FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 3, 2026
Media Contact: Melissa Garriga | [email protected]
Sonoma County CODEPINK to Hold Press Conference and Rally to Demand General Dynamics "Get Out" Over Role in War Crimes
HEALDSBURG, CA – Community members, advocates, and local residents will gather outside the General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems facility in Healdsburg on Thursday, Sept. 3rd for a press conference, picket, and vigil to demand the company cease its weapons manufacturing operations in Sonoma County. The family-friendly event, running from 4-6 p.m., will also feature a sing-along, sidewalk chalking, and a "Pups for Peace Brigade.
In addition, there will be a live broadcast from the action at 5 pm on the KPFA radio program “Flashpoints” at FM94.1 and online at www.kpfa.org.
- WHAT: Press Conference, Vigil and Picket
- WHERE: General Dynamics, 190 Foss Creek Circle, Healdsburg, CA
- WHEN: Sept. 3rd from 4-6 pm
Organizers are calling on General Dynamics to abandon its production of weapons systems, including components for Tomahawk missiles, drones, and guidance systems, and convert its engineering expertise to life-enhancing products. The rally comes in the wake of the February 28 U.S. military strike on a girls' elementary school in Minab, Iran, which killed at least 165 people—most of them children aged 7 to 12. A U.S. general confirmed before Congress that a Tomahawk missile struck the school as a result of a "chain of errors and mistakes" . U.S. military investigations have preliminarily determined that the strike used outdated intelligence data that failed to account for the building's conversion from a military site to a school between 2013 and 2016. Missile fragments recovered from the site bear "Made in USA" markings.
"General Dynamics continues to rake in huge profits from designing, making, and selling expensive killing devices at their Tactical and Ordnance Facility in Healdsburg," said Cynthia Papermaster, event organizer. "We are challenging their business model and urge them to convert to using their engineering expertise to make life-enhancing products instead of weapons of war. GD Tomahawk missiles killed around 150 schoolchildren, teachers, parents, and rescue personnel last February in Minab, Iran, in a 'double tap' strike that bombed the school twice. This war crime is an unacceptable use of our tax dollars, and enriching the GD shareholders, CEO, and Board with lethal products from Healdsburg is shameful and unwelcome here in Sonoma County."
Demonstrators will attempt to engage with General Dynamics employees, encouraging dialogue about the company's role in manufacturing weapons used by U.S. and Israeli forces. The event is open to all ages and will emphasize peaceful, constructive action.
For more information about the press conference and the day of action, please contact Cynthia at [email protected].
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