Richmond and Kingston Palestine Solidarity Campaign (RKPSC) hosted a second protest at Twickenham Stadium yesterday (27 February) over an International Military Helicopter Fair. 

The Defence IQ fair is taking place at Twickenham Stadium from Tuesday 27 February until Thursday 29 February. 

600 plus representatives from 50 different countries will be attending the arms fair. 

The flyer for the protest says: "The international Military Helicopter fair will be attended by arms dealers and military representatives of states with highly dubious human rights records." 

The flyer for the protest. (Photo Credit: RKPSC).

A previous protest took place outside the stadium on Monday 22 January, over the Defence IQ arms fair which took place between 22 and 25 January. 

This second protest had a slightly smaller crowd than the January protest.

However, there was still a number of protesters from the local area, as well as from places such as Greenwich, Hillingdon, and Southend. 

There were a number of protest groups from different places present at the protest. (Photo Credit: Oliver Monk).

As well as the protest, 18,000 letters against the arms fair have been sent to the Rugby Football Union. 

One of the organisers, Aiesha reading her speech.(Photo Credit: Oliver Monk).

One of the organisers of the protest (from RKPSC), Aiesha said: "We were shocked to find that there was a second arms fair. 

"They weren't just happy with making shed loads of money from one they decided they needed a military arms fair as well so we're here protesting. 

"We don't want arms dealers in our community and we just really don't think a rugby stadium should be mixing with arms." 

She added: "We are going to continue the pressure on until they stop hosting arms fairs. 

"They can get their money from lots of other things that are more ethical." 

Those who gathered at the protest chanted, sang, and read speeches and poems about the arms fair, as well as the ongoing conflict in Gaza. 

There were also signs on the other side of the road, strung to the bus stop and trees. (Photo Credit: Oliver Monk).

A lot of cars passing the stadium were beeping their horns in support of the protest. 

Cars were beeping in support of the protest as they passed by. (Photo Credit: Oliver Monk).

Many of the protesters present today were local Twickenham residents. 

One resident, Maya said: "Why the hell are they selling these disgusting weapons that are murdering hundreds of thousands of people, in my town? 

"This is almost my back garden, it is not the time or place. 

"The fact these people are so rich and so out of touch with what their weapons and things they are selling is doing to humanity is actually disgusting. 

Maya said:

She added: "This is a sports venue, what does a sports venue have to do with these billionaires who want to sell their little toys. I just don't get it." 

Tim, said:

Another attendee, Tim, said: "It is outrageous that Britain is complicit in the genocide, and here is the home of the English rugby team and they are part of the arms fair, this time selling attack helicopters which will be used by Isreal to massacre thousands of people in Gaza." 

Another group of protesters with their signs. (Photo Credit: Oliver Monk).

There was one man present at the protest, standing away from the group, on the opposite side of the road who said that he was fine with the stadium holding the arms fairs. 

Kenny Maxwell stood on the other side of the road with his sign. (Photo Credit: Oliver Monk).

The man, Kenny Maxwell, who is a Twickenham resident said: "It's business, get on with it.

"They're free to do it, these people are free to protest and the stadium is free to do whatever they want within legal limits. 

Kenny Maxwell with his sign. (Photo Credit: Oliver Monk).

"As are these people, all I'm doing is pointing out Hamas are terrorists, and they might want to think about it." 

Twickenham Stadium is best known for hosting rugby matches. (Photo Credit: Oliver Monk).

Aisha said: "What I think should be highlighted is that Twickenham Rugby Stadium says their politically neutral and they host private events but they aren't. 

"If they are so politically neutral why did they tweet that we must support Ukraine? 

"That is hypocrisy when you're saying one is wrong and one is right when the same thing is happening." 

The stadium tweeted in support of Ukraine on February 26, 2022.

A spokesperson for Twickenham Stadium said: "We host many successful private events throughout the year at Twickenham Stadium.  

"As a host, we are politically neutral and our main priority is to ensure that all events are safe and secure for both clients and local residents." 

Click through the gallery at the top of the page for more photographs from the protest.