No Faith in War

Many religious traditions hold working for peace as central to their belief systems. For many believers, rejecting militarism and embracing peace is a fundamental part of their worship or spiritual journey. Our spiritual reasons for opposing the arms trade are as diverse as our religious traditions and personal spiritual paths but we come together united by our belief in peace.

On Tuesday 3rd September 2019 we will gather to say we have: ‘No Faith in War’. Find out all about the day here

Using our different traditions and rituals that mourn the loss of life, we will process from different points to the entrance of the arms fair, converging together to hear from those affected, bringing readings and prayers from our holy books and texts.

In the afternoon we will transform the area in to a place of celebration of life – finding joy in our hope for change and ‘surrounding’ the arms fair with love, hope and prayers for change!

This will be a day for people of any faith, or none, to use their spiritual practices and heritage to resist the arms fair non-violently. All are welcome and we hope that everyone will stand in solidarity with each other’s actions. It is a day to respect and value what each tradition does to act for peace.

Groups that are or have been involved include:

Quaker Roots of Resistance

Pax Christi

Fellowship of Reconciliation

Quaker Peace and Disarmament Programme

Student Christian Movement

Jewdas

Wake Up London

Anglican Pacifist Fellowship

London Catholic Worker

If you would be interested in getting involved with your group, or want to be added to our email updates please contact [email protected]

We also have a Facebook page where you can ask any questions and find out more: https://www.facebook.com/events/2359593814126040/

17 posts
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Get ready to #StopDSEI 2019!

2 July 2019
Every two years, the global arms trade comes to London. DSEI, one of the world’s largest arms fairs, returns in September 2019. This is where those who profit from war, repression and injustice do business. This is where we can stop them. More than 1,000 arms companies plan to set up shop, marketing their wares...
Stop the Arms Fair logo

Blocking and exposing the arms fair in 2017

10 September 2018
DSEI (Defence & Security Equipment International) is one of the world’s largest arms fairs. Hundreds of people got in the way of its set-up at London’s ExCeL Centre in September 2017. Dabke-dancing, aerobics, a gig on a flatbed truck, abseilers dangling from a bridge, theatre, military veterans undertaking unofficial vehicle checks for banned weapons, Kurdish...
Purple text reading 'No Faith in War' on a white background.

No Faith in War: Programme of events

14 August 2017
This is the programme of events that have been scheduled to take place (so far!) during the ‘No Faith in War‘ action on Tuesday 5th September. More events have been planned that have not yet been scheduled and yet more still that will not be scheduled (such as the street theatre which will take place...
White doves sit in the upper branches of a tree. A solitary dove soars wings outspread against a bright blue sky with wisps of clouds, the sun shining through the feathers on the tips of its wings and tail.

The business of war

8 August 2017
Sue Hampton writes about why she wants to do peace witness at an arms fair. I am sixty years old. I am shy by nature and I have never broken the law. For the last couple of years I have been attending Berkhamsted Quaker Meeting, where I have felt a sense of homecoming. I am...

Meditate for peace at the arms fair

7 August 2017
Wake Up London are a group of young adults inspired by the peace work of the Buddhist teacher, poet and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh. We will be present at the DSEI arms fair again this year to show our belief in peace and a more compassionate world. The Wake Up movement began around 10...
A crowd of protesters block vehicle from entering DSEI

Round up: an amazing week of action to challenge the arms fair!

17 September 2015
This September saw daily blockades and creative protest by a wide range of groups to try and stop one of the world’s biggest arms fairs from taking place in East London. Read reports on actions taken so far below: Monday 7 September: Day 1: week of action launched with a blockade! Tuesday 8 September: Day 2: armoured...
An armoured vehicle on top of a HGV truck

Day 2: Armoured vehicles turned away by ‘No Faith in War’

8 September 2015
Today’s faith-based day of action, ‘No Faith in War’, saw both entrances to the ExCeL Centre blocked for nearly four hours and several armoured vehicles turned away!

Christian activists found not guilty

5 February 2014
The five Christians whose action blocked the Custom House entrance to the arms fair on 10th September have been found not guilty of aggravated trespass. It was the video evidence supplied by the police for purposes of prosecution which helped the five win the case, ironically. They had not received clear instructions as to what...