Stop Week 2009 will focus on the UK Government’s support for the arms industry through UK Trade & Investment’s Defence and Security Organisation (UKTI DSO). In particular, activists will protest against UKTI support for the world’s largest arms fair, Defence Security & Equipment International (DSEI), scheduled to be held in London’s ExCeL Centre in September 2009.
Stop Week is an annual event of co-ordinated action for an end to the arms trade organised by Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT). Anti-arms trade activists throughout the UK have planned local actions to highlight the death and destruction caused by war and the pernicious role of arms fairs in perpetuating conflicts.
Planned actions include:
13 June, London – East London Against the Arms Fair (ELAAF) will hold a musical protest outside the ExCeL Centre between 2pm-5pm.
14, June, nationwide – A national Day of Prayer organised by CAAT Christian Network with prayers and bible readings.
14 June, London – London CAAT will hold a Merchants of Death
walking tour, taking in Central London offices of arms companies and UKTI. The tour commences at the Clock Tower outside Victoria Station (opposite the Palace Theatre) at 3pm.
18 June, Manchester – Demonstration 12 noon-2pm outside Manchester UKTI Regional Office, North-West ITT, Churchgate House, 56 Oxford Street, Manchester, M60 7BL.
20 June, Edinburgh – CAAT will participate in the Crunch Time for Trident
event in Glasgow, to raise awareness of the role of UKTI DSO.
20 June, Norwich – Norwich CAAT will use their regular peace vigil to highlight UKTI’s role in the arms trade. Activists will communicate their message via sandwich boards as they walk around the city.
CAAT’s Local Campaign Co-ordinator, Anne-Marie O’Reilly, says:
Grassroots activism is enormously important in bringing home the truth about the UK’s role in the international arms trade. People are shocked to learn that a government department like UKTI is using public resources to promote and support the arms industry and arms fairs. Stop Week is one way CAAT can bring our message to people around the UK.
For further information please contact CAAT’s Media Co-ordinator 020 7281 0297 or 07990 673232 or email media(at)caat·org·uk.
ENDS
Notes
- Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) works for the reduction and ultimate abolition of the international arms trade together with progressive demilitarisation within arms producing countries. 80% of CAAT’s funding comes from individual supporters’ donations and CAAT is strictly nonviolent in all its work.
- CAAT has produced Stop Week packs with further information and ideas for action. To acquire a pack email enquiries(at)caat·org·uk or ring 020 7281 0297. CAAT has also produced special Day of Prayer packs, also available from enquiries(at)caat·org·uk.
- UKTI’s Defence and Security Organisation (DSO) provides support for arms companies in their export-related activities. This includes promoting weapons sales worldwide, including to countries in conflict and regimes with a documented record of human rights abuse.
- In November 2008 CAAT launched its UKTI: Armed & Dangerous campaign with a demonstration outside UKTI’s headquarters in London. The demonstration aimed to inform UKTI staff about the new DSO unit and asked them whether they were aware that UKTI was involved in arms dealing. CAAT has since launched a petition and postcard campaign, to enable members of the public to directly inform Andrew Cahn, UKTI Chief Executive, of their concerns.
- Defence Systems and Equipment International (DSEI) has been held every two years since 2001 at the ExCeL Centre in Newham, east London. This year it is scheduled to run 8-11 September 2009. Every year there have been high-profile protests. DSEI was formerly owned by academic publishers Reed-Elsevier. In June 2007 publishers Reed-Elsevier finally yielded to public pressure and announced it would sell DSEI. In May 2008 DSEI and two arms fairs owned by Reed-Elsevier were bought by Clarion Events who have since acquired another two arms fairs.
ENDS
