Content deleted Content added
m Duplicate word removed |
Adding/improving reference(s) Edited to best summ. reference(s) |
||
| (49 intermediate revisions by 29 users not shown) | |||
Line 1:
{{Short description|Pro-Palestinian protest network}}
{{Pp-extended|small=yes}}
{{Infobox organisation
| name =
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| logo =
| formation = 2023
| founder =
| type = [[Activist group]]
| status = Active
| purpose
| region = United States
| key_people =
|
| website = {{URL|https://www.unityoffields.net/}}
}}
'''Unity of Fields''', formerly known as '''Palestine Action US''', is an American Palestinian solidarity organization. It began as the United States branch of [[Palestine Action]], a pro-Palestinian protest network targeting Israeli weapons manufacturers in the United Kingdom which was proscribed by the UK as a [[Terrorism in the United Kingdom|terror organization]] in July 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Three groups to be proscribed |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/three-groups-to-be-proscribed |access-date=2025-08-11 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref> Its earliest known activities began in February 2023, and it began protests in October following the outbreak of the [[
In 2024, the group changed its name to Unity of Fields and announced that it would change its focus to actively spreading “militant propaganda” against the United States. Critics claim the group actively promotes terrorism and violence within the U.S. and spreads radical propaganda.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lax |first=Chaim |date=2025-06-26 |title=Unity of Fields: Meet the Anti-Israel Group Promoting Violence & Terrorism From Inside the U.S. |url=https://honestreporting.com/unity-of-fields-meet-the-anti-israel-group-promoting-violence-terrorism-from-inside-the-u-s/ |access-date=2025-08-11 |website=HonestReporting |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-10 |title=Unity of Fields, a radical telegram channel is banned by Apple {{!}} The Jerusalem Post |url=https://www.jpost.com/international/article-857185 |access-date=2025-08-11 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> It was subsequently suspended from some social media platforms.<ref name="i610">{{cite web |last=Starr |first=Michael |date=2024-08-29 |title=Pro-vandalism group turns into 'militant propaganda front' for US, Israel collapse |url=https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-816918 |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=The Jerusalem Post}}</ref>
== Background ==
Palestine Action is a United Kingdom-based protest movement
The network's earliest known activities began in May 2023, when the group supported an event in the [[United States House of Representatives|US House]] about the [[Nakba]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gans |first1=Jared |title=McCarthy attempts to block
▲The network's earliest known activities began in May 2023, when the group supported an event in the [[United States House of Representatives|US House]] about the [[Nakba]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gans |first1=Jared |title=McCarthy attempts to block Tlaib’s event marking ‘catastrophe’ of Israel’s establishment |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3998649-mccarthy-blocks-tlaibs-event-marking-catastrophe-of-israels-establishment/ |website=thehill.com |publisher=The Hill |access-date=22 November 2023}}</ref>
The network began identifying itself as Unity of Fields, a "militant propaganda" group, in August 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Unity of Fields: Opening Up a New Front |url=https://unityoffields.net/unity-of-fields-opening-up-a-new-front/ |access-date=2025-08-04 |website=unityoffields.net}}</ref> Its present name references the strategic cooperation of disparate factions against Israel, i.e. [[Palestinian Islamic Jihad|Palestinian Islamic Jihad's]] support of [[Hamas]] since October 7th.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Phrases “Unity of Fields [of Battle]”, “Unity of Fronts” or “Axis of Resistance”: Between Slogan and Reality |url=https://www.palestine-studies.org/en/node/1654679 |access-date=2025-08-04 |website=Institute for Palestine Studies |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jisr Collective: Unity of the Fields |url=https://unityoffields.net/jisr-collective-unity-of-the-fields/ |access-date=2025-08-04 |website=unityoffields.net}}</ref>
== Actions ==
On October 20, activists in [[Pittsfield, Massachusetts]], protested [[General Dynamics]]. General Dynamics did not respond to questions about its involvement in the war, but said it supported activists' rights to protest.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bellow |first1=Heather |title=Activists protest General Dynamics in Pittsfield over defense contracts and the Israel-Hamas war |url=https://www.berkshireeagle.com/news/local/pittsfield-general-dynamics-israel-hamas-palestinians-war-berkshire-communists-activists/article_ec204d1c-6ee4-11ee-8e1e-cb6121da994b.html |website=berkshireeagle.com |publisher=Berkshire Eagle |access-date=22 November 2023}}</ref>▼
{{See also|Gaza war protests in the United States}}
On October
▲On October 20, activists in [[Pittsfield, Massachusetts]], protested [[General Dynamics]]. General Dynamics did not respond to questions about its involvement in the war, but said it supported activists' rights to protest.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bellow |first1=Heather |title=Activists protest General Dynamics in Pittsfield over defense contracts and the Israel-Hamas war |url=https://www.berkshireeagle.com/news/local/pittsfield-general-dynamics-israel-hamas-palestinians-war-berkshire-communists-activists/article_ec204d1c-6ee4-11ee-8e1e-cb6121da994b.html |website=berkshireeagle.com |date=20 October 2023 |publisher=Berkshire Eagle |access-date=22 November 2023}}</ref>
On
On October 30, activists vandalized and protested at the Boston office of Elbit, stating they shut it down. The group said 9 arrests were made by the Cambridge police.<ref name=IP /><ref name=HS /> Amongst them was Unity of Fields member [[Calla Walsh]].<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=30 October 2023 |title=9 arrested after police assaulted during protest outside Israeli defense contractor in Cambridge |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/protesters-arrested-police-assault-elbit-systems-israeli-defense-contractor-cambridge/ |work=[[CBS News]] |___location= |publisher= |access-date=30 July 2025}}</ref>
On November 6, activists vandalized the Virginia office of Elbit.<ref>{{cite web |title=Offices of Israeli Defense Company Vandalized in Virginia |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/video/offices-israeli-defense-company-vandalized-135717068.html#:~:text=The%20offices%20of%20Elbit%20Systems,by%20Palestine%20Action%20US%20shows. |website=finance.yahoo.com | date=7 November 2023 |publisher=Yahoo! Finance |access-date=22 November 2023}}</ref>
On November 17, activists blocked entrances to [[BNY Mellon]], targeted for its investments in Elbit. The [[NYPD]] broke up the protests and took 20 people into custody.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fabbro |first1=Rocio |title=Around 20 Pro-Palestine Protesters Taken Into Custody Outside of BNY Mellon Headquarters |url=https://themessenger.com/business/bank-of-new-york-mellon-pro-palestine-protesters-new-york |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117180211/https://themessenger.com/business/bank-of-new-york-mellon-pro-palestine-protesters-new-york |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 17, 2023 |website=themessanger.com |publisher=The Messenger |access-date=22 November 2023}}</ref>
In October 2024 Unity of Fields publicized acts of vandalism at Harvard and other universities, without claiming responsibility.<ref name="u347">{{cite web | last=Hartocollis | first=Anemona | title=Vandals Deface Harvard Statue and U. of Michigan Leaders’ Homes | website=The New York Times | date=2024-10-08 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/08/us/oct-7-pro-palestinian-protests-vandalism.html | access-date=2024-10-09}}</ref>
On November 20, activists vandalized and blocked an Elbit office in [[Merrimack, New Hampshire]]. They occupied the roof of the building and were arrested.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Staton |first1=Jamie |title=3 arrested after paint poured on Merrimack facility of Israel-based defense electronics company |url=https://www.wmur.com/article/protest-new-hampshire-elbit-systems-112023/45898619# |website=wmur.com |publisher=WMUR |access-date=22 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Hroncich |first1=Maggie |title=Child Disney Star Among Three Protesters Arrested for Vandalizing Israeli Defense Company |url=https://www.nysun.com/article/child-disney-star-among-three-protesters-arrested-for-vandalizing-israeli-defense-company |website=nysun.com |publisher=The New York Sun |access-date=22 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Fortier |first1=Marc |title=3 arrested following pro-Palestine protest at Elbit Systems in NH |url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/3-arrested-following-pro-palestine-protest-at-elbit-systems-in-nh/3197073/ |website=nbcboston.com |publisher=NBC Boston |access-date=22 November 2023}}</ref> They were arraigned the following day and condemned by both parties.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Porter |first1=Steven |title=Vandals arraigned on riot charges after disrupting Israeli-owned Elbit Systems in Merrimack, N.H. |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/11/21/metro/vandals-arraigned-riot-charges-after-disrupting-israeli-owned-elbit-systems-business-merrimack-nh/ |website=bostonglobe.com |publisher=Boston Globe |access-date=22 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Graham |first1=Michael |title=Attack on Israeli-Owned Business in Merrimack Denounced by Both Parties |url=https://nhjournal.com/antisemitic-criminal-attack-on-merrimack-business-denounced-by-both-parties/ |website=nhjournal.com |access-date=22 November 2023}}</ref> The network claimed on X, formerly [[Twitter]], that one was released and the other two had bail set at $20,000.<ref>{{cite web |title=🚨Bridget is free.🚨 -Calla and Sophie had bail set at $20k each, and New Hampshire requires cash only. -That money is ready and available from bail support. Comrades are figuring out how to get it into cash. They will be free ASAP!!! |url=https://x.com/Pal_ActionUS/status/1727268797093183990?s=20 |website=x.com |publisher=Palestine Action US |access-date=22 November 2023}}</ref>▼
In May 2025, the group posted on X calling for the buring of police officers; the post was later deleted.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last= Heller |first= Mathilda |date= 15 May 2025|title= Pro-Palestine group Unity of Fields calls for police officers to be set on fire - exclusive |url= https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-854132|work= Jerusalem Post |access-date=7 August 2025}}</ref>
===Merrimack 4===
▲On November 20,
==Responses==
Senator [[Marco Rubio]] urged the [[United States Department of Justice]] to investigate Unity of Fields for [[domestic terrorism]]. <ref>{{cite web | last=Blankley | first=Bethany | title= Sen. Rubio calls on DOJ to investigate pro-Hamas domestic terrorist group | website= The Highland County Press | date=2024-10-23 | url=https://highlandcountypress.com/news/sen-rubio-calls-doj-investigate-pro-hamas-domestic-terrorist-group#gsc.tab=0 | access-date=2025-02-28}}</ref>
== See also ==
* [[EDO MBM Technology Ltd v Campaign to Smash EDO and Others]]
* [[R v Saibene]]
* [[Anti-imperialism]]
== References ==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Non-governmental organizations involved in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict]]▼
[[Category:Direct action]]
[[Category:Foreign policy political advocacy groups in the United States]]▼
[[Category:Anti-imperialism]]
[[Category:Foreign policy lobbying organizations in the United States]]▼
▲[[Category:
▲[[Category:
[[Category:Anti-Zionist organizations]]
| |||