3 Faiford B52 Disarmament Trials to Start Sept 4th in Bristol Crown Court (England)

international | anti-war / imperialism | news report

Monday September 04, 2006 09:38

by Solidarity

Bristol Crown Court, England

They're on Trial For Us, We're on the Streets for Them1

On the eve of the 2003 B52 led "Shock and Awe" bombing campaig over Iraq, margaret (monica) Jones and Paul Milling disabled a couple of dozen vehicles at Fairford U.S. Air Force Base (England) specifically designed to reload B52 Bombers for their daily runs over Iraq. the trial of Jones and Milling starts Monday Sept 4th. They face a max sentence of 10 years imprisonemtn if convicted. Two further trials of activists who were arrested on their way to disarm B52's will follow.

The trial if Jones and Milling begins Monday Sept 4th in Bristol Crown Court (England). They carried out their nonviolent disarmament action at USAFB Fairford in March '03.

Fairford lies genearlly dromant most of the time, until the U.S. wants to carpet bomb somewhere. U.S. military are then deployed to the base to make it fully opeartional. B52 Bombers are then deployed from their bases in the U.S. B52's were the major work horse of U.S. bombing campaigns over Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, in Gulf War1, Serbia, Afghanistan and the '03 "Shock and Awe" over Iraq. They are still used sporadically in the ongoing invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan.

B52's either fire hi tech cruise missilesfrom distance or more often carpet bomb from 30,000 feet over genearl target area. B52's drop mapalm, cluster bombs, fuel explosives as well as other ordinance. They open their bomb bay doors and carpet bomb with little idea of what they are specifically hitting on the ground.

This is a callout for solidarity with the 5 anti-war resisters as they go through the Bristol Crown Court over the next weeks and months.

Suggestions
-write solidarity letters to these good folks.
-spread the word and contact details of the defendants solidarity groups.
-hold a solidarity vigil at the British Embassy at Dublin.
-tell your friends and announce the trials at public meetings etc.
-if you have friends in or near Bristol inform them and encourage them to get down to the court during the trial.
-if you know anyone heading to Bristol form Ireland ask them to drop intot he trial

Bacgorun info, check link......

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Comments (6 of 6)

The second trial to follow in Bristol Crown Court.....

Mon Sep 04, 2006 13:47

The second trial in Bristol Crown Court trial will be of the "B52 Two". On March 18th 2003, Toby Olditch & Phil Pritchard of Oxford were arrested after entering Fairford USAB and attempting to disarm a B 52 Bomber. They carried paint, bolts and nuts to disable the negine and a hammer to begin its transformation. They had left photos of Iraqi casualtes of previous bombing raids on Iraq and a sign "Collateral damage" on the perimiter fence. They had also planted peace poppies near the fence line of the base. They also carried whistles and flashing lights to be used following the hoped disarmament and a sign "Caution this Plane is Grounded" to be used follwoing the disarmament.

They were arrested and imprisoned on remand at Gloucester Prison for 3 months. released on bail on June 20th. '03. Like the other three defendants they have spent a long process travelling to the House of Lords to guarantee a fair trial where all issues could be considered.

Their trial is expected to start early October. Background on their case, can be found on their website.....

http://www.b52two.org/

LINK- "The Guardian" Reports on Disarmament Trial (S4)

Mon Sep 04, 2006 13:50

http://www.guardian.co.uk/antiwar/story/0,,1864319,00.html

LINK-Meanwhile in OZ, Pine Gap Crew Prepare for Oct 3rd. Pine Gap Trial in Alice Springs!

by NT

Mon Sep 04, 2006 17:42

http://www.pinegap6.org/

LINK-Update from Bristol

by Update

Tue Sep 05, 2006 22:59

https://publish.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/09/350066.html

LINK-Report from Day 1 of B52 Trial in Britsol