People Against Genocide take action at Chubb’s Manchester office

From 7am on Tuesday 10 March, two activists from the People Against Genocide group scaled the front canopy above the front doors of Chubb Insurance’s Manchester office in Booth Street.

After climbing onto the platform, they covered the area in symbolic blood-red paint. Police removed and arrested the two action takers at 1.30pm. Firefighters had earlier refused to assist the police in removing the protesters.

Multiple actions against Chubb

This is the third action that People Against Genocide has undertaken against Chubb. The company provides insurance for UAV Engines, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems, Israel’s biggest weapons company. Chubb took over this role after Aviva, UAV Engines’ previous insurer, dropped the company following a sustained direct action campaign.

At its site at Shenstone in Staffordshire, UAV produces engines for Israel’s huge killer drone fleet, of which Elbit Systems produces more than 85%. They include the R902(W) Wankel engine for Elbit’s Hermes 450 drone. This is the same model Israel used to kill seven aid workers from the World Central Kitchen, including three British nationals.

Without the mandatory Employer Liability Insurance provided by Chubb, UAV Engines could not operate in the UK.

Last month, on 18 February, three activists from People Against Genocide targeted the London headquarters of Chubb Insurance. They sprayed blood-red paint all over the front of the building, and locked-on to shut it down.

A week later, on 25 February, the group targeted Chubb’s Birmingham offices, again using symbolic blood-red paint.

In addition to targeting Chubb, People Against Genocide has also recently targeted Aspen Insurance. Aspen took over providing cover for Elbit Systems UK, after its previous insurer, Allianz, also succumbed to pressure from pro-Palestine activists.

A spokesperson for People Against Genocide said:

While the Gaza Genocide continues, and civilians are killed by Israel on the Palestinian West Bank, Lebanon, and Iran, Elbit Systems are cashing in.

Elbit and UAV Engines can only manufacture deadly weapons in Britain because they are provided with Employer Liability Insurance by Chubb and Aspen.

Our action today, in Manchester, is aimed at disrupting the operations of Chubb Insurance, and exposing their role in profiting from war-crimes.

We will continue to target these greedy, amoral companies until they drop the Israeli weapons makers they are facilitating.

Featured image supplied