2020 in Peace & Militarism This year has thrown us in the deep end of the unknown, but two things have remained constant: peace activism and militarism. Here at dED, we wanted to reflect on the events that shaped this year, the good, the bad, and the ugly, so that as we all make our resolutions for 2021, we can learn from our most recent history and together, aim for better.
We’ve broken it down into the four 4 seasons, choosing 9 of the most noteworthy events of the ongoing battle between peace and militarism.
We’ve done this together as dED CC — the content collective. We’re a group of modern day peacemakers that have come together to use our own skills in research, design, idea making and community building to contribute what we can to peace activism. We want to shed light on the global struggles against arms that we have come to realise doesn’t only affect those in war torn places. The militarisation and violence in systems and organisations that were meant to protect the most vulnerable is a sad truth that crosses all nations. Our aim is to provide a guide for modern day peacemakers, asking our universities to drive change. We would love for you as a modern day peacemaker to join us in our reflection of 2020, if we have missed events that are key to you, please join us in the discussion and comment below.
A huge thank you everyone who has been involved in this project, especially the 4 designers who brought our research to life! If you would like to join dED or specifically dED CC please message us or email us at hiya@ded1.co
We love you Peace Force! BRING ON 2021! Cos after all #weaintdEDyet!
Early Winter January-March
These graphics were kindly designed by Oli Cassel l.
2020 in Peace and Militarism — Early Winter Tens of thousands of pro democracy protesters marched in Hong Kong to welcome in the decade. A US air strike kills Iran’s most powerful military commander in Iraq, Gen Qasem Soleimani. Luckily it didn’t trigger WW3 as feared. Syrian war documentary “For Sama” wins the Best Documentary award at the BAFTA’s. As well as his royal title, Prince Harry will also step down from his military appointments , including being Captain General of the Royal Marines, Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Honington and Commodore-in-Chief of Small Ships and Diving, Royal Naval Command. Activists pick up their phones and move online as coronavirus curbs physical protests Foreign ministers and other top officials discussed the conflict in Libya and reaffirmed their commitment to respect a much-violated arms embargo and back a full ceasefire. US embassy in Iraq was hit by 3 rockets, wounding at least one. None of the attacks were claimed. Israeli Prime minister Netanyahu was accused in court of corruption charges. He denied any wrongdoing US signs a deal with the Taliban to remove over 5000 troops from Afghanistan by May 2020…as of yet this pledge has not been met however talks are continuing. Spring April-June
These graphics were kindly designed by Alanna Roy Bentley.
2020 in Peace & Militarism — Spring Edition 2020 marks five years since Saudi-coalition began the bombing campaign in Yemen. Now known as the World’s worst humanitarian crisis. Still #Yemencantwait Arms to Ventilators — Arms companies join the effort to produce medical equipment demonstrating they don’t have to manufacture weapons! Félicien Kabuga was arrested in France. He is alleged to have been the main financier of the ethnic Hutu extremists who slaughtered 800,000 people in 1994. UK Government was urged to halt the sale of riot gear to the US police in midst of Black Lives Matter protests. They didn’t… …but Scotland did vote to end the export of tear gas, rubber bullets, and riot gear to the United States! The statue of a 17th century slave trader, Edward Colston, was thrown into a harbour by anti-racism protestors in Bristol, UK. Boris Johnson pledges 1 million pounds of taxpayers money to paint Union Jack on his private plane. Protestors across Brazil bang saucepans from windows and balconies in nightly panelaço (pan-banging) protests against the Bolsanaro regime Captain Tom’s NHS Fundraising Finishes At £32m On His 100th Birthday! Summer July-September
These graphics were kindly designed by Swan Oliver
2020 in Peace and Militarism — Summer UK accused of selling arms to Saudi Arabia a year after court ban Downing Street announces merger of Department for International Development and The Foreign Office. They faced anger from the staff over the announcement which happened without union consultation. British Military prepares for ‘inevitable’ climate-fueled resource shortages and offers a highly militarised response as the solution to escalating chaos. The report is titled A Changing Climate: Exploring the Implications of Climate Change for UK Defence and Security. Activists in up roar over Israel’s plans to further annex Palestine. Meanwhile Israel consolidates alliance with UAE under US brokered ‘peace’ deal. Trump then announces a ‘peace deal’ between Bahrain and Israel, further normalising support of the Israeli Apartheid. Palestinian leaders spoke of the great harm this would cause to the national rights of the Palestinian people and Arab solidarity Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said his country will not recognise Israel until there is a Palestinian state acceptable to the Palestinians. Virtual war gaming technology was given a fast track from the U.K Ministry of Defence. They claim this could be used as resilience to future pandemics, natural disasters, and attacks by hostile states. Activists reveal that The University of Manchester had divested from companies complicit in the Israeli occupation. However the university has made no public statement. To mark International Peace Day almost 100 peacebuilders from 67 countries gathered to discuss the impact of the pandemic on conflict and peacebuilding at a consultation held by Peace Direct, Humanity United and Conducive Space for Peace. Autumn October-December
These graphics were kindly designed by Connie Wilson
2020 in Peace and Militarism — Autumn Anti arms trade activists win! Liverpool arms fair cancelled, Mayor vows policy against future arms fairs. Foreign Office Lawyer admits being ashamed of helping the government support legal action for the government’s export of arms to Saudi Arabia International law will now make nuclear weapons illegal in January 2021! Campaign Against the Arms Trade have launched a new legal challenge to stop the sale of UK weapons for use in the war in Yemen. Their action continues until they stop these sales once and for all. The UK Government’s investment in robot warfare could lead to 30,000 robot soldiers joining the ranks of the British army by 2030 An ancient band of shepherds, villagers, environmental activists and rights groups gathered to protect their land from the expansion of a training military ground used by NATO soldiers in Montenegro. This land has served for a millennia as pasture to local communities living in the area. Nigerian military leaves approximately 15 killed and over 50 injured at ‘end Sars’ protests, calling peaceful protesters “terrorists” Oxfam found that G20 countries sold Saudi Arabia three times the amount of arms than it gave in aid to Yemen The student protest movement in Thailand is fighting to change the outdated monarchy and government — they identify as a meteorite that will hit the outdated ways of their ‘dinosaur’ leaders and bring about true democracy 
