DSEI protest convergence space

Published: September 09, 2011 08:46 by Not needed

Fantastic news, I will be there on Sunday morning. The old tactics have failed, time to make some changes.

Published: September 09, 2011 09:03 by Dan

Activists coming to London should know that this is not the official protest group.

See www.stopthearmsfair.org.uk

London Action has long pushed an agenda of violent confrontation with the arms dealers something that we think is counter productive.

Published: September 09, 2011 10:52 by SM

A genuine question:
When you say "All welcome" does that include those who intend to participate in the fluffy actions?

Published: September 09, 2011 12:10 by London Action Collective

Yes as it says "all welcome" however we want people to realise that our preperation, discussion and planning is focused on direct action not marching and banner making.

We intend to stop DSEI from taking place. This convergence space is for others who share that aim however if you need a place to crash with like minded people and want to get to great vegan food then by all means drop by.

Published: September 09, 2011 12:22 by Cockny lad

Just arrived and welcomed with a cup of tea and a great deal of energy - this place is really buzzing !!! It's like the old days of people who know they are going to make a difference. I've heard from Tom that there is fresh food arriving tonight and there will be a BBQ on Saturday night with two bands for the sounds.

For people coming down the best ways are
Underground - Bethnal Green Station on the Central Line take the Museum of Childhood exit. Walk to Old Ford Road and once there turn right and we are just past York Hall.

Buses - Numbers 8 -106 - 254 - 309 - 388 - D3 and D6.

Published: September 09, 2011 12:52 by London Action Collective

Update to what's planned

Friday (today)
Early evening - welcome to all arrived so far with a few drinks and a cold meal.

Saturday
Morning - Tactics discussion, all ideas welcome but with an emphasis of stopping DSEI from taking place.
Lunch - food is available but more contributions welcome.
Afternoon - bus to Excel centre for first action - details to those present.
Evening - BBQ and live bands with open mike session afterwards.

Sunday
Lunch - same as above
Afternoon - Action event
Evening - Action event

Published: September 09, 2011 13:36 by On my way

I am so pleased to read this, over the past few weeks I had been wondering if it was worth me coming to the DSEI protests because with each arms fair they had been getting smaller and less effective. The tactics of a march and a shout from behind some barrier hundreds of yeards from any dealers was just pathetic. Last time in 2009 the closest we could get was the other side of the river !

To read about a group with the single aim of closing the show fills my heart with joy, this time we are going to show the bastards, this will be the last DSEI :-)

I'm on my way now, logging off early from work and will be with you as soon as I can.

Published: September 09, 2011 18:33 by A Medic

Where exactly are you?
The vegan restaurant seems to be very much open for business with no sign of a convergence space in sight.....

Published: September 09, 2011 19:59 by Disarm dsei

Unfortunately this post is a fake. Two of the disarm crew have just walked round. Cafe is still functioning and owner has already had to deal with the cops. We would have loved this to be true, and were looking forward to meeting the activists who think we're fluffy. This is a clear attempt at disruption tactics and shows their worried.

Published: September 09, 2011 23:45 by Dan Viesnik

The above comment / addition by 'Dan' was not posted by me. And what on earth is an 'official' protest group?? The whole language used seems rather suspicious to me.

Published: September 10, 2011 08:53 by warning- this looks like a police tactic!

Hi, this convergence space is very full of police- please be aware that this will not be a secure space and you may be putting yourself at serious risk!

There is obviously no such thing as an official protest group, but this convergence space looks like it may have been set up by met police agent provocateurs (there is no mention of a london action collective anywhere else on the web than here- i've just googled them) in my experience people planning on taking spiky actions do not say so on an open forum and give an address of where to find them as the police closely monitor sites like this!

Even if this was not set up by the police, the police will certainly be there now. If you want to take spiky action at DSEi please do not go here or you will almost certainly be arrested!

Published: September 10, 2011 08:54 by FAKE SPACE DO NOT USE

WARNING: THIS IS A FAKE CONVERGENCE SPACE.DO NOT USE THIS SPACE. Please spread the message!

Published: September 10, 2011 10:44 by Free agent

Looks like "stop the airms fair" group has had its nose put out of joint and is now trying to claim this is not a real convergence centre to try and re-establish support for their group and its march.

It would have been better if rather than speading lies about an alternative group they had worked with them. I went down to the convergence centre last night and they seem a dedicated bunch who are simply trying to stop the DSEI event in their own way, groups need to work together not undermine each other because different tactics are being used. There is a place for all

Published: September 10, 2011 10:49 by Carl

Pathetic attempts at disinformation to undermine this action and its plans, good to see we have the arms dealers worried.

I arrived late last night and caught the end of a yummy vegan meal - thanks guys. I was there from 9pm until 8am this morning and saw just one police car drive buy, no other hassle. People claiming the cops are all over this place are lying. There is crash space available and there will be a BBQ and concert tonight with live bands. Get down there and help stop DSEI in 2011.