Protesters are gearing up to make their voices heard at the Aerospace and Defense Supplier Summit scheduled for March 12 in Seattle. According to Crisis24, activist groups intensely oppose the continuous supply of weapons by US manufacturers to conflict zones such as the Israel-Hamas conflict. The planned demonstration is set to kick off at noon at the Jim Ellis Plaza, near the Seattle Convention Center where the summit is being held.

The organizers have given clear indications to aggressively confront industry leaders and policymakers over the implications of the arms trade. As a result, Seattle residents can brace themselves for a pronounced increase in security and probable disruption in local transport and business operations. The level of participation in the protest, however, has not been spelled out distinctly, making the potential scale and impact of the demonstration uncertain.

Meanwhile, according to a guest editorial on The Stranger, the summit – crucial for Boeing's networking and showcasing of military supply chain prowess – also serves as a stark reminder of ongoing tensions between Boeing and Washington state officials, including Governor Jay Inslee. Despite Boeing's controversial practices that have drawn ire in the past, Governor Inslee has not failed to express his contentment with the summit's presence in Washington, stating he's "pleased to welcome back the international aerospace community to the center of US aviation and aerospace innovation - Washington state."

Criticism from anti-war, environmental, and human rights groups adds another layer of contention to the summit. These groups are not looking to quietly stand by while business dealings that implicate wider global conflicts are to be advanced. Clashes between activists and security services could erupt throughout the summit, which runs until March 14, with activists prepared to embody their dissent over Boeing and its affiliates' roles in global military activities.