70 arrests as peace activists block British WMD site

international | anti-war / imperialism | press release

Tuesday August 24, 2004 23:05

by David Mackenzie - Trident Ploughshares

70 people, including four members of the Scottish Parliament, have been arrested during the blockade of Faslane naval base on the Clyde.

From 6.30 this morning there were long tailbacks of worker traffic as the protesters besieged the gates of the base, sitting down in the roadway and locking on to each other. Two climbers scaled lamp-posts and hung across the main gate of the base a large banner reading “Nuclear Free Scotland”. The base was disrupted for almost nine hours as gates cleared by police were blocked again by activists.

The MSPs arrested are Mark Ballard, Francis Curran, Rosie Kane and Patrick Harvie. Along with the others they are likely to be released from police custody this evening.

The blockade has now been closed with a formal ceremony but further actions against the base may be taken during the rest of the day.

Overnight two Scandinavian activists, Tiina Sarkinen, 23, a plant scientist from Finland, and Anna Goransson, 24, a student from Sweden, swam into the high security berths where the Trident submarines are berthed and got 200 metres inside the boom before being apprehended. Early this morning Petter Joelson (27), from Goteborg in Sweden, and Per Hilkrstrom (22), from Nosrkoping in Sweden breached security at the Trident nuclear warhead store at Coulport on Loch Long, five miles from Faslane.

A Big Blockade spokesperson said: “We are delighted that so many people have been willing today to take a stand against Britain’s weapons of mass destruction.”

The Trident Ploughshares camp at Coulport continues until 1st September, with the prospect of further direct action against the Trident bases.

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Comments (2 of 2)

well done to everyone involved

by bakunin

Wed Aug 25, 2004 17:29

pity there was'nt a few irish heads organised to travel over :(

Anti-nuke swimmer who climbed on N-sub in court

by Eoin

Wed Aug 25, 2004 22:31

A Trident Ploughshares activist, who swam into Faslane and rang the bell on a Trident submarine in August 2002, today appeared in court. Dave Rolstone, a boat builder from Wales, was ordered to do 20 hours of supervised attendance after refusing to pay his fine.

His action was one of the most successful actions by campaigners who have climbed in, on and around Britain’s nuclear fleet to highlight the threat that they pose.

Gillian Sloan, who swam into the base with Dave, attended court to give her support, and said, “By the time Dave and I swam into Faslane, this government had threatened Iraq with Trident three times. The hypocrisy never ceases to astound me.”

Also, at Ayr Sheriff Court today, Sue Brackenbury was given 30 hours of supervised attendance for non-payment of a £400 fine relating to the blockade of a Rolls-Royce facility in Derby.

Sue explained, “Rolls-Royce are aiding and abetting a war crime by manufacturing components for Trident. By shutting them down, we put the spotlight onto this company’s dirty business dealings.”

Contacts: David Mackenzie 0870 458 3117 (07876593016)
Joss Garman 07815 004 578
media@tridentploughshares.org
www.tridentploughshares.org

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70 arrests as peace activists block British WMD site

Comments (2 of 2)