Peace campaigners protest arms fair at Birmingham NEC
Quakers joined other peace campaigners in two days of protest to draw attention to a controversial arms fair hosted by Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre (NEC).
There were no arrests outside the Specialist Defence and Security Convention (SDSC-UK) on 3-4 February, although two protestors were carried off the site.
Actions by around 60 protesters included a mock drone attack 'die-in', street theatre from the Red Rebels, a silent Quaker vigil, interfaith prayers and drumming.
“The SDSC-UK isn't just another exhibition, it's a showcase for companies that profit from war, human suffering, and corruption," said a spokesperson for the Stop SDSC-UK campaign which includes Quakers, Campaign Against Arms Trade and others.
“Weapons sold here end up being used against civilians in conflicts from Yemen to Gaza. This is not welcome in our city."
The SDSC-UK has faced protests in every community it has visited. Previous events were forced out of the Three Counties Showground in 2023 and the Telford International Centre in 2025.
Notorious exhibitors at the arms fair have included:
- Thales, linked to arms used against civilians in West Papua and breaches of sanctions against Russia.
- BAE Systems, whose fighter-bombers have been used in Yemen and whose deals have been tied to massive bribery scandals.
- Qioptiq/Excelitas, providing military optics to regimes known for human rights abuses.
- L3 Harris, whose bomb racks have been used in conflicts in Turkey, Azerbaijan, Ethiopia, and Libya.
- Elbit Systems, a key part of Israel's drone fleet involved in attacks condemned as genocide in Gaza.
An open letter to Paul Reeve, CEO of the NEC Group, signed by over 400 individuals and 30 organisations including Pax Christi and the Peace Pledge Union, was delivered to the NEC on 21 January by their Peace Dove mascot.
In their letter, the campaigners said that hosting the arms fair goes against the NEC's stated commitment to honest, ethical business.
The UK arms industry alone emits over 1.4 million tonnes of CO₂ annually and is linked to nearly half of all international trade corruption cases.
“The NEC cannot claim to be a responsible, ethical venue while hosting an event that fuels oppression and destruction around the world," said the spokesperson.
Campaigners are calling on the NEC to refuse to host the next SDSC-UK.