Protesters disperse after blocking entry to London, Ont., defence conference

LONDON — A group of pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted the start of a defence conference in London, Ont., Tuesday morning, blocking off entrances to the building and locking some doors with bicycle locks.

The crowd that had gathered outside the Best Defence Conference at RBC Place in the city’s downtown has since dispersed and London police say one person was arrested.

Protest 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 start, police were seen tackling some 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.

Angelune Des Lauriers, who attended the protest on behalf of Labour for Palestine, said the group wanted to draw attention to the fact that conference sponsors include companies that manufacture weapons used in conflicts around the world.

“Even though we’re a small player in the global arms trade, we are an important player,” Des Lauriers said when reached during the protest Tuesday morning.

The website conference lists among its sponsors Canadian company General Dynamics, which was contracted to produce artillery for the United States; Lockheed Martin, an American aerospace and defence manufacturer that supplies the Israeli military; and Israel-based military technology company Elbit Systems. The Canadian Press has reached out to those companies for comment.

A Lockheed Martin spokesperson said the company respects the right to peaceful protest, and will “continue to partner with the Canadian government and our international allies to deliver strategic deterrence and security solutions.”

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.

Conference founder Heather Pilot said in an email to The Canadian Press that people have a right to protest in Canada and that although protesters “did create some inconvenience,” the conference proceeded.

“This conference is about Canadian sovereignty, protecting Canadians and the Canadian defence industry,” she wrote.

London police Const. Matt Dawson said one person was arrested during the protest for property destruction and taken into custody.

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

Cassidy McMackon, The Canadian Press