Protestors outside Church House on 24 June. Photo: Photo courtesy of the Fellowship of Reconciliation.
Protest targets arms dealers’ use of church property
A silent vigil was held at Church House to demonstrate against the first of two Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) conferences taking place there
Eight Christians, including several Quakers, held a silent vigil at Church House in London on 24 June to demonstrate against the taking place there of the first of two Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) conferences. Among the conferences’ sponsors are some of the world’s largest arms companies, including BAE Systems, Finmeccanica and Lockheed Martin.
The first conference, the Land Warfare Conference, reflected on the British way of war, and what it can teach today’s armed forces. The second will take place on 9 and 10 July, focusing on air power. The vigil will begin at 11am on 9 July.
Organisations including the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FoR) and Pax Christi have written to Church House Conference Centre expressing their dismay that a church venue should host and profit from a gathering sponsored by the arms trade and urging them to cancel the conferences.
Similar actions took place in October 2012, supported by FoR, Pax Christi, Quakers, Christian CND, Christianity Uncut and CAAT Christian Network.
‘Two years ago, thousands of people, including many Anglicans, voiced their dismay at the willingness of Church House to host an arms dealers’ conference. I met with a senior member of Church House staff and shared my concerns. Now, it’s happening again,’ said protester Symon Hill.
‘The Christian church cannot be neutral in the face of sins such as militarism and the arms trade.’
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