Lest we forget: Arms fair owners Clarion get a taste of the Spirit of Christmas

dv | 09.11.2008 23:53 | Anti-militarism

Supporters and members of London Campaign Against the Arms Trade (CAAT) were at the Spirit of Christmas Fair at Olympia on Remembrance Sunday (November 9, 2008) to alert visitors to the fact that the organisers, Clarion Events have recently taken ownership of five international arms fairs, including the world’s biggest, euphemistically titled ‘Defence Systems and Equipment International’ (DSEi), held biennially in London’s Docklands. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Campaigners dressed as Santa, a reindeer and elves displayed placards, chanted and distributed leaflets to visitors, many of whom showed concern for Clarion’s involvement in the arms trade and were enthusiastic about the demonstration. One of the campaigners wore a Santa mask and hat and lay down 'dead' in a bodybag, symbolising the deaths of countless civilians due to the global trade in arms.

On Wednesday, CAAT campaigners were present for the opening of the fair, when they dressed as Santa and elves, carrying sacks filled with guns instead of toys. [6]

Clarion's idea of the 'Spirit of Christmas' seems to involve selling arms to repressive regimes with poor human rights records, including Saudi Arabia, Libya, Indonesia and China – all of which were invited to DSEi 2007 - and keeping the rivers of blood flowing around the world. The company has a rather diverse portfolio: in addition to arms fairs and the Spirit of Christmas Fair, they also organise the Baby Show, held last month at London’s Earl's Court, from which UNICEF and Bounty withdrew once alerted to Clarion’s links with the arms trade. [7, 8] The company recently took over ownership of DSEi and other international arms fairs from Reed Elsevier, who were forced to sell the events after intense pressure from campaigners, senior academics, customers and shareholders. Clarion can expect similar treatment as campaigners vow to make use of every opportunity to highlight the company’s apparent determination to facilitate death and destruction around the world in the name of profit.

To register your disapproval of Clarion’s involvement in the arms trade, please e-mail the company’s CEO, Simon Kimble:

Simon.Kimble@clarionevents.com

Or write by snail mail to:
Clarion Events Limited, Earls Court Exhibition Centre, Warwick Road, London SW5 9TA.

References:

1.