Liverpool residents and campaigning organisations, including Liverpool Friends of Palestine, are calling on Liverpool City Council to take all actions available to it to press the ACC Liverpool to cancel the AOC Europe, an arms fair, scheduled to take place in a council-owned venue, effectively owned by the people of Liverpool.
The event is an exact replica of the Electronic Warfare Europe, which was cancelled last year after pressure from a large coalition of Liverpool civil society groups. In response to their pressure, the then Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson committed to develop “an ethical charter for LCC and the ACC” in order to “set restrictions on what events we can and should have.”
It is therefore deeply concerning to see an arms fair attempt to return to the city, in a venue owned by Liverpool City Council. Arms merchants, including Elbit Systems and Leonardo, whose weapons are used by repressive states are due to attend the fair.
The petition also calls for Merseyside Pension Fund to remove investments from the arms industry.
If you are a resident of the North-West sign the petition to Liverpool City Council.