Scoop September 2011
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| + | ==* The world's largest arms fair - DSEi -London on 13-16 September== | ||
| + | (Defence & Security Equipment International) | ||
| + | Arming repressive regimes. Boosting arms company profits. Displaying the latest killing technology. It's an event you don't want to miss. | ||
| + | People the world over are yet again witnessing the horror of what happens when the UK and other military powers put weapons in the hands of repressive regimes. Crowd control equipment, tear gas and military equipment were sold by the UK to Gaddafi's regime, just months before he turned them on civilians calling for democracy. | ||
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| + | But it's business as usual for the UK government and arms companies: | ||
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| + | * David Cameron continued touring the Middle East with 8 high-level arms dealers in the week UK weapons were turned on protestors in Libya. | ||
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| + | * The repressive and authoritarian Saudi government continues to be one of the UK's largest weapons customers. There is no sign of an embargo despite their tanks rolling into Bahrain to help put down unrest there. | ||
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| + | stopthearmsfair.org.uk<http://www.stopthearmsfair.org.uk/> | ||
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| + | An event with global repercussions... | ||
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| + | At the last DSEi arms fair in 2009, the guests included an impressive number of A-list repressive regimes seeking to shore up their power with the latest weapons technologies: Algeria, Bahrain, Libya, Saudi Arabia, and more! | ||
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| + | Just months after its attack on Gaza in 2008-9, Israel hosted a huge pavilion of its "battle-tested" exports. Countries that are at threat of war with each other - such as India and Pakistan - shopped side-by-side. | ||
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| + | In 2011, DSEi publicity boasts that the arms fair will be "even bigger" and will host the "Largest Unmanned & Robotics Demonstration area in Europe". | ||
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| + | stopthearmsfair.org.uk<http://www.stopthearmsfair.org.uk/> | ||
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| + | ... that we can stop! Be there on 13th September | ||
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| + | The Stop the Arms Fair coalition is calling a mass day of action on Tuesday 13th September - the first day of the arms fair. We want to make it too difficult for the arms companies to do business by supporting a mass of diverse and creative actions against the fair. | ||
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| + | The day of action will be accessible to all whether it's your first demo or you've spent hours of your life chained to arms factory gates! | ||
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| + | Put it in your diary. Start talking to others and making links with local campaigns. Let's get a group from every town and city down to London for the Day of Action! | ||
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| + | To share ideas for the day, get involved in making it happen, or ask questions, use our contact form<http://stopthearmsfair.wordpress.com/contact/> or contact the supporting organisation of your choice. | ||
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| + | stopthearmsfair.org.uk<http://www.stopthearmsfair.org.uk/> | ||
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| + | Get ready for it on 12th June | ||
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| + | Sunday 12th June, 10.30am-5pm, Friends House, 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ | ||
| + | Take part in a day of workshops, plotting and scheming for an end to DSEi arms fair and an end to the arms trade. | ||
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| + | Hear the latest on who's coming to DSEi and what goes on there. Learn new skills for taking action in workshops from direct action to clowning to putting your message across. Meet others to work with on the day of action. Help finalise plans for DSEi week: from creative ideas for action to the logistics of how people will eat and sleep! | ||
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| + | If you can offer a workshop, or help out on the day, please get in touch.<http://stopthearmsfair.wordpress.com/contact/> | ||
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| + | If you can't make it to London for the day, but would like to host a workshop in your area contact chris@figtree.org.uk <mailto:chris@figtree.org.uk> | ||
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| + | stopthearmsfair.org.uk<http://www.stopthearmsfair.org.uk/> | ||
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| + | Mobilising in cities across the UK... | ||
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| + | Already groups are mobilising for DSEi in Manchester, London, Leeds and Birmingham. | ||
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| + | Members of the coalition are willing to do workshops around the country. Do get in touch<http://stopthearmsfair.wordpress.com/contact/> if you would like to invite a speaker. | ||
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| + | We hope groups around the country will be able to take part in the planning event on 12th June in London, and in our monthly meetings. If you would like to join the monthly meetings over the internet on skype, let us know.<http://stopthearmsfair.org.uk/contact/> | ||
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| + | The monthly meetings take place on Sundays 2pm-5pm: | ||
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| + | * 10 April | ||
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| + | * 8 May | ||
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| + | * 5 June | ||
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| + | If you are mobilising in your area, you might like to check out Disarm DSEi's map<http://www.dsei.org/exhibitors> of arms company exhibitors across the UK, and CAAT's ideas for local action<http://caat.org.uk/campaigns/this-is-not-ok/dsei-localaction.php>. | ||
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==Friday, 16 September, UNA AGM== | ==Friday, 16 September, UNA AGM== | ||
