War is not family entertainment
Posted: 24th June 2026
Challenging Armed Forces Day 2026Armed Forces Day is coming up in two weeks, on 27th June. Events will be taking place across the country, sanitising and glorifying the armed forces and armed force itself.
Each year, individuals and groups around the country peacefully resist Armed Forces Day events in their local area, and we aim to support and amplify their actions. Last year in particular we were reminded by the residents of York of the power of local action, which led to the council excluding military weapons and vehicles from the event. Congratulations to all involved!
Would you like to challenge Armed Forces Day this year?
Events around the country are listed online, and we encourage everyone to see if there’s an event happening near you and plan your resistance! Every action makes a difference, as it lets people know that Armed Forces Day is controversial and that an alternative view is possible.
We’re collaborating with ForcesWatch and Quakers in Britain this year, and have produced a number of free resources to support anyone taking action against Armed Forces Day.
Plan your resistance
We’ve compiled a briefing document full of information on Armed Forces Day and the problems with it, taking action to resist Armed Forces Day, and as well as some further resources, including those focusing on peace.
Download the Briefing
Take action
We’ve produced a template letter (Word and PDF) designed for sending to local councils. We encourage all our supporters to voice their opposition to Armed Forces Day and try to force a reconsideration of future events.
Download the Letter
Spread the message
We’ve redesigned our ‘war is not family entertainment’ postcards to make them more user friendly. These are intended for distribution in advance of, or outside, Armed Forces Day events.
If you’d like to receive postcards for free, email [email protected] with your postal address and we’ll send them to you. You can also download and print them at home.
Download the Postcard
Join us to resist the Armed Forces Day National Event in RushmoorThis year, Rushmoor Borough Council (covering Aldershot and Farnborough) is hosting the Armed Forces Day National Event. This will take place over both 27th June and 28th June, with a Schools Day also planned for 26th June.
The event includes parades, displays, demonstrations, performances, stalls, and many other activities, all marketed as fun for families. There’s a strong focus on young people and recruitment, and it’s sponsored by numerous arms companies.
The PPU is joining together with Campaign Against Arms Trade, ForcesWatch, Friends of the Earth, Quakers in Britain, as well as local residents, to host an alternative event focused on building a peaceful future.
- Where - Napier Gardens, North Camp, GU14 6EF
- When - 2-3pm on 28th June
- Details - Speeches, music and a silent vigil. Participants are also welcome to stay behind at the end for a Quaker Meeting for Worship at 3pm.
Please join us there – let’s stand up for peace together! You don’t have to RSVP, but if you do we can keep you updated. To do so, please email [email protected].
Join Us
The more of us there are standing up for peace, the stronger our movement becomes. If you’re not already a PPU member, consider following in the footsteps of many thousands by signing the Peace Pledge. In doing so, you’d join an active and growing network of pacifists championing nonviolence and opposing militarism across the UK.
Join the PPU
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Any donation we receive directly supports our year-round campaigning work, and is greatly appreciated. If you would like to donate to the PPU’s work for peace, you can do so here.
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