Peace prayer vigil outside London arms fair

Around 200 people of all faiths took part in a candle-lit prayer vigil last night, outside the London Excel Centre in Docklands, where the Defence and Security Equipment International arms fair is taking place.

The event is the largest arms fair in the world. Campaigners say it hosts companies that sell weapons to some of the world's worst human rights abusing regimes, including the Russian arms suppliers to Syrian President Assad. It also welcomes firms that have supplied teargas used in Turkey, Brazil and Bahrain, and Israeli stands displaying 'battle-tested weapons'.

While employees and visitors to the arms show came and went, the campaigners formed a large circle in front of the Excel Centre, lit candles and prayed in silence.

A leaflet handed out to visitors explained: "We do not want this to happen in our name. As people of faith and goodwill we believe that peace and sustainable security between people can only come about by creating just relationships and not through fear or threat. The arms trade robs the poor and fuels wars all over the world. The UK government should play no part in this.

"We hope that our presence here will bring some light to the darkness of the arms trade, exposing the cold and heartless 'business as usual culture' that allows this trade to continue."

The event was organised by Pax Christi, East London Against Arms Fairs, Quaker Peace and Social Witness and Campaign Against the Arms Trade (CAAT)

For more information see: www.caat.org.uk/ www.paxchristi.org.uk/