Five held over arms fair protest

 

Margaret Davis
Tuesday 10 September 2013 10:39 EDT
Comments
Customers at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) arms fair in east London
Customers at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) arms fair in east London (AFP/Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Five anti-arms trade protesters have been arrested after supergluing their hands together and blocking the entrance to an arms fair.

The Christian campaigners, among a group of about 20 demonstrators, were held by British Transport Police earlier today as they obstructed delegates trying to get into the ExCeL centre in east London from Custom House DLR station.

Protesters have been active in the area since Sunday, blocking access to the site where the Defence Security Equipment International event is being held.

Anne-Marie O'Reilly, from Campaign Against Arms Trade, said: "We want to see the arms fair stopped. It's absolutely crucial to the international arms trade, it's bringing 30,000 arms dealers together."

Protester Matthew Harbage, who attended the demonstration at around 8.30am, said the group managed to block a walkway for around 40 minutes. Delegates were re-routed while the entrance was obstructed.

Five protesters glued their hands together and knelt on the ground, while two others joined them but left to avoid arrest when confronted by police.

He said: "It's not OK to profit from the buying and selling of weapons of war. It's not OK for the UK government to host this and for taxpayers' money to be spent on an event that furthers the arming of the world."

Other protesters have also been travelling around on the DLR wearing t-shirts bearing the words 'arms dealer' with an arrow beneath, inviting delegates to have their photos taken.

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokeswoman said: "BTP officers were called to Custom House Docklands Light Railway (DLR) station at 9.26am.

"Five people, aged 25 to 36, were arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass and remain in police custody."

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in