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Call the Shots. Shut DESO

NEW: Watch the video of the Action Day here

Shut DESO Action Day on 16 October 2006

The Shut DESO Action Day on 16 October 2006, part of our campaign to Shut DESO, was a great day of fun and action. More than 250 people came from all over Britain and from many different groups to encircle DESO's headquarters in Central London and sent a clear message that time's up for the government's gunrunners (read our press release about the day). Thanks to everyone who came!

Additionally, hundreds of members of the public were asked about their opinion on DESO in a street-poll (see the results below.) What the poll made clear, is that the Government has kept DESO's role very quiet, but the majority of the British public don't think that public money should be being spent on promoting arms around the world – a good indication that DESO should be shut.

Street-poll results

Over 700 members of the public were asked the following questions:

1. Have you ever heard of the Defence Export Services Organisation?

Yes: 10%
No: 88%
Don't know / Maybe: 2 %

2. The Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO) is a government department of 500 civil servants dedicated to selling military equipment around the world on behalf of arms companies.

Do you think that public money should be spent in this way?

Yes: 5%
No: 82 %
Don't know: 13%

Thousands of copies of the Holborn and Bloomsbury Messenger were also distributed in the area. Later in the afternoon around 50 MPs were lobbied at Parliament by their constituents and asked to put DESO's closure firmly on the agenda.

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The gallery below shows some highlights of the Action Day. You can click on the images to see a larger version.

People from all over Britain took part in the chain

Thousands of copies of the Holborn and Bloomsbury Messenger were handed out to passer-bys

The human chain in the middle of busy Central London

More than 250 people took part in the human chain

The TV comedian Mark Thomas speaking to DESO's staff in the building

DESO's headquarters were designated as a 'global danger zone'

Picture of the preparation meeting in the Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church

A prayer meeting organized by FoR, the CAAT Christian Network and Pax Christi was part of the Action Day

Find more pictures on Roy's space and on Indymedia.

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The campaign 'Call the Shots' tackles the political influence of the arms industry within Government:

Part 2 of the 'Call the Shots' campaign calls for the closure of DESO:

Campaign Against Arms Trade, 11 Goodwin St, Finsbury Park, London N4 3HQ
Tel: +44-(0)20 7281 0297 | Fax: +44-(0)20 7281 4369