Campaign Against Arms Trade

Campaign Against Arms Trade is a UK-based organization that opposes the international arms trade, which involves companies like BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing. The organization has been involved in various anti-war movements, including protests against the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan (2001-2021), alongside groups like Amnesty International, Oxfam, and Greenpeace. The Campaign Against Arms Trade has also worked with politicians like Jeremy Corbyn, Caroline Lucas, and Nicola Sturgeon to raise awareness about the issues surrounding the arms trade. The organization has been supported by celebrities like Roger Waters, Brian Eno, and Annie Lennox, who have used their platforms to highlight the human rights concerns related to the arms trade.

● History

The organization was formed in 1974 by a group of activists who were concerned about the role of the arms trade in conflict and human rights abuses, similar to the concerns raised by Nelson Mandela during the Anti-Apartheid Movement. The Campaign Against Arms Trade has its roots in the peace movement of the 1960s and 1970s, which included groups like the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and the Committee of 100. The organization has been influenced by the work of peace activists like Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, and Aung San Suu Kyi, who have all spoken out against the use of violence and the arms trade. The Campaign Against Arms Trade has also been involved in campaigns against the arms trade in countries like South Africa during the Apartheid era, and has worked with organizations like the African National Congress and the South African Council of Churches.

● Organization

The organization is based in London and has a network of local groups and individual members across the United Kingdom, including Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The Campaign Against Arms Trade is governed by a board of directors and has a small team of staff members who work on campaigning, research, and administration, often in collaboration with other organizations like War on Want and the World Development Movement. The organization is funded by donations from individuals and organizations, including charities like the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and the Polden-Puckham Charitable Foundation, as well as trade unions like Unite the Union and the University and College Union. The Campaign Against Arms Trade has also received support from politicians like Ken Livingstone and George Galloway, who have spoken out against the arms trade.

● Activities

The organization carries out a range of activities including research, lobbying, and protest, often in collaboration with other organizations like Friends of the Earth and the World Wildlife Fund. The Campaign Against Arms Trade has published numerous reports on the arms trade and its impact on human rights and conflict, including studies on the role of companies like Raytheon and Northrop Grumman in the arms trade. The organization has also organized protests and demonstrations against the arms trade, including the London Arms Fair and the Farnborough Airshow, which have been attended by activists from groups like Stop the War Coalition and the CND. The Campaign Against Arms Trade has worked with media outlets like the Guardian, the Independent, and the BBC to raise awareness about the issues surrounding the arms trade, and has been supported by journalists like John Pilger and Seumas Milne.

● Criticisms_and_controversies

The organization has faced criticism from some politicians and industry representatives who argue that the arms trade is necessary for national security and economic growth, including politicians like David Cameron and Theresa May. The Campaign Against Arms Trade has also been criticized for its tactics, including its use of non-violent direct action and civil disobedience, which have been opposed by politicians like Boris Johnson and Priti Patel. However, the organization has also received support from human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, which have praised its work in highlighting the human rights concerns related to the arms trade. The Campaign Against Arms Trade has also been supported by celebrities like Danny Boyle and Ken Loach, who have used their platforms to raise awareness about the issues surrounding the arms trade.

● Notable_campaigns

The organization has been involved in several notable campaigns over the years, including the Stop the Arms Fair campaign, which aimed to stop the London Arms Fair from taking place, and the Arms to Renewables campaign, which called for the arms industry to be converted to produce renewable energy technologies, similar to the Green New Deal proposed by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The Campaign Against Arms Trade has also worked on campaigns against the export of arms to countries with poor human rights records, including Saudi Arabia and Israel, and has supported organizations like the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and the Saudi Arabia Democracy and Human Rights Association. The organization has also been involved in campaigns against the use of drones in warfare, including the Drone Campaign Network, which has been supported by organizations like the Quakers and the Methodist Church.

● Impact_and_influence

The organization has had a significant impact on the debate around the arms trade and has influenced policy and public opinion on the issue, including the UK government's decision to suspend arms exports to Saudi Arabia in 2019. The Campaign Against Arms Trade has also worked with other organizations to achieve changes in policy and practice, including the European Union's arms export controls and the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty, which has been supported by countries like Germany, France, and Sweden. The organization has also been recognized for its work, including being awarded the Right Livelihood Award in 2012, which has also been awarded to organizations like Greenpeace and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. The Campaign Against Arms Trade continues to be a leading voice in the movement against the arms trade and has been supported by organizations like the World Council of Churches and the International Committee of the Red Cross.