Calls for arms embargo spark protest outside defence event in downtown London, Ont.

Protesters attempted to block access to the Best Defence Conference, an arms and defence innovation trade show. CTV’s Sean Irvine reports.

About 100 protesters blocked entrances to RBC Place in downtown London on Tuesday morning in response to the ‘Best Defence Conference’ taking place until Wednesday.

According to its website, the conference focuses on Canadian aerospace, defence and public safety, and is an event that offers attendees outstanding opportunities to build strategic partnerships, enhance supply chains, and gain insights into Canadian procurement programs.

Protesters have said they are on site to show their opposition for the Canadian government funding companies they say are providing weapons used by countries, including Israel.

One protester in the area of Wellington and York streets, posted to social media and said they are on site to, “condemn the big manufacturing companies that have been complicit in the genocide in Gaza.”

Another post from a protester downtown said, “We are here to demand an arms embargo on Israel... and it’s just unacceptable for these companies, these military programs and these government [representatives] to think that they can continue to sell and profit from war crimes.”

Sponsors of the 2025 event include General Dynamics, Deltek, Elbit Systems and Nortac Defence.

London police were on scene earlier this morning, with as many as 25 police vehicles in the area at one point. Just after 11 a.m., police said all roads in the area had reopened and demonstrators had left the scene.

Police also said one person was arrested in relation to property damage.

CTV News has reached out to General Dynamics in London for comment and will update the article when a response is received.

After reaching out for comment, General Dynamics spokesperson Jay Hancock told CTV News the company would not be offering a response to the protest.