On May 7, Peace Brigades International-Canada coordinator Brent Patterson moderated the “Shut It Down: Global Actions Disrupting the Arms Trade” webinar featuring movement activists from around the world.
This is part of PBI’s commitment to anticipatory accompaniment, the prevention of violence against human rights defenders around the world, specifically those whose safety is endangered by the police, military and state security forces.
The webinar was organized jointly by the Shut Down CANSEC campaign and the International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS).
To watch the video of the webinar (available until May 15), click here.
The panelists included activists from the United Kingdom, Spain, France and Canada. Click on the bolded links below to follow them on social media.
Rosie Lucente – Shut Down CANSEC (Canada): “A campaign exposing and opposing CANSEC: The largest arms dealer convention in Canada.” Rosie highlighted the community campaign organizing a mass mobilization to shut down the annual CANSEC arms show in Ottawa. The next CANSEC takes place on May 27-28, 2026.
Kirsten Bayes – Campaign Against Arms Trade (United Kingdom): “a UK-based organisation working to end the international arms trade. Nominated for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize.” Kirsten noted the biannual effort to shut down the DSEI (Defence and Security Equipment International) arms fair in London. The next DSEI takes place on September 7-10, 2027.
Laura Ferrer – Desarma Madrid (Spain): “Platform for the demilitarisation of Madrid. Against arms fairs and other events.” Laura noted the biggest arms fair in Spain is the biannual FEINDEF (International Defence & Security Exhibition). The next FEINDEF takes place in Madrid on May 18-20, 2027.
Laura – Stop Arming Israel (France): “More than 30 Palestinian trade unions have launched the appeal ‘End all complicity. Stop arming Israel’. Let’s spread the word!” Laura said that the biggest biannual arms fair in France is Eurosatory. The next Eurosatory takes place in Paris on June 15-19, 2026.
Simon Black – Labour Against the Arms Trade (Canada): “Coalition of peace and labour activists working to end Canada’s participation in the international arms trade. For arms conversion and a just transition.” Simon highlighted the “hot cargo” resolution at the upcoming Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) convention on May 11-15, 2026, in Winnipeg. Palestinian trade unions have been clear: to stop the genocide, trade unions in the West must refuse all forms of collaboration with Israel.
At this time, we recall that Amnesty International has repeatedly stated: “Canada continued to export arms and military equipment to countries despite lack of accountability for past violations and substantial risks that they could be used in serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.”
We continue to follow these issues.
