L: A Friend from Keighley Meeting joining in a die-in to block the entrance to the DSEi arms fair. R: Quakers joining others in blocking access to the venue. Photo: Photos courtesy of Britain Yearly Meeting.
Protests at arms fair
Quakers were among those protesting at a major arms fair
Many Quakers were among the two hundred people who took part in a silent vigil at a major arms fair in London on Monday evening.
The Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEi) began on Tuesday 10 September at the Excel Centre in east London. DSEi is one of the world’s largest arms fairs.
Friends were involved in the silent, candle-lit vigil held between 7 and 8pm on Monday 9 September at the entrance to the Excel Centre. It is estimated that one in four Area Meetings had a representative at the vigil.
An act of worship went ahead on Sunday 8 September, when equipment that included weapons was being transported to the fair, despite three attempts by police to stop it.
Three Quakers were arrested at a protest on 8 September and subsequently released. Quaker Peace & Social Witness were one of the groups involved in the protests.
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