DEFENCE AND SECURITY EQUIPMENT INTERNATIONAL (DSEI) will take place from 14-17 September at ExCel, the exhibition centre in London’s Docklands. It is one of the world’s largest arms fairs and is run by Clarion Events, which also hosts 24 other arms fairs around the world.
In London, DSEI takes place once every two years. This year, governments and military delegations will be browsing the wares of over 1,600 arms companies, selling items from guns and bombs to fighter jets and warships, with live action demonstrations scheduled to take place in the Royal Victoria Dock.
In 2019, the UK Government invited delegations to DSEI from 67 countries, including countries involved in military conflicts and at war, and countries that were on the Government’s list of human rights abusers.
A coalition of peace groups and activists, Stop The Arms Fair (STAF) will be mounting a variety of actions, both online and at the Excel. There will be themed days as the setup of the fair gets underway, starting on 6 September, and a big Day of Action on 14 September.
To prepare activists, there will be several online and in-person briefing sessions by Quaker Roots prior to events. These sessions will explore what to expect on the day, practical details like what to wear and bring, and an understanding of the legal situation around protest and taking action. There will be plenty of time for questions and answers. On Monday 13 September there will be a Silent Peace Vigil, at the Royal Victoria DLR Station.
There is also Art The Arms Fair, artists who say, ” We will oppose the arms fair, expose the real impact of these arms sales, and explore peaceful alternatives to the war industry.” An exhibition and sale of art by leading contemporary artists from all over the world will open on 11 September in Brook Street, Mayfair, London.
* More information on events both online and in-person here.
* Sources: Stop The Arms Fair and Art The Arms Fair