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Protest at Ashton Gate as stadium hosts defence expo
Fluttering flags of red, white, black and green were held aloft outside Ashton Gate by protesters as attendees of a defence and security expo made their way into the event at the stadium.
The Security Cleared EXPO “offers a strategic platform for professionals in the security and defence sectors to connect and explore career opportunities”.
Protesters said that many companies taking part contribute to the “genocide” in Gaza.
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An Ashton Gate spokesperson said: “We respect people’s right to protest and, as such, will facilitate any gathering safely.”
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One protester, who did not want to give their name, told Bristol24/7: “We think it’s despicable that a Bristol institution like Ashton Gate would be supporting and facilitating this sort of careers fair for the arms industry…
“That allows for the development of death delivering technologies that enables and is necessary to the genocides that are occurring around the world particularly in Palestine.
“The fact that this is just allowed to happen, this is in Bristol and that a huge place like Ashton Gate can basically give their support to such things, we think is disgusting, despicable and needs to be challenged and ended…
“We’ve done outreach around all the businesses in the local area and they’re all in agreement on this, they all think it’s also terrible, despicable and a stain on Bristol’s reputation”
EXPO attendees making their way to the entrance in front of protesters – photo: Ellie Hastie
The Bristol area is home to some of the largest defence companies in the UK as well as the large Ministry of Defence base at Filton Abbey Wood.
The expo featured more than 100 exhibitors including BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin and Qinetiq.
Main photo: Ellie Hastie
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