Recent news has been a reminder about the dangers of the arms trade, and importance of supporting other ways to resolve our conflicts. Quakers in Britain have called on the UK government to focus on building a just and sustainable peace in the Middle East.
In February, the Peace Hub Action Group focussed on the arms trade – sharing a range of ideas for action, from a creative action you can join at home, to in-person witness at the heart of the arms trade.
Knitting to stop the arms fair
Can you knit or crochet or sew? Quaker Roots are looking for crafted baby (hats, mittens booties etc.) items for a creative action to highlight the contradiction between the sale of products for children and the sale of weapons that harm children.
We will give out baby clothes with messages, outside The Baby Show – this event is organised by Clarion who also organise the biennial DSEI arms fair in London. The aim is to raise the awareness of sponsors, exhibitors and attenders of The Baby Show about Clarion’s complicity in the arms trade in the hope it will encourage them to ask questions about how Clarion’s role in the arms fair fits with their values. This in turn is part of a broader strategy to put pressure on Clarion, to drop the arms fair.
You can send items to us here at Peace Hub: 41 Bull St, Birmingham B4 6AF.
Keeping pressure on the NEC
Witness against the Specialist Defence and Security Convention (SDSC) at the NEC in February helped bring this hidden arms fair into visibility. The fact that security were keen to keep protestors segregated from attendees of the Spring Fair and Ice-cream show (happening at the same time) shows that the venue is wary of the negative PR associated with hosting the arms trade. The video below gives a sense of the day:
So, while the arms fair is sadly due to return to the NEC in 2027, the campaign continues with opportunities for creative actions at other events at the same venue throughout the year – beginning later this month (March).
Local Arms Manufacturers
UAV Engines Ltd is based in Shenstone, and produce engines for drones manufactured by Israeli arms company Elbit Systems.
There are regular protests outside the factory, mostly low-key groups of people providing a reminder that business cannot continue as usual hidden away.
On Weds 25th March 11am -1pm a larger demonstration will be held as part of a Palestine Solidarity Campaign day of action.
Watch this space for a mini-pilgrimage from Litchfield to Shenstone, with a silent vigil, being planned for May.
Moog is a US arms company with a factory in Wolverhampton, where they make parts used by Israel for fighter jets, including F-35s. Moog’s shipments to Israel have more than trebled since the conflict began.
In 2024 Moog was fined nearly $2million by the US government for bribery and corruption, but there has been no investigation or review of export licenses in the UK
Read more in this article from Declassified.
Stay in touch to hear more about a local campaign building against Moog. In the meantime you can join CAAT’s campaign on F-35 fighter jets.
Finally for those with more time and energy, there will be an International Peace Camp outside Lakenheath air base in Suffolk 1st – 6th April. Read more and sign up.
As always, you can keep in touch with Peace Hub to learn more, ask questions and share ideas: