The damage that the arms trade does is a root cause of so many of the world's problems. Quakers are working to end the arms trade.

The arms trade has a devastating impact on peace, human rights and security across the world. Large scale military procurement and arms exports only reinforce a militaristic approach to international problems.

[QUOTE-START]

We have to take responsibility in our own countries for the trade in weapons, which will continue unless we intensify our actions against it... Let us picture where Jesus Christ would be in this matter...He would be there, he would be working with us, he would be arguing and doing everything in his power to ensure that this trade, which is totally immoral, was stopped as soon as possible.
- Jo Vallentine, Quaker faith & practice 29.09

[QUOTE-END]

Stopping the world's largest arms fair

Quakers in Britain are a founder member of Stop the Arms Fair, a coalition of groups opposing the Defence and Security Equipment International arms fair (DSEi) in East London every other year. We build resistance to the arms fair through protest, lobbying, witness, creativity and prayer.

This year, a Quaker network is organising faith-led nonviolent direct actions that will challenge the arms fair. It is called Roots of Resistance. Through this network, Quakers across Britain are preparing for the No Faith In War day of action on Tuesday 3 September. Plans include two mass meetings for worship, singing protest songs, and the creation and display of a hand-crafted Quaker peace tapestry.

Get involved

Resources and inspiration

Take action

Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) have a page of petitions & pledges to sign up to. Currently the#StopArmingSaudi one is particularly urgent given that British weapons are being used in Yemen and the scale of the humanitarian crisis unfolding there.

Staff in QPSW are more than happy to advise you if you are interested in taking further action, or if your meeting has a concern in this area.

Image: A damaged UN school in Gaza city in 2012 (Wikimedia CC 3.0)

Related blog

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28 June 2019 by Isabel Cartwright

Contact us

Daniel Jakopovich

Peace & Disarmament Programme Manager

020 7663 1090
danielj@quaker.org.uk
@DisarmQuaker