Please show your solidarity and help keep Chris's spirits up in prison by writing cards and letters of support to:
Chris Cole (A8147A2), HMP Wandsworth, Heathfield Road, London SW18 3HS

***STOP PRESS*** There is a planning meeting in central London this Sunday, called by Campaign Against Arms Trade, for various groups and individuals to discuss how to mount effective resistance in the lead up to the next DSEi arms fair, due to take place in London in September: https://london.indymedia.org/events/6762

Message from Chris's wife:

"Chris was jailed today [19 Jan] for 30 days for non-payment of a fine relating to a protest at the DSEI arms fair in 2009."

You can read Chris's pre-prison reflections on his blog:
http://chrisco1e.wordpress.com/2011/01/18/%E2%80%9Cit%E2%80%99s-just-the-way-things-are%E2%80%9D/

The above article includes a Facebook link where you can view CCTV footage of the original action.

Report of the original action:

Christian Peace Activist Arrested at War Planning Conference - September 7, 2009
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/09/437538.html

Press Release 19 Jan 2011

Christian Peace Activist Imprisoned for Arms Protest

Christian peace activist Chris Cole, 47, from Oxford was today imprisoned for 30 days at Westminster Central Magistrates Court for non-payment of a fine following a protest at the opening event of the DSEI arms fair in September 2009. Cole had sprayed ‘Build Peace Not War Machines' and "Stop this Bloody Business" across the entrance to the QEII conference centre in central London .

According to a publicity brochure for the event, the UK Defence Conference would be attended by senior officials from the arms industry, the military and the UK government in order "to explore the business opportunities" to be found in responses "to global security threats such as climate change, major population movements, growing water scarcity, competition for energy sources and the continued rise of Islamism."

Defending himself in court Cole said "The arms industry is pushing military solutions to human security threats that in reality need political and humanitarian responses not more weaponry. If we want to be a nation that is committed to building peace and defending the poor, we need to address underlying causes of injustice and not promote the ideology of ‘might is right'.

At the original trial in October 2009 Cole was found guilty and ordered to pay £1,545.00 in compensation and £350 in court costs.

This is the fifth time that Cole has been sentenced to imprisonment for nonviolent civil disobedience.

ENDS

The biennial DSEi (Defence and Security Equipment International) arms fair, organised by Baby Show, Spirit of Christmas Fair and International Horse Show organisers/promoters Clarion Events, in collaboration with the UK Government, is next due to take place at the ExCel Centre in London's Docklands from 13-16 September 2011.

This is how the official DSEi website describes the event:

"Defence & Security Equipment International (DSEi) is the world's largest fully integrated defence and security exhibition. DSEi provides a time-effective opportunity to meet the whole defence and security supply chain and showcase your company's full capabilities to key decision makers from the global defence and security community."

Translation into plain English: "This is a grand opportunity for unscrupulous arms dealers and murderous dictators to do business."

More details: http://www.defpro.com/news/details/21267/

There is a planning meeting in central London this Sunday, called by Campaign Against Arms Trade, for various groups and individuals to discuss how to mount effective resistance in the lead up to DSEi 2011: https://london.indymedia.org/events/6762