Protesters with their placards. Photo: Jim Wood.
Hereford Expo protest
Friends joined protesters expressing concern about a security expo
Herefordshire Friends joined protesters in Hereford on 1 February to express their concern about the first Herefordshire Defence and Security Expo being held in the Courtyard Theatre, Jim Wood told the Friend.
The Expo is a forum for the military, security agencies and suppliers. It brings together local private military and security companies from the UK government, armed forces and some of the world’s largest arms companies, such as Qinetiq.
Early in the morning two protesters, Murri Smith and Kim Holroyd, went to the Courtyard Theatre and adorned the pavements with messages of love in chalk. The protesters met at Hereford Meeting House, where they discussed the gathering and went over the songs they would sing, and then walked from the Meeting house through Hereford city centre to the Courtyard Theatre. Some carried banners that had been made for the event.
In a statement, the Courtyard Theatre said: ‘The purpose of the Expo is to promote the defence and security industry of Herefordshire. The goods and services promoted relate to cyber security, secure communications, personnel protection and security surveillance… There are no armament manufacturers or dealers involved, nor do we wish to involve businesses of that type. The event involves no offensive capability.’
