Concerned citizens from across central Victoria will be supporting the disruption of Land Forces, this year’s largest weapons expo in the southern hemisphere, to be held at the Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre.
The ‘Land Forces’ massive weapons convention is being held from September 8 to 14. Delegates from 30 countries around the world, including generals, weapons CEOs, diplomats and defence ministers, will come together to do the deals that end in massacres.
Arlo Hill is a local high school student and activist in Castlemaine who plans to be in Naarm (Melbourne) for the whole week of Land Forces, and join in a number of actions including a truth telling circle, and the opening rally.
“I’m growing up in a world where I see companies continuing to manufacture weapons that are killing people in Palestine, West Papua, Congo and all around the world,” Arlo said.
“Weapons companies behind all this killing will be at Land Forces, supported by the Victorian Labor Government, so we’re working together to protest this horrible arms fair.”
Jo Huf and Rowan Skewes are local business owners who will be joining a number of actions in addition to providing produce to feed protesters.
“We’re joining in a motorcade, where cars, trucks, bikes, and people on skates and skateboards will tour the weapons manufacturers operating under our noses in Naarm. These include Thales, Hanwha, Boeing and NIOA,” Rowan said.
“We’re concerned about the power that large weapons companies have over our government and society. We need to stop selling weapons for profit without regard for who will use them and how,” Jo said.
“It’s no secret that every F35 jet contains Australian parts. Having seen the horrific treatment of Palestinians by the Israeli Defence Force using F35 jets, it’s time to stop putting the profits of weapons companies above our values as a community.”
Rowan and Jo will also be joining a theatrical event organised by Central Vic Climate Action and Extinction Rebellion, on the morning when dealers are bringing their weapons to display at the expo. Dozens of climate activists from Bendigo and across Mount Alexander Shire are supporting this action as weapons are also a climate issue.
“The link between weapons and our climate emergency is one of the reasons our performance activist troupe have chosen to disrupt Land Forces. Military activity consumes vast quantities of fossil fuels and up to six per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions are from military activities,” said Serena Everill, spokesperson for Central Vic Climate Action.
“Peace, not war, contributes to a liveable planet for future generations. The projected emissions from the first 120 days of the Israel-Gaza conflict were greater than the annual emissions of 26 individual countries and territories.
“Armed conflict also wastes funds that are needed for climate action. Reinvesting just five per cent of global military spending would exceed the initial annual costs of adapting to climate change in developing countries.”
