Armed Forces Day
Militarism the whole family can enjoy
Local authorities have become the military’s promotional agents and recruiting sergeants. This article was first published in The Morning Star.
What would Lennon do on Liverpool’s Armed Forces Day?
"Peace is possible, and it isn't just inevitable to have violence... so advertise yourself that you're for peace if you believe in it." Imagine John Lennon alive today, with a ticket to ride back to his hometown, Liverpool, on 24 June 2017, the day that the city hosts Armed Forces Day.
Let’s Give Peace a Chance on Armed Forces Day
Armed Forces Day is on Saturday 24 June, or 17 June in some places. Over 350 events which package war as entertainment with military vehicles, weapons and recruiting stalls will be taking place across the UK. The national event is taking place in Liverpool. Here we list alternative events that are challenging the militarism of Armed Forces Day with vigils and events promoting peace.
Armed Forces Day: ‘It is peace we must strive for, not increasing militarisation’
This letter from ForcesWatch staff member Douglas Beattie was first published in the Camden New Journal on 23 June 2016 in response to Camden Council's support of Armed Forces Day.
Armed Forces Day and other ways of manufacturing consent
A year ago we wrote how Armed Forces Day symbolises the creep of militarism into our civil institutions. Far from being merely a reflection of public respect, this creep is the result of a concerted effort, which can be tracked through policy initiatives and is fuelled by concern that the military are losing control of the public narrative around defence. We noted how these public displays, which are ostensibly about supporting 'the men and women who make up the Armed Forces', (including Camo Day, Reserves Day and the Poppy Appeal), act to market the military as an institution and to build a positive and uncritical narrative around it and support its recruitment needs. A year, and another Armed Forces Day, later, we look here at how militarism continues to creep into schools and colleges and how recent developments further embed military approaches and interests within the education system.
War marketed as family entertainment
Letter to The Independent (see all signatories below).
Armed Forces Day Kids with guns controversy at family celebration for British troops
30/06/2014Herald Scotland
Herald Scotland
THERE are hook the duck stalls, fairground rides and countless ice-cream vans. But these are not the most popular attractions with the thousands of small children who descended on Stirling yesterday for Armed Forces Day. They seemed to prefer handling the high-velocity sniper rifle, getting to grips with an 81mm mortar or staring down the sights of a Starstreak II missile launcher, with its operator on hand to boast of its "multi-target capability" and 7km range.
War and peace
Letter to The Times (see all signatories below)
On this day 100 years ago, Archduke Ferdinand of Austria and his wife were assassinated in Sarajevo in an action that led to the First World War. Unchecked militarism in Europe was also a major factor.
Today is also Armed Forces Day, one of the clearest indications of the re-militarisation of British society. Established in 2009 to increase public support for the forces, there are over 200 public events, many billed as 'family fun days'. This week also saw Uniform to Work Day promoting the reserve forces and 'Camo Day' in schools.
The creep of militarism into our civil institutions
Quaker report opposes increasing militarisation
27/06/2014Ekklesia
Ekklesia
“The stirring music, smart uniforms and synchronised marching that characterise Armed Forces Day are a glossy front behind which sits a deliberate strategy to manipulate the public,”