Christian peace activist, Chris Cole (46) was arrested this morning (Monday 7th September) and charged with £2,000 of criminal damage following a protest at the UK Defence Conference, held at the Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre in central London, as part of the week-long Defence Systems Equipment International (DSEI) arms fair.



Cole sprayed ‘Build Peace not War Machines’ on the conference centre doors and ‘arms trade = death’ on the steps. He poured red paint as symbolic blood and wrote ‘stop this bloody business’.



Cole was later charged with ‘approximately £2,000 work of criminal damage’ and will appear at a plea hearing at Horseferry Road Magistrates Court on 17th September. He is also excluded from within the M25 as part of bail conditions during the DSEI arms fair.



Cole said “Especially in a time of war, we are called to resist the great lie that our security and well being lies in bigger and better weaponry. The truth is that only justice and love will in the end; bring real peace and real human security to our nation and the world as a whole.”