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Disrupting DSEi - Day One. Full Timeline

13.09.2011 09:42 | Anti-militarism

Full timeline of actions on Tuesday 13th September 2011 against the DSEi Arms Fair.

19:30 8 cops escort Geoff Hoon past protestors to drink with the Merchants of Death
19:00 People chanting "Scum!" at dealers entering reception
18:17 Confirmed that DSEi reception is being held at National Gallery. Protestors inside and outside.
18:08 Report of arrests outside National Gallery where arms dealers are dining.
17:32 BAe die-in in progress.
17:11 FITwatch reports that other FIT cops present at BAe include Alan Palfrey, another bystander when Ian Tomlinson was killed.
17:11 150 people now reported to be outside BAe building
17:05 About 65 people at the die-in at BAE.
16:52 15 CAAT supporters blockaded an arms fair exit with a die-in. Arms dealers forced to step over their bodies. 1 arrest.
16:51 FIT have followed FITwatchers on tube to Embankment.
16:36 Chris Cole of Drone Wars UK sprayed 'Stop the Arms Trade' and 'DSEi Kills' at Custom House today. Charged with criminal damage and bailed. Court 12 Oct.
16:00 Report of protester arrested on DLR by British Transport Police.
15:50 Critical Mass on its way to BAe die-in.
15:50 Manchester against militarism & others outside Aerospace Defence & Security Group HQ forcing staff to use different exit.
15:35 FIT now watching FITwatchers drink beer at a pub in Whitechapel.
15:28 Group gathering to perform 'remote controlled killer robots' street theatre protest outside General Atomics- makers of drones.
15:21 Quietening down at west gate at Excel. Bikes likely to move off soon to BAe die-in.
14:47 Police have managed to contain west entrance blockaders behind police lines. Traffic moving through gate again.
14:37 Group headed to blockade office of arms trade lobby ADS.
14:36 Kettle reported at West Entrance.
14:25 West Entrance closed following sit down and street dance.
14:18 West entrance blocked again by a die-in.
14:17 Kettle in Tidal Basin Road. People asking for support.
14:15 Unconfirmed CAAT report that people on bikes have been kettled by tidal basin road. Awaiting confirmation.
14:14 Report that cops are asking people to go in the 'official' pen to protest.
14:10 [approx time] Arrest for climbing fence at west entrance to Excel Centre
14:05 Blockaders now blockading Royal Victoria entrance. Cars and taxis turning around.
13:57 Blockaders now moving to Royal Victoria DLR.
13:55Police threaten to arrest man for distributing anti-militarist literature at Custom House.
13:45 People at west entrance being warned for trespass by Excel security.
13:34 25 people staging die-in at West Entrance
13:29 Sparkles not Shrapnel having led the throng in song at Parliament are now going to serenade arms dealers
13:20 Critical Mass at the West Entrance.
13:13 Critical mass cyclists and others blocking west entrance to the arms fair.
12:58 People are reported to be heading to Custom House now for a Die-In.
12:35 Veggies Catering Campaign of Nottingham is at Canning Town feeding arms fair protesters.
12:34 Docklands Light Railway protests this morning reported to have been 'very easy'. Successful die-in at main entrance.
12:00 An Anglican priest has staged an 'exorcism' of the arms fair at the Custom House entrance.
11:41 CAAT reports rally of 200 outside Parliament.
10:31 Critical Mass broadcasting loud soundtracks of warfare, huge explosions at Custom House
10:26 Arrest at Custom House for shouting 'go home, scum' at delegates
10:27 Protestors with banner moved from Custom House to 'offical protest site' at Prince Regent.
10:24 Critical mass arrives at Customs House DLR. Greeted by many cops.
10:17 Banner being held at custom house station. Cops threatening removal.
09:00 30 cyclists ready to set off on Critical Mass from Bank.
08:42 Destroy DSEi Banner Drop at ExCel.
12/09 March ban partially lifted under threat of legal action by arms fair protester.
12/09 Multifaith vigil held outside ExCel 6.30 - 8pm. One arrest for criminal damage. Later released.

Comments

Hide the following 3 comments

Where was everyone?

13.09.2011 17:35

It should have been the headline tonight-tens of thousands storm Europe's biggest arms fair. Instead at 11am outside the excel I counted 25 people-some of them press.
The headline on London bbc at 6.30pm tonight - thousands of customers storm the newest Westfield super mall(down the road in Stratford) looking for bargains. It really beggars belief.

A protester


Couldn't agree more...

13.09.2011 18:03

What's really sad was walking past van after van of cops clearly expecting a confrontation and getting nothing. Those fuckers got paid to do piss all today, even THEY expected more resistance than we offered. Today was too fragmented, too fluffy in parts and above all FAR TOO SMALL!

Here's to hoping small groups have their own actions planned to try and really stop this war mongering charade.

Fellow Protester


agree with the above

14.09.2011 11:50

unfortunately unable to attend action debrief this morning. understand people were avoiding large actions hoping not to get kettled.

however there were local people and protestors wandering around docklands in the afternoon not really sure where to go or what action to join with no one to direct them and nothing on twitter / social media about where anyone was. local residents who knew nothing of the arms fair coalition were picking up banners and joining in with small groups who were unable to obtain information about where larger groups were.

there were very few people around to support the picket against coaches and buses leaving the centre because lots of 'savvy' activists had decided it wasn't worth trying because of the police presence or assumed lots of people would be there in the afternoon anyway, and decided to plan other actions at other times,

this left small groups of protestors very vulnerable to police harassment because everyone was off doing their own thing and so few people around to observe and support.

the rest of the day was excellent but if people are going to put out calls to take action at customs house / excel they should be there to support people there.

to be fair legal observers was there but when picketing strength is in numbers.




Fellow Protestor