Pro-Palestinian demonstrators block access to Dartmouth business

Pro-Palestinian protest in Dartmouth A group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators blocked access to a Dartmouth business Thursday morning.

A group of demonstrators blocked access to a business in Dartmouth, N.S., Thursday morning.

Halifax Regional Police officers were called to the scene on Akerley Boulevard around 7:30 a.m.

Halifax Community Members Against War said in an email statement Thursday morning community members were rallying outside the headquarters of GeoSpectrum Technologies Inc.

A group of people could be seen outside the business holding signs reading “Ceasefire now – End the siege – Free Palestine.”

GeoSpectrum Technologies’s website says it specializes in underwater acoustic transducers and systems.

The protestors claim its parent company is an Israel-based international defense electronics company.

“We do not design, manufacture, or sell weapons. We support the local protestors right to demonstrate and express their freedom of speech in a safe and respectful manner," said GeoSpectrum Technologies president Paul Yeatman in a statement to CTV News.

Halifax police officers were in the Akerley Boulevard area directing traffic Thursday morning. They also asked the public to avoid the area and take alternate routes.

Police said in a news release just before 12:30 p.m. they were no longer at the scene and the demonstrators dispersed on their own without incident.

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