Mass Blockade Of Government Run Arms Fair

Around 1,000 people joined in a Campaign Against Arms Trade(CAAT) protest against the Royal Navy and British Army Equipment Exhibition (or Reenee Beenee). This is Britain's biggest arms fair with exhibitors from 300 companies and delegates from over 60 countries. This year's list of government invited guests included Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and China - all well documented human rights abusers.

Several Kurdish groups concerned about British arms sales to Turkey took part and organised five coach loads for the demonstration. Protestors blocked what was to be the main entrance to the exhibition and then groups moved off to block other possible entrances. Two gates were unusable for the whole day and others were blocked for long periods of time. In all 89 demonstrators were arrested, mostly for wilful obstruction. Just over 20 people totally breached security and got on site to disrupt the exhibition. They were charged with aggravated trespass.

This was CAAT's biggest anti arms fair protest ever and it generated a lot of interest throughout the country and in the media. The campaign against arms fairs will be continued with a demonstration at COPEX on the 30th Sept - 1st Oct in Farnborough. Contact CAAT on 0171 281 0297.