Protesters Occupy Lockheed Martin Building in Arlington

Pro-Palestinian activists conducted a protest at Lockheed Martin's Arlington office, chaining themselves to the lobby doors to oppose U. S. military funding. The demonstration, led by Shutdown Lockheed Martin Corp, began with a march from Boeing’s headquarters and aimed to disrupt operations at the defense contractor. Protesters demanded an end to funding for weapons programs like the F-35 and F-16 jets, emphasizing the connection to U.

S. aid to Israel. They displayed signs including "Israel Kills, Lockheed Profits," and called for investments in social services instead of military spending. The protest follows a previous demonstration at the same location in November 2023 and reflects the escalating tensions due to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Footage showed police cutting the chains and escorting the activists out of the lobby shortly after the protest commenced.

Lockheed Martin's involvement in arms sales to Israel, particularly the $3 billion deal for F-35 jets, has drawn significant criticism. The ongoing protests underscore the broader anti-war sentiment present in various global demonstrations.