@worldbeyondwar On May 31 we blocked the entrances to North America’s biggest weapons fair, CANSEC, in solidarity with everyone around the world who’s been harmed by the weapons sold there. #protest #defundwar #demilitarize #worldbeyondwar
♬ Clock It - Chris Alan Lee
Our video recap of the #ShutDownCANSEC action from last week! pic.twitter.com/NxT3hW2b2B
— Anti-Imperialist Alliance (@AIACanada_) June 10, 2023
Additional photos and video by World BEYOND War are available to download here. Photos by Koozma Tarasoff here.
🔥150+ protestors blocked all three entrances to #CANSEC2023 this morning! Together we delayed Defense Minister Anand's opening address by over an hour & made sure no arms dealers could come anywhere near their weapons fair without confronting the bloodshed they are complicit in. pic.twitter.com/7F4uSQR5Gl
— World BEYOND War Canada (@WBWCanada) May 31, 2023
Activists block the #CANSEC2023 weapons show in Ottawa and call on companies to stop profiting from war and repression. Later the US Ambassador met with Lockheed Martin, the world's biggest arms dealer, and Defence Minister @AnitaAnandMP. https://t.co/wU37MvNxBZ #ShutDownCANSEC pic.twitter.com/lMpl5NoM3S
— Peace Brigades International - Canada (@PBIcanada) June 1, 2023
Check out our #ShutDownCansec protest featured on @democracynow’s headlines this morning! #Cansec2023 pic.twitter.com/ga8BA8orrz
— World BEYOND War Canada (@WBWCanada) June 2, 2023
Wednesday May 31 2023. Starting at 7:00am. At the EY Centre (4899 Uplands Drive by the airport) in Ottawa.
CANSEC is North America’s largest arms show and “defense industry” event.
The presenters and exhibitors list doubles as a Rolodex of the world’s worst corporate criminals. All of the companies and individuals who profit most from war and bloodshed will be there.
The world is run (and ravaged) by people who wake up early. On May 31st we need to wake up earlier than them to beat them to their fair. Join us at the convention bright and early as it begins to ensure everyone showing up knows they are NOT welcome in Ottawa or to continue their deadly business as usual.
It’s time to show up in force to oppose CANSEC and the profiteering from war and violence it is designed to support.
Among the 280+ exhibitors that will be at CANSEC:
More information:
Exhibitors this year include General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada (that makes the Light Armoured Vehicles implicated in human rights violations in Yemen), L3Harris Technologies (now bidding to sell armed drones to Canada) and Lockheed Martin Canada (the world’s largest military contractor now in negotiations to sell their F-35 warplanes to Canada).
There will be banners and signs for you to hold at this action. We will meet at the entrance to the EY Centre on Uplands Drive.
CANSEC, and our protest, is taking place at the EY Centre which is located at 4899 Uplands Dr, Ottawa, ON K1V 2N6.
The parking on site is reserved for ticketed conference attendees, so people attending this protest will need to park elsewhere. Here are two parking options:
1) Park at one of the nearby hotels due south of the EY Centre, such as Hilton Garden Inn Ottawa Airport, 2400 Alert Rd, Ottawa, ON K1V 1S1, then walk over to the protest (approximately 10 minute walk)
2) Park at South Keys Shopping Centre, at the south side of the parking lot (2210 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1V 1J5) then take the 6:30am or 7:00am bus #97 or #99 (direction Airport) from South Keys to the EY Centre (get off at stop Airport / Uplands). It is a 5 minute bus ride, and costs $3.75 in cash.
The #97 or #99 bus (direction Airport) will take you directly to the EY Centre. The bus stop name is Airport / Uplands or Uplands/Alert. It leaves from various spots in Ottawa (including Rideau B, Lees A, Hurdman A, Billings Bridge 1A, South Keys 1C, Greenboro 1A). For example, the #97/99 bus passes through Hurdman station at 6:20am or BIllings Bridge around 6:25am on it’s way to the EY Centre in time for the protest.
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Hosted by the No CANSEC coalition, World BEYOND War, Anti-Imperalist Alliance, and Canadian Voice of Women for Peace. This protest is happening on unceded Algonquin territory.