The Elbit Out of South Carolina, a coalition of local grassroots groups, held a press conference on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 outside Elmec Inc.’s office (9004 Sightline Dr., Ladson) to announce the company as a new campaign target alongside their current campaign target, Israeli based weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems.
Elbit Systems is a privately owned Israeli weapons contractor that provides 80% of Israel’s ground equipment and 85% of its drones. Its Ladson based “Ground Combat Vehicle Assembly and Integration Center of Excellence” was constructed with several tax incentives granted by Charleston County, including a Set Aside Grant and a Fee In Lieu of Taxation (FILOT) agreement.
The press conference highlighted Elmec’s relationship to Elbit, the company’s role in profiting from war and genocide, and the material cost of their presence to community members in the Lowcountry. The press conference featured speakers from Free Palestine Charleston, Charleston Democratic Socialists of America, Lowcountry Action Committee, Freedom Road Socialist Organization Charleston District. Other local activists and organizations including Veterans for Peace, Tri-County Tenant Union, and Everyday People also attended and spoke.
One speaker, Autumn Waddell of Free Palestine Charleston, said "Right here in Charleston we have the opportunity to make a real difference. Elmec and Elbit are our access to international politics... We decided to stand up and fight for the parents in Charleston County who want to send their kids to good, well-funded schools, and for the parents in Gaza who want to know their children will come from school at the end of each day."
The press conference was followed by a mock ribbon cutting ceremony for Elmec, and a car caravan from the Elmec facility to the nearby Elbit Systems facility, which culminated in a picket. Elbit Out of SC and community members have picketed Elbit Systems weekly since October of 2024 and worked to raise public awareness of the weapons manufacturer since spring 2024.