide and occupation is immense.
"In Bristol we live in the shadow of Israeli weapons dealer Elbit – the reason for the Filton24, the supplier of weapons for Israel’s genocide. We must shut it down. The strikers’ hunger for justice demands our urgent action. We’re running out of time."