".....organises a seminar to help arms companies to sell weapons to the repressive regimes of the region."

Which regimes / countries?

It's quoted in the blockquote from the the programme - which is linked to.

Thanks - got it

Is purchasing weapons for defence a bad thing?
I'm not sure this is necessary correct. Its a sad fact, but every country needs a military capability, particular those in the middle east where countries are often trying to invade one another. A typical example is when Iraq invaded Kuwait. Without a defence, kuwait would have been under the fist of Saddam.

>> Campaign Against Arms Trade quickly organised a demonstration, which was announced on Facebook.
Evil, capitalist website of the ruling class.

>> Within two days, a rumour started circulating that the event had been cancelled, which was confirmed by the organisers.But while the online publicity had been taken down, tickets remained on sale. Hmm, suspicious…
But not against the law.


>> Not to be fooled so easily, CAAT stuck to the planned demonstration on Thursday 8th September.
Not against the law.

>> I went along in my business suit, all the better to pass off as an arms dealer. As our group neared RBS, one of us had an idea: Why doesn’t someone pretend to be an arms dealer and try to find out if the seminar is taking place there? Reluctantly, I volunteered.
Admission of breaking the law?

>> Out the front of the RBS building were a number police from both Metropolitan and City of London forces.
Probably because of the protest. Historically, there is often trouble at protest involving illegal activity.

>> RBS had posted two burly security guards checking people’s ID cards as they went in.
Size-ism comment? Is that legal?

>> I simply told them I was there for the “Defence and Security event” and they let me right in.
Thats within the law.

>> At the main reception I asked where the event was taking place and they asked for my name. I thought they were going to check it against a list of delegates, but they just printed off a laminated security pass with my name on it, and told me the seminar was booked on the third floor. This was too easy!
Against the law, this article indicates you knew you were not invited as a delegate to a private event and therefore you knew you were effectively trespassing

>> I used the barcode on my freshly minted visitor pass to open the security gates, and I was in!
The general tone confirms you knew you were doing something you shouldn't of. More admission of guilt.

>> I went up to the third floor and wandered about.
Trepass - possible burglary akin to a scam artist conning way into a little old ladies flat.

>> The main auditorium was prepped for an audience and the atrium was ready for a reception, but there was no-one there! Finally I asked a member of staff where the event was. She took me into her confidence: ”Haven’t you been told? The event was cancelled and then reinstated at a new location, because of protesters.”
Should be no issue with this. She is doing her job.

She told me that she hadn’t been told where the event had been moved to due to security considerations, which she found ridiculous. “You could be a protester!” she said, adding “but I’m sure you’re not.”
Failing to confirm this, is more proof you knew you were trespassing.

>> She took me back to reception and introduced me to a woman who told me that the event had been moved just across the road, to the Bishopsgate Institute.
Yes, doing her job.

>> Only then did the head of RBS security ask me where I was from. ”Campaign Against Arms Trade” I replied, and the game was up. I handed over my pass and left the building to rejoin my fellow campaigners.
"the game?".... ie the illegal activity involving conning your way in. What next? Steal some pensioners gas money?

>> I did try to find out where in the Bishopsgate Institute the event was being held, but the receptionist there told me that she hadn’t heard of it. In retrospect I wish I’d been more brazen and just walked straight in and had a look around, as unlike RBS, the Institute has no security to speak of.
Still trespass, security or not.

>> One thing that surprised me was how easy it was to gain access to the venue with nothing more than a smart suit, a polite manner and a respectable haircut. I didn’t even have to lie!
But you did have to break the law.

>> Those who know me know that I’m usually fairly scruffy,
They usually are.

>> but it’s good to know I can pass for an arms dealer when I need to!
Most people can.

>> On the whole, a good day: We embarrassed a whole arms-dealing conference into hiding from us, we saw through their “cancellation” ruse, and we managed to find out where they were hiding.
And you also admit you broke the law - in writing and on video.

>> But of course that’s not enough. We need to stop these events from happening altogether.
Can't - they are legal.

>> Consider this: That seminar was organised by the civil service and hosted by a bank that is 83% owned by the taxpayer. That means that your taxes are being used to promote the sale of weapons to some of the world’s most repressive regimes.
Governments. Which weapons used for what repression?

>> If that makes you as angry as it does me, then please support the good work of Campaign Against Arms Trade. Thank you.
I see your point, but also feel that many people need weapons for defence purposes too.