Pro-Palestinian protesters gather at London, Ont. defence conference, block entry

Pro-Palestinian protesters scuffle with event staff at RBC Place in London, Ont., on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025 as they blocked access to the Best Defence Conference. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Geoff Robins

LONDON — A group of pro-Palestinian protesters that blocked entry to a defence conference in downtown London, Ont., earlier this morning has now dispersed.

A crowd of protesters had gathered outside the Best Defence Conference at RBC Place where they blocked off entrances to the building and locked some doors with bicycle locks.

Organizers say the group of people from across southern Ontario was demanding that Canada impose an immediate two-way arms embargo on Israel and halt plans to ramp up military spending.

Before the conference was scheduled to get underway this morning, police could be seen tackling people to the ground.

Protesters were also seen physically clashing with event staff, with some taking steel fencing from a nearby construction site and using it to push and shove.

Other protesters lined up around the perimeter of the building, wearing kaffiyehs and holding signs.

London police Const. Matt Dawson says one person was arrested for property destruction and taken into custody.

The Best Defence Conference website advertises the event as the “premier” Canadian aerospace, defence and public safety conference that brings defence and security companies together, as well as Canadian Armed Forces representatives and defence procurement specialists.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2025.

Cassidy McMackon, The Canadian Press