PBI-Canada stays in touch with Quaker Roots as they organize to stop the DSEI arms show in the United Kingdom

Photo: Quakers at DSEI, September 2025. Photo by Brent Patterson.

Brent Patterson, the coordinator of Peace Brigades International in Canada, attended a virtual meeting of Quaker Roots this week.

The United Kingdom-based Quaker Roots describes itself as “a community of Friends building a creative, vibrant and radical Quaker response to the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) arms fair.”

We first met with Quaker Roots on a Zoom call in May 2025, then in person at their witnessing of the DSEI arms fair in September 2025 in London.

Photo: Quakers at DSEI, September 2025. Photo by Brent Patterson.

Quakers in Britain has noted their three days of activities in 2025: “On [September 8, 2025] the eve of the arms fair, Quakers joined the Merchants of Death Walk of Witness past the headquarters of two major arms manufacturers, both linked to weapons used in the ongoing bombardment of Gaza, L3 Harris and Northrup Grumman. …[Then on September 9] as people of faith stood in silent protest, arms companies inside continued to strike deals that fuel war, repression, and genocide around the world. …And on [September 10] Quakers visited the headquarters of Clarion Events who organise the arms fair, delivering a demand that they drop the DSEI event.”

The head of witness and worship for Quakers in Britain Oliver Robertson says of the DSEI arms fair: “As Quakers, we worship in silence to listen for the promptings of love and truth in our hearts. That truth is clear: making money from killing people is obscene. Weapons sold here are destroying lives in Gaza and around the world. The real crime is happening inside the arms fair, not outside it.”

Along with the walking tour of arms companies, silent protest, and calls for Clarion to drop the DSEI event, Quakers have been involved in other related activities including a peace pilgrimage, a peace camp, group book readings, and vigils (like the one we attended the night prior to the opening of DSEI in 2025).

Photo: Vigil at DSEI, September 2025. Photo by London Quakers.

Notably, more than 700 Quakers organized to witness the DSEI arms show in 2019.

Photo: Quakers at DSEI, 2019. Photo by Quaker Roots.

Photo: Quakers at DSEI, 2021. Photo by Phil Wood for Britain Yearly Meeting.

Photo: Quakers at DSEI, 2023. Photo by Phil Wood for Quakers in Britain.

We look forward to their upcoming activities as the continue to organize toward the next biannual arms show in September 2027.

PBI-Canada continues to also collaborate with the Canadian Friends Service Committee (CFSC) on shared concerns about the arms trade.

Together we are organizing a webinar on Wednesday February 11 at 7 pm ET. Watch for more details on that coming soon!

Quakers in Canada are also planning to be present at activities at the time of the next CANSEC arms show this coming May 27-28 in Ottawa.

Additional reading: PBI-Canada observes protests at the DSEI arms fair in London, hears concerns about violations of human rights (PBI-Canada article, September 12, 2025).

Image by Shut.Down.CANSEC on Instagram.