CommonSpace reports from the protest against the controversial Undersea Defence Technology conference
OUTSIDE THE Scottish Events Campus (SEC) in Glasgow today (26 June), demonstrators gathered to protest the first day of the Undersea Defence Technology conference, labelled an arms fair by outraged campaigners.
Taking place from 26-28 June, the conference has drawn harsh criticism from numerous peace and human rights campaign groups. Today’s rally, organised by the Sink the Glasgow Arms Fair coalition, highlighted the disappointment and anger which many feel that the event was allowed to go ahead with the backing of Glasgow city council.
While speeches and music continued for almost two hours outside the venue, several activists staged a sit-in on either side of the entranceway to the SEC, while others attempted to block the entrance altogether before being broken up by mounted police.
See how it all happened in live tweets from the demonstration.
A decent crowd amassing outside the SEC in Glasgow for the protest against the Undersea Defence Technology conference – officially starts in 25 minutes.@SinkUDT pic.twitter.com/KUhjSCkSEX
— Caitlin Logan (@_CaitLogan) June 26, 2018
Some subtle costumes on display today at the protest against the Glasgow UDT arms fair. Grim reaper must be sweltering in this heat@SinkUDT pic.twitter.com/wXCA8TJcbe
— Caitlin Logan (@_CaitLogan) June 26, 2018
Various different activist groups in Scotland have come to protest #UDT2018 today, from CND, to Palestine solidarity activists to Kurdistan solidarity activists, to Quakers for Peace… pic.twitter.com/5DAVHKCqbU
— Caitlin Logan (@_CaitLogan) June 26, 2018
Campaigners from @edinburghCND stand outside #UDT2018 arms conference at the SEC. #SinkUDT pic.twitter.com/ut68WvLwqE
— Caitlin Logan (@_CaitLogan) June 26, 2018
Names of Palestinians killed at the border in Gaza this year, while protesters lie under sheets on the ground. The full list took over 6 minutes, Twitter only allows 2 minutes 20 seconds. #UDT2018 #SinkUDT pic.twitter.com/L14LGxrJB3
— CommonSpace (@TheCommonSpace) June 26, 2018
Names of the Palestinian people killed at the border in Gaza this year. #UDT2018 #sinkudt pic.twitter.com/JRCZuzodT0
— CommonSpace (@TheCommonSpace) June 26, 2018
.@Jay_Sutherland_ of @MilitarismScot explains why people are standing against the #UDT2018 arms fair today in Glasgow. #SinkUDT pic.twitter.com/70kRiMrSle
— CommonSpace (@TheCommonSpace) June 26, 2018
SNP Councillor @CeeGraham1 says of the Glasgow SNP council “we do not support what’s happening in there”, that the conference wasn’t booked by this council but if they cancelled it the taxpayer would have to pay as the organisers would take them to court. #UDT2018 pic.twitter.com/fjoOMwAh5d
— Caitlin Logan (@_CaitLogan) June 26, 2018
Sean Clerkin from Action for Scotland says council leader Susan Aitken and depute leader David McDonald should resign over their stance on #UDT2018 arms fair. pic.twitter.com/T9ptuc62hR
— CommonSpace (@TheCommonSpace) June 26, 2018
Activists staging a sit-in in the entranceway outside the SEC protesting #UDT2018 arms fair in Glasgow. #SinkUDT pic.twitter.com/NS5jC4FORu
— CommonSpace (@TheCommonSpace) June 26, 2018
Meanwhile protesters chant “shame on you” at those entering the conference. #UDT2018 #sinkudt pic.twitter.com/rvNeGMRSUa
— CommonSpace (@TheCommonSpace) June 26, 2018
Jean from @ScottishCND says the #UDT2018 arms fair backed by the council in Glasgow does not match up with the SNP’s anti-nuclear weapons stance – almost drowned out by chanting at people entering the conference. pic.twitter.com/QqbGN2Nnwe
— CommonSpace (@TheCommonSpace) June 26, 2018
Green councillor @jonmolyneuxSGP says he welcomes SNP councillor Graham Campbell’s support of the protest but that the silence from his colleagues has been shameful. #UDT2018 pic.twitter.com/06NKNDbuHd
— Caitlin Logan (@_CaitLogan) June 26, 2018
An activist from Scottish Solidarity with Kurdistan explains they are here to protest the sale of arms to Turkey given their attack on Kurdish people in Rojava. #UDT2018 #SinkUDT pic.twitter.com/IZR2YaAuiV
— Caitlin Logan (@_CaitLogan) June 26, 2018
Sarah Glynn of Scottish Solidarity with Kurdistan explains why anyone concerned about peace in the Middle East should be backing the #sinkUDT arms fair protest at the SEC in Glasgow. #UDT2018 pic.twitter.com/Lfh07tuYMS
— CommonSpace (@TheCommonSpace) June 26, 2018
Police horses arrive to try to break up the sit-in in the entrance. People shouting “peaceful protest, you shouldn’t have the horses here at all, this is a public space”. Police say the entrance is being obstructed. #UDT2018 pic.twitter.com/DB4LrQ2rom
— CommonSpace (@TheCommonSpace) June 26, 2018
Police horses now form a barrier between protesters and the entrance way. People still being allowed to sit in between the barriers. #udt2018 pic.twitter.com/OeFpy2pySV
— Caitlin Logan (@_CaitLogan) June 26, 2018
Time for a song and dance, with the message to the SNP-led Glasgow city council: “we ain’t gonna vote for you no more, no more, while you shake hands with the men of war.” #UDT2018 #sinkudt pic.twitter.com/UVP0GYZaRf
— CommonSpace (@TheCommonSpace) June 26, 2018
Attendees of the #UDT2018 arms fair enter through a barrier of police horses while peace activists try to speak to them. pic.twitter.com/yX9VpsUUdw
— CommonSpace (@TheCommonSpace) June 26, 2018
One man was arrested during the protest after he tried to enter the SEC.
Protestors will also gather outside the SEC from 2pm on Wednesday 2pm under the banner of ‘Arts Not Arms’, where spoken word, music and performance with an anti-war message will be shared.
Pictures: CommonSpace