Calling for the cancellation of the Arms Fair at ExCeL in 2007, seventy protestors, accompanied by a small brass band marched from Plaistow Park through Canning Town on Saturday for a rally at the western end of Victoria Dock. Addressed by local speakers, including Councillor Alan Craig (Christian People’s Allliance) and representatives of the Garden Café, Newham Greens, Newham Respect and Lewisham CND, the common theme was the inappropriateness of ExCeL, the site of “death sales”, as an Olympic venue.

An East London Against Arms Fairs spokesperson pointed out that weapons sold at previous ExCeL Arms Fairs were probably now being used in the Lebanon/Israel war (this is of course in contravention of UK Export of Arms guidelines, which say that weapons should not be sold where they may be used in regions of conflict).

The rally also held a five minute silence led by Rev. Ray Collier for the victims of the Arms Trade everywhere.

Both participants and police found the whole event very peaceful.