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Bread Not Bombs

August 13, 20141:50 pmSeptember 25, 2023 1:52 pmLeave a Comment

Last week we saw the return of the Great British Bake Off, so to celebrate it we have looked into our collection to see what objects and issues used baking motifs. The bread not bombs slogan was chosen.

What it means

Although the original source of the slogan is not known to us, we do know it is associated with a variety of different groups, all who were campaigning against the arms trade. If anyone knows its origin please get in contact! 

The groups 

Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) works to end the international arms trade. In the past they held nationwide ‘Bread not bombs’ weeks to make people aware of this issue. We have a colourful poster produced by them. They even commissioned a song to be recorded for it!

Quaker Peace and Service produced a poster with the slogan ‘Hungry need bread not bombs’. Molesworth Peace Camp used the slogan when holding winter planting days.

The CND produced a badge with the slogan on.

A huge banner in our collection, which was made by various community groups, has one section which uses the slogan. 

What it all means 

All of these items show that ‘Bread not Bombs’ was a popular slogan used to make people aware of the issue of the arms trade. Many think that the money spent by first world countries on arms could be better spent in third world countries on food. 

Written by Charlotte Hall. Charlotte joined The Peace Museum in May 2014 as a collections intern. Charlotte has been leading a location audit of the collections and has helped install and research objects in the newly developed WWI gallery. Charlotte is studying a Masters in Museum and Art Gallery Studies at the University of Manchester.

Written by Ezra Kingston

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