From 11-14 Sep 07, DSEi (Defence Systems & Equipment international [1]), the world's largest arms fair, returns to east London's ExCeL Centre. On Sat 21 Apr 07, demonstrators opposed to this obscene homicide festival joined one of a series of Musical Protests organised by East London Against the Arms Fair (ELAAF [2]).

In an efficient few moments of consensus decision making, we chose against the spot 'designated' for us by ExCeL, and instead claimed a much more effective pitch on the covered walkway from the Docklands Light Railway Custom House station. 'Fraid I missed the first musical contribution, while mounting signs, placards and banners on the walkway's balustrade. Second up were Raised Voices [2], the socialist choir with whom I sing, giving of our best to a series of anti-arms trade and pro-peace songs – and sometimes almost being marginalised by the chatter of the thousands of people passing by to register for the following day's London marathon. And last but by no means least were the Big Red Band, drawing lots of folks attention with brassy renditions of many a left-leaning tune. Hundreds of leaflets were distributed, and the ExCeL security staff chose to take no restrictive action against the protest.

If you think trading death-dealing tools of destruction should be no part of C21 society, here's a page of suggested actions you can take:
Take action against Arms Fairs – CAAT [4]
>  http://www.caat.org.uk/armsfairs/action.php


What's Next?

Sat 24 Apr 07 – 14:00-16:00
Public Meeting – Disarm DSEi [5]
11th September 2007: One Day, Many Actions
Blockade? Party? Destroy? March? Smash? Infiltrate? Invade? Picket? Harass? Clown? Dance? Light candles? Fight? Lock on? Vigil? Disrupt?
You Decide! Come and get involved.
Note: There may be police photographers outside the building. Don't be intimidated. You might choose to wear a scarf.
Room 3c, University of London Union, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HY
Transport details & map:  http://www.ulu.co.uk/content/index.php?page=1302

Sat 19 May 07 – 14:00-16:30
Musical Protest Against the DSEi arms fair – ELAAF
Come and enjoy/join in with the next Philharmonic Protest against selling guns to goon squads
Outside the Western Entrance, ExCel Centre, Custom House, London SE 16.
From Custom House DLR Station just follow the signs to the ExCel Centre. Lift from station platform to ExCel level.
Map:  http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=Excel+Exhibition+%26+Conference+Centre,+E16+1XL


In International Solidarity,

Tim D Jones

[1] DSEi primer:  http://www.caat.org.uk/armsfairs/dsei.php
[2] East London Against the Arms Fair:  anna@caat.org.uk - 020 7281 0297 - ELAAF c/o C.I.U. Durning Hall, Earlham Grove, London E7 9AB
[3] Raised Voices socialist choir:  http://www.raised-voices.org.uk -  info@raised-voices.org.uk - Liz 020 7527 8574 or Morag 020 8748 5688
[4] CAAT: Campaign Against Arms Trade -  http://www.caat.org.uk -  enquiries@caat.org.uk - 020 7281 0297 - CAAT, 11 Goodwin St, Finsbury Park, London N4 3HQ
[5] Disarm DSEi:  http://www.dsei.org -  info@dsei.org - 07 948 318 756 - Disarm DSEi c/o Archway Books, Bakehouse Yard, Market Strand, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 3DB

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