Shut DESO Day of Action
As part of our Living by the Sword' campaign we joined with Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), Christian youth organisation SPEAK, Pax Christi and many others to hold a 'Shut DESO Day of Action' on Monday 16th October.
We held a prayer meeting outside DESO, a Rally at Bloomsbury Baptist Church followed by a human chain to encircle the DESO offices at lunchtime. In the afternoon we engaged the public in a mass street poll about DESO and the arms trade, followed by lobby of participants' MP's at Parliament on the issue.
The timetable for the day was:
- 10.00am Prayer Meeting outside DESO Offices
(2 -12 Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2SH –nearest tube Holborn or Tottenham Court Road) - 11am: Rally and Preparation for Action
(Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, 235 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H) - 12.30pm: Shut DESO Mass Action
We made a human chain around the headquarters of DESO in Central London, to designate the department a 'global danger zone'. Nearly 300 people encircled the building, many of whom wore white to symbolise unity and peace. - From 1.30pm: Poll of Public Opinion
Participants of the DESO Day of Action conducted an informal street poll in Central London, engaging the public and helping to spread the message about DESO. - 3 – 6pm: Lobby of MP's
Over 40 MP's at the Houses of Parliament were visted by participants of the Shut DESO Day of Action, encouraging them to call for the closure of DESO. Meetings with MPs were arranged beforehand. CAAT's Lobby Guide is here.
If you would like any further details please contact the office on 01865 748796 or office@for.org.uk.
Read here for Christian Press Coverage on 'Church Today'
Church leaders call on government to close arms export unit.