Caroline Russell AM joins Londoners protesting outside the world’s largest arms fair
Today, Caroline Russell, Green Party London Assembly Member joined Londoners outside the ExCeL Centre in Newham to protest the opening of the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) arms fair.
The event facilitates the sale of military equipment and weapons, including to countries accused of human rights violation, genocide and war crimes.
Green Party Members of the London Assembly have opposed this arms fair since 2003, consistently calling for London to reject an event that enables authoritarian governments to arm themselves and commit atrocities across the globe. [1]
The last two DSEI fairs, in 2021 and 2023, cost the public over £4.8 million in policing alone. [2]
Explaining why she opposes this marketplace of death and destruction, Caroline Russell AM said:
“I joined Londoners today because we must reject the idea that our city can be a showroom for weapons used to commit atrocities.
"This week at DSEI, arms linked to the murder of Palestinians and the destruction of Gaza are being proudly displayed by the very people who profit and make a living from war and human suffering.
“For more than two decades, Green Party London Assembly Members have stood firmly against DSEI, and I was proud to stand alongside Londoners who are calling for peace and a city that refuses to be complicit in global suffering.”
Notes to editors
Caroline Russell is available for interview.
[1] May 2025 – Caroline Russell asks two (1 and 2) written MQs on DSEI, Mayor repeats his statement saying: “I have made previous statements regarding my opposition to the DSEI show being held in London. However, as we have discussed previously, the Greater London Authority does not have the powers to stop the event proceeding.”
October 2024 – Caroline Russell wrote a letter on behalf of Green AM’s to the Mayor asking for an update on his discussions with ExCel about not holding the fair in the future and asking him to “stand with us in denouncing the arms fair and all atrocities where the British Government is supplying arms around the world.”
February 2024 – Sian asks a written about the extra security on the cable car during DSEI.
December 2023 – Caroline asks a written MQ about the costs of policing the 2023 DSEI. Total cost was £1,886,269.
October 2023 – Sian Berry asks a written MQ about blocked access DLR and Elizabeth Line stations at Custom House as a result of DSEI.
September 2023 – Zoë Garbett attends the protest outside DSEI.
Full timeline of Green London Assembly Members opposing DSEI since 2003 here
[2] 2023 DSEI policing cost - https://www.london.gov.uk/who-we-are/what-london-assembly-does/questions-mayor/find-an-answer/dsei-arms-fair-2023-2
2021 DSEI policing cost - https://www.london.gov.uk/who-we-are/what-london-assembly-does/questions-mayor/find-an-answer/policing-dsei-arms-fair-2021