Dramatic confrontations erupted outside one of the world's largest arms fairs in London today, as Metropolitan Police officers clashed with hundreds of determined protesters attempting to block access to the event.
Scuffles broke out at the entrance to the ExCeL centre in Docklands, the host of the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition. Activists, chanting slogans against the global arms trade, linked arms and formed human barriers in an effort to prevent delegates from entering the venue.
Video footage captured the intense standoff, showing police in high-visibility jackets physically moving protesters aside and making several arrests. The atmosphere was described as tense but largely non-violent, with protesters sitting down in acts of civil disobedience before being escorted away by officers.
Why are protesters targeting DSEI?
The biennial DSEI fair attracts delegates from around the world, including numerous countries with questionable human rights records. Campaign groups have long criticised the event, arguing it facilitates the sale of weapons to oppressive regimes and fuels conflict internationally.
Protest groups stated their mission was to "peacefully disrupt the set-up of this deadly event and shine a light on the devastating impact of the global arms trade."
Police response and aftermath
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed that a policing operation was in place and that a number of arrests had been made for offences including breach of the peace and obstruction of the highway. They stated that their duty was to "ensure a balance between the right to peaceful protest and the rights of others to go about their business without undue disruption."
The DSEI exhibition is scheduled to continue for the rest of the week, with further protests expected from a coalition of peace, environmental, and human rights groups.
