Ashley Eisenmenger

On February 2, 2024, 15 demonstrators were reportedly arrested and "charged with trespassing" at an anti-Israel protest in Louisville, Kentucky. The event was in support of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.

The protest took place outside of the Louisville locations for RTX and BAE Systems. Both manufacture arms for the U.S. military. An estimated 70 protesters surrounded the businesses, blocking roads and entrances to the industrial complex where both companies have facilities.

Participants protested Israel’s war against the Hamas terror organization, accusing the U.S. of complicity in “war crimes” and demanding a ceasefire. WHAS11.com reported that among the anti-Israel chants were [00:00:05]: “Let Gaza Live! Stop the occupation!” and [00:00:09] “Free Palestine!,” a chant that has been described as a "battle cry for the death of Jews.” In 2025, there were at least two anti-Israel attacks in the U.S. where assailants murdered others while shouting "Free Palestine!"

WLKY.com reported that attendees at the Louisville event also held signs that read: “B.A.E. and RTX: WAR CRIMES PROFITEERS,“ “STOP ARMING ISRAEL,” and [00:00:20]: “Genocide manufactured here.”

The Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) issued several dispersal warnings to the protesters. WLKY.com reported that the 15 who refused to leave were arrested and "charged with trespass upon key infrastructure, a class B misdemeanor."

The Louisville Ceasefire Coalition (LCC) helped organize the event. Their Instagram post promoting the event said: “The resistance never rests.”

Among Palestinians and anti-Israel activists, the term “resistance” is a euphemism for nationalistic terror and is used to glorify and encourage anti-Israel and antisemitic violence.