Armed with Love - Resisting the DSEI Arms Fair

Pax Christi placard

On Monday 9th September, over a hundred people of faith gathered outside the ExCeL Centre in London to mark the 'No Faith in War Day' at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) arms fair. In a world scarred by violence and injustice, participants chose the tools of prayer, presence, and lament, to challenge the global arms trade - particularly in light of the ongoing genocide in Gaza, where weapons sold at DSEI continue to fuel untold death and suffering.

From early morning, a silent vigil took place outside the gates of the Excel Centre. Thousands of arms dealers streamed by as Pax Christi members tried to engage them in conversation, challenging the myth of 'security' and 'defence' promoted by their industry. A tiny minority took prayer cards being handed out bearing these powerful words from Pope Francis: "Give us a voice for those who have no voice and are not heard; those who know that there is no tomorrow in war, and that the violence of weapons destroys both the beauty of creation and the joy of life."

Pax Christi produced a 'Novena of Nonviolent Resistance' in preparation for the DSEI Arms Fair. Sr Katrina Alton began the liturgy saying, "In Gaza, thousands of children have been buried beneath rubble. Their bodies tell the truth of this arms fair. Not the brochures. Not the branding. The truth is in their screams, the grief, the tiny shoes left behind."

Music and prayers were led by members of the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship, Quaker Roots held a meeting for worship, and the London Catholic Worker poignantly ended the day with a funeral memorial for all victims of the arms trade.

This year's No Faith in War Day was especially significant given the intensifying conflict in the Middle East. The faith-based protest called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, an end to the UK's complicity in the arms trade.

Sr Katrina Alton is National Chaplain to Pax Christi England and Wales