DISARM DSEi
Shut down the world's largest weapons fair!
Spring 2005 Update

DSEi (Defence Systems and Equipment International) is the world’s biggest weapons fair selling everything from battleships and attack helicopters to cluster bombs and machine guns. At DSEi 2003 there were 973 exhibitors selling their deadly wares to delegates from a third of the world’s countries.
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Shut down Spearhead
The campaign to shut down Spearhead Exhibitions, organiser of DSEi, continues. Numerous affinity group actions have taken place since the campaign began. More information about Spearhead can be found at www.dsei.org.

Picket and electronic blockade
A monthly picket and electronic blockade of Spearhead Exhibitions takes place on the first Monday of the month. Meet at 1pm outside Spearhead Exhibitions, Oriel House, 26 The Quadrant, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 1DL, and blockade Spearhead using telephone, fax and email throughout the day.
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Public meetings
People from around the country gathered at LARC, East London, for a public meeting on 13th February. We discussed the upcoming Day of Direct Action Against the Arms Trade as well as plans for DSEi 2005. Fourteen cops from the Forward Intelligence Team were outside the venue, but the meeting proceeded regardless, and we talked about how to deal with this kind of harassment in future. Suggestions welcome. We are planning to hold future
public meetings around the country in the run-up to DSEi 2005.
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Petition
We are planning to hand in our petition at the beginning of May, so completed copies need to be returned by 25th April. You can download it from www.dsei.org or order it on paper from us.
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STOP THE ARMS TRADE… BEFORE IT STOPS YOU!
21.03.2005
International Day of Direct Action Against the Arms Trade
International groups are calling for a day of direct action against the arms trade on 21st March 2005 to coincide with the second anniversary of the start of war on Iraq.
The international arms trade is responsible for death, destruction and misery all over the planet. Arms dealers profit from war and are constantly looking for ways to sell their deadly technology to whichever side is prepared to pay, often at the taxpayer's expense.
Join us and show that we will not tolerate this murderous trade. Support this call to action, find your local arms dealer and organise an action in your area.
To join the international email list send a blank email to:  actionagainstarmstrade-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
This day of action is an initiative from the "Destroy the Arms Trade" session at Beyond ESF.
See www.wombles.org.uk/auto.
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DSEi exhibitors’ addresses
A new section has been added to the DISARM DSEi website with addresses arranged geographically for DSEi exhibitors. You can now click on your region (or country if outside the UK) and view a list of exhibitors’ addresses in your area. Go to www.dsei.org and follow the links. You can also download flyers and stickers from the website.
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DSEi 2005
13-16 September at ExCeL, London Docklands.
Preparations are underway for DISARM DSEi 2005. We are planning a week of action with a convergence centre, conference and accommodation. We are expecting a week of affinity group actions and public events. If you would like us to publicise any of your group’s events, please let us know.
We need people to get involved with organising for the week including:
· publicity
· fundraising
· convergence centre
· conference and stalls
· accommodation
and anything else you would like to see happen. Please get in touch if you can help.
DISARM DSEi flyers and stickers will be available soon. Let us know if you want any. DISARM DSEi is holding regular meetings to plan and organise the campaign. If you are interested in coming along please get in contact.

Festivals
We are planning to have stalls at various festivals this summer in the run-up to this year’s DSEi. If you want to help out or know of any events we could go to, get in touch by email to  festivals@dsei.org.

Speakers available
If your group wants to find out more about DSEi, Spearhead, and this year’s DISARM DSEi, we can arrange for someone to come and speak at your meeting.
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Donations
DISARM DSEi is funded entirely by donations, so please consider sending a cheque payable to DISARM DSEi to the address below or donate online using Paypal via our website.
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Dates for your diary
21 March – International Day of Direct Action Against the Arms Trade.
4 April – 1pm picket of Spearhead Exhibitions and all-day electronic blockade.
9 April – Cancel the ExCeL Arms Fair. Musical protest outside the ExCel Centre, next to Custom House DLR. Organised by East London Against the Arms Fair (ELAAF), c/o C.I.U. Durning Hall, Earlham Grove, London E79AB.
16 April – Musical protest (details as above).
25 April – Deadline for completed petitions.
3 May (due to bank holiday on 2nd)– 1pm picket of Spearhead Exhibitions and all-day electronic blockade.
13 – 16 September - DSEi 2005, ExCeL, London Docklands.
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This Update is also available on paper. Contact us to get hold of a copy.

Get involved, get in touch:
DISARM DSEi
Web: www.dsei.org / Postal address: BM Box 3679, London WC1N 3XX
Telephone: 07817 652029 / Email:  disarm@dsei.org