Twickenham locals have voiced their concerns over an arms dealers conference that is being held at Twickenham Stadium this week.

Richmond and Kingston Palestine Solidarity Campaign (RKPSC) organised the protest which took place outside of Twickenham Stadium yesterday afternoon (Monday 22 January).

They also launched a petition which has reached over 1,900 signatures.

The Defence iQ arms fair will take place this week between 22 and 25 January and will promote weaponry and arms.

A second conference will also take place this year between 27 and 29 February for an International Military Helicopter Conference.

RKPSC explained: "Representatives from many repressive regimes such as China, Saudi Arabia, UAE and more, will attend.

"Companies such as Elbit Systems, Leonardo and Raytheon who sell arms to Israel and have profiteered from the killing of 20,000 Gazans (and counting) are to be presenters, guests and sponsors at these events."

They added: "Not only are the sponsors and speakers at these upcoming Twickenham Stadium conferences supplying devastating weapons to the Israeli military, they're bragging openly about the profits they're making from this war

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"These are the companies that will be in Twickenham Stadium this month, the same ones making profits from supplying weapons that are enabling just about the clearest cut case for war crimes in living memory".

The protest took place in front of Twickenham Stadium yesterday, with a large crowd gathering with banners, signs and megaphones.

The protest took place in front of Twickenham Stadium yesterday, with a large crowd gathering with banners, signs and megaphones. (Photo Credit: Heather Nicholls).

One protester, who is local to Twickenham spoke to Nub News: "I don't think this place should be used for this, I'm a local resident and I'm already very distressed about what's happening in Gaza. 

"This place should be reserved for sport not for hosting people involved in oppressive regimes.

"I know they aren't all oppressive regimes but there is no distinction between those that are and those that aren't."

The protest took place outside the stadium on Monday 22 January. (Photo Credit: RKPSC).

Another supporter, Afia Bhatti, saidt: "How abhorrent that the home of English Rugby thinks it's ok to host an Arms Fair at which profiteering arms companies will showcase their military equipment – some of which is currently being used to have killed more than 25,000 people in Gaza and counting.

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"I will at least go to my grave knowing that I did something to stop my local community from being complicit in such an abhorrent conference."

Ayesha Shah, who was also at the protest said: "These companies are out there bragging about how 'restocking' will increase their quarterly earnings… It's disgusting, and has no place in Twickenham.

"We want arms dealers out of our community."

One protester said:

She added: "Twickenham Stadium should be ashamed of making blood money and profiting from the Gaza war crimes.

"Sport should not mix with abusive militaries and despot regimes and arms dealers… I'm just an ordinary citizen, feel strongly that I have to stand up and speak. Showing support doesn't make me antisemitic or anti-anything.

"It makes me human."

A spokesperson for the Rugby Football Union said: "As a host, we are politically neutral and our main priority is to ensure that all events are safe and secure for both clients and local residents."