Six members and supporters of London Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), some in costume, displayed humorous placards, handed out leaflets and sang alternative Christmas carols outside the venue for two-and-half-hours, from 10.45am.

As well as promoting the International Horse Show, Clarion Events recently became the owner of London's biennial Defence Systems & Equipment International (DSEi), the world's biggest arms fair, and four other international arms fairs. Publishing company Reed Elsevier was forced to sell DSEi and its other arms fairs following strong criticism from its own customers, shareholders and campaigners. Clarion took over ownership of DSEi and several other arms fairs earlier this year.

Shortly before the protest began, security manager Trevor McNevin went over to the group to explain that Olympia was privately owned and that if they wished to remain on the property then they would need to go into the pen provided. One of the group responded that if an attempt was made to limit their ability to impart information to the public, he was prepared to challenge this in court, as he believed this would interfere with his right to freedom of expression under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, incorporated into domestic law through the Human Rights Act 1998. He suggested that any such court action would generate adverse publicity for Clarion (or alternatively provide an additional opportunity for Clarion to promote its upcoming arms fairs). Mr McNevin went away.

As the protesters began leafleting at the exit to Kensington (Olympia) station, a jobsworth London Underground guard approached and began hassling them. Mr McNevin then returned and this time authorised the protesters to remain on Olympia property adjacent to the station exit. Seemingly on a charm offensive at this stage, he offered hot drinks to the protesters, which they politely declined. Four of the group stayed there whilst a further two went off to leaflet at the top of Olympia Way. Many visitors en route to the event were curious, particularly children, and readily accepted leaflets highlighting the perhaps not self-evident link between the Horse Show and arms fairs. Having distributed around 700 leaflets by lunchtime and with the flow of equestrian enthusiasts drying up, the group went off for a nice cup of tea and a bite to eat (at a local café, rather than taking advantage of Clarion’s hospitality).

CAAT, the Space Hijackers and other campaigners have been highlighting Clarion's involvement in the arms trade at some of the company's other events this year, including the Spirit of Christmas Fair at Olympia in November and The Baby Show at London’s Earl's Court in October. Children's charity UNICEF and major sponsor Bounty withdrew from The Baby Show in October when they learned of Clarion's links with the arms trade.

Government and military representatives from a number of countries with less-than-exemplary human rights records have been invited to DSEi in recent years, including Saudi Arabia, Libya, Indonesia, Colombia and China. Torture equipment has been marketed at the event in the past. The next DSEi exhibition is due to take place at the ExCel centre in London's Docklands in September 2009. Campaigners have vowed to ramp up the pressure on Clarion Events, with protests planned at the next London Baby Show at ExCel itself (27 February - 1 March 2009).

Protester Daniel Viesnik explained his presence at the International Horse Show thus: "The rivers of blood that flow around the world start at London's DSEi and other arms fairs owned by Clarion. Millions of horses and other animals have been the innocent victims of brutal conflicts waged by mankind over the years. Profiting from all this is a global arms industry that Clarion now unashamedly promotes with such zeal, aided and abetted by a British Government that has blood on its hands."

Are you an unpopular tyrant seeking to re-exert control over your wayward populace? Or would you like to access new markets with your state-of-the-art torture / “enhanced interrogation” equipment? Then DSEi is the event for you! To learn more, contact:

Simon Kimble, Chief Executive, Clarion Events
T: +44 (0) 20 7370 8343
E:  simon.kimble@clarionevents.com

Gordon Payne, Managing Director, Defence and Security, Clarion Events
E:  gordon.payne@clarionevents.com

Clarion Events (London)
Clarion Events Limited
Earls Court Exhibition Centre
Warwick Road
London SW5 9TA
United Kingdom
T:+ 44 (0) 20 7370 8200
 http://www.clarionevents.com

Johnny Hutton, Secretary of State, Ministry of Warmongering, Whitehall, London


Links

Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) websites
 http://www.caat.org.uk
 http://www.caat.org.uk/armsfairs

London CAAT website and blog
 http://www.londoncaat.org.uk/
 http://wordpress.com/tag/london-caat/

Clarion Events - Defence page
 http://www.clarionevents.com/?page=defence

Defence Systems & Equipment International - Official site
 http://www.dsei.co.uk/

Clarion Events - Equestrian page
 http://www.clarionevents.com/?page=equestrian

London International Horse Show - Official site
 http://www.olympiahorseshow.com/

CAAT media stunt at Spirit of Christmas Fair
 http://caatblog.wordpress.com/2008/11/12/spirit-of-christmas-fair-media-stunt/

Lest we forget: Arms fair owners Clarion get a taste of the Spirit of Christmas - report
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/11/412594.html

Space Hijackers at the Spirit Of Christmas Fair - report
 http://www.london.indymedia.org.uk/articles/225

Space Hijackers at the DSEi Baby Show - report
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/10/411284.html


Relevant CAAT press releases

5 November '08 Christmas Fair opens to ridicule over owners' arms fair purchases
 http://www.caat.org.uk/press/archive.php?url=051108prs

4 November '08 Christmas Fair owners under pressure over role in arms trade
 http://www.caat.org.uk/press/archive.php?url=3041108prs

30 October '08 BBC challenged over Top Gear exhibition's arms trade links
 http://www.caat.org.uk/press/archive.php?url=301008prs

17 October '08 Baby Show under fire as exhibitors rebel over arms links
 http://www.caat.org.uk/press/archive.php?url=171008aaprs

17 September '08 Baby Show organisers buy more arms fairs
 http://www.caat.org.uk/press/archive.php?url=170908aprs

Disclaimer: the views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of CAAT or London CAAT

Picture credit: R. Cavill