Hundreds of people will march through central London in protest after the capital hosted the world’s biggest arms fair for the ninth time.
The Peace March, organised by Humanity United for Universal Demilitarisation (HUFUD), coincides with the end of the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI), which took place during the week at the ExCel centre in Docklands.
HUFUD said at least 400 people are expected to attend the event, which will begin at 6pm, to campaign for an end to militarism; the belief that countries should maintain a strong military capability.
A Peace Study Day will precede the event at the Westminster Quaker Meeting House where peace professors, negotiators, former politicians and diplomats will present their views on conflict resolution by peaceful means throughout the day.
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Peace campaigners will march on Downing Street on Saturday evening (Ronald Stein)
Last week 102 people who tried to stop the DSEI arms fair from going ahead were arrested, mostly for blocking traffic trying to reach the centre.
The government has been accused of double standards for participating in arms control talks in Geneva at the same time that London hosts the sale.
Alberto Portugheis, HUFUD Founder and President, said: "The Peace March coincides with the end of the International Arms Trade Fair DSEI, or what some call the 'pre-wars festival'.
“We believe that politicians will be able to solve all problems through dialogue the day they have no armed forces at their disposal.
“We believe that there is no need for thousands or millions to die every year from bullets, grenades, rockets or bombs. We believe that peace is possible."
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Law enforcement attempt to move protesters blocking the main access road disrupting trade traffic (Rex Features)
The UK has been criticised by Oxfam for selling arms that fuel the war in Yemen, while also funding aid efforts to help those suffering.
Sally Copley, Oxfam GB's head of campaigns said earlier this week: "Yemen is the world's worst humanitarian crisis, suffering from a borderline famine and hit by the world's largest cholera epidemic which shows no sign of abating.
"Yet the deaths, the destruction and the misery seem to count for nothing.
"Since the war began not one licence to export arms to Saudi Arabia has been rejected by the Government.
"When you are witness to the suffering in Yemen it is hard to understand or excuse how the UK government talks the talk on arms control while it walks the walk of arms sales."
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More than 100 people arrested at world’s biggest arms fair in London
She added that this was most apparent in the case of £3.6 billion worth of arms sales to Saudi Arabia for its bombing campaign in Yemen.
"On the one hand it fuels a war with massive arms sales while it sends aid to help the people it is harming," she said.
"Our call to the Government is clear: Britain's reputation on the global stage demands that you stop being an arms broker and start being a peace broker."
A spokesman for the Department of International Trade said: "The UK government takes its defence export responsibilities very seriously and already operates one of the most robust export control regimes in the world.
"We rigorously examine every application on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National arms export licensing Criteria.
"The Government undertakes a stringent process of scrutiny and approval before issuing any invitations to foreign governments to attend a major UK defence exhibition like DSEI.
"Respect for human rights is a mandatory consideration in the process and a country would not be invited where that would contradict the UK's international obligations."
