Monday, 2 September
9:30 am
Royal Albert Way, E16
London, UK
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/852120258506233/
Take action at the DSEI arms fair to #StopArmingIsrael
The world’s largest arms fair, Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) returns to London in September.
It’ll host a specially designated area for Israel’s arms companies to display their weapons – weapons which are marketed as ‘combat-proven’ i.e. weapons that have been tested and used to devastate and destroy Palestinian communities.
Since March 2018, Palestinians in Gaza have been marching to the fence which has entrapped them in the “world’s largest open air prison”. Palestinians haven’t forgotten their original homes, and they haven’t given up on their right of return. They are demanding their fundamental right to return to the homes from which they and their families were expelled in 1948 and 1967, a right enshrined in international law, and an end to the illegal blockade.
Israel has met these protestors with brutal live fire, killing over 250 and injuring and maiming over 30,000 in Gaza. This violence and destruction is made possible by Israel’s trade in arms with dozens of countries, including the UK.
Israel’s brutal military occupation of Palestine is a grave and shocking injustice. Yet is only made possible through international support: from governments and from the many international corporations that profit from the occupation.
Palestinians are peacefully resisting occupation and oppression, and it’s important for us to heed their call for boycotts, divestment and sanctions, now more than ever. We can do our bit by calling for sanctions on the sale of weapons to Israel. War and repression start here, and we can stop it here.
Take action at the Excel Centre during the #StopDSEI week of action and demand a two-way arms embargo between the UK and Israel!
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On 2 September, we will kick off a week of action in the run up to the arms fair outside the Excel Centre to #StopDSEI. Join us in a day of creative action to Stop Arming Israel!
There will be activities and people there throughout the day from 10am onwards, but the main performances, speakers and activities will be 2–6pm. Come for the afternoon, and stay for an evening meal, and music and dancing at Dance to Disarm for Palestine: https://www.facebook.com/events/336184490600833/
***Programme of activities***
10.00 – Arrive! ‘Why are we here? Introduction to the issues & groups present.’
10.30 onwards – Bannermaking
11.00 – Workshop: Know your rights 101
12.00 – Speakers on BDS, The Great March of Return and the UK–Israel Arms trade
12.30 – Picnic Lunch *please bring food to share!*
13.30 – Performances, street theatre, speakers and more!
16.30 – Dabke Workshop by Hawiyya
18.00 – Food, and live music and spoken work at Dance to Disarm for Palestine
Bring creativity, energy, banners, flags, drums and a picnic lunch to share! This is happening rain or shine, so wear weather appropriate clothing.
Full accessibility information for the week of action is available on the Stop the Arms Fair website: https://www.stopthearmsfair.org.uk/accessibility-information/
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The week of action to Stop the Arms Fair at London’s Docklands runs from 2 to 13 September 2019. Find out more and join in the rest of the week of action: https://www.facebook.com/events/266188503879185/
