On Thursday, January 2, 2023, retired marine biologist and artist Delaney Wilder was arrested outside Elbit Systems in North Charleston, South Carolina while peacefully protesting and passing out flyers with local activists, cradling a “Christ in the Rubble” art piece.
Elbit Systems LLC is an American subsidiary of the Israeli based weapons and surveillance technologies manufacturer, Elbit Systems Ltd. In summer 2023, with ample support from local politicians and tax incentives approved by Charleston County Council, Elbit Systems opened a facility in Ladson, SC. Elbit manufactures the Sigma mobile cannon artillery system for the Israel Defense Forces.
Delaney Wilder said today: “Elbit Systems is responsible for the suffering of countless innocent people and they should be ashamed. It’s not something that our communities need to tolerate.”
The flyer Wilder was handing out—embedded below—read: “Elbit Systems is an Israeli weapons and surveillance manufacturer who opened a facility in Ladson, South Carolina where truck mounted Howitzer cannons are being produced for exportation to Israel. These weapons have a singular purpose: to kill and maim.”
The flyer Wilder was handing out
There have been similar actions protesting Elbit Systems in Florida, Virginia and New Hampshire. In August, the Boston Globe reported: “Following pro-Palestinian protests, Israeli defense contractor branch moves from Cambridge office.” The group Palestine Action in Britain has conducted numerous actions there.
The weekly protest at which Wilder was arrested was organized by Elbit Out of SC, a coalition of local organizations and unaffiliated concerned citizens united against Charleston County Council’s economic support for Elbit Systems. Current organizational membership includes Free Palestine Charleston, Lowcountry Rising for Palestine, and Charleston DSA.
Elbit out of South Carolina stated: “On Thursday, North Charleston Police arrested a local artist participating in a picket of Elbit Systems at their facility in Ladson. The protester is part of the group Elbit Out of SC, a coalition of local organizations and concerned citizens upset with the company’s role in the ongoing genocide in Palestine. For months the coalition has picketed the facility, canvassed nearby neighborhoods, and spoken out at Charleston County Council meetings to raise awareness about the weapons Elbit Systems is producing in our community.” See full statement.
“What we see is a pattern of corruption and repression here,” said Elbit Out of SC spokesperson Chris Tittle. “Our local government has secretly negotiated tax deals with foreign companies producing weapons to be used in a genocide; then pass laws that criminalize free speech; then intimidate and arrest us when we use our voices to protest. Everyone in the Lowcountry should be deeply concerned by this, whether you care about Elbit Systems or not. … We are glad that Delany has been released following his arrest. [Gaza’s Kamal Adwan Hospital’s director] Dr. Abu Safiya and thousands of Palestinians are being held by Israel.”
Read a report on the facility that Dr Abu Safiya is reportedly being held at — “Welcome to Hell” — by the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem.