Before I started my role as Faith in Action Project Worker, I wasn’t someone who regularly attended large-scale, public demonstrations. This is for several reasons, but predominantly because the thought of attending such events felt overwhelming and intimidating.
So, I never could have imagined that my first real protest would be outside one of the world’s biggest arms fairs on the second day of my new job with SCM! But stepping into the role of Faith in Action Project Worker has already pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me realise that sometimes living out your values requires it.
If you have ever wondered what protest is really like, or whether it is something you could take part in, I hope these reflections from a certified newbie help to demystify the experience.
What is DSEI and No Faith in War Day?
DSEI stands for Defence and Security Equipment International. It is one of the largest arms fairs in the world and is held in London at the ExCel Centre every two years, with the most recent one taking place between the 9th and12th of September 2025. At the fair, major arms companies and manufacturers from across the globe promote and sell weapons and military equipment to government representatives and military buyers, some of whom are actively involved in human rights violations and on-going conflicts.
In the week leading up to the fair and during the fair itself, people gather outside the ExCel Centre to protest against DSEI. These events and vigils are coordinated by Stop the Arms Fair and call upon the UK Government and the event organisers for an alternative to war and armed militarised violence. Each day is organised with an overarching theme, and one of those days is No Faith in War Day.
No Faith in War Day is a gathering that brings together people of faith in an act of peaceful resistance against the arms trade. The programme for the day includes prayers, songs, silent reflections, times of worship, and other non-violent actions, each led thoughtfully by different faith communities.
The 2025 No Faith in War Day included sessions led by Jewish Antizionist Action, Quakers for Peace, Pax Christi, London Catholic Worker, Anglican Pacifist Fellowship, and Ascension Church. These ranged from prayerful worship to quiet contemplation and concluded with a funeral march and requiem for all those who have lost their lives because of the arms trade.
Why do we protest?
That’s a fair question and one I have asked myself. Protests are often seen as something only for extroverted individuals and seasoned activists who exude confidence and sometimes, unfortunately, the media focuses on protests as if they’re mostly about destruction and violence. But attending my first protest has made me realise that, at its heart, protesting is all about showing up. It’s a way of saying, “This matters to me and I won’t stay silent.” For people like John Lewis, protest was fundamentally “an act of love, not one of anger.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “We are not to simply bandage the wounds of victims beneath the wheels of injustice, we are to drive a spoke into the wheel itself.” For me, attending the DSEI protest was trying to do just that – it was a way of not only caring for the direct victims of these weapons of war once the damage is done, but going straight to the source to stop those weapons being bought and sold in the first place – driving a spoke into the wheel itself.
Protest is one way of living out your faith and following in the way of Jesus. After all, Jesus was a protester in his time. He challenged systems of oppression, spoke out against those in power, and was a fierce advocate for justice on behalf of those in need. We don’t all need to flip tables, but we can all play our part. Whatever your background or experience, "You are never too small to make a difference”, as Greta Thunberg reminds us.
My first protest – thoughts, reflections and what happened.
Stepping off the train and walking toward the area outside the DSEI Arms Fair where the protest was being held felt daunting. By the time I arrived, the arms fair was already in full swing, and the protest had been underway since the doors opened at 8 a.m. Crowds had gathered in acts of defiance as delegates made their way into the venue. The sheer volume of people was overwhelming, and there was a buzz of noise and commotion.
Police were in attendance to ensure people were where they were meant to be, and I, along with other activists, initially had a difficult time finding where the main protest was taking place. There were so many people moving in different directions that it wasn’t immediately clear where to go. That uncertainty added to my nerves, and for a moment I felt quite lost.
Luckily, I found a lovely woman who was attending the protest as part of Quakers for Peace. We got chatting and, ultimately, managed to find the right location together. It was reassuring to meet a friendly face so soon, and her passion was infectious. Any nerves I had quickly began to fade.
Not long after that, I spotted the Student Christian Movement banner being proudly held by two members of Team SCM, who greeted me warmly. With that, I finally felt grounded with a sense of belonging and ready to begin my day of activism.
For most of the day, the atmosphere was calm but determined. Various groups, listed above, led the gathered crowd in acts of prayer, song and worship that felt deeply powerful when shared together. For me, what was most striking was the Meeting for Worship led by Quaker Movement for Peace. The group led protesters in an hour of silent waiting in which people, when they felt moved to, shared words and reflections with the group, most of which were related to the arms fair and the atrocities it was responsible for. At the end of the hour everyone shook hands and greeted each other, and it was beautiful. I had never experienced anything like it before and for me it summed up what the day was all about.
There was a moment during the Quaker Meeting where loud crowds had started to gather in the surrounding areas. This resulted in an increased police present which ended up circling the green where we were sat. While it was initially unnerving to see, the peace of the meeting outweighed this. During this time ‘bust cards’ were handed out through the seated crowd offering ‘just in case’ advice in the event of an arrest.
Despite the uncertainty and tension mentioned above, the day was filled with solidarity, and I left with a feeling of hope that things could be better. Experiencing the protest firsthand was the perfect preparation for my year ahead as Faith in Action Project worker and I will take the importance of showing up and standing together for what matters and the empowerment that comes from it forward in all I do. I am so grateful that SCM encouraged me to take the plunge.