Exterminate!: an arms dealer Dalek joins the Greens picket line of (from left) Caroline Russell, Alastair Binnie-Lubbock, Croydon’s Ria Patel and Zoe Garbett (Hackney)
Ria Patel, one of Croydon’s Green Party councillors, was part of a sit-down protest in Docklands yesterday at the start of a two-week picket of DSEI – Defence and Security Equipment International – one of the world’s largest arms fairs.
Fairfield ward councillor Patel was joined outside the ExCel Centre by fellow Green councillors from Islington and Hackney, including two London Assembly Members – Caroline Russell and Zoe Garbett – plus, someone dressed up as a Dalek arms dealer in death and destruction.
The councillors were holding signs that said: “Stop The Arms Fair #StopDSEI”
The British government has in the past invited official delegations from countries on its own human rights watch list, and exhibitors that have been exposed for promoting weapons and equipment, such as cluster bombs and leg-irons, which are illegal under international law.
Death for sale: DSEI opens at ExCel on September 9
Last week, the organisers of DSEI pulled a listing of Israel’s pavilion at the arms fair from its website, though it is still listed in its “international pavilions and participating countries” page.
International pavilions allow a country to advertise its “battle-tested” weaponry.
The Israeli government continues to break international law and carry out a devastating assault on the people and civilian infrastructure of Gaza.
Israeli arms companies such as Elbit Systems, Rafael, Israel Aerospace Industries and Uvision will still be allowed to attend the arms fair in London to tour for business.
“War starts right here on our doorstep,” said Councillor Patel, “and we have the power to shut down this disgusting event.”
Councillor Patel says that over the next two weeks of protest, some will attempt to disrupt the setting up of the event, with a huge protest planned for next Tuesday, September 9, when the Excel Centre opens its doors to the merchants of death and destruction.
“Those who wish to profit from misery, destruction and death are not welcome here,” said Alastair Binnie-Lubbock, a Green Party councillor in Hackney.
“It’s outrageous that the government is rolling out the blood-red carpet for regimes like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain, who have terrible records on human rights.”
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