The protest lasted around half an hour with an interested public until a van of cops pulled up and said that whilst they respected our right to protest we couldn’t do it where we were because we were on private property and if we took a step forward we would be on the highway and they would nick us for obstruction. They also claimed that it was illegal to display a sign outside a private building!!!!!! However they did say that we could go and protest on the green which is a ten minute walk away and has no relevance.

After many arguments with aggressive cops, the protest moved to the back entrance. There the same arguments ensued with the cops initially threatening to nick us for harassment and threatening that social services would be called for the baby. However after five minutes they decided that they would disperse us under a temporary ASBO and ban us from returning to Richmond for 24 hours.

Unfortunately because of the presence of the baby, we felt they didn’t have any other option other than to co-operate and give our details. However this will be challenged and the protests will continue.


Text of leaflet:

DISARM DSEi 2005: SHUT DOWN SPEARHEAD!
DESTROY THE ARMS TRADE!


DSEi (Defence Systems and Equipment International) is a biennial arms fair organised by Spearhead Exhibitions. The next fair is in September 2005 and our presence here today is part of an ongoing campaign to stop DSEi 2005 and to shut down Spearhead.

DSEi is the world’s largest arms fair with 973 exhibitors including murderous arms companies Lockheed Martin, British Aerospace and Rolls-Royce. In 2003 delegates attended from 65 countries including war torn areas of the Middle East and Africa.

In 2003 Spearhead Exhibitions, organiser of the DSEi arms fair for five years, was brought by Reed Exhibitions and later moved into the Reed offices.

We want to let Reed know that buying Spearhead will not be a profitable venture.

Register your protest now! Contact the Chief Executive of Spearhead, organiser of DSEi:
Bob Munton, Spearhead Exhibitions Ltd, Oriel House, 26 The Quadrant, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1DL.
Tel: 020 8439 8900 Fax: 020 8439 8901
Email:  enquiries@spearhead.co.uk

Take action against the arms trade! Anyone can organise or take part in a DISARM DSEi action. See our website www.dsei.org for resources, information and more.

Donate! DISARM DSEi is funded entirely by donations and fundraising activities. Bank details: Sort code: 08-92-99 Account no: 65112153. Or cheques payable to DISARM DSEi can be sent to DISARM DSEi, BM Box 3679, :London WC1N 3XX.