Refusal to fight with weapons is not surrender. We are not passive when threatened by the greedy, the cruel, the tyrant, the unjust. We will struggle to remove the causes of impasse and confrontation by every means of nonviolent resistance available.
Quaker faith & practice 24.10
Quaker Roots is a community of Friends building a creative, vibrant and radical Quaker response to the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) arms fair.
As Quakers we take an anti-war and pro-peace stance to action, and are compelled to take action against the violence of the global arms trade and the DSEI weapons fair, witnessing 8th – 10th September 2025:
- Monday 8 September – Walk of Witness to expose arms company HQs. Family friendly action, starting with refreshments and crafts at Westminster meeting house.
- Monday 8 September – Evening vigil for DSEI at the ExCel Centre, with Pax Christi.
- Tuesday 9 September – No Faith in War Day on the opening day of the arms fair, alongside other faith groups.
- Wednesday 10 September – ‘Stop DSEI’ hand-in.
Quaker Roots take action against DSEI as part of a broad coalition Stop the Arms Fair. There are themed days of resistance from Mon 1st to Fri 12th September.
Whether you are witnessing at DSEI, or upholding us from where you are, there are opportunities to join in creative witness with origami, banner making and singing.
Check out all our upcoming events to connect with others in our Roots community, learn more and spiritually prepare for witness. And see our written and video resources.
To stay up to date with all our news & events, sign up for email updates here.
Resisting DSEI in previous years:
On Tuesday 3rd September 2019, hundreds of Quakers joined us to take action against the DSEI arms fair, one of the world’s largest trade shows for the defence industry. Find out what happened in our video here:
And a selection of photos from Quakers there on the day here:
