Full Breakdown
Activists Demand Eviction of Weapons Manufacturers from Brooklyn Navy Yard
9/7/2025, 8:53:43 PM
Background of the Campaign
Since September 2024, a coalition known as Demilitarize Brooklyn Navy Yard (DBNY) has emerged, consisting of local residents, workers, and community members. This group has organized weekly demonstrations aimed at evicting two companies—Easy Aerial and Crye Precision—from the Brooklyn Navy Yard, a city-owned industrial park. Both companies are accused of contributing to Israel's military operations in Gaza, with Easy Aerial producing drones and surveillance technology, and Crye Precision manufacturing tactical gear used by the Israeli military.
Core Objectives and Strategies
DBNY's primary demands are straightforward: the eviction of Easy Aerial and Crye Precision and the establishment of a policy prohibiting weapons manufacturers from operating in the Navy Yard. The coalition employs a mix of tactics, including public rallies, direct actions, and community engagement, inspired by successful campaigns in Cambridge and the U.K. Activists have conducted noise demonstrations, circulated petitions, and engaged with local community boards to garner support.
Community Engagement and Local Impact
Local organizing is central to DBNY's strategy. Many residents were reportedly unaware of the presence of these companies until informed by activists. The campaign has gained traction, with 115 signatures collected from Navy Yard workers and tenants on a petition against the companies. Activists have also disrupted public events held by the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation (BNYDC), which manages business leases in the area, to draw attention to their cause.
Criticism and Opposition
Despite the campaign's momentum, there are dissenting views. Some community members express skepticism about the effectiveness of protests, arguing that they may not lead to tangible change. Additionally, the BNYDC has faced challenges in addressing the activists' demands, as the companies involved are framed as essential to the local economy.
Official Statements & Responses
DBNY organizers have emphasized the importance of their campaign, stating, “It’s going to be the multiplicity of tactics all together... we will win this campaign.” They believe that sustained pressure will compel the BNYDC to reconsider its leasing agreements. The BNYDC has not publicly commented on the specific demands but has faced internal resignations, which activists interpret as a sign of their campaign's impact.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Right here in the heart of Brooklyn are some of the most spineless genocide profiteers,” — A.B. Youssef, Journalist and DBNY Organizer
- “how can we escalate to material solidarity?” — Leila Rafiq, DBNY Organizer
- “The neighbors I’ve been talking to about this were shocked to learn there are companies with ties to Israel in the Navy Yard,” — H.K., DBNY Organizer
What's Next
DBNY plans to continue its demonstrations and community outreach efforts, with hopes that a potential change in local leadership could lead to more favorable conditions for their campaign. The coalition remains committed to raising awareness about the implications of local companies' involvement in international conflicts and aims to build a broader movement against complicity in violence.
