Fourth Plinth woman protests against the arms trade

Fourth Plinth woman protests against the arms trade

By staff writers
7 Sep 2009

The famous 'fourth plinth' in London's Trafalgar Square will today witness one woman's heartfelt protest against Britain's involvement in the international arms trade.

Members of Christian peace organisations will be joining campaigners against arms sales on the steps of St Martin-in-the-Fields Anglican church on the north-eastern corner of the Square at 8.40am to support her.

Quinnie's appearance is part of 'One and other', the imaginative project of the sculptor, Antony Gormley, who is asking ordinary people to occupy the empty plinth, a space normally reserved for statues of kings and generals.

The idea is to image and represent humanity differently. Participants are chosen at random via the internet and come from all parts of Britain.

"Never mind art - disarm the arms trade," says Quinnie. "Just down the road from the fourth plinth, the world's largest arms trade fair - Defence Systems Equipment International (DSEi) - will take place between 8-11 September at the ExCeL centre in East London."

She adds: "The arms trade is big business and even in a time of global recession it is making plenty of money. War is a profitable business and it is supported by this government. Taxpayers' money is being used to help private companies sell arms to repressive regimes and conflict zones.

"Banks finance the sale of arms, including cluster munitions and depleted uranium, which kill and maim innocent civilians. All top five UK high street banks invest in, provide banking services for, and make loans to, arms companies. If you bank with Barclays, Halifax Bank of Scotland, HSBC, Lloyds TSB or Royal Bank of Scotland your money is directly supporting weapons production."

Quinnie concludes: "Doing nothing changes nothing - take action now against the arms trade - protest against the DSEi arms fair, the banks who are investing in the arms trade and the government who is using taxpayers money to support an industry that deals in death."

More information: Campaign Against Arms Trade - www.caat.org.uk/

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