Global Day of Action on Military Spending
Building a huge international call for change on 17 April
Download our leaflet for the day of action now.
In the last year, homelessness has increased by at least 14%. The government has halved the budget for social housing yet continues to spend roughly £700 million on arms export subsidies.
The UK spends more on its military budget than every other country in the world, apart from the US, China and Russia. Yet health and welfare spending is being drastically cut. Download and print our graphic leaflet and help pose the question: "Has our government got its priorities right?"
Globally the picture is similar. In 2010, global military spending surged to an all-time high of US $1.63 trillion. That's around $240 each for every person on the planet.
Imagine what could be achieved if $1.63 trillion was put to work to meet human needs rather than increase militarisation...
On 17 April, new figures on global military expenditure were published showing that in 2011 UK military expenditure saw some of the smallest cuts in Europe. Download an overview of the figures here. Take action with people around the world to say:
Ideas for Action
Whatever you choose to do, let us know so that we can help build the picture of action taking place all across the UK and all around the world.
5 minutes: Five new people
Use the day as a hook to ask 5 new people to take an online action with CAAT. Write a couple of sentences telling your friends or family why you think they will want to:
- Add their voice to CAAT's This is not OK petition, which calls for an end to government subsidies for arms company exports
- Get Involved in supporting CAAT's campaigns
5 minutes: Use Twitter to tell the treasury what you'd do with its £39 billion military budget
The UK government is saving the military budget at the expense of welfare and continues to push arms sales to dictators. For one day, let the Treasury's communications team deal with a storm as we tell them what its priorities should be instead!
On 17 April, if you use Twitter, help create a Twitter storm by tweeting better priorities to @hmtreasury with #demilitarize
e.g. @hmtreasury If I had £39 billion, I wouldn't be spending it on pointless aircraft carriers. That's twice the total cuts to the NHS! #demilitarize
30 minutes: Spread the word with posters and leaflets
CAAT's leaflet for 17 April exposes that military spending is being prioritised over public services. Download and print copies to distribute as flyers or display as posters.
Take two minutes now to order free This is NOT OK petition cards and posters. On the day why not set up a display in your workplace, local library, church or community centre and take the opportunity to let others know why you support the campaign?
This is NOT OK petition cards can be used with the Global Day of action flyer to give people the chance to add their voice to the campaign for an end to public subsidies for arms companies.
2 hours: Run a street stall
There is massive public scrutiny of the government's spending priorities and its weapons sales to repressive regimes. A street stall is an important way of turning public interest into widespread action.
Order posters, leaflets and resources. Borrow a CAAT tablecloth. Have a look at our top tips for planning a street stall, and have a think about ways to make your stall have visual impact.
Why not don white coats and set up a stall near your local hospital? Why should the NHS face £20 billion cuts when the UK is spending twice that on military every year?
2 hours (and a bit more preparation): Get creative and plan an action!
Maybe you'll take inspiration...
- From the Granny Peace Brigade in New York who invented the "penny gizmo" as a way of highlighting that the government's spending priorities are massively out of step with those of the people.
- Or from constituents who organised peace vigil outside Vince Cable MP's surgery in response to weapons sales to Libya and Bahrain.
- Or from the samba band who got together and with just ten people managed to close down the Business Department for an hour.
- Or take action to highlight that the arms trade is on your doorstep. Find ideas here.
We can help!
CAAT can:
- Link you up with other CAAT supporters in your area and publicise announcements on our website and email lists.
- Provide posters and materials, and may be able to cover some of the costs.
- Offer you advice on planning an action and research information.
- Support you to get media coverage for your action.
Contact us
Email Anne-Marie or call the office Mon-Wed to let us know what you're planning or to talk through your ideas.
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