After five days on top of the bridge, Guido is finally coming down.
Through wind, rain, and exhaustion, he stayed up there to sound the alarm about the wars in Iran, Gaza, Lebanon, and Palestine and to remind all of us that silence is not an option.
He risked his life to send a message and now we all have a responsibility to do more.
Thank you, Guido.
A protester who camped out atop one of Washingtonâs bridges for five days came down Wednesday morning, ending his stand against AI and the war in Iran.
Guido Reichstadter, a Florida-based activist, was seen coming down from one of the arches of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge where he had been camped since May 1. His presence caused periodic traffic jams as Washington police closed lanes and negotiated with him.
Known by the name „Ulm Five“, the activists allegedly entered the factory on the 8 September 2025 by smashing a glass facade and subsequently destroyed office equipment, including computers, screens and telephones.
Shortly after, the five were arrested and have since been held in pretrial detention in different prisons across southern Germany.
(April 28, 2026)
In the early hours of Sept. 8, 2025, a group of activists wearing black hoodies that bore the red and white logo of Palestine Action broke into the offices of Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems in Ulm, southern Germany.
Once inside the compound, according to prosecutors, they damaged and partly destroyed furniture, windows, and technical equipment with axes; sprayed slogans on the walls; lit pyrotechnics; and chanted âFree, free Palestineâ and âGermany finances, Israel bombs.â As visible from the activistsâ own filming of the break-in, no one was harmed during the action. They remained on site and called the police, who later detained them.
Since their arrest, the five activists â Daniel Tatlow-Devally (an Irish citizen), Leandra Rollo (a Spanish citizen), Crow Tricks and Zo Hailu (British citizens), and Vi Kovarbasic (a German citizen) â have been held in pre-trial detention in separate prisons across southern Germany.
SICILY | May 2, 2026 â Just days after Israelâs assault on unarmed civilian vessels in international waters near Crete, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) is pressing forwardânot retreating. Today, four new vessels launched from Siracusa, determined not to give in to Israelâs violence and brutality.
Israelâs April 29 attack, carried out over 600 nautical miles (over 1100 km) from its shores, was not an act of âsecurity.â It was piracy. It was state terrorism on the high seas. Sadly, the attack was not an isolated incident, but a pattern of lawlessness and aggression that has been enabled, normalized, and shielded by international inaction.
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The Freedom Flotilla Coalition calls on the international community, civil society, and the media to demand accountability for Israelâs attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla. We call on all governments to guarantee safe passage for flotilla vessels and to uphold the basic principles of international law. And we call on all people of conscience: do not look away. We will not be deterred. We will not be silenced.
Explosive Media, one of the independent outfits generating the viral videos about the war in Iran, created a short piece on Saturday to honor the American father of two who climbed atop a bridge in the Washington, DC this weekend to demand an end to the conflict.
âIn honor of Guido Reichstadter, the man who climbed the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge to make his voice of protest heard,â the group said in a post alongside the video short. âYour dignity stands taller than the place you stood, and it will live forever in our memory.â
On Sunday morning, May 3, Reichstadter, 45, wrote: „Hands off Iran! Hands off Lebanon! Free Palestine!“ along with a photo of traffic beneath the bridge.
Livestream from 7NewsDC Sunday morning, May 3 shows Reichstadter on the bridge. Photos published by PEOPLE showed he had pitched a tent on top of the bridge.
Guido Reichstadter spoke from atop the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge after disrupting peak-hour traffic, telling NewsNation he was calling for âan immediate end to the Trump regimeâs illegal war on Iranâ through mass nonviolent action.
âHi my name is Guido Reichstadter & I‘m currently occupying the top of the Frederick Douglass memorial bridge in Washington DC,â he began in his post.
After calling for the non-violent removal of the current âregime power,â Reichstadter also said he wants to âurgently warn the people of the USâ of the âimminent dangerâ of AI.
He then urged the âpeople of the worldâ to âcompel their governments to end this dangerâ through nonviolent action.
He posted a photo on X of the sunrise over Washington, D.C., from his vantage point on the bridge the morning of May 2.
A 45-year old man is occupying the top of Washingtonâs Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge to protest the war on Iran. Guido Reichstadter spoke to Al Jazeera from atop the structure – listen to what he had to say.
A protester who closed down and disrupted peak-hour traffic after climbing a bridge in Washington, D.C., spoke live and exclusively to âKatie Pavlich Tonightâ about his cause.
Guido Reichstadter spoke to NewsNation late Friday night while occupying the top of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge in the nationâs capital.
April 23, 2026 â Siracusa, Italy â On Thursday, April 23, 2026, the Global Sumud Flotilla enters a new phase of escalation as vessels from Barcelona and across Italy converge at Marina di Siracusa, forming a significantly expanded unified fleet preparing to continue its journey toward Gaza.
With 25 additional boats joining in Italy, the flotilla now exceeds the size of last yearâs entire mission, signaling growing international participation and intensifying civilian pressure to challenge Israelâs illegal siege on Gaza. With two additional ports still ahead, the mission continues to build in scale, coordination, and global visibility.
Barcelona / Brussels / Rome / Sicily â As the first boats set sail from Barcelona heading east, accompanied by Open Arms and Greenpeace‘s Arctic Sunrise, a week of mobilisations begins both inside and beyond Italy. Public events, press conferences, institutional meetings, cultural initiatives and more will take place in Augusta, Catania, Castellammare del Golfo, Siracusa and Rome (Italy), as well as in Brussels (Belgium). At every stage, new boats and new participants from around the world will join the mission.
These events will take place against a backdrop of rising political tensions in Italy and Europe, as the international diplomatic landscape shifts amid mounting political pressure, parliamentary questions, and the recent decisions of the Italian government regarding military cooperation with the Israeli regime.
In this context, every port the flotilla passes through brings with it visibility, participation and political consequences, as the flotilla enters the next phase leaving Italy from Siracusa on April 24.
Follow the vessels‘ movements on the Flotilla Tracker.
On March 6th, 2026, an arrest campaign was started that shook the pro-Palestinian landscape in Tunisia. Seven activists, some of whom put their own bodies on the line for the possibility of breaking the illegal siege on Gaza, were arrested and sent to prison on what appear to be unfounded charges. Letâs say their names:
âą Jawaher Channa
âą Wael Nawar â Member of the Global Steering Committee
âą Ghassan Henchiri
âą Ghassan Boughediri
âą Sana Msahli
âą Dr. Mohamed Amine Ben Nour
âą Nabil Chennoufi â Member of the Global Steering Committee
Each of these 7 activists have played a vital role in the unprecedented GSF mission that was launched from Sidi Bou Said Port, Tunisia in September of 2025, an act that is protected under international law. Their mission was simply to deliver humanitarian aid to the besieged people of Gaza and to establish a humanitarian corridor.
April 2, 2026
BARCELONA â On April 12, 2026, the Global Sumud Flotilla will depart from Barcelona, carrying an international coalition determined to challenge israelâs siege on Gaza and respond to the escalating humanitarian and political crisis faced by Palestinians. Bringing together more than 80 boats and over 1,000 participants from around the world, the mission combines focused maritime action with synchronized global mobilization on landâlinking solidarity, legal advocacy, and grassroots pressure across multiple countries.
The six â Charlotte Head, â29, Samuel Corner, â 23, Leona Kamio, 30, Fatema Zainab Rajwani, 21, Zoe Rogers, 22, and âJordan Devlin, 31 â all denied charges of aggravated burglary, violent disorder âand criminal damage.
Rajwani, Rogers and Devlin âwere found not guilty of violent disorder by a jury at the Woolwich Crown Court, while it could not reach verdicts on âthe same charge against Head, Corner and Kamio after more than 36 and a half âhours of deliberation.
The jury was also unable to reach verdicts for charges of criminal damage against all six defendants, and was also unable to reach a verdict on a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent against Corner, for allegedly hitting a female police sergeant with a sledgehammer.
Across the river in Minneapolis, Temple Israel synagogue was filled Friday morning with clergy, elected leaders and others for an interfaith service to launch the day of striking, marching and activism. Marcia Zimmerman, senior rabbi, declared that âhistory is on our side,â before lighting a candle in the synagogueâs sanctuary of remembrance for Good and people who have died in federal detention.
Washingtonâs Episcopal bishop, Mariann Budde, a former Minneapolis priest and prominent critic of President Donald Trump who traveled to Minnesota for Fridayâs march, praised localsâ resistance.
âWhat I and others can do is connect the dots, between the scale and deliberate cruelty here with what has been taking place across the country,â she said, referring to the actions of the federal government. âMinneapolis has shown the country what it looks like to stand up.â
Heba Muraisi
Teuta Hoxha
Kamran Ahmed
Lewie Chiaramello
The experts have also expressed serious concern as to the overbreadth of the definition of terrorism under UK law, the proscription of Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act 2000, and the subsequent mass arrests and criminal charges, including terrorism-related offenses, brought against individuals for alleged support for Palestine Action.
âThese hunger strikes must be understood within the broader context of restrictions on pro-Palestinian activism in the UK,â the experts said, noting that the detainees are held in connection with protest-related activity.
They urged the United Kingdom to immediately guarantee appropriate healthcare for all hunger strikers, and engage in meaningful dialogue and action to address not only the claims of the protestors, but also underlying rights violations, and an end to the repression of Palestine activism.
âPreventable deaths in custody are never acceptable. The State bears full responsibility for the lives and wellbeing of those it detains,â the experts said. âUrgent action is required now.â
The experts stand ready to engage constructively with the UK Government and will continue to monitor the situation closely.
*The experts:
– Gina Romero, the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association
– Tlaleng Mofokeng, the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
– Cecilia M. Bailliet, the Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity
– George Katrougalos, the Independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order
– Ben Saul, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism
– Irene Khan, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
– Francesca Albanese, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967
A spokesperson for Prisoners for Palestine said:
âThe remaining four will continue to refuse food on the basis of the five demands, as well as specifying their demands to include the end of all non association orders between prisoners; Hebaâs transfer back to HMP Bronzefield; and the same access to all courses and activities as sentenced prisoners. Non association orders are used to further isolate prisoners from each other despite being in the same prison; just as Heba has been moved across the country, away from her family and friends in London. Due to the extended period of time on remand, well over the usual six month legal limit, it is only fair that the prisoners are able to access the same activities as everyone elseâ
he Prisoners for Palestine protest group confirmed the climate activist had been arrested at a demonstration in support of the Palestine Action members on hunger strike in prison.
In a video shared by the group, Thunberg, 22, can be seen holding a sign reading âI support the Palestine Action prisoners. I oppose genocideâ at a demonstration outside the central London offices of Aspen Insurance.
Images of the arrest show Thunberg seated on the ground at the protest holding a sign that reads, âI support Palestine Action prisonersâ and âI oppose genocide.â
Police confronted her as she joined demonstrators outside of a building used by Aspen Insurance, which protesters said they targeted because it provides services to Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems. Protesters also sprayed red paint on the buildingâs facade as part of their demonstration.
UK-based campaign group Prisoners for Palestine said Thunberg, 22, was earlier arrested under the Terrorism Act for holding a sign that said âI support the Palestine Action prisoners. I oppose genocideâ. The British government has proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist group.
City of London Police said Thunberg had been bailed until March.
(December 16, 2025)
Qesser Zuhrah
Amu Gib
Heba Muraisi
Jon Cink
Teuta Hoxha
Kamran Ahmed
Lewie Chiaramello
In the telephone interview, he said: âBut Iâm looking at the bigger picture of perhaps we can relieve oppression abroad and relieve the situations for my codefendants. Yes, Iâm scared of passing away. Yes, this may have lifelong implications. But I look at the risk versus reward. I see it as worthwhile.â
He added that he had become a âshellâ of himself because he rejects food and drinks only water with salt.
He said his speech has become slurred, he has been getting regular chest pains to the point like he feels he is âgetting Taseredâ and his body has been shaking. He added that a nurse told him she was concerned that he would not wake up when he went to sleep.
An imprisoned Palestine Action activist who has been on hunger strike for 42 days has said he fears dying but believes the protest is worthwhile, according to an interview with The Sunday Times.
Kamran Ahmed, 28, spoke by telephone from HMP Pentonville in north London, where he is being held on remand. He is one of six Palestine Action activists refusing food while facing charges they deny, linked to alleged break-ins and criminal damage carried out before the group was banned under UK terrorism legislation.
We Urgently Need Your Help to Finish and Distribute the Film ‚OPERATION RECOMPLYâ â Otherwise Known as ‚The Filton 24 Film‘
OPERATION RE-COMPLY is the documentary about activists currently imprisoned on remand (held without trial), for taking direct action to dismantle weapons at Elbit Systems, an Israeli arms factory in Bristol, as part of the now-proscribed group Palestine Action. This film tells the story of their families, their fight for justice, and the movement that‘s grown with them.
After 16 months in prison, six of the Filton 24 are finally going on trial, while others may have to wait two years before finally having their day in court.
(…)
By donating, youâre not just funding a filmâyouâre supporting a project that will raise awareness of the rising authoritarianism, the fight against arbitrary detention of political prisoners, and the fight for Palestinian rights. The more we raise, the bigger the release can be.
Thank you for your support. Letâs get this film into the world together.
(November 28, 2025)
Hoxha is one of the âFilton 24â â 24 people currently held on remand in connection with an action at an Elbit Systems factory in Filton, Gloucestershire, in August 2024. She has been imprisoned without trial since November 2024.
This is Hoxhaâs second hunger strike, after previously refusing food starting in August this year. She told Novara Media in September that she was being âpunished retrospectivelyâ for the proscription of Palestine Action under UK terror law.
Hoxha was moved to HMP Peterborough from HMP Bronzefield on the day that MPs decided to ban Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act, and said that her treatment had worsened after the proscription. The English Literature graduate described being âcalled a terroristâ and âtold that Iâm part of a terrorist groupâ by prison staff, along with having her mail withheld and her job in the prison library taken away.
In written submissions, he highlighted a September 2024 report from the National Police Coordination Centre that came after alleged terrorism incidents. The report concluded that Palestine Action was âa risk to UK businesses and legitimate enterprises nationwideâ and engaged as a whole in ânon-violent direct actionâ.
Another report from the centre in December last year said incidents in which violence had been used were ânot the norm for PA (Palestine Action) action, and any harm or injuries historically are assessed to be the result of unintentional or misjudged action through trying to evade captureâ.
Activists from the group painted âGaza is not for saleâ and dug up parts of the green at Mr Trumpâs golf course in Scotland in March 2025, with the president writing on social media that the prime minister had assured him that âthey caught the terroristsâ involved.
The group was proscribed as a terror organisation in an unusual move four months later, after activists broke into RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and sprayed two military planes with red paint.
Legal action by Huda Ammori, the cofounder of Palestine Action, has begun in Londonâs High Court against the decision by the United Kingdom government to designate the activist group as a terrorist organisation.
The interior ministry, or Home Office, proscribed the pro-Palestinian group in July, days after activists protesting against Israelâs genocidal war on Gaza broke into an air force base in southern England.
Aberystwyth one of 10 UK locations to join Palestine Action protestCambrian News, 18 November 25
Devon and Cornwall Police overwhelmed by the number of protesters defying ban on Palestine ActionCobblestone Media, 18 November 25
âIncreasedâ police presence at protest to lift ban on Palestine ActionGloucestershire Live, 17 November 25
Arrests at Palestine Action protest in LeedsBBC â West Yorkshire, 18 November 25
Nine arrests made at pro-Palestine Action protestBBC â Northamptonshire, 18 November 25
Hunger strike continues as protests planned in Aberystwyth and CardiffPembrokeshire Herald, 17 November 25
Police response to protests against groupâs ban remains divided, with Scotland and Northern Ireland making no arrests
(November 18, 2025)
Demonstrators opposing a ban on protest group Palestine Action are stepping up pressure with a week of demonstrations across the UK.
The plans centre on the display of signs reading âI oppose genocide, I support Palestine Actionâ, for which protesters could face arrest under UK terrorism laws.
The High Court will next week review a challenge to the proscription mounted by Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori, after a failed attempt by the UK government to block her appeal.
In November, Defend Our Juries will be escalating the campaign to Lift The Ban on Palestine Action ahead of the Judicial Review against the ban.
Locations for the November wave have now been announced, with actions to take place across the UK on two key dates (18th and 29th November), as well as four actions in London (20th, 22nd, 24th, 26th November) and one in the North of Ireland (22nd November). All actions will take place in central locations per town/city.
Read the all important Action Briefing Document here for full details as they emerge (this is a Live document, please check back regularly for info and changes) – taking action in Scotland? Please read the Scotland-specific Action Briefing Document as the law is slightly different there.
Locations:
Tuesday 18th – Gloucester, Truro, Nottingham, Northampton, Oxford, Leeds, Newcastle, Caerdydd (Cardiff), Aberystwyth, Edinburgh.
Thursday 20th – London.
Saturday 22nd – London, Belfast.
Monday 24th – London.
Wednesday 26th – London.
Saturday 29th – Bristol, Birmingham, Exeter, Cambridge, Sheffield, Lancaster, Manchester, Edinburgh, Caerdydd (Cardiff).
Each of the actions will take place at 1pm (unless specified otherwise), at a location which will be emailed out to those signed up a few days before the action date. All locations will be accessible with public transport in the city of action. More locations may be released at a later date.
âą Defend Our Juries are hosting a series of Open Calls as we approach the November 2025 National wave of action.
âą Open Calls will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The next call will be on November 18th (the first day of action!). Calls go live at 6:30pm via the button below.
âą (note: the button will only go live once the call is active â refresh this if the button appears greyed-out after 6:30pm on the dates specified.)
The individuals, aged between fifty and seventy-five, were arrested on the bridge on suspicion of encouraging support for a proscribed organisation contrary to Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000