Record number of protests against Armed Forces Day across the UK
Joint press release by ForcesWatch and the Peace Pledge Union
A record number of demonstrations and other actions to challenge Armed Forces Day are taking place in towns and cities across the UK this weekend.
Protest organisers have reported a three-fold increase compared with 2024, with demonstrations, vigils, stalls and flyering planned in over fifty locations this year.
Celebrations to mark Armed Forces Day will take place throughout the UK on 28th June featuring military parades, flyovers and displays of military vehicles. The occasion has long drawn criticism for its uncritical portrayal of the armed forces and warfare.
This year Armed Forces Day events will include vintage displays, 1940s-style tea parties and Spitfire flyovers to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, as well as many activities aimed at children such as bouncy castles and rides.
Peace campaigners have accused such events of “rebranding militarism as entertainment”. They say the rapidly growing protests reflect public outrage at the UK’s support for Israel actions in Gaza and Iran, as well as opposition to the deepening militarism in the UK in the wake of the government’s Strategic Defence Review, National Security Strategy and huge increases in military spending.
The protests follow the recent No Kings protests in the US against the US Army 250th Anniversary Parade, which raised similar concerns about the glorification of militarism and a dangerous culture of military obedience.… Read more