Vredesactie photo
On Monday afternoon, November 16, European policymakers and arms merchants were meeting in private at the annual conference of the European Defence Agency (EDA) in Brussels. Soon after the Paris massacre, the war suppliers were primed to profit from the Agency’s mission that includes strengthening the European defense industry.
On the sidewalk just outside the barricaded, red carpet entrance to the meeting venue, about three dozen peace activists rolled out a red puddle of paint, disrupting the scene as they staged a bloody sit-in.
Vredesactie photo
Each of the campaigners held a small placard with a simple statement in Dutch or English, such as: “Arms lobby dictates EU policy.” “Arms lobby kills” and “EU exports insecurity”.
“Strengthening of the arms industry does not lead to a secure Europe in a safer world. On the contrary. European weapons show up in conflicts worldwide and are just a catalyst for violence and conflict,” said Bram Vranken, spokesman for Vredesactie (Peace Action).
Vredesactie photo
Police quickly moved in and arrested 27 people, who were all released later that day.